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The Ministry of Health and Healing
In giving light to His people anciently, God did not work through
only one class. Daniel was a prince of Judah. Isaiah also was of the
royal line. David was a shepherd, Amos a herdsman. Zechariah was
a captive from Babylon, Elisha a farmer. The Lord raised up as His
representatives prophets and princes, the noble and the lowly, and
taught them the truths to be given to the world.
To everyone who becomes a partaker of His grace the Lord
appoints a work for others. Individually we are to stand in our lot
and place, saying, “‘Here am I! Send me.’”
Isaiah 6:8
. Upon the
minister of the Word, the missionary nurse, the Christian physician,
the individual Christian, whether merchant or farmer, professional
or mechanic—the responsibility rests upon all. It is our work to
reveal to earth’s inhabitants the gospel of salvation. Every enterprise
in which we engage should be a means to this end.
Those who take up their appointed work will not only be a bless-
ing to others, they themselves will be blessed. The consciousness
of duty well done will have a reflex influence upon their own souls.
The despondent will forget their despondency, the weak will become
strong, the ignorant intelligent, and all will find an unfailing helper
in Him who has called them.
The Church a Training School
The church of Christ is organized for service. Its watchword is
ministry. Its members are soldiers, to be trained for conflict under
the Captain of their salvation. Christian ministers, physicians, and
teachers have a broader work than many have recognized. They are
not only to minister to the people, they are to teach the people to
minister. They should not only give instruction in right principles,
they should educate their hearers to impart these principles. Truth
that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its
healing virtue. Its blessing can be retained only as it is shared.
The monotony of our service for God needs to be broken up.
Every church member should be engaged in some line of service for
the Master. Some cannot do as much as others, but everyone should
do his or her utmost to roll back the tide of disease and distress
that is sweeping over our world. Many would be willing to work