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Medical Ministry
to preserve their soul’s integrity. They will breathe a heavenly
atmosphere, and every transaction will be inspired by the Holy
Spirit, and equity and righteousness will be revealed.
But if the body is neglected, if unsuitable hours are consumed
in study, if the mind is overtaxed, if the physical powers are left
unemployed and become enfeebled, then the human machinery is
trammeled, and matters that are essential for our future welfare and
eternal peace are neglected. Book knowledge is made all-important,
and God is dishonored....
Many are ruining themselves physically, mentally, and morally
by overdevotion to study. They are defrauding themselves for time
and eternity through practicing habits of intemperance in seeking
to gain an education. They are losing their desire to learn, in the
school of Christ, lessons of meekness and lowliness of heart. Every
moment that passes is fraught with eternal results. Integrity will be
the sure result of following in the way of righteousness.—
Special
Testimonies On Education, 126, 127
.
Advice to Those Having Limited Powers of Endurance
I have been instructed that in view of the trying nature of medical
missionary work, those who desire to take up this line should first be
thoroughly examined by competent physicians, to ascertain whether
or not they have the strength necessary to endure the course of study
through which they must pass in the training school.
If they are not able to carry a line of mental work covering a
period of two, three, or five years, as the case may be, they should
be told this, and counseled to spend their summer vacations in work-
ing in the open air; or, if unable to stand the strain of constant
schoolwork, they should be counseled to spend much of their time in
outdoor work, and to study books by themselves. If they are careful
to exercise sufficiently, the brain will be clear to grasp the subjects
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that they study alone, and their progress will be rapid. Let them
endeavor to treat the sick, as they have opportunity, putting into
practice the theory that they gain from the study of books. I have
been instructed that in many instances more practical knowledge can
be obtained in this way than by a long course of study in a medical
school.—
Manuscript 123, 1902.