Medical Service at Camp-Meetings by O. B. Kuhn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 20, 1913

Medical Service at Camp-Meetings

By O. B. Kuhn

WE are glad for the opportunities given nurses at the Columbian Union camp-meetings to teach the people how to practise the principles of health and temperance, and how to give treatments to the sick. In one conference one or two hours a day were set apart for such instruction. In other conferences four or five hours a week were given. In the teaching, two objects were held before the people,—first, that they might be benefited, and second, that they might benefit others.

At the Ohio camp-meeting, as at others, demonstrations were given in the large tent, and the people were urged to engage in medical missionary work in their home communities. Abbott’s “Technique of Hydrotherapy” was recommended as a text-book. After the meeting a sister took orders for a dozen books from those present.

If our people would do medical missionary work in their neighborhoods, many souls would be saved, and the work of the third angel’s message would be built up. “Medical missionary work is the pioneer work of the gospel. In the ministry of the word and in the medical missionary work, the gospel is to be preached and practised.” “Whether in foreign fields or in the home field, all missionaries, both men and women, will gain much more ready access to the people, and will find their usefulness greatly increased, if they are able to minister to the sick. All gospel workers should know how to give the simple treatments that do so much to relieve pain and remove disease.”

Our homes should be furnished with simple equipment for doing this work. In Isa. 58: 6-11 and in Matt. 25: 35-40 there is pictured the ministry that the Lord would have his church perform. Such is in harmony with the spirit of true Sabbath-keeping, and prepares the heart for holy remembrance of the fourth commandment. Of those engaged in Christian Help work and in medical missionary work it is said: “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; . . . and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” Isa. 58: 12.

In Volume IX of the Testimonies we read: “In connection with our camp-meetings in past years, God’s servants have improved many precious opportunities for instructing our people in practical methods of presenting the saving truths of the third angel’s message to their friends and acquaintances. Many have returned home from these annual gatherings, to labor with greater zeal and intelligence than hitherto.”

“It would be pleasing to God if more of this practical instruction were given the church-members who attend our camp-meetings than has usually been given in past years. One of the objects of our annual gatherings is that all may gain a knowledge of practical methods of personal missionary work.”

In Volume VI, page 49, we read: “Properly conducted, the camp-meeting is a school where pastors, elders, and deacons can learn to do more perfect work for the Master. It should be a school where the members of the church, old and young, . . . can receive an education that will help them to help others.”

“The best help that ministers can give the members of our churches is not sermonizing, but planning work for them. . . . Let all be taught how to work.” Without the aid of the church-members it will be impossible to finish the work of the third angel’s message.

O. B. Kuhn.