Medical Missionary Band by Millie Rogers

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 13, 1907

Medical Missionary Band

By Millie Rogers

THINKING it might be of interest to the Medical Department to know of the interest felt in medical missionary work in Union College, a brief account will be given of the purpose, organization, and work of our band.

Believing that the medical work should be closely correlated with missionary work, and wishing to study the different phases of the same, a medical missionary band was formed. Our first meeting was held Oct. 4, 1906. Miss Aural Jordan was chosen leader of the band, and proved herself well fitted for the duties of her office. Miss Cora Marshall was chosen secretary. These officers were to serve during the fall term. About thirty members were enrolled at our first meeting.

It was decided that the aims of our band should be to make a special study of our medical institutions, to obtain a ‘better insight into their nature, methods, and work, and the relation of the same to the third angel’s message. We also desired to study the different phases of the medical missionary work, in order that we might, through the knowledge thus acquired, obtain an understanding of the underlying principles of the work, and thus our interest in the same be quickened. We little comprehended, at the time of its organization, what a broad field lay before us, nor did we realize the benefit we should individually receive from it.

Among the many good mottoes suggested for our band, we selected “Humanity needs our service.” It was decided that the book “Ministry of Healing” be made the subject of special study as a part of our work.

In order to develop the various phases of our work to be carried on throughout the year, committees were appointed on bibliography, on study of “Ministry of Healing,” on correspondence, on program, on history, on medical missionary work outside of our denomination, and on history of medical missionary work in our denomination.

These committees were retained throughout the year, and as a result of their earnest efforts much valuable information was obtained in regard to the leading features of our medical missionary work.

Band prayer-meetings were held every Tuesday, and our regular programs were rendered every Thursday. To give a further idea concerning the nature of the work carried on by the band, I will give a few of the chief subjects considered: “Lives of Leading Medical Missionaries,” “A Bird’s-eye View of Our Medical Work in the United States,” “Luke’s View of Christ as a Medical Missionary,” “Medical Missionary Work in Our Cities,” “The Ideal Physician,” “Reports from the Various Fields,” and “Practical Experiences of Nurses.”

Two special programs were presented in chapel to all the students. The programs were, “A Survey of Medical Work,” and a temperance program.

The present officers are: Leader, Mr. I. S. Irwin; Assistant leader, Miss Millie Rogers; Secretary, Miss Marie Eden; Assistant Secretary, Miss Clara Johnson.

The work has progressed very nicely throughout the year, and plans are being made for the continuance of the band next year. Every member has been led to a better appreciation of the high calling of the medical missionary, and also to a greater realization of the broad harvest-fields that lie before us.

MILLIE ROGERS.