Health Institute
589
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, ex-
pect 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 the Institute and receive pay
for their services, act on the same liberal principle. No one should be
suffered to remain as helper in the Institute who does it simply for pay.
There are those of ability who, for the love of Christ, His cause, and
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the suffering followers of their Master, will fill stations in that Institute
faithfully and cheerfully, and with a spirit of sacrifice. Those who have
not this spirit should remove and give place to those who have it.
As nearly as I am able to judge, one half of the afflicted among
our people who should spend weeks or months at the Institute are not
able to pay the entire expense of the journey and a tarry there. Shall
poverty keep these friends of our Lord from the blessings which He
has so bountifully provided? Shall they be left to struggle on with
the double burden of feebleness and poverty? The wealthy feeble
ones, who have all the comforts and conveniences of life, and are able
to hire their hard work done, may, with care and rest, by informing
themselves and taking home treatment, enjoy a very comfortable state
of health without going to the Institute. But what can our poor, feeble
brethren or sisters do to recover health? They may do something,
but poverty drives them to labor beyond what they are really able.
They have not even all the comforts of life; and as for conveniences
in houseroom, furniture, means of taking baths, and arrangements for
good ventilation, they do not have them. Perhaps their only room is
occupied by a cookstove, winter and summer; and it may be that all
the books they have in the house, excepting the Bible, could be held
between the thumb and finger. They have no money to buy books that
they may read and learn how to live. These dear brethren are the very
ones who need help. Many of them are humble Christians. They may
have faults, and some of these may reach far back and be the cause of
their present poverty and misery. And yet they may be living up to duty