Dedication of the New Sanitarium
By Alonzo T. Jones
The dedication of the new sanitarium at Battle Creek was celebrated in interesting and appropriate services, Sabbath, Sunday afternoon and evening, and Monday afternoon and evening, May 30 to June 1. The first service of the series was held Sabbath at eleven o'clock. It was a meeting of the whole Sanitarium family for the purpose of, first of all, dedicating themselves anew to the Lord in the service to which he has called them in the medical missionary work. Elder G. C. Tenney preached the sermon. The sermon was followed by a consecration meeting, in which physicians, nurses, and helpers, with confession and devotion, solemnly and feelingly dedicated themselves anew to the service of the Lord. It was recognized by all that this was in reality the most important part of the dedication of the institution; that the dedication of the building would be a very small thing without the truer and more vital dedication of the lives of the workers in the building. This was a good meeting. Sunday afternoon was the time of the dedication of the building. The leading men of the State of Michigan had taken a deep interest in the matter for weeks before. The governor of the State had sent personal invitations, over his official signature, to the governors of the other States, to be present and participate in the exercises. The auditor-general of the State of Michigan had personally written, and published in a number of the papers of the State, an excellent account of the Sanitarium and its work, and an announcement of the dedication. The railroads gave a four days' excursion rate. The day was ideal for the occasion. The services were held in the open air, in front of the building. A platform had been erected on the broad driveway in front of the main entrance, which was occupied by the speakers. The driveway on each side was occupied by the Sanitarium family; the first floor of the columned front was occupied by the singers; and the broad approach, with all the lawn in the front, to the street, and even across the street, was crowded with the thousands of visitors. The governor of the State could not be present himself, but sent one of his secretaries to speak for him. The auditor-general was present and presided. Congressman Gardner was present and spoke. The mayor and leading citizens of Battle Creek were present and took part. Professor O'Shea, of Wisconsin University, and Professor Scott, of Michigan University, were present and spoke. These all counted themselves glad to honor the principles and the work that are represented in the building that was being dedicated. Letters or telegrams of good will, or of regret that they could not be present, were received from the president of the United States and members of his cabinet, from governors of States, and many others. Sunday evening was a union service of the churches of Battle Creek, in the Tabernacle. The pastors of the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopal churches were present and spoke. The pastor of the Baptist church, being prevented from coming, sent a good letter. Professor Barnes's trained chorus and musicians rendered excellent selections of music. Monday afternoon there was a reunion of old patients in the sanitarium parlor. Many words of heartfelt gratitude and praise to God for health restored, and for knowledge of how to live so as to retain it, were spoken by those who had enjoyed the benefits of the institution in the old buildings; and hearty Godspeed to the same blessed work in the new and better building. The exercises were brought to a close Monday night with a health banquet, in which not less than two thousand visitors participated. From beginning to end, though there were such crowded assemblies, the services and exercises of the three days proceeded without a single accident, or a single annoying or even unpleasant incident of any kind. Everything passed off smoothly and most pleasantly, and was quietly but thoroughly enjoyed by all, as a Christian service; and a most excellent impression was made upon all, as to what a Christian celebration can be. A full report of the details of the dedication, description of the building, etc., will be published in the August number of Good Health, of which an edition of two hundred and fifty thousand will be printed. It is hoped that our people throughout the United States will help to place it in the hands of the people. And when the leading officials of the State take such an interest in the principles and work committed to us, as has been done in this matter, surely all of us who are of the church itself, and who stand for these principles and this work in the world,—surely we of all people can with good heart take an interest and do all that is possible to spread abroad the knowledge of it to all people. Please let orders be sent in by the thousands for the August number of Good Health.