Earlier text: TRANSLATIONS.A little later in the history of the new corporation there occurred a most disastrous fire, in which its bakery and laundry building, with expensive machinery, was totally destroyed, involving a net loss over and above the insurance of $8,000. This increased the liabilities of the association that much more, resulting in a total aggregate liability of over $85,000. Upon many of the notes assumed, seven and eight per cent interest were being paid, involving a heavy annual tax in addition to the principal sum. Since the date of its organization, the sanitarium corporation has been struggling to decrease this heavy indebtedness. The balance-sheet for December 31, 1904, presents the following statement: Resources .................... $102,634
Liabilities .................. 75,106
Net Worth .................... 27,528 The liabilities include the $45,000 due the General Conference for the original investment; $26,497 due on other outstanding notes; $3,609 due helpers on open accounts. WHY THE GENERAL CONFERENCE HAS NOT BEEN PAID
It has been only during the past two years that the211 institution has been enabled to pay the General Conference anything upon the $45,000 note, even to the extent of the interest. Many conditions have made this impossible. Several only need be stated. 1. When the sanitarium property was taken over, as has already been stated, there were a number of thousand dollars due in floating debts and upon open accounts. It was necessary for the institution to arrange, first of all, for this indebtedness, if it would maintain its financial credit or save itself from litigation. In the very nature of the circumstances, these obligations were the first to demand attention. 2. The reception of consumptive patients for several years militated most strongly against the success of the institution. Hundreds of patients were kept away, and thus the institution was deprived of thousands of dollars which otherwise might have been received in the operation of its work. While the sanitarium gained some headway and advantage during the summer months, this was more than offset by the drain upon its resources during the winter with its usually low patronage. 3. The loss experienced by fire likewise prevented the institution from doing what it otherwise might have done in the payment of its obligations. 4. But for an unfortunate venture in the operation of its branch in the city of Denver, there would have been sent to the General Conference three or four thousand dollars for each of the years of 1902 and 1903. In the hope of greatly increasing its earning capacity, the sanitarium was persuaded to enter upon a long-time contract in the rental of an expensive building for treatment rooms and restaurant. The patronage received did not warrant this outlay. A212 fatal mistake was made; a mistake which the sanitarium trusts may be useful to it in all its future work. The institution freed itself from this expensive incubus as soon as arrangements could be made for legal release from its contract, but $7,000 was involved in the loss experienced. PROGRESS OF THE LAST TWO YEARS
Last year the sanitarium sent to the General Conference $3,000 to apply on its account. This year it has sent $6,000 to apply on the original investment, making a total of $9,000 paid during the past two years to the General Conference. This has been done by closest economy. Every unnecessary expense has been curtailed, and no debt incurred or money borrowed for investment or operating expenses. And at the present writing (November 15), all current bills are paid in full to date. Interest on the General Conference note for the last eight years, uncompounded, would amount to $18,000. If the $10,000 paid in the liquidation of other liabilities had been paid to the General Conference, and these liabilities allowed to remain to the present time, this sum of $18,000 interest would have more than been met. In other words, the institution has a little more than met all of its running expenses during the eight years of its history, including the interest upon the $45,000 debt to the General Conference. When there is taken into account the varying patronage, the loss experienced from receiving consumptives, and the loss sustained by fire, and in other ways which might be mentioned, it will be seen that the institution has not made an entirely unsuccessful fight against the difficulties which it has had to encounter. An appreciable gain has been made in the net worth of the property, and this represents an actual gain, and not the inflation of property values. Property in the city of Boulder has very materially increased during the last five or six years, from twenty-five to fifty per cent. But this has not been taken into account in the inventory. The increased value has come in the erection of nine little cottages for the accommodation of special cases. These cottages represent an aggregate value of $2,500. Valuable additions have also been made in the way of medical apparatus, furnishings, machinery, and other requirements. A constant effort has been made to keep the buildings and furnishings up to their original value. Aside from the general wear which time brings to every structure, the sanitarium buildings are in as good condition to-day as when first erected, and their furnishings and equipments are of much greater value than ever before in its history.
FRANCES M. WILCOX,
Treasurer Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium. DIFFICULTIES AND PERPLEXITIES
But while it is true that the sanitarium during the last two years has been able to do considerable toward the liquidation of its indebtedness to the General Conference, and while it trusts that it can do still more in the future, it is also true that a good part of this money paid to the general work could have been spent most advantageously in the further improvement of the plant, and in meeting its actual growing demands. And if it is not placed in a position where its future income can be expended at least in part in this manner, it will materially suffer. There are several needed improvements which the board has had under contemplation for the last two years, and which, if made, would very materially benefit the sanitarium, giving it better equipment, and saving large future expense. The institution is paying a yearly tax of $680 to the city of Boulder for water. Over $6,000 has been paid out in this way since the beginning of the work. Situated upon the sanitarium grounds is a large flowing spring with sufficient water capacity to supply the institution with all the water needed. An investment of about $3,000 would be required to install a water system by which this water could be utilized for sanitarium purposes. The water is of a superior quality, and would be not only a saving of expense, but a valuable advertising feature in connection with the work. Great advantage would also accrue to the institution in the operation of its own dairy for its cream and milk supply. It has a range of ninety acres, sufficient for summer grazing; but this added feature would require the erection of a barn and the purchase of cows. This would necessitate another outlay of $1,500, but the institution would be supplied with its own milk and cream under much more sanitary conditions than they can be secured from the market, and a great financial saving would eventually result. A third great need is a dormitory for the nurses. At the present time they are scattered about in rented rooms in various places in the city of Boulder. This system is destructive to the best interests of the training school. During the last year the sanitarium has paid out over $500 for rented buildings to accommodate its absolute necessities. The erection of a suitable dormitory would result in a great saving. Recognizing the advantages which would come from these enterprises, the sanitarium management has been sorely tempted to invest money in these ways; and yet, when the great needs of the general work were regarded and the obligation to the General Conference was considered, the board felt that, at the present time, the one consistent thing to do was to meet the General Conference obligation just as far as possible, instead of making further investments. For years the sanitarium has been beset on every side with perplexing difficulties. The needs of the work in Boulder, the obligation of the institution to its creditors, the heavy state and water tax, aggregating $1,700 a year, a heavy yearly interest amounting to nearly $4,000 a year,216 together with the other expenses incidental to the operation of an institution of this kind, has almost closed the door of hope of ever being able to pay off the money which was originally invested in the enterprise. It was a knowledge of these perplexities and difficulties, and the inability of the institution to cope with this situation, which suggested at various times the sale of the sanitarium to private parties. The Spirit of Prophecy declares that a great mistake was made in investing so much means in the Boulder Sanitarium; and all connected with the work have seen for years that it would have been much better for the sanitarium to have begun in a small way, gradually increasing its facilities as the demands of the work required, than to have placed itself at the outset under the incubus of such a heavy interest-bearing debt. The sanitarium management and family were not directly responsible for this investment. They have been laboring for years to meet and overcome conditions which they did not directly create; and yet they, together with the whole church of God, were responsible for the action of their representatives. The investment was made in good faith, by those who believed it was for the best; and while God did not lead in the making of the mistake, He will lead in correcting the mistake. This large investment and the struggles of the institution to meet its obligations, together with the divergence of views regarding the work and institution217 was to do, has led to misunderstandings. Some of the brethren have felt, and felt honestly, that the best way to undo the mistake and rid the cause of this terrible load of indebtedness, was to sell the institution; and buyers are by no means lacking who stand ready to invest their means in a work of this kind. During the past two or three years the sanitarium management has received from outside parties, from physicians in St. Louis and elsewhere, repeated offers to purchase the institution. This was the situation of affairs at the time of the General Conference in Washington last spring. Some of the brethren felt that they saw in a plan of this kind a providential opening, and they conscientiously believed this to be the leading of Providence. But at this important juncture in the work, the Lord came to the rescue, and by counsel and messages most kindly borne, showed the error of investing worldly capital in our institutions, and of taking any steps that would turn the sanitarium from its original purpose and from the work that God had set for it to do,—to uphold before the world the principles of health and temperance reform. This brief statement of the situation at that time will enable all to understand the application and appropriateness of the instruction which was given through the Spirit of the Lord in the testimonies read at the General Conference in Washington last spring, and at the last Colorado camp-meeting and conference, at Denver.
Francis M. Wilcox,
Treasurer Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium. ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF NEW SANITARIUMS
From time to time I receive letters inquiring whether I have any light in regard to the establishment of new sanitariums. For many years light has been given me regarding the value of medical missionary work, and the necessity of establishing sanitariums in chosen places, where their work and influence will tell for the advancement of the truth. Institutions in which medical missionary work can be done are to be regarded as especially essential to the advancement of the Lord’s work. The sick and suffering are to be relieved, and then, as opportunity offers, they are to be given instruction regarding the truth for this time. Thus we can bring present truth before a class of people who could be reached in no other way. But it is not after the Lord’s mind to have sanitariums multiplied too rapidly. It is not His plan that institutions doing the same kind of work shall be in such close proximity as to interfere with one another. Each sanitarium, wherever it may be, should have good facilities, experienced helpers, and the sympathy and support of the church and the community where it is situated. With each should be connected capable, God-fearing managers,—men who are sound in the faith, and who are able to carry the heavy responsibilities entrusted to them without running behind and involving the institution in debt. He who begins to build a tower must first sit down and count the cost, to find out whether, after beginning to build, he will be able to finish. Those proposing to219 establish a sanitarium should understand that it is a great undertaking. There are many who can do excellent work in connection with sanitariums already established, who have not sufficient skill or adaptability successfully to build up a new institution. If our brethren will carefully study this question, they will see that it is not right to encourage the establishment of additional sanitariums in a locality where the one already in operation is all that can be properly sustained. It is neither according to principles of justice nor good policy to divide between two institutions the support and patronage that are needed to maintain and meet the expenses of one. One sanitarium well managed usually requires all the patronage of the community in which it is established. A second institution stands directly in the way of the first. Persons who feel at liberty to act from selfish impulse, and to establish independent sanitariums for personal profit have not properly considered the influence that such a course of action has on the world. In many cases those who patronize these independent institutions do so because they think that they are conducted upon unselfish, Christian principles, in harmony with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, whereas, in reality, they are not religious institutions in any serious sense. From time to time men have started out in the establishment of independent sanitariums with the selfish desire to acquire something to benefit themselves. They have not been particular to take into consideration the effect that their actions would have upon the work of institutions established in the order of God, and by220 misrepresentation of institutions already in operation, they have labored to divert patronage to themselves for personal profit. Thus by selfishness they are led on and on to do injustice to the institutions established upon an unselfish basis, for the upbuilding of the Lord’s work. Such men will make a desperate effort to gain the supremacy. A spirit will come in that Christ can not indorse,—a spirit that leads men to attempt to appropriate to themselves the reputation of other institutions. Those who think that it is their right to use, for the building up of private gain, the reputation of institutions which are working upon an unselfish basis, are making a sad mistake. God will not bless those who work without taking counsel with their brethren. All have a work to do. But we must view matters from every side. No one should receive the idea that God has appointed to any man the work of personally building up a sanitarium, even in a new field, without counseling with his brethren. Any one who supposes that in himself he is a complete whole, and that he can safely follow his own mind and judgment, is not to be trusted; for he is not walking in the light, as Christ is in the light. There are many who have false views of what they are doing. God desires those in His service to move wisely. He desires them to have clear ideas and deep spirituality, and to weigh carefully the motives which prompt them to action. There will ever be among us irresponsible men, who have a very limited conception of the important work which the Lord designs to have done in our institutions,—the work not only of caring for the sick, but also of disseminating the precious principles of health reform. Our sanitariums are to be schools in which lessons are221 to be constantly taught, by word and by example, regarding the value of these principles. In these institutions the nurses, the helpers, and the patients also, are to be taught to bring the leaves of the tree of life to sin-sick souls. Those who have failed of conforming their life practise to right principles can not do this work. They need to be thoroughly converted. Those who become so confused as to engage in sanitarium work for selfish profit will not be prospered in their spiritual life, and will be unable properly to influence others aright. Let those who have a desire to benefit self and to make self prominent, take up a work that does not involve the cause of God so much as does the establishment of sanitariums. God is not glorified by those who attempt to go faster than He leads. Perplexity, embarrassment, and distress, is the result of acting without due consideration and counsel. The Lord does not desire His representatives to make mistakes. The way of the Lord is always the right and prudent way. It always brings honor to His name. Man’s only security against rash, ambitious movements is to keep the heart in harmony with Jesus Christ. Man’s wisdom is untrustworthy. Man is fickle, filled with self-esteem, pride, and selfishness. Let the workers doing God’s service trust wholly in the Lord. Then the leaders will reveal that they are willing to be led, not by human wisdom, which is as useless to lean upon as is a broken reed, but by the wisdom of the Lord, who has said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” James 1:5-7. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE LORD’S INSTITUTIONS
To the Brethren and Sisters of the Colorado Conference: In past years, I have written many things to our brethren and sisters in America, in Europe, and in Australia, regarding the attitude they should sustain toward our denominational institutions. I am now sending some of these things to you, as timely instruction. From a letter written in 1889, I quote: Those who bear heavy responsibilities in our institutions should be strengthened and sustained by the knowledge that the members of every place are praying for the prosperity and success of these institutions. If the churches do not feel that the work done in our institutions is a most important work, and that the laborers need their sympathy and hearty, intelligent cooperation, this deficiency will retard the advancement of the work. Complaints are not infrequently made in regard to the men who carry a heavy load. Discouragements come upon these men because of the unconsecrated elements in the churches, who love to talk, and say, “Report, and we will report it.” This makes more work for the men who are already overburdened. Those who daily consecrate themselves to God, and endeavor to hold up the hands of those who bear responsibilities, will be blessed of heaven. We are engaged in a great work, and Satan will use all his power to win to his side the very men and women who could cooperate with God in doing a precious work, if they were cleansed, sanctified, and guided by the Holy Spirit; if223 they had warm, true hearts of tender love, and gave due respect to those whom God has appointed to carry on a great and important work. The men engaged in the Master’s service have often been wounded by those who think and speak evil, and create feelings of distrust and jealousy, which should not be tolerated or kept alive by unsanctified tongues. These same principles were brought to the attention of our brethren and sisters in the Iowa Conference in 1902. In a communication addressed to them is the following instruction: RELATION OF CHURCH-MEMBERS TO MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORKERS.
By baptismal vows church-members have covenanted to remain under the control of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Afterward under temptation some withdraw from the influence of the Spirit of God, and serve the enemy. They become vain talkers, mischief makers. Instead of healing and restoring, they hurt and destroy. How careful every person who claims to love and fear God should be in regard to the reputation of the institutions that God Himself has established according to His word! How careful should every professing Christian be of the reputation of those whose work it is to bring relief to suffering human beings. The physician needs calm nerves. Can not men and women be made to understand that when they are constantly endeavoring to injure and tear down the reputation of the Lord’s appointed physicians, to whom a special work has been given, these servants of God feel keenly the wounds made by their unsanctified utterances? Their224 hearts are bruised and made sore by the criticizing spirit, the disparaging remarks, the unchristian example and practises of those who should stand as supporters of the men acting as God’s helping hand. Many professing Christians have become the agents of Satan, who uses them to criticize and to discourage nigh unto death those whom God has appointed to do a most important work. Many words opposed to principles of truth and justice, many words creating suspicion and distrust, have been spoken. Can not the poor souls who have been long in the way see that by their course of action they are ignorantly serving the enemy of all righteousness? Can they not see that they are driving successful laborers on to Satan’s battle-ground, to become the sport of temptation? Many of these reckless talkers do not know what they are doing. They can not see that their words discourage the ones whom God has appointed to represent Jesus Christ, and His truth for this time. In relieving suffering humanity, consecrated physicians are doing the work of the great Restorer, who has said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matt. 25:40. Let those whose lips are unsanctified realize that for their own souls’ interest they should now be converted in order that their words may be a savor of life unto life, and not of death unto death. It is time that the vain talkers reformed. Let each one begin to reform, and build over against his own house. Let every church-member lighten the burdens and encourage the hearts of his brethren by holding up their hands and strengthening them to do God’s will. APPEAL TO THE COLORADO CONFERENCE
SANITARIUM, CAL., August 10, 1905. To the Brethren and Sisters of the Colorado Conference: There are souls in many places who have not yet heard the message. Henceforth medical missionary work is to be carried forward with an earnestness with which it has never yet been done. This work is the door through which the truth is to find entrance to the large cities, and sanitariums are to be established in many places. Years ago the Lord gave me special light in regard to the establishment of a health institution where the sick could be treated on altogether different lines from those followed in any other institution in our world. It was to be founded and conducted upon Bible principles, as the Lord’s instrumentality, and it was to be in His hands one of the most effective agencies for giving light to the world. Again and again this matter has been presented to me, and one case especially has been urged upon my notice. At great cost a sanitarium was erected at Boulder, Colorado. It has been a very difficult matter to make this sanitarium what it should be, and yet meet all expenses. The effort to do this has meant a great deal of hard work and much careful study. While we were at Washington, attending the General Conference, the question was raised, Shall we sell the Colorado Sanitarium to those who are offering to buy it? I was instructed to say to our brethren in Colorado, It would not be for the glory of God for the Colorado Sanitarium to be sold. Under the circumstances, an226 offer of fifteen thousand dollars would be to some a strong temptation, and they would be inclined to sell the sanitarium, and thus lighten the burden of indebtedness. But God sees not as man sees. Our people would be acting like men with their eyes put out, should they consent to sell this institution. Even were double the price offered, the offer should be rejected. The Boulder Sanitarium is to do its appointed work. From it the light of truth for this time is to shine forth, and the great message of warning be given. I am charged to tell you the truth. It was an unwise thing for a physician to establish another medical institution so close to the Colorado Sanitarium. In this he was not obeying the command to love God supremely and his neighbor as himself. The question is, What shall be done? Here are two institutions, one endeavoring to hold up and follow the principles of health reform, and the other allowing its patients to indulge in the use of flesh-meat, and because of this, drawing patients away from the first institution. The matter is to be treated in a fair, Christlike manner. When the one who has established himself so close to the Lord’s institution is converted in heart and mind, he will see the necessity of carrying out the principles of the word of God, and will harmonize with his neighbors. If he can not blend with them, he will go to some other place. There are many other places to which he could go. In ancient times the remark was frequently made, “Wherever there are three physicians, there are two atheists.” But a change has come. Wherever the last message of warning is given, combined with medical missionary work and lessons on the right principles of living, wonderful results are seen. Our sanitariums227 are to be the means of enlightening those who come to them for treatment. The patients are to be shown how they can live upon a diet of grains, fruits, nuts, and other products of the soil. I have been instructed that lectures should be regularly given in our sanitariums on health topics. People are to be taught to disregard those articles of food that weaken the health and strength of the beings for whom Christ gave His life. The injurious effects of tea and coffee are to be shown. The patients are to be taught how they can dispense with those articles of diet that injure the digestive organs. The blessings that attend a disuse of tobacco and intoxicating liquor are to be plainly pointed out. Let the patients be shown the necessity of practising the principles of health reform, if they would regain their health. Let the sick be shown how to get well, by being temperate in eating, and by taking regular exercise in the open air. It is that people may become intelligent in regard to these things that sanitariums are to be established. A great work is to be done. Those who are ignorant are to become wise. By the work of our sanitariums, suffering is to be relieved and health restored. People are to be taught how, by carefulness in eating and drinking, they may keep well. Christ died to save men from ruin. Our sanitariums are to be His helping hand, teaching men and women how to live in such a way as to honor and glorify God. If this work is not done by our sanitariums, a great mistake is made by those conducting them. Abstinence from flesh-meat will prove a great benefit to those who abstain. The diet question is a subject of vital importance. Those who do not conduct sanitariums in the right way, lose their opportunity to help the very ones who need help the most.228 Our sanitariums are established for a special purpose, to teach people that we do not live to eat, but that we eat to live. In our sanitariums the truth is to be cherished, not banished or hidden from sight. The light is to shine forth in clear, distinct rays. These institutions are the Lord’s facilities for the revival of pure, elevated morality. We do not establish them as a speculative business, but to help men and women to follow right habits of living. Christ, the great Medical Missionary, is no longer in our world in person. But He has not left the world in darkness. To His subjects He has given the commission, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:20. Through the instrumentality of our sanitariums, the great questions of Bible truth are to enter into the very heart of society, to reform and convert men and women, bringing them to see the great necessity of preparing for the mansions that Christ told His disciples He would prepare for those that love Him. “I will come again,” He declared, “and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3. Our work is to gain a knowledge of Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We are to interest people in the subjects that concern the health of the body, as well as in the subjects that concern the health of the soul. Believers have a decided message to bear to prepare the way for the kingdom of God. The will of the Lord is to be done on earth. We have not one moment229 to spare in idle speculation. “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight” (Matt. 3:3), is the message that we are to proclaim. Amidst all the confusion that now fills the world, a clear, decided message is to be heard. Some will be attracted by one phase of the gospel and some by another. We are instructed by our Lord to work in such a way that all classes will be reached. The message must go to the whole world. Our sanitariums are to help to make up the number of God’s people. We are not to establish a few mammoth institutions; for thus it would be impossible to give the patients the messages that will bring health to the soul. Small sanitariums are to be established in many places. Satan will introduce every form of error in an effort to lead souls away from the work to be accomplished in these last days. There needs to be a decided awakening, in accordance with the importance of the subjects we are presenting. The conversion of souls is now to be our one object. Every facility for the advancement of God’s cause is to be put into use, that His will may be done in earth as it is done in heaven. We can not afford to be irreligious and indifferent now. We must take advantage of the means that the Lord has placed in our hands for the carrying forward of medical missionary work. Through this work infidels will be converted. Through the wonderful restorations taking place in our sanitariums, souls will be led to look to Christ as the great Healer of soul and body. Let not our physicians think that they can set themselves up in private practise close beside our sanitariums. To those who have done this the Lord says, Are there not many other places in which you could have established your plant? The Lord speaks to all medical missionaries, saying, Go work to-day in My vineyard to save souls. God hears the prayers of all who seek Him in truth. He has the power that we all need. He fills the heart with love and joy and peace and holiness. Character is constantly being developed. We can not afford to spend time working at cross purposes with God. There are physicians who, because of a past connection with our sanitariums, find it profitable to locate close to them; and they close their eyes to the great fields neglected and unworked, in which unselfish labor would be a blessing to many. Missionary physicians can exert an uplifting, refining, sanctifying, influence. Physicians who do not do this abuse their power, and do a work that the Lord repudiates. God wants every one to stand with the whole armor on, ready for the great review. He wants us to do the work that He has given us. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.” Prov. 3:6; Ps. 25:14.