Medical Missionaries
“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California
October 17, 1903
This letter is published in entirety in CH 369-372.
To our medical missionaries,—
God would have all who profess to be gospel medical missionaries learn diligently the lessons of the great Teacher. This they must do if they would find peace and rest. Learning of Christ, their hearts will be filled with the peace that He alone can give. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 1
The one book that is essential for all to study is the Bible. Studied with reverence and godly fear, it is the greatest of all educators. In it there is no sophistry. Its pages are filled with truth. Would you gain a knowledge of God and Christ, whom He sent into the world to live and die for sinners? An earnest, diligent study of the Bible is necessary in order to gain this knowledge. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 2
Many of the books piled up in the great libraries of earth confuse the mind more than they aid the understanding! Yet men spend large sums of money in the purchase of such books, and years in their study, when they have within their reach a book containing the words of Him who is the Alpha and Omega of wisdom. The time spent in a study of these books might better be spent in gaining a knowledge of Him whom to know aright is life eternal. Those only who gain this knowledge will at last hear the words, “Ye are complete in Him.” [Colossians 2:10.] 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 3
Study the Bible more and the theories of the medical fraternity less, and you will have greater spiritual health. Your mind will be clearer and more vigorous. Much that is embraced in a medical course is positively unnecessary! Those who take a medical training spend a great deal of time in learning that which is merely rubbish. Many of the theories that they learn may be compared in value to the traditions and maxims taught by the scribes and Pharisees. Many of the intricacies with which they have to become familiar are an injury to their minds. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 4
These things God has been opening before me for many years. In our medical schools and institutions we need men who have a deeper knowledge of the Scriptures, men who have learned the lessons taught in the Word of God and who can teach these lessons to others, clearly and simply, just as Christ taught His disciples the knowledge that He deemed most essential. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 5
If, during the remainder of this year, our medical missionary workers would follow the great Physician’s prescription for obtaining rest, a healing current of peace would flow through their souls. Here is the prescription: 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 6
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30.] 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 7
When our medical missionary workers follow this prescription, gaining from the Saviour power to reveal His characteristics, their scientific work will have greater soundness. Because the Word of God has been neglected, strange things have been done in the medical missionary work of late. The Lord cannot accept the present showing. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 8
Study the Word, which God in His wisdom and love and goodness has made so plain and simple. The sixth chapter of John tells us what is meant by a study of the Word. The principles revealed in the Scriptures are to be brought home to the soul. We are to eat the Word of God, that is, we are not to depart from its precepts. We are to bring its truths into our daily lives, grasping the mysteries of godliness. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 9
Pray to God. Commune with Him. Prove the very mind of God, as those who are striving for eternal life and who must have a knowledge of His will. You can reveal the truth only as you know it in Christ. You are to receive and assimilate His words; they are to become part of yourselves. This is what is meant by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God. You are to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God—that is, what God has revealed. Not all has been revealed; we could not bear such a revelation. But God has revealed all that is necessary for our salvation. We are not to leave His word for the suppositions of men. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 10
Obtain an experimental knowledge of God by wearing the yoke of Christ. He gives wisdom to the meek and lowly, enabling them to judge of what is truth, bringing to light the why and wherefore, pointing out the result of certain actions. The Holy Spirit teaches the student of the Scriptures to judge all things by the standard of righteousness and truth and justice. The divine revelation supplies him with the knowledge that he needs. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 11
And the needed knowledge will be given to all who come to Christ, receiving and practicing His teachings, making His words a part of their lives. Those who place themselves under the instruction of the great Medical Missionary, to be workers together with Him, will have a knowledge that the world, with all its traditionary lore, cannot supply. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 12
Make the Bible the man of your counsel. Your acquaintance with it will grow rapidly if you keep your mind free from the rubbish of the world. The more the Bible is studied, the deeper will be your knowledge of God. The truths of His Word will be written in your soul, making an ineffaceable impression. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 13
Not only will the student himself be benefited by a study of the Word of God. His study is life and salvation to all with whom he associates. He will feel a sacred responsibility to impart the knowledge that he receives. His life will reveal the help and strength that he receives from communion with the Word. The sanctification of the Spirit will be seen in thought, word, and deed. All that he says and does will proclaim that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. Of such ones the Lord Jesus can indeed say, Ye are laborers together with God. 18LtMs, Lt 241, 1903, par. 14