Dedication of the New Building

The institution was dedicated in a three-day service running from Sabbath morning, May 30, to Monday night, June 1, with meetings being held in the Tabernacle and on the grounds of the Sanitarium. The Sabbath-morning service was one of dedication on the part of the workers to this important phase of the Lord's work (The Review and Herald, June 9, 1903).5BIO 162.3

In this dedication Ellen White could heartily agree. The Battle Creek Sanitarium was the Lord's institution. Even though some phases of counsel given concerning its work had been brushed aside, it was still the Lord's institution. A few weeks before the dedication service Ellen White, speaking at the General Conference session of 1903, made this statement:5BIO 162.4

Let me say that God does not design that the Sanitarium that has been erected in Battle Creek shall be in vain. Now that the building has been put up, He wants His people to understand this. He wants this institution to be placed on vantage ground.... We are now to make another effort to place our institutions on solid ground. Let no one say, because there is a debt on the sanitarium in Battle Creek, “We will have nothing more to do in helping to build up that institution.” The people of God must build that institution up, in the name of the Lord. It is to be placed where its work can be carried on intelligently.— The General Conference Bulletin, 1903, 58, 67.5BIO 163.1

She urged that one man was not to stand alone at the head of the institution. It was God's will that His servants should stand united in carrying the work forward in a balanced way.5BIO 163.2

Just how the Sanitarium could be placed on vantage ground she declared she did not know nor could she tell the congregation. “But,” she said, “I know that just as soon as the Holy Spirit shall come upon hearts, there will be unity in voice and understanding; and wisdom will be given us.”— The General Conference Bulletin, 1903, 58, 67.5BIO 163.3

Ellen White arranged for a complete set of her books to be furnished to the Sanitarium as her gift (Letter 96, 1903). These were for the patients’ library and were to be in the “best binding.”5BIO 163.4