A Responsible Calling
[
Testimonies for the Church 5:439-449
(1885).]
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Psalm 111:10
.
Professional men, whatever their calling, need divine wisdom. But
the physician is in special need of this wisdom in dealing with all
classes of minds and diseases. He occupies a position even more
responsible than that of the minister of the gospel. He is called to be a
colaborer with Christ, and he needs stanch religious principles and a
firm connection with the God of wisdom. If he takes counsel of God,
he will have the Great Healer to work with his efforts and he will move
with the greatest caution, lest by his mismanagement he injure one of
God’s creatures. He will be firm as a rock to principle, yet kind and
courteous to all. He will feel the responsibility of his position, and his
practice will show that he is actuated by pure, unselfish motives and a
desire to adorn the doctrine of Christ in all things. Such a physician
will possess a heaven-born dignity and will be a powerful agent for
good in the world. Although he may not be appreciated by those who
have no connection with God, yet he will be honored of Heaven. In
God’s sight he will be more precious than gold, even the gold of Ophir.
An Example in Temperance
The physician should be a strictly temperate man. The physical
ailments of humanity are numberless, and he has to deal with disease
in all its varied forms. He knows that much of the suffering he seeks
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to relieve is the result of intemperance and other forms of selfish
indulgence. He is called to attend young men and men in the prime of
life and in mature age, who have brought disease upon themselves by
the use of the narcotic tobacco. If he is an intelligent physician, he will
be able to trace disease to its cause; but unless he is free from the use
of tobacco himself, he will hesitate to put his finger upon the plague
spot and faithfully unfold to his patients the cause of their sickness.
He will fail to urge upon the young the necessity of overcoming the
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