Let us put first things first. The primary object of medical work is to win our patients for Jesus Christ. Twenty years since, the saintly David Hill wrote: "In these days of triumphant and rapidly advancing scientific investigation, and of popular social amelioration, we need to bear in mind that the end of medical mission work is not the glorification of Western science, nor is it merely the expression of a generous human sympathy with our suffering fellow-creatures, but the great aim through it should be the revelation of the power, the wisdom, and the love of God." This spiritual work cannot be relegated to native evangelists or foreign pastors, but the doctor must take the lead in this supreme work. This does not necessarily imply that he must preach, for not all (perhaps only a few) who have the "gift of healing," possess also the "gift of tongues." But it is his duty to create a Christian atmosphere in the hospital of which he has charge. This is the main wheel of all our work, and if it should lack constant attention, the whole construction must suffer. That good Physician liveth yet, Shall walk thy rounds with thee. (2). It is Charitable.-By this we do not mean the more or less indiscriminate scattering of foreign drugs by wellmeaning, though too often misguided, individuals. No doubt some good has been accomplished by such means, but it is very doubtful whether the results have justified the expenditure of either time or money. The fact is, these natives do not require more medicine. Already they possess too much of their own. The absorption of medicine for every ache or pain is one of the curses of China. Shall we intensify that curse? The one distinguishing characteristic of Christianity is love. Medical mission work is one of love. Often do we have said to us: "Really we cannot understand how you can treat those dirty creatures!" Of course they do not. It is love that overcometh. This does not imply that we love the dirt and disease of the Chinaman any more than our Lord loves sin, but we love the divine image of their Creator, though marred and almost effaced by the ravages of sin, disease, and degradation. Surely here in China we have in perfection such objects for the exercise of charity "which suffereth long." Probably there is no other country in the world where ignorance, superstition, cruelty, and malpraxis exist to such a degree as here in China. (3). It is Scientific.-While we contend that what we have written is true as to the necessary qualifications of a medical missionary, all such equipment will fail to realize its full and complete fruition unless the missionary attainment is equalised by the medical. It almost approaches blasphemy for a man or woman to pose as a doctor, to talk piously to patients, and yet be professionally inefficient. There was a day when reproach rested upon the medical, and other students who were preparing for the mission field. In many-probably the majority of instances-the stigma was unjust. Yet individuals below the average attainment were sometimes considered to be worthy to labour under the cloak of a missionary society. Thanks, however, to the brilliant achievements of some medical students who have passed through our colleges with the object of devoting their lives to the service of Christ, the reproach has gradually been removed and their alma maters have been proud to honour them. For several years past there has been a tendency to fall away from that high standard. This is not altogether the fault of the student, but is partly due to the non-vigilance of the home boards. The phenomenal rapidity which has marked the opening of doors to Western education and methods during recent years, has created such a demand for doctors that the supply of a high type of candidate has proved insufficient. The result has been that young medical men and women, only partially equipped, though apparently enthusiastic to undertake such work, have readily volunteered, been accepted and forthwith dumped down on the mission field. Such inadequate preparation is, alas, considered to be quite sufficient to justify the launching forth of these to practice upon these unsuspecting heathen. These workers presume to be scientifically equipped and to possess such qualifications as will enable them, not only to treat disease in all its complexity, but also to embrace the unique opportunities which this land proffers for scientific research and advance! The omission of this latter might be pardonable, but many are the incidents one could record of very serious errors which have been made by such "doctors" which a thorough training and average experience would have presented. Is such conduct fair to this suffering people? Is it right in the sight of God? The highest and most proficient equipment in things medical and surgical ought to be our standard. No demand upon our time and energy during the many years of rigid training at home is ever too severe for such a work as this to which we are called. There are three suggestions then, we would submit, which we believe would in the future obviate any suggestion of inefficiency, whether in matters concerning the spiritual or the medical side of hospital work:— 1. That Mission Boards are careful to see that medical workers seeking appointment on the mission field are actuated by Christian devotion and are spiritually efficient. 2. That in connection with all Mission Boards a Medical Advisory Committee, composed of Christian medical men and women of experience and repute, who are acquainted with the conditions of missionary work, should enquire into the credentials of candidates for medical missionary service to see that they are professionally efficient. 3. That all intending medical missionaries should be required to undertake a full curriculum at a good university or recognized medical school, where a course of at least five years of medical study is enforced before granting a degree. BOTH Giving as a Part of Worship BY BISHOP J. W. BASHFORD OTH the Old and New Testaments make the giving of money for the upbuilding and the extension of the kingdom of God on earth a part of Divine worship. We are commanded in the Old Testament to set aside one day in seven for the worship of God. "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it wholly." But in like manner we are commanded in the Old Testament to set aside a tithe, or a tenth, of our income for the Lord. "All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's." Leviticus xxvii, 30. "Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed . . . of the firstlings of thy herd and thy flock that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always. . . . Thou shalt bring forth all the tithes of thine increase . . ., and the Levite (or minister) because he hath no portion or inheritance with thee, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow which are within thy gates shall come and eat and be satisfied that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest." From such passages as the above it seems clear that the Old Testament endorses the principle of setting aside one-tenth of one's income for the support of the church and works of mercy and love and that it provides for additional offerings according to the means and the spirit of the worshipper. THE TEACHING OF JESUS. The Jewish priests carried the exaction of the tithes so far as to include mint, anise, and cummin, mere condiments of food like our salt and pepper. These priests insisted upon their tithes and neglected the weightier matters of judgment, mercy, and faith. Jesus as the divinely commissioned religious leader of the race laid emphasis upon the great principles of judgment, mercy, and faith. "These ought ye to have done," he tells the Jews. But, unlike many reformers, Jesus was never careless as to details. He knew that obedience to great principles would reveal itself in faithfulness in the smallest things. Hence he approved the application of the principle of tithing to the mere condiments of the table, adding, "and not to have left the other undone." It is difficult to find a stronger approval of the principle of tithing than these words of Jesus. AN APOSTOLIC INJUNCTION. Paul writes: "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye; upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store as he may prosper." I Cor. xvi, 1-2. A study of the passage shows, first, that it is not merely a suggestion but an apostolic injunction. It is a general order which Paul gave to the entire province of Galatia and which he now extends to the churches in Corinth. Second, it enjoins giving at regular intervals established in advance; each is to lay by regularly on the first day of the week. And, third, it enjoins proportional giving; each is to give as he may prosper. The two principles of system and proportion, clearly laid down by the Apostle Paul, are essential to success in every business enterprise, and business men recognize them as essential to the successful management of every church enterprise. SABBATH OBSERVANCE. All persons familiar with the history of Christianity know that the Christian church would have made a fundamental mistake had she not insisted upon obedience to the Divine command for the devotion of one-seventh of every Christian's time to the worship and service of God. Had the church left every member free to set aside so much or so little of his time from business as might seem good in his own eyes, Christianity would never have become one of the great religions of the world. The Chinese will find, as Western nations have found, that this observance of the Sabbath will contribute to their own temporal prosperity as well as to their own eternal salvation. We have actually found in Western nations that horses which are sent on long journeys of thousands of miles will accomplish these journeys in less time and will complete these journeys in better condition if they are given one day of rest in seven than if they are driven without a day of rest from the beginning to the end of the journey. In the same manner Western nations have found by actual experience that men employed in large factories will complete more work with less breakage of tools and less waste of material, and will remain in better physical condition by resting one day in seven than by working every day in the year. The law of the Sabbath is written in the constitution of men and animals. "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” In exactly the same manner many people in Western nations have found that the setting aside of one-tenth of their income for the building up of the kingdom of heaven upon earth and for works of mercy and love secured to them not only greater spiritual riches but greater temporal prosperity than the selfish use of all their earnings for their own enrichment. HOW THESE RULES SHOULD BE OBSERVED. All will agree that Christianity is a spiritual religion, that it looks to the heart of man rather than to external deeds. Hence the New Testament does not specify every detail of Sabbath observance or of tithing as the Old Testament specifies them. Indeed Christ Himself makes proper exceptions, performing works of mercy on the Sabbath day as in cases of healing, and permitting His disciples to perform works of necessity on the Sabbath day as in plucking the corn and rub |