Is Medical Missionary Work Declining? by L. A. Hopkins

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 11, 1914

Is Medical Missionary Work Declining?

By L. A. Hopkins

Our question seems almost inappropriate because of its possible inference. It is probably needless to say that nowhere in the much instruction given us concerning the establishment and conduct of our medical missionary work is there any suggestion that it will grow less important with the advancement of our cause. Instead of the demand for medical labor growing less, we are given to understand that sickness and suffering will be on the increase, and that there will be greater need for real medical missionary service. This may be borne in mind in considering merely the material or physical side of this part of our work.

Since our health work is a distinct gospel means, a true missionary force, an important factor in the spread of the message of salvation, it would be difficult to think that it would drop off as the place for all our truths becomes more pronounced. How can we imagine the body of truth growing to its fullest proportions with the right arm gone? Rather let us believe that what God has placed with us for a definite purpose will in due time accomplish its work, and will maintain its proper setting and relation to other parts of the message.

It may be that some features of our medical work will materially change before the message closes. This may also be the case with other departments of our denominational work. Whether we are yet seeing these changes, or even marked indications of them, is not in the purpose of this article to say.

We can know that wherein we have had misconceptions as to the place or character of our medical work, we need new views. In so far as we have allowed this work to develop away from its God-given design, we need to change our plan of working. Our views and our plans should be for advancement, however, and not toward failure. With increasing knowledge, experience, strength, and efficiency, we should see increased usefulness in all departments of the work, the medical as well as the others.

An unfavorable development in our work or an unfortunate experience is an indication of a weak point that needs strengthening. It calls for a study of the situation to determine what is the trouble and how to remedy it. It requires constructive effort, and not destructive. With the strengthening of weak places, there will be growth instead of decline.

Enlargement of our medical missionary work does not necessarily mean the increase of institutions. The successful operation of a number of sanitariums will indicate growth, but the dimensions of the work extend outside of these. An institution may serve as a center of influence and light, and can be a mighty force in carrying forward in a practical way our health work; but it is a mistaken idea that a sanitarium has to be

erected in order to do anything in this direction.

Again: because there are not immediate openings in our sanitariums for all our physicians is not a good reason for considering that medical missionary work is on the wane. The capacity for utilizing workers of any class in sanitariums is limited, as it is in other institutions. The consecrated worker may be called of God to work outside of an institution. The "field is the world," not a comparatively few buildings here or there in the world.

No; our health work is not closing. Its pace is one with the rest of the cause. If it has run ahead anywhere, we may expect a little tarrying; if it is lagging, then haste will be necessary; if it has gone out of the way, then we must seek the right path. If we have in any degree lost sight of the true mark, we must get a right vision.

When we say that the health work is to keep pace with other lines, that does not necessarily mean that it must hold equal ground in the number of workers or extent of facilities. No arbitrary standard can hold as to the comparative importance of the various phases of our work and the call they should make on persons to connect with them. If one part of the cause is for a time calling unusually strong for laborers, it does not mean that other lines of work are closing. One branch of the work may present a greater demand for workers than others, while another branch may for a time be in danger of overcrowding the ranks for want of well-defined fields of labor.

Just now considerable emphasis is being given to enlisting suitable young men in evangelical work, perhaps because they are inclined so much in other directions that urging becomes necessary. Our canvassing work is at the present time going forward most rapidly; and, as "nothing succeeds like success," its progress may seem to eclipse other lines of work. We should rejoice at the prosperity attending any branch of work, and that without thought of other lines being any less important than ever or in prospect of closing.

True medical missionary work has its field, and a wide one, too. Many encouraging reports come of its progress and its ever-widening usefulness in its relation to the closing gospel work. We can truly say that it is making advancement in full measure of its real gospel endeavor. L. A. H.