God gave us our sanitariums. They are among the chief agencies employed by Him in His work upon the earth. Their importance and value are to increase until the work is finished. Therefore it would seem that they should not be handicapped by a lack of interest or by a shortage of consecrated workers. The sacred nature of sanitarium work is set forth by inspiration:
"The living truth of God is to be made known in our medical institutions. . . . With many, physical healing is accompanied by the healing of the soul. From the Saviour they receive the forgiveness of their sins. They receive the grace of Christ, and identify themselves with Him, with His interests, His honor. Many go away from our sanitariums with new hearts. The change is decided. . . . Thus through the prospering hand of our God upon them, our sanitariums have been the means of accomplishing great good. And they are to rise still higher. God will work with the people who will honor Him."--Counsels on Health, pp. 208, 209.
We are told that these institutions are "missionary institutions," "memorials for God," and "a most efficient means for the promoting of the gospel."
Marked financial prosperity has attended our sanitariums the past few years, but Satan hates them and will use present world conditions to hinder their usefulness, if possible, by attracting the workers away from their posts of service. The success he has in this matter will depend upon the degree of steadfastness of those whom he will attempt to lure away.
If these sanitariums are esteemed sacred, and if they. are manned and staffed by those who are content to forgo the allurements of the present temporary financial inflation, they will continue to fill their high and holy calling. If they are deserted by those who could and should forgo greater gains, and are unable completely to fulfill their high calling, the cause of God will suffer the loss of souls that could have been served and saved.
Present economic conditions, with the mounting cost of sustaining a family, have caused some faithful workers to seek more remunerative employment. This has been a source of concern to them and a definite loss to the institutions. Many others have elected to remain by their posts of service, forgoing the increased gains they could have realized aside from the work of God. Their faithfulness is surely marked by the heavenly watchers who record the faithfulness of men. There should be enough faithful workers to do the work properly without injuring the health of the workers. We have the following word on this matter:
"There should be no lack of helpers to nurse the sick, and to watch with the feeble ones who need watchers. The physicians should reserve their strength for the successful performance of their professional duties...
If there is a want of those whom they can trust to do these things, suitable persons should be employed and properly instructed, and suitably remunerated for their services."—Testimonies, Vol. III, pp. 177, 178.
At the present time a greatly increased patronage demands larger staffs of consecrated physicians and nurses, and an increased number of other general workers in all lines, but instead there is a serious shortage of physicians, nurses, and helpers.
The governments of earth are now enlisting man and woman power for full-time or part-time service, and many are volunteering at great personal sacrifice of income. Our institutions likewise must enlist added man and woman power for full or part time service. The need is unprecedented, and just now is the time for our people to come to the help of the Lord in our institutions. Doctors, nurses, and other workers are needed. We suggest that any who will be happy to forgo the world's inducements and promises of large gains, in order to serve in the cause of God at a reasonable remuneration, correspond with or call in person at one of our institutions and offer his services.
