In "Acts of the Apostles," page 264, we are told : "There are families who will never be reached by the truths of God's word unless the stewards of His grace enter their homes and point them to the higher way." Thus the Bible work, which calls for the fireside contact, is spoken of as a "Heaven-born idea." Blessed is the one whom God calls to this delicate, but most sacred, work—ministering to the one-soul audience in the seclusion of his own home.
Our example in this particular line of work is the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. While He commanded the attention of the multitudes, and unfolded to them His life-giving messages, yet it was by the side of the lone soul that His most marvelous revelations of divine truths were made known, and the most wonderful transformations were accomplished. Again we have the record of the most illustrious of all the apostles, who taught publicly and from house to house. With such examples before us, we should approach the work with both confidence and humility, realizing that it is a part of the gospel ministry.
I am often reminded of the interdependence between the minister and the Bible worker in bringing a public campaign to a successful conclusion. It may be likened to the relationship existing in the medical field between the doctor and the nurse. The close co-operation between the doctor and the nurse in the home of the patient furnishes us with valuable lessons of perfect co-ordination.
Among the needs of suffering humanity there is, perhaps, none more urgent than the demand for good nurses. And what need is more imperative than the need for Bible workers who are able to minister to the sin-sick souls we find on every hand?
What would the physician accomplish without the well-trained nurse ? She carries out the orders placed on the chart, and at regular intervals reports on the patient's progress. Her accurate observations enable her to detect every symptom, and when she finds these indicating a crisis, she immediately notifies the doctor and administers the medications ordered for the patient. Many a life has been spared because of the co-ordinated efforts of the physician and the nurse.
If this is necessary in restoring physical health and life, how much more essential is it in the religious realm. The various spiritual maladies the Bible worker must cope with call for the highest qualifications, so that she may be able to administer the proper Bible remedy to each particular case. She, as the spiritual nurse, must cultivate a sense of keen and correct observation. When called to enter the home of the sin sick, she must never appear to be inattentive to the needs of her reader. Devotion to her work must include the art of carefully noting every remark and every action.
To do successful work, the Bible worker must enter the home with singleness of purpose, with insight, and a clear conception of her own responsibility before God and her reader. Under all types of adverse circumstances she must remain calm and self-possessed. Diffidence, nervousness, irritation, dictatorial methods, or lack of courtesy should never be displayed. When under fire from an opponent, or when meeting opposition, the Bible worker must recognize the opportunity to prove that a Christian is poised and well balanced. The voice of the opposing one may be raised to a high pitch, but hers must be controlled. She shows her good breeding, and attests to the character of the One whom she represents.
Physical or Spiritual Sickness
The comfort of the sick depends largely upon the efficiency of the nurse. A damp sheet, a poorly prepared meal, a careless jar at a critical period, too often retard improvement. Likewise the recovery of a lost soul depends upon the Bible worker. The reader may have confidence in the helpful instruction and influence of a truehearted teacher, but a bit of impatience, or even severity, displayed by the worker at a critical moment may do harm. A reproving tone or look, or neglect of a real or fancied want, may depress the reader and crush the desire for further study.
The exalted and holy character of the work should lead to a life of prayer. One needs the divine touch and an unction from on high to instruct others properly. To be successful in the home, the worker must have an intimate knowledge of human nature, and a study of the human mind. "We all need to study character and manner that we may know how to deal judiciously with different minds, that we may use our best endeavors to help them to a correct understanding of the word of God, and to a true Christian life."—"Testimonies," Vol. IV, p. 69.
Even as the nurse is to be intelligent regarding the various diseases as well as the remedies to be applied, so also should the spiritual nurse be intimately acquainted with the remedies in God's word. The diseases of sin demand her attention, and she must know how and when to apply the remedy. She must also understand the character, disposition, temperament, and peculiarities of the individual in her care. Some souls require the most tender handling. With them, one rash, impulsive word might wound beyond recovery. Our constant prayer should be for a few more drops of the "milk of human kindness."
For an index to the physical condition of her patient, the nurse, to a great degree, depends on the temperature, pulse, and respiration. If these are abnormal, she resorts to means at her disposal to correct them. In the spiritual life there are indications by which the watchful Bible worker may detect the patient's progress. If the temperature is normal, there will be a degree of balanced religious zeal for the things of God. If this is lacking, the worker should resort to a special season of prayer for its restoration. A choice Bible study and an earnest appeal should bring up the subnormal temperature. It is a common occurrence to find a lapse of divine love. This may be because of some experience that brought alienation of interest, but which prayer and tact may restore.
The pulse or heartbeat is another physical indicator. By close observation and prudent questioning, one may easily detect whether the heart is properly pulsating in harmony with every principle of truth presented. By God's help the competent instructor will get her pupil to follow step by step in the light of revealed truth. One should not allow weeks to pass before getting decisions. When a Bible study is of a character to call for a reformation, then the Bible worker should duly urge prompt acceptance, and adjustment to meet the demands of revealed truth.
Prayer, "the Breath of the Soul"
Respiration is very essential to both the physical and the spiritual life. Respiration is the process of inhaling air into the lungs and of exhaling it. This gives life to the body. As the faithful nurse closely watches her patient's breathing, so should the Bible worker watch with intense vigilance for any manifestation that denotes abnormal respiration on the part of her reader. Prayer, "the breath of the soul," is necessary for the preservation of spiritual life. The Bible worker can do much in helping her readers to erect the family altar, and in encouraging personal communion with God. She can teach from God's word that every experience in life is a call to prayer.
The Spirit of prophecy teaches that the Bible should never be studied without prayer. When decisions are to be made, the chamber of prayer should be sought. If possible, help the wavering one to express himself openly to God by praying for divine power to enable him to surrender. More is accomplished by this course than by argumentation.
Administering of food is another duty of a nurse. The preparation and serving of a meal to the sick is of vital importance. The meal may be so prepared and served that it will be relished by the most delicate appetite. The Bible teacher in her work frequently deals with moody, temperamental dispositions. She must prepare and serve the most tempting of meals from the word of God. The truth is attractive, and its beauty should not be marred by the way it is presented.
The nurse carries with her such articles as are necessary to her work in a home. Without these she would find herself at a great disadvantage. So that her work may be of a representative character, the efficient Bible worker will have, as an integral part of her equipment, a Bible, charts and diagrams, choice quotations on various subjects, and literature on the topic presented.
There are two conditions under which a nurse is justified in withdrawing from a case. One is upon the recovery of her patient, and the other—a more tragic experience—is the death of the sick one. The Bible worker should never feel herself honorably discharged from her case unless she finds that spiritual death has occurred, and that she has exhausted every resource at her command and the command of the evangelist, in reviving the expiring one, or until she presents a candidate to the church for baptism.
