To see the "right arm" of the Advent Movement in true perspective one must visit some of our wonderful medical centers in our far-flung mission fields. The selfless, tireless work of our noble doctors and nurses serving in these institutions is a marvelous example of true dedication. Whether it be in the sweltering islands of the West Indies or the colorful Highlands of New Guinea, whether amid the endless bustle of Metropolitan New York or in the primitive bushlands of Africa, the story is all the same. Medical work opens doors and opens hearts to the gospel, and no branch of our great organization is more deserving of our wholehearted support than the university where so many of these efficient men and women are trained.
A few weeks ago I visited our Sopas Hospital of 40 beds in the Highlands of New Guinea. What a remarkable institution this is. Dr. and Mrs. R. 0. Yeatts are known all through this area for their untiring Christian service. I also went to the Hatzfeldhaven Hansenide Colony, or Leprosarium, on the east coast of Papua. We had observed the excellent work being done for these unfortunate sufferers. Then an announcement was made over the loudspeaker telling of a meeting about to begin in the new and attractive little Adventist church recently erected on this government-supported colony. Soon the staff and patients began to make their way across the beautifully kept campus until the church was crowded, and many were outside. And what an inspiration it was to talk to them about the Great Physician and His love for the lost. Many were lepers, but to watch them drink in the message like thirsty persons eager for water was a joy. Medical work surely paves the way for the gospel.
We were traveling by plane in the Far East recently when a gentleman sitting immediately behind us tapped me on the shoulder, saying:
"Excuse me, sir, but would you folks by any chance be Seventh-day Adventists?"
"Yes," I said, "we are Adventists. and it is a pleasure to meet you."
He then said: "I suppose it is hardly likely that you would know your Adventist doctor in your fine Adventist medical center in the city of _______ D"
"Yes," I said, "I know him well. In fact, I knew him years before he took the medical course, when he was a young man in high school. I am hoping he will meet us."
Then followed a long conversation. We discovered that our new-found friend was an official in that city, a prominent member of the chamber of commerce. It was he who had personally organized the fundraising program for the purchase of the fine ambulance we later saw at our hospital. This was a donation from the city to our medical center.
"I don't belong to your church," he said, "but the businessmen of our city look upon ),crur hospital as a gift of God to this land. What your doctor does is little short of miraculous. And the wonderful part of it all is his dedication and humility. He loves people and the people love him. It makes no difference who they are. He is ready to come to their aid. And that is the spirit of the whole staff. They are a wonderful group. The training you Adventists give your medical personnel seems to make them different from others. I cannot speak too highly of the institution and what it is doing."
Unsolicited compliments such as this we have heard many times and in many places around the world. The greatest evidence of the worth of an institution is its product. That is what makes Loma Linda so important to our world program. Our medical work is God's gift not only to one country; it is God's gift through the Advent Movement to the whole world.
Our annual opportunity for helping the medical work should be presented with strong appeal to our entire membership on Medical Day, July 4. What we give on this occasion is actually a gilt-edged investment in souls for God's kingdom.
