CHAPTER IX. DR. GOLDING BIRD, THE PHYSICIAN. "The beloved physician."-COL. IV. 14. "Ask Medicus' counsel ere medicine ye take, THOMAS TUSSER, 1580. THE medical profession occupies an illustrious position in the world. Created for the express purpose of alleviating pain, healing disease, ministering to the sick, and preserving health, it is philanthropy in action. The physician counsels and the surgeon wounds, that they may benefit their fellow-men. They go about "continually doing good." Exposing themselves to disease in every form, at all hours and in all localities, where their lives are imperilled, they sacrifice that they may save. But when to professional skill there is added Christian usefulness, the medical man can exert an influence for good which, by the blessing of God, may heal the soul as well as the body. There have been distinguished instances of this happy combination in the ranks of medicine. The names of BOERHAAVE, ABERCROMBIE, HOPE, CHEYNE, will recall to remembrance bright examples of useful Christians in medical life. Many such in our day adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things, walking through the world as through the wards of an hospital, and bending over the sinful and the suffering to minister to their need. The following narrative presents a model to medical students : GOLDING BIRD was a native of Downham, Norfolkshire, and was born in 1815. His early education was directed by a clergyman at Wallingford, Berkshire; but at twelve years of age he was sent to London. In 1829 he embraced medicine as a profession, and was apprenticed to a Mr. Pretty. He studied at Guy's Hospital, where he distinguished himself by his talents and acquirements. At twenty-one he passed the Apothecaries' Company, and was appointed lecturer on natural philosophy at Guy's Hospital. His lectures on this subject, and on medical botany and chemical pathology, were much admired, and laid the foundation for his future fame. His first efforts at general practice were unsuccessful; but he did not despair. He aspired to become a physician. After graduating M.A. and M.D., he was, in 1838, elected physician to the Finsbury Dispensary. He also lectured on the practice of physic at the Aldersgate School of Medicine. His practice now increased rapidly, and at the age of twentyeight it yielded him £1000 a-year. In 1840 he became a licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians, and in 1844 a fellow. In 1843 he was appointed assistant physician at Guy's Hospital. Lectures and publications on his professional pursuits did not prevent his researches into other departments of study. He became a fellow of the Linnæan, Geological, and Royal Societies, and contributed his share of general information to each. The religious character of Dr. Golding Bird was developed by means of affliction. Numerous labours, unwearied studies, and interrupted repose, soon told upon his health. But the arrest of professional work recalled his heart to God. His object hitherto had been reputation: it was henceforth the glory of God. Not that he was less anxious to rise, but that he consecrated every step. "He knew that he was to die early," said Dr. James Hamilton of him; "and this made him eager to get through much work in the meanwhile." "I never," said the Bishop of Carlisle, who was his minister in London, "I never saw any man who seemed to illustrate more forcibly Phil. iii. 8." Having given himself to the Lord, he acted out his religion in his daily life. He endeavoured to be useful to the souls of his patients. However busy, he said something for Christ to every one whom he attended. He knew the value of a physician's advice, and he used the privilege of his profession for spiritual counsel. He never deluded with false hopes. Meeting often with sorrow, he consoled with "the balm of Gilead." A medical friend who knew him well, says of him, that "being strongly impressed with the precarious tenure by which he held his life, he looked on his duties from the religious side, and in his medical ministrations he was often the means of affording spiritual comfort, to which his own broken health gave all the force and earnestness of truth." As ready by letter as by word, he did not fail to direct the mourner to the Saviour. Nor did this suffice, but as one who had a connection with both worlds, he endeavoured by prayer to direct the Saviour to the mourner. This witnessbearing for the Lord brought the offence of the cross, and some turned from him; but the rare consistency of his character, and the eminence of his ability, soon won them back. They could trust him, and one of the most inveterate [of his enemies] died in his arms." The spiritual condition of medical students engaged Dr. Golding Bird. For this class of young men too little has been done. Surrounded by many temptations, it is scarcely wonderful that numbers become careless; but, on account of the position they are to fill, and the opportunities they will have for usefulness, it is of the greatest consequence that they should be men of God. Dr. Bird felt this, and resolved accordingly. He wrote in medical journals upon the subject, and succeeded in establishing the "Medical Christian Association." Prayer-meetings and Bible-classes were organized among the students. Earnestly and faithfully did he influence his brethren in other schools of medicine to join the association, and many were brought together by a common desire for the salvation of souls. These labours were not in vain. Students were benefited, and one of them, after recapitulating the advantages which he had enjoyed in Guy's Hospital, wrote: "In addition to all these claims upon my respect and gratitude, I have now superadded an interest and care for me in my progress in knowledge of a still higher kind. I am now reminded and encouraged to believe that to all my possible skill and knowledge of my profession may be added the additional excellence of humble Christian piety,-a guide through life, a safeguard from the evils of life, and a support in that hour which awaits even the medical man-the hour of death." It is a happy omen for the future character of this profession that so many teachers are examples of Christian excellence, and are endeavouring to train up the young in the way they should go. Dr. Golding Bird was very particular in his observance of the Sabbath. It was his day of rest. He regularly attended the house of God in the morning. The spiritual instruction of his children occupied the remainder of the day. made it his aim to secure the Sabbath for these ends. He "I have not for twenty years," he said, "really had half an hour's leisure; and were it not for the blessing of the Sabbath rest, no human being could have borne it." Would that all medical men remembered the Sabbath-day! They require its hallowed rest. They have souls to be saved and sanctified. However much occupied with others, individual care is necessary to promote personal piety. Dr. Bird and others found time for Sabbath worship; and so may all who with forethought and fidelity prepare for sacred rest. "Medical men," says Professor Miller, surgeon in ordinary to the Queen in Scotland, and himself a busy practitioner, “Medical men do not require to work so specially. and so invariably on the Sabbath. Their works of necessity and mercy are only by peradventure, and at all events are not beyond-seldom equal to their professional labour on other days." After counselling the public at large to give their medical advisers as little trouble as possible on that sacred day, which they specially need for rest, he goes on to address his professional brethren as follows: "And let medical men beware of inflicting on themselves the unnecessary practice of their profession on that day. Where there is a will there is a way. Much may be done to clear the Sabbath of such labours as come on the ordinary days of the week. Some may be lifted back into the Saturday; some may be pushed forward into the Monday. Then, while all their works are presumed to be of mercy, what are left on the Sabbath will be specially so, and of strict necessity too. As such they will constitute a well-pleasing service to God as well as to man; their labours will be light, and the heart and hand of each labourer will be not only lightened, but upheld, as he looks for God's blessing on what is done in conformity with the requirements of his righteous law, and in humble following of the blessed and bright example |