p. 16 | En Route to Burma by Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Hamilton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 22, 1912

En Route to Burma

By Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Hamilton

FOLLOWING what we believe to be the leading of the Lord, and in harmony with the action of the General Conference Committee at Loma Linda, Cal., we decided to leave the scene of our labors for the past few years, and devote our lives to carrying this glorious message to the Karens of Burma. So we said good-by to our many friends and loved ones in California, and came to Washington, D. C.

Knowing that the Seminary was closed for the summer, we did not at first see much light in the request of the brethren that we come here instead of sailing direct to Burma from San Francisco, as we had hoped to do. However, the

good Lord brought us safely on our way; and during the journey we had several opportunities to speak for Jesus, and to give out some of our truth-filled magazines and tracts.

July 28 we entered upon our duties at the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary. One day was sufficient to convince us of the wisdom of the committee in planning to have us come here first. We are very thankful that we came, even though our stay will be short. It is a real inspiration to us to become acquainted with the officers of the Mission Board. We see also the hand of God in the removal of the headquarters of our work to Washington. There is probably not another city in America where the educational advantages are as good from the standpoint of our work as they are here. To illustrate: We are studying tropical diseases, and we go to the National Medical Museum to study the specimens there. This museum has the finest collection of its kind in America. The wax productions of various parts of the human anatomy showing the diseased conditions, are marvels of workmanship. The Seminary itself has an excellent library, and in the city the student has access to the famous Congressional Library.

The fact that it is vacation time has not hindered our work. On the contrary, we get more individual attention than if school were in session. Able instruction may be received here the year round from men who have done successful work in the mission field.

A brief word about the new dispensary and city mission in the slums of Washington, will doubtless be of interest to all our people. Our workers from the mission fields tell us that the conditions met in and around the dispensary are very similar to what we shall meet in the mission field. The institution has been opened only a short time, but when the hour comes for the clinic, from twenty to thirty persons, mostly colored, are waiting. They are taken in turn, examined, treated, admonished, and encouraged. It is a blessed work, and we believe that the smile of Jesus rests upon it. They come by scores (hundreds have already been treated), sick, diseased, wretched, and miserable. Not a harsh word is spoken to any. They get nothing but love and sympathy. The doctors and nurses alike, treat them all with the same kindness and consideration that would be extended if they were paying liberally for treatment. Already a profound impression for good is being made upon these people. They are seeing a new light; some will surely respond to it, and finally unite with us in the song of the redeemed around the throne of God. We are in love with this work, and always feel a pang of regret when the last patient passes out for the day. Some are being treated that have been turned away from other medical institutions in Washington to which they applied for admission. How we wish we could take these poor, wretched people, and bear them in our arms to Jesus, and hear him say to them, "Thy sins be forgiven thee;" "Be thou whole;" "Go and sin no more."

Our impressions of the Seminary and the plan of the General Conference in its operation are very favorable. The spirit of missions seems to be in the air. There is manifested an unselfish interest on the part of the ministers, teachers, doctors, and nurses to give us every opportunity to learn. The school is admirably adapted to do the work for which it was established. It specializes in Bible study, missions, medical missionary training, and practical training for ministers, Bible workers, and colporteurs. It is especially adapted to the needs of mature persons who want a thorough course in the fundamentals of the message, whether they are going to foreign fields or not. It would greatly advance our evangelistic work at home, we believe, if many young ministers and Bible workers would spend some time here. Persons of some experience in Christian work who have recently accepted the truth, find here just what they need to acquaint them with the great principles of the advent message and with our denominational organization and work. We had the pleasure of meeting Elder and Mrs. M. D. Wood, who recently embraced our faith, and have been studying here the past year. Brother and Sister Wood were for many years missionaries in India, and are about to return there to carry the additional light they have received.

We are made glad to see what we have seen, and our hearts are made tender as we look over the past and think of the Christian love and kindness extended to us by our beloved fellow laborers and people in California, and then come and find the same sweet spirit at work in the hearts of God's people here in Washington. We love this cause and people. We are determined by his grace to join in the anthems of the redeemed in that day when Christ shall be to each one of us, forever, our exceeding great reward.

MR. AND MRS. G. A. HAMILTON.