Counseling Sheet

Agatha M. Thrash, M.D.
Preventive Medicine

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Letter From Elder John Burden to Sr. White, Oct., 1906. "Should we work to the end that our students, schooled under rational treatment ideas... should have a standing by themselves... under the State Board, by which they shall have the same liberty to practice the healing art... or should our school be designed simply to develop medical missionaries to work in evangelistic lines, without reference to professional work?... Can they make charges for their services... the same as other physicians, or are they rather to be supported as ministers, doing their work as a missionary would?... It would seem to me that the Lord would give standing room for our students who did thorough, conscientious work, if they worked as evangelists, on self-supporting lines...." LLM 327-329, Oct. 23

"As they see one with no inducement of earthly praise or compensation come into their... homes, ministering to the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and tenderly pointing all to Him of whose love and pity the human worker is but the messenger—as they see this, their hearts are touched." Evangelism 517

"The workers should go forth two by two, that they may pray and consult together. Never should they be sent out alone." MM 249

The great final test "must come to the churches in connection with the true medical missionary work, a work that has the great Physician to dictate and preside in all it comprehends." LLM 602

"Those in our ranks who qualify as physicians are to receive only such education as is in harmony with these divine truths." MM 62

"God does not wish us to hear all that is to be heard, to see all that is to be seen. It is a great blessing to close the ears, that we hear not, and the eyes, that we see not." 1T 707

"Drugs never cure disease. They only change the form and location." Spiritual Gifts, Vol. IV 134

"It is the Lord's purpose that His method of healing without drugs shall be brought into prominence in every city through our medical institutions." 9T 169

"When you have a case that does not respond to the use of simple remedies, take it to the Lord in prayer." PC 43

"Therefore personal religion for all physicians in the sickroom is essential to success in giving the simple treatment without drugs." MM 235

"Drug medication should be worked away from as fast as possible, until entirely discarded." CD 406, 1884

"Now while the world is favorable toward the teaching of the health reform principles, moves should be made to secure for our own physicians the privilege of imparting medical instruction to our young people who would otherwise be led to attend the worldly medical colleges. The time will come when it will be more difficult than it now is to arrange for the training of our young people in medical missionary lines." Medical Practice and Educational Program at Loma Linda 94-96

"Some of our medical missionaries have supposed that a medical training according to the plans of worldly schools is essential to their success. To those who have thought that the only way to success is by being taught by worldly men and by pursuing a course that is sanctioned by worldly men, I would now say, put away such ideas. This is a mistake that should be corrected. It is a dangerous thing to catch the spirit of the world; the popularity which such a course invites will bring into the work a spirit which the Word of God can not sanction.... Those who do not believe the Word of God can not possibly present to those who desire to become acceptable medical missionaries the way by which they will become most successful. Christ was the greatest physician the world has ever known; His heart was ever touched with human woe. He has a work for those to do who will not place their dependence upon worldly powers.... It is a lack of faith in the power of God that leads our physicians to lean so much upon the arm of the law, and to trust so much to the influence of worldly powers. The principles of health reform brought into the life of the patient, the use of nature's remedies, and the co-operation of divine agencies in behalf of the suffering, will bring success." Ibid.

"The Lord would have our medical students connect closely with those who believe and teach the truth. And as helpers with them they can learn how to treat the sick, and how to become faithful ministers to the sick. There are many ways by which the Lord would have us connect with these who honor and teach His word, and He will give us through this connection, a most valuable education.

"You may say, The world will not acknowledge us. What if the world will not acknowledge you? It is the power of God that makes the impression upon human mind. Let it be more and more deeply impressed upon every student that everyone of us should have an intelligent understanding of how to treat the physical system. And there are many who would have greater intelligence in these matters if they would not confine themselves to years of study without a practical experience under the instruction of learned physicians and surgeons. The more fully you put yourself under the direction of God, the greater knowledge you will receive from God. As you keep yourself in connection with the Source of all power, and as you minister to the sick, suggestions will come to your mind how you can apply to the case in hand the principles learned in your student days. 'Ye are laborers together with God.' He is to be your Chief Instructor." SpM 445

He never designed that our work should blossom out in the professional and commercial way in which it stands before the world today. We have educated bedside nurses. He intended that we should educate missionary nurses to go into the homes of the people and the villages, towns, and cities, ministering to the people, singing gospel songs, and giving Bible readings.