GOSPEL OPENINGS FROM LOVING MINISTRY.
By David Paulson, M.D.
WE often meet men in our sanitariums and hospitals who have been here only a few days, and who are all bowed down with pain in almost every joint in their bodies, and who are, as a result of their bad habits, discouraged and depressed. In that situation, after some God-fearing medical missionary has found such a man, and has whispered to him the hopes of a better life, and told him that it is the Divine Power that has still kept his heart going, and that has enabled him to breathe, and this same Power is anxious to save him from his evil habits, to help him over them, and to lift him into a better life, he will often say, "My case seems hopeful to me if the Divine Strength is helping me." Some time ago a gentleman who had attained eminence and had been educating others for many years, was attacked in an unexpected manner. His condition was such that he fell into a fainting fit. As he was recovering from it, one of our nurses who was applying some simple remedies to him, saw that he was discouraged and downhearted, and read him a few precious words from the Bible. 'The Lord10God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary; he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.' Isa. 50:4. He talked with this man, quoted some of these texts, and prayed with him, and the tears came streaming down his cheeks. He had not thought of these things before. He became a converted man, and to-day he is rejoicing in a Saviour's love. He even rejoices that God allowed him to become crushed and bruised, that he might get an insight into a higher and better life than he had ever known before. It is a privilege to live so near to God that he can suggest to us, just at the proper time, the right words to pass to others that will be as a healing balm to them. That is the foundation of all success in accidents and emergencies, for if we are all Spirit-filled men and women, God has promised that when the occasion demands it, he will flash into our minds what we shall say or do. We can let this promise be a stay and guide to us, for we will not be placed in a situation so difficult and so perplexing but we may realize that God has placed us there, and will take care of us and lead us by His Spirit. It is a grand privilege to be engaged in a work where such opportunities come to us over and over again, if only we are faithful. DAVID PAULSON, M.D.