Atlantic Union Gleaner
September 7, 1904
The New England Sanitarium
Melrose, Mass.,
August 21, 1904.
Ever since the removal of the New England Sanitarium to Melrose, I have had a desire to see the new location, and to tell those connected with the institution of the important influence which its work may exert to benefit the people of Boston. AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 1
I have now been at the Melrose sanitarium for a week, and I find it to be one of the most favorably located sanitariums that I have ever seen. The spacious lawns, the noble trees, the beauty of the scenery all around, answer to the representations given me what our sanitariums ought to be. Everything is attractive to the eye and refreshing to the mind. Here I see the very pictures that I have been shown in vision,—patients lying out in the sunshine in wheel-chairs and on cots. I see before me the sights that the Lord has helped me to present before our people in print. AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 2
Our sanitariums should be attractive places, and the surroundings of this sanitarium correspond more closely than anything else I have seen to the representations that have been given me by the Lord. Several sanitariums in favorable locations have been presented before me; but the strikingly attractive beauty of this place leads me to recognize it as the most favorable sanitarium site that I have ever looked upon. And here is to be done the very work that the Lord has specified must be done in our medical institutions,—a work resembling the ministry of Christ, the greatest Medical Missionary that our world has ever known, a noble, helpful, sympathetic work. The manifestation of the cheerfulness and hope and grace of Christ is the highest ministry of truth and the most effective. I have been instructed that our institutions for the relief of suffering humanity are to be working agencies for the healing of both soul and body. AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 3
During my stay here, I have had an opportunity to see a great deal of the surroundings of the sanitarium. The forty acres belonging to the institution are in the midst of the Middlesex Fells, a State reservation of three thousand five hundred acres. We have driven slowly through the park in every direction, looking with delight at the lake and the trees, and inhaling the health-giving fragrance of the pines. It is delightful to ride through the forest. There are many beautiful drives, and much lovely scenery. I enjoy looking at the many different kinds of trees in the forest, but most of all I enjoy looking at the noble pines. There are medicinal properties in the fragrance of these trees. “Life, life,” my husband used to say when riding among the pines. “Breathe deep, Ellen; fill your lungs with the fragrant, life-giving atmosphere.” AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 4
It is impossible for me to find words to describe the beauty of this place. Just in front of the sanitarium there is a beautiful lake, called Spot Pond. This lake is one of the water supplies of the city of Boston, and it is most carefully guarded from contamination. No bathing or boating is allowed on it. AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 5
What of the buildings? They are well built, and fairly convenient. In one of the cottages, the doors and window casings are made of heavy black walnut, and many of the washstands, bureaus, chairs, and bedsteads are also of black walnut. There was about six thousand dollars’ worth of furniture in the buildings when they were purchased. The buildings, with the forty acres of land, cost thirty-nine thousand dollars. AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 6
This property has come to us in the providence of God, and we should be thankful and grateful, realizing that the Lord has been working in behalf of his people, so that they shall have courage to press forward in his work. Let those who are connected with this sanitarium remember that the Lord is to be praised. He has worked on human minds to keep this place from passing into the hands of those who could not appreciate its advantages. In this institution a work is to be done that will bring health to soul and body. And the praise of God is to be in the hearts and minds of the workers. AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 7
Additional facilities should be provided for the care of the patients. Many from Boston and from other places will come here to be away from the din and bustle of the city. Other buildings will be needed. Rooms must be provided for the rich, who are accustomed to many conveniences. AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 8
Boston has been pointed out to me as a place that must be faithfully worked. The light must shine in the outskirts and in the inmost parts. This sanitarium is one of the greatest facilities that can be employed to reach Boston with the truth. This city and its suburbs must hear the last message of mercy to be given to our world. Tent meetings must be held in many places. The workers must put to the very best use the abilities that God has given them. The gifts of grace will increase by wise use. But there must be no self-exaltation. No precise lines are to be laid down. Let the Holy Spirit direct the workers. They are to keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith. The work for this great city will be signalized by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, if all will walk humbly with God. AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 9
The worker for God is not left without a pattern. He is given an example which, if followed, will make him a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. He is bidden to glorify God by carrying out unselfish aims and purposes. The Lord understands man's nature, and he holds up before him the laws of the kingdom of heaven, which he is to honor and obey. He places the Bible in his hands, as the guide-book that will show him what is truth, and what he must do in order to inherit eternal life. This book draws the attention from temporal interests to spiritual realities. It tells man, fallen and sinful though he is, how he can become a prince and a king in the heavenly courts, an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 10
God sees how strong man's inclination is to accumulate earthly treasure, and in the highways and byways of life his voice is heard, saying, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 11
God's messengers are commissioned to take up the very work that Christ did while on this earth. They are to give themselves to every line of ministry that he carried on. With earnestness and sincerity they are to tell men of the unsearchable riches and the immortal treasures of heaven. They are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. They are to repeat heaven's offers of peace and pardon. They are to point to the gates of the city of God, saying, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 12
The Lord is ready and waiting to help the workers in every sanitarium to do the work that needs to be done. He expects every one to work for him according to his several ability. Man's activity is not to be repressed, but sanctified and rightly directed. Let the workers in our sanitariums take heed to their character-building. Let them not think that God values them according to their position. Let them remember that they must unite with God, carrying on their work with humility, and learning each day the meekness and lowliness of Christ. It is this that brings true greatness. AUGleaner September 7, 1904, par. 13
Mrs. E. G. White