A Pioneer Work

Medical missionary work is the pioneer work. It is to be connected with the gospel ministry. It is the gospel in practice, the gospel practically carried out. I have been made sorry to see that our people have not taken hold of this work as they should. They have not gone out into the places round about to see what they could do to help the suffering....1NL 136.7

This is the work which is to interest the world, which is to break down prejudice, and force itself upon the attention of the world....1NL 136.8

I have seen that all heaven is interested in the work of relieving suffering humanity. Satan is exerting all his powers to obtain control over the souls and bodies of men. He is trying to bind them to the wheels of his chariot. My heart is made sad as I look at our churches, which ought to be connected in heart and soul and practice with the medical missionary work.1NL 136.9

In Australia we have been wrestling to get a sanitarium established, and a building is now in progress of erection, though not yet completed. The sanitarium work was started in a private dwelling house, and the one in charge of it devoted part of his time to conference work and part of his time to medical work. He was afraid that it would not be possible to pay the rent of the house which had been hired; so in order to help, I rented one room, and Brother Baker rented two. But these rooms were soon needed for patients, and the work has grown so that at the present time several houses are rented for the sanitarium patients and nurses.1NL 136.10

Through this work many souls have accepted the truth. A minister from Tasmania, a wealthy and educated man, came to the sanitarium for treatment, and while there, became interested in the truth. He soon began keeping the Sabbath, and he at once began to help the work with his means.1NL 137.1

Whole families have commenced keeping the Sabbath through some of the members coming to the sanitarium for treatment. But I need not say more about this; for you know it. You are not ignorant of it.1NL 137.2

I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work. The work of a minister is to minister. Our ministers are to work on the gospel plan of ministering. It has been presented to me that all through America there are barren fields.1NL 137.3