Basic HTML Version
Section 8—Counsels and Cautions
177
There are coarse and even sensual minds among physicians. God
forbid that this should be the character of one who claims to believe
sacred truth. The Spirit of God will shield us from all evil, and will
give us an appreciation of the reality of spiritual and eternal things.
The solemn truths which we profess will sanctify the soul if we bring
them into the inner sanctuary of the heart. Oh, that every physician
would be what God would have him—pure, holy, undefiled, shielded
by the grace of God, knowing that Christ is his personal Saviour.
Ever bear in mind, Dr.-----, that the sickroom is a place where
Christian courtesy, delicacy, and politeness should always be mani-
fested. There should not be even an approach to commonness. The
actions of the physician are making their impression; the tones of
his voice, the expression of his countenance, the words he speaks,
are weighed by the patient. Every movement is scrutinized.
Directing Gratitude to God
If the invalid is relieved from pain, and brought back, as it were,
from death to life, he is inclined almost to worship the one who, he
thinks, has saved his life. He seldom thinks that it is God who has
[150]
done this work through His human agents. Now is the opportune
moment for Satan to come in and lead the physician to exalt himself
instead of Christ. Jesus says, “Without Me ye can do nothing.”
You should lead the patient to behold Jesus as the physician of
the body as well as of the soul. If the physician has the love of Christ
in his own heart, he will use his influence to set the Mighty Healer
before the afflicted one. He can direct the thoughts, the gratitude,
and praise, to the Source of all power, mercy, and goodness. If he
fails to do this, he is neglecting the most precious opportunities. Oh,
what a chance for the Christian physician to exercise his talents to
the glory of God, and thus put them out to the exchangers, to be
multiplied, and send back to heaven a flood of light in praise and
thanksgiving to God for His mercy and love. Oh, what opportunities
to drop in the heart the seed which will bear fruit unto holiness!
He who loves God supremely, with all the heart, with all the
soul, mind, might, and strength, will love his neighbor as himself,
and will strive for his highest good. He will not lose one opportunity
of setting the Lord before the afflicted one.