Christian Help Work by Daniel H. Kress

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 9, 1911

Christian Help Work

By Daniel H. Kress

How to Break Down Prejudice

(First Reading)

God’s blessing rests upon the church whose members are actively engaged in the work of blessing others. To the one called out of the world, and who was to form the nucleus of the church in the wilderness, and for all time, these words were addressed: “I will bless thee; . . . and thou shalt be a blessing. . . . And have in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

In the experience of Israel the time came when they still prayed and fasted, but the poor were neglected, the wounded on the wayside were passed by. God could not bless them, because they refused to impart his blessings.

To the inquiry, “Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not?” the Lord said:—

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily. . . . And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” Isa. 58: 6-11.

“The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow;” and what he does, he desires all his representatives to do. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

To those only to whom Jesus can say, “I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me,” will he give the welcome, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.”

Looking After the Unfortunate

Some years ago, the attention of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was called in a special manner to the need of looking after the unfortunate. Some of our churches were organized into bands of workers. Among the poor, the sick were sought out. Everything was done to make them as comfortable as possible. The conditions most conducive to health were supplied, as far as circumstances permitted. Helpful instruction was given. Mothers were assisted, and instructed in the care of their children, hygienic cookery, healthful dress, etc. The naked were clothed; the hungry were fed; the fatherless were provided for; Bible readings were held; to the poor the gospel was preached.

A Live Missionary Meeting

I recall a church I once visited in a large city. The weekly missionary meeting was one of intense interest. Reports were brought in of what had been done during the week; and needy cases were presented for counsel, advice, and prayer. A supply of clothing was always kept on hand for emergencies. This church was like a great beehive; all was activity and life. Some of the members testified that health had been restored to them by engaging in this work.

Helping the Crippled

While our medical students at — had to study hard, they still found time to devote to this work. Time will permit me to relate only a few

interesting experiences. One young man, completely crippled by rheumatism, and unable to help himself in any way, was found by one of the students. After this, regular visits were made; and his life was made as comfortable as possible. Through our efforts, a stove was contributed by a merchant in the city. Coal was also obtained, a new chair was provided, the Bible was read, etc. Later he began to read our books, and we had the satisfaction of seeing him brought to a love of the truth, and rejoicing in the good news of Christ’s soon return. He was very happy, and was never heard to complain. A year after we left —, Henry died; but I feel certain that every one of the students expects, if faithful, to meet him in the kingdom of God.

A Good Samaritan

One cold Sabbath day, one of our students, in her visits, found a woman who was not in a condition to work, washing at the tub. She rolled up her sleeves, and finished the washing. The next day she sent food to the woman, when it was found that during the night she had given birth to a child. There was no fire in the house, the temperature was ten below zero, and there was barely sufficient bedding to cover the mother and child. Both were in a critical condition. The report was brought to our medical students’ home. Three or four young men secured a horse and sleigh, took down the laundry stove, threw some wood on the sleigh, and a little later the house was warm and comfortable. While the young men were doing this, the women made garments for the babe. For several nights they took turns sitting up with the mother.

These may appear very small matters, and they are; yet it is to those who do just such work that the words are addressed, “Come, ye blessed of my Father,” “I was naked, and ye clothed me;” “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Soul-Saving a Science Requiring Study

Wisdom must be exercised in laboring for souls. Too many have but one way of approaching men; while some are won, the majority are repelled, and perhaps lost, because of a lack of thought and skill. If our aim is to win, we may occasionally get an entirely new and original plan of gaining access into homes. I remember that while at —, one of our students had for some time been seeking an opening in a poor district. One day she came to our young men, asking for their jack-knives. She visited this district, and met with a few boys. A poor old woman was ill. She was well known to the boys, who had seen her daily gathering coal and chips. To each of the boys was given a knife, and they spent a happy hour whittling shavings, while the teacher related to them some interesting incidents. Afterward, they carried the shavings to the old woman, who was greatly pleased. Out of this little gathering, in the course of a few weeks, grew a school, with a membership of about seventy-five, which was taught by the students until they left —. Parents noticed the effect this school had upon their children, and remarked about it. This gave our workers a welcome in many homes.

Many well-to-do persons have clothing that they do not know what to do with. If we appeal to them in behalf of the needy, they are usually glad to assist. Later we may call upon them, and tell the joy their gifts have brought to the poor. Thus we may be a blessing to both the rich and the poor, and may have the satisfaction of repairing to some extent the breach between them, so that the bounties entrusted to the one may flow to the other. Better still, we may thus gain opportunities to bring spiritual help to both classes.

There are orphans and unfortunate infants who are in need of homes. Under proper training many of these may grow to be useful men and women. There are childless homes where these little ones would be welcomed, and to which they would become a great blessing. Although we may not all be able to adopt children, we may frequently experience the joy of helping to place the solitary in families.

We may be situated so that we can not do any of the things outlined in this reading; but no matter where we are, we can all be neighborly. We can manifest a spirit of helpfulness in associating with those about us, and this will be appreciated by them, and may later lead to a spirit of inquiry on their part. We shall then be able to give a reason for the hope that is within us, with meekness and fear. In this way, prejudice may be broken down, and many hearts opened to receive the truth in its fulness.

D. H. KRESS, M. D.