The Nashville Sanitarium

Further Counsel Regarding Location

Sanitarium, Calif.,

October 18, 1905.

Mr. -----:

Dear Brother,

I have received and read your letter.... I will now try to answer your questions. You state that you are holding yourself in readiness to unite with the Nashville Sanitarium, but that you wish to see your way clear before beginning operations. You ask if I have any counsel to offer as to the exact site on which the sanitarium should be established. SpTB18 22.1

I am very much pleased, Brother -----, to know that you are planning to connect with the Nashville Sanitarium. I believe that the Lord is in this matter, and I pray that he will bless you in taking up this responsibility. If you can help Dr. Hayward and those connected with him in designing and putting up the sanitarium building, we shall indeed be very grateful. I know that as soon as possible a sanitarium should be established near Nashville. Medical missionary work is indeed the helping hand of the gospel ministry, and opens the way for the entrance of the truth. The importance of this line of work can not be overestimated. SpTB18 22.2

I have written several times regarding the necessity of our sanitariums being established in suitable places, where there is an abundance of land, so that the patients can spend as much time as possible out of doors. If possible, the buildings should be surrounded with pleasant grounds, beautified with flowers and shade-trees, under which, in wheel-chairs, on their cots, or on comfortable seats, the patients can listen to the music of the birds. Those who are well enough should be encouraged to cultivate flowers and to engage in other outdoor exercise that will take their minds off themselves. SpTB18 22.3

At one time I hoped that our brethren connected with our medical work in Nashville could see their way clear to establish a sanitarium on a part of the Madison school farm. Instruction has been given me that with our large schools there should be connected small sanitariums, that the students may have opportunity to gain a knowledge of medical missionary work. This line of work is to be brought into our schools as a part of the regular instruction. SpTB18 23.1

The Madison school should have a small sanitarium of its own, [The small sanitarium here called for, has since been established.] that the students may have opportunity to learn how to give the simple treatments. This is the plan that we have been directed to follow. And if the brethren connected with the medical work in Nashville could have seen their way clear to locate the sanitarium on the school farm near enough the school for there to be co-operation between the two institutions and far enough from it to prevent one from interfering with the work of the other, I should have been glad. I have thought much of these things in connection with the Nashville Sanitarium, and of the advantages to be gained if the school and the sanitarium could be near enough together to blend their work. But I have received no positive instruction regarding the exact location of the Nashville Sanitarium, and in this particular case I can not speak in decided terms. I dare not take the responsibility of saying anything to change the present arrangements. SpTB18 23.2

In order for the best results to be secured by the establishment of a sanitarium on the school farm, there would need to be perfect harmony between the workers of the institution. But this might be difficult to secure.... Both those at the head of the sanitarium and those at the head of the school would need to guard against clinging tenaciously to ideas of their own regarding things that are really non-essentials. SpTB18 24.1

These thoughts come forcibly to my mind, and I know that I dare not take the responsibility of saying that the Nashville Sanitarium should be located on the school farm. But I wish it to be clearly understood that I have by no means changed my views regarding the advisability of our schools and sanitariums being established near enough each other to harmonize in their work. SpTB18 24.2

The property that has recently been purchased [The Renallis property that was afterward sold.] is regarded by the brethren as an ideal spot for a sanitarium. I have not seen it, and therefore can not speak personally in reference to it. It possesses a great advantage in having on it a fine spring. This is a treasure that can not be too highly prized. The street-car line that runs near the place is also a great advantage. As soon as possible, a sanitarium building should be erected on this property. I shall be so thankful to our heavenly Father if the Nashville Sanitarium can be established in a desirable place, and quickly set in running order. SpTB18 24.3

Let the brethren counsel together and ask the Lord for wisdom, and then follow the light he sends.... We shall co-operate with our brethren in carrying out whatever plans are accepted by the sanitarium board and the Union Conference committee, to be for the best good of the work.... SpTB18 25.1

There is one thing more about which I wish to speak before I close. We have no need to hesitate in regard to soliciting means for the Lord's work. And no object is of greater importance or interest than the establishment of a sanitarium. I hope that you will lay your plans before those who have money, and obtain gifts from them. SpTB18 25.2

Several years ago it was presented to me that the Gentile world should be called upon to make donations to our work in the Southern field. Let discreet, God-fearing men go to men of means in the world and lay before them a plan of what they desire to do there. Let them tell about the colored mission schools that are needed all over the States. Let the needs of this work be presented by men who know how to reach the hearts of men of means. Many of these men, if approached in the right way, would make gifts to the work. SpTB18 25.3

Let the plans for a sanitarium for the whites be brought to their attention also. Tell them that there are many sick ones who need to be cared for, not in a hospital, but in a home. SpTB18 25.4

There is aggressive work to be done. In the past too much dependence has been placed on the General Conference. There has been too much looking to it to support the work financially. The General Conference has heavy burdens to bear in sustaining foreign mission work, which must constantly be extended. SpTB18 25.5

Why not ask the Gentiles for assistance? I have received instruction that there are men and women in the world who have sympathetic hearts, and who will be touched with compassion as the needs of suffering humanity are presented before them. Let men who have the ability to tell what a sanitarium should be and the need that there is for such institutions, go to the Gentiles for financial aid. Our missionaries are fully authorized to do this in all the large cities of the South. There are men of the world who will give of their means for schools and sanitariums. SpTB18 26.1

The matter has been presented to me in this light. Our work is to be aggressive. The money is the Lord's, and if wealthy men are approached in the right way, the Lord will touch their hearts and impress them to give of their means. God's money is in the hands of these men, and some of them will heed the request for help. SpTB18 26.2

Talk this over, and do all in your power to secure gifts. We are not to feel that it would not be the right thing to ask men of the world for means, for it is just the thing to do. This plan was opened before me as a way of coming in touch with wealthy men of the world. Through this means not a few will become interested, and may hear and believe the truth for this time. SpTB18 26.3

May the Lord bless you in your work, is my prayer. SpTB18 26.4

“I have read with great satisfaction and pleasure your letter describing the property you were trying to purchase. If you have to pay Brother ----- in full just now, and that hinders you in buying the Cole place, I shall be sorry, because light has come to me for the past two years that there were buildings that might be obtained for considerable less than it would cost to build on unimproved land. SpTB18 28.1

“But in all our perplexities we can only look to the Lord and trust in him to work out his own plans.” [Ms., May 29, 1906.] SpTB18 29.1

And in a later letter she said:— SpTB18 29.2

“I am greatly pleased that you have found for your sanitarium a building that pleases you.” [Ms., July 8, 1906.] SpTB18 29.3

Be Not Discouraged

St. Helena, Calif.

January 14, 1912.

My attention has been called to the present needs of the Nashville Sanitarium; and while I am unable at this time to write as fully as I should like, I desire to say some words that will be an encouragement to those who are carrying the burden of the medical missionary work in the South. SpTB18 32.1

Many times in the past, when our brethren bearing the burden of the work have met with overwhelming difficulty in the establishment of important enterprises, they have been strongly tempted to give up the struggle. But again and again, as they have been encouraged to advance in faith, they have pressed forward in the name of the God of Israel, and success has rewarded their efforts. SpTB18 32.2

To those who are bearing burdens in Nashville, I would say: You are now to seek diligently to learn lessons that you have not yet learned. All have a work to do in self-training. The Lord now gives you an opportunity to reveal a spirit of self-sacrifice in behalf of his cause. Let all our brethren and sisters in responsibility in Nashville, and especially those who are connected as workers with the Nashville Sanitarium, humble their hearts before God, and pray for the prosperity of the sanitarium. Let those having the work in charge, study to avoid all waste and extravagance and all unnecessary expenditure. Let them see that everything is carried on wisely and economically; for they are dealing with the Lord's goods. Nothing that can be utilized should be thrown away. This will require wisdom, and forethought, and constant care. It has been presented to me that the inability to save, in little things, is one reason why so many families suffer for lack of the necessities of life. With many, there is a want of knowledge as to how to prepare food in economical ways. SpTB18 32.3

There is a lesson for us in the record of the feeding of the five thousand,—a lesson that has a special application to those times when we are placed in trying circumstances and are compelled to practise close economy. Having worked the miracle and satisfied the hunger of the multitude, Christ was careful that the food that remained should not be wasted. SpTB18 33.1

Let those in charge of our institutions bear the lesson in mind. Let them act wisely, refusing to expend one dollar that can be saved by the exercise of frugality and thrift. Our brethren and sisters in responsibility in our medical institutions may help one another to safeguard the interests of the enterprise with which they may be connected, by putting into daily practise the principles of economy and thrift taught in the Bible. SpTB18 33.2

The Lord has been leading his servants in their efforts to establish important institutions at Nashville. It is for the glory of his name and for the advancement of his cause in the Southern States, that various lines of work have been undertaken in and around Nashville. He has been leading in these enterprises, and we have had evidence of his guidance in the securing of valuable properties suitable for the different branches of our work. For us now to allow discouraging circumstances to slacken our efforts, would be out of harmony with God's purpose; for to connect failure with any of the enterprises undertaken under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, would bring dishonor upon God. If there comes a time in our experience when we find it advisable to withdraw our support from any of our institutions, it should be when that institution is in a prosperous condition. We should ever guard against the tendency to withdraw our strength from a chosen agency or working-center, in a time of discouragement. SpTB18 33.3

To my brethren who are carrying responsibilities in the Southern field I would say: Having begun a good work in harmony with the will of God, do not abandon it now because of difficulties; for this would result in the loss of an agency that might be made a power for good in warning the people of Nashville and other cities of the South. To give up at this time, would also bring discouragement to those who might be involved in the surrender, and to many others who would be affected by the influence of such a decision. For our brethren to question and waver, and submit to defeat, at the Nashville Sanitarium, would be detrimental to the best interests of the cause of God in the Southern States. SpTB18 34.1

If those who carry the burden of the medical missionary work in the South, will now study diligently the advantages to be gained by the maintenance of a suitable outpost-center from which a strong medical-evangelistic campaign can be carried forward in Nashville; and if they will plan wisely, and determine to advance in the face of difficulties, light will come in, and courage will take the place of discouragement. As in humility and faith they come to a unity of purpose and plan, God will work for them and with them, and success will attend their efforts. SpTB18 34.2

Those who led out in the establishment and maintenance of institutions in the earlier history of our work, often met with trials and perplexities. The enemy was actively at work to undermine confidence, and to place obstructions in the way of progress. Had the brethren at such times submitted to discouragement, they would not only have brought weakness to the cause they loved, but would have lessened their own ability to advance. Their later experience would have been marred by the knowledge that they had begun a good work and had failed. But our brethren in responsibility did not falter in the face of difficulty. They moved forward in the name of the Lord God of Israel, determined never to give up. They had pledged themselves to make a success of the work that had been entrusted to them, and they labored on in faith until they gained decided victories. The untiring efforts of these faithful men have resulted, under the blessing of God, in increasing prosperity in all branches of the Lord's work. SpTB18 35.1

Some have suggested that the Nashville Sanitarium should be closed, and that the work of this institution should be transferred to the Madison Sanitarium. The Nashville Sanitarium must not be closed. God forbid that this should be. Let search be made to ascertain the true situation, and then let our people do their best to carry out the plan of the Lord concerning this institution. When our conceptions of the work that is to be done in the Southern field, are broadened, we shall see that there is an abundance of work for both institutions. SpTB18 35.2

There are those who, if connected with the Nashville Sanitarium, will give strength to this institution, and will stand as burden-bearers. As men of God's appointment shall rally to the help of this sanitarium, and place themselves in right relationship with the great Medical Missionary, he will put his Spirit upon them, and will enable them to labor untiringly for the success of the enterprise, until apparent defeat shall have been turned into a glorious victory. SpTB18 36.1