A Call for True Missionary Medical Workers
By L. A. H.
The importance of medical missionary work is quite generally recognized among us, and it has received considerable emphasis by us as a people. It is considered as occupying an important place in our cause, and medical work as a whole is well respected. We generally designate all our physicians, nurses, and other health workers as “medical missionaries,” and the work itself has been spoken of as “the gospel in practise.” Our attitude is none too favorable, nor our support any too strong, in behalf of real medical missionary work. No doubt we shall yet see it occupying a place of greater prominence and usefulness than at any time in the past. It may very reasonably be questioned, however, whether all medical work, or even all that passes as medical missionary work, is really meeting the qualifications required by a true interpretation of this part of our denominational work. Does a nurse’s diploma necessarily make a young man or woman a missionary? or does passing an examination in medicine constitute one a follower of him who is called the great Medical Missionary? Is a person really and truly a medical missionary simply because he has taken a course of training that has made him a physician or a nurse? Probably no one will say that medical training is the one essential to the making of a missionary, or that the securing of a degree is the last word in qualifying as a laborer in this cause. Technical knowledge and learning, good training and skill, are indeed valuable, and their importance should not be underestimated or disparaged. The more thorough these are, the better qualified should they make a man or woman. But in the scale of eternal values these measure up according as they are effectual in soul-saving. In the end, they can be valued only as they have been a means in the one great work entrusted to men—being laborers together with God. They take their place as material factors, with the great possibilities of doing good. If they are to be instrumental for the accomplishment of the greatest good, and are to make men and women real missionaries, they must be associated with other important and essential qualifications. The term medical missionary implies more than an ordinary calling or profession. First place must be given its missionary meaning, with a recognition that this part is to receive emphasis by the addition of its medical phase, whether in expression or in practise. The term should suggest one who is highly qualified for doing a sacred work, laboring for, and in the spirit of, him who said: “As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” Matt. 10:7, 8. Viewed in connection with the special work that we as a people are set for, our medical missionaries occupy a place of particular importance. Just as there is a distinct place for us to fill and a distinct message to give, so is there a particular preparation needed by our workers for filling that place and giving that message. Our medical workers have their place to fill, their work to perform. A great deal of instruction has been given us in the Testimonies presenting the true purpose of our medical work. A few quotations are here given:— “There are souls in many places who have not yet heard the 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, and sanitariums are to be established in many places. “Sanitarium work is one of the most successful means of reaching all classes of people. Our sanitariums are the right hand of the gospel, opening ways whereby suffering humanity may be reached with the glad tidings of healing through Christ. In these institutions the sick may be taught to commit their cases to the Great Physician, who will cooperate with their earnest efforts to regain health, bringing to them healing of soul as well as healing of body. “Christ is no longer in this world in person, to go through our cities and towns and villages, healing the sick; but he has commissioned us to carry forward the medical missionary work that he began. In this work we are to do our very best. Institutions for the care of the sick are to be established, where men and women suffering from disease may be placed under the care of God-fearing physicians and nurses, and be treated without drugs.”—Vol. IX, pages 167, 168. In connection with this it is further stated that “through this work we are to reach souls in the highways and byways,” and that “in our sanitariums many souls will receive and obey present truth.” We are told that “in these institutions men and women are to be taught how to care for their own bodies, and at the same time how to become sound in the faith.” “Our sanitariums are to be schools in which instruction shall be given in medical missionary lines. They are to bring to sin-sick souls the leaves of the tree of life, which will restore them peace and hope and faith in Christ Jesus.” “The Lord speaks to all medical missionaries, saying, Go, work to-day in my vineyard to save souls.” “Christ, the great Medical Missionary, is our example. Of him it is written that he ‘went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.’ Matt. 4:23. He healed the sick and preached the gospel. In his service, healing and teaching were linked closely together. To-day they are not to be separated. “The nurses who are trained in our institutions are to be fitted up to go out as medical missionary evangelists, uniting the ministry of the word with that of physical healing. “We must let our light shine amid the moral darkness. Many who are now in darkness, as they see a reflection of the Light of the world, will realize that they have a hope of salvation. Your light may be small, but remember that it is what God has given you, and that he holds you responsible to let it shine forth. Some one may light his taper from yours, and his light may be the means of leading others out from the darkness. “All around us are doors open for service. We should become acquainted with our neighbors, and seek to draw them to Christ. As we do this, he will approve and cooperate with us.”—Id., pages 170, 171. “The medical missionary work is to be the work of the church as the right arm to the body. The third angel goes forth proclaiming the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The medical missionary work is the gospel in practise. All lines of work are to be harmoniously blended in giving the invitation, ‘Come; for all things are now ready.’”—Vol. VIII, page 77. “The breadth of gospel medical missionary work is not understood. The medical missionary work now called for is that outlined in the commission which Christ gave to his disciples just before his ascension. ‘All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth,’ he said. ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ Matt. 28:18-20. “These words point out our field and our work. Our field is the world; our work the proclamation of the truths which Christ came to our world to proclaim. Men and women are to have opportunity to gain a knowledge of present truth, an opportunity to know that Christ is their Saviour, that ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16.”—Id., pages 203, 204. As many know, statements like these could be multiplied. These may be sufficient to call attention again to the real character of the medical missionary work God calls on us to do and the spirit that should possess those who do it. We can rejoice that many doctors, nurses, and other workers are earnestly doing their part to meet the standard given us. What is being accomplished in this work should be a great incentive to make every effort possible to have many more working in the same way. There is much that we can do to this end. Those who enter the medical work should ever keep before them the one great aim of becoming better qualified for the work of saving souls. The fundamental principles of our truth should never be forgotten, and every means for keeping a love of it alive and fresh should be utilized. Students should select such conditions for their medical education as will not cause them to lose their identity as Seventh-day Adventists. Attendance at church and Sabbath-school services and frequent association with our people will be helpful to those who must be much in the world. Regular reading of the REVIEW and our other papers will help such to keep in touch with the cause and its progress. Missionary labor for others will always165serve to keep one’s self in proper spiritual condition. Those engaged in the work, whether in institutional or field work, under conference employment or in private practise, must still bear in mind their first duty to God and his truth, seeking to serve him and it the more fully because of their special preparation. Burdens of institutional management or finances must not be allowed to crowd out spiritual interests, either for the worker or for others. Professional duties and privileges must not be placed above the simplicities of the gospel and its associations. Help can be given our medical workers by others, in dealing with them as we should with brethren and fellow workers. Conference officers can do much by showing a real interest in the work of nurses and doctors who may be in self-supporting work. A close touch with all medical students and workers will give a knowledge of their special needs, and will often enable such help to be rendered as may save persons to the cause who might otherwise be lost to it. The cultivation of Christian sympathy and brotherly love will do much to bind all closer together. A high regard for, and an appreciation of, the principles underlying this phase of our work is, of course, essential on the part of all. A recognition of its real purpose, to be a part of the special saving truth and work for this time, is ever essential in helping it fulfil its object.