p. 1056 | Medical Service at Camp-Meeting by O. B. Kuhn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 30, 1913

Medical Service at Camp-Meeting

By O. B. Kuhn

AT Charleston, W. Va., a splendid opportunity was presented to the nurses of the Washington Sanitarium who visited the Columbia Union camp-meetings. A former patient of the Sanitarium, who had accepted the third angel's message and had been baptized while at the institution, used her influence in making possible a successful medical missionary effort. Recognizing the value and importance of our system of healing, and desiring to benefit her relatives and friends by a knowledge of our methods, she invited twenty of Charleston's prominent citizens to come to her residence to meet the nurses. Among the guests were a bank president and a leading physician.

A parlor talk was given, picturing the physical degeneracy and spiritual declension of the race. Causes of the decline were also noted. The work of Seventh-day Adventists in promoting reform was outlined, and sanitarium methods for the prevention, as well as for the treatment, of a number of diseases were outlined, and demonstrations were given.

The following day we dined at the home of another bank president, whose wife had been present at the gathering mentioned. Our medical work was explained to him.

Two days later the union conference president was entertained at these homes. Thus we feel that a good work has been started in Charleston. Some are receiving treatment from a graduate nurse of the Washington Sanitarium who has chosen Charleston as her field of labor. The interest created will be followed up, and the work developed.

A leading daily newspaper gave a front-page report of our medical work in connection with the camp-meeting. Also our system of sanitariums and their use

of natural methods were mentioned as a part of gospel work according to the teaching and example of the Saviour.

Several sick persons living in the neighborhood of the camp were cared for. Among them was a woman very ill with typhoid. The family was very poor. We met the attending doctor, who said the woman was in a precarious condition. He was hopeless of her recovery, but consented to our giving her treatments. We felt that God would bless us, so told the husband that we would care for his wife without charge, and hoped we could save her life. After the first treatment, the patient began to improve, and in a few days was much better. The doctor did not call on her after we took the case. We gave instruction to the family concerning the continuing of the treatments, and with faithful care the woman will recover. This family is now interested in the Bible, and will attend our church in order to learn more perfectly the Word of God. Similar experiences were enjoyed in our work among the townspeople.

We are grateful for the deep interest the conference president and his associates have taken in medical missionary work, and for their aid in helping us to accomplish our mission to the West Virginia camp-meeting. O. B. KUHN.