- Preface to the First Edition
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- Historical Background of the Ellen G. White Writings on Health
- The Primary E. G. White Articles on Health
- Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 1890
- Healthful Living, 1897
- The Ministry of Healing, 1905
- Counsels on Health, 1923
- Medical Ministry, 1932
- Counsels on Diet and Foods, 1938
- Temperance, 1949
- Welfare Ministry, 1952
- Counsels Vital for Today
- Objectives and Conditions of Prosperity Unchanged
- The Testimonies and the Meaning of Words
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- Nature the Servant of God
- Christ the Life and Light
- Life by the Power of God
- Life of God in Nature
- God Feeding Earth's Millions
- Kept in Activity
- Through Natural Laws
- God in Nature
- Nature's Message
- The Message of Love
- Nature Is Not God
- The Source of Healing
- The Great Healer
- A Combined Work
- The Holy Spirit Renews the Body
- The Best Medicine
- What the Physician Attempts, Christ Accomplishes
- Education Better Than Miraculous Healing
- When Prayer for Healing Is Presumption
- Provision for Gospel Medical Missionary Work
- Miracles Not a Sure Evidence of God's Favor
- When Christ Refused to Work Miracles
- Reformation to Precede Miracle Working
- Prayer for the Sick
- For Further Study
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- The Majesty of Heaven as a Medical Missionary
- Understood Through Practice
- The Purpose of Christ's Humility
- Disciples of Christ to Represent His Character
- The Source of Success
- Types of God's Saving Power
- The Highest Aim
- Memorials for God
- To Reform Medical Practices
- An Honor to God
- To Lift Up Christ
- Christ to Bring Relief and Healing
- To Awaken Faith in the Great Healer
- For Further Study
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- Responsibility for Soul and Body
- Faithfulness and Perseverance
- Bringing the Lord's Work Into Disrepute
- Give Heed to Character Building
- The Physician's Influence
- A Pattern of Good Judgment
- Heavenly Assistants
- Give God the Glory
- God the Physician's Efficiency
- The Peril of Popularity
- The Physician's First Work
- To Prepare Souls for Death
- The Duty of Truthfulness
- Leading Souls to the Mighty Healer
- Evangelistic Duties
- A Deeper Yearning for Souls
- Take Time to Commune With God
- To a Young Physician Under Discouragement
- To a Physician in Perplexity
- Counsel with Your Brethren
- Shall Self Rule?
- A Plea for Brotherly Union
- A Student of Cause and Effect
- The Physician as a Sabbath Observer
- Rest for the Overweary
- Hiding Self in Christ
- For Further Study
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- In the Providence of God
- A Place to Be Appreciated
- A Practical Training
- An Appeal in Behalf of Our Medical College
- To Provide What Is Essential
- The Wisest Talent Called For
- The Classes of Workers to Be Trained
- To Prepare for Many Lines of Work
- Women to Be Especially Trained
- No Compromise
- Christ's Part and Ours
- Genuine Missionaries as Pioneers
- The Medical Student
- Development of Experience
- Caution Needed in Encouraging Students
- A Call for the Best Talent
- The High Order of the Loma Linda School
- Who Should Apply
- Students Should Have Moral Strength
- Strength of Character Essential
- Amenable to Authority
- Mental and Physical Effort Proportionate
- Educate in the Simplicity of Christ
- Count the Cost
- Study Practical Matters
- Not Amusements, but Consecrated Work
- Missionary Labor
- Let Not Truth Be Supplanted
- Advice to Those Having Limited Powers of Endurance
- Our Relation to Legal Requirements
- For Further Study
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- Building on the Rock
- Spurious Scientific Theories
- The True Higher Education
- Truth Strengthens the Understanding
- The Church is Christ's Fortress
- Exalting Nature Above Nature's God
- A Right Knowledge of God
- God Revealed in His Word and His Works
- Speculation Regarding God's Personality
- Subtle Theories Regarding God
- Restraint and Moral Control Destroyed
- Not a Thread of Pantheism
- The Issue Foreseen
- Speculation Regarding the Future Life
- Deception Regarding Spiritual Affinity
- A Counterfeit Heaven
- Neglecting Fundamental Truths for Idle Speculation
- Honoring Superstition and Falsehood
- For Further Study
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- Happiness and Health
- Thousands Needlessly Sick
- Health Through Service for Others
- Drudgery Versus Healthful Activity
- Contentment and Cheerfulness
- Enlisting the Willpower
- The Holy Spirit as a Restorative
- Sanctified Mind Cure
- Indigestion Caused by Fear
- Inspire the Despondent
- Counterfeit Miracles
- Taking Hold of the Eternal
- Satan's Apparent Miracles
- Efforts of Satan to Confuse Minds
- A Dangerous System of Mind Cure
- Directing the Mind to Christ
- For Further Study
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- Exorbitant Fees
- Represent Upright Principles
- The Percentage Plan a Snare
- Care in Expenditure
- The Policy Principle a Dishonor to God
- Promises for Self-Sacrificing Workers
- Prepare for Eternity
- Advice to a Young Physician
- As the Servants of Christ
- Heart-Searching Questions
- Two Classes of Servants
- A Commendation for Soul Winners
- Gain That Is Loss
- For Further Study
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- Our Attitude Toward the Lord's Institutions
- Experience and Wisdom Needed
- The Minister and His Wife
- Maintaining a High Moral Standard
- Like Streams From a Pure Fountain
- An Appeal for More Sympathy
- Establishment of New Sanitariums
- In Wisdom and Equity
- Counting the Cost
- Sanitarium Work as a Speculation
- Move Carefully
- Honor Through Lowliness
- Disadvantages of Large Institutions
- Danger in Separation From the Gospel
- No Compromise
- For Further Study
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- A Noble Work
- Essential Qualifications for Management
- Willing to Take Counsel
- Unnecessary Debts
- Not With Outward Show
- Simplicity in Furnishing
- The Ministry of Trials
- Men of Discernment Needed
- Moderation in Rates
- To an Inexperienced Manager
- Consideration for an Injured Worker
- Be Kind to the Lowly
- Sanctified Dignity to Be Preserved
- Experienced Workers Needed
- Wholly Devoted to God
- The Selection of Workers
- Sanitariums and Education
- Gentleness in Discipline
- In the Place of a Father
- For Further Study
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- Restoration Through Reformation
- Opening Fast-Closed Doors
- With Tenderness and Wisdom
- Learning to Work as He Worked
- Give Heed to Soul-Winning Effort
- Daily Efforts in Soul Winning
- The Workers Needed
- Promptness in Meeting Appointments
- Promptness and Efficiency
- The Privilege of Ministry
- A Winning Influence
- Consecrated Nurses
- For Further Study
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- Christians to Be Light Bearers
- To Send Forth Light and Knowledge
- Training for Various Lines of Work
- Put On Christ
- Regular Bible Instruction for Nurses
- Laying Our Burdens at His Feet
- In the Daily Round of Duties
- Imitate God's Perfect Ways
- A Sacred Responsibility
- Chosen for the Work
- Harmony Among Workers
- Qualifications of the Matron
- A Woman of Experience
- To Exalt the Word of God
- To Bring Comfort and Encouragement
- Consideration for the Thoughtless
- Dealing with the Unreasonable
- The Dull Student
- Attitude of the Instructor
- This World Not Heaven
- Cultivate an Atmosphere of Praise
- Neatness and Order
- Gossip
- Rejoice in the Lord
- The Observance of the Sabbath
- The Physician Not Exempt
- At the Peril of the Soul
- Sabbath Work
- The Tithe
- An Opportune Place for Backsliding
- Build Harmoniously
- Changed Into the Divine Likeness
- For Further Study
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- Prevention of Disease
- Early Teaching of Physiology
- Educate the Sick
- The Law of Faith and Works
- Combat Disease by Simple Methods
- Hygienic Principles
- Seeds of Death
- Thousands Might Recover
- What We Can Do for Ourselves
- Instruction for Missionaries
- Sunlight, Ventilation, and Temperature
- Nature's Great Medicinal Resources
- Healing Power in Outdoor Life
- An Elixir of Life
- Awaken Faith in the Great Healer
- For Further Study
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- A United Work
- To Open Doors
- An Effective Instrument
- Encourage the Workers
- The Worst Evil
- A Means of Entrance to Hearts
- Earnest Appeal to Physicians
- Many Saved From Degradation
- The Poor Not to Be Neglected
- Labor for the Wealthy
- The Value of Medical Work
- What the Missionary Nurse Can Do
- Efficiency and Power
- An Example of Healing and Soul-Winning Work
- A Blended Ministry
- Physicians as City Evangelists
- A Twofold Service
- Sent Forth Two and Two
- Cooperation
- Not by Proxy
- The Distinguishing Sign
- True Charity
- The Atmosphere of Love
- Sowing and Reaping
- As He Is Perfect
- Zeal and Perseverance in Medical Missionary Work
- In Excellent Company
- A Revival Will Come
- For Further Study
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- The Gospel of Health
- The First Work
- Educate in the Laws of Life
- The Science of Self-Denial
- Counsel to a Sanitarium Physician
- How to Present the Principles of Healthful Diet
- Labor Lost Without Instruction
- Educate, Educate, Educate
- Deeds of Ministry
- Teach Self-Denial
- Hygienic Restaurants as Schools
- Instruction in Homes and in Schools
- Cooperation With Other Temperance Workers
- Educate the Poor
- Purpose of Health-Food Work
- Like the Manna
- The Lord Will Teach the Obedient
- Instruction in the Art of Cooking
- United Action Necessary
- Incentives to Activity
- Tolerance for Others’ Opinions
- Teaching Extreme Views
- Good Cooking a Science
- Many Will Be Rescued
- For Further Study
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- Important Principles
- Sanctification and Self-Mastery
- Show the Value of Health Reform
- To the Glory of God
- Appeal to a Physician
- Appeal to a Minister
- An Appeal to Parents
- Making Dyspeptics
- Eating Too Frequently
- The Two-Meal Plan
- Perseverance in Overcoming
- Pray for Moral Courage
- Suggestions for Sanitarium Diet
- No Flesh-Meat on Sanitarium Tables
- Lectures to be Given
- To a Physician Dying from Overwork and a Meager Diet
- Light Given in Love and Pity
- For Further Study
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- Christ's Labors in Cities and Towns
- Medical Evangelism for the Cities
- The Training of Workers
- Difficulties Will Increase
- No Time to Colonize
- A Mission in Every City
- A Mighty Movement
- Cooperation
- Move Forward
- A Parable of What Should Be
- Sanitariums and Hygienic Restaurants
- Danger of Missing the Mark
- A Sanitarium Near New York
- Redeeming the Time
- Seek Rural Homes
- Rural Location for Institutions
- Work for the Outcasts
- Safeguard the Youth
- Difficulties Overcome
- For Further Study
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- Co-workers With Christ
- Truth to Be Presented in Many Ways
- How to Reveal Christ
- A New Element
- Opportunities for All
- Will Revive the Churches
- Be Practical Missionaries
- Work for Children and Youth
- In Time of Persecution
- The Appeal of Unpromising Fields
- Self-Supporting Effort
- Medical Missions in Every City
- Advantages of Small Schools
- Many Training Schools
- Sanitariums Connected With Schools
- Many Small Sanitariums
- Opportunities to Purchase Sanitarium Properties
- Not as a Business Speculation
- Move With Understanding
- Fulfilling God's Plans
- Securing Help From the Wealthy
- Our Needs to Be Presented
- Plants in Foreign Fields
- Health Institutions in Many Lands
- Go Forward
- For Further Study
An Appeal for More Sympathy
The Christian physician is a minister of the highest order. He is a missionary. Those who through their skill and faithful, earnest effort, by wisdom from God, can relieve bodily pain, place themselves in such a relation to their patients that they can point them to the Soul Healer, who can say, “Thy sins be forgiven thee.” ...MM 147.2
Obtaining the Confidence of Patients
You are too reticent. It is in your power to bind the sick to your heart, and if you do not obtain the confidence of your patients, it is because you do not see the great need of tact, ingenuity, in ministering to the soul as well as to the body. I do not justify anyone in practicing deception upon the dying. In as mild a manner as possible tell them the truth in regard to their case (as I believe you do), and then point them to Jesus as their only hope.MM 147.3
You have no right to shut yourself up within yourself, and say scarcely anything to the patients. You should not keep patients waiting for your decision in their case. It is not right to cause them suffering of mind by unnecessary delay. Every case should receive prompt attention in its turn and according to its necessity. Negligence in this respect has hurt you from the very first of your medical practice. It need not and should not be.MM 148.1
I have been shown that this defect in your character has caused men and women to curse you in their hearts, and almost to blaspheme God. Now if I thought this could not be corrected, I would not write as I do. It is your duty as a Christian physician to educate your manners and your habits for the sickroom, to be cheerful and affable, to manifest tender sympathy, to converse freely on the subjects essential to your patients and which come within the sphere of your practice. You can reach a high standard in your practice.MM 148.2
Thinking of Disagreeable Matters
Do not, I beg of you, lay blame on others. You have pondered over disagreeable matters altogether too much. There are many things that you do not view in a correct light. Now, cease to think of disagreeable things; cease to talk of them; fix your mind on Jesus, your Helper, and work in faith and confidence. By disciplining yourself you can have greater success than you have ever yet had....MM 148.3
A physician needs to be in daily communion with God, that he may be a constant channel of light to his patients. He should be an imitator of the Lord Jesus Christ. While daily conversant with death, working for those on the verge of the grave, he requires a constant supply of the grace of God, for there is danger that he will become indifferent to eternal realities. His only safety is in keeping the Lord ever before him, his mind constantly under the influence of the Spirit of God.MM 148.4
Christian Courtesy and Delicacy
The physician should be governed by a strict sense of propriety at all times and on all occasions. I speak plainly, because I know that it is my duty to do this. You cannot be too chaste in your words or too modest in your examination of patients. Coarseness or indelicacy in the operating room, or by the bedside of the suffering, is a sin in the sight of God; and in the minds of the patients it will tell with power against the physician. Unless he constantly cherishes a strict sense of propriety, he will unguardedly shock sensitive patients who are modest and refined.MM 149.1
Above all other men who fill positions of responsibility, the physician needs to be connected with God, to be taught continually by Him, else there is danger that, under temptation, he will become unfaithful, coarse, and profligate. He needs a pure and undefiled religion. And those who stand as his assistants should be wise and calm, persons who fear God. You are safe only when connected with the Source of all power, of all purity and elevation of character.MM 149.2
There are coarse and even sensual minds among physicians. God forbid that this should be the character of one who claims to believe sacred truth. The Spirit of God will shield us from all evil, and will give us an appreciation of the reality of spiritual and eternal things. The solemn truths which we profess will sanctify the soul if we bring them into the inner sanctuary of the heart. Oh, that every physician would be what God would have him—pure, holy, undefiled, shielded by the grace of God, knowing that Christ is his personal Saviour.MM 149.3
Ever bear in mind, Dr. -----, that the sickroom is a place where Christian courtesy, delicacy, and politeness should always be manifested. There should not be even an approach to commonness. The actions of the physician are making their impression; the tones of his voice, the expression of his countenance, the words he speaks, are weighed by the patient. Every movement is scrutinized.MM 149.4
Directing Gratitude to God
If the invalid is relieved from pain, and brought back, as it were, from death to life, he is inclined almost to worship the one who, he thinks, has saved his life. He seldom thinks that it is God who has done this work through His human agents. Now is the opportune moment for Satan to come in and lead the physician to exalt himself instead of Christ. Jesus says, “Without Me ye can do nothing.”MM 149.5
You should lead the patient to behold Jesus as the physician of the body as well as of the soul. If the physician has the love of Christ in his own heart, he will use his influence to set the Mighty Healer before the afflicted one. He can direct the thoughts, the gratitude, and praise, to the Source of all power, mercy, and goodness. If he fails to do this, he is neglecting the most precious opportunities. Oh, what a chance for the Christian physician to exercise his talents to the glory of God, and thus put them out to the exchangers, to be multiplied, and send back to heaven a flood of light in praise and thanksgiving to God for His mercy and love. Oh, what opportunities to drop in the heart the seed which will bear fruit unto holiness!MM 150.1
He who loves God supremely, with all the heart, with all the soul, mind, might, and strength, will love his neighbor as himself, and will strive for his highest good. He will not lose one opportunity of setting the Lord before the afflicted one.MM 150.2
False Ideas of Etiquette
There are false ideas of consistency and etiquette, which lead to neglect of sacred duties. Worldly etiquette, which stands in the way of saving men's souls by lifting up Jesus before them, and of seeking to do them good, is to be discarded. It should be our constant study how we may best follow the example of Christ and promote His glory. Connection with God is everything. What physicians aim to do, Christ accomplished in the fullest sense. The physician labors with zeal to prolong life. Christ is the Giver of life.MM 150.3
Who has endowed the physician with reason and intelligence? He who is the truth and the life. He applies the balm of Gilead. He is the great Restorer. He is the one who has repeatedly vanquished death, and who grants eternal life—God over all. If the physician has learned in the school of Christ, he will, while ministering to the diseased bodies, watch for souls as one that must give an account.MM 150.4
The Unseen Witness
Christian physicians need to pray—to watch unto prayer. Before them is opened a door for many temptations, and they need to be awakened to a lively sense that there is a Watcher by their side, as surely as there was a Watcher at that sacrilegious feast of Belshazzar, when men praised the gods of silver and gold and drank from the sacred vessels of the temple of God. When men take honor to themselves, they are dishonoring God.MM 151.1
Whenever one by any action leads men to be forgetful of God, or to neglect the plain injunctions of His word, the unseen Witness testifies, as in the writing on the walls of the palace, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27.—Manuscript 17, 1890.MM 151.2