Why Conduct Sanitariums?
[
The New England Sanitarium, 9, 10
(1905).]
In letters received from our brethren, the questions are asked, “Why
do we expend so much effort in establishing sanitariums? Why do we
not pray for the healing of the sick, instead of having sanitariums?”
There is more to these questions that is at first apparent. In the
early history of our work, many were healed by prayer. And some,
after they were healed, pursued the same course in the indulgence
of appetite that they had followed in the past. They did not live and
work in such a way as to avoid sickness. They did not show that they
appreciated the Lord’s goodness to them. Again and again they were
brought to suffering through their own careless, thoughtless course of
action. How could the Lord be glorified in bestowing on them the gift
of health?
When the light came that we should begin sanitarium work, the
reasons were plainly given. There were many who needed to be edu-
cated in regard to healthful living. As the work developed, we were
instructed that suitable places were to be provided, to which we could
bring the sick and suffering who knew nothing of our people and
scarcely anything of the Bible, and there teach them how to regain
health by rational methods of treatment without having recourse to
poisonous drugs, and at the same time surround them with uplifting
spiritual influences. As a part of the treatment, lectures were to be
given on right habits of eating and drinking and dressing. Instruction
was to be given regarding the choice and the preparation of food, show-
ing that food may be prepared so as to be wholesome and nourishing
and at the same time appetizing and palatable.
[470]
In all our medical institutions, patients should be systematically
and carefully instructed how to prevent disease by a wise course of
action. Through lectures and the consistent practice of the principles
of healthful living on the part of consecrated physicians and nurses,
the blinded understanding of many will be opened, and truths never
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