The Review and Herald
December 16, 1909
A Visit to Melrose and Buffalo
D. E. Robinson
At the close of the Portland camp-meeting, Mrs. White, in company with Elder and Mrs. Haskell and others, went to Boston for a short visit to the New England Sanitarium at Melrose. RH December 16, 1909, par. 1
Many important changes had taken place in the Institution since her last visit, in the summer of 1904. A portion of the original main building had burned down, and a beautiful large four-story building had been built on higher ground. This building and the large new gymnasium and treatment-rooms are well furnished and equipped, and the Institution is prepared to do excellent work. RH December 16, 1909, par. 2
It was to a physician in this sanitarium that Mrs. White wrote in May, 1906:— RH December 16, 1909, par. 3
“The medical missionary work is a door through which the truth is to find entrance to many homes in the cities. In every city will be found those who will appreciate the truths of the third angel's message. The judgments of God are impending. Why do we not awaken to the peril threatening the men and women living in the great cities of America? Our people do not realize as keenly as they should the responsibility resting upon them to proclaim the truth to the millions dwelling in these unwarned cities. RH December 16, 1909, par. 4
“There are many souls to be saved. Our own souls are to be firmly grounded in a knowledge of the truth, that we may win others from error to the truth. We need now to search the Scriptures diligently, and as we become acquainted with unbelievers, we are to hold up Christ as the anointed, the crucified, the risen Saviour, witnessed to by prophets, testified of by believers, and through whose name we receive the forgiveness of sins. RH December 16, 1909, par. 5
“We need now a firm belief in the truth. Let us understand what is truth. Time is very short. Whole cities are being swept away. Are we doing our part to give the message that will prepare a people for the coming of their Lord? May God help us to improve the opportunities that are ours.” RH December 16, 1909, par. 6
Why Conduct Sanitariums?
When a prominent minister who was almost weary of the toil and struggle connected with sanitarium work wrote to Mrs. White, asking if it was necessary to spend so much energy and time in this institutional work, she wrote: RH December 16, 1909, par. 7
“In letters received from our brethren, the questions are asked, ‘Why do we expend so much effort in establishing sanitariums? Why do we not pray for the healing of the sick, instead of having sanitariums?’ RH December 16, 1909, par. 8
“There is more to these questions than is at first apparent. In the early history of our work, many were healed by prayer. And some, after they were healed, pursued the same course in the indulgence of appetite that they had followed in the past. They did not live and work in such a way as to avoid sickness. They did not show that they appreciated the Lord's goodness to them. Again and again they were brought to suffering through their own careless, thoughtless course of action. How could the Lord be glorified in bestowing on them the gift of health? RH December 16, 1909, par. 9
“When the light came that we should begin sanitarium work, the reasons were plainly given. There were many who needed to be educated in regard to healthful living. As the work developed, we were instructed that suitable places were to be provided, to which we could bring the sick and suffering who knew nothing of our people and scarcely anything of the Bible, and there teach them how to regain health by rational methods of treatment without having recourse to poisonous drugs, and at the same time surround them with uplifting spiritual influences. As a part of the treatment, lectures were to be given on right habits of eating and drinking and dressing. Instruction was to be given regarding the choice and preparation of food, showing that food may be prepared so as to be wholesome and nourishing, and at the same time appetizing and palatable. RH December 16, 1909, par. 10
“In all our medical institutions, patients should be systematically and carefully instructed how to prevent disease by a wise course of action. Through lectures and the consistent practise of healthful living on the part of consecrated physicians and nurses, the blinded understanding of many will be opened, and truths never before thought of will be fastened on the mind. Many of the patients will be led to keep the body in the most healthy condition possible, because it is the Lord's purchased possession.... RH December 16, 1909, par. 11
“It is to save the souls, as well as to cure the bodies of men and women, that at much expense our sanitariums are established. God designs that by means of these agencies of his own planting, the rich and the poor, the high and the low, shall find the bread of heaven and the water of life.” RH December 16, 1909, par. 12
The Responsibility of Physicians and Managers
During her visit at Melrose, Mrs. White wrote regarding the duties of those in positions of responsibility as follows: RH December 16, 1909, par. 13
“The workers standing at the head of our sanitariums should be prepared to give needed spiritual help to the patients who come to the institution, that these souls may be converted from error to an understanding of the work of God as it is revealed for this time. They are to do faithful service for God, receiving from him a sense of their sacred responsibilities. By prayer and earnest effort they are to be workers together with God for the conversion of souls. By the exercise of faith in God, they are to draw from the source of all power the ability to do the will of God in genuine missionary work. The blessing of the Lord will come in rich measure to the patients through the medium of the sanitarium when the workers in the institution realize their responsibility and act like converted men. The word of the Lord, if received and believed, will be accepted as yea and amen by every earnest seeker. RH December 16, 1909, par. 14
“To those who have had opportunity to become trustworthy men, but who have not improved their opportunity, I will say, Unless your hearts are changed, and you sense your great responsibility before God, unless you come to an understanding of your own unpreparedness for service, and accept the discipline of the Word of God, other and better qualified men must come in to do your work,—men who have fitted themselves for positions of trust by grasping the opportunities for spiritual advancement that have presented themselves.” RH December 16, 1909, par. 15
Visit to Buffalo
From Melrose, Elder and Mrs. Haskell returned to California, and Mrs. White, with her secretary, Miss McEnterfer, and Elder E. W. Farnsworth, went to Buffalo, N. Y., to attend a general meeting appointed for Sabbath and Sunday. RH December 16, 1909, par. 16
At the Buffalo meeting over two hundred were in attendance. Several came in from neighboring churches. Some of these were accommodated in tents pitched in the church lot, and many found lodging in the basement rooms of the newly purchased meeting-house. These basement rooms may some day be used as a home for city mission workers. RH December 16, 1909, par. 17
Our people in Buffalo rejoice in the ownership of this substantial, roomy church building. Its former owner, feeling friendly to our work, sold it to our people for much less than its cost. RH December 16, 1909, par. 18
Several Bible studies were conducted by Elder Farnsworth. Other services were devoted to a study of methods of work for church-members. Mrs. White spoke in the forenoon of both Sabbath and Sunday. In her discourse on Sabbath, she read portions of the Luke 17:1 and 18, and said: RH December 16, 1909, par. 19
“We need more faith. When we have before us these simple records of Christ's labors and his promises, why should we not have a large increase of faith? Only by a constant exercise of intelligent faith, a faith that grows continually, can we properly develop in Christian experience. If we will encourage that faith that grasps the promises of God, these promises will be fulfilled in our behalf. RH December 16, 1909, par. 20
“O that we might realize the interest with which the heavenly intelligences are looking upon our world! Those who are seeking for righteousness will have divine help. They will ask, and God will hear them. They may not at once experience the feeling that they expect, but God will care for them. If they are in peril, Jesus will deliver them. His praying, believing people are under his special care. RH December 16, 1909, par. 21
“In Buffalo I have felt the same intense desire that I have felt in other cities through which I have passed, that the many inhabitants may have an opportunity of hearing from the Word of God the truth for these last days. This means that earnest efforts must be put forth by the believers in this vicinity. Let every one put his shoulder to the wheel, and labor in the simplicity of true godliness. We want to learn how to find access in this city. RH December 16, 1909, par. 22
“Perhaps a work needs to begin in your own church, that all the members may be thoroughly converted. Are some of you devoting your whole time to working your farms, or to devising ways of obtaining riches? The greatest riches you can obtain is the life that measures with the life of God. This is granted to those who serve God, and who are laying up their treasures above. RH December 16, 1909, par. 23
“Shall we not all be missionaries? Shall not all who profess to be Christians take hold understandingly in an effort to lead others to know the will of God? We must adapt ourselves to various situations, but if we have the grace of God in our hearts, we shall be able to impart light to those with whom we come into contact. Our work is to be done in simplicity. The most effective appeals can be made in the most simple language. Thus the Lord speaks to us in his Word. In the Bible there are some names difficult to pronounce, but there are few words difficult to be understood. RH December 16, 1909, par. 24
“If we had more of the simplicity of godliness, we should see very many more souls converted to the truth. In this day of preparation, we can not afford to be idle. The Scriptures have pointed out what is to take place in our world. The night is soon coming in which no man can work. Let us take hold in earnest, to make the necessary reformations, that we may be prepared for what is before us. RH December 16, 1909, par. 25
“Men will arise who will bring in division by teaching various errors. Therefore we must all look to our Teacher. We need to search the Scriptures for ourselves diligently and prayerfully, lest we be drawn away by the subtle deceptions of the enemy. There are many who must have a deeper experience in the things of God. Unless they arouse to a sense of their danger, they will lose their knowledge of what is truth. `Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.’ RH December 16, 1909, par. 26
“What more could the Lord do for us than he has done? He has promised us power and strength here, and for the overcomer he has promised an eternal life in the kingdom of glory. He will help you in all your struggles with sin. You can take your trials to him. Who will now accept of Christ, and give himself to him as he has never done before? Who will seek for the comfort and encouragement that Christ has given? Who will search the Scriptures to learn what is truth? Let those arise to their feet who will today make a new covenant with God.” RH December 16, 1909, par. 27
In response to this appeal nearly every one in the congregation arose. Mrs. White then offered an earnest prayer that God would let His light shine into their souls, that they might be able to keep the pledge they had made, and that they might so receive the power of the truth that they should lead others to rejoice in the triumphs of the cross. RH December 16, 1909, par. 28