Sanitariums and Gospel Work
[
The Review and Herald, March 23, 1905
.]
Our sanitariums are one of the most successful means of reaching
all classes of people. Christ is no longer in this world in person, to
go through our cities and towns and villages healing the sick. He has
commissioned us to carry forward the medical missionary work that
He began, and in this work we are to do our very best. Institutions
for the care of the sick are to be established, where men and women
may be placed under the care of God-fearing medical missionaries
and be treated without drugs. To these institutions will come those
who have brought disease on themselves by improper habits of eating
and drinking. These are to be taught the principles of healthful living.
They are to be taught the value of self-denial and self-restraint. They
are to be provided with a simple, wholesome, palatable diet and are to
be cared for by wise physicians and nurses.
Our sanitariums are the right hand of the gospel, opening doors
whereby suffering humanity may be reached with the glad tidings of
healing through Christ. In these institutions the sick may be taught to
commit their cases to the Great Physician, who will co-operate with
their earnest efforts to regain health, bringing to them healing of soul
as well as healing of body.
There is most precious missionary work to be done in our sanitari-
ums. In them Christ and the angels work to relieve suffering caused by
bodily disease. And the work is by no means to stop there. The prayers
offered for the sick and the opening of the Scriptures to them give
them a knowledge of the great Medical Missionary. Their attention is
called to Him as the One who can heal all disease. They learn about
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the great gift of eternal life, which the Lord Jesus is longing to bestow
on those who receive Him. They learn how to prepare for the mansions
that Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him. If I go away,
He said, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where
I am, there ye may be also.”
John 14:3
. In the word of God there are
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