p. 21 | Findings | AdventAI

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 17, 1908

Findings

THE following notes from the South African field are quoted from the conference paper, Flashes:—

“We are pleased to know that Dr. J. J. Bell has received a cable from England releasing him to remain in this field. The presence of a doctor in our conference should give a new impetus to our medical missionary work; and if we would see this work advance with the other phases of our teaching, it will be necessary to have the co-operation of our church-members in educating our constituency in the principles of health reform.”

“Since going to Krugersdorp, Brother F. C. Ernst has established bath-rooms. He has also been blessed in bringing a few persons into the truth, and another is about to accept it.”

“At Maritzburg the health institute helpers are rushed with work, and scarcely know how to meet the demands that are made upon their strength. Dr. Bell is kept busy, and the outlook for this work seems very promising.”

“The following brief summary of resolutions adopted at the recent meeting of our conference committee, will be of interest: ‘(1) That Dr. J. J. Bell be definitely invited to connect with this conference, to locate in Maritzburg, and to act as consulting physician to the Natal Health Institute; (2) that the conference take over from Brother I. R. Armer, the health institute in Maritzburg; (3) that a strong effort be made to secure the co-operation of our members in raising a medical missionary fund, by donations, the sale of health literature, and otherwise, with a view to helping this branch of our work.’”

Brother O. Bezirdjian, writing from Egypt, says: “We need a good doctor here in Egypt. In some cases I have secured wonderful results with our treatments. Some who were weary of swallowing drugs, and were almost in despair, are now enjoying good health. My knowledge is small, but the Lord helps me in such cases, and I practise with love and energy the little I know. I am earning my livelihood by sculpture in marble, and from time to time I give massage and other treatments to the sick.”

In a letter from Dr. J. W. Erkenbeck, of Ameca, Mexico, he says: “We have many and varied experiences with both priests and people. As a result of a little gospel work with periodicals and the Bible, some of the priests refuse to give the extreme unction to our patients. Some of these have experienced remarkable recoveries under our treatment. One woman, brought from the country very sick, called the priest. Before he began, he said that he would not confess her if she had that American doctor. It happened that this woman was in the house adjoining ours, and the priest lives just around the corner. Many times in passing, he will not walk on the sidewalk in front of our house, but takes the street. This, however, is only one side of the story. When he had carried it to the extreme, and it was talked about, the chief priest said he wanted to see me, but finally sent me word that he was ashamed that they had treated me thus. He had only good feelings toward me. About two months ago, the senior curé sent me word that he wanted to consult me, and asked me to go to a certain house where he might meet me. Afterward the people told me that the chief priest was afraid it would make the other priests enraged if they knew I was treating him, as the other priests condemned the people for employing the American doctor. Afterward he told my friends that he was very much surprised to meet such a man. He had heard that I was a very bad man. Since that time I have been called to his home to treat him. Although we are isolated and surrounded by every deception of Satan, we have many bright experiences. Many times we feel the power of the enemy, and fear that we may become indifferent to the wickedness around us.”

The following note of interest comes from Mr. S. M. Konigmacher, Malamulo Mission, British Central Africa: “In a recent note in the REVIEW, you state that I was head nurse at the St. Helena Sanitarium for a number of years. I would like to correct that statement by saying that Mr. Whitney was head nurse, and I was in charge of the bath-rooms. It is interesting work to try to help the natives when they come for assistance. They always ask for medicine, even though the blood is flowing from a wound. In our short time here, we have treated a variety of cases,—sick children, indigestion, fever, boils, wounds, especially of the feet, one epileptic case, cough, ulcerated teeth, etc. God has blessed the simple remedies used, so we have had great success. We thank God for the knowledge of these principles and for blessing in the administration of them.”

Dr. H. C. Menkel writes from Mussoorie, India: “Please be on the lookout for a good man nurse, as we shall need one by next season. The sanitarium work has kept up splendidly, and prospects are still good. Our whole experience this season has been one to be very thankful for. It is a pleasure to see all the workers looking so well this year. This move to the hills has given a new impetus to our medical work in India, and proved most beneficial to the work and workers. God’s plans are always the best.”

Dr. P. A. De Forest gives this interesting note from the Gland (Switzerland) Sanitarium: “To-night we have not enough room to receive all who have come. We have nearly as many patients and guests now as during the height of the summer season (at present there are thirty-three patients and about fifteen other guests, making about fifty in all). The school should open in about ten days, but we ask ourselves, Where shall we put the scholars, and where shall we find time to instruct them? This is a sample of the perplexities which arise this year on account of the increase of the number of guests. Of course we are glad that the institution is growing so nicely, and we thank God that he is sending us so many sick people. We are trying to do a work which will tear down the prejudice, and make a way for the message to reach hearts.”