Rural Health Retreat

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 14, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 19.

Rural Health Retreat.

We had the pleasure of attending the annual meeting of this institution at Crystal Springs, near St. Helena, Napa County, Cal. The Retreat is now opened for patients and visitors. We feel confident that henceforth it will be kept open throughout the year. Dr. Gibbs is there; he is a well-studied physician, and has had years of practice. Last winter he went to the Sanitarium in Battle Creek, and has spent several months in becoming acquainted with all the methods adopted there. And, what is more than all else, his heart is fully in the work, and we believe he will render effective service in building up the institution.

At the organization of the new Board of Trustees, Elder J. N. Loughborough was elected president. Brother J. D. Rice, who has taken a large interest in it from the beginning, is secretary, and he will remain there to look after its interests for the present; perhaps until Elder Loughborough returns from the North, when he will give it all the time and attention that his other duties will allow.

Now we invite the friends of the good cause in the Pacific Coast States and Territories to work for it, by recommending the feeble and diseased to patronize it; and help it by taking stock in the Association. But few have taken stock in it yet, and we need more stockholders; the hearty interest in it should be more wide spread. It is worthy of your support. And above all, we ask you to pray for it. Without the blessing of Heaven it cannot prosper. Give it the influence of your prayers.

We have always said that the valley and mountain view from the Retreat is “a gem of beauty.” Every one who attended the meeting was charmed with the situation, the scenery, the water, and the climate. One who has lived many years in California, who first saw it at this meeting, said he had never beheld a situation so lovely. It seems impossible to remain there and not feel well. It is health-giving in every feature.

There remains not a particle of doubt among those having charge of it that the time has come to open it permanently. We hope there will be many who will so assist it that they may have the pleasure of sharing in its prosperity and success.