The various classes who are to do medical missionary work are set forth in the "Testimonies." Physicians and nurses are prominently mentioned, of course, but they are not the only ones responsible by far.
"Thus should our physicians labor. They are doing the Lord's work when they labor as evangelists, giving instruction as to how the soul may be healed by the Lord Jesus. Every physician should know how to pray in faith for the sick, as well as to administer the proper treatment. At the same time he should labor as one of God's ministers, to teach repentance and conversion, and the salvation of soul and body. Such a combination of labor will broaden his experience, and greatly enlarge his influence. . . .
"lt is the Lord's plan that physicians well versed in Bible truth shall unite with ministers laboring in the cities, and aid in giving as a whole the harmonious message of warning that should be given to the world. Some of the very best qualified men in our institutions should be chosen for this work. . . .
"The presenting of Bible principles by an intelligent physician will have great weight with many people. There is efficiency and power with one who can combine in his influence the work of a physician and of a gospel minister. His work commends itself to the good judgment of the people.
"I am concerned because so many things engage the minds of our physicians which keep them from the work that God would have them do as evangelists."—"Counsels on Health." pp. 544--546.
"The nurses who are trained in our institutions are to be fitted up to go out as medical missionary evangelists, uniting the ministry of the word with that of physical healing."—Id., p. 396.
Presidents of Conferences
"We now ask those who shall be chosen as presidents of our conferences to make a right beginning in places where nothing has been done. Recognize the medical missionary work as God's helping hand. As His appointed agency it is to have room and encouragement. Medical missionaries are to have as much encouragement as any accredited evangelist." —"Medical Ministry," p. 240.
The Ministers of the Gospel of Christ
"The Lord wants every one of His ministers to come into line. Take hold, of the medical missionary work, and it will give you access to the people. Their hearts will he touched as you minister to their necessities. As you relieve their sufferings, you will find opportunity to speak to them of the love of Jesus."—"Counsels on Health," p. 533.
"Ministers, do not confine your work to giving Bible instruction. Do practical work. Seek to restore the sick to health. This is true ministry. Remember that the restoration of the body prepares the way for the restoration of the soul."--"Medical Ministry." p. 240.
"Some utterly fail to realize the importance of missionaries' being also medical missionaries. A gospel minister will be twice as successful in his work if he understands how to treat disease."—Id., p. 245.
"Let our ministers, who have gained an experience in preaching the word, learn how to give simple treatments, and then labor intelligently as medical missionary evangelists."—"Counsels on Health," p. 397.
"Those men, who after many years' experience, have yet no appreciation of the medical missionary work, should not be appointed to preside over our churches. They are not walking in the light of present truth for this time. Those who love the truth and appreciate the question of temperance in all its bearings should not be placed in the charge of a minister who has not heeded the light God has given upon health reform. What help can a man be to a church if he is not walking in the light ?"— "Medical Ministry," p. 238.
"Those who labor in our conferences as ministers should become acquainted with the work of ministering to the sick. No minister should be proud that he is ignorant where he should be wise. Medical missionary work connects man with his fellow men and with God."—Id., p. 250.
"Our ministers should become intelligent upon this question. They should not ignore it, nor be turned aside by those who call them extremists,"—"Counsels on Health," p. 449.
"This work is to embrace all that was embraced in Christ's ministry. Then why do not all our ministers heartily cooperate with those who are carrying forward medical missionary work? Why do they not carefully study the life of Christ, that they may know how He labored, and then follow His example? Is it for you, the appointed ministers of Christ, who have His example before you, to stand off and criticize the very work that He came among men to do? The work now being done in medical missionary lines ought to have been done years ago, and would have been done if God's people had been soundly converted to the truth, if they had studied the word with humble hearts, if they had reverenced the God of the universe and studied His will• instead of pleasing themselves. Had our people done this work, many persons of ability and influence would have been converted, and joined us in giving the message of Christ's soon corning."—"Testimonies," Vol. VI, p. 301.
"Those who are preparing for the ministry should make a diligent study of the human organism, that they may know how to care for the body, not by means of drugs, but from nature's own laboratory." —"Testimonies," Vol. VI, p. 302.
"Ministers and Bible workers should prepare themselves for this line of work ; for in doing it, they are following the example of Christ. They should be as well prepared by education and practice to combat disease of the body as they are to heal the sin-sick soul by pointing to the Great Physician."—"Medical Ministry," p. 253.
Medical Missionaries
"Doors that have been closed to him who merely preaches the gospel, will be opened to the intelligent medical missionary. God reaches hearts through the relief of physical suffering."—Id., p. 246.
"Those who are doing medical missionary -work should have the full sanction and cooperation of the •church. If they do not have this, they are hindered. Nevertheless, they will advance. . . . If the medical missionary workers will carry this line of effort into the churches everywhere, if they will work in the fear of God, they will find many doors opened before them, and angels will work with them."—"Testimonies," Vol. VIII, p. 72.
"Both men and women can be so much more useful as medical missionaries than as missionaries without the medical education. I am more and more impressed with the fact that a more decided testimony must be borne upon this subject, that more direct efforts must be made to interest the proper persons, setting before them the advantages that every missionary will have in understanding' how to treat those who are diseased in body, as well as to minister to sin-sick souls."—"Counsels on Health," p. 503,
Gospel Workers and Canvassers
"All gospel workers should know how to give the simple treatments that do so much to relieve pain and remove disease."—"Ministry of Healing," p. 146.
"Canvassers should, be able to give instruction in regard to the treatment of the sick. They should learn the simple methods of hygienic treatment. Thus they may work as medical missionaries ministering to the souls and the bodies of the suffering. This work should now be going forward in all parts of the world. Thus multitudes might be blessed." —"Testimonies," Vol. VI, p. 324.
Children and Youth
"Children can take part in the medical missionary work, and by their jots and tittles can help to carry it forward. Their investments may be small, but every little helps, and by their efforts many souls will be won to the truth.'—"Counsels to Teachers," pp. 176, 177
"Cannot our conference presidents open the way for the students in our schools to engage in this line of labor ?"—"Counsels on Health," p. 541.
Every Church Member
"We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work."—"Testimonies," Vol. VII, p. 62.
"Our publications are numerous, but the Lord calls for the men and women in our churches who have the light to engage in genuine missionary work. Let them in all humility exercise their God-given talents in proclaiming the message that should come to the world at this •time."—"Medical Ministry," p. 242.
"Ministers should be educators who understand and appreciate the needs of humanity. They should encourage the church members to obtain a practical knowledge of all lines of missionary work, that they may be a blessing to all classes of people."—"Testimonies," Vol. VI, p. 302.
"May the Lord increase our faith, and help us to see that He desires us all to become acquainted with His ministry of healing and with the mercy seat." —Id., Vol. IX, p. 167.
—To be concluded in October
