OUR INSTITUTIONS IN BATTLE CREEK, MICH.
By George I. Butler
In our age of the world, it is essential to the success of every cause which is designed to influence public opinion and to gain the support of the people, that institutions of a public character be established and maintained, by means of which to educate the masses in reference to the objects and interests of that cause. Prominent among the means necessary stands the press, sending forth its publications and periodicals; and schools, colleges, etc., where the young may be educated and prepared to fill positions of responsibility in carrying on the work. What could have been done in the Protestant reformation, the anti-slavery movement, the temperance work, Bible societies, and in denominational advancement generally, without these? These are ever esteemed as the right arm of their strength. But very little real progress could be made without them. All thoughtful persons having interest in the prosperity of any cause, will realize the absolute necessity of caring for and guarding such institutions as the very citadel of their strength. They should be protected as the apple of the eye. We have such institutions connected with our work, without which we could accomplish comparatively but very little. Having recently spent several weeks in Battle Creek at our General Conference, I have had occasion to realize, more than for years before, the importance of our publishing work, our Sanitarium, and our College. If I could say a word which would increase the interest of our people in these institutions, I would most gladly do it. It is no small gratification to me that such institutions, so well equipped to do the work for which they were created, are owned by the body of our people. They are public institutions, in no sense intended for private and personal aggrandizement; but designed to build up the cause which we all profess to love. No person receives any dividend from their profits, but where there is any increase it goes to build up and make more efficient the institution which produced it, so that it can accomplish more for the cause which created it. In every sense they belong to our people, who have nobly used their means to found them, giving up all thought of personal profit in the matter, and loaning their means to advance this great work. By wise management the amount of capital thus invested has been largely increased, so that these institutions are much stronger than the money bestowed by our people would make them. When we consider the fearful ordeal through which all important business enterprises have passed during the last few years, and how many wrecks have been seen in all directions, it is no small evidence of integrity and judgment in those who have managed these institutions, that they still stand firm, having the confidence of business men in the communities where they are located. Thousands upon thousands of failures have occurred in all directions. Firms have gone under which were supposed to be wealthy and above suspicion. Distrust and uncertainty have filled the public mind in reference to the financial standing of almost everybody. Railroads in scores have been knocked off to the highest bidder, while enterprises which have withstood the shock have generally been forced to contract their operations, and cut down their expenditures to the very lowest figure. But our institutions have passed along apparently unmoved by the financial wrecks around them, extending their operations and influence, erecting large buildings in spite of the hard times, and still giving evidence of permanence and stability. Had it not been for God’s prospering hand, such results could not have been expected. As a people, we have most abundant cause for gratitude for this. What a terrible catastrophe it would have been to us had these institutions, like many others, gone down in a crash. What discouragement it would have brought upon us. How it would have crippled our efforts, and disgraced us before the world. God has mercifully spared us from this till the dawning of better times. So far as equipment and facilities are concerned, our institutions were never in such favorable condition to do a great work as at the present time. We cannot enter into particulars, but will mention a few points. Our Publishing House has recently been enlarged by the erection of a central portion between the two eastern buildings, thus materially increasing the capacity and convenience of the whole. By means of the large boilers beneath, the Office and Tabernacle are heated by steam, mostly by that which was used before in driving the machinery; so that there is much less risk from fire, a saving of expense, and much greater convenience and comfort. Facilities exist for electrotyping, stereotyping, and doing the best binding. In fact, it is stated by those who ought to know, that it is the most perfect and complete publishing house in the State of Michigan. It is fully supplied with all the conveniences for doing first-class work, and plenty of it. What an immense amount of good our Publishing House is capable of doing. The expense has been met, the buildings are erected, and the facilities already provided. Comparatively little of this remains to be done. That there are debts upon this noble institution is true. But it has gone safely through the fearful financial storm of the past few years; and now that prosperity is returning, we have every reason to hope for the success of our Publishing House. If our people will only judiciously use the stock of publications on hand, thus blessing their fellow-men who are in perishing need of the truths they impart, this debt can be easily raised. Large quantities of our reading matter are just what our people need for themselves and others. Many of our people seem to be asleep on their post of duty. We should arouse ourselves and go to work at once. Our Sanitarium should ever be regarded with interest by our people. It was established among us through the providence of God, and in harmony with light from Heaven. Its influence has greatly helped to instruct our people in the principles of health reform, in the proper treatment of disease, and in Christian temperance. These are considerations of no small account. Hundreds in the aggregate have been converted to the truth through its influence, and many lives have been saved by its instrumentality. Our people have been instructed as no other body of people in the world in regard to the proper care of the health. The facilities of this institution have been greatly increased during the past few years, until it is probably the best one of its kind in America. A corps of educated physicians, graduates of the best medical institutions in the United States, superintend the treatment of patients. All known remedies of disease are employed. I firmly believe the management of this institution was never so intelligent as of late. It is entitled to the cordial support of our people, and we ought to recommend it everywhere to the patronage of the suffering. Notwithstanding such a large expenditure of means has been made to increase its capacity for usefulness, for years no call has been made for donations to this branch of our work. No such call is now made. The managers of this institution are confident that all its debts might be readily paid if our people would manifest a suitable degree of interest in making personal appeals in its behalf among those who need its benefits, and in circulating Good Health and other health literature. Sick people abound, many of whom are paying out their means to quacks, and receiving no benefit, or buying patent medicines of no value. Some of the most intelligent physicians in the country are sending to our Sanitarium patients afflicted with chronic diseases of long standing, which they have not the facilities to treat. They thus show that they have faith in this institution. Our people should make earnest efforts to bring it to the attention of the public everywhere, not only for the good of the suffering, but to relieve a noble institution from its load of debt, which cripples its usefulness. Were it out of debt it could do much more to relieve the suffering poor than it is possible for it to do now, though it has given treatment to such cases the past year to the amount of thousands of dollars less than the regular rates. If our people would realize the great importance of the light God has given on the subject of health, and would properly42support this branch of the work, our Sanitarium might fill a most important place in the work of securing the salvation of our fellow-men. Our College.—There is no branch of the work which we love to contemplate better than this. Having had the privilege of soliciting much of the means with which to erect our beautiful building, perhaps it is natural that we should feel a special interest in it. But the education of young people for positions of usefulness in the cause of God is a matter of sufficient importance to interest every lover of the truth, even the most indifferent. The success of our school thus far has been very marked, and many have shared its benefits. Hundreds of students are in attendance every year, and its influence is being felt among our people in all our Conferences. Many young persons who have availed themselves of the privileges of our College, have been converted while there. We think it safe to say that no other school in our land takes as much pains as does ours to preserve the morals of its pupils, and to throw around them proper influences. It never was in a better condition to do its work than now. Our people everywhere should feel the importance of exerting an influence in its favor. Its halls should be filled with the most promising youth among us. There is a debt on this noble institution, which should be raised at once. The Publishing Association, which has furnished the money to meet this deficit, needs it much. There are many of our people who have given but little for the benefit of this important institution. They should come forward at once and pay off this debt. It would be a satisfaction to them as long as they live, to know that they have helped a noble enterprise. The subject of education should be held up before our people by our ministers till they shall realize its importance as they should. It is time for us to work for our important institutions; we should faithfully guard their interests. We ought to be very grateful to God that they exist among us. If we prize them as we should, we shall do what we can to help them when they need help.