Faith and Medicine by D. Hewitt

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 9, 1856

Faith and Medicine.

By D. Hewitt

DEAR BRETHREN : In writing under this head there is need of great caution and heavenly wisdom that we give correct advice, and honor and glorify our heavenly Father.

It has become the settled opinion of wise and good men, that many kinds of medicine now in use, are deleterious and poison ; and if we use them knowingly, it will displease our Father in heaven, and the prayer of faith will be ineffectual.

I now wish to introduce the commission of our Lord to his chosen apostles, to preach the gospel to every creature. Mark xvi, 15. In the 16th verse he speaks of faith and baptism. Verse 17. These signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues. Verse 18. They shall take up serpents: and if they drink any deadly thing (or poison, Camp.'s Trans.) it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.

In tracing the history of the apostles and primitive Christians, we find ample demonstrations of the work of the Lord in confirming his word by signs that followed believers. Some tell us that these signs were only designed for the days of the apostles and primitive church, to establish the word, and then the age of miracles passed. But whoever will follow the history of the church will find that the age of miracles passed only in proportion as true faith passed away from the church.

The Saviour says that if these believers that have believed on him through the word of the apostles should drink (through mistake) any deadly thing (or poison, Camp.'s Trans.) it should not hurt them; hence we see that knowingly we have no liberty to drink poison, but only through mistake.

Let me now ask the believer in the Message of the Third Angel, if when sick they ought to call in that class of physicians who have learned to deal and will deal out different kinds of poisons for us to drink, and who, should we refuse to take them, will disguise them in some other name? In this way you see that we could not reasonably expect help from the great Physician.

But there is a class of physicians that we can employ with all safety, and, I think, enjoy the approbation of the Lord. Such an one was Luke the beloved physician. Col. iv, 14. This includes those who understand the use of harmless roots and vegetables, when both physician and patient can pray for success. We also find in the Apocryphal writings, [Ecclesiasticus xxxviii.] that they had a class of physicians who had good success. These were praying men; and the Lord was with them; they used medicines that grew out of the earth; also waters made

sweet with wood, &c. These medicines with prayer took away pain and were attended with good success, instead of giving pain, and taking away life, as the physicians of these days often do. See Mark v, 25, 26; 2 Chron. xvi, 12, 13. Asa was diseased in his feet; and he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians, and he died, and slept with his fathers.

Some doubtless will inquire what they shall do when they or their friends are very sick, and these simple medicines appear to fail. Why, cry mightily to God for his blessing and wisdom to direct. And should your mind be led out to call for the elders of the church as James directs, [chap. v.] then in the name of the Lord do it.

Here I wish to make a few remarks from the fifth chapter of James. In verses 7 and 8 he speaks of the coming of the Lord. In verse 9 he says the Judge standeth at the door. So we see that the point of chronology is applicable to the last days, and is for the remnant that call upon the name of the Lord. Verse 13. Is any among you afflicted, (troubled and some sick,) let him pray. Verse 14. Is any sick among you, let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Verse 15. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Those called are to search their hearts, and confess their faults one to another, and pray one for another, that they may be healed. When we confess and pray thus, we become righteous. Then the effectual and fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Brethren, it is a great and holy work for us mortals to call upon the name of the great God for such blessings. With what reverence then we should call on his name.

In verses 17 and 18 we are to take Elias of like passions, for an example. How earnestly he prayed that it might not rain; and his prayer was answered. He prayed again (seven times) and the heavens gave rain.

If there should appear to be any failure and the sick be not healed, the fault will not be in the Lord; for he withholds no good thing from them that walk uprightly. We should remember that it is the prayer of faith that heals the sick, not merely a long or an elegant prayer.

We should try and ascertain the mind of the Lord in such cases, and not move in our own strength; for if we do we shall be disappointed.

If it should be the will of the Lord that some should be laid in the grave to save them, we should be resigned to his holy will, adopting the language of Rev. xiv, 13: "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." This is a glorious promise for those that may fall asleep under the Message of the Third Angel.

Dear brethren, let us not cast away our confidence in the Lord. 1 John v, 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will he heareth us.

Much more might be written on this important subject, but I forbear at present, hoping and praying that these broken remarks will stir up the dear saints to take hold of this subject from the heart, and practice it in their lives; and also write upon it as the Lord shall direct. Your unworthy brother did not feel competent to write on so great a subject; but his spirit felt stirred in him, when he saw so many believers using deadly things. D. Hewitt. Battle Creek, Mich., Sept. 28th, 1856.