The Southern Sanitarium
By Smith Sharp
MORE than one year ago we were instructed through the Testimonies that a sanitarium ought to be built at Graysville, to be operated in connection with the Southern Training School located at this place. The necessity was conceded by all; but when we considered the situation from a financial standpoint, the task seemed similar to that of the Israelites in Egypt when compelled to make brick without straw. In all the Southern Union Conference there are only about two thousand Sabbath-keepers, many of whom belong to the colored race; and most of these, as well as many of our white brethren, are very poor in this world's goods. Under such circumstances the work was deferred until a Testimony came, informing us that we had delayed too long. With this fact confronting us, what could we do but go forward even though the prospect for obtaining means to complete the building seemed very discouraging? And this we did, being fully satisfied that if we did our duty, means to finish the building would be forthcoming. The plan suggested for raising means was that we should first appeal to Graysville for one third of the means, to the Cumberland Conference for one third, and to the Southern Union Conference for one third. Graysville raised more than its quota. Twenty-five acres of land, on which was a good, pure, soft-water spring, was donated by one of our brethren. The Cumberland Conference, as well as the Southern Union Conference, did something, and we began what appeared to us to be an immense undertaking. The building is situated on the side of the mountain, about fifteen minutes' walk from the school. It is only thirty-two by sixty-four feet, four stories above the basement, and will accommodate twenty or twenty-five patients. This building, though modest in size, will suffice for all the work that we think we ought to concentrate at any one point. At the very outset we decided to go no faster than money was received to pay bills. Notwithstanding work has not stopped entirely at any time, yet we have gone much slower than would have been the case had we possessed a full treasury. The building is up and inclosed, wired for call-bells and electric lights, and lathed, and we hope to be enabled to complete and furnish it this fall. This can be easily accomplished provided the means can be obtained. We have already found it necessary to appeal to our brethren outside the Southern Union Conference. The late General Conference at Oakland, Cal., very generously opened the way for us. The California Conference, which convened the day on which the General Conference closed, by vote invited us to visit the churches in that State. Elder Kilgore and I made a brief tour of the State, visiting San José, Los Angeles, Fresno, Selma, Armona, St. Helena, Healdsburg, Santa Rosa, Oakland, Alameda, San Francisco, and Sacramento, also Reno, Nev. We obtained in the aggregate over four hundred dollars in cash and about one thousand dollars in pledges. This has been quite a help to us, but more means must be obtained in order to keep the work going. Elder Moon, president of the Northern Illinois Conference, has very kindly consented that I should visit churches in Chicago and other parts of his conference. It will be necessary also to visit other conferences in the interests of this work. I shall bring credentials showing that I am duly authorized, and have the sanction of the General Conference. Money received will be duly credited on appropriations made for the Southern work by the General Conference Committee at its late meeting in Battle Creek. Now, my brethren, please consider that this is not my work, and that I am not working in my own interests. I would be glad indeed if duty did not call me in this direction. However, with the duty placed upon me and the work in danger of lagging, what can I do but go where the way is opened for me, and present the situation as it is, and place the money you give me in the hands of those who will faithfully apply every dollar of it to the object for which it is donated? The Testimonies have said that this field is a destitute and worthy one, and that our people will not do their duty until they rally to the financial support of the work in this hard field. It is difficult for our people in other parts of the United States to realize our condition in this field. We have very few places of worship, and our people have no money to provide such places. Where we have institutions, such as school buildings and treatment rooms, the facilities are such that our people generally would feel that it would be out of the question to operate them without increased furnishings, yet we are compelled to do the best we can with our limited facilities. Nothing will tend to advance the work in this field faster than this well-equipped sanitarium, directed as it will be by the Southern Union Conference. The sum of twenty-five hundred or three thousand dollars in cash will place us where we can be ready to receive patients into this institution. It does indeed seem that it is a small sum, and in many places in the Northern field it would be considered a mere pittance. But, my brethren, we have about exhausted our ability. Our modest little building is beautifully located among the pines on the mountainside, below the never-failing waters, waiting to receive invalids from less favored regions. We trust to the generosity of our Northern brethren to assist us in this extremity. SMITH SHARP,
*Manager of Southern Sanitarium for
S. U. C.*