MEDICAL MISSIONS.

Waiapu Church Times, Volume I, Issue 8, 1 February 1908, Page 12

MEDICAL MISSIONS.

Medical Missions are quite one of the most important manifestations at the present time m the whole world of the practical spirit of Christianity. They use medical science for its highest purpose. Taken at the lowest estimate they confer an enormous boon on suffering humanity, not only m India but m China, Africa., Persia, Arabia, and other countries which are m great need of 'humanising agencies. We often hear the objection that this work should be done m our own land, where it is alleged it is more needed. It is done there. There can be no conflict between different parts of the Christian's work. Those who are most earnest and keen and devoted to work amongst the needy at home are just those who are most m sympathy with those working abroad. A living Church at home makes an active Church abroad. From a medical standpoint it appears that the need abroad is greater than at home. In Great Britain it is said that there is one qualified me'lical man to every one thousand four hundred of the population. In India there is not one to every two hundred thousand. A distinguished officer of the Indian Medical Service has stated that it is doubtful whether five per cent of the Indian population are reached by skilled medical aid. In London the mortality is about twenty per thousand per annum. In Indian cities, even when there is no plague, it is quite double. In Kashmir about half the children born are said to die m infancy. As if the pain and suffering of the Eastern peoples were not sufficient, it is m many cases aggravated by neglect and apathy or by the cruel and barbarous treatment of untrained native practitioners and ignorant imposters. In Kashmir we are m the midst of a population of this kind, with its high mortality and all its suffering. Let us look at the work of the mission-hospital from the standpoint of the people of the country. They know that m it they have a place to which they can go m time of need ; that it is open to all, without distinction of race, creed, or caste ; that their religious feelings, will -be respected, and that when admitted to the hospital they will be treated with kindness, clothed, fed, and receive personal attention and the necessary surgical or medical treatment. They know that the institution is clean, well-ordered, and that they will have a large 'measure of freedom m receiving relatives and other visitors from their homes. Those who come from the valley also know that they will

receive Christian instruction there. So far from considering thisi a reason for not coming, a great many of them welcome the teaching and not infrequently express their appreciation of the friendly personal interest thus taken m , them. In the wards of the hospital, with these hundreds of patients constantly m touch with Christian work and Christian teaching, we have that very contact of race with race, of Christianity with Mohammedanism and Hinduism, which is needed and which is so beneficial, and which is essential if the 'people are to realise the nature of Christian Faith and its claims upon them. Last year there were nearly 20,000 new out-patients and 1700 in-patients m the hospital. What becomes of all these people ? They return to their homes. Many to the crowded streets and alleys of the city. Very many to scores of villages scattered throughout the length and breadth of the valley of Kashmir, others to the plains of India, some few to distant mountain homes m Tibet, Afghanistan, and even Yarkand and Khotan. Herdsmen, peasants, shopkeepers, traders, landowners, priests, State officials, every class is represented, and so the work of softening prejudice, overcoming bigotry, and smoothing down racial distrust goes on, and m many a distant. village grateful appreciation is 7s i ill retained for the real benefits re ceived, for the saving of life, the restoration of sight, or relief from disabling pain and disease. And thus, too, attention has been directed towards the Great Physician of Whose teaching such are the fruits. And step by step, slowly it is true, but surely, the way is being prepared for that Kingdom for the coming of which we all pray m one of our commonest but most sacred petitions. DR. ERNEST F. NEVE.