Cheering Returns

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 22, 1913

FOR some years R. A. Lovell and his wife, both nurses, have conducted a very creditable and successful medical missionary work in Knoxville, Tenn. Excellent words have been heard from time to time from persons who have been acquainted with this work. People of the city and vicinity speak well of it, and have shown their appreciation of its benefits by a good patronage and a friendly attitude in general. Because of the missionary activity of these workers and their associates, their work has also proved a source of courage and substantial help to the local church and conference.

We take the liberty to quote from a personal letter from Brother Lovell, thus giving something of the real satisfaction that workers may find in such work. He says:—

“You are more or less acquainted with our work from its beginning, when our capital consisted of the good promises of God and fifteen dollars, to its present development. From the first day till now, we have felt to give God all the glory, for he took us in our weakness and gave us strength.

“When we began, we purposed in our hearts that our work should stand first and foremost and all the time for the advancement of the message of the third angel. We are thankful to say that this purpose still fills our hearts. To our loyalty to this purpose we attribute in most part, if not all, our singular success in the face of many trying conditions.

“It is indeed sweet to the ear to hear a patient say, ‘It somehow seems that angels are within these walls.’ That is quite different from, ‘See how much money they have made.’ A very wealthy woman also has learned to love what little of the truth she now knows. This winter Mrs. Lovell has sold her ‘Great Controversy,’ ‘Patriarchs and Prophets,’ ‘Desire of Ages,’ ‘Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,’ ‘Steps to Christ,’ and ‘Practical Guide,’ each in the best binding, and has taken her subscription for the weekly Signs of the Times. Members of this family so often remark to Mrs. Lovell when she goes to their home, ‘I know that God sent you here this morning.’ How much more satisfaction in such experiences than in the paltry dollars that change hands! I feel especially interested in this case. It is time for the people in the higher walks of life to embrace this truth and bring to its aid their means. This family is worth two million dollars, but souls cannot be commuted by dollars. I sincerely pray that this glorious truth may reach their hearts.

“Our prayer is that God may make us true medical evangelists.”