p. 17 | Medical Evangelical Work by George Thomason, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jun 6, 1912

Medical Evangelical Work

By George Thomason, M. D.

It is for us always to remember that as Christ was, and as he is, so are we in this world. If we would know the secret of his successful life, we must study his method of labor, and endeavor to walk in his steps. "We shall find the footsteps of Jesus by the sick-bed, by the side of suffering humanity, in the hovels of the poverty-stricken and distressed. We may walk in these footsteps, comforting the suffering, speaking words of hope to the despondent. Doing as Jesus did when he was upon earth, we shall walk in his blessed steps."

If in the work that Jesus did when he was upon earth it was important and essential for him to spend much of his time in dealing with the sick and the suffering and the dying, it is, if possible, even more important and essential that we do, likewise in the work of God in the world to-day. Sickness and suffering are much more prevalent in our day than when Christ was upon the earth. In spite of the great advances in hygiene and sanitation, in medical and surgical knowledge and proficiency, disease and physical and mental degeneracy are constantly increasing. Although it is rare to see the devastating epidemics sweep over cities and countries as they did a few years ago, yet diseases of a more subtle nature, involving tissue changes in the vital organs of the body (such as the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, nerves, and blood-vessels), are rapidly and alarmingly increasing. It is almost possible now to see a thousand falling at our side, and ten thousand at our right hand. Nearly five hundred persons die every day in this country from tuberculosis alone, and the deaths from cancer are rapidly increasing. Brain degeneration, as indicated in the various forms of insanity, is constantly increasing. In England and Wales there are 135,000 insane persons confined in the

asylums; and facilities for caring for the constantly increasing numbers can scarcely be provided rapidly enough. In these same countries there are 125,000 feeble-minded children, 85,000 of whom are also physical cripples. Bright's disease has increased fifteen hundred per cent within the last fifty years. So statistics might be multiplied to emphasize that we are living in an age of physical, mental, and moral degeneracy, and that darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people.

But God has provided a way of escape. He has given to the world a special message of health and healing. Anticipating just such a condition of physical decay, the Lord in his love and mercy has given special light in wonderful principles of reform which, incorporated into the life, will enable men to escape the corruption that is in the world. To this people, above all others, these great principles have been committed. In view of the increasing darkness that is covering the earth, and the awful blackness and gloom of this night of ignorance, never in the history of the world could it have been more appropriately said to a people than to this people, "Rise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee."

First of all, in reference to these great principles in our own lives, the prayer of Christ must be answered for us,—we must be sanctified by this truth. Just as the best evidence we can bring that God forgives sin is that we know that he has forgiven our sins, so the best possible evidence that God has committed life-giving principles to us is the demonstration in our own lives that they are giving us life more abundantly.

The warning of the world and the closing of the work of God upon the earth can never be fully done unless we or others do neighborhood work. When a certain lawyer desired to know the way to obtain eternal life, he was told to be a good neighbor. He that showed mercy was the good neighbor, and Jesus said with emphasis, "Go, and do thou likewise."

This, then, is the work for the hour. Here is introduced a work for everybody. The call now is especially for the lay members to work for those in their immediate vicinity.

"Church-members, let the light shine forth. Let your voices be heard in humble prayer, in witness against intemperance. . . . Find access to the people in whose neighborhood you live." "By personal labor reach those around you. Become acquainted with them. Preaching will not do the work that needs to be done. . . . Sermons will not do it. By visiting the people, talking, praying, sympathizing with them, you will win hearts. This is the highest missionary work that you can do." "It is not learned, eloquent speakers that are needed now, but humble, Christlike men and women, who have learned from Jesus of Nazareth to be meek and lowly, and who, trusting in his strength, will go forth into the highways and hedges to give the invitation." "Visit the sick and suffering, and show a kindly interest in them. If possible, do something to make them more comfortable. Through this means you can reach their hearts, and speak a word for Christ." "Work disinterestedly, lovingly, patiently, for all with whom you are brought in contact." "The angels look upon the distressed of God's family upon the earth, and they are prepared to cooperate with the human agent in relieving oppression and suffering. They will cooperate with those who 'break every yoke,' who 'bring the poor that are cast out to thy house.'"—"Testimonies for the Church."

The work God would have us do for our neighbors is very clearly outlined in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah,—"to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke."

In every neighborhood there are men and women who are bending under the yoke of bondage to habits of eating and drinking, or who are suffering and oppressed because of the god of appetite, whom they ignorantly worship. They need to be told what to eat, how to eat, and when to eat, and how to prepare simple foods. They need instruction as to the disease-producing effects of tea, coffee, alcohol, mustard, pepper, spices, and condiments of various sorts. They need to know that autointoxication is quite as harmful to the body as a moderate amount of intoxication from alcohol, and that by overeating, particularly of proteid foods, which readily undergo decomposition in the digestive tract, this condition of autointoxication, or self-poisoning, results, with direct effect upon the liver, kidneys, blood-vessels, brain, and other delicate structures, laying the foundation for disease, premature old age, and physical decay.

Every Seventh-day Adventist should be a veritable storehouse of information on rational living and as to what is embodied in true temperance, and should know what will in the highest degree contribute to a sound mind in a sound body. His soul can then be drawn out to the hungry, to teach them to eat that which is good, and he can satisfy the afflicted souls by his ministration of rational treatment. A knowledge of the great principles of health reform which were given to this people a half-century ago was never intended to be confined to a comparatively few doctors and nurses. They are for all the people for all time until Jesus comes. They are for the preservation of our own health, for, "Then . . . thine health shall spring forth speedily." Giving these principles to our neighbors will brighten our Christian experience and will save us from the darkness and discouragement of inactivity, for, "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, . . . and thy darkness be as the noonday." This work will insure the answering of our prayers, for, "Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am."

To those who, endeavoring to walk in his steps, have performed these ministrations, comes the glorious invitation, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."