Page 286 - Medical Ministry (1932)

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282
Medical Ministry
gold and silver and precious stones, and makes human agents like
Him who lived not to please Himself.—
Letter 43, 1895
.
Sowing and Reaping
Not one word too much has been said in vindication and praise
of genuine medical missionary work. Connected with other lines of
gospel work, medical missionary work is the instrument by which
the ground is prepared for the sowing of the seed of truth, and the
instrument also by which the harvest is reaped. If all our ministers
had received and practiced the light that God had given on health
reform, the needy and the outcasts would be embraced in every
evangelistic effort to as much larger extent than they have been.
With medical missionary work acting as the helping hand of the
gospel ministry, the sick would be restored to health, and many souls
would be led into the light....
The gospel of Christ is to be bound up with medical missionary
work, and medical missionary work is to be bound up with the gospel
ministry. The world needs the efforts of medical missionaries who
are bound up with the gospel message. The ministers of the gospel
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cannot spend their time and strength in doing the work that needs to
be done in this line, but by the influence of pen and voice they can
strengthen this work. They are to look upon it as the helping hand
of the gospel, regarding it with great appreciation as the means of
preparing hearts for the sowing of the seed of truth, and of bringing
many to Christ.
Ministers to Combat Disease
The minister will often be called upon to act the part of a physi-
cian. He should have a training that will enable him to administer
the simpler remedies for the relief of suffering. Ministers and Bible
workers should prepare themselves for this line of work, for in doing
it they are following the example of Christ. They should be as well
prepared by education and practice to combat disease of the body as
they are to heal the sin-sick soul by pointing to the Great Physician.
They are fulfilling the commission Christ gave to the Twelve and
afterward to the Seventy, “Into whatsoever city ye enter, ... heal the