520
Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
they will be seduced by influences that corrupt and ruin the soul. The
spell of temptation will hold under its charm those who see and feel not
their danger. At every favorable opportunity the adversary of souls will
use them as his agents and will stir every element of depravity which
exists in their unsanctified natures. They will manifest a continual
tendency toward that which is wrong. Appetite and passion will clamor
for indulgence. The habits of years will be revealed under the strong
power of Satan’s temptations. If this class were many miles from any
of our institutions at Battle Creek, the cause of God would be far more
prosperous.
Such persons might reform if they would have any true sense of
their condition and the pernicious influence which they exert, and
would make decided efforts to correct their errors. But they do not
meditate or pray or read the Scriptures as they should. They are
frivolous and changeable. They are anchored nowhere. Those who
would be faithful and exert a saving influence upon others find this
class a stumbling block in their path, and their work is tenfold harder
than it otherwise would be.
I have been shown that the physicians should come into a closer
connection with God and stand and work earnestly in His strength.
They have a responsible part to act. Not only the lives of the patients,
but their souls also, are at stake. Many who are benefited physically
may, at the same time, be greatly helped spiritually. Both the health of
the body and the salvation of the soul are in a great degree dependent
upon the course of the physicians. It is of the utmost consequence that
they are right; that they have not only scientific knowledge, but the
knowledge of God’s will and ways. Great responsibilities rest upon
them.
My brethren, you should see and feel your responsibility and, in
view of it, humble your souls before God and plead with Him for
wisdom. You have not realized how much the salvation of the souls of
those whose bodies you are seeking to relieve from suffering, depends
[567]
upon your words, your actions and deportment. You are doing work
which must bear the test of the judgment. You must guard your own
souls from the sins of selfishness, self-sufficiency, and self-confidence.
You should preserve a true Christian dignity, but avoid all affecta-
tion. Be strictly honest in heart and life. Let faith, like the palm tree,
strike its penetrating roots beneath the things which do appear, and