Spalding and Magan Collection

The Development of the Medical Missionary Work

St. Helena, Cal.,

Sept. 21, 1903.

To the Teachers in Emmanuel Missionary College:

... Medical missionary work is yet in its infancy. The meaning of genuine medical missionary work is known by but few. Why? Because the Saviour's plan of work has not been followed. God's money has been misapplied. In many places practical evangelistic medical missionary work is being done; but many of the workers who should go forth as did the disciples are being collected together and held in a few places, as they have been in the past, notwithstanding the Lord's warning that this should not be. SpM 318.3

Many of the men and women who should be out in the field, working as medical missionary evangelists, helping those engaged in the gospel ministry, are collected in Battle Creek, acting over the same program that has been acted over in the past, confining the forces, binding them up in one place. God has spoken against this by sending His judgments upon the institutions in Battle Creek; but notwithstanding this, every movement on the part of those striving to heed the warnings by laboring to change the order of things, has been made very hard because of the misconception of some regarding the way in which the medical missionary work should be carried forward. SpM 318.4

God has not given us the work of erecting immense sanitariums, to be used as health resorts for all who may come. Neither is it his purpose that medical missionary workers shall spend a long term of years in college before they enter the field. To build up a school in Battle Creek, as some of our people there desire, would tend to counterwork the influence that God has declared should be exerted on his people in these last days of this earth's history. SpM 319.1

The interests that the Lord has declared should not remain in Battle Creek are not now to be brought back and re-established there. Much of the force that would be needed to carry forward there, amidst many disadvantages, the work of these interests, should be used in doing gospel medical missionary work in the large cities still unworked. SpM 319.2

“Break up the large centers,” has been the word of the Lord, “Carry the light to many places.” Those who are desirous of receiving a training for effective medical missionary work, should understand that large sanitariums will be conducted so much like institutions of the world, that students laboring in such sanitariums can not obtain a symmetrical training for Christian medical missionary work. SpM 319.3

The proclamation of the truth in all parts of the world calls for small sanitariums in many places, not in the heart of cities, but in places where city influences will be as little felt as possible. SpM 319.4

I am obliged to say that the making of so large a plant in Battle Creek, and the calling together of those who should be engaged in medical missionary work in many places, is doing just what God has specified should not be done. SpM 319.5

The fact that many patients are coming to the new sanitarium at Battle Creek is not to be read as a sign that the planning for so large a work there was for the best. To this large institution will come many men and women who are not really sick. Workers will be required to wait on them; our nurses will become the servants of worldly men and women who are not inclined to piety or religion. But this is not the work that God has given to his medical missionaries. Our charge has been given us by the greatest Medical Missionary that this world has ever seen. Standing but a step from His Father's throne, Christ said to his disciples: SpM 319.6

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” “Go ye into all the world,” He said, “and preach the gospel to every creature,” “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” SpM 319.7

Let our ministers who have gained an experience in preaching the Word, learn how to give simple treatments, and then labor intelligently as medical missionary evangelists. SpM 319.8

Workers - gospel medical missionaries - are needed now. We can not afford to spend years in preparation. Soon doors now open to the truth will be forever closed. Carry the message now. Do not wait, allowing the enemy to take possession of fields now open before you. Let little companies go forth to do the work to which Christ appointed his disciples. Let them labor as evangelists, scattering our publications, and talking of the truth to those they meet. Let them pray for the sick, ministering to their necessities not with drugs, but with nature's remedies, and teaching them how to regain health and avoid disease. SpM 320.1

Let the workers remember always that they are dependent on God. Let them not trust in human wisdom, but in the wisdom of the One who declares. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth... Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Let them go forth two and two, depending on God, not on man, for wisdom and success. Let them search the Scriptures, and then present the truths of God's word to others. Let them be guided by the principles that Christ has laid down. SpM 320.2

Ellen G. White.