我不时收到来信询问有没有关于建立新疗养院的亮光。多年来一直有亮光赐给我，说明医疗布道工作的价值，和在选定的地方建立疗养院的必要性，在那里他们的工作和影响会说明真理的进展。能在其中从事医疗布道工作的机构应当被视为对圣工的推进来说特别重要的。患病受苦的人应当得到解脱，然后，一有机会，他们就应将现代真理指教他们。这样我们就能将现代真理带到一班别无他法可以接触的人面前。{SpTB05 19.1}
然而疗养院增多得太快却不符合主的心意。祂的计划并不是让从事同样工作的机构之间的距离如此接近，以致相互干扰。每一个疗养院，无论在哪里，都应该有良好的设施、有经验的工作人员和教会及所在社区的同情与支持。每一个疗养院都应该有能干的、敬畏上帝的管理人员，就是在信仰上纯正，能担负所委托给他们的沉重责任，不落后，也不使机构陷入债务的人。{SpTB05 19.2}
那开始盖楼的人必须先坐下来计算花费，看看在开始建造之后能不能完工。那些提议建疗养院的人应该明白这是一项伟大的事业。有许多人能在已经建立的疗养院中把工作得做极好，却没有足够的技能或适应能力去成功地建立一个新的机构。{SpTB05 19.3}
我们的弟兄们若是是仔细地研究这个问题，就会看出，鼓励在已有一个疗养院在运营且足以提供适当支持的地方建立更多的疗养院是不对的。把维持和满足一个机构的费用所需的支持和赞助分给两个机构，既不符合公正的原则，也非上策。一个管理良好的疗养院通常需要其所在社区的所有赞助。第二个机构直接阻碍第一个机构的发展。{SpTB05 20.1}
独立的疗养院
那些认为可以出于自私的冲动采取行动，并为个人利益建立独立的疗养院的人，并没有适当地考虑到这种行动方针对世界的影响。在许多情况下，那些赞助这些独立机构的人之所以这么做，是因为他们以为这些机构是基于无私的基督教原则行事，与基督复临安息日会协调一致，然而，实际上，它们在任何严肃的意义上都不是宗教机构。{SpTB05 20.2}
人们不时地开始建立独立的疗养院，自私地渴望获得一些对自己有益的东西。他们并不特别考虑到自己的行动将对按照上帝的命令建立的机构的工作产生的影响，通过歪曲已经开始运作的机构，他们为了个人的利益而努力将赞助转移到自己身上。他们就这样被自私诱导着，不断地不公正地对待为增进主的工作而建立在无私基础上的机构。{SpTB05 20.3}
这种人会不顾一切地努力获得最高地位。一种基督不能认可的精神会进来，那是一种会诱导人试图将其它机构的声誉据为己有的精神。那些认为他们有权利用在无私的基础上运作的机构的声誉来建立私人利益的人，是在犯一个可悲的错误。{SpTB05 21.1}
上帝不会赐福那些作工却不与弟兄们商量的人。人人有工作要做。但我们必须从各个方面来看待问题。谁也不应接受这样的观念，即上帝指定某人亲自建造一个疗养院而不与弟兄们商量，即使是在新园地也是如此。任何人如果认为自己是一个完整的整体，能够安全地遵循自己的思想和判断，就不值得信任;因为他不是行在光中，像基督在光明中。有许多人对他们正在做的事情有错误的看法。上帝希望那些服侍祂的人能明智地行动。祂希望他们有清晰的思想和很深的灵性，仔细权衡促使他们采取行动的动机。{SpTB05 21.2}
在我们中间，总有一些不负责任的人，他们对于主计划在我们各机构中完成的重要工作所有的概念非常有限，这工作不仅要照顾病人，而且要传播健康改良的宝贵原则。在这些机构中，护士、助工，还有病人，都应当受教将生命树的叶子带给患罪病的心灵。{SpTB05 21.3}
那些没能使自己的生活实践符合正确原则的人不能从事这顶工作。他们需要彻底归正。那些变得如此糊涂，竟然为了私利而从事疗养院工作的人，不会在属灵的生活上兴盛，也不会对别人有正确的影响。那些想要使自己受益和突显自我的人，应该开始从事一种不像建立疗养院这样多多牵涉上帝圣工的工作。上帝不会因那些试图走得比祂带领的更快的人而得荣耀。困惑、窘迫和苦恼，是在没有适当考虑和建议的情况下采取行动的结果。主不希望祂的代表犯错误。{SpTB05 22.1}
主的道路始终是正确而审慎的道路，它总是给祂的名带给尊荣。人类防止鲁莽、野心勃勃的行动的惟一保障是与耶稣基督的心保持和谐。人的智慧是不可信赖的。人是浮躁易变的，充满自尊、骄傲和自私。侍奉上帝的工人应当全然倚赖主。于是领袖们才会显出他们乐于受引导，不是受人的智慧引导，这就像倚靠折断的芦苇一样无用，而是受主的智慧引导，祂说过：“你们中间若有缺少智慧的，应当求那厚赐与众人、也不斥责人的上帝，主就必赐给他。只要凭着信心求，一点不疑惑;因为那疑惑的人，就像海中的波浪，被风吹动翻腾。这样的人不要想从主那里得什么”(雅1:5-7)。{SpTB05 22.2}
《Chapter 1—Establishment and Management of New Sanitariums》
From time to time I receive letters inquiring whether I have any light in regard to the establishment of new sanitariums. For many years light has been given me regarding the value of medical missionary work, and the necessity of establishing sanitariums in chosen places, where their work and influence will tell for the advancement of the truth. Institutions in which medical missionary work can be done are to be regarded as especially essential to the advancement of the Lord’s work. The sick and suffering are to be relieved, and then, as opportunity offers, they are to be given instruction regarding the truth for this time. Thus we can bring present truth before a class of people who could be reached in no other way.{SpTB05 19.1}[1]
But it is not after the Lord’s mind to have sanitariums multiplied too rapidly. It is not His plan that institutions doing the same kind of work shall be in such close proximity as to interfere with one another. Each sanitarium, wherever it may be, should have good facilities, experienced helpers, and the sympathy and support of the church and the community where it is situated. With each should be connected capable, God-fearing managers,—men who are sound in the faith, and who are able to carry the heavy responsibilities entrusted to them without running behind and involving the institution in debt.{SpTB05 19.2}[2]
He who begins to build a tower must first sit down and count the cost, to find out whether, after beginning to build, he will be able to finish. Those proposing to establish a sanitarium should understand that it is a great undertaking. There are many who can do excellent work in connection with sanitariums already established, who have not sufficient skill or adaptability successfully to build up a new institution.{SpTB05 19.3}[3]
If our brethren will carefully study this question, they will see that it is not right to encourage the establishment of additional sanitariums in a locality where the one already in operation is all that can be properly sustained. It is neither according to principles of justice nor good policy to divide between two institutions the support and patronage that are needed to maintain and meet the expenses of one. One sanitarium well managed usually requires all the patronage of the community in which it is established. A second institution stands directly in the way of the first.{SpTB05 20.1}[4]
【Independent Sanitariums】
Persons who feel at liberty to act from selfish impulse, and to establish independent sanitariums for personal profit have not properly considered the influence that such a course of action has on the world. In many cases those who patronize these independent institutions do so because they think that they are conducted upon unselfish, Christian principles, in harmony with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, whereas, in reality, they are not religious institutions in any serious sense.{SpTB05 20.2}[5]
From time to time men have started out in the establishment of independent sanitariums with the selfish desire to acquire something to benefit themselves. They have not been particular to take into consideration the effect that their actions would have upon the work of institutions established in the order of God, and by?misrepresentation of institutions already in operation, they have labored to divert patronage to themselves for personal profit. Thus by selfishness they are led on and on to do injustice to the institutions established upon an unselfish basis, for the upbuilding of the Lord’s work.{SpTB05 20.3}[6]
Such men will make a desperate effort to gain the supremacy. A spirit will come in that Christ can not indorse,—a spirit that leads men to attempt to appropriate to themselves the reputation of other institutions. Those who think that it is their right to use, for the building up of private gain, the reputation of institutions which are working upon an unselfish basis, are making a sad mistake.{SpTB05 21.1}[7]
God will not bless those who work without taking counsel with their brethren. All have a work to do. But we must view matters from every side. No one should receive the idea that God has appointed to any man the work of personally building up a sanitarium, even in a new field, without counseling with his brethren. Any one who supposes that in himself he is a complete whole, and that he can safely follow his own mind and judgment, is not to be trusted; for he is not walking in the light, as Christ is in the light. There are many who have false views of what they are doing. God desires those in His service to move wisely. He desires them to have clear ideas and deep spirituality, and to weigh carefully the motives which prompt them to action.{SpTB05 21.2}[8]
There will ever be among us irresponsible men, who have a very limited conception of the important work which the Lord designs to have done in our institutions,—the work not only of caring for the sick, but also of disseminating the precious principles of health reform. Our sanitariums are to be schools in which lessons are?to be constantly taught, by word and by example, regarding the value of these principles. In these institutions the nurses, the helpers, and the patients also, are to be taught to bring the leaves of the tree of life to sin-sick souls.{SpTB05 21.3}[9]
Those who have failed of conforming their life practise to right principles can not do this work. They need to be thoroughly converted. Those who become so confused as to engage in sanitarium work for selfish profit will not be prospered in their spiritual life, and will be unable properly to influence others aright. Let those who have a desire to benefit self and to make self prominent, take up a work that does not involve the cause of God so much as does the establishment of sanitariums. God is not glorified by those who attempt to go faster than He leads. Perplexity, embarrassment, and distress, is the result of acting without due consideration and counsel. The Lord does not desire His representatives to make mistakes.{SpTB05 22.1}[10]
The way of the Lord is always the right and prudent way. It always brings honor to His name. Man’s only security against rash, ambitious movements is to keep the heart in harmony with Jesus Christ. Man’s wisdom is untrustworthy. Man is fickle, filled with self-esteem, pride, and selfishness. Let the workers doing God’s service trust wholly in the Lord. Then the leaders will reveal that they are willing to be led, not by human wisdom, which is as useless to lean upon as is a broken reed, but by the wisdom of the Lord, who has said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”James 1:5-7.{SpTB05 22.2}[11]
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