(Originally printed as “Our Medical Workers and Our World-Wide Mission”, in [The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald], February 7, 1929.)
Percy T. Magan, an early leading educator in the Seventh-Day Adventist church, was what some might call a radical reformer. Soon after co-founding Madison College, Magan was called to serve at the College of Medical Evangelists in Loma Linda, where he helped to direct a new beginning for medical missionary work. After the death of Ellen White in 1915, Magan began voicing his concerns about a worldly drift in education. In 1923, he wrote to fellow educational reformer and co-founder of Madison College, E. A. Sutherland, “Caps, gowns, and degrees are not the best… they are like feathers in a woman’s bonnet. They will drop off when there is something better to take their place.”[1] Perhaps the ‘something better’ he was referring to is that which Jesus exemplified in His ministry of teaching, preaching and healing. Too often, ‘missionary’ work is divorced from medical work, simply because it’s been the popular path for over a century. This generation has a chance to attain something better, but it certainly won’t be attained without the sacrifice of what many practitioners claim is the best path.
For many years it has been told among the remnant people that in the twilight of time our medical missionary workers must act an important part in bearing the message of salvation to those who are the last to be garnered for the kingdom of heaven. Over and over again this causes one to pause and ponder whether our doctors and nurses are hungering and thirsting after the righteousness of Christ which alone can bestow a great spirit of loyal devotion thus enabling us to bear the brunt of the battle when friends are few and traitors many. I stop and ask myself the question, “Are we training ourselves under the hand of a mighty God today in such a way that we will not fail Him in the crucial hour?” Whether we will or not depends in large measure on our disposition in these present hours of ease to be willing to sacrifice our own way and our own manner of life in order that the calls of our institutions and world-wide missions may be filled.
In penning the words written above I am telling no idle tale. Contrariwise a very real problem is being set out for serious, heartfelt consideration, the difficulty of getting Seventh-day Adventist doctors and nurses to lay aside a life of private endeavor, and instead to join the ranks of institutional and mission workers.
Times out of number our physicians and nurses raise this question: “What matters it whether I enter upon private practice or devote my days to public effort in the organized ranks of this cause? Are not both alike good? It is not possible for the regular work of the denomination to employ all of those who graduate in medicine and nursing. There is not efficient means for this, neither are there enough institutions or mission stations to absorb anything like the output of the medical college and the schools of nursing. In private practice we will be self-supporting, and we will come in contact with many excellent people whom it will be our privilege to influence for good. Moreover, we will earn vastly more than the cause could possibly afford to pay us. Because of this our tithes and offerings will be larger, which will accrue to the welfare of our church.”
All the above arguments are true. There cannot rightfully be any disposition to deny them. Those who walk the path of private practice should be, in hundreds of instances, commended rather than condemned. All this is freely and gladly admitted. On the other hand, as long as institutions and mission fields in dire distress are stretching out their hands with pleadings set in tears, imploring physicians and nurses now domiciled in the homeland to come over and help them in darkened Zebulons and Nephthalims, and as long as these prayers remain unanswered, the charge will stand that the graduates of the College of Medical Evangelists are not fulfilling their destiny in this glorious work.
I often ponder and wonder how long God will bear with our medical men and women as we go along in our easy way while thousands perish for lack of our ministrations.
The lesson needs to be driven home to the hearts of our Seventh-day Adventist doctors. There are always plenty of lovely climates and comfortable places in which to practice. There are souls to be reached and good to be done in such locations. But where such spots are allowed to bar the way to answering the crying calls of dark and needy lands, then the good becomes the despoiler of the best.
I often ponder and wonder how long God will bear with our medical men and women as we go along in our easy way while thousands perish for lack of our ministrations. Is there not danger, O men of medicine, that the curse of Meroz, that bitter curse, may be pronounced on us because we came not to the help of the Lord against the mighty? O soul of doctor man, would that our hearts might flame anew with the thought of the grand destiny that is held before our dullard eyes! Would that we might realize while this old earth climbs swiftly to her tragic doom, it is assigned to us to pluck the last brand from the burning! Shall we esteem it as a thing of naught?
Sweet is the satisfaction of laboring where others will not go. Great is the gladness that comes to the man who buries himself beneath burdens that others spurn. Truly such “have an altar, whereof they have a right to eat which serve the tabernacle.” There are rich blessings in suffering “without the gate,” and in going “forth unto Him without the camp bearing His reproach.”
How infinitely happy will be our lot if in the last great day, when life’s accounts shall close, we can gaze upon our Master’s lovely face while there fall from our lips the words, “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.”[2]