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Section 8—Counsels and Cautions
179
Years ago light was given me in regard to the establishment
of sanitariums. It is not after the Lord’s mind to have sanitariums
multiply too rapidly. It is not His plan for an institution to be in
too close proximity to another one doing the same kind of work;
for an institution, wherever it may be, must have good facilities and
experienced helpers. With it should be connected capable, God-
fearing managers—men who are sound in the faith, who will exert
an influence for good, and who are able to carry the heavy responsi-
bilities entrusted to them without running behind and involving the
institutions 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. All who propose to establish a sanitarium should understand
that it is a great undertaking. If they have not sufficient skill and
adaptability successfully to build up a new sanitarium, let them
connect with sanitariums already established, making the interests
of these institutions their own....
[152]
Sanitariums for Personal Profit
Persons who feel at liberty to act from selfish impulse, and to
establish an independent sanitarium for personal profit, have not
considered the influence that such a course of action has on the
world....
In times past Seventh-day Adventists have started out in this
line with the selfish desire to acquire something that would benefit
themselves. They have not been at all particular to take into consid-
eration the effect their actions would have on the work of a similar
institution, established in the order of God. If by misrepresentation
of the institutions already in operation, such men can divert means
to themselves for personal profit, they will be constantly tempted to
do injustice to these institutions....
God will not bless those who work without taking counsel with
their brethren. Any Seventh-day Adventist who supposes that in
himself he is a complete whole, and that he can at all times 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 will be many
who have not a correct sense of what they are doing. Men need clear