Attracting Patients to Christ

Our evangelistic work is carried on at great effort and expense in public meet­ing places to attract people to come to ,hear the truth. Our sanitariums have a decided advantage in that a large group of people are assembled in one place, in a favorable contact with our message. Here is an audience divinely 'brought together. Here two of our most testing truths, the Sabbath and health reform, are lived out before the patients. It was for this very reason that our sanitariums were established.

"To preach the gospel means much more than many realize. It is a broad, far-reaching work. Our sani­tariums have been presented to tme as most efficient mediums for the promotion of the gospel message."— Evangelism, p. 526.

Woven through the many statements related to medical work in the Spirit of prophecy are countless expressions that the spiritual help, the saving of souls, is God's main purpose for the existence of medical work. Among the influ­ences that attract our patients to Christ are the 'atmosphere (as reflected by the institution and by the workers), prayer, literature, and the religious services. First, let us consider the atmosphere.

Atmosphere of the Sanitarium.—We find among our patients.the rich and the poor, the very devout and the skeptical, the open-minded and the bigoted. Many have no faith in God, and have lost their faith and confidence in man. But they all appreciate acts of sympathy and help­fulness. Their hearts are touched as they ob­serve the words and acts of the sanitarium staff and see evidence of unselfish interest on the part of the doctors, the nurses, and other work­ers. Every worker contributes his part in creat­ing a Christian atmosphere.

"The institution is to be pervaded by a spiritual atmosphere. We have a warning message to bear to the world, and our earnestness, our devotion to God's service, is to impress those who come to our sani­tariums."—Counsels on Health, p. 273. (Italics mine.)

"The religious influence that pervades these insti­tutions inspires the guests with confidence. The assur­ance that the Lord presides there, and the many prayers offered for the sick, make an impression upon their hearts. Many who have never before thought of the value of the soul are convicted by the Spirit of God, and not a few are led to change their whole course of                       p. 208.

It is interesting to see how truly prejudice is broken down by the silent influence of Chris­tian living exerted by everyone from the call boy to the medical director.

Recently there came to the sanitarium a woman who said, "I was reared by an atheist father, and a mother who had no particular convictions. Personally, I am religiously in­clined, but I have never affiliated with any church, because I have disapproved of the de­nominational divisions. Now I feel that I want to join a church, and I want to know more about your church and its beliefs. You seem to have an inner something, a peace and happiness that radiates in your lives."

Another patient remarked, "The way you live your religion puts my church to shame. I have never realized what Seventh-day Advent­ists were like, nor what they believed. I'm sorry to say that when they have come to my house in the interest of missions I have given them a donation, but have not even accepted their book­let. I shall certainly give them a better recep­tion next time."

This woman and her daughter were given Bible studies. Several weeks after they left, a friend of theirs who came to the sanitarium said, "I wondered how they learned so much from the Bible while they were here." Another day she said, "I've just had a letter from my friends, and they want you to write them immediately and tell them from the Bible why you keep Saturday."

Just a few days ago the sanitarium super­visor, in calling on a patient, was surprised by the question, "Just what is there in the faces of you people that is different? I've noticed that everyone I've met since coming here has that same look and attitude. Is there something in your religion?"

"The pleasant disposition, the beautiful character, the Lord will use to bring blessing to the sick."­Ibid., _P. 173.

"As they exemplify truth in their daily walk and conversation, they will exert a holy influence, and the grace of Christ will co-operate with human effort."­Ibid., p. 195.

The Power of Prayer

Daily association and ministering in things big and small to the patients, bring an intimate, personal contact. And of all the influences that draw these souls to Christ and bring a peace and trust, none is greater than prayer. Prayer will usually open up a conversation that will reveal the perplexity, the need, and the longing for hope and understanding. It inspires confidence and trust to know that there is One who is in­terested in our welfare, who watches over us, and who is directing our steps even in afflictions and trials. It inspires a confidence to know that every doctor, every nurse, and every worker depends on the heavenly Father and wishes the patients to share in His blessings and loving care.

Many are reticent about praying or speaking of spiritual things with others. Perhaps this is because we think of our relationship to God as such a personal one. Then, too, convention has placed a taboo on religion socially, because it is often a controversial matter. Nevertheless, rarely, if ever, does a patient refuse prayer. Most of them look forward to the student nurses' evening prayer for God's watchcare through the night. They tell how impressed they are that a busy physician will take time in their presence to request the Lord for guidance and skill in his work.

In the student nurses' manual for Bible I, Chaplain Moran of Loma Linda mentions the many occasions when it is fitting to have prayer with patients—at bedtime, at mealtime, before surgery (and after), whenever a patient asks for prayer, when the conversation seems to lead up to it, when a heart is touched, when the patient is in great pain, when the patient is dis­couraged or worried, in times of bereavement or grief, when a relative is deeply concerned over a loved one who is ill, when patients are discharged, to commit them to God for His continued blessing.

Frequently there are instances when a patient is troubled because he does not know what the outcome of his illness will be. Then there are instances when all medical resources or knowl­edge produce no change for the better. Here is a real opportunity to accept Christ's invitation to bring all our cares to Him. And "We know that God hears us if we ask according to His will."—Ministry of Healing, p. 230. God's power is evident today, and He gives us en­couragement in showing His power as we present our patients to Him.

A patient came to the sanitarium with a severe injury to her eye. The physician exam­ined it several days in succession, and, in spite of treatment, told her he would have to remove it surgically. She requested the chaplain to come to pray for her. He offered a simple prayer, that if it were God's will the doctor would not have to operate, a,nd that he would see a change for the better on his next visit. When the doctor again examined it, he remarked, "There has been a very marked change in the condition of your eye, and I don't think I will need to operate." .

One of our own people recently requested anointing prior to surgery. The following day, as her surgeon examined her, he remarked that the tumor was not evident, but that on the basis of former diagnosis he would operate. Later, on counsel of the chaplain, this patient told her physician that she had been anointed. After some minor treatments she was able to leave the sanitarium without having an operation.

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh ; is there anything too hard for Me?" Jer. 32:27. In harmony with His promise, God "sent His word, and healed them." Ps. 107:20. We have the assurance that every sincere prayer is heard in heaven, and that in His providence God grants only those things that are best. Prayer is one of the closest links in our living connec­tion with Heaven, and, without doubt, is one of the strongest evidences that makes ours a living religion.

"We are to offer special prayers for the sick, both when with them and when away from them."—Medi­cal Ministry, p. 190.

Literature in Propagation of Gospel

Concerning the use of literature in our sani­tariums, we read: "Publications containing the precious truths of the gospel should be in the rooms of the patients, or where they can have easy access to them. There should be a library in every sanitarium, and it should be supplied with books containing the light of the gospel." —Evangelism, p. 538.

In each section of the Washington Sani­tarium and Hospital there are book racks filled with our Crisis books. These are available for the taking. We include spiritual books, as Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, Alone With God; doctrinal books on the home of the the saved, the state of the dead, the Sabbath, the judgment; and booklets on health, such as The Cigarette as the Physician Sees It, Better Meals for Less.

Then there are the various books that cover all our beliefs, such as Why I Am a Seventh-day Adventist, The Marked Bible, The Bible Made Plain, etc. The books Steps to Christ and Ministry of Healing are in each room. In addi­tion, the sanitarium_. subscribes to a liberal club of the Signs of the Times and Life and Health, which are distributed to each patient.

In the chaplain's office there is a lending li­brary, which contains the larger books, as well as the doctrinal tracts and the Pocket Com­panion series. These small books and pamphlets are especially appreciated, because they are small, light in weight, and brief. Thus they are especially of value for bed patients who tire quickly both physically and mentally.

Announcements regarding denominational radio programs and Bible correspondence courses are placed in several places in the in­stitution.

The Religious Services

In harmony with divine counsel, vesper services are held every evening. Patients enjoy the old gospel hymns and the simple, earnest talks. These, as suggested in Evangelism, should be spiritual and non-doctrinal. (Pages 53⁸, 539-)

Every Sabbath a Sabbath school class is held especially for the patients at the Washington Sanitarium and conducted by the medical director. Jewish patients often visit the class from week to week. For many months we have been studying the life of Christ, yet they attend regularly. The weekly church services and the the prayer meeting are open to all. The Spirit of prophecy also recommends this as a way by which patients may obtain a knowledge of Bible truths and of our work. (Evangelism, p. 539.) At our recent communion service six patients took part with us.

Vespers and Sabbath day services are broad­cast to all the rooms over the public address system for the benefit of the patients who are unable to attend. Headphones are provided in each room so that those who are interested may tune in.