There is work to be done in California,
a work that has been strangely neglected. Let this work be delayed
no longer. As doors open for the presentation of truth, let us
be ready to enter. Some work has been done in the large city
of San Francisco, but as we study the field we see plainly that
only a beginning has been made. As soon as possible, well-organized
efforts should be put forth in different sections of this city
and also in Oakland. The wickedness of San Francisco is not realized.
Our work in this city must broaden and deepen. God sees in it
many souls to be saved.
In San Francisco a hygienic restaurant
has been opened, also a food store and treatment rooms. These
are doing a good work, but their influence should be greatly
extended. Other restaurants similar to the one on Market Street
should be opened in San Francisco and in Oakland. Concerning
the effort that is now being made in these lines we can say:
Amen and amen. And soon other lines of work that will be a blessing
to the people will be established. Medical missionary evangelistic
work should be carried forward in a most prudent and thorough
manner. The solemn, sacred work of saving souls is to advance in a way that is modest and yet
ever elevated.
Where are the working forces? Men and women
who are thoroughly converted, men and women of discernment and
keen foresight, should act as directors. Good judgment must be
exercised in employing persons to do this special work--persons
who love God and who walk before Him in all humility, persons
who will be effective agencies in God's hand for the accomplishment
of the object He has in view--the uplifting and saving of human
beings.
Medical missionary evangelists will be
able to do excellent pioneer work. The work of the minister should
blend fully with that of the medical missionary evangelist. The
Christian physician should regard his work as exalted as that
of the ministry. He bears a double responsibility, for in him
are combined the qualifications of both physician and gospel
minister. His is a grand, a sacred, and a very necessary work.
The physician and the minister should realize
that they are engaged in the same work. They should labor in
perfect harmony. They should counsel together. By their unity
they will bear witness that God has sent His only-begotten Son
into the world to save all who will believe in Him as their personal
Saviour.
Physicians whose professional abilities
are above those of the ordinary doctor should engage in the service
of God in the large cities. They should seek to reach the higher
classes. Something is being done in this line in San Francisco,
but much more should be done. Let there be no misconception of
the nature and the importance of these enterprises. San Francisco
is a large field and an important portion of the Lord's vineyard.
Medical missionaries who labor in evangelistic
lines are doing a work of as high an order as are their ministerial
fellow workers. The efforts put forth by these workers are not
to be limited to the poorer classes. The higher classes have
been strangely neglected. In the higher walks of life will be
found many who will respond to the truth because it is consistent,
because it bears the stamp of the high character of the gospel.
Not a few of the men of ability thus won to the cause will enter
energetically into the Lord's work.
The Lord calls upon those who are in positions
of trust, those to whom He has entrusted His precious gifts,
to use their talents of intellect and means in His service. Our
workers should present before these men a plain statement of
our plan of labor, telling them what we need in order to help
the poor and needy and to establish this work on a firm basis.
Some of these will be impressed by the Holy Spirit to invest
the Lord's means in a way that will advance His cause. They will
fulfill His purpose by helping to create centers of influence
in the large cities. Interested workers will be led to offer
themselves for various lines of missionary effort. Hygienic restaurants
will be established. But with what carefulness should this work
be done!
Every hygienic restaurant should be a school.
The workers connected with it should be constantly studying and
experimenting, that they may make improvement in the preparation
of healthful foods. In the cities this work of instruction may
be carried forward on a much larger scale than in smaller places.
But in every place where there is a church, instruction should
be given in regard to the preparation of simple, healthful foods
for the use of those who wish to live in accordance with the
principles of health reform. And the church members
should impart to the people of their neighborhood
the light they receive on this subject.
The students in our schools should be taught
how to cook. Let tact and skill be brought into this branch of
education. With all deceivableness of unrighteousness, Satan
is working to turn the feet of the youth into paths of temptation
that lead to ruin. We must strengthen and help them to withstand
the temptations that are to be met on every side regarding the
indulgence of appetite. To teach them the science of healthful
living is to do missionary work for the Master.
Cooking schools are to be established in
many places. This work may begin in a humble way, but as intelligent
cooks do their best to enlighten others, the Lord will give them
skill and understanding. The word of the Lord is: "Forbid
them not, for I will reveal Myself to them as their Instructor."
He will work with those who carry out His plans, teaching the
people how to bring about reformation in their diet by the preparation
of healthful, inexpensive foods. Thus the poor will be encouraged
to adopt the principles of health reform; they will be helped
to become industrious and self-reliant.
It has been presented to me that men and
women of capability were being taught of God how to prepare wholesome,
palatable foods in an acceptable manner. Many of these were young,
and there were also those of mature age. I have been instructed
to encourage the conducting of cooking schools in all places
where medical missionary work is being done. Every inducement
to lead the people to reform must be held out before them. Let
as much light as possible shine upon them. Teach them to make
every improvement that they can in the preparation of food, and
encourage them to impart to others that which they learn.
Shall we not do all in our power to advance
the work in all of our large cities? Thousands upon thousands
who live near us need help in various ways. Let the ministers
of the gospel remember that the Lord Jesus Christ said to His
disciples: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is
set on a hill cannot be hid." "Ye are the salt of the
earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it
be salted?" Matthew 5:14, 13.
The Lord Jesus will work miracles for His
people. In the sixteenth of Mark we read: "So then after
the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven,
and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached
everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word
with signs following." Verses 19, 20. Here we are assured
that the Lord was qualifying His chosen servants to take up medical
missionary work after His ascension.
From the record of the Lord's miracles in providing wine at the wedding feast and in feeding the multitude, we may learn a lesson of the highest importance. The health food business is one of the Lord's own instrumentalities to supply a necessity. The heavenly Provider of all foods will not leave His people in ignorance in regard to the preparation of the best foods for all times and occasions.