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and his fellow students infidels who have no thought of God, and
he is in danger of being influenced by these irreligious associations.
Nevertheless, some have gone through the medical course and have
remained true to principle. They would not continue their studies on
the Sabbath, and they have proved that men may become qualified
for the duties of a physician and not disappoint the expectations of
those who furnish them means to obtain an education. Like Daniel,
they have honored God, and He has kept them. Daniel purposed in
his heart that he would not adopt the customs of kingly courts; he
would not eat of the king’s meat nor drink of his wine. He looked
to God for strength and grace, and God gave him wisdom and skill
and knowledge above that of the astrologers, the soothsayers, and the
magicians of the kingdom. To him the promise was verified, “Them
that honor Me I will honor.”
1 Samuel 2:30
.
The young physician has access to the God of Daniel. Through
divine grace and power he may become as efficient in his calling
as Daniel was in his exalted position. But it is a mistake to make a
scientific preparation the all-important thing, while religious principles,
that lie at the very foundation of a successful practice, are neglected.
Many are lauded as skillful men in their profession, who scorn the
thought that they need to rely upon Jesus for wisdom in their work. But
if these men who trust in their knowledge of science were illuminated
by the light of Heaven, to how much greater excellence might they
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attain! How much stronger would be their powers, with how much
greater confidence could they undertake difficult cases! The man who
is closely connected with the Great Physician of soul and body has the
resources of heaven and earth at his command, and he can work with
a wisdom, an unerring precision, that the godless man cannot possess.
Those to whom the care of the sick is entrusted, whether as
physicians or nurses, should remember that their work must stand
the scrutiny of the piercing eye of Jehovah. There is no missionary
field more important than that occupied by the faithful, God-fearing
physician. There is no field where a man may accomplish greater good
or win more jewels to shine in the crown of his rejoicing. He may
carry the grace of Christ, as a sweet perfume, into all the sickrooms he
enters; he may carry the true healing balm to the sin-sick soul. He can
point the sick and dying to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin
of the world. He should not listen to the suggestion that it is dangerous