Pioneer Work
519
because this was a place through which travelers were constantly
[501]
passing and where many often tarried.
Christ sought the people where they were and placed before them
the great truths in regard to His kingdom. As He went from place
to place, He blessed and comforted the suffering and healed the sick.
This is our work. Small companies are to go forth to do the work to
which Christ appointed His disciples. While laboring as evangelists
they can visit the sick, praying with them and, if need be, treating
them, not with medicines but with the remedies provided in nature.
Small Plants in Many Places
There are many places that need gospel medical missionary work,
and there small plants should be established. God designs that our
sanitariums shall be a means of reaching high and low, rich and poor.
They are to be so conducted that by their work attention may be called
to the message God has sent to the world.
May the Lord increase our faith and help us to see that He desires
us all to become acquainted with His ministry of healing and with the
mercy seat. He desires the light of His grace to shine forth from many
places. He who understands the necessities of the situation arranges
that advantages shall be brought to the workers in various places to
enable them more effectually to arouse the attention of the people to
the truths that make for deliverance from both physical and spiritual
ills.
Compassion and Sympathy to Be Cultivated
The tender sympathies of our Saviour were aroused for fallen and
suffering humanity. If you would be His follower, you must cultivate
compassion and sympathy. Indifference to human woes must give place
[502]
to lively interest in the sufferings of others. The widow, the orphan,
the sick and dying, will always need help. Here is an opportunity to
proclaim the gospel—to hold up Jesus, the hope and consolation of all
men. When the suffering body has been relieved the heart is opened,
and you can pour in the heavenly balm. If you are looking to Jesus
and drawing from Him knowledge and strength and grace, you can
impart His consolation to others, because the Comforter is with you.