Some Needs of Our Medical Missionary Work by W. A. E.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 13, 1908

Some Needs of Our Medical Missionary Work

By W. A. E.

Consecration

THE fast fulfilling of the prophetic word indicates to us the need of consecrated effort in rapidly carrying the third angel’s message to the world. We are assured that medical missionary work is the right arm of the message. As such, it is to open the way for the introduction of the complete gospel. In the words of a French lady who has had much experience in working among Roman Catholics: “The principles of health reform seem to be the only points of present truth with which we can approach Catholics. They will have nothing to do with doctrinal subjects, but seem glad to receive light on health topics.” The teaching of health and temperance alone will, however, not be of any special benefit in the last great day, but with the introduction of this part of the message come opportunities for presenting other saving truths. The need is for consecrated workers, who can be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves in seeking, with the aid of the health and temperance movement, to present the third angel’s message in its entirety to all.

Co-operation

The burden of Christ’s prayer as recorded in John 17 is that his followers may be one. “That they may all be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” Verse 21. It is a source of much encouragement to note the growing tendency of our medical workers, as well as of our people generally, to unite in using the medical missionary phase of our work to the very best advantage in forwarding the third angel’s message. We have more than forty institutions in various parts of the earth, denominated Seventh-day Adventist sanitariums, which are united in the one effort to carry the gospel of the kingdom to all the world in this generation. These are not exclusive, but rather it is the desire of all who are connected with them to unite efforts with any and all institutions holding strictly to health reform principles and working unselfishly to the same end.

Connected with these institutions and distributed throughout the world as missionaries, are over a hundred physicians and nearly a thousand nurses. We would be glad to furnish information blanks, upon application, to any medical missionary worker who has not yet sent in such to this department.

Workers

Late communications through the spirit of prophecy assure us that our great need is consecrated, efficient workers. Calls come continuously from all parts of the world for workers who know how to take care of their own health, work for the benefit of others physically, and teach the gospel. Two thirds of the population of the world know nothing of Jesus Christ, and these are in the parts of the earth where medical missionaries especially are needed; for they are the places where diseases are deadly and not understood, and where medical aid is beyond reach. Our many graves in heathen lands are a sad testimony against workers going to these places without some medical knowledge. There are many in this fair and favored land who have the training, educationally, that would fit them for these dark corners of the earth. May they hear and heed the Macedonian cry, “Come over . . . and help us.”

Right here it will occur to many minds that there is great need of a school where our young people who desire it may obtain a medical training, where their love for the principles of health and of rational therapeutics, and above all, for all the points of present truth, shall be preserved and strengthened. There is a crying demand for such a school. Shall we have it?

A mistaken idea seems to have taken possession of many of our people that a thorough education is not necessary in our work. One of the greatest discouragements our young people meet to-day when they desire to prepare themselves for efficient work, is a lack of preliminary education. Many applying for admission to nurses’ training classes, medical courses, college courses, missionary training courses, are found to be very deficient in even the elementary branches. With the facilities we have for educating the young, there is no excuse for this. No parent has done his duty by his child until he has given him a preliminary education that will enable him to take up a special line of training without spending months, and possibly years, in acquiring the education that he ought to have had while under parental care. This preliminary training should comprehend at least an academic course of twelve years.

A Return to First Principles

Sad information has come to us of late from the spirit of prophecy that Seventh-day Adventists are not as careful in observing the principles of health reform as they were years ago. This has been observed by some of late, and commented upon, but when the Lord speaks in this manner, it is time to give heed. The Lord gave the children of Israel a regimen when he tried to lead them into the promised land; but many became weary of it, and died in the wilderness. Shall we do likewise? The instruction received on health reform has never been emphasized too strongly.

In order to return to first principles in this matter it would be necessary that renewed instruction be given. Formerly, systematic instruction was given at every camp-meeting upon health principles, and no tent effort or series of meetings was considered complete until those attending had been taught in these matters. Health schools were held, and demonstrations given in various places. When shall we renew this work? Our State and union camp-meetings for the coming season should plan for such work as a part of the daily program. Shall we do it?

Regular Correspondence

It has been reported to us many times

that the news items under “Findings” in this department are appreciated. It is a pleasure to furnish notes of interest regarding our various workers and institutions, but we can not make these out of whole cloth. The department wishes to keep in touch with each worker, and receive reports of interesting experiences. Do not be too modest in this matter, as your friends enjoy hearing of you and your welfare as well as you do of them and their welfare. W. A. E.