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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
things of time and sense to grasp the mysteries of the unseen. The
understanding is gradually brought to the level of the subjects with
which it is constantly familiar. The mind will contract its powers and
lose its ability if it is not exercised to acquire additional knowledge
and put to the stretch to comprehend the revelations of divine power
in nature and in the Sacred Word.
But an acquaintance with facts and theories, however important
they may be in themselves, is of little real value unless put to a practical
use. There is danger that those who have obtained their education
principally from books will fail to realize that they are novices so
far as experimental knowledge is concerned. This is especially true
of those connected with the sanitarium. This institution needs men
of thought and ability. The physicians, superintendent, matron, and
helpers should be persons of culture and experience. But some fail to
comprehend what is needed at such an establishment, and they plod
on, year after year, making no marked improvement. They seem to be
stereotyped; each succeeding day is but a repetition of the past one.
The minds and hearts of these mechanical workers are impover-
ished. Opportunities are before them; if studious, they might obtain
an education of the highest value; but they do not appreciate their
privileges. None should rest satisfied with their present education. All
may be daily qualifying themselves to fill some office of trust.
It is of great importance that the one who is chosen to care for the
spiritual interests of patients and helpers be a man of sound judgment
and undeviating principle, a man who will have moral influence, who
knows how to deal with minds. He should be a person of wisdom and
culture, of affection as well as intelligence. He may not be thoroughly
efficient in all respects at first, but he should, by earnest thought and
the exercise of his abilities, qualify himself for this important work.
The greatest wisdom and gentleness are needed to serve in this position
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acceptably yet with unbending integrity, for prejudice, bigotry, and
error of every form and description must be met.
This place should not be filled by a man who has an irritable
temper, a sharp combativeness. Care must be taken that the religion of
Christ be not made repulsive by harshness or impatience. The servant
of God should seek, by meekness, gentleness, and love, rightly to
represent our holy faith. While the cross must never be concealed, he
should present also the Saviour’s matchless love. The worker must be