The Glendale Sanitarium.

Sanitarium, Cal., December 21, 1904.

We feel very grateful to God that our brethren and sisters in Southern California have secured a property near the city of Los Angeles, which is well adapted for sanitarium purposes. For a long time our people in that city have had messages from the Lord that there should be sanitariums near Los Angeles. For want of means the work has been delayed. But in September, a building at Glendale, nine miles from Los Angeles, was purchased, and is now being fitted up for work. {SpTB03a 20.1}

This building is a three-story structure, of seventy-five rooms. Many of these rooms are arranged in suites, a small one for a bedroom and a larger one for a sitting-room. Many of the rooms are very pleasant. There were two bathrooms on each floor, but they were not suitable for sanitarium work, and new treatment-rooms have been built. {SpTB03a 20.2}

This new sanitarium is beautifully situated. It is eight miles from Los Angeles, in a pleasant, fertile valley. On every hand may be seen orange and lemon groves. The institution is only two blocks from the Glendale post-office. It is in the country, and yet can be very easily reached from the city; for an electric car line from Los Angeles runs past the sanitarium grounds. {SpTB03a 20.3}

The building cost over forty thousand dollars, and the land is worth five thousand. Through the providence of God we were enabled to obtain it for twelve thousand five hundred dollars. {SpTB03a 20.4}

We hope that our people in Southern California will come heartily to the support of the Glendale Sanitarium, so providentially placed in our hands, and that it may be fully equipped to do its blessed work. {SpTB03a 20.5}

The Lord has not been honored or glorified by the past showing of the sanitarium work in Southern California. This work has been greatly hindered because men have relied upon human devising instead of following the Lord's leading. Dependence has been placed upon human wisdom, and failure has been the result. But now we see a united force of workers anxious to push sanitarium enterprises forward along right lines, and we are confident that if they will follow the Lord's instruction and rely upon His guidance, He will cooperate with them. {SpTB03a 21.1}

Elder J. A. Burden has been chosen as business manager of the institution, and Sister Burden as bookkeeper. Brother Burden has had a long experience in the St. Helena Sanitarium. He also spent about three years in Australia, acting an important part in the building up of the Sydney Sanitarium. The self-denying efforts and unselfish labors of Brother and Sister Burden in connection with that institution were greatly appreciated. {SpTB03a 21.2}

Dr. Leadsworth disposed of his treatment rooms in Riverside, that he might act as a leading part on the medical staff of the Glendale Sanitarium. Dr. Abbie Winegar-Simpson is the lady physician, and will stand at the head of the training-school for nurses. She is fully capable of filling this position. Dr. Abbott has been chosen to assist in the medical work. {SpTB03a 21.3}

We have been much encouraged to see these laborers taking hold of the work at the Glendale Sanitarium. They have had a wide experience in sanitarium work, and they understand how such institutions should be conducted in order to be successful. {SpTB03a 21.4}

Brother W. R. Simpson has been appointed to act as purchasing agent. In this work he will brought into contact with many business men, and will have opportunity to reveal the high, ennobling principles of truth. He can speak words in season to some who will appreciate the light thus given them. He should be constantly watching for souls as one who must give an account. {SpTB03a 21.5}

Each of these workers has an important place to fill. Each has a special line of work. They must harmonize and counsel together, seeking wisdom from Him who never makes a mistake. They are to help one another as each takes up his important line of work. {SpTB03a 22.1}

How Shall the Work Be Advanced?

One night we seemed to be in a council-meeting, and the question was being considered, How can the sanitarium work in Southern California be best advanced? One present proposed one thing, and still another proposed something entirely different. {SpTB03a 22.2}

One of dignity and authority arose and said: "I have words of counsel for you. Never, never repeat the mistakes of the past. Men have placed too much confidence in themselves, and have allowed cultivated and hereditary tendencies to wrong, which ought to have been overcome, to bear away the victory. Various lines of work are to be earnestly carried forward for the enlightenment of those who are in spiritual darkness. Evangelical work must receive first attention, and it is to be intelligently carried forward in connection with all lines of medical missionary work. {SpTB03a 22.3}

"You have," said our Instructor, "come to an important place in the history of your work. Who shall be chosen to carry responsibilities in the sanitarium at the beginning of its work? No mistake must be made in this matter. Men are not to be placed in positions of trust who have not been tested and tried. Men and women who understand the will of the Lord are to be chosen,--workers who can discern that which needs to be done, and prayerfully do it, that the mistakes and errors of the past may not be repeated." {SpTB03a 22.4}

"The one who is placed in the position of business manager," He said, "must daily be managed by the Lord. He occupies a very important place, and he must possess the necessary qualifications for the work. He should have dignity and knowledge, together with a clear sense of how to use his authority. Christ must be revealed in his life. He must be a man who can give religious instruction and exert a spiritual influence. {SpTB03a 22.5}

"He must know how to deal with minds, and he must allow his own mind to be controlled by the Spirit. Wisdom is to come forth from his lips in words of encouragement to all with whom he is connected. He must know how to discern and correct mistakes. He must be a man who will harmonize with his fellow workers, a man who possesses adaptability. He should be able to speak of the different points of our faith, as occasion requires. His words and acts should reveal justice, judgment, and the love of God." {SpTB03a 23.1}

He who gave the Israelites instruction from the pillar of cloud, and led them through the wilderness into the promised land, is our Leader today. We are under divine guidance, and if we are obedient to God's commandments, we shall be in perfect safety, and will receive distinguished marks of His favor. {SpTB03a 23.2}

The Israelites often suggested their own plans. Often they refused to follow God's plans, and this always led to failure and defeat. Christ led them through the wilderness that they might be separated from all that would tend to interfere with His purposes for them. During their journey He gave them instruction through Moses. These truths are to be gathered up and cherished by His people today, and they are to be sacredly obeyed. {SpTB03a 23.3}

No imagination can present the rich blessings that come to those who learn daily of God. These blessings are secured through the most diligent efforts to advance the work in every way possible. {SpTB03a 23.4}

The throne of God is arched by the bow of promise. Every Christian worker should ever keep before him the remembrance of this emblem. A covenant-keeping God holds the reins of guidance. He is to bear rule in every home, in every church, in every school, in every printing-office, in every sanitarium. {SpTB03a 23.5}

Our medical missionary work is to be to the third angel's message as the right hand to the body. Our sanitariums are one great means of doing medical missionary work. They are to reach the people where they are. The workers in our sanitariums are to be sympathetic, kind, and straight-forward in their dealings with one another and with the patients. Their words and acts are to be noble and upright. They are to receive from Christ light and grace to impart to those in darkness. By their efforts the sick and the sinful are to be pointed to the great Healer, and the prodigals who have left the Father's house are to be encouraged to return. God's word to these workers is, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end." "Fear not, neither be discouraged; for I am thy God." {SpTB03a 24.1}

We are now called upon to show an unselfish interest in establishing sanitarium work in Los Angeles and in San Diego. Sanitariums and treatment-rooms are greatly needed in these places. A work is to be done that will open the Bible to the sick and suffering, and point them to the great Medical Missionary. {SpTB03a 24.2}

My brethren and sisters, I ask you to remember that money is needed to advance the work at the Glendale Sanitarium. Do you wish to act a part in the important work that the Lord has given you to do in that institution? Will you now do your best to help us to secure the necessary facilities for the advancement of that work? Intelligent, self-denying, self-sacrificing effort is now needed,--effort put forth by those who realize the importance of the Lord's work. The medical missionary work given us to do means much to every one of us. It is a work for soul-saving. Christian philanthropists should step forward just now to fulfil the gospel commission. {SpTB03a 24.3}

Let our brethren send in their gifts with thanksgiving and with prayer that they may be multiplied and blessed by the Lord, as was the food given to the disciples to give to the five thousand. If we make the best use we can of the means we have, God will enable us to feed the multitudes who are starving for the bread of life. {SpTB03a 24.4}