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Counsels on Health
There are many lines of work to be carried forward by the mis-
sionary nurse. There are opportunities for well-trained nurses to go
into homes and there endeavor to awaken an interest in the truth. In
almost every community there are large numbers who will not listen
to the teaching of God’s word or attend any religious service. If these
are reached by the gospel, it must be carried to their homes. Often the
relief of their physical needs is the only avenue by which they can be
approached.
Missionary nurses who care for the sick and relieve the distress
of the poor will find many opportunities to pray with them, to read
to them from God’s word, and 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. The revelation
of unselfish love, manifested in acts of disinterested kindness, will
make it easier for these suffering ones to believe in the love of Christ.
Many have no faith in God and have lost confidence in man. But
they appreciate acts of sympathy and helpfulness. As they see one
with no inducement of earthly praise or compensation coming to their
homes to minister to the sick, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked,
and to comfort the sad, and ever tenderly pointing all to Him of whose
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love and pity the human worker is but the messenger—as they see
this, their hearts are touched. Gratitude springs up; faith is kindled.
They see that God cares for them and they are prepared to listen to the
teaching of His word.
Gospel Workers to Minister to the Sick
Whether in foreign missions or in the home field, all missionaries,
both men and women, will gain much more ready access to the people,
and will find their usefulness greatly increased, if they are able to
minister to the sick. Women who go as missionaries to heathen lands
may thus find opportunity for giving the gospel to the women of those
lands, when every other door of access is closed. All gospel workers
should know how to give the simple treatments that do so much to
relieve pain and remove disease.
Gospel workers should be able also to give instruction in the prin-
ciples of healthful living. There is sickness everywhere, and much of