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The Need of the Hour

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 22, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 38.

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The Need of the Hour

By D. H. KRESS, M. D.

D. H. KRESS, M. D.
THERE never was a time when there existed a greater need for devoted and consecrated medical missionaries than the present. It has often been found difficult for missionaries to gain access to the people in foreign fields. The natives are suspicious of their movements. It seems to them that the missionary is there for the sole purpose of changing their religious views. But the medical missionary finds no trouble in entering fields which extend no welcome to the ordinary missionary. It is not difficult for him to convince the heathen that he seeks their good. He bears the divine credentials. As the natives witness the efforts put forth to relieve them of physical ills, they gain confidence in the missionary.
In the future, those sent forth by the church should be sent two and two, with the commission, “Into whatsoever city ye enter, . . . heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, ‘The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.’”
All who are sent forth should have a thorough knowledge of disease and its causes. They should be able to point out, and assist in the removal of, conditions which are responsible for disease. The missionaries need this knowledge for their own sakes, as well as for the sake of those whom they go to benefit and bless. Many a noble life has been sacrificed in the mission field, that might have been a benediction for many years. Others have ruined their health, and found it necessary to return after acquiring the language, at an immense cost to the cause.
Our sanitariums ought to do a grand work in the preparation of medical missionaries for foreign fields. It has appeared to me that, after finishing their course, it would be well for them to spend one year in connection with one of our city missions, doing active medical missionary work, under experienced trainers. No medical missionary is qualified to enter foreign fields without this training.
There are many who have in the past graduated from our sanitariums who have not had in mind the missionary idea. These should be encouraged to take a course at our Foreign Mission Seminary, where they can obtain the needed Bible training. There are excellent Bible workers who should be encouraged to attend the Seminary, to obtain the necessary medical knowledge and skill. In this school the aim is to combine these two branches of the gospel work. We believe that in the providence of God the Washington Sanitarium and the Foreign Mission Seminary have been planted together to grant to all an opportunity to go forth prepared to carry a complete gospel.
The world is waiting and longing for the manifestation of the sons of God. The last message of mercy is the practical revelation of God’s character of love, as revealed in the life of Christ. The medical missionary work is the gospel in practise.
The people came to Christ because they recognized in him a sympathetic friend and helper. This same spirit must be revealed in those who go forth doing the same work that he did. Jesus must again be recognized as the Friend of publicans and sinners before we can expect to see his wonder-working power revealed in the conversion of sinners, and in the healing of the sick.
Washington, D. C.