Medical Missionary Work an Entering Wedge by W. J. Stone

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 26, 1911

Medical Missionary Work an Entering Wedge

By W. J. Stone

IN God's Word and the Testimonies is given valuable instruction as to the best methods of carrying forward the gospel work.

First, he would have his workers go out two and two. Many reasons could be given why this is best, but two texts showing the results of the Lord's plan will be conclusive evidence: “One man of you shall chase a thousand;” “and two put ten thousand to flight.” Joshua 23:10; Deut. 32:30.

Second, where it is possible, medical workers should precede, or work in connection with, those devoting their entire time to the dissemination of the Word. In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 327, after a statement that the medical missionary work has not received its proper attention, we read: “They have not recognized it in its relation to the work of the message as the right arm of the body;” yet “the Lord has shown his regard for it by giving it abundant prosperity. When properly conducted, the health work is an entering wedge, making a way for other truths to reach the heart.”

We should notice particularly that the health work is an entering wedge. For what purpose?—“Making a way for other truths.” Then the health work should precede, or open the way for, other truths, not greater in one sense, but harder to accept.

If we would study the expression, entering wedge, and the purpose for which an entering wedge is generally used, perhaps we could comprehend better its real value. When splitting open a large log, men first use the small entering wedges. These make a way for the large wedges to enter, crack open the log, and lay bare the heart. Likewise may the gospel work be made more effective by letting the medical missionary work precede as an entering wedge, doing practical gospel work. See “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 289. This kind of work will allay prejudice, and open the hearts of the people to receive other truths.

I am certain that I could improve my former plan of work. It seems to me that we have many times endeavored to drive the large wedges first; that is, we have presented the Sabbath question, or the state of the dead, or some other truth hard for the people to accept, and have had but little success, so conclude the people have rejected the truth, when they may be as honest as we, but, having been educated differently, they do not readily see these things as we do. Could we have gone to them in a different way, or gone into their locality ministering to the sick, distributing health literature, etc., we might have been looked upon by the people as ministering angels rather than as proselyters, as has often been the case.

We ought to prize greatly our medical missionary work, and as these workers graduate, yoke them up two and two with the ministry, and thus “combine medical missionary work with the proclamation of the third angel's message.” “The ministry needs the medical missionary work to demonstrate the practical working of the gospel.”—Id., pages 267, 289. Let us use freely the entering wedge.

W. J. STONE.