The Story of our Health Message

“$15,000 Wanted Immediately”

In August, 1867, under the heading “$15,000 Wanted Immediately,” the manager inserted in the Review and Herald another strong appeal for “means to complete the new building for the Health Reform Institute.” He notified the readers of the Review and Herald that the directors had authorized the erection of a brick building; that lumber to the value of $6,000 had already been delivered on the ground; the foundations had been laid; and the lower story of stone had already been completed. He continued: SHM 174.4

“The question now is, Must we stop here for this season, and continue under the disadvantages spoken of for another winter, and incur the extra expense in hiring rooms outside; or shall we have the necessary means to purchase the brick and immediately complete the erection of the building?”—The Review and Herald, August 27, 1867. SHM 175.1

As a means for encouraging the brethren to invest liberally in enlarging the institution, writers in the Review and Herald quoted some of the strongest statements from Sister White’s appeal for financial support in starting the institution, as they had appeared in Testimony No. 11. SHM 175.2

After this strong appeal no further mention was made either in the Review and Herald or The Health Reformer regarding the erection of this proposed new building. What were the reasons for this surprisingly abrupt discontinuance of the enterprise? These may be gathered from Testimonies for the Church, Nos. 12 and 13, which appeared in September and October, 1867. SHM 175.3

For several months Elder and Mrs. White had been at their country home in Greenville, Michigan. Elder White, still feeble, had been unable even to attend the annual meeting of the Health Reform Institute. It was with grave apprehension that they heard of the plans to greatly enlarge the infant institution. Regarding her own feelings, Mrs. White wrote, “The disposition manifested to crowd the matter of the institute so fast has been one of the heaviest trials I have ever borne.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:563. SHM 175.4

As quickly as possible she wrote to the directors, pointing out that the plan as presented to her had been that the Health Reform Institute should be “small at its commencement, and cautiously increased, as good physicians and helpers could be procured and means raised, and as the wants of invalids should demand.” SHM 175.5

She gave voice to her alarm as she had noted “the large calculations hastily urged” by those who were leading out in the work. And she gave ample, valid reasons for her misgivings. She pointed out how that without the continued blessing of God the work might be hindered in various ways. The meager staff of physicians might fail through sickness or death. Before the new addition could be completed, the means might cease to come in, thus causing loss not only in capital, but bringing about a general discouragement that might halt the entire enterprise. Or there might come about a decline in the patronage, thus making it impossible even to meet running expenses. SHM 176.1