Medical Work
401
The Medical Work Will Open Doors to the Truth
There are many lines of work to be carried forward by the mis-
sionary nurse. There are openings for well-trained nurses to go among
families and seek to awaken an interest in the truth. In almost every
community there are large numbers who do not attend any religious
service. If they are reached by the gospel, is must be carried to their
homes. Often the relief of their physical needs is the only avenue by
which they can be approached. As missionary nurses care for the sick
and relieve the distress of the poor, they will find many opportunities
to pray with them, to read to them from God’s word, 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 these suffering ones to believe in the love of Christ.
I have been shown that the medical missionary work will discover,
in the very depths of degradation, men who once possessed fine minds,
richest qualifications, who will be rescued by proper labor from their
fallen condition. It is the truth as it is in Jesus that is to be brought
before human minds after they have been sympathetically cared for
and their physical necessities met. The Holy Spirit is working and
cooperating with the human agencies that are laboring for such souls,
and some will appreciate the foundation upon a rock for their religious
faith.
The right hand is used to open doors through which the body may
find entrance. This is the part the medical missionary work is to act. It
is to largely prepare the way for the reception of the truth for this time.
A body without hands is useless. In giving honor to the body, honor
must also be given to the helping hands, which are agencies of such
importance that without them the body can do nothing. Therefore the
body which treats indifferently the right hand, refusing its aid, is able
to accomplish nothing.
Living the gospel, maintaining its principles—this is a savor of life
unto life. Doors that have been closed to him who merely preaches
the gospel, will be opened to the intelligent medical missionary. God
reaches hearts through the relief of physical suffering. A seed of truth
is dropped into the mind, and is watered by God. Much patience may