The Story of our Health Message

“Many Doors Will Be Opened”

To that the following answer was given: “There is a way in which many doors will be opened to the missionary. Let him become intelligent in the care of the sick, as a nurse, or learn how to treat disease, as a physician; and if he is imbued with the spirit of Christ, what a field of usefulness is opened before him. ... SHM 271.2

“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, and you have shown a lively interest in the afflicted, 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. ... SHM 271.3

“There should be those who are preparing themselves to become Christian missionary physicians and nurses. Doors will then be opened into the families of the higher classes as well as among the lowly.”—The Medical Missionary, January, 1891. SHM 272.1

This appeal preceded by a few months the spontaneous move of which Dr. David Paulson later declared that “as if moved by a common impulse, thirteen of us within the space of a few weeks felt impressed to become medical missionaries.”—Ibid., July, 1910. SHM 272.2

The thirteen referred to by Dr. Paulson were among the twenty persons selected by the General Conference Committee and the Medical and Surgical Sanitarium Board. They later lived at the home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, while pursuing their medical studies at the state university. SHM 272.3