Earlier text: Korea, Manchuria, North and Central ChinaSTRENGTH for today is all that we need,
As there never will be a tomorrow;
For tomorrow will prove but another today,
With its measure of joy and sorrow. Then why forecast the trials of life,
With much sad and grave persistence,
And wait and watch for a crowd of ills
That as yet have no existence? Strength for today! what a precious boon
For earnest hearts who labor!
For the willing hands that minister
To the needy friend or neighbor. Strength for today, that the weary hearts
In the battle for right may quail not,
And the eyes bedimmed by bitter tears
In their search for light may fail not. Strength for today on the downhill track
For the travelers near the valley;
That up, far up on the other side,
Erelong they may safely rally. Strength for today, that one precious youth
May happily shun temptation,
And build from the rise to the set of the sun
On a strong and sure foundation. Strength for today, in house and home,
To practice forbearance sweetly;
To scatter kind words and loving deeds,
Still trusting in God completely. Strength for today is all that we need,
As there never will be a tomorrow;
For tomorrow will prove but another today,
With its measure of joy and sorrow. Union College
By H. A. MORRISON.
UNION COLLEGE summer school closed August 18, after a very profitable term of eight weeks. There were eighty in attendance during this time, and all feel well repaid for the effort they put forth to take advantage of the opportunities afforded at this summer school. A good spirit was manifest throughout the session. Nearly all received new inspiration for higher Christian living. The church-school teachers went forth from this summer session with renewed courage and strength and increased efficiency, and with a determination to pass on to their home churches and schools the blessings they received here. The last prayer and testimony meeting was one of great encouragement to all. Nearly every one in the assembly expressed his special gratitude for the benefit he had received from the summer school and for the many blessings attending him in connection therewith. This is the first summer session Union College has had for a number of years. We feel greatly encouraged with these results, and are led to look forward with satisfaction to the possibilities and opportunities that await us in future summer sessions. The regular school year begins September 15. The prospect is excellent for a full school. Many of our young people seem to be waking up to appreciate the advantages that Union College holds out to them, and to understand the part this institution has had in training hundreds for work in connection with this message, in both home and foreign fields. All planning to attend Union College should remember that the opening day is September 15. The Ohio Camp Meeting
By B. G. Wilkinson
THE readers of the REVIEW will be greatly encouraged to know how signally the Lord visited our Ohio camp meeting. In connection with the annual conference session, the camp meeting was held on the beautiful campus of Mount Vernon Academy. The attendance was large, perhaps the largest in the history of Ohio camp meetings, the Sabbath school the last Sabbath numbering 847. The interest from the outside was good. The first Sunday night the writer spoke upon “The Present European War From the Prophetic Standpoint.” A very large audience of those not of our faith was present. Each succeeding night the truth was presented with clearness and power. So great was the interest in Mount Vernon that the Ohio brethren decided to ask Elder N. S. Ashton, Bible teacher in Mount Vernon Academy, to conduct a series of meetings for two or three weeks in the city before he took up his annual duties as Bible teacher in Mount Vernon Academy. There were many items of interest in connection with the Ohio camp meeting. It was encouraging the last Sabbath to see all the brethren rally to give a donation amounting to more than one thousand dollars. Also, the revival of that morning was attended by the power of God. Five or six hundred persons took their places in the center tier of seats, confessing their sins and surrendering to God. The offering to foreign missions was given in a meeting the like of which visiting brethren said they had never seen before; $11,053.86 was given in cash and pledges; three brethren gave $500 gifts; one, a $300 gift; two, $250 gifts, and nineteen, $100 gifts. It was inspiring to see the brethren breaking loose from their worldly holdings and giving to God. One hundred and sixty dollars was pledged by the young people for their China fund. A Bohemian brother who has recently accepted the truth expressed his gratitude by pledging $600, conditioned on the sale of property; another brother pledged $250, on the sale of a lot; one of our ministers pledged $500, on the sale of a tract of land; and two other brethren $500, on the sale of valuable horses. The baptisms numbered forty-three, of which twenty-two were young persons. Of the latter, fourteen were from churches where our church schools are located. Elder E. K. Slade was reelected president, with practically the same corps of officers. The Ohio Conference, from every standpoint, shows records of splendid gains for the past year. Truly God is working upon the hearts of his dear people there. Hand in hand with this advance stands the marked prosperity of Mount Vernon Academy. The last year was the very best in the history of the school. It had the largest enrollment in its history. The balance sheet showed a gain of $10,994. The debt of $33,000 has now been reduced to less than $18,000. The blessings of God upon this institution have overflowed and trickled out to the surrounding region, thus making it a splendid power for the advancement of the work there. We were greatly helped at this camp meeting by the general labors of Elders F. W. Paap, J. L. Shaw, and C. L. Benson. Brother Paap gave special attention, with splendid results, to the newly organized and working Home Missionary Department of the North American Division. W. L. Burgan was present, and gave valuable help not only in the newspaper work but in other lines. I. A. Ford, of the Review and Herald Office; J. W. Mace, of the Lake Union; and John McConaughey, of the Southern Union, represented the publishing work. Dr. H. W. Miller represented the important interests of the Washington Sanitarium. The union departments were represented by Elders Dowsett, Stone, Horton, and Richardson, and Professor Salisbury of Mount Vernon Academy. This blessed camp meeting surely will do great things for the advance of the work in Ohio this coming year.
B. G. WILKINSON. Extracts From Reports
By STEEN RASMUSSEN
The third angel’s message is making some progress among the many foreign nationalities in our country. We rejoice to report that another foreign church has been added to the few we already had. We give a few brief extracts from reports received by the North American Foreign Department:— Elder W. D. MacLay, president of the South Missouri Conference, writes: “About a year ago a Servian accepted the truth in St. Louis. Under the fostering care of the German workers, others began to keep the Sabbath, until at the time of the Central Union Conference meeting there was a call for a Servian minister to labor in St. Louis. The matter was presented to Elder O. A. Olsen, secretary of the North American Foreign Department, and he recommended Elder Milan Ostoics to come to St. Louis for three months. Elder Ostoics came, and as a result of his labor several took their stand for the truth, and those who had embraced the message before his arrival were greatly strengthened. June 17, we met in the Servian hall and perfected the organization of a Servian church. In order to do this, I had to use two interpreters, Elder Roth translating from the English into German, and Elder Ostoics translating from the German into Servian. I questioned the candidates closely on all points of our faith, and they seemed to be well established in the truth. One thing that was a little unusual was the fact that there were more men than women who joined the church, there being eight men and three women, making eleven in all. They are nice, clean-looking people and a credit to any conference. The brother who was elected librarian is a storekeeper. All are faithful tithe payers.” Sister Christina Valenta, who has been working in Bridgeport, Conn., doing colporteur and Bible work for several months, writes very encouragingly about the work among the Bohemians and Slavs in that city. She says: “The work is going forward, though amid many difficulties. Many are convinced of the truth, and seem to love it. At present we have two Sabbath keepers who come to our church regularly. They are young men. There is also a woman who is keeping the Sabbath. We hold no public meetings, but work from house to house. What is being done is nothing in comparison with what17 ought to be done, but we are of good courage, and know that the Lord will take care of the work.” Brother T. T. Bobienco, who is working in the interest of the Russians in Canada, says: “The work among the Russians is going slowly, but soon we shall have a goodly number of them accepting the message. However, during the last quarter (April to June) seven have begun keeping the Sabbath, and four have been baptized. Besides, we have been able to organize one Russian Sabbath school consisting of thirteen members.” Brother Paul Matula, who works among the Slovaks and Bohemians, sends from Newark, N. J., a very encouraging report about new openings: “July 25 we held our first meeting in Passaic, N. J. The English Reformed Church allowed us to hold a meeting in their chapel, which is near their church building. We are glad that we can enter a new field to proclaim this last message. We are determined to go from place to place heralding the truth.” Equally encouraging reports come to us from the Hungarian workers in New York, our Roumanian worker in Youngstown, Ohio, and our Italian worker in Chicago. They are all determined to press the battle to the gates in faithfully delivering the message for this time to their own nationalities.
STEEN RASMUSSEN. North Michigan Camp Meeting
By Frederick Griggs
The ten days' camp meeting of the North Michigan Conference closed Sunday evening, August 30. This meeting was held at Mount Pleasant. The truth was preached here years ago, and a good church, the first in the territory of the North Michigan Conference, was established. For some little time Elder and Mrs. E. W. Webster have been doing work in the city and its vicinity and a splendid interest has been aroused. The attendance from the city has been exceptionally good. The camp was located in a beautiful park in the heart of the city. A spirit of seeking God prevailed through the meeting. In the revival service the first Sabbath nearly every one present came forward in earnest consecration. Several revival meetings were afterward held, in which this spirit of consecration for vigilant service for God was deepened. The great home missionary campaign upon which our people are entering has stirred the people of this conference in a marked way. They have pledged themselves to active service. As a result of the meeting, twenty-four were baptized in the river flowing past the park. The total offerings for missions were nearly $2,300, or about three dollars a member for the entire conference. This offering is about three times as large as that of last year. This in itself is an evidence of the spirit of the meeting. Elder J. J. Irwin, who has been president of the conference for several years, was unanimously reelected. There were no changes in the officers of the conference, except that one committeeman had gone to labor in another field. A spirit of unity prevailed. The laborers from outside the local and union conferences were Elders F. W. Paap and M. E. Kern, and the writer. The preaching and the Bible studies were well received by the people. A most excellent spirit of courage is manifested for the work of the coming year. Holland Mission Field
By J. Wibbens
THE eighteenth annual meeting of the Holland Mission was held at Rotterdam, July 1-5, 1914. All the conference workers were present, also Elders L. R. Conradi, H. F. Schuberth, N. Z. Town, J. G. Ob-lander (president of the West German Union), R. G. Klingbeil, and Brother H. Boex. About one hundred of our own people were at the meeting, and the outside attendance at the evening services filled the large hall. The work in Holland has seen some unusually trying experiences, but has now so far recovered that the president could report 322 members. During the year 1913 fifty-seven new members were taken into church fellowship, and in the first half of 1914, forty-four persons. The tithe amounted in 1913 to $2,540; the total offerings to missions, $541. The gifts to missions during the first half of 1914 were only four dollars less than the total amount given during 1912. The corps of workers in this field consists of two ordained ministers, four licentiate ministers, five Bible workers, and two lady nurses, also an average of twenty-four canvassers. These canvassers sold in 1913 about $6,400 worth of our literature. In connection with the conference meetings, very profitable canvassers' meetings were held. The subscription book plan is but very little followed, the books being sold at the time of the canvass. The canvasser carries an assortment with him. This is doubtless the reason that the sales of large books are not large comparatively. As the Hamburg Publishing House is getting out an edition of Elder Conradi's work on “Daniel and the Revelation” in the Dutch language, it is to be hoped that some canvassers will give the subscription book methods a fair trial. On Sabbath Elder Conradi preached a powerful sermon, and many were led to dedicate themselves anew to the Lord. The Sabbath school collection amounted to a little over twenty dollars. Although Holland has the name of being a Protestant country, yet two fifths of the population are Roman Catholics. As in other Protestant countries, Roman Catholicism is making progress with rapid strides. In centuries gone by, Holland furnished a home for Protestant and Jewish fugitives; now it becomes the place of safety for monks and nuns driven from the western European Roman Catholic countries. The influence of these elements, driven from these countries because of their detrimental influences in state and society, is looked upon by many with grave apprehension. Yet the majority of the Protestants here have ceased to protest, and in political affairs Calvinists and Romanists stand shoulder to shoulder. The third angel's message is needed here as much as elsewhere, and certainly the Lord has souls who will follow and serve him when the message is properly presented. The general prospects of the work are good. Pray for the workers in this field. Home Missionary Experiences
By E. M. GRAHAM
Appreciated a Little Kindness
“I found a young man in a hunter’s cabin, across the creek opposite our house, on a wet, stormy evening. He had a swollen wrist, with a reddish-looking lump. He had nothing to eat, and his clothes were very wet, as he had walked seven miles with the wind and the rain blowing in his face. “I went to our cabin and told mother, and while she prepared supper I brought him over in our boat. We gave him supper, dried his clothes, and mother dressed his wrist. We learned that he had been brought up a Roman Catholic, and the conversation turned to Bible subjects. He asked many questions about purgatory, the state of the dead, and other subjects, and seemed to receive light. We gave him one of our candle-shaped messengers (some tracts rolled and tied with ribbon). “In the morning, mother again dressed his wrist, and gave him breakfast. I took him across to his cabin, made a fire for him, as it was raining and he could not travel until it cleared. He began reading his candle-shaped messenger. When he bade us good-by, he said he did not know how to thank us for our kindness.” When the seed is sown, and watered by kind attention, we may look for results. From a Self-Supporting Missionary
“I have a very interesting case of a little child eighteen months old who is suffering with tubercular meningitis. The doctor said there was no hope of recovery. The father, being a former patient of mine, called on me to go to his house to see the child. On examining it, I told him there was no hope of its recovery as far as human skill is concerned. With a few words of cheer and encouragement I directed his mind to the Great Physician, who has never lost a case; and on finding him interested in the subject of prayer, I related some Bible instances of healing in which God heard prayer for the sick. His wife, feeling her hopeless position, fell on her knees beside the child and called for me to pray. This I did, and we all felt on rising from our knees that God had heard our humble prayers, and that he would do the right thing. From that time the child has improved so much that the doctor is puzzled, confessing he does not know what to make of it. We have had several prayers since, and some readings from ‘Ministry of Healing,’ which have led to a desire to read the book through. After three weeks’ improvement the doctor said yesterday that the patient was out of danger, so you see how the Lord has been working. We are now arranging for Bible readings, and the husband has even expressed his wish to keep the Sabbath. Such experiences strengthen our hold on God, and prove to us all that our Heavenly Father is just as willing to heal the sick in these days as when Christ was upon the earth.” This brother and his wife run treatment rooms with which, as William Carey said of his cobbling, they ‘pay expenses.’ Their life work is to give this warning message, and the Lord has signally blessed them. A number of excellent people have been brought into the truth through their efforts. Later this brother wrote of the first Bible reading he held with this family and another person. The husband and wife had expressed themselves as favorably impressed with the truth. He has another patient, a well-to-do farmer, who has expressed his desire for Bible studies. A Catholic woman has also become much interested, and has asked him to tell her more of the interesting Word. The Colorado Camp Meeting
By G. B. THOMPSON
THE recent camp meeting, held in Denver, August 13-23, was indeed a spiritual feast. It was conceded by all who attended it to be the best meeting ever held in Colorado. The camp was located in the beautiful Rocky Mountain Lake Park, which has been used for the same purpose on other occasions. About one hundred and seventy tents were pitched, and the attendance of our own people was about nine hundred. The churches of the conference were represented by about one hundred and fifty delegates. Meetings were conducted daily in the German and English languages. The camp was well arranged. The organization of the meeting was excellent, and was kept well in hand throughout. Workers’ meetings were held daily, and all planned together with the view of maintaining a spiritual uplift in the meeting until the close. From the first a most earnest spirit was manifest. All meetings were well attended, there being comparatively few strollers about the grounds during the services. The terrible war being waged in Europe, drenching these populous countries in blood, and spreading indescribable carnage, sorrow, and desolation among millions, together with the distress which this calamitous contest brings upon our work and our brethren and sisters living in the theater of war, greatly stirs the hearts of our people. The keynote of the meeting was sounded the first evening in a stirring sermon by Elder A. T. Robinson, on the finishing of our work and the preparation necessary for this great event. During the entire meeting the great and solemn truths of the message were kept well to the front, and took hold upon the hearts of our own people as well as those not of our faith. The attendance from the city was excellent, the large pavilion being well filled each evening. Many made urgent inquiry for light concerning the contest being waged by the strong nations of the world. It is evident that the minds of the people are being turned to those who represent this message for an interpretation of events hitherto unparalleled in the history of the18 world. This is indeed a most favorable time in which to present the truths of this message in this country, and should be taken advantage of to the fullest extent by us as a people. The annual conference was held in connection with the meeting. All plans were carefully considered, and great unity of action marked the proceedings. Elder A. T. Robinson has the confidence of all his brethren, and was unanimously re-elected to the office of president. Brother R. T. Emery was reelected secretary and treasurer. The home missionary branch of this work struck a responsive chord in the hearts of all, and plans were laid for aggressive work in every church to enlist all in the great work of scattering our literature everywhere, to bring souls to a knowledge of the truth. In one meeting over one hundred sets of the Berean Library were sold, besides much other literature. We believe that this home missionary work will result in bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. A liberal spirit was manifested throughout the meeting, over two thousand dollars being given in cash and pledges for the local conference work. The Sabbath school donations received during the meeting amounted to $354.41, and the contributions for the Union College equipment fund to $71.75. On the last Sabbath of the meeting consideration was given to our foreign mission work. After a sermon on the rise and progress of the third angel’s message, the shortness of time, and the tremendous sacrifice that will be required of this people to finish the work in this generation, and the reading of a letter from Elder L. R. Conradi, setting forth the serious situation in which the work in Europe will be placed by this war, an appeal was made for gifts to the emergency fund of the General Conference. The blessing of the Lord was present in a very marked manner in this meeting. As all bowed, while earnest prayer was offered that God would impress each one with the amount he should give, the Spirit of God seemed to hover in a special way over the congregation. The total gifts in cash and pledges amounted to $5,205. In the afternoon, in the beautiful lake by the side of the camp, fifty-one candidates were baptized. Many of these were young persons. The work done during the meeting by the Missionary Volunteer leaders to help the youth on the ground, produced excellent results. All the reports rendered during the meeting indicated progress. The colporteur work is gaining strength, and a number will enlist in this work at the close of the meeting. The outlook is good for an encouraging growth during the year in all departments. In addition to the usual local and union conference workers present, Dr. David Paulson, Elders E. A. Curtis and H. Shultz, and the writer attended the meeting. All deeply regretted that, on account of illness, the union conference president, Elder R. A. Underwood, was not permitted to be present. His earnest words and counsel were greatly missed. Many prayers were offered that he might be speedily restored to his usual health. All left the meeting with renewed courage and confidence in the work of God, and with the determination to be more faithful in the Christian life, and more diligent in spreading the blessed truths of the message among their friends and neighbors. A deep interest seems to be created in the city of Denver as a result of the meeting, and no doubt many will be led to embrace the truth in the city as a result of the faithful labor which will be put forth by those who will follow up the interest. A Last Call to Parents
By M. E. K.
FAR better that a child should have fewer and plainer clothes on his back, simpler food in his stomach, and a harder bed on which to sleep, if by this he may have a better training for his mind. Yet how many parents, after providing the necessities of life, give very little serious attention to the things of the mind and the heart. The home is the one school above all others which sways the future. It is the most potent factor in the making of character. God-fearing parents, however humble their circumstances, can lay the foundations of a liberal education and of strong Christian manhood. They can train their children for Christian work and leadership, as did Amram and Jochebed. Like all great achievements, these results are accomplished by adherence to a fixed purpose and by the faithful improvement of every opportunity for the furtherance of that purpose. One of the greatest factors in this home education is reading. S. D. Gordon has truly said:— “The books may be few, but they can be chosen, and be choice. The father and mother teachers may have hard work holding the roof over their heads, and getting meal from the mill, but the purpose of the life will decide the conduct of both life and home. They can live with their children in their studies. They can piece in spare moments to keep ahead of the children. They can take bits of time to read with the children and talk over what is read. Many a strong leader of thought among men has had the foundation of his education laid in just such a home, and by such love-wise parents.
“There is no finer mental training that can be done than to teach the child the reading habit, a good, intelligent book-reading habit. It is astonishing how rare the reading habit is. To the thousands books are sealed treasures. They can listen to men if they talk simply enough, but they can’t get information out of a book, though they can pronounce the words easily enough. The crowd stands deaf and blind before a book; because they haven’t acquired the reading habit while young. “And that is true not simply of the ignorant, but of thousands who are reckoned intelligent, and who are intelligent in making money and in discussing the common affairs of life. The book-reading world is a very small one. It’s a very difficult task to write a book that many people will read. The paper-reading and magazine-reading world is much larger. But the reading is pretty much of a very shallow sort. “Papers and magazines are of great value if one has learned how to read them. They should have only a small proportion of a man’s reading time. With thousands they make shallow reading, and shallower thinking, and tongues loose at both ends. To teach a child to read a book thoughtfully is one of the greatest services that can be rendered. The thoughtful mastering of one good book will frequently train and transform the whole life. And, more, it fixes the reading habit, which makes all books your helpers and servants.” It was for this twofold purpose — fixing the reading habit, and bringing into play the transforming power of good books — that our Missionary Volunteer Reading Courses were established. These courses have already become an important factor in the lives of our youth, and are accomplishing for those who take them the purpose for which they were established. The courses for this year begin in the Instructor of September 29. This is a last appeal to our parents to do their duty in this matter. The first book in the Senior Course is J. Hudson Taylor’s “A Retrospect,” which costs 35 cents, and the first in the Junior Course is a fine missionary story, “Under Marching Orders,” 50 cents. “Form a home reading circle, in which every member of the family shall lay aside the busy cares of the day, and unite in study.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VII, page 64.
M. E. K. A Message to Church Officers About the Youth
By Ellen G. White
GREATER and wiser efforts must be put forth to help the churches in our land. The elders and those who have leading places in the church should give more thought to their plans for conducting the work. . . . Those who bear responsibilities in the church should devise ways in which an opportunity will be given to every member of the church to act some part in the work. This has not been done in the past, and there are but few who realize how much has been lost on this account. . . . A greater work than has ever been done must be done for the young. They must be won with sympathy and love; all barriers must be broken down between them and those who would help them. The most good is not accomplished by long speeches and many words of exhortation or reproof. The greatest tact must be manifested, for human minds must be dealt with carefully, and the Lord will work with those who are fully consecrated to his service. Jesus is drawing the youth, and we must all work with him, putting no forbidding aspects upon our holy religion. We must partake19 of the divine nature ourselves, and then present Christ to others as the friend of sinners in such a way as to attract souls to leave the ranks of the evil one, and no longer work as agents to destroy souls. We must seek to press the young, with all their fresh vigor and ability, into the ranks of Christ, enlisting them as valiant soldiers in the great fight for truth. We have sadly neglected our duty toward the young, for we have not gathered them in, and induced them to put out their talents to the exchangers. A different mold should be placed upon the work. There should be less sermonizing and more personal labor. Fresh manna must be gathered from the Word of God, and every man must have his portion in due season. A great work can be done by dropping a word privately to your young friends, to those you meet in your daily walks. Missionary Volunteer Department
| M. E. KERN |
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General Secretary |
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| C. L. BENSON |
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Assistant Secretary |
| MATILDA ERICKSON |
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N. Am. Div. Secretary |
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| MEADE MACGUIRE |
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N. Am. Div. Field Secretary |
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Lord, Shut Us In
By WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN
LORD, shut us in. Soon heaven above
Will pour floods from the sky,
And earthly founts their bars remove
To bear our ark on high. Thy love that beckoned us within
Sustained us by its grace;
So keep us, though the taunts of sin
Deride us to our face. Long we believed what now we see,—
The end is very nigh.
O, shut us in alone with thee,
And guide us by thine eye! With thee, O Lord, our loss is gain,
Our trials but befriend;
No sacrifice for thee is vain,
For glory crowns its end. How the Patient Looks at It
A LETTER from Dr. G. B. Replogle, of the River Plate Sanitarium, of Argentina, South America, incloses a letter from one of its patients, giving a very interesting statement of his impressions of the sanitarium and its work. It is well worth reading, giving, as it does, the other side of our work, the side of the patient:— “It is now nearly six months since I came to the sanitarium. If it is thought that considerable time is being taken to effect a cure, it should be remembered that I came with what seemed an incurable ailment. Many years of hardship and exposure, followed by almost complete paralysis, seemed to place me in the position of an old, worn-out engine, fit only for the scrap heap. Fortunately, the people here did not regard me in that light. “It is difficult to give one’s first impressions of the institution under conditions of great suffering, but I well remember that I at once realized that, if kindness could cure me, I had come to the right place. One feels that the attention shown him is not so much a matter of obligation or duty as of sympathetic feeling on the part of the staff and helpers toward those who suffer. “Different from the usual hospital, the sanitarium rooms its guests in bedrooms instead of large wards. I was gently carried upstairs and located in a pleasant and clean room, where I was afforded a good view of the surrounding country. “This being a hydropathic institution, medicines and drugs are conspicuous by their absence. The treatments administered are based on rational principles, utilizing nature’s remedies. It is difficult to realize the wide scope of their service and how effectively they may be used. Proper hydropathic treatment is not the mere application of hot fomentations or cold compresses, but includes a large number of varied treatments that must be carefully administered by those of experience in order to obtain the desired effects. Consequently, considerable time and patience are required on the part of both nurse and patient. My regular treatments occupy two and a half hours. It will be seen from this that the sanitarium requires a larger staff of nurses and helpers than is the case where drugs and medicines are used. These nurses have a thorough course of three years’ training before they obtain their certificates, and they are under the constant supervision of doctors and others who see to it that not only the necessary treatments are properly administered, but all details of the patient’s care receive due attention. “Another thing that impressed me was that the patient can always know that he is told the truth regarding his condition, and that not in technical terms, but in a simple manner, so that he may not only know what his ailment is, but the probable causes of the same; and he also has carefully explained to him what is necessary for recovery. The subject of disease is not enshrouded in the mystery that usually prevails in the hospitals. Things are made clear to the patient, and everything is done to cause him as little anxiety as possible concerning himself. An effort is made to secure the cooperation of the patient in the care that is given him, and the patient receives instruction as well as treatment. “I remember well, when I asked the doctor concerning my condition and the prospects of recovery, how he explained to me that mine was a very serious case and one in which it was difficult to predict the outcome, but that he had every hope of good results, inasmuch as everything possible would be done for me. As I look back on the last few months and consider the many means used in my behalf, I cannot but realize everything possible has been done in order to secure my recovery. I must admit that at times I did not feel satisfied with what was being done, but now I see that it was because of the simplicity of the means that were being used; and indeed it really does seem remarkable that simple, natural remedies can bring about such a wonderful change. It is indeed a real change, and not merely a patching up. I find myself possessed of a new physical equipment of constitution, blood, muscles, flesh, etc. I attribute it all to the result of the careful and intelligent rational treatment I have had. Even those who are well acquainted with the remarkable results possible in these treatments can hardly believe that I am the same individual who was so helplessly struggling for existence a few months ago. “It must be remembered that for the last five months I have been living on a vegetarian diet. This, to one who is accustomed to flesh foods, is somewhat strange at first, but my experience has been that even the common potato may be so nicely cooked and served that one eats it with the relish of the most appetizing French dish. “The same careful attention is given to the culinary department as to the medical. The neat attire of the attendants, the inviting appearance of the tables, and the general cleanliness are very noticeable, and one cannot but feel that everything, even to the most minute detail, is done with the one purpose of making the patient’s surroundings as agreeable as possible. No doubt this has much to do with the remarkable cures that are effected, combining as it does the benefits of proper nourishment with those of proper treatment. A great variety of dishes is served, the number of which I would not attempt to name. Neither would I try to tell of their preparation. I find that a good book on cookery is available for those who desire it; for, as I have already stated, the object of the institution seems to be to assist as far as possible all those who are sick and need help. Hence this little book has been prepared, and there is also afforded the opportunity of securing practical instruction in cookery. It is this willingness of all those connected with the institution to help others that has made such an impression on me. This is without regard to nationality, sect, or condition, the one thought apparently in the mind of all being the individual’s need. I find in conversation with other patients and guests that this is the impression all received, although there is no outward attempt made to give this impression. “Thus far I have spoken only concerning the physical side of the work of the institution. I find there is something more than this, however, and that is the sincere purpose to minister to the spiritual necessities of those who come here; for, as the name of the institution indicates, it is conducted on the true principles of the Seventh-day Adventists, as found in the Word of God. I shall never forget the impression I received one day soon after I was able to be moved about a little. I was near a room where a surgical operation was about to be performed. The door was partly open, and I saw the doctors and attendants in their places, with heads bowed, and the head physician offering prayer for God’s help and guidance in the operation. I learned that this is the custom, and I then realized that here is the true secret of the remarkable success of the surgical operations and the true cause of the sincere kindness and attention always shown. As the suffering one hears the hymns and prayers offered up every morning and evening, he cannot help feeling that he has come to a place where God is first and all, and his guidance is sought for the proper conduct of the various duties. Thus there came over me a real confidence and security in my surroundings, and I felt that whatever happened, it was the Lord’s will. “Again, I was impressed with the fact that, while the spiritual atmosphere is everywhere felt, yet in no instance was I made to feel that any one purposed to force this spirit on another. On the contrary, while a definite witness of Christianity is constantly given in the faithful performance of duties, religion is not discussed with one unless he shows an interest in it, and then only at proper times and under suitable conditions. As soon as I learned something of the truth of this religion, which was new to me, I began to investigate it. I sought for Scripture evidence for the Sunday sabbath, but found none; and the more I studied the subject, the more I became convinced that the seventh day is the day sanctified by God. Little by little, this wonderful truth has come to me, and with God’s help I shall keep his day. “Now, as the time is nearing for me to leave the institution, I cannot help but feel that it has been good for me to be here, as I realize that after all the suffering, the Lord has given me far more joy than I could have expected, and my desire is that I may better witness to the blessings that he has granted me, and that many others who may come seeking health may also find that greatest of all blessings, enlightenment of the soul. May the Lord continually bless this institution and give to his servants much encouragement in realizing his promise that their labors shall not be in vain, and may they know that I for one am grateful for all the Christian help I have had from one and all during my stay.” Medical Missionary Department
W. A. RUBLE, M. D. - - General Secretary L. A. HANSEN - Assistant Secretary H. W. MILLER, M. D. - N. Am. Div. Secretary Continue reading: Ruination