F I w? ; • .N. l III'. PEIRCE ! RAL R. R. - I \ II' i <. r. J. LAW l S. D. I A' l A.NDREW PEIRi PRIVATE RESIDENCES. M. M. THE UNIVERS \1 [ST CHURCH. V. M. i . A. BUIL] iINl ■ THE M. E. cm Kill. [SC0PA1 CHURCH. i HE R \ll l GEO. II. HOI.LETT. MRS. VAN VKANKEN. \. A. RAYMOND. PRIVATE RESIDENCES Will I.WI 1. 1. EWE] I.\ \. IK WK VAN DYN1 . \Y. I. P VRKH1 RS I . THI MISS] S B VI-O >M. II. S. Bl Nm I. I'.. \\ II Bl R. I . A . i VI ' PRIV \ 1 E RESIDI NCES. \V. N. SMITH. F. II. MW LAND. \\ Yf ? >- THE PUBLIC SCHi H 'I THE CT.IFT( 'V SPRINGS SEMIN \ R V It_ --J_ II IK I ■'( iSTER HOSE CO. SPRINGDALE FARM, HOME OF I'., f. CRAN'DAI.I. THE CLIFTON SPRINQS 5dNI TdRNn. AN ACCOUNT OF ITS ORIGIN AND PROGRESS. [Prepared by request for the "Public Ledger" Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. g, i888.\ Seventeen years ago, when very sick, the word of a friend brought me to Clifton Springs and its Sanitarium, and the great help received has led to repeated visits, in which I have always found relief as nowhere else, and with tin-. I do not doubt, the prolonging of my life. Since that first visit 1 have often met here an old business man from Texas, who once said, " I wish I had known of this place thirty years ago." The writer fully believes that among the multitudes of your readers there is a large number needing ami seeking what they cannot find too soon, ami what his old friend and himself, with thousands more, have here obtained. Travelers in our own and other lands tell of similar institutions, more or less perfect, of their kind, hut of none superior to this, and no- where one with a like history and object. As this story is one of the chief charms of the place, let me sketch it as briefly as possible : In 1S50, Henry Foster, a young physician in the second year of his professional life, looking for a place to put in practice some medical theories then rather new, and to attempt the fulfillment of a promise made to the only oik- he called Master, came to what was then known as '* Sulphur Springs. " He found the abundant mineral water- then freely used by the early settlers, as they had also been by the Seneca Indians, who once held the lands; and with thcm_a rough shed for a hath house, which with its one tub or trough sceme. 1 public property; also a little wayside tavern and ten small dwellings along a half a mile of conn try road. Enlisting in the enterprise a lew friends who could furnish the small capital which he needed and had not, ami so securing of the primeval forest ten acre-, whose only attractive feature was in the line spring he sought, he began his life work by rearing a small wooden structure with rooms lor some three score patient-, and there ministering as physician, business manager, bath man and man- of-all-work, he daily repeated, by his example, his Master's word-: " I am among you as one who scrvcth." By 1856 such faith and works had borne the usual fruits, and friends gathered to assist in the dedication of a fine brick addition, and consecrate wholly to sai red services the beautiful Chapel which was within its walls. At this time, and in these words seems to have ben made the first public statement of the purpose with which tin- work was began: " Thankful for these tokens of Divine approval, I -till adhere to my original plan of presenting the Institution to' God, to be used for the benefit of Hi. people.'' There followed 25 m ire years of unceasing toil of faith often ti ied but never wavering, but with them 1 onsequent blessings, and then the w ay seemed clear to him to fulfill the covenant he had made with his Master 31 year- before. n ii : ( ;iir. In 1881, by an elaborate and carefully guarded deed of trust, he put the whole properly, (hen valued at little, if any, less than a quarter of a million of dollars, absolutely and forever out of his hands and into the possession ot a board of 13 trustees, composed of leading representatives of seven evangelical denominations of the Church. A Methodist Episcopal Bishop, the Protestant Episcopal Bishop of this Diocese, and from the Foreign Mission Societies of the Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian and Reformed Churches, the senior Secretary of each are ex-officio members, and they or their successors, eight in all, thus and forever make a majority of the Board. If for any reason the gift should fail of its object, the trustees with the Attorney-General of the State, are empowered and directed to dispose of the property and divide the proceeds in equal parts among the ^ix missionary societies repre- sented in the Board. THE TRUST. This has not been established to maintain a " Refuge " or " Asylum " for any of the hopeless or incurable classes for these the Church and the State do much, but overlook a large number for whom the gilt was prepared. In various departments of her work the Church has a " Noble Army " of her best members who, at home and abroad, have become worn down in health, and reduced in means by devoted and self-sacrificing labors tor the souls of men. Re-t and all needed medical help is to be offered them here, in the hope, first and most ot all, that they may be fully restored to health, comfort, and the labors and fields where their devotion and experience will make them available for vears of best service. With this special want in view the deed provides that the " beneficiaries shall be missionaries and ministers and their families, who are dependent on their salaries for support, and teachers and indigent church members unable to pay the charges of the Institution for treatment. " Any ot these boarding in the house may have a discount of one-third from regular prices, but if they find a home in the village all medical counsel, attendance and treatment is free. CKRRENT GIFTS. This transfer of over a quarter million of dollars, representing ninety percent, of the fruits of his life's labor, and by a man still in full possession oi all his powers, would suggest that the donor is not a believer in purely post- mortem benevolence. Plans laid, hopes cherished and labors performed have been for certain classes ot the Master s friends not in the next century alone, but also in this. Such have been at these doors since they were first opened and to meet their immediate needs, has gone out an ever widening current of benevolence, until the board, medical treatment and other gifts in and tor this last year of the thirty-eight years of its history reached the sum ot >2l,ooo. In a former year $13,000 went to the Y. M. C. A. in the form of a beautiful structure deeded them in trust tor all their public and oilier uses. Another $1,000 built, fitted and furnished a fine apartment 20 x 30 feet, for reading room library and social and musical gatherings of the employees. The language of Divine injunction, slightly varied, has been a standing law: " 1 >aily ye' have received, daily give. " Whether " freely " or not, let the records show. THE GROCXDS, 1m iSSS this unexampled gift, enlarged by the results of -even vears more ot unremitting effort, embraces fifty acres within the corporate limits ol a thriving village of 1,200 inhabitants. This property is adorned by handsome lawns on hillside and meadow, ample groves, lakelet, brook and spring, all made accessible by smooth and well kept asphalt walks. North of the street which divides the grounds is the beautiful " Peirce Pavilion, " built by the gener- ous friend whose name it bears, and by him presented'to Dr. Foster as a part of a gift of $15,000, made in testimony of the giver's regard for the man, and sympathy with and confidence in his work. THE BUILDINGS*. 1. The Sanitarium, on the original site; two hundred and forty feet of front, four and five stories in height, covering solidly over an acre of ground; with one hundred and fifty rooms for guests, and as many more for the attendants, the numerous bath rooms, dining and waiting rooms, offices, parlor, gymnasium and chapel. 2. The Annex, two hundred and twenty feet front," having on the ground floor nine rented stores, with parlor, offices and bath rooms, and above these, sixty rooms for guests and attendants. 3. The pretty cottage which is now Dr. Foster's home, and after him is to be occupied by his successor, the medical head of the Institution. 4. At some distance from the Sanitarium, though in the same enclosure, the large and well furnished brick build- ing for the manufacture of the illuminating gas used in the house and other parts of the village. 5. The fine brick stables and carriage barn, and five separate dwellings for business managers and other helpers. o. At a still greater distance the engine house, with its six large steel boilers and other apparatus, co-ting not long since some $25,000. This with its noise, smoke and possibilities of accident, far removed from the other build- ings, carries on by a system of underground pipes a manifold work, furnishing steam by which Sanitarium, Annex and Cottage are heated in all seasons, raising to proper temperature the tons of water daily used in the numerous baths, assisting in the cooking of large portions of the food, and supplying the power for running the passenger and baggage elevator, the static electrical machine, the mechanical message department, the electric lights in the grounds and public rooms, the organ motor, the laundry, and finally, the stationary fire engine, by which, through hydrants on the streets, grounds and roofs, and on every floor of the buildings, streams of water can, in a few moments, be poured on any spot at which a fire might appear. THE E^XRM. One mile north, a part of the same plan and gift is a farm of 100 acres, to which Dr. Foster has this year added an adjoining one of 160 acres. This property, 'with its dwellings, barns, machinery, creamery, and 100 head of blooded stock, representing a value of not less than 550,000, is held as the source of supply for the tons of the purest and richest milk, cream, butter and other articles of food which the house provide- for its guests. Til)-; Cl [Al >EL. In this we come to that feature of the House which distinguishes it from all others of its kind, though some see in it only a proof of what they call the founder's " fanaticism." Located in a most desirable part of the House, and -iMc 1)\ scores who at home can never enjoy any public service; occupying -pace such as i- now given to rooms with an annual rental of $13,900 per year, they fail to see good reason in holding it lor purposes which, proper enough lor those who wish, 'could just'as well be met by occasional use of the parlor-, ,1- in other public places. But many others sec believe, and approve the " faith " which is expressed in it as also in the founder's published utterance: " Recognizing, as we do, the power of the mind over the body and the salutary effect of a consistant religious faith upon the sick, we hold it to be the first duty of the Institution to seek to bring its patients under the power and influ- ence of the Word and worship of God as a means of restoring mind and body to health." Hence the chapel, to many the most attractive room in the House, dedicated to God thirty years ago, but beautified and enlarged for its present audiences of 200 to 250, furnished with an organ costing >2,ooo, and a volume of 1,500 hymns and 250 tunes selected, arranged and printed at an outlay of $2,500, especially for this place. THE SERVICES. All this is truly a costly offering, but made in hearty sympathy with Him who said, " Neither will I offer unto the Lord my God, ot that which cost me nothing." Here each morning there is a family gathering for a few moments of song, Scripture leading and prayer. This is conducted by the chaplain, by one of the faculty in a fixed order, or by some ministerial or lay guest invited by the chaplain. An hour of each Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening is given to singing and prayer, with reading and conversation on some Bible passage or topic previously assigned, Dr. Foster leading the service. On each Saturday evening there is here a similar gathering for ladies only, led by Mrs. Foster. Each Sabbath opens with the usual season of family worship, at 8 o'clock. At 10:30 a sermon by the chaplain or some ministerial visitor. At 1:30 an hour for study in the Bible ('lass, led now, as for thirty years past, by Dr. Foster. At 7 F. M. another hour tor sacred song, prayer, and sermon or address. The first Sabbath morning of each month is given to sacramental services, in which, as far as possible, in regular alternation, the forms ol the Episcopal, Presbyterian and Methodist churches are followed. ( me Sabbath evening of each month is also given to addresses on Missions, home and foreign, u itli appropriate hymns and prayers. BOOKS, LECTURES, MUSIC. Vet this is not a conventicle, but a Christian home. lt> religious services are free lor all to attend or avoid, as they will; but for those who do or do not attend them, ample provision is made for needful and reasonable amusement. A free library of over 2,000 volumes, from the pens of more than 600 authors; a reading room with 30 daily, weekly and monthly periodicals; tine parlors with pianos and organ, and musical and other entertainments, or lectures med- ical, scientific or literary, one to four each week; a large gymnasium for bowling and other exercises, seem to offer ample provision for any hours which might otherwise hang heavily or move slowly. TREATMENT. "Aiming in our treatment of disease to use in a liberal spirit all known remedial agents." is the broad principle of practice adopted and published by the House, and administered by a Faculty composed of members of every reputable school of medicine. This is a " water cure " only so far as water may prove an efficient aid to other well attested remedies, ami they a help to it. To them and their powers is here added in the use of the Turkish, Russian and .i score oi hath-; . i id cold, simple and mineral, with and without electricity or medication; pure air, cold or warm, under high pressure, or medii ated and ial.cn as vapor by inhalation; galvanism and static electricity; ■Swedish movement by hand or machinery; and the general verdicl n: " no time for home- sickness or mere idleness. " But as one humorous pati re ally ol all the other remedies: " Water externally, internally and eternally." More than 3,000 patients 1 1 1 i - year, over 75,000 since these 1 opened; have been competent to say what they have found, received, enjoyed h fort and help for body and mind. i 'i;k's< innel. And now a word as to the force required to carry on this ministry; for the safety and progress of this work; and the comfort and restoration of the thousands of guests. Dr. Foster i- by the trustees put in full charge of all departments, reporting and accounting to them at their annual meetings. With him the Faculty const members: Henry Foster, M. D (1850), (j icral Suparintendent; M. B. Gault (1875), Medical Supet Mr-. M. B. Gault (1885), J. II North (1882), Bradford Loveland (1888), J. C. Smith, F. P. Wilcox (1890), all regular graduates. Other officials, most of them long identified with the history of the house are: Rev. Lewis Bodwell (1870), chaplain: I . B. Linton (1867), business manager; J. J. Dewey (1873), cashier; E. A. Miles (1885); : I . Vand lent; A. S. Cotto irm superintendent; J. Erwin 11 steward; Mrs. A. Barlow 11884). matron; Mr-. 1). Lamson (1883), housekeeper. Dates show the- time of service. With these the roll- carry the names of no other- employed in various departments in the house, and 45 mure upon the farm. What persona] gifts and abilities have often done for personal gain, the) e done for '• The Master and I li- < 'au-e: " and who that believes and appreciate-. 1 an fail to hid the enterprise a hearty " < >od Speed." I 1 annot close this art I relating an event which occurred during the past summer. A few ol the old patienl Sanitarium made a private su 1 $700, and procured a I artist to make a large portrait of the founder of the Institution. Ex-Senator Cattell, a staunch friend oi I>r. Foster for 25 years, ■■•■ 1 ■ and present to the trustees the beautiful pii ture, which he did in a eloquent manner. It was a priately received in their behalf by Professor Gilmore, I ster University, and now adorn- the walls oi the large parlor Although Dr. Foster, on account of his extreme modesty, was not | I the parlors, hall and veranda were crowded to give eclat to the occasion. None that saw tlie unveiling of the picture and listened to the eloquent addresses will want ever to forget the circumstano >ur. A few weeks later, a large lined in a -imilar gathering, when Dr. Foster, on the plea that he was not willing to "hang alone,'' unveiled and presented to the I 1 equally beautiful picture of his wife, by the same artist, Mrs. fennie A. I Madison Avenue, New York. The gift w 1 I in a fitting Dr. Gault, on behalf of the trustees, and other sho - and music filled up a memorable and delightful hour. ■,I 1 IRGE II. STUART. rk -as em] nary, JF&HE Seminary, chartered by the State in 1868, and The Foster School, established j in 1875, are now united under a Board of Trustees. The Seminary occupies an unrivalled position for health. The building, which was erected expressly for a boarding school, is a large and handsome structure, furnished with all modern improvements. The Curriculum comprises the Primary, Academic and Collegiate Courses. Special attention is given to the preparation of pupils for college. Pupils are fitted for Wellesley, Smith, Vassar, Harvard, or any of our American Colleges. Vocal and Instrumental music receive marked attention. The number of resident pupils is limited to twenty-five. .- # LIBRARY OF CONGRESS