Our Southern California Sanitariums
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Finding Suitable Places
It was some time before we found these places. First, we secured
the Paradise Valley Sanitarium, near San Diego. A few months later, in
the good providence of God, the Glendale property came to the notice
of our people and was purchased and fitted up for service. But light
came that our work of establishing sanitariums in Southern California
was not complete, and on several different occasions testimonies were
given that medical missionary work must be done somewhere in the
vicinity of Redlands.
In an article published in the Review of April 6, 1905, I wrote:
“On our way back to Redlands, as our train passed through miles
of orange groves, I thought of the efforts that should be made in this
beautiful valley to proclaim the truth for this time. I recognized this
section of Southern California as one of the places that had been
presented to me with the word that it should have a fully equipped
sanitarium.
“Why have such fields as Redlands and Riverside been left almost
unworked? As I looked from the car window and saw the trees laden
with fruit, I thought, Would not earnest, Christlike efforts have brought
forth just as abundant a harvest in spiritual lines? In a few years these
towns have been built up and developed, and as I looked upon their
beauty and the fertility of the country surrounding them, there rose
before me a vision of what the spiritual harvest might have been had
earnest, Christlike efforts been put forth for the salvation of souls.
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“The Lord would have brave, earnest men and women take up
His work in these places. The cause of God is to make more rapid
advancement in Southern California than it has in the past. Every year
thousands of people visit Southern California in search of health, and
by various methods we should seek to reach them with the truth. They
must hear the warning to prepare for the great day of the Lord, which
is right upon us....
“We are called upon by God to present the truth for this time to
those who year by year come to Southern California from all parts of
America. Workers who can speak to the multitudes are to be located
where they can meet the people and give them the warning message.
Ministers and canvassers should be on the ground, watching their
opportunity to present the truth and to hold meetings. Let them be