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Section 8—Counsels and Cautions
181
The first question to be settled is, “Should there be a sanitarium
in this locality?” If there should be, the path of duty is plain. But
there is another question, and a very important one, to settle, “Are
those who shall be entrusted with the work of planning and devising
for the enterprise prepared to move cautiously, not in self-confidence,
but in the fear of the Lord? Will they take counsel from those who
have had experience in the work?”
A prevention of failure is worth far more than can be estimated.
Let not the young men who have been placed in charge of certain
lines of work become uneasy, restless, and venturesome. Let them
learn wisdom from the failures of others.
Let no one suppose that it is an easy matter to manage an insti-
tution. I have seen so many take up this work and fail. A man is
desirous of standing as the leader of some enterprise. A sanitarium
is his choice. Taking up this work in his own strength, he makes
an entire failure. Unless the men who stand as managers of our
institutions are humble enough to be managed by the Lord Jesus,
they will move unadvisedly. In order for men to strengthen the cause
of God, their ability must be sanctified, that they may reason wisely
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from cause to effect.
The interests of our sanitariums must be guarded. All should feel
it a privilege to do their best to advance medical missionary work.
God requires His people to refrain from doing anything which will
interfere with the work of another. It is not generous or right for a
man to start sanitarium work on independent lines in a place where a
sanitarium is already established. It is quite probable that the closest
economy is required to conduct properly one sanitarium, furnishing
proper facilities for treatment and healthful food for patients and
helpers.
Every business transaction tells its story regarding the character
of the individual. No haphazard work should be done. No move-
ments should be made in a selfish spirit, irrespective of the rights
and property of others.—
Manuscript 93, 1901.
Sanitarium Work as a Speculation
At an early hour I am aroused by the word, Write out the things
that I have presented to you.