Help for the Skodsborg Sanatorium.
By A. G. Daniells
ONE feature of our work that received the careful consideration of the delegates at the last General Conference was that centering in the sanatorium located at Skodsborg, Denmark. The great demands in Scandinavia for such an institution, and the needy condition of the one now established there, were placed before the Conference by Drs. Ottosen, Nelson, Kellogg, Elder Olsen, and others who had recently visited that country. It was stated that the population of Scandinavia is about twelve millions; that they rank among the most highly civilized people of the world, and that our sanitarium is the only institution of the kind in the country. Four years ago J. C. Ottosen completed his medical course in Copenhagen, and thus became a recognized physician in Denmark. Up to that time we had no doctors who could practice in that country. Our brethren in Scandinavia felt that our medical and health work should be carried forward in that country. They were few and poor, so could not raise much money, but they made a beginning. From the first, their work was well received. This stimulated them to launch out into the deep, and not having money of their own, they borrowed, hoping that from small donations and surplus earnings they would be able in time to get onto a safe financial basis. So far as the actual work of the enterprise is concerned, it has been a success. The sanatorium has had a most encouraging patronage—all that any one could possibly expect. Hundreds of intelligent people from all parts of Scandinavia, and some from Germany and France, have gone there for treatment. Light regarding true health principles has been carried by these people to many homes never before reached by this message, and several are reported as having accepted the whole truth of the message. But the object of this note is not to set forth all that may be said regarding the value of the Skodsborg Sanatorium to Scandinavia, but to state that it needs and deserves financial help from our brethren in America. It is not bankrupt; it is not dead, with no bright future for usefulness. It is a living, working, health-giving, and life-saving institution. But its working capital is too small; its debts are too large, and its interest too heavy. Our American institutions have all had help from our people, and the Skodsborg Sanatorium should receive the same. Recognizing this, the delegates voted at the last Conference recommending that during this year a special collection be taken in all our churches for this institution. As it was left for the General Conference Committee to fix the time when this collection should be taken, the committee has appointed the second Sabbath in September. From now until the offering is made, articles will appear in our papers, giving all the information regarding the sanatorium which it is thought will be of interest to our people. Some will remember the appeal Sister White sent out to be read during the last week of prayer. Portions of this will be reprinted for the benefit of those who may wish to understand the true situation better. We sincerely hope that the Skodsborg Sanatorium will receive the help from God's people that it should. It is one of the Lord's instrumentalities planted in that needy field to be a blessing to the people whom Jesus seeks to save.