The Workers Needed in Our Sanitariums by G. B. STARR

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 21, 1910

The Workers Needed in Our Sanitariums

By G. B. STARR

Every branch of work conducted by the people of God should be of the highest tone and character.

What the workers in an institution really are in spirit and character, the manner in which they conduct themselves in their every-day life, makes a much deeper impression upon the visitors and guests than do all other influences combined. This is a strong factor to either deepen or counteract other influences.

In their sanitariums Seventh-day Adventists are keeping open house for all the world. Into these institutions the public are invited to come and mingle intimately in the every-day, home life of its physicians and managers and workers.

What these guests find the managers, physicians, gospel workers, nurses, and helpers to be, they naturally suppose represents the result of adopting the principles for which the institution stands.

The object of the sanitarium is the salvation of souls; to represent the truth for this time, in all its phases; to relieve suffering humanity; and to train workers to do gospel medical missionary work, at home and abroad.

The physicians and other members of the sanitarium faculties, are, in the large majority of instances, persons who are sacrificing continually for the upbuilding of the work of God, as they regard it, and therefore can not consent to devote time to the education of mere "professionals,"—those who intend to devote themselves, after graduation, to the work of nursing only for gain. Persons with no higher motives should not apply for admission into the training course for gospel medical missionaries.

As we thus view the public nature of these institutions, and the importance of the right stamp of home life and order that should prevade them, we must conclude that workers—all of the workers, without exception—should be most carefully selected.

Persons with hasty, unsubdued tempers and weak characters ought not to be on exhibition in any public place. Sick people must be protected from such persons. Real Christians, who are patient and forbearing under provocation, are the ones needed. Faithful persons, who are truthful, honest, straightforward, who have learned to respect home discipline and school discipline, are greatly needed. True men and true women are in great demand. Persons who are coarse in manners or speech are not qualified to meet the refined and cultured, the delicate and sensitive people who so largely patronize such institutions.

Sanitariums should not be regarded as reformatories. If you have sons or daughters who are a source of anxiety and care to you at home; who are self-willed, stubborn, disrespectful to parents, to the aged, or indifferent toward religious matters, you may know with certainty that they are not qualified to enter the nurses' training course, or the course for medical missionary evangelists, at least not yet. A few such persons in an institution require more time and thought and anxiety and labor on the part of the management than do many of their other responsibilities combined. Therefore, parents, ministers, teachers, and others, who have the best interests of God's institutions at heart, and who wish to see them prosper, will not recommend such individuals to the managing boards as suitable candidates for training.

But if you have intelligent, active, patient, faithful Christian men and women in your home or church or school, whom it will be a real sacrifice for you to spare,—those upon whom you can always depend to hold up a high standard,—encourage such to respond to the call to come to the help of the Lord to prepare for work in the fast-ripening harvest.

The work stands in need of a large number of such persons.

G. B. STARR.