The Review and Herald
July 12, 1906
Notes of Travel—No. 4
The Southern California Conference
The annual meeting of the Southern California Conference was held in Los Angeles, April 16-20. I was present only a portion of the time. RH July 12, 1906, par. 1
The reports presented at the conference were most encouraging. It was stated that about a year ago, there was a deficit of nearly eight thousand dollars, which has all been paid; and at the time of the meeting, there was about six thousand dollars in the treasury. The gifts to missions amounted to nearly three thousand dollars. It was further stated that the debt on the Fernando School is now twelve thousand dollars—just about half the total debt a few months ago. According to the financial report, the medical institutions in Los Angeles, including the restaurant and the Glendale Sanitarium, earned nearly nine thousand dollars during the past nine months. A large portion of this sum has been used to lessen the debts on these institutions. RH July 12, 1906, par. 2
I was especially pleased to learn of the efforts put forth during the past year in the tourist centers of this conference. A special work is to be done in places where people are constantly coming and going. Christ labored in Capernaum much of the time, because this was a place through which travelers were constantly passing, and where many often tarried. There are now twenty-six churches and nine companies in the Southern California Conference, with a membership of over fifteen hundred. What a work could be done in this field, if all these brethren and sisters were to improve every opportunity to let the light of truth shine forth! RH July 12, 1906, par. 3
The Glendale Sanitarium
During the Los Angeles meeting, we were entertained at the Glendale Sanitarium. This institution, which was opened in the latter part of 1904, has been well patronized by a good class of patients. The blessing of the Lord has attended the efforts put forth for restoration of health. Nor have the spiritual interests been lost sight of. Brother C. N. Marvin, the chaplain, reports that some who have come to the sanitarium have been brought into the truth. The physicians and helpers are of good courage. They have had some remarkable experiences in answer to prayer. The Lord has worked upon hearts, and some who were indifferent have responded to the influences of the Holy Spirit, and are now having a good Christian experience. A deep interest has been manifested in the study of the Bible. RH July 12, 1906, par. 4
Brother W. R. Simpson, the manager, told me that the earnings of the institution are sufficient to make possible a reduction of the debt. For some time the sanitarium has been filled with patients. There are those who can not go far from Los Angeles for treatment. The close proximity of the Glendale Sanitarium to Los Angeles, makes it possible for such ones to patronize this institution. Glendale is a very important member of the sisterhood of medical institutions in southern California. Let us continue to praise the Lord that he has given us this institution to use for the honor of his name. RH July 12, 1906, par. 5
Sabbath Sermon in San Diego
Upon reaching Paradise Valley, April 20, I was very weary; but the next morning we attended the San Diego church, where I spoke to the people on the first chapter of Second Peter. Since my former visits to San Diego, Elders W. W. Simpson and Wm. Healey have held a series of meetings there, and as the result many were added to the church-membership. The church building was crowded. As I looked for the first time into the faces of these new converts, I was drawn out to speak words of counsel and encouragement to them. RH July 12, 1906, par. 6
In connection with the injunction of Peter that we are to add “to temperance, patience,” I referred to the blessings of health reform, and the advantages to be gained by the use of proper combinations of simple, nourishing foods. The close relationship that eating and drinking sustain to the state of one's mind and temper, was dwelt upon. We can not afford to develop a bad temper through wrong habits of living. Whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, we are to keep in mind the glory of God. We are the purchased possession of the blood of the Son of God. RH July 12, 1906, par. 7
To the parents I made an appeal in behalf of the church in the home. Fathers and mothers have the privilege of studying the Bible with their children, and of training and disciplining them for service in the Master's cause. In every instance where discipline is necessary, the tenderness and patience that God manifests toward us, is to be revealed. Correction administered in love will touch and tender the hearts of the children, and accomplish far more than would sternness and harshness. As parents pray, and strive to deal wisely with their children, heavenly angels will work in their behalf. RH July 12, 1906, par. 8
God desires parents to take hold of their work intelligently, because we have only a little time in which to prepare for the return of the Saviour. We are admonished of the nearness of the end by the calamity that has befallen San Francisco. Christ declared that earthquakes and other judgments would be seen in divers places. By these he desires to demonstrate that he hates iniquity, and that at last he will punish transgressors. He will forbear, and forbear, and forbear; but finally he can forbear no longer. RH July 12, 1906, par. 9
In the days of Abraham the Lord declared, “The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” He would not at that time allow them to be destroyed. In this is revealed the long-sufferance of God. The Amorites were at enmity against his law; they believed not in him as the true and living God; but among them were a few good persons, and for the sake of these few, he forbore long. Centuries afterward, when the Israelites returned from Egypt to the promised land, the Amorites were “cast out before the children of Israel.” They finally suffered calamity because of continued wilful disregard of the law of God. RH July 12, 1906, par. 10
Our brethren and sisters in the San Diego church, and in many other churches as well, have the privilege of training the youth so conscientiously in a knowledge of the truths of God's Word that these youth will be able to meet the people where they are, and introduce the third angel's message into many homes. Thus many of our youth will develop rapidly into missionaries who can labor from house to house. RH July 12, 1906, par. 11
It is difficult to find capable young men and young women who can enter the cities and do effective service. In these tourist centers where many travelers come for health and pleasure, we greatly need young men who are thoroughly grounded in the truths of the third angel's message, to go around among the people, and minister to them, speaking a word in season to this one, and offering encouragement to another. We greatly need consecrated women who, as messengers of mercy, shall visit the mothers and the children in their homes, and help them in the every-day household duties, if need be, before beginning to talk to them regarding the truth for this time. You will find that by this method you will have souls as the result of your ministry. RH July 12, 1906, par. 12
Dedication of the Paradise Valley Sanitarium
While we were at the Paradise Valley Sanitarium, this institution was dedicated. Early in the afternoon of April 24, the invited guests and many friends of the sanitarium began to arrive. The dedicatory exercises passed off very pleasantly. RH July 12, 1906, par. 13
Elder S. N. Haskell was on the program as the first speaker, but his train was late, and so I spoke first, on the theme, “In Touch with Nature.” I began by reading a portion of the forty-second of Isaiah, in which scripture are emphasized the power of Jehovah, his care for his people, and his yearning desire to bring under his beneficent care those who are ignorant of his purposes concerning them. Through the prophet Isaiah, “Jehovah, he that created the heavens, and stretched them forth; he that spread abroad the earth and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein,” declares to his people: “I, Jehovah, have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thy hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.... Sing unto Jehovah a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth.” RH July 12, 1906, par. 14
I related some of my early experiences in caring for the sick, and showed how outdoor life, exercise, and good food, in connection with the best of treatments and faith in God's healing power, will do wonders in the restoration of health. RH July 12, 1906, par. 15
Elder Haskell spoke next, on the healing of the one “sick of the palsy.” Brother J. F. Ballenger offered the dedicatory prayer. Elder Reaser was chairman of the afternoon service. RH July 12, 1906, par. 16
While many of the guests were looking over the buildings and grounds, I had a very interesting interview with Dr. Mary L. Potts, the one who formerly owned the property now known as the Paradise Valley Sanitarium. Mrs. Potts is a woman of ability. She is an excellent speaker, and is still going from place to place to deliver public lectures on health and temperance. During the evening exercises she spoke before the large assembly, and told the story of her effort to establish and maintain a sanitarium home in this beautiful place, and of her pleasure because the work she was unable to carry on, is now taken up by us. She seemed to be very thankful that the place is in such good hands. RH July 12, 1906, par. 17
With the three-story addition, including ample treatment rooms, sun parlors, and rooms for the nurses, there are now about eighty rooms; these, with the cottage on the sanitarium grounds, are sufficient for the accommodation of about seventy-five patients. Through the sacrificing liberality of our brethren and sisters, this institution has been placed on vantage-ground. May the Lord continue to bless those who have given of their means for the establishment of the Paradise Valley Sanitarium. RH July 12, 1906, par. 18
The Loma Linda Bakery
On the morning of April 26, we returned to Loma Linda, to attend a meeting called for the consideration of the health food business in southern California. RH July 12, 1906, par. 19
We shall have a work to do at Loma Linda in supplying health foods, in a limited way, to the surrounding cities; but it has been presented to me that in the establishment of a large food factory, the managers of the sanitarium would be disappointed in their expectations. The light given me is that in a food business large enough to supply southern California through the regular channels of trade, it would be difficult to avoid bringing in a spirit of commercialism; and if the perplexing details were not attended to most carefully, there would be more expense than income. The sanitarium managers could ill afford to spend the time that would be required to make the business a success. RH July 12, 1906, par. 20
Loma Linda is a place that has been especially ordained of God to make a good impression upon the minds of many who have not had the light of present truth. Every phase of the work in this place, every movement made, should be so fully in harmony with the sacred character of present truth as to create a deep spiritual impression. RH July 12, 1906, par. 21
Everything connected with the institution at Loma Linda should, so far as possible, be unmingled with commercialism. Nothing should be allowed to come in that would in anywise hinder our efforts for the saving of souls. In the management of a small sanitarium bakery, the commercial idea is to be lost sight of. In the carrying forward of every line of sanitarium work, we are to leave upon the minds of our patients the impression that we are keeping constantly in view the glory of God. RH July 12, 1906, par. 22