Since the publication of Dr. Henry Link's book The Return to Religion, other books have appeared which stress the relationship of the spiritual to the physical health. There is a summary of the chapter "Why the Minister Should Visit the Sick," from the book The Art of Ministering fo the Sick, in the American Protestant Hospital Association Bulletin of March, 1947. This association makes this statement about itself: "The work of the A.P.H.A. is to stress spiritual emphasis in the hospital, the work of the hospital chaplain, and national legislation in the interest of the hospital."
Many patients come to us whose hearts are heavy with trials and discouragements. They welcome a friendly call and the spiritual comfort which comes from prayer and encouraging words of Scripture. This interest often leads to further study of God's Word. Gradually questions arise concerning the Sabbath and diet, and as a result a rounded-out series of studies may be given. Some immediately ask about the Sabbath. If all questions are tactfully handled, an interest may be developed that will lead to organized Bible study.
Many are impressed by the spiritual atmosphere and the attractiveness of Christian living, and because of this ask about the beliefs of our denomination.
The book Evangelism gives this suggestion: "If they [sanitarium patients] ask questions in regard to our faith, it would be proper to state what we believe, in a clear, simple manner."—Page 542
Does God intend that we tell these people more about His complete message? "Many persons who come to them [sanitariums] are hungering and thirsting for truth, and when it is rightly presented they will receive it with gladness."—Counsels on Health, p. 208.
One day a new patient approached me, introduced herself, and said that another patient had told her that I studied the Bible with the sanitarium guests. She asked me to call on her. The following day when I visited her, she hardly knew where to begin or how to tell me . just what she wanted. Finally, putting it into words as best she could, she said, "I have been here several times, and each time I get a spiritual lift, but - now I would like some spiritual help that would be lasting. Can you do anything to help me?"
Here was an opening for more than a casual conversation. I grasped the opportunity to introduce a series of Bible studies that would reveal the source of our strength and hope.
Another patient was so weighed down with her troubles that her mind, was confused with the treadmill of her one-track thoughts. She gladly accepted the suggestion of having Bible studies. Her change of attitude and mental improvement were obvious in a few weeks. Other patients began to make inquiries, and there was an opening for Bible studies with three other patients. Among them was a young' Catholic woman who today owns the Conflict Series, Steps to Christ, Christ's Object Lessons, Ministry of Healing, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, and The Wine of Roman Babylon. She is a diligent student, who says she wouldn't take anything for the "wonderful inspiration of the books by Mrs. White."
Life takes on new meaning for these souls who are going through prolonged illness, and who naturally become discouraged and depressed. "There is nothing that will so refine and elevate the character, and give vigor to every faculty„ as the continual exercise of the mind to grasp and comprehend weighty and important truths."—Counsels on Health, p. 257.
One of these' interested Patients has already been baptized, and all of them are taking the Bible Correspondence course. One is finishing a series of personal Bible studies, and we hope she will take her stand very soon. In the role of the "right arm" the medical work is "to open doors through which the body may find entrance."— Medical Ministry, p. 238. What does the Spirit of prophecy have to say regarding the purpose of establishing sanitariums? Read the following pertinent statements.
"Why do we establish sanitariums?—That the sick who come to them for treatment may receive relief from physical suffering, and may also receive spiritual help."—Counsels on Health, p. 271.
"It is to save the souls, as well as to cure the bodies, of men and women, that at much expense our sanitariums are established."—/bid., p. 470.
"Our sanitariums are to be established for one object—the proclamation of the truth for this time," —.Ibid., P. 343-
"We are to do all in our power for the healing of the body ; but we are to make the healing of the soul of far greater importance."—Ibid., p. 272,
"The message must go to the whole world. Our sanitariums are to help to make up the number of God's people. We are not to establish a few mammoth institutions; for thus it would be impossible to give the patients the messages that will bring health to the soul. Small sanitariums are to be established in many places."—Evangelism, pp. 536, 537.
We also find good counsel on who is to do the work of presenting the truth, and how it is to be done. Experience has proved that it is best for men to work for men, and women for women.
There is a marked trend toward a "spiritual ministry" in the hospitals of the world today. Many of the hospitals have chaplains on their regular hospital staffs, or they have local clergymen who make routine visits to all the patients at their discretion. Sick people appreciate these visits. As I write, we have a patient at the Washington Sanitarium who had surgery at a downtown hospital. She told of having visits by a Catholic priest during her hospitalization, although she is a Protestant. When she told him she was coming to the sanitarium to convalesce, he told her that he would come to see her here. Her impression was, ."How very nice of him to do that, when I am not even one of his parishioners."
Another patient said that in a Baltimore hospital where she had been, four priests came every Wednesday afternoon and visited each patient. The one who visited her inquired about her family and other personal matters, and offered unsolicited counsel. When error can be so impressive with friendly interest and thoughtfulness, think how much more we have to offer.
"The spiritual work of our sanitariums . . requires thought and tact, and a broad knowledge of the Bible. Ministers possessing these qualifications should be connected with our sanitariums."—Counsels on Health, p. 293.
"In our sanitariums, of all places in the world, we need soundly converted physicians and wise workers, —men and women who will not urge their peculiar ideas upon the sick, but who will present the truths of the word of God in a way that will bring comfort and encouragement and blessing to the patients."—Medical Ministry, p. 208.
