Medical Missions, an Address

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1849. Excerpt: ... 36 SUCCESS OF MEDICAL MISSIONS. who is a physician is pardoned for being a Christian; religious and national prejudices disappear before him; all hearts and harems are opened; and he is welcomed as if he were carrying to the dying the elixir of immortality. He more than any one else possesses the mollia tempora fandi."1 In the wilds of the Assyrian mountains, Dr. Asahel Grant, "armed with his needle for the removal of cataract, forced mountain passes" which the sword could not command; and "amidst ferocious warriors won his way to their homes and their hearts. On account of his professional skill he was enabled to traverse in safety regions heretofore untrodden by civilized man; where inevitable death met the ordinary traveller, and in whose defiles an army would perish in attempting to effect a forcible entrance." 2 In Damascus, "while all other Franks were grossly insulted and pelted with stones, Dr. Thomson was allowed to pass unmolested."3 A Missionary of thirty years' standing in India has declared, that, "but for the attention he was at some pains to render the sick, he knew not how he could have gained the confidence and ultimately the affection of the natives."4 Mr. Gerstmann, "by the exertion of his medical skill amongst the people (at Jerusalem), was the means of bringing large numbers of the Jews to listen again to Christianity, after they had entirely withdrawn themselves, at the command of the Eabbis." In Siam, Dr. Bradley introduced vaccination, and became something more than the Jenner of an empire of four millions. In Ceylon, Dr. Scudder, by his wonderful healings, eclipsed the great idol Corduswammy; and, as in Lystra of old, they sought to worship him as a god.2 In China, progress has been great, and promises almost unlimited increase. ...