Relationships Within the Church
113
The faithful physician should have as much claim to the
prayers of God’s people as the minister—The duties of the physi-
cian 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
[109]
knows that one unskillful movement of the hand, even but a hairbreadth
in the wrong direction, may send a soul unprepared into eternity. How
much the faithful physician needs the sympathy and prayers of the
people of God. His claims in this direction are not inferior to those of
the most devoted minister or missionary worker. Deprived, as he often
is, of needed rest and sleep, and even of religious privileges on the
Sabbath, he needs a double portion of grace, a fresh supply daily, or
he will lose his hold on God and will be in danger of sinking deeper in
spiritual darkness than men of other callings. And yet often he is made
to bear unmerited reproaches and is left to stand alone, the subject of
Satan’s fiercest temptations, feeling himself misunderstood, betrayed
by his friends.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:446
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Teachers
The influence of Christian teachers ranks with that of Chris-
tian ministers—Those who undertake the work of educating others,
will need patience, that they may carry their pupils forward from one
point to another in intellectual and spiritual attainment. Those who
instruct in the various branches of the work, should feel how great
is the responsibility that rests upon them. They need enlarged views,
for their work, in its influence, ranks with that of the Christian minis-
ter. Meetings for instruction should be called, time should be given,
facilities should be provided, that all the knowledge possible may
be imparted during the meeting. The work of co-operating with the
gospel minister in carrying the present truth to all nations, tongues,
and peoples, is indeed a most essential one. It should be conducted
in a manner in keeping with the exalted truth which we profess to
love.—
The Review and Herald, May 20, 1890
.
There must be no spirit of strife between ministers, physicians,
and teachers—This is my prayer, “Remove from our ministers, our
physicians, and the teachers in our schools everything that will gender