Many Lines of Work
197
the maladies of the body as well as of the soul.—
Testimonies for the
Church 5:448, 449
.
In almost every community there are large numbers who do not
listen to the preaching of God’s word or attend any religious service. If
they are reached by the gospel, it must be carried to their homes. Often
the relief of their physical needs is the only avenue by which they can
be approached. Missionary nurses who care for the sick and relieve the
distress of the poor will find many opportunities to pray with them, to
read to them from God’s word, and to speak of the Saviour. They can
pray with and for the helpless ones who have not strength of will to
control the appetites that passion has degraded. They can bring a ray
of hope into the lives of the defeated and disheartened. Their unselfish
love, manifested in acts of disinterested kindness, will make it easier
for the suffering ones to believe in the love of Christ.—
The Ministry
of Healing, 144, 145
.
[224]
The Ministry
There must be no belittling of the gospel ministry. No enterprise
should be so conducted as to cause the ministry of the word to be
looked upon as an inferior matter. It is not so. Those who belittle the
ministry are belittling Christ. The highest of all work is ministry in its
various lines, and it should be kept before the youth that there is no
work more blessed of God than that of the gospel minister.
Let not our young men be deterred from entering the ministry.
There is danger that through glowing representations some will be
drawn away from the path where God bids them walk. Some have
been encouraged to take a course of study in medical lines who ought
to be preparing themselves to enter the ministry. The Lord calls for
more ministers to labor in His vineyard. The words were spoken,
“Strengthen the outposts; have faithful sentinels in every part of the
world.” God calls for you, young men. He calls for whole armies of
young men who are large-hearted and large-minded, and who have a
deep love for Christ and the truth.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:411
.