1070. I am intensely interested in the education of medical students as missionaries. This will prove a means of introducing the truth where otherwise it would not find an entrance.— U. T., Oct. 2, 1895.
1071. I can see that in the Lord’s providence the medical missionary work is to be a great entering wedge, whereby the diseased soul may be reached.— Ibid.
1072. What a field of usefulness is open before the medical missionary! Jesus Christ was in every sense of the word a missionary of the highest type, combining with his missionary work that of the great Physician, healing all manner of diseases. . . . Every physician ought to be a Christian, and if he is, he bears with him a cure for the soul as well as the body. He is doing the work of an apostle as well as of a physician. . . . How essential that the missionary should understand the diseases which afflict the human body, that he may combine the physician, trained to care for diseased bodies, with the faithful, conscientious shepherd of the flock, giving sacredness and double efficiency to the service! The Lord, in his great goodness and matchless love, has been urging it upon his human instrumentalities that the education of missionaries253is not really complete unless they have a knowledge of how to treat the sick and suffering. If the importance of this branch of missionary education had been felt, many who have lost their lives might have lived. Had they had an intelligent knowledge of the human body and how to treat its maladies, they could have reached many darkened minds that have not been reached.—Ibid.
1073. Devout persons, both men and women, are wanted now to go forth as medical missionaries. Let them cultivate their physical and mental powers and their piety to the utmost. Every effort should be made to send forth intelligent workers. The same grace that came from Jesus Christ to Paul and Apollos, which caused them to be distinguished for their spiritual excellencies, can be received now, and will bring into working order many devoted missionaries.— U. T., Feb. 19, 1893.
1074. I consider that there is nothing that can give character to the work like a proper taking up of the work of hygienic treatment for the sick.— U. T., Feb. 10, 1897.
1075. As religious aggression subverts the liberties of our nation, those who would stand for freedom of conscience will be placed in unfavorable positions. For their own sake they should, while they have opportunity, become intelligent in regard to disease, its causes, prevention, and cure. Those who do this will find a field of labor anywhere. There will be suffering ones, plenty of them, who will need help, not only among those of our own faith, but largely254among those who know not the truth.—S. T., Sept. 16, 1892.
1076. I would advise young men and women to give heed to this matter. Perilous times are before us. The whole world will be involved in perplexity and distress. Diseases of every kind will be upon the human family, and such ignorance as now prevails concerning the laws of health will result in great suffering and the loss of many lives that might be saved.—S. T., Sept. 16, 1893.
1077. There is no missionary field more important than that occupied by the faithful, God-fearing physician. There is no field where a man may accomplish greater good, or win more jewels to shine in the crown of his rejoicing.—T., No. 32, p. 204.
1078. More of the right kind of men are needed to devote themselves to this profession.—T., No. 32, p. 202.
Qualifications of Medical Students.
1079. A physician can do much better work if he has physical strength. If he is feeble, he cannot endure the wearing labor incident to his calling. A man who has a weak constitution, who is a dyspeptic, or who has not perfect self-control, cannot become qualified to deal with all classes of disease. Great care should be taken not to encourage persons who might be useful in some less responsible position, to study medicine at a great outlay of time and means, when there is no reasonable hope that they will succeed.—T., No. 32, p. 203.
1080. Painstaking effort should be made to induce suitable men to qualify themselves for this work. They should be men whose characters are based255upon the broad principles of the word of God, men who possess a natural energy, force, and perseverance that will enable them to reach a high standard of excellence. It is not every one who can make a successful physician. Many have entered upon the duties of this profession every way unprepared. They have not the requisite knowledge; neither have they the skill and tact, the carefulness and intelligence, necessary to insure success.—T., No. 32, p. 202.
1081. Those who take the lives of others in their hands must be men who have been marked as making life a success. They must be men of judgment and wisdom, men who can sympathize, and feel to the depths, men whose whole being is stirred when they witness suffering.— T., V. II, p. 385.
1082. There are those who have entered the medical profession who should have chosen some other calling. They are unsympathetic. They seem to think the proper way is to withhold all words of sympathy, and gird up their compassion so that not a particle of it shall be drawn out. They are cold and uncommunicative, and leave no warm, cheering influence. They seem to think words of tenderness and compassion are an evidence of weakness.—Counsel to Physicians and Medical Students, p. 28.
1083. God will surely advance the humble, faithful, praying, whole-souled medical missionary, as he advanced Daniel and his fellows.—S. T., Oct. 2, 1893.
1084. The duties and qualifications of a physician are not small. The students need daily to lift responsibilities,256that they may become burden-bearers.
. . . There is only one power that can make these students what they ought to be, and keep them steadfast. It is the grace of God and the power of the truth exerting a saving influence upon the life and character. These students, who intend to deal with suffering humanity, will find no graduating place this side of heaven. Every bit possible of that knowledge that is termed science should be acquired, while the seeker daily acknowledges that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Every item of experience and everything that can strengthen the mind, should be cultivated to the utmost of their power, while at the same time they should seek God for his wisdom, their consciences illuminated, quick, and pure; for unless they are guided by the wisdom from above, they become an easy prey to the deceptive power of Satan. They become inflated, large in their own eyes, pompous, and self-sufficient. The principle of worldly policy will most assuredly lead into difficulties. The truth, God’s truth, must be cherished in the heart, and held in the strength of God, or the powers of Satan will wrench it from you. You need to be self-reliant and yet teachable, that you may have strength to be faithful to duty. To trust to your own resources, your own wisdom or strength, is folly. You will be brought to confusion if you do this. You can walk securely only when you follow the counsel of God.—Counsel to Physicians and Medical Students, p. 17.
1085. Knowledge and science must be vitalized by the Spirit of God in order to serve the noblest purposes.257The Christian alone can make the right use of knowledge. Science, in order to be fully appreciated, must be viewed from a religious standpoint.
— C. E., p. 32.
Advice to Medical Students.
1086. I wish I could set before the medical student the true responsibility that rests upon him and his work. There is not one in one hundred who has a just sense of his position, his work, his accountability to God, and how much God will do for him if he will make him his trust. The very first lesson he should learn is that of dependence upon God. Make God your counselor at every step. The worldly and the nominal Christian may insinuate that in order to be successful you must be politic, you must at times depart from the strictest rectitude; but be not deluded. These temptations find a ready welcome in the heart of man; but I speak that which I know. Pamper not self. Throw not open a door for the enemy to take possession of the citadel of the soul. There is danger in the first and slightest departure from the strictest veracity. In your work, be true to yourself. Preserve your God-given dignity in the fear of God. There is in your case the necessity of getting hold and keeping hold of the arm of infinite power.
— Counsel to Physicians and Medical Students, p. 23.
1087. By studying the word of God diligently medical students are far better prepared for all other studies; for enlightenment always comes with an earnest study of the word of God. Let it be understood by medical missionaries that the better they become acquainted with God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, the better they become acquainted with258Bible history, the better qualified they will be to do their work. . . . There should be most faithful teachers who strive to make the students understand their lessons, not by explaining everything themselves, but by letting the students explain thoroughly every passage which they read. Let the inquiring minds of the students be respected.—U. T., Dec. 1, 1895.
1088. Learn all they can of the principles of truth, and discard error.—C. E., p. 38.
1089. In this age there is danger for every one who shall enter upon the study of medicine. Often his instructors are world-wise men, and his fellow students infidels, who have no thought of God, and he is in danger of being influenced by these irreligious associations. Nevertheless, some have gone through the medical course, and have remained true to principle. They would not continue their studies on the Sabbath; and they have proved that men may become qualified for the duties of a physician, and not disappoint the expectations of those who furnish them means to obtain an education.—T., No. 32, p. 203.
1090. Students may receive their diplomas, and yet their education be but just begun. . . . The one who best knows himself works in all humility. He feels like making no proud boasts; he bears a weight of responsibility as he sees the woes of suffering humanity, and he will not take human life into his hand to deal with even the bodies of men without connecting with the experienced Physician, regarding him as a father and himself as a child to be instructed259and corrected, if in error. . . . Students should work up an experience beginning at the lower round of the ladder, and by careful, earnest, thoughtful exertion, climb round after round, religion, Bible religion, being the mainspring of action. They cannot expect to be ranked by the side of those of experience who have devoted their time, their energies, and their souls to the work for years, unless they shall give evidence of capabilities of mind and intelligence in practise. . . . They must be content to come up gradually, and prove their ability by showing in lesser matters that they sense the responsibility laid upon them. Many do not love the taxing, burden-bearing part. They will deal with the sick, but never lift the load. They take every thing very easily. The sick may approach the last crisis that wrings the heart of the older physician with intense pain because a life is going out and he can devise no means of saving it, and another physician connected with him will not sense the danger or devote time to close thought and severe mental effort. He works as a machine. He is as calm as a summer’s evening, when he should be pressed as a cart beneath the sheaves. Had he more intensity of feeling, he would not throw off the burden for an instant, but by close thinking, by earnest prayer, would study to devise ways and means yet untried, and would perhaps be able to save not only the life, but, through Christ, the soul of the patient.—Counsel to Physicians and Medical Students, pp. 11–13.
1091. Students should be willing to work under those of experience, to heed their suggestions, to260follow their advice, and to go as far as possible in thought, training, and intelligent enterprise, but never to infringe upon a rule, never to disregard one principle that has been interwoven in the upbuilding of the institution. The dropping down is easy enough; the disregard of regulations is natural to the heart inclined to selfish ease and gratification. It is so much easier to tear down than to build up. One man with careless ideas may do more in this work of letting down the standard than ten men with all their efforts can do to counteract and stay the demoralizing influence. . . .
There are many who are in such haste to climb to distinction that they skip some of the rounds of the ladder, and have, in so doing, lost essential experience, which they should have in order to become intelligent workers. In their zeal the knowledge of many things looks unimportant to them. They skim over the surface, and do not go deep and thorough, climbing round after round of the ladder of progress by a slow and painful process, thus gaining an experience which will enable them to help others to ascend. We want men and women who are more thorough, and who feel it their duty to improve every talent lent them, that they may finally double their intrusted capital.—Ibid., p. 15.
1092. A responsibility to spread the knowledge of hygienic principles rests upon all who have enjoyed the benefits of health reform. . . . There must be a revival in regard to this matter; for God purposes to accomplish much through this agency.—S. T.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE MISSIONARY PHYSICIAN.
1093. The duties of the physician are arduous. Few realize the mental and physical strain to which he is subjected. Every energy and capability must be enlisted with the most intense anxiety in the battle with disease and death. Often he knows that one unskilful movement of the hand, even but a hair’s breadth, in the wrong direction may send a soul unprepared into eternity.—T., No. 32, p. 202.
1094. The physician who endeavors to enlighten his patients as to the nature and causes of their maladies, and to teach them how to avoid disease, may have up-hill work.—C. T., p. 121.
1095. Why should the Christian physician, who is believing, expecting, looking, waiting, and longing for the coming and kingdom of Christ, when sickness and death will no longer have power over the saints, expect more pay for his services than the Christian editor or the Christian minister? He may say that his work is more wearing. That is yet to be proved. Let him work as he can endure it, and not violate the laws of life which he teaches to his patients. There are no good reasons why he should overwork and receive large pay for it, more than the minister or the editor. Let all who act a part in the262institute and receive pay for their services, act on the same liberal principle.— T., V. I, p. 640.
1096. The physicians should keep well. They must not get sick by overlabor, or by any imprudence on their part. . . . The privilege of getting away from the Health Institute should occasionally be accorded to all the physicians, especially to those who bear burdens of responsibilities. If there is such a scarcity of help that this cannot be done, more help should be secured. To have physicians overworked, and thus disqualified to perform the duties of their profession, is a thing to be dreaded.—T., V. III, p. 182.
Christian Physicians.
1097. Satan is the originator of disease; and the physician is warring against his work and power.— T., No. 32, p. 200.
1098. Every energy and capability must be enlisted with the most intense anxiety in the battle with disease and death.— Ibid., p. 202.
1099. He will be firm as a rock as to principle, yet kind and courteous to all. He will feel the responsibility of his position, and his practise will show that he is actuated by pure, unselfish motives, and a desire to adorn the doctrine of Christ in all things.— Ibid., p. 195.
1100. The physician should know how to pray.— Ibid., p. 199.
Both the health of the body and the salvation of the soul are in a degree dependent upon the course of the physicians. It is of the utmost consequence that they be right, that they have not only263scientific knowledge, but the knowledge of God’s will and ways.— T., V. IV, p. 566.
1102. The young physician has access to the God of Daniel. Through divine grace and power, he may become as efficient in his calling as Daniel was in his exalted position. But it is a mistake to make a scientific preparation the all-important thing, while religious principles that lie at the very foundation of a successful practise are neglected. Many are lauded as skilful men in their profession, who scorn the thought that they need to rely upon Jesus for wisdom in their work. But if these men who trust in their knowledge of science were illuminated by the light of heaven, to how much greater excellence might they attain! How much stronger would be their powers, with how much greater confidence could they undertake difficult cases! The man who is closely connected with the great Physician of soul and body, has the resources of heaven and earth at his command, and he can work with a wisdom, an unerring precision, that the godless man cannot possess.—T., No. 32, p. 204.
1103. The physician needs more than human wisdom and power that he may know how to minister to the many perplexing cases of disease of the mind and heart with which he is called to deal. If he is ignorant of the power of divine grace, he cannot help the afflicted one, but may aggravate the difficulty; but if he has a firm hold upon God, he will be able to help the diseased, distracted mind.— Ibid., p. 200.
1104. If he takes counsel of God, he will have the great Healer to work with his efforts, and he will move with the greatest caution, lest by his mismanagement he injure one of God’s creatures.—Ibid., p. 195.
Scientific Attainments of Physicians.
1105. Many have entered upon the duties of this profession every way unprepared. They have not the requisite knowledge; neither have they the skill and tact, the carefulness and intelligence, necessary to insure success.—T., No. 32, p. 2.
1106. Many physicians are not as thorough and intelligent as they ought to be in the practise of their profession. They resort to drugs, when greater skill and knowledge would teach them a more excellent way.—U. T., 1888.
1107. When physicians understand physiology in its truest sense, their use of drugs will be very much less, and finally they will cease to use them at all. The physician who depends upon drug medication in his practise shows that he does not understand the delicate machinery of the human organism.—U. T., Oct. 12, 1896.
1108. A skilful physician must understand the nature of various diseases, and must have a thorough knowledge of the human structure. He must be prompt in attending to the patients. He knows that delays are dangerous. When his experienced hand is laid upon the pulse of the sufferer, and he carefully notes the peculiar indications of the malady, his previous knowledge enables him to determine concerning the nature of the disease and the treatment necessary to arrest its progress.—T., V. IV, p. 267.
1109. If he is an intelligent physician, he will be able to trace disease to its cause.—T., No. 32, p 196.
1110. If he will be observing and honest, he cannot help acknowledging that sin and disease bear to each other the relationship of cause and effect. The physician should be quick to see this, and to act accordingly.—Ibid., p. 200.
IIII. There are constant temptations for physicians to exalt science above the God who is the ruler of the universe. There is danger that physicians will, little by little, leave the simplicity of Bible faith in the power of God.—U. T., April 15, 1892.
1112. All who engage in the acquisition of knowledge should aim to reach the highest round of progress. Let them advance as fast and as far as they can; let their field of study be as broad as their powers can compass, making God their wisdom; clinging to him who is infinite in knowledge, who can reveal the secrets hidden for ages, who can solve the most difficult problems for minds that believe in him who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light that no man can approach unto. . . . The same principles run through the spiritual and the natural worlds.—S. T. on E., p. 216.
The Physician’s Relation to the Laws of Health.
1113. It is wilful sin in them to be ignorant of the laws of health or indifferent to them; for they are looked up to as wise above other men.—T., No. 32, p. 197.
1114. If they do not put to a practical use the knowledge they have of the laws that govern their own being, if they prefer present gratification to266soundness of mind and body, they are not fit to be intrusted with the lives of others.—Ibid., p. 198.
1115. He [the physician] is expected to indulge in no habit that will weaken the life forces.— Ibid., p. 197.
1116. The physicians in our institutions must be imbued with the living principles of health reform. Men will never be truly temperate until the grace of Christ is an abiding principle in the heart.— U. T., Oct. 12, 1896.
1117. Men are wanted at the Institute who will have the fear of God before them, who can minister to sick minds, and keep prominent the health reform from a religious standpoint.— T., V. III, p. 168.
1118. If a man who assumes so grave a responsibility as that of a physician, sins against himself in not conforming to nature’s laws, he will reap the consequences of his own doings, and abide her righteous decision, from which there can be no appeal. . . . His capabilities for doing good are lessened. He will lead others in the path his own feet are traveling. Hundreds will follow the example of one intemperate physician, feeling that they are safe in doing what the doctor does. And in the day of God he will meet the record of his own course, and be called to give an account for all the good he might have done, but did not do, because by his own voluntary act he weakened his physical and mental powers by selfish indulgence.—T., No. 32, p. 198.
The Physician’s Relation to His Patients.
1119. He will not look upon his patient as a mere piece of human mechanism, but as a soul to be saved or lost.— T., No. 32, p. 202.
1120. Unless the physicians can obtain the confidence of their patients, they can never help them.— T., V. III, p. 79.
1121. Never should a physician neglect his patients.— U. T.
1122. The work of the Christian physician does not end with healing the maladies of the body; his efforts should extend to the diseases of the mind, to the saving of the soul. It may not be his duty, unless asked, to present any theoretical points of truth; but he may point his patients to Christ. The lessons of the divine Teacher are ever appropriate. He should call the attention of the repining to the ever fresh tokens of the love and care of God, to his wisdom and goodness as manifested in his created works. The mind can then be led through nature up to nature’s God, and centered on the heaven which he has prepared for those who love him.—T., No. 32, p. 199.
1123. Physicians who would be successful in the treatment of disease should know how to minister to a diseased mind.— T., V. III, p. 169.
1124. It should be the work of the God-fearing physician to guide the mind of patients to right principles. If patients are left to their own natural bias, they will indulge appetite, because it is a habit, at the expense of health and life. . . . True, their appetite craves unwholesome articles of food, and the disuse of these things will be felt strongly. But the only right course to be pursued in these cases is to educate the conscience, to lay before the patients the effect of these things upon the physical and268mental powers to weaken the constitution and induce disease.— U. T., Feb. 1, 1888.
1125. Let your influence be persuasive, binding people to your heart because you love Jesus, and because these precious souls are his purchased possession. This is a great work. If, by your Christ-like words and actions, you make impressions that will kindle in their hearts a hungering and thirsting after righteousness and truth, you are a co-laborer with Christ. . . . Enlighten their minds by means of talks and lectures, in regard to the effects of tea, coffee, and flesh meats, and thus lead them to a voluntary correction of their habits.—Ibid.
1126. When he has gained the confidence of the afflicted by relieving their sufferings and bringing them back from the verge of the grave, he may teach them that disease is the result of sin; and that it is the fallen foe who seeks to allure them to health-and-soul-destroying practises. He may impress their minds with the necessity of denying self, and obeying the laws of life and health. In the minds of the young especially he may instil right principles.— T., No. 32, p. 200.
1127. It seldom does any good to talk in a censuring manner to patients who are diseased in body and mind. But few who have moved in the society of the world, and who view things from the worldling’s standpoint, are prepared to have a statement of facts in regard to themselves presented before them. The truth even is not to be spoken at all times. There is a fit time and opportunity to speak, when words will not offend.— T., V. III, p. 182.
1128. The physician should be a strictly temperate man. . . . He knows that much of the suffering he seeks to relieve is the result of intemperance and other forms of selfish indulgence. He is called to attend young men, and men in the prime of life and in mature age, who have brought disease upon themselves by the use of tobacco. If he is an intelligent physician, he will be able to trace disease to its cause; but unless he is free from the use of tobacco himself, he will hesitate to put his finger upon the plague-spot, and faithfully unfold to his patients the cause of their sickness. He will fail to urge upon the young the necessity of overcoming the habit before it becomes fixed. . . . If he uses the weed himself, how can he present to the inexperienced youth its injurious effects, not only upon themselves, but upon those around them?—T., No. 32, p. 195.
1129. How can he place the feet of others on the ladder of progress, while he himself is treading the downward way?—Ibid., p. 197.
1130. The practising physician will instruct those who do not understand how to preserve the strength and health they already have, and how to prevent disease by a wise use of heaven’s remedies,—pure water, air, and diet.— T., V. I, p. 490.
The Physician’s Relation to Society.
1131. If he does the work enjoined upon him by the Ruler of the universe, he will protest against iniquity in every form and in every degree; he will exert his authority and influence on the side of self-denial and strict, undeviating obedience to the just requirements of God.— T., No. 32, p. 197.
1132. Such a physician will possess a heaven-born dignity, and will be a powerful agent for good in the world. Although he may not be appreciated by those who have no connection with God, yet he will be honored of Heaven. In God’s sight he will be more precious than gold, even the gold of Ophir.
— Ibid.
1133. If you are a Christian and a competent physician, you are qualified to do tenfold more good as a missionary for God than if you were to go forth merely as a preacher of the word.— M. M., V. II, p. 216.
1134. While brought in contact with the world, you should be on your guard that you do not seek too ardently for the applause of men, and live for their opinion.— T., V. IV, p. 568.
CHAPTER XL.
MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK.
The Present Need.
1135. The prosperity of the medical missionary work is in God’s order. This work must be done; the truth must be carried to the highways and hedges. — S. T., No. 10.
1136. Why has it not been understood from the word of God that the work being done in medical missionary lines is a fulfilment of the scriptures? “Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. . . . Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” — R. and H., 1897, No. 21.
1137. The educational work in medical missionary lines is a great advance step toward awakening man to a sense of his moral responsibilities. — U. T., Jan. 11, 1897.
1138. As religious aggression subverts the liberties of our nation, those who would stand for freedom of conscience will be placed in unfavorable positions. For their own sakes they should, while they have opportunity, become intelligent in regard to disease, its causes, prevention, and cure. Those who do this will find a field of labor anywhere. There will be suffering ones, plenty of them, who272will need help, not only among those of our own faith, but largely among those who know not the truth. — M. M., V. II, p. 216.
Aim to Educate.
1139. They need an education in the science of how to treat the sick, for this will give them a welcome in any place.— U. T., Dec. 20, 1896.
1140. If we would elevate the moral standard of any country where we may be called to go, we must begin by correcting the physical habits of the people.
— M. M., V. II, p. 216.
1141. The Lord has given special light concerning our hygienic principles, which should be given to others. . . . Those who are in ignorance are to be educated how to live in accordance with pure principles; to practise those things that will preserve the body in a healthy condition.—U. T., July 5, 1892.
1142. The medical missionary can do a great amount of good by educating the people as to how to live.—R. and H., 1895, No. 25.
1143. Rally workers who possess true missionary zeal, and let them go forth to diffuse light and knowledge far and near. Let them take the living principles of health reform into communities that to a large degree are ignorant of how they should live.— U. T., July, 1895.
Open Fields.
1144. The South is a field where medical missionary work can be one of the greatest blessings.—
S. T., No. 6, p. 49.
1145. Those who love Christ will do the works of Christ. They will go forth to seek and to save that which was lost. They will not shun those who are despised, and turn aside from the colored race.273They will teach them how to read and how to perform manual labor, educating them to till the soil and to follow trades of various kinds. . . . The work pointed out is a most needful missionary enterprise.—R. and H., 1896, No. 2.
1146. The field for medical missionary work is open before us. We are now beginning to comprehend the light given years ago,—that health reform principles would form an entering wedge to the introduction of religious principles. To voice the words of John, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.” Would that all our workers might be enlightened, so that they could work intelligently as medical missionaries, for such knowledge would serve as credentials to them in finding access to homes and families wherein to sow the seeds of truth. We want to feel as Christ felt,—that we cannot abandon helpless, suffering ones to the evils of orphanage, and ignorance, and want, and sin, and crime.—U. T., June 13, 1895.
CHAPTER XLI.
CHRISTIAN HELP WORK.
Christ’s Ambassadors.
¶ 1147. This is the special work now before us.— T., V. II, p. 34.
1148. Our own human affections and sympathies are not to wane away and become extinct, but through living connection with God our love is to deepen, our interest to become more intense, our efforts more successful in promoting the happiness of those around us. . . . Souls about us are perishing for sympathy which is never expressed.— S. of T., 1893, No. 34.
1149. The Lord has set before you another work, the work of extending the truth by establishing centers of interest in cities, and sending workers into the highways and hedges.— S. T., No. 10, p. 6.
1150. Many individuals might be laboring in towns and cities, visiting from house to house, becoming acquainted with families, entering into their social life, dining at their tables, entering into conversation by their firesides, dropping the precious seed of truth all along the line. As they exercise their talents, Christ will give them wisdom, and many believers will be found rejoicing in the knowledge of the truth as a result of their labors.— R. and H., 1895, No. 28.
1151. The standard of truth may be raised by humble men and women, and the youth, and even275children, may be a blessing to others, by revealing what the truth has done for them. God will use the most feeble instruments if they are wholly submitted to him. He can work through them to reach souls to whom the minister could not obtain access. There are the highways and byways to be searched. With your Bible in your hand, with your heart warm and glowing with the love of God, you may go out and tell others your experience; you may make known to them the truth that has impressed your heart, praying with faith that God will make your efforts successful in their salvation. Communicate light, and you will have more light to communicate. Thus you may become laborers together with God. — R. and H., 1897, No. 2.
1152. No verbal description could reveal God to the world. Our Saviour employed human faculties, for only by adopting these could he be comprehended by humanity. Only humanity could reach humanity. He lived out the character of God through the human body which God had prepared for him. . . . If our people would administer to other souls who need their help, they would themselves be ministered unto by the chief Shepherd, and thousands would be rejoicing in the fold who are now wandering in the desert. Let every soul go to work to seek and to save the lost, . . . visiting the dark places of the earth where there are no churches.—R. and H., 1895, No. 26.
1153. In the path which the poor, the neglected, the suffering, and the sorrowing must tread, Christ walked while on earth, taking upon him all the woes276which the afflicted must bear. His home was among the poor. His family was not distinguished by learning, riches, or position. For many years he worked at his trade as a carpenter.— Instruction to R. and H., May 26, 1896.
1154. Union with Christ means the dispensing of his blessings.— S. of T., 1895, No. 37.
1155. The angels look upon the distressed of God’s family upon the earth, and they are prepared to co-operate with the human agent in relieving oppression and suffering. They will co-operate with those who “break every yoke,” who “bring the poor that are cast out to thy house.”— R. and H., 1895, No. 1.
Our Duty to the Poor.
1156. There is no case of need for which some one is not responsible.—S. of T., 1895, No. 32.
1157. As long as there are hungry ones in God’s world to be fed, naked ones to be clothed, souls perishing for the bread and water of salvation, every unnecessary indulgence, every overplus of capital, pleads for the poor and needy.
1158. The poor and the needy were objects of his [Christ’s] special attention. He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and unpromising, setting before them the idea that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God among a crooked and perverse generation, among whom they would shine as lights in the world.— S. of T., 1896, No. 31.
1159. What sacrifice are we ready to make that we may find the lost pearl, and place it in the hands of277our Saviour? The cities are teeming with iniquity, Satan suggests that it is impossible to do any good within their borders, and so they are sadly neglected. But there are lost pearls there, whose value you cannot realize until you earnestly seek to find them. There might be one hundred workers where there is but one seeking diligently, prayerfully, and with intense interest to find the pearls that are buried in the rubbish of these cities.—R. and H., 1896, No. 16.
1160. When heavenly intelligences see those who claim to be sons and daughters of God putting forth Christlike efforts to help the erring, manifesting a tender, sympathetic spirit for the repentant and the fallen, angels press close to them, and bring to their remembrance the very words that will soothe and uplift the soul. . . . Jesus has given his precious life, his personal attention, to the least of God’s little ones; and the angels that excel in strength encamp round about them that fear God. Then let us be on our guard, and never permit one contemptuous thought to occupy the mind in regard to one of the little ones of God. We should look after the erring with solicitude, and speak encouraging words to the fallen, and fear lest by some unwise action we shall turn them away from the pitying Saviour. . . . There is a large, a very large number of straying and lost sheep that have perished in the wild deserts of sin, simply because no one went after them to search for them and to bring them back to the fold. Jesus uses the illustration of a lost sheep to show the need of seeking after those who have wandered from him; for a sheep once lost will never find its way back to the fold without help.278It must be sought for, it must be carried back to the fold.—R. and H., 1896, No. 26.
Our Duty to the Sick.
1161. We shall find the footprints of Jesus by the sick-bed, by the side of suffering humanity, in the hovels of the poverty stricken and distressed. We may walk in these footsteps, comforting the suffering, speaking words of hope and comfort to the despondent. Doing as Jesus did when he was upon earth, we shall walk in his blessed steps.—R. and H., 1896, No. 23.
1162. When the sick and wretched applied to the Saviour for help, he first relieved the poor, suffering body before he attempted to administer to the darkened mind. When the present misery of the supplicant was removed, his thoughts could better be directed into the channel of light and truth.—S. of T., 1889, No. 2.
1163. When he sent out his disciples, he commissioned them to heal the sick as well as to preach the gospel. When he sent forth the seventy, he commanded them to heal the sick, and next to preach that the kingdom of God had come nigh unto them. Their physical health was to be first cared for, in order that the way might be prepared for their minds to be reached by those truths which the apostles were to preach. The Saviour of the world devoted more time and labor to healing the afflicted of their maladies than to preaching. His last injunction to his apostles, his representatives upon the earth, was to lay hands on the sick that they might recover. When the Master shall come, he will commend those who279have visited the sick and relieved the necessities of the afflicted.—T., V. IV, p. 225.