There no doubt but that the knowledge of health principles which Seventh-day Adventists hold enhances to a marked degree the Bible doctrines which we propagate. In Medical Ministry, page 320, the instruction from God's messenger is that we are to "combine medical missionary work with the proclamation of the third angel's message."
The Bible instructor who practices and teaches healthful living, has a great advantage over the one who does not. This is true for several reasons, the chief of them being that she will herself enjoy better health. Another benefit is the added respect which she will merit from her readers, for the majority of those whom she contacts are selfishly interested in their physical well-being. Their interest in a future life is secondary in importance. Thus the teaching of health in its various phases becomes the entering wedge for teaching those truths which we hold to be of first value.
The knowledge of health doctrines is a sound base upon which a satisfying Christian experience can be erected, for is not the body the "temple of God"? It is through the physical channel that man perceives spiritual truth, so it follows that the healthier the channel, the better prepared is one to receive that truth. A good Christian principle is more effectively taught if it is first exemplified in a sound body.
How may the Bible instructor's knowledge of physiology, simple preventives, remedial treatments, fundamentals of nutrition and cookery, be an asset to her in teaching the doctrines of the advent message, the second coming of Christ, the state of the dead, or the Sabbath?
Just watch the interest awaken and grow as the instructor prefaces her study before an apparently apathetic group in a cottage, with a simple, tactfully presented study on a health topic. Her audience not only becomes friendly but also quite cooperative as she attempts to bring to them the points of our doctrine. Especially when she sends up a special petition in prayer for anyone in the home who is ill, calling the name if possible, seeds of faith are sown, which God jealously watches and cherishes.
The Bible instructor is wise who is alert to discover an illustration from the fertile fields of physiology to apply the spiritual truths she is trying to instill. Such association formed between the physical and the spiritual would result in bringing the spiritual to mind whenever the physical is remembered. See how often in His lessons with ancient Israel, God uses these illustrations to impress some obscure lesson.
A Bible instructor whose acquaintance with the interdependent action of the mind and body can with God's help "condition" her readers for the perception and the acceptance of God's will by inviting them to practice the principles of healthful living for a while, to see for themselves how much better they feel, and how much easier it is to understand the Bible, when they study the Bible in the fresh air or after a moderate meal of wholesome food or after abstaining from tobacco for several days.
It is a challenge to readers and a thrill to the instructor to watch the transformation after they have practiced these principles for only a short time. The testimonials of victory over wrong habits and ignorance truly furnish inspiration to the worker.
Whenever possible the Bible instructor may invite one of her readers or a family to dinner and serve a tasty, well-balanced, well-prepared meal.
The results are always worth the effort and expense. They can only be measured in eternity.
This is one form of good news which does travel, and fast, too. As a result of such a meal a cooking school may be organized.
Whenever a crisis occurs in a home, when first aid is essential, the Bible instructor who can fit in right then and there may not only save a life but, by her calmness and efficiency, her trust in God and faith in prayer, be placed in a singularly favorable light. She must not attempt to take the place of the doctor or the trained nurse after they come, but who is to say that she is not to serve to the best of her ability until they are accessible? In these wartimes, when medical helpers are so scarce, and in rural or remote areas, she can enlist the aid of holy angels in ministry to the afflicted in times of emergency.
A rousing interest in the study of health principles can be developed by the instructor in our churches and sometimes be more effective than the same efforts put forth by the minister. "The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the truth." —Review and Herald, Jan. 2, 1879.
Of first importance is example. The Bible instructor must be an example in healthful dress, healthful diet, and the observance of health habits. Practice should precede preaching, it is true, but in the field of health evangelism there must be the preaching too. God has signally blessed, and will continue to bless, the army of His evangels of mercy, who, like His own dear Son, "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed."
