Counsel for physicians and sanitariums^{* See also Counsels on Health.}

I desire if possible to impress the minds of our physicians and managers with the importance of giving so pure and righteous a representation of God that the world will see Him in His beauty. I desire them to be so filled with the Spirit that dwelt in Him that worldly policy will have no power to divert their minds from the work of presenting to men the grand, wonderful possibilities before every soul who receives and believes in Christ.PCL 229.3

. . . Truth alone is to be our watchword. Self is to be hidden. Christ alone is to appear, full of grace and truth.—MS 27, 1902 (February 23)PCL 229.4

Passion for the lost—All our institutions should be missionary agencies in every sense of the word. No work is to be allowed to hinder the work of soul saving. In every institution there is missionary work to be done. From the manager down to the humblest worker, all should feel a responsibility for the unconverted among their own number. They should put forth earnest efforts to win them to Christ. As a result of such effort many will be won to the Saviour and will become faithful and true in service to God.—Letter 58, 1902 (April 9); MM 182PCL 230.1

Kind, thoughtful managers—Your [Bro. Rice] sincerity may not be doubted, your uprightness may not be questioned. But sincerity and uprightness will not atone for a lack of kindness and conciliation. Remember that there are those who have an interest in the institution fully as great as the interest you have in it. Do nothing without counseling with your brethren. Your conduct is so lacking in kindness and sympathy that the good you possess is evil spoken of. Your management is not only an offense to your brethren, but an offense to God. The course you pursue in choosing a few as favorites is against you.PCL 230.2

You must live and work for Christ’s sake. Selfishness is to have no part in the work of God. The desire to have one’s own way, contrary to the judgment of coworkers, is to find no place in our institutions. “All ye are brethren” (Matthew 23:8). A spirit of love and tenderness is to be shown. In our sanitariums, and in any institution, kind words, pleasant looks, a condescending demeanor are of great value. There is a charm in the interactions of men who are truly courteous. In business transactions what power for good a little condescension has!PCL 230.3

How restoring and uplifting the influence of such dealing upon men who are poor and depressed, borne down to the earth by sickness and poverty! Shall we withhold from them the balm that such dealing brings?PCL 230.4

It may seem to you that in dealing thus you will lose money, but it is not so. Far greater than the apparent loss will be the gain. God marks our every action as we deal with the suffering and afflicted. If men realized how much hope and courage could be inspired in hearts by condescension, how different would be the condition of things in our world!—Letter 30, 1887 (June 11)PCL 231.1

Those who deal with human minds must cultivate self-control, patience, kindness, forbearance, and Christlike love. These souls may be their companions through the ceaseless ages of eternity. There is no respect of persons with God. All with whom we stand related, in any capacity, should see in us Christlike attributes, not satanic. Everything should be set in order and everything guarded against that would cast a shadow over the religious life of the workers, or the soul of one who has not accepted Christ, thus making His salvation more difficult.PCL 231.2

Let all in the sanitarium, whether high or low, take heed that not one soul with whom they are connected shall suffer from their peculiar selfish, egotistical notions. Be broad, noble and Christlike; and this comprehends all goodness and faithfulness. —Letter 22, 1890 (May 20)PCL 231.3

I call upon those who stand as presidents and overseers in our institutions to change. Altogether too much of the natural tendency of the human heart is revealed, which has nothing to do with Christ, but everything to do with self. Hear the words of the Lord to you: “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.” . . .PCL 231.4

Kindness and courtesy, gentleness and grace, must be revealed in the men who bear high responsibilities. Then there will be unity, and love will be exercised toward all, for they will have “put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”—Letter 101, 1899 (July 3)PCL 232.1

If those in positions of trust have the love of God in the heart, and the fear of God before them, they will be kind, considerate, patient. By precept and example they will show that when dealing with their erring fellow creatures, they follow Christ’s example. Superiors, inferiors, and equals are all amenable to one law, the Ten Commandments. Old and young are to fear God with the whole heart. For master and servant the standard is: He will keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. The curse of God and not His blessing will be upon those who do not meet this standard.—MS 11, 1889 (August 10)PCL 232.2

God holds the managers of His institutions accountable to treat the youth in the employ of these institutions with courtesy, respect, and fatherly kindness. They are to deal with them as they themselves wish to be dealt with by Christ. Our first work, as the Lord has presented it to me, is to be so kind to the youth, so thoughtful of their interests, that they will feel at home in our presence.—Letter 58, 1902 (April 9); MM 182PCL 232.3

Leading with integrity—Those who control others should first learn to control themselves. Until those in responsibility learn this lesson, they cannot act the part of a Christian in their work of overseeing others. They are to abide in Christ, speaking as He would speak, acting as He would act—with unfailing tenderness and compassion. They are not to think, because they are in a position of responsibility, that they are at liberty to bear down on those connected with them. To the one who manages, God has given a measure of power, but this power he is to exercise in a pleasing and agreeable manner.PCL 232.4

Let those who have been exalted to the high position of managers in the Lord’s institutions, who are set as guardians of their fellow workers, pray to the Lord most earnestly for His grace. . . . Let them submit to Him in all things and make a solemn covenant with Him that they will set a guard over the door of their lips, remembering that they are representatives of the heavenly kingdom, and that, therefore, they are to live lives of a higher order than the worldling who has not received Christ. —Letter 108, 1902 (July 14)PCL 233.1