Meeting the Challenge

HEALTH EVANGELISM: Meeting the Challenge

different ways of reaching out

M.D., Silver Spring, Maryland

REVIVE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF CHURCH MEMBERS.—"Combine the medical missionary work with the proclamation of the third angel's message. Make regular, organized effort to lift the churches out of the dead level into which they have fallen, and have remained for years."— Testimonies to Ministers, p. 416. If this instruction were followed, see whether the breath of life would then come into the churches

PERFECT HEALTH OF MEMBERS.—Soon we are to be ushered into the presence of the Eternal. "To make plain natural law, and urge the obedience of it, is the work that accompanies the third angel's message, to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord."—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 161.

OPEN DOORS.—"In every place the sick may be found, and those who go forth as workers for Christ should be true health reformers, pre pared to give those who are sick the simple treatments that will relieve them, and then pray with them. Thus they will open the door for the entrance of the truth."—Medical Ministry, p. 320.

Methods of Labor

DEVISE NEW METHODS.—"The prevailing monotony of the religious round of service in our churches, needs to be disturbed. The leaven of activity needs to be introduced, that our church-members may work along new lines, and devise new methods. . . . Christlike activity pursued with persevering zeal will bring large returns."—Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 204, 205.

Do HOUSE-TO-HOUSE WORK.—Today there are sixty million persons in the United States who never go inside a church. If they are ever reached, the gospel must be carried into their homes. "Often the relief of their physical needs is the only avenue by which they can be approached."—Medical Ministry, p. 246. After at tending to these physical needs, the church member visiting the home can offer prayer, and then they will give heed to the reading of God's Word.

ORGANIZE HOME NURSING CLASSES.—Solicit the help of the General Conference Medical Department and the Red Cross to lead out in practical demonstrations of home-nursing methods; then follow with lessons in hydrotherapy. Every member of the church should know how to apply simple fomentations and home remedies. These are of utmost value in keeping the family well and helping our neighbors. (Ministry of Healing, p. 146.)

CONDUCT COOKING SCHOOLS.—In every church there is always some outstanding sister who is gifted in good cooking. Perhaps she is not a public speaker, and will hesitate to lead out in organizing cooking schools, but let another sister who can speak be her mouthpiece. Thus by pooling the talents in the local church, education classes in nutrition may be carried on. Study the material given by science and the Spirit of prophecy.

PROMOTE TEMPERANCE WORK.—"Of all who claim to be numbered among the friends of temperance, Seventh-day Adventists should stand in the front ranks."—Gospel Workers, p. 384. Temperance must be presented in its broader basis, reaching to the family's table. "Intemperance commences at our tables, in the use of unhealthful food."—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 487.

DISTRIBUTE HEALTH LITERATURE.—Recently I saw the remarkable results of what a silent magazine will do in life. A patient who was given to alcoholism had demanded morphine injections to relieve her distress. After a few visits I told her my conscience would not allow me to contribute to this habit. I talked to her about a better way. I did not see or hear from her for some time. I sent her Our Times, as I did to fifty other patients. Some months later I wrote, asking how she liked the paper. She responded by saying, "I had wondered who was sending me this wonderful paper. I have never read anything like it. Since you were here I -have touched neither alcohol nor morphine. Thank you very much for your paper." This woman belonged to higher society, but some of these classes are waiting to be gathered in.

The harvest truly is ripe, but the laborers are few. Columbus said to the men in one of his boats who were perishing for a drink of water, "Dip down where you are." They did not know they were out of the briny ocean, and had entered into the Gulf of Mexico, where the water was fresh. Begin where you are. Clean up your own body temple; then call on your nearest neighbor.

"God will not send angels from Heaven to do the work he has left for man to do."—Ibid., vol. 3, P- 39i.

"Human agencies are the hands of heavenly instrumentalities; for heavenly angels employ human hands in practical minis try."—Ibid., vol. 6, p. 436.

"We shall individually be held responsible for doing one jot less than we have the ability to do. The Lord measures with exactness every possibility for service. The unused capabilities are as much brought into account as are those that are improved."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 363.

All who consecrate body and spirit to God will constantly receive a new endowment of physical and mental power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their command. "Through co-operation with Christ they are complete in Him, and in their human weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence."—The Desire of Ages, p. 827.

Shall we, like Israel of old, harbor the precious truths given to us, and shut our ears to the pleas of a needy sin-sick world, or shall we break the spell of inertia which has settled down upon us and go forth with the healing balm of Gilead to pour into the wounds and on the hearts of the world?

The night is far spent. Ernie Pyle once said, "Today is tomorrow." And Norman Cousins asks this pertinent question: "Do we realize that time is running out?" Ellen G. White, in similar vein, makes this sobering statement: "You know not how small a space is between you and eternity."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 53.

 

 


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M.D., Silver Spring, Maryland

March 1950

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