To be successful, one must be efficient. But one can be efficient without being successful, in the truest sense. In view of this, it would be logical to discuss some of the objectives of institutional work. The first thing that should be emphasized is that a Christian sanitarium or hospital is a missionary endeavor, and a dispenser of light and truth in its rights. It is not just another means of making money to be used in other lines of missionary work.
In all God's endeavors to represent Himself rightly to humanity through righteous men, we find that there has been a close relationship between the healing of body and that of the soul. The temples the Hebrews were instructed to build were the only places the sick could turn to in their day. Out of the conception that there is a close relation between the care of human suffering and ministry to the sin-sick soul has come our present-day sanitarium and hospital.
In the light of this broader view of institutional service it is necessary for us to give consideration to both the tangible and the intangible assets in working up our sanitarium trial balances. Most trial balances are concerned only with dollars and cents, and have no way of showing some of the real gains as recorded on the pages of the Master's ledger in heaven. In carrying on our work here on earth, our dispositions are visibly affected by the balance sheet. If the auditor has shown our financial condition to be in a fairly prosperous state, we are inclined to be pretty well satisfied ; while if the red figures show up too brightly, we hunt about in our minds for excuses to justify the situation.
So, while reports from the business office are important, we must not rely entirely on them as conclusive evidence that an institution is successful or unsuccessful in the sight of God. We must also know whether the patients, who have entrusted their lives to our care, have received the full measure of care and attention they have a right to expect from a Christian institution. This service we should teach all our helpers to give in a wholehearted spirit, emphasizing that it does not consist only of ministry to the body, but should also point the way to the true Life-giver, who can bring peace to troubled hearts.
Also, before we add up the final figures of our ledger, let us stop to think whether we have been fair to our helpers. Have we set them the example they have a right to expect from us in fair dealing and in Christian ideals ? Have we been able to show our workers that the Lord can give us financial success without bringing in the spirit of commercialism ? Can we make it so clear to all who wait on the sick that we are children of the heavenly King, and that we have something to give even the richest of our patients, at least to the extent that we would belittle ourselves by accepting tips for services rendered?
Balancing accounts, therefore, does not record all the items that contribute to true success. We must also consider the audit of human life. One of the most searching tests of character of any man or woman is his or her care for human life, and to all who are concerned with human suffering is given the greatest of intangible rewards—that of seeing a satisfied patient happily restored to life and strength.
Computing a True Trial Balance
There are a number of activities connected with a Christian institution that do not always add up just right on our ledgers. These include the training of nurses, the giving of religious instruction to our patients, participation in public health education and other community activities. In general, we can only say that no attempt to cure our institutional financial ills or compute a true trial balance will be really successful unless it is based on the principles given by our Master and Saviour.
Attention should be called to one other essential factor in the successful operation of our institutions, and that is the importance of maintaining good morale among our workers. In our morale is reflected the zeal, spirit, hope, and confidence we put into our work. The morale of any sanitarium depends very largely upon the spirit back of the founding of that institution, and upon the kind of leadership experienced throughout the years. It also depends on the code of ethics we follow. There cannot be good morale in an institution without good co-operation among the workers. Maintaining high ideals of service develops morale, and so we must keep constantly before our associates the ideal that Christian service to the sick and injured is the prime object of sanitarium service. The tangible reward or financial gain should not be emphasized too much.
We all need more of the "Spirit that quickens," which is the motivating power that creates good morale. This spirit, while intangible, can be sensed. We are told by the Lord that if we will fully enter into His service, the earth will be lightened with His glory. And so, to the extent that we as institutional workers contribute to this wonderful end, can we count our work successful and efficient.
