The Story of our Health Message

A New Idea

Thus to the rank and file of Seventh-day Adventists it appeared that the institution still remained under denominational ownership. True, there was one seeming difference between the bylaws of the two corporations. In the former the privilege of holding stock was limited to members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The latter, in its declaration of principles, which every stockholder was required to sign, declared its purpose to be the maintenance of a health institution, and the performance of work of “an undenominational, unsectarian, humanitarian, and philanthropic nature.” It was also set forth that all of its works and acts were to be “undenominational and unsectarian, and purely charitable, benevolent, Christian, and philanthropic.” SHM 327.2

These expressions in the bylaws were generally understood, in harmony with the interpretation given publicly by Dr. J. H. Kellogg, as meaning “simply that it is to be conducted as a medical institution, that it may have the advantages of the statutes of the state; as a hospital, it must be carried on as an undenominational institution. It cannot give benefits to a certain class, but must be for the benefit of any who are sick.” Medical Missionary Conference Bulletin, May, 1899. Opportunity was given for all former stockholders to renew their membership in the new corporation, the Michigan Sanitarium and Benevolent Association. At the General Conference session following the transfer of the property, out of 150 shares that were placed in the hands of the board of directors for distribution, 125 were assigned to delegates who were present, ministers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Battle Creek Sanitarium continued to be listed among its denominational institutions until the year 1906. SHM 327.3

By that time, 1906, the differences between the denomination and those managing the institution had become so marked as to have led to virtual separation. In an article regarding the ownership of the institution, the medical superintendent now declared that as used in the charter, the word “denominational” meant “those things which have for their specific object the advancement of the sectarian or denominational interests; and when we say undenominational we mean that this work is doing those things which are not simply for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but which will help forward the Christian religion, and help forward the general welfare of humanity. ... These things are to be done, as stated by our charter, in the interests of the public; not in the interest of any church or any set of men, but for humanity.” He, therefore, concluded that “the denomination does not own the property, and never can own it, for it belongs to the public.” (The Medical Missionary, February, 1906.) SHM 328.1

The loss to the denomination of the sanitarium at Battle Creek, together with some of the medical leaders, for a time brought questioning and perplexity to many minds not acquainted with all the facts. This separation seemed to be a severe blow to the medical missionary work, but He who had led and guided His people by divine counsel pointed the way not only to a compensation for what had seemed to be lost, but to important advance moves. SHM 328.2