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Physician an Educator
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If physicians do not observe the laws that govern their own being,
if they choose selfish gratification above soundness of mind and
body, do they not thereby declare themselves unfit to be entrusted
with the responsibility of human lives?
However skilled and faithful physicians may be, there is in their
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experience much of apparent discouragement and defeat. Often
their work fails of accomplishing that which they long to see accom-
plished. Though health is restored to their patients, it may be no
real benefit to them or to the world. Many recover health, only to
repeat the indulgences that invited disease. With the same eagerness
as before, they plunge again into the round of self-indulgence and
irrational conduct. The physician’s work for them seems like effort
thrown away.
Christ had the same experience, yet He did not cease His efforts
for even one suffering soul. Of the ten lepers who were cleansed,
only one appreciated the gift, and he was a stranger and a Samaritan.
For the sake of that one, Christ healed the ten. If physicians meet
with no better success than that of the Savior, let them learn a lesson
from the Chief Physician. Of Christ it is written, “He will not fail
nor be discouraged.” “He shall see the travail of His soul, and be
satisfied.”
Isaiah 42:4
;
53:11
.
If but one soul would have accepted the gospel of His grace,
Christ would, to save that one, have chosen His life of toil and
humiliation and His death of shame. If through our efforts even one
human being is uplifted and ennobled, fitted to shine in the courts of
the Lord, should we not rejoice?
Physicians have duties that are arduous and trying. In order to
perform them most successfully they need to have a strong constitu-
tion and vigorous health. A man or woman who is feeble or diseased
cannot endure the exhausting work accompanying to the physician’s
calling. One who lacks perfect self-control cannot become qualified
to deal with all classes of disease.
Often deprived of sleep, neglecting even to eat, cut off in great
degree from social enjoyment and religious privileges, the life of
physicians seems to lie under a continual shadow. The affliction they
see, the dependent mortals longing for help, their contact with the
depraved, make the heart sick and well-nigh destroy confidence in
humanity. In the battle with disease and death, every energy is taxed