Medical Missionary Effort in World-Wide Missionary Work
At our medical convention held at Madison, Wis., June 6-10, a paper bearing the above title was read by Dr. W. A. Ruble. The paper quoted at some length from an article in the American Review of Reviews for June, 1916, by M. Willard Price, on the remarkable openings for gospel labor that are presenting themselves in many countries. Dr. Ruble’s paper, after giving this quotation, was as follows:— “I cannot refrain from referring especially to one observation made by the above-quoted writer. He says, ‘Perhaps the coming of the war and the revival at the same time are only a colossal coincidence. On the other hand, there is ground for the theory that the horrors and desolations of war have solemnized the world, and have had the effect of driving the people back upon divine security.’ “The ‘colossal coincidence,’ which neither this writer [M. Willard Price] nor the world recognizes, is the preparation of the world for its close and for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This religious awakening is but another evidence that these great events are very near at hand. “In connection with this acknowledgment of a religious awakening, it is interesting to consider some facts gleaned from our own medical workers in the field. Recently some report blanks were sent to representatives of the principal mission fields, asking for information regarding the value of medical missionary work in these fields, and the need of such workers there. One hundred and fifty such blanks were sent out. From these workers thirty-six reports have been received. The fields represented are: Argentina, Rhodesia, South India, the Natal-Transvaal Conference, Upper Egypt, Canary Islands, North Queensland, Argao, Cebu, Malaysian Mission, Victoria-Nyanza Conference, Maranatha Mission, North African Mission, Norfolk Islands, India Union Mission, Guatemala, Sao Paulo, Manchuria, Sierra Leone, North Basutoland, Papara, West Caribbean Conference, Cook Islands, North New Zealand Conference, Hungary, Cuba, Hawaiian Islands, Bahama Islands, Straits Settlements, China, Honduras, Lima, Peru, Lake Titicaca Mission, Ecuador, and Japan. “Of these thirty-six workers, ten are medical missionaries. These report 8,993 religious services held, 542 conversions and baptisms, and 26,289 patients treated annually. In their fields there are in all: Medical missionaries, 22; dispensaries, 22; hospitals, 2; sanitariums, 3; physicians, 14; medical evangelists, 14; nurses, 44; missionary nurses, 46; other medical workers, such as undergraduate nurses, 20. “In answer to the question, ‘How many medical workers are needed in your field?’ it was stated that there is an immediate need for 31 additional medical evangelists, 26 dispensaries, 2 sanitariums, 3 hospitals, 12 qualified physicians, and 34 other medical workers. Up to the time of this report, replies had been received from about one fourth of the workers in fields to which report blanks were sent. Therefore multiplying by four the calls already in for medical workers, the number needed immediately as called for by workers now in the field, would be: Sanitariums, 8; hospitals, 12; dispensaries, 104; physicians, 48; medical evangelists, 124; other medical workers, 136; or in all, 308 medical missionaries. “TABULATION OF MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS AND MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORKERS |
Now in Field |
Needed in 36 Fields Reported |
Estimated Needs in 150 Fields |
|---|
| Dispensaries |
22 |
26 |
104 |
| Sanitariums |
3 |
2 |
8 |
| Hospitals |
2 |
3 |
12 |
| Medical evangelists |
14 |
31 |
124 |
| Qualified physicians |
14 |
12 |
48 |
| Other medical workers |
112 |
34 |
136 |
| Total m. m. workers needed |
|
|
308 |
“It might be asked, What are we doing to supply the great demand? True, Loma Linda is doing something, but at the present rate of output it would take five years to meet the present demand, and by that time there may be no demand,—it may be too late. Already Japan threatens to close her doors to missionaries of any kind in a few years, and China is following close on her steps. Korea is considering such an attitude, and other heathen lands are not far behind in this same tendency. In so-called civilized and Christian countries of Europe the inconsistency of each contending nation’s imploring divine help in destroying its enemy is so apparent that already the need of national gods is being intimated. “In view of all these things, there can be not need of further urging as to the need of putting forth every effort possible to accomplish the work committed to this denomination with the greatest possible speed. May this convention mark the beginning of a full coöperation of the medical and evangelistical phases of this message in powerfully carrying the gospel of the soon-coming Saviour to the world.” “So we see the divine necessity for our close places. They are a needful discipline for the development of a faith that can walk before the unseen God in steadfast confidence and obedience, no matter what that may involve.”