The Healing Art in Gospel Work
By H. M. Lee
SINCE Jesus is the Master Teacher and Physician, it would seem that the gospel work must not overlook the importance of ministering to the pain-racked and suffering bodies of men. Jesus desired to demonstrate to men that God is love, and that sin and its consequence, disease, excite His pity and love. And as He healed their bodies, He made them feel that He was One who could relieve the soul of its moral defilement and misery.563 He wished His message and work to be understood aright, so He spent more time in the practice of it than in the preaching of it. Thus His works themselves became the clearest kind of sermons, and the words He spoke were deeply impressed upon the hearts of men. “The Saviour made each work of healing an occasion for implanting divine principles in the mind and soul. This was the purpose of His work. He imparted earthly blessings, that He might incline the hearts of men to receive the gospel of His grace.” (“Ministry of Healing,” page 20.) This ought every gospel worker to do. Above all should the foreign missionary follow this line of work, that the heathen may see the beneficent outworkings of true Christianity. The accompanying photograph shows the dispensary at Soonan, Korea. In this dispensary, many thousands have found relief through the ministration of kind Christian hands. Some have been led to Christ, and all have received impressions which will lead them in their future decisions. The building is of substantial brick construction, 24x36 feet in size, and suitably arranged for its purpose. One room is for baths and for water treatments. To most patients is first given a bath, followed by one or two simple treatments. In many cases, these efforts produce a marked change for the better in the physical condition. For those who are inpatients, Christian services are held daily, that they may learn the principles of Christianity. Also much literature is given away, and in this way many receive the news that Jesus is soon coming. Thus the preaching of the gospel is accompanied by the practice, and souls are influenced to believe in Christ.