p. 426 | A CHAPEL AT RURAL HEALTH RETREAT

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 15, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 27.

A CHAPEL AT RURAL HEALTH RETREAT.

By John Norton Loughborough

THE Rural Health Retreat is an institution which has been founded in the providence of God to accomplish a work for afflicted and suffering humanity, not only in affording relief to diseased bodies, but that their minds may be made hopeful, cheerful, and happy. To this end it is important that proper facilities be connected with the Retreat, that it may do all the good possible. The managers thus far have had about all they could do to raise means for the construction of buildings, and furnishing the necessary accommodations of increasing patronage.

Religious worship and a Sabbath-school are conducted every Sabbath, as well as one other meeting each week. These exercises have been held in the gymnasium, but it is not really a suitable thing to call the people together for the worship of God in a place where, perhaps a few hours before, they met for gymnastic exercises. If the room were suitable otherwise, it is becoming too small for the increasing patronage of the Retreat.

At the time of the annual meeting of the stockholders, last spring, the situation was considered, and the following resolution was passed:—

Resolved, That we advise the immediate erection, at Crystal Springs, of a commodious chapel, for religious meetings, and to be used as a class-room for the School of Temperance and Hygiene.

In harmony with this recommendation of the stockholders, the Board of Directors took the matter in hand and decided that it was not advisable for the Retreat to increase its debt to construct a chapel, but that they would go forward to put up the house, provided means could be raised for this purpose in extra stock and donations, or without increasing our obligations. A committee was appointed to look over the ground and report to the Board relative to the dimensions and proper construction of the house. Taking into consideration that the present gymnasium is already too small for that purpose, and that it can be turned to much better account to be made into two wards for patients, it has been decided that the chapel building should be the size of 30x60 feet, two stories; the lower room to be used as a gymnasium, and for the contemplated School of Temperance and Hygiene, and the upper room as an auditorium. The height of the lower room to be 11 feet, in the clear, and that of the chapel 15 feet. The estimated cost of construction and finishing, with heating apparatus, is about $3,000.

Now the question is, how shall this means be raised? The St. Helena church do not require such a house, for they have a building in the village, about two and a half miles from the Retreat, which they occupy for meetings. The Retreat Association has nothing to fall back upon for its erection except the contributions of the liberal. This is not a local affair, but one that interests our people everywhere, especially upon this coast. The question now is, Shall we have a chapel at the Retreat? shall the means be furnished in stock and donations to erect the same? Shares of stock are $10 each. Are there not many who wish to subscribe for ten or more shares each to help on such an enterprise? Are there not scores who could take one share each? Are there not others who would esteem it a pleasure to make donations of various sums to help at this important moment? And lastly, Are there not some persons to come forward who will become responsible for the interest on the $3,000, that the work of building may go on without the delay of waiting until all of the means shall be otherwise raised. The house should be commenced at once if it is to be erected this season. The directors do not see how they can get along without it much longer, but they are powerless in the matter unless the rank and file of the people come up to supply the wherewith. Let those who wish to respond favorably to any of the above propositions write at once to Elder J. N. Loughborough, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Pres. of Rural Health Retreat.