The Story of our Health Message

The Religious Program of the Sanitarium

Of the religious program in the sanitarium, he wrote in the same connection: “All the physicians are men and women who fear God and have a deep love for the truth. They take all reasonable measures to maintain a good religious influence in the institution. Elder George Tenney, of Wisconsin, has charge of the devotional exercises at present. He is a candid, devoted man, and knows how to represent the truth judiciously. We believe this is an excellent field for his labors. Sister Lamson, the matron, ... will have a good influence in religious matters in the institution. Nearly all the helpers are now prepared to work together in this matter.”—Ibid. SHM 220.3

From another writer in 1885, soon after the completion of the later new addition, we get a further picture of the religious influence exerted by this institution. After a three-month sojourn at the sanitarium, Elder R. F. Cottrell referred to the institution as “unsurpassed by any in the wide world in its appliances and facilities for the hygienic treatment of the sick and infirm,” and added: SHM 221.1

“Not only so, but in its attitude in respect to the religion of the Bible it is decidedly unique. The prevailing influence in other health institutions, and also in colleges and institutions of learning to a great extent, is toward skepticism in regard to revealed truth. Science is exalted and brought into competition with revelation, and by it they propose to correct ‘the mistakes of Moses.’ The invariableness of the laws of nature is taught, while the power and providence of the Author of those laws are ignored. In contrast with this, Bible religion holds a prominence in the sanitarium. It was ordained of God to be a power for good, not only in respect to physical but also moral and religious health. It has proved so in the past, and it will in the future, if it continue faithful to its high and holy calling.”—Ibid., April 14, 1885. SHM 221.2

The morning and evening worship periods for the helpers in the institution were more than formal exercises. Frequently they were occasions for prayer and testimony. As messages from the Spirit of prophecy were received, the medical superintendent read from them to the helpers during the worship period, as also from earlier testimonies setting forth the real objects for which the institution was founded. SHM 221.3

From the very beginning of its work the directors of the sanitarium did their best, as we have seen, to make provision for the worthy sick poor. In 1891 it was stated that the amount of charity work done during the first twenty-five years of its operation had amounted to more than double the entire sum invested by the stockholders in the institution. SHM 221.4

In order to give more adequate care to this class of patients, a large, new building, devoted entirely to charity work and surgical cases, was erected across the street from the main building. More than one hundred beds were thus made available for the worthy poor. They were treated without charge for operations or medical attendance, a small charge only being made for board. In some cases opportunity was given to work out even this small charge. There were a number of endowed beds, some by individuals and others by groups or organizations. In the Medical Missionary magazine, frequent reports were given of the patients who were thus served. The addition of this hospital, at a cost of about $40,000, completed the building program until the time of the destruction of the institution by fire in 1902. SHM 222.1