The Medical Missionary, vol. 13
November 1904
“Battle Creek Sanitarium Day at the St. Louis Exposition” The Medical Missionary, 13, 11, pp. 334, 335.
THROUGH the wholly voluntary, and even unexpected efforts of former patients at the Sanitarium, the management of the St. Louis Exposition gave to the Battle Creek Sanitarium the whole day, September 29. This was one of the greatest possible opportunities that could be given to present our principles and work. This was realized as soon as the opportunity was offered. Endeavor was therefore made to make the most of the occasion; and it is only proper to say that it was a grand success. The management of the Exposition cheerfully acknowledged that the attendance at the hall where the exercises were held was much larger than was that at any of the other congresses that had been held on the grounds; and congratulated the presiding officer on this fact. MEDM November 1904, page 334.1
The forenoon meeting began at ten o’clock, and was devoted to demonstrations of the foods and the treatments of the Sanitarium system. The afternoon meeting, from half past two until seven o’clock, was devoted to the presentation of the principles,—medical, dietetic, temperance, and Christian. The subject was presented under the following topics: “The Battle Creek Sanitarium System: Its Principles, Origin, and Development,” by Kellogg; “Rational Food Reform,” Dr. Mabel Howe Otis; “The Philosophy of Healing,” Dr. E. J. Waggoner; “The Free Foundation of Temperance Reform,” Alonzo T. Jones; “The Value of the Battle Creek Sanitarium System in the Battle against Stimulants and Narcotics,” Dr. David Paulson; “The Sanitarium Principles in the City Slums,” W. S. Sadler; “The Sanitarium Methods in Foreign Missions,” Dr. A. J. Read; “The Sanitarium Ideas in a Great Factory,” Dr. B. N. Colver; “The Battle Creek Sanitarium as a Factor in Medical Progress,” Dr. C. C. Nicola; “The Sanitarium: Its Status and Province in Scientific Medicine,” Drs. S. P. S. Edwards, Moline; W. A. George, College View; O. M. Hayward, Nashville; J. E. Colloran, Des Moines; J. E. Heald, Peoria; H. B. Weinburgh, Boston; H. Ossig, Berlin. MEDM November 1904, page 334.2
Some idea of the interest manifested in the proceedings may be gained from the statement of the fact that the majority of the large audience that filled the hall remained during the whole time from ten o’clock in the morning till seven o’clock in the evening, and then many of them went directly from the hall to the Christian Endeavor Hotel to the Sanitarium banquet that the hotel management allowed us to spread in their dining-room, and which closed at ten o’clock. MEDM November 1904, page 334.3
Among the attendants were United States senators, prominent men from England, Italy, South Africa, and Japan, besides representatives of vegetarian, temperance, and similar bodies of the United States. MEDM November 1904, page 334.4
No phase of the great truth that the Battle Creek Sanitarium represents was kept back or concealed. Every speaker exercised perfect freedom in presenting his subject. The Christian faith was openly and freely claimed to be the only basis, and the Christian aim of the Kingdom of God the only goal, of the movement represented and the work done by the Battle Creek Sanitarium. And although all that was presented was received with hearty approval, yet every time this thought was touched by any speaker, it received from the audience the most hearty approval of all. MEDM November 1904, page 334.5
Preceding Sanitarium Day, on September 26, 27, 28, there was held in the same hall the International Vegetarian Congress. And on the last day of the Congress, September 28, there was passed unanimously and with applause the following resolution:— MEDM November 1904, page 335.1
“That this Convention hereby tenders grateful thanks for valuable aid, co-operation, and assistance rendered the vegetarian movement to— MEDM November 1904, page 335.2
“The Battle Creek Sanitarium and its numerous branches, and to all other sanitariums and hospitals that have adopted the vegetarian principle in their treatment of patients. MEDM November 1904, page 335.3
“The vegetarian restaurants, boarding houses, and hotels that have demonstrated vegetarian practice. MEDM November 1904, page 335.4
“The inventors and manufacturers of health foods, nut butters, and health beverages. MEDM November 1904, page 335.5
“Those churches and religious and moral and scientific organizations who from a study of the Bible and other ancient systems of religion have been induced to adopt vegetarian principles and are now advocating the same.” MEDM November 1904, page 335.6
And in presenting that resolution the Seventh-day Adventist denomination was distinctly and thankfully named; and it was the only denomination that was specifically named; doubtless for the reason that it is the only denomination that holds such an attitude that it can as a denomination be specifically named in such a connection. For this we can all be thankful, and can constantly pray that we as individual members may so conduct ourselves that the denomination may ever prove worthy of the distinction and the expectation that earnest hearts in the world are bestowing upon us! MEDM November 1904, page 335.7
Sanitarium Day at the Exposition most assuredly impressed upon us all who were there, as it had never been before, that there is not only a needy and suffering world waiting for the help that the Sanitarium and its workers can give; but also a longing and appreciative world that is grateful to receive what we have to give, and that is glad that there is such a grand and noble institution and movement for such blessing of the world. And this only the more deeply impressed us that there must be in our lives a deeper consecration to God, and a fuller allegiance to the principles and the truth that are given to us for the blessing of mankind, so that this light shall the most clearly and effectually shine forth to the needy, suffering, waiting, expectant, and appreciative world. MEDM November 1904, page 335.8
A. T. J.