p. 2 | The Door of the City Work by Mrs. S. N. Haskell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1916

The Door of the City Work

By Mrs. S. N. Haskell

THIS is a door that many have been seeking. Some say it takes talented speakers to hold large audiences; others say if advertising is done properly, an ordinary speaker can carry on the work. Large sums of money have been expended in renting expensive halls and in paying for extensive advertising, and yet the results have not been satisfactory.

Christ has left us an example that we should follow in his steps. He drew large crowds. Whether by the seaside, in the country, or in the temple, the people thronged to listen to his gracious words. What element in the Saviour’s work was the strongest in drawing the crowd—his gracious words, or the medical missionary work which he did? The lepers that had been cleansed, the blind that had received their sight, arrested the attention of the masses; and because of this work, thousands wished to hear the words spoken. No human being can speak as Christ spoke, for the Divine Record says, “Never man spake like this man.” Neither can humanity heal all who present themselves, as Jesus did. But he left the example for us to follow. He gave a perfect pattern, and we should take it as our guide.

Seven years ago the servant of the Lord, in the large assembly tent at the General Conference, delivered the following message: “Henceforth medical missionary work is to be carried forward with an earnestness with which it has never yet been carried. This work is the door through which the truth is to find entrance to the large cities.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, p. 167.

Can a new impetus be given to the medical missionary work while our medical workers receive their education in worldly schools, where the aims set before the students are wealth, worldly fame, and the praise of men?

Much thought has been given and many prayers offered that the best methods might be used in advancing the work in our large cities. The statement is very plain: “This work [medical missionary work] is the door through which the truth is to find entrance to the large cities.” Why not believe it and begin to work according to God’s plan? Why not quickly equip our medical school “so that the door will be closed for any sensible physician to fear that we are not giving in our school the instruction essential for the proper qualification of a physician” (“Medical Evangelistic Library,” No. 6, p. 31), and then fill the school with a band of earnest workers, and train them to do the work to which God calls them?

A great work must be done in a short time; the Lord of the cities has given instruction how we may enter them. Precious souls, time, and money will be saved by following the instruction he has given. Many may say they cannot see how the medical work can be “the door through which the truth is to find entrance to the large cities.” Jesus told the sorrowing sisters of Lazarus, “Thy brother shall rise again,” but Martha could not comprehend how one dead four days could rise again. “When the Lord is about to do a work, Satan moves upon some one to object. ‘Take ye away the stone,’ Christ said. ‘As far as possible, prepare the way for my work.’ But Martha’s positive and ambitious nature asserted itself. She was unwilling that the decomposing body should be brought to view. The human heart is slow to understand Christ’s words, and Martha’s faith had not grasped the true meaning of his promise.”—“The Desire of Ages,” p. 633, trade edition.

The stone at the door of the city work is a lack of properly trained workers in the line of work which God says will “find entrance to the large cities.” Let us as a denomination arise and by our liberal offerings equip our one medical school so that workers may be properly trained to carry forward the work in our large cities.

The Lord says, “Take ye away the stone. . . . As far as possible, prepare the way for my work.” When we do our part, God will fulfil his word, and the large cities will be reached with the message. It may be that from many of them, like Sodom of old, only a very few will be gathered; but they will rejoice throughout eternity that we rescued them from great darkness.

Let us as we decide what our offering will be for The Ellen G. White Memorial Hospital, which is being built to better equip our medical school, ask the Lord to help us roll away the stone from the door of the work in the great cities. Think of the millions in the cities waiting for light! Let us quickly prepare the facilities, that an army of soul-winning medical workers may be trained to do the work God has said should be done.

May God help us to take away the stone, and as far as possible prepare the way for the work to be done in the Lord’s appointed way.

MRS. S. N. HASKELL.