The Story of our Health Message

Established for One Object

“Our sanitariums are to be established for one object—the advancement of present truth. And they are to be so conducted that a decided impression in favor of the truth will be made on the minds of those who come to them for treatment. The conduct of the workers, from the head manager to the worker occupying the humblest position, is to tell on the side of truth. ... We have a warning message to bear to the world, and our earnestness, our devotion to God’s service, is to impress those who come to our sanitariums.”—Ibid., 97. SHM 336.3

“Many smaller sanitariums in many places”; the search for “properties for sale, on which buildings suitable for sanitarium work are already erected”; “now is our opportunity to reach the invalids flocking to the health resorts of southern California”; “soon the reputation of the health resorts in southern California will stand even higher than it stands at present”—such phrases, culled from a single page (Ibid., 98), were amplified and emphasized, iterated and reiterated by her pen and voice. SHM 337.1

Following the camp meeting in Los Angeles in September, 1902, Mrs. White greatly rejoiced as she visited a newly acquired school property at San Fernando. It had been purchased for $10,000—less than one fourth of its original cost. Thus was secured the first of such properties for the promotion of medical work as she had been instructed would be found. SHM 337.2

Following the visit to San Fernando, Mrs. White and her associates went to San Diego. To Paradise Valley, a few miles from the city, they were taken to look over a property of about twenty acres of land, on which was erected a three-story building that had been built as a sanitarium and opened for patients in 1888. Much money had been spent on the property, and the grounds were beautified with shrubbery and rare shade trees. There were groves of orange, lemon, olive, and fig trees, also a vineyard and a garden of small fruits. The place had been used as a sanitarium but a short time, and then remained unoccupied for about fifteen years, while its owner, Dr. Anna M. Longshore Potts, traveled in the lecture field at home and abroad. SHM 337.3

On being informed that the building alone had cost $25,000, that it was now offered for $12,000, and might be purchased for less, Mrs. White expressed her conviction that the Lord would place the property in our possession. SHM 337.4