Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Ms 44, 1902
Diary/God’s Plan for the Location of Our Sanitarium
NP
March 12, 1902
Portions of this manuscript are published in LLM 475-476.
I am not able to sleep past twelve o’clock. And during every wakeful hour there is before me the sad realization that those who have had such great light are not letting this light shine forth as brightly as they should. O that those who have received the truth understood fully the significance of the words, “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 1
Some are filled with the desire to get into a place in the work of God where they can distinguish themselves. They think that if they were in the position of such and such a man, they would show how much better they could do the work. And how gladly, how earnestly they would take hold of the work; with what zeal they would labor for the advancement of God’s cause. Such are deceiving themselves. Let them remember that God has placed them where they are to prove them, to see if they will bear small responsibilities with fidelity and perform small duties with exactitude, bringing Christlikeness into all they do. Let them remember that by good works they are to let their light shine forth, that they are to cultivate patience, learning of Christ His meekness and lowliness. He was the Majesty of heaven, but He came to a world marred by sin to work as the great Medical Missionary for the salvation of the souls and bodies of the fallen race. He clothed His divinity with humanity. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. “He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” [Isaiah 53:5.] We are to follow in His footsteps. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 2
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March 13
I awake at an early hour, my heart drawn out in earnest prayer that the Lord will revive and strengthen me. I need the help and strength and grace that the Lord alone can give. I have many things to write. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 3
There are troublous times before us, and while we can, we should place our work upon a proper basis, leaving the large cities and securing land in the country. Especially is it essential that our sanitariums be established in the country. Some of our brethren have a great desire to erect a sanitarium in Los Angeles, but this must not be. If the patients receive the help they should receive at such an institution, the institution must be where the patients will have opportunity to be much out-of-doors. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 4
Why have our physicians so great a desire to be in the city? The very atmosphere of the cities is polluted, and when a sanitarium is in a city, the patients who have temptation to overcome on the point of appetite are not properly guarded. Take, for instance, patients who are victims of strong drink. In the city, saloons are so numerous that little can be accomplished in helping such patients to reform. A sanitarium established away from the city would be patronized by a class who would pluck up courage to give up eating flesh meat and, in so doing, would find themselves gaining strength to overcome the appetite for liquor. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 5
Those conducting such an institution would themselves receive great benefit. Away from the din and confusion of the city, surrounded by the beautiful things of nature, breathing the pure air of heaven, they would find rest for body and mind. They would be strengthened and refreshed by thoughts of God and heaven. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 6
“As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste.” [Song of Solomon 2:3.] Oh, what wonderful spiritual lessons may be learned from the beautiful things God has made for His children. On the Sabbath, the Lord’s holy day, patients and helpers may assemble under the trees on the lawn and listen to a half-hour’s talk from the great Teacher through His messenger. And will not the sight of tree and shrub and flower make His Word more precious and call forth the grateful acknowledgement, “The Lord is good, and greatly to be praised”? [See Psalm 96:4.] Will not the attraction of the things of nature bring the soul into communion with God? Would we not show wisdom in studying the beautiful things God has given to delight our senses? We are to make nature our lesson book. The greatest Teacher the world has ever known called the attention of His hearers to the things of nature, illustrating the great truths of His kingdom by the objects of the natural world. He desired them to learn from the gifts of the Creator lessons of His goodness and love. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 7
The Southern California sanitarium should be established away from the city, perhaps in or near Pasadena, or some other place favorable to the work to be done. Tourists and those who visit Southern California for their health care little for the din of the city. Those who plan to establish a sanitarium in a city do not understand what this involves, taking into consideration the present condition of the cities. Soon they will realize that there is a better choice to be made. Those who have true wisdom will plan to establish our sanitariums in the country, where the patients can have the benefits of out-of-door life, where they can sit in the sunshine, or, when the sunshine is too warm, under the shade of the trees. The patients are to be given the advantage of the Lord’s health-giving remedies to be found out-of-doors. And the treatment given them in other lines is to be conducted on the same natural, health-restoring principles. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 8
I am perplexed and troubled by the lack of discernment shown by those who fail to see the great advantage to be gained in establishing our sanitariums in the country. What great good this would bring to those coming from the cities to those institutions for treatment. They long for quiet and rest, for a change that will restore. How can this be found in an institution established in a crowded city, where the patients are obliged to stay much of the time within four walls? 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 9
How grateful to the weary—accustomed to city life, the glare of many lights, the noise of the streets—is the quiet and calm of the country! How eagerly they turn aside to the scenes of nature! How glad they would be to go to a sanitarium in the country, where they could sit in the open air, rejoicing in the sunshine, and breathing the fragrance of tree and flower. There are health-giving properties in the balsam of the pine. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 10
The things of nature are God’s blessings, provided to give health to body, mind, and soul. They are given to the well to keep them well, and to the sick to make them well. Connected with water treatment, they are more effective in restoring health than all the drug medication in the world. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 11
In the country, the sick find many things to call their minds away from themselves. They can be left sitting or lying in the sunshine or in the shade of the trees. They have only to lift their eyes, and they see above them the beautiful leaves of the trees. They wonder that they have not noticed before how gracefully the boughs bend, forming a leafy canopy over them, giving them just the shade they need. A sweet sense of restfulness and refreshing comes to them. The drooping spirits revive. There is healing in the sight of tree and flower and grass. The waning strength is recruited. Unconsciously, the mind grows peaceful. The pure, clear air is life-giving, and under its influence the fevered pulse grows more calm and regular. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 12
Under such an influence, combined with the influence of good treatment and wholesome food, the sick find health. The feeble step recovers its elasticity. The eyes regain their brightness. The hopeless become hopeful. The once despondent countenance wears an expression of cheerfulness. The complaining tones of the voice give place to tones of content. The words express the belief, “God is a refuge and strength; a very present help in time of trouble.” The clouded hope of the Christian is brightened. Faith returns. The word is heard, “Yea, though I walk through the valley and shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod, and Thy staff they comfort me.” [Psalm 46:1; 23:4.] “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” [Luke 1:46, 47.] “He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” [Isaiah 40:29.] The acknowledgement of God’s goodness in providing these blessings invigorates the mind. God is very near and is pleased to see His gifts appreciated. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 13
The sick and suffering cannot but be benefited and blessed in an institution carried on in God’s order amid the wonderful works of His hands. Many, when the time comes for them to leave the institution, will be able to run without being weary, and to walk without fainting. 17LtMs, Ms 44, 1902, par. 14