I remember well that in 1877 in California the proposition was made that we establish an institution there similar to the one in Battle Creek. I had the privilege of assisting to found the St. Helena Sanitarium. I not only had the privilege of going in there and being its first physician and establishing it, but I had the privilege of taking hold of the pick and shovel with my own hands and grading a road up the mountain over which we could haul material to the mountain side where we built the institution. Then with my own hands I dug down the side of the rock, which was of volcanic ash formation, cutting out and making a place for the institution to stand upon. Then I had the privilege of framing the building and putting it up and finishing it off. I made every window frame, every door frame, and then set them up; I built the stairs and did the principal part of the work. I had the pleasure, also, after it was open for patients to see it fill within two weeks to overflowing; and we had to put up tents for our helpers to sleep in. We had very little means and consequently had to work very hard. In the morning at daylight I would take my tools and go and work until it was time to give the patients treatment. Then, without a nurse to assist me, I gave the treatment; and when the treatment hour was over, went out to work again; and so I worked all summer long.—Dr. M. G. Kellogg, Talk given at Battle Creek Sanitarium, Sept. 2, 1908, reported in The Medical Missionary, Sept. 30, 1903, p. 774.PPP 213.3

In Merritt Kellogg’s application for sustentation filed with the General Conference c. 1913, we discover more examples of his commitment to the Adventist cause.PPP 214.1

Prior to going out on the “Pitcairn” I had sustained myself principally from my medical work, manual labor, royalty on my book “The Hygienic Family Physician” and royalty on my picture “The Way of Life.” Prior to 1893 I had never received, all told, from conference funds, more than about $200. I had sold my home five times, however and used every dollar in promoting the work called on by Seventh day [sic.] Adventists.PPP 214.2

In 1893 I was sent out to the Polynesian and Australian Mission fields, where I labored for ten years, partly for the General Conference, and partly for the Australian Conference, these conferences paying me for my labor. During the ten years I was able to save up about $1000, but finding such a pressing need for means in the Australian work, I with the consent of my present wife invested it all in the work there, and returned to America, poor as to this world’s goods, but rich in faith, and Christian experience.—Letter by M. G. Kellogg with sustentation application 79 years, 2 months (ca. 1913 original in the G. C. Archives)PPP 214.3

41. Loma Linda University

43. Tennessee Chain Gangs