Sanitarium Relief Campaign
By L. A. HANSEN
A Union Conference Effort
As stated in our last report, other conferences in the Columbia Union have had an active part in the special campaign recently carried forward. The spirit shown and the experiences enjoyed are worthy of attention. Only a few of the many interesting items can be given. The Chesapeake Conference has responded in a gratifying way to the call for co-operation. The president, Elder R. T. Baer, showed his sincere interest by earnestly planning for the success of the campaign, and actively working in its behalf. “I am asking the ministers and workers to make the ‘Ministry of Healing’ work their first duty, and not to begin any new efforts in halls or churches until this work is finished. I am placing the responsibility upon district superintendents to see that the workers under them or in their territory are doing the work appointed. Thus far all seem willing to co-operate, and I believe, by the help of the Lord, we shall see this work move along, and in the course of a few weeks see definite results. We have a people who are willing to work.” A number of churches in this conference were visited by the president, in company with Elder I. G. Bigelow and Brother J. E. Jones. Brother Bigelow sends in a report of enthusiastic reception and hearty acceptance of the proposition. Many books were placed, and in most cases the people were assisted in getting started in the work of selling. The outlook is promising. Elder G. P. Gaede, of the German church in Baltimore, writes:— “Elders Baer and Bigelow met with our German church in Baltimore in the interests of the ‘Ministry of Healing’ campaign. The meeting lasted over two hours, with an excellent interest. All who were present promised to take their share of the books, and help finish the work. “I get many invitations to hold Bible readings on Sabbath reform, health reform, baptism, etc. Among my readers are two Sunday-school superintendents. I have no trouble in selling ‘Ministry of Healing’ to persons who learned to know me through our meetings; and I am confident that some day a number of these who have heard the message, but did not accept it for fear of losing their work, will yet take their stand for the truth. We find that many more are interested now than formerly.” The Missionary Volunteer society at Wilmington, Del., is working with ‘Ministry of Healing.’ According to the last report, the secretary had sold eight copies. A young man, not yet a member of our church, sold two, one to his Sunday-school teacher. Still another member, who has not yet been baptized, sold six and expects to sell more. Another young man sold nine copies in three hours. What a grand work for these young people this is! The conference office says: “We are getting excellent reports from the ‘Ministry of Healing’ campaign. One church of seventeen members sold thirty books in a very short time. We have just received word from another church that one of the sisters there who ‘knew she could not sell one,’ sold seven in three and one-half hours, and took seven more to sell. A brother in the same church sold nine books in three hours, and then went to the church and got twelve more to sell. One family in this church took twenty-one of the books, and in a short time had all sold but three.” The work has been well under way in this conference for some time. More recently, Elder B. G. Wilkinson and other workers have visited a number of churches, and have met with a willingness on the part of the people to continue their good work. More books were taken, and a determination was expressed to hasten on the completion of the work. Brother G. Medairy, the field missionary secretary, has met with good experiences. He says:— “At Washington, Pa., I found the members in a very hopeful mood, a number anxious to work with ‘Ministry of Healing.’ Meetings were held in the evening for the purpose of studying and laying plans for a complete work. The result of our efforts was that by Thursday evening, we had sold all the books on hand, and the church was rejoicing in the blessing of many precious experiences. I shall continue to work among the churches with ‘Ministry of Healing.’ “Brethren of the ministry, I appeal to you that each time you stand before the churches and companies under your care, you give a few minutes’ talk on ‘Ministry of Healing’ until every book in this conference has been sold. You will not only receive a blessing from this effort, but will help the members to get an experience that can be obtained in no other way.” This conference has been steadily pulling in this movement for some time, and energetic work is still being done. Conference officers and workers continue to lead out by good example, and the most of the membership co-operate. While not much has been reported from this conference, it is not because they have not been working. Perhaps they are too busy to report. Word comes from various churches in the Ohio Conference of good work being done. Some account was recently given of the part that that conference is having in this movement. Further details must be left for another time. But is it not cheering to note with what earnestness the whole people in a union conference may respond to a general call, and then to see how fully the Lord gives his blessing to their efforts? Surely, we have cause for courage in every good work. L. A. HANSEN.