The earliest record we have of medical missionary work was in the apostolic church. Healing was a prominent feature in the church and missionary work of that time.
In the subsequent development of the work, America has been foremost among the nations. Her sons, and later her daughters (as you see illustrated before you here to-day) have been leaders in this kind of missionary endeavor.
The first medical missionary to leave America was Dr. John Scudder, who, with his wife, sailed from New York for India in 1819. He labored there until his death, in 1855.
In 1849 there were just forty medical missionaries in the world—twenty-six from America, twelve from Great Britain, one from France, and one from Turkey. And it was not until 1879 that the value of this agency was sufficiently realized to cause its adoption for work among the outcasts and the depraved of our large cities. In this respect Great Britain has taken the lead.
In 1876 Dr. Wm. H. Thompson, whose desire was to open medical missionary stations and dispensaries, succeeded in establishing seven scholarships in the university in New York City. In April, 1879, Mr. E. F. Baldwin opened the first medical mission in Philadelphia. In 1881 the International Medical Missionary Society was formed in New York City, the American Society being formed in March, 1855.
And while the work was thus developing in America the “regions beyond” were also feeling the benefits which follow the establishment of this agency.
China
Rev. Peter Parker, M. D., was among the most noted of the pioneers in medical missionary work in China, and Oct. 26, 1834, the Edinburgh (Scotland) Medical Missionary Society was formed, he being its vice-president. As a result of a skilful surgical operation which restored the sight of one of the leading women of the empire, Dr. McKenzie saw the way open for him to do a wonderful missionary work. In 1838 the Canton Medical Missionary Society was founded by Dr. Parker. Twelve thousand patients were received in one year. In 1884 they treated 15,405 cases, performing 975 surgical operations.
India
In 1636 Dr. Gabriel Boughton cured the princess of the great mogul's court, who had been badly burned. As the only reward for his services he asked that his countrymen might have the privilege of trading with India. This was the beginning of the English power in the far East. In 1887, in India, 72,000 cases were treated. There were then eleven missionary dispensaries. Eleven thousand women sought relief at Mrs. Wilson's dispensary at Agra, and at the Thomas Dispensary 18,850 women and children were treated.
Syria
At Jerusalem in 1851 the Mount Zion Anglican Church opened up medical missionary work under the direction of Fliedner, for the sick of all religions and confessions. In 1887, 450 patients were received.
Turkey
In 1878 the Free Church of Scotland opened up a dispensary in Constantinople. During the year 140 Mohammedans were treated, and 755 people of other creeds, making a total of 895.
Africa
Walthem-on-the-Kongo Medical Mission was opened in 1836. Another was opened at Banza Manteke. There were over a thousand conversions as a result of this work.
Madagascar
The work was begun there in 1862 by the London Missionary Society, through Dr. Davidson, and later extended through Dr. Thomason.
Japan
Tokyo Cottage Hospital, founded in memory of Anna L. Whitney, was opened in 1886. It is said that as soon as the roof was on and the floors were laid, patients began to enter, and a great and good work was done.
Korea
The establishment of the work in this country grew out of the successful treatment of Prince Min Yong Ik, by Dr. J. N. Allen, who arrived just prior to the outbreak of 1884. Western medical skill in the treatment of the prince and the wounded soldiers was the cause of the opening of a new hospital in 1885.
Persia
Dr. Grant was the first physician sent to this country. He found that his medical practise gave him twenty times as much intercourse with Mohammedans as a clerical missionary could secure. His successful treatment of the governor of Tabriz prepared the way for the opening of a medical mission at Ormoniah.
Siam
In the year 1828 the first medical missionary entered Siam, Dr. Carl Gutzlaff, of Germany.
All this work was begun and carried on under most adverse circumstances, but it has gone steadily forward in both home and foreign lands, and the judgment-day alone will reveal the full measure of good accomplished. The experience of medical missionaries has always been of decided benefit to the communities where it has been established.
The successful medical missionary has been and is the one who has the following five qualifications for his office:—
Skill to prescribe the proper remedy.
Judgment to order the proper diet.
The motive must be life and not greed.
He must be willing and content to do the most repulsive office for the sick and those whom he is waiting upon.
He must be both able and willing to teach, to incite and to gladden the hearts of those whom he is attending, by religious discourse.
A few of the advantages and benefits of medical missionary work may be briefly summed up as follows:—
The medical missionary is, from the very nature of his work, better qualified to become self-supporting, and can go out on an uncertain basis, where, perhaps, the usual clerical work would be impossible.
His work does not conflict with the regular mission work, but, on the contrary, supplements it, and pioneers the way which the other can follow.
Where a dispensary is opened, a church is likely to follow very soon.
Medical missionary work destroys caste, prejudice, and unbelief.
Medical missionary work secures protection and provision. For instance, Dr. Simmons, with thirty-six carriers, went fifteen hundred miles in a straight line through Africa, securing from his grateful patients all means and materials they needed on the long and difficult journey. And during his whole career of three and one-half years he did not receive a dollar from the home society.
The far-reaching results of this work may be understood when it is known that between twelve hundred and fourteen hundred different towns and villages were represented by the in-patients in one hospital, in one year.
Medical missionary work has lessened the anti-foreign feeling against the mission workers, until at the present date nearly every country and tribe welcomes the medical missionary worker.
It has diminished the superstition which connects disease with evil spirits, and has given a constant proof of the unselfish character of the Christian religion.
“One thing is perfectly certain,” said Dr. Post, of Syria, “and that is that medical missionary work never fails. Other work may fail, but the affording of relief for physical suffering goes on the debit side of Christianity in all cases, and opens the way for other work to follow.”