Your ShelfYour Projects

Opening Address

7%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 12, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 11.

Read the full edition

Opening Address

By Dr. H. F. Rand

***Medical Day, Pacific Union Conference***

I AM certainly pleased to be present on this occasion, and to have a small part in this great work. We are told that the medical missionary work is the right arm of the message. And, as you know, the right arm has been badly strained during the past few years; in fact, it has been nearly severed from the body. But I am glad to say that the wound was not unto death, and we are now recovering nicely from the shock.
The situation reminds me of an experience which impressed me while I was at Loma Linda attending the medical council there. I saw the immense overland trains tugging and straining to get up the long grade. They had a big Mogul engine ahead, with a “helper” in the middle and a little “pusher” behind. We will let the “pusher” represent our educational work. And we have placed in front of the engine a “pilot” for clearing the way—which would represent our medical work. As we consider the hindrances in certain parts of our field in all branches of the work, I am glad there is a “pusher” that can be placed behind them to help over the hard places. We know the medical work is a pilot for the other branches of our work. It removes obstacles and hindrances and prejudice, and opens doors; and I am glad this is so. We have been told that the way for the work is being hedged up in the cities, and yet this medical work is possible long after other work is hindered or stopped, and it will go right on with the message until the work is finished. I hope the Lord will help us all to realize and appreciate its value, and keep it in its place.
For a number of years I have been in this work, and I am glad to be in it. I am of good courage, and am willing now, as I have always been, to go where the Lord wants me to go; and I will do the best I can wherever I am placed. I have been much interested recently in reading the experience of Elder Bates and others in opening up the medical work. They had the whole message; and when we think of the work of the pioneers, and of the way they carried out the principles of healthful living, it ought to be an inspiration to us. The great principles of healthful living were given in the little books, “How to Live” and “Facts and Faith,” when the medical work was first started. The details and explanations were not there, but the principles were. I remember one statement that was being developed while I was in the medical school,—that electric currents travel through our bodies in the nervous system. We could not understand then how it was, but the great physiologists of to-day have an instrument which will accurately measure these very currents. The statement of this principle was written thirty-eight years ago. And this is but one of the many which God gave first to this people. But the scientific world has had to work them out and give them to the people.
For years this work has seemed to stand still. Many of the people are careless, and do not appreciate what it means to us. We do not realize what an impetus these truths gave to the work then, or what they would do for us now. Many of our people are blind to the great things health reform has done, not only for us, but for the entire human race. God intended that these principles should be given to the world by this people, but because they have not done so, we see the scientific men developing these great truths and giving them to the world. But you will see, when that mighty angel comes down to lighten the world during this closing gospel work in this generation, every one will be a true health reformer.
In our medical work we have had our upset, and have not completely recovered our equilibrium yet. Now we are getting directions as to what we should do. The spirit of prophecy is trying to show us where we were wrong, and what we should do in the future; and I am very thankful that after the experiences we have had, we are more willing to follow the directions given. I think that such trouble will never come to us as a people again; I am sure it will not if we follow the directions given us. Time is short. More trouble of this kind would mean far greater loss than at any time before. This work means everything to this people. We should realize what an important part health reform has to fill. We are told in the Testimonies what this work should mean to us, and what it will do for us. These things were written several years ago. You will remember what the Testimonies say of this medical missionary work,—that there should be many new sanitariums and training-schools established; that there should be a hundred workers where now there is one; that it should be enlarged and developed; and that the Lord expects it to do a far greater work than is now being done for sin-sick souls.
In my experience in this work I have had some opportunity to know what this means. I have known what it means to go into the presence of the suffering and relieve pain. This is an experience common to this work, and we all know that where this is done, we have the confidence of that household. If we were to go into such a home, and simply offer to pray for its members, especially for the sufferer, they would probably pay no attention to us, and certainly we would not have the influence we gain in the other way. After the pain has been relieved, then it is right to have prayer, and to point the household to the Great Physician. This kind of work will remove prejudice as nothing else will. The Lord has begun this work for that purpose, and if we do it according to his plan, many souls will be won for the kingdom. Our work should be done as unto him, and the tenderest sympathy should be combined with the skill which he gives to his workers.
Should we not be thankful for the trust? It has always been a matter of perplexity that we did not see a greater harvest from our work, and yet we know that the Lord opens our eyes to see but little. Many times we have seen the work start in some place in a very small way, and then gradually develop. How careful we should be to take advantage of every opportunity, for we can not tell which will prosper, this or that. We can not expect to see a sanitarium start up full fledged. It must grow gradually. In many cases we have seen one or perhaps two nurses start a work in some city, and the work would gradually enlarge until it resulted in the building of a flourishing institution. This was the case at Boulder, Colo. Work was begun there by two nurses in a very humble way. At first they had only a little home. But to-day a great institution is flourishing there, and no one can estimate the good that has come as a result of it. The St. Helena Sanitarium was started in the same way. You have doubtless noticed the various additions which, from time to time, have been made to the main building. This is typical of the development of the work.
There is another feature of the work in institutions which is different from field work. We have here a great training-school. And we have a Great Teacher at the head of it. The entire work is a training center for us all; and not only for the workers, but for the patients and guests who come to us. In 1906 we had about eight hundred patients and guests in the St. Helena Sanitarium; in 1907 we had more than eleven hundred. These people are representative of the entire State. Many of them we would never have been able to reach with this message in any other way. Last year we had with us three of the State senators, four or five of the most influential judges, and many other prominent men and women. Many times I have seen these persons go up to the tract rack which we keep well filled in the front hall, and taking out some tracts, slip them into their pockets. Sometimes I have known them to take the Signs and other papers to their rooms, and even ask permission to take them to their homes.
We teach religious liberty here, and have often been asked for literature on that subject. These people are always glad to take the Signs and religious liberty literature. Probably some of these very men will be in the legislative halls when these subjects are brought up for discussion and action. The Lord is undoubtedly preparing them so they will be informed on these subjects when the crisis comes. It is really remarkable to see the interest these people manifest in the truth contained in our literature.
We have often heard the remark that people do not have time to read. Here they have ample time. They are away from their business and social cares, away from the cities with their distractions, out here in the quiet country where they have time to sit down and read in peace.
We had with us recently one of the leading judges of the State. He saw on a table that copy of the Signs of the Times that showed a man in minister’s clothing, casting overboard from the stern of the ship a combination Bible and compass. That is the kind of sermon men can read while they are running. He thought it was the best thing he had ever seen. He said, “That picture speaks volumes.” He wanted to know if he could take it home with him, and of course we were glad to have him take it.
(To be concluded)