The New Battle Creek Sanitarium
The New Battle Creek Sanitarium.—Invitations from State of Michigan officials, from Battle Creek municipal officers, and from Sanitarium managers, came too late to accept or even to respond in time for the day of the dedication, May 31. Reports in Battle Creek papers show that the occasion was largely attended by prominent men in State and municipality, by representative men of education, and a great host. President Roosevelt and ex-Governor Charles Knapp and others sent telegrams of regret and Governor A. T. Bliss of Michigan sent a representative. Our space is too limited to mention speakers or repeat the elaborate programs of the day. The building stands as the very best of its class, the best equipped sanitarium in the world. The structure is 560 feet long, 50 feet wide, except at ends and center, where the width is 62 feet; it is five stories high, with 10-foot basement, and a roof story of lighter construction, running nearly the entire length of the building. The walls are of brick, the outer facing of light pressed brick, suitably trimmed with stone. The floors are of steel and cement, each of the five floors being a solid slab of a thousand tons' weight, covered with marble mosaic. There is no vibration in the floors, each seeming like a solid pavement. Kitchen and dining room are in the upper story. In sanitary arrangement, in convenience, in all that goes to make a complete sanitarium it seems to be perfect. And now if it shall stand and ever stand where God designs it should,—the representative of His last, great, all-comprehensive Gospel message,—it will be indeed a blessing to the world. But if it strive for popularity, if it seek the way and favor of men instead of God's way and favor, it will degenerate and die. For the former we pray and hope.