The importance of these words from inspiration should come to us with renewed significance as we face the extent of our task of world-wide evangelism: "'Educate, educate, educate,' is the message that has been impressed upon me."—Counsels on Health, p. 449. The following appealing words appeared in a recent number of Harper's Magazine, and, indeed, constitute a mighty challenge to the church; "The hills and valleys of America are filled with people waiting and longing for religion."
In harmony with the instruction given the church in the Spirit of prophecy, the Northern California Conference, under the leadership of the health education secretary of the conference, Miss Eva Beeler, R.N., and her associates, is carrying on a well-organized plan of health education among the churches. The officers and other departmental secretaries of the conference and the local pastors are co-operating in the program.
"We have come to a time when every member of the .church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Everywhere people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truths that have been committed to us. The members of the church are in need of an awakening, that they may realize their responsibility to impart these truths. Those who have been enlightened by the truth are to be light bearers to the world. To hide our light at this time is to make a terrible mistake. The message to God's people today is, 'Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee?"—Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 62.
As one means of making a concrete application of this counsel, instructors' classes in nutrition and cookery, health preservation, and home nursing are being conducted in the different districts into which the conference has been organized.
A class in nutrition and cookery was conducted in the Health Education Center rooms of the Sacramento church. The co-operation of the pastors of the churches in the district added much to the success of the work. A class numbering nineteen students was made up of members, one or more of which were selected from each church in the district. As far as possible, those selected for the class had some ability to impart the instruction received, as they were to go back home and teach similar classes in their home churches and communities.
"But in every place where there is a church, instruction should be given in regard to the preparation of simple, healthful foods for the use of those who wish to live in accordance with the principles of health reform. And the church members should impart to the people of their neighborhood the light they receive on this subject."—Medical Ministry, p. 265. (See also page 268.)
The major part of the instruction was given by Mrs. H. W. Vollmer. The classwork was made very practical, in harmony with the counsel from the Spirit of prophecy.
"Wherever the truth is proclaimed, instruction should be given in the preparation of healthful foods. God desires that in every place the people shall be taught to use wisely the products that can be easily obtained. Skillful teachers should show the people how to utilize to the very best advantage the products that they can raise or secure in their section of the country. Thus the poor, as well as those in better circumstances, can learn to live healthfully."—Counsels on Health, p. 475.
The instruction consisted of twelve lessons, and was carried on for the greater part of one .week. It meant diligent application to study on the part of all. The students were well pleased with the sound, practical instruction which they received, and their zeal and interest were an encouragement to the leaders.
A similar class in nutrition and cookery, numbering twenty-six, was more recently conducted for the churches in the Oakland district, with the same satisfactory results. Here also the support given by the local pastors was much appreciated.
Another feature of this health educational program is that of refresher courses for graduate nurses who are to teach health preservation and home nursing classes. These classes afford graduate nurses opportunity for a brief review, in a concrete way, of the principles of physiology and hygiene, hydrotherapy, dietetics, and methods of teaching. The first of these classes was recently held in Oakland. Twenty-three graduate nurses were in attendance. Dr. Mary McReynolds, of the faculty of Pacific Union College, gave an inspirational address on the opening evening, stressing the need for practical service on the part of all.
The major part of the instruction was carried by Miss M. Winifred McCormack, R.N., associate - secretary for health education of the General Conference Medical Department, and Miss Eva Beeler, R.N., and her associates. Special lectures were given by physicians and nurses from the union conference, St. Helena Sanitarium, and by others in private practice. These contributions were most helpful and greatly appreciated.
Already several nurses who were enrolled in these instructors' classes are conducting classes in their home churches and communities. The same is true of members of the classes in nutrition and cookery. Others are planning to do likewise.
Of necessity these classes for instructors in both fields of service must be carried on in an intensive way, and much must be crowded into the allotted time of one week. But much can be accomplished if the students are interested in their work, and if the teachers make their instruction practical and concrete. That this goal was attained was attested by students, teachers, and observers. The spiritual phase of the instruction was stressed, not alone in the morning devotional hour, but also during the regular class periods.
The two classes in Oakland were conducted in the convenient classrooms of the Fruitvale Mission Inn. These facilities were made available to the conference through the courtesy of Dr. Edward Mooy, of Oakland. Dr. Mooy and his associate workers are developing a commendable medical missionary and health education work in this section of the city. They are working in close counsel and co-operation with the Northern California Conference officers.
We have a great work yet to accomplish in all our large cities, and under God's guidance we must multiply our resources, facilities, and workers. Our church members must be trained to carry their part in the finishing of God's work in all the world.
"Every church should be a training school for Christian workers. Its members should be taught how to give Bible readings, how to conduct and teach Sabbath school classes, how best to help the poor and to care for the sick, how to work for the unconverted. There should be schools of health, cooking schools, and classes in various lines of Christian help work. There should not only be teaching, but actual work under experienced instructors. Let the teachers lead the way in working among the people, and others, uniting with them, will learn from their example. One example is worth more than many precepts."—Ministry of Healing, P. 149.
A similar work of health education is being fostered in other parts of the Pacific Union Conference. Under the direction of the health education secretary of the Central California Conference, and Mrs. H. W. Vollmer as instructor, a class in nutrition and cookery has just been concluded in the city of Fresno, California. This class, numbering about sixty members, was held in the new home economics and cafeteria building of the Fresno Academy. And while this report is being prepared, a similar class is in progress in the city of Glendale for the Southern California Conference, where Mrs. Helen Austin, R.N., health education secretary of the conference, is directing the work. Requests are coming in from other conferences of the union for the same kind of health educational work.
