Counsels to Physicians

Before returning to Ann Arbor for their second year of training, the group of medical students, with the recruits for medical missionary service, were again present at a joint meeting of the General Conference Committee and the Medical and Surgical Sanitarium Board, at which time a document just received from Mrs. White, entitled “Address to Physicians,” was read by the General Conference president, Elder O. A. Olsen. A few sentences taken from this document will illustrate the general tenor of the address and reveal the high standard set for Christian physicians and medical missionary workers:SHM 272.4

“In learning of Christ, in looking to Jesus, in depending upon His strength, the physician will be brought into sympathy with Christ; and in treating the sick he will seek God for wisdom. ...SHM 272.5

“The Lord will hear and answer the prayer of the Christian physician, and he may reach an elevated standard if he will but lay hold upon the hand of Christ and determine that he will not let go.SHM 272.6

“Golden opportunities are open to the Christian physician, for he may exert a precious influence upon those with whom he is brought in contact. He may guide and mold and fashion the lives of his patients by holding before them heavenly principles. ...SHM 273.1

“If the physician has the mind of Christ, he will be cheerful, hopeful, and happy, but not trifling. He will realize that heavenly angels accompany him to the sickroom, and will find words to speak readily, truthfully, to his patients, that will cheer and bless them. His faith will be full of simplicity, of childlike confidence in the Lord. He will be able to repeat to the repenting soul the gracious promises of God, and thus place the trembling hand of the afflicted ones in the hand of Christ, that they may find repose in God.SHM 273.2

“Thus through the grace imparted to him, the physician will fulfill his heavenly Father’s claims upon him. In delicate and perilous operations he may know that Jesus is by his side to counsel, to strengthen, to nerve him to act with precision and skill in his efforts to save human life. ...SHM 273.3

“A physician occupies a more important position because of dealing with morbid souls, diseased minds, and afflicted bodies, than does the minister of the gospel. ... If the physician has religion, he can impart the fragrance of heavenly grace to the softened and subdued heart of the suffering one. He can direct the thoughts of the patient to the great Physician. He can present Jesus to the sin-sick soul. ...SHM 273.4

“Deep love for souls for whom Christ died should imbue the physician. In the fear of God I tell you that none but a Christian physician can rightly discharge the duties of this sacred profession.”—Health, Philanthropic, and Medical Missionary Work, 36-40. Reprinted in Counsels on Health, 340-343.SHM 273.5