The Medical Missionary Convention
By A. G. Daniells
THIS convention, as already announced, is to be held at College View, Neb., November 21-26. It has not been our desire to have a very large gathering, to make what would be considered a convention show. The purpose of this council is to do practical, earnest work in setting on foot measures that will advance the medical missionary part of the great movement which we as a people are carrying forward. We wish to inaugurate simple, feasible plans by which all our people can do something to impart to others the light God has given us regarding the laws of life and the rational treatment of disease. The fundamental principles of what has come to be called medical missionary work are a part of the third angel's message. These principles were discerned and adopted by the pioneers of this cause at an early date in its history. That pioneer in the truth, Captain Joseph Bates, was the connecting link between the great movement under the first and second messages, and the great movement of the third message. He was the first to begin the observance of the Sabbath after the disappointment of 1844. At that time he was an ardent temperance reformer. In fact, he organized the first temperance society ever formed in the United States. He not only discarded intoxicating liquors, but tobacco, tea, coffee, and flesh-meats as well. At its fourth session held in 1866, the General Conference recorded its acceptance of the light on health reform as given through the spirit of prophecy, and requested Dr. H. S. Lay to write articles on the subject for the instruction of the people. At its fifth session, a year later, the General Conference made provision for the preparation of a book on physiology and hygiene, and indorsed the steps that had been taken to establish a small sanitarium in Battle Creek, Mich. The book asked for by the General Conference was written by Elder J. N. Loughborough. This was the beginning of our medical literature. From that early period in our history, medical missionary work has been a prominent feature of this cause, and will continue to be until our work is finished. For sixty-one years this phase of the message has been kept before the public, the physicians and nurses, the ministers and the lay members, by the spirit of prophecy. Not all have been as loyal and true to the light of reform as we should have been, but the Lord has been merciful to us, and has blessed our efforts to enlighten and relieve our fellow men. The light we have regarding healthful living and the proper treatment of disease is what the world needs. It is a part of the light of the gospel of Christ. It has been given to us by the Lord. The spirit of prophecy has had much — more than all else — to do in guiding us along right lines. We have a large amount of most valuable instruction which the world needs, and the purpose7of the coming convention is to set in operation plans for giving to the world what is so dear to us. We are greatly encouraged by the success attending the humble, conscientious efforts being made at the present time. When we transferred the Pacific Health Journal from St. Helena to Washington, and changed its name to Life and Health it had a small subscription list. During the few months that have passed since this change was made, the circulation has gradually and steadily grown to nearly twenty thousand. In Australia, Great Britain, and other places where our conferences are carrying on medical work, the blessing of God is attending it. Let it never be forgotten that the medical missionary work given us to do is gospel work. It must be recognized as gospel light, and carried forward by genuine gospel methods. In view of all this, we desire to have all our people understand the object of our convention. We ask for your prayers that we may develop good plans. And we shall hope to have the co-operation of the physicians, nurses, and all the people who love this cause, in carrying out the plans agreed upon.