Sanitarium Relief Campaign by L. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1911

Sanitarium Relief Campaign

By L. A. Hansen

Importance of the Campaign

IMPORTANT instruction has been given us concerning the need of advancing the “Ministry of Healing” campaign. Encouraging promises are also presented as to the probable results of this movement. Herewith are given a few brief selections from the Testimonies, setting forth considerations that should appeal to us all, and which indicate that in this campaign we have a work of no small importance.

Financial Help

“In the cities within easy reach of our sanitariums and training-schools, a mission field is open to us that we have as yet only touched with the tips of our fingers. In some of these places, a good beginning has been made. But it was God’s purpose that by the sale of ‘Ministry of Healing’ and ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ much means should be raised for the work of our sanitariums and schools, and that our people might thereby be left more free to donate of their means for the opening of the work in new missionary fields. If our people will now engage in the sale of these books as they ought, we shall have much more means than we now have to carry the work in the way the Lord designed that it should be carried.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 80.

“God designs that we shall learn lessons from the failures of the past. It is not pleasing to him to have debts rest upon his institutions. We have reached the time when we must give character to the work by refusing to erect large and costly buildings. We are not to copy the mistakes of the past, and become more and more involved in debt. We are rather to endeavor to clear off the indebtedness that still remains on our institutions. Our churches can help in this matter if they will.”—Id., page 71.

Help for the Sick

“Explain how by the sale of ‘Ministry of Healing’ patients may be brought to the sanitarium for healing who could never get there unaided; and how through this means assistance will be rendered in the establishment of sanitariums in places where they are greatly needed.”—Series B, No. 10, page 46.

“Especially do those who are seeking for restoration of health, need the book ‘Ministry of Healing.’ Every favorable opportunity for reaching this class is to be improved. . . . At Loma Linda some of the nurses have been given a special training for the work of selling ‘Ministry of Healing;’ and as they have visited

homes in the neighboring cities and villages, the blessing of Heaven has rested richly upon them, and favorable impressions have been made in behalf of our people and their work.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 85.

Blessing to Souls

“The book ‘Ministry of Healing’ may do the same work for our sanitariums and health institutions that ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ has done for our schools. This book contains the wisdom of the Great Physician. To me it has been a precious privilege to donate my work on these books to the cause of God. In the future there should be well-planned and persevering efforts made to increase their sale.”—Id., Vol. IX, page 71.

A Missionary Experience

“In selling these books, the youth would be acting as missionaries; for they would be bringing precious light to the notice of the people of the world. . . . Great blessings are in store for us as we wisely handle these precious books given us for the advancement of the cause of present truth. And as we labor in accordance with the Lord’s plan, we shall find that many consecrated youth will be fitted to enter the regions beyond as practical missionaries; and, at the same time, the conferences in the home field will have means with which to contribute liberally to the support of the work that shall be undertaken in new territory.”—Id., Vol. IX, pages 78, 79.

Solemn Responsibility

“Many have never learned how to sell the books dedicated to the advancement of our institutional work. But such should not excuse themselves. They should study diligently how they may do their part faithfully in connection with the circulation of these precious books. Our schools and sanitariums must be conducted on a high plane of efficiency, and a solemn responsibility rests upon us all to help place these institutions on vantage-ground by giving the relief books a wide circulation. God will be glorified by every one who takes an active interest in the work of placing these books in the hands of the multitudes who are in need of the saving truths of the gospel.”—Id., Vol. IX, page 83.

Space permits only brief presentation of the instruction given of this character. To get the full connection of the foregoing quotations, and to see further the importance of this work, reference may be made especially to pages 71-88 of “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume IX. It will be seen that special light has been given us, and that we are but following right counsel when we forward the sale of our relief books.

L. A. HANSEN.