Among the highlights of my visit to Europe this past summer was the privilege of delivering a lecture to the students of the Theological College at Bethel bei Bielefeld. Bielefeld is a city in northwestern Germany, not very far from the border of Holland. Part of the city is situated on hills, and the general aspect is pleasing indeed. Bethel is noted not only for its theological school, but in particular for the institutions of mercy which are found there. The day which I spent in Bethel made a deep impression on me.
Von Bodelschwingh's Work
During the last century an institution was erected at Bielefeld for the purpose of taking care of epileptics. This was a Christian institution, and its purpose was to carry out into practical expression the commands of Christ. In the year 1872, in fact, on January 23 of that year, a German minister by the name of Friedrich Von Bodelschwingh took up his abode in Bethel. At that time the institution of Bethel itself was in process of constructing new buildings. Von Bedelschwingh was to serve as the minister to the institutions. From this time on his name became inseparably connected with them.
First and foremost they were institutions of mercy. Here was a home for epileptics. It soon also became a refuge and haven for those who were without work. Conditions in Germany were not good as far as many were concerned, and many men, being without employment, took to the road. Bethel could have become a place where such men might receive alms. Von Bodelschwingh, however, thought of something far better than that. He adopted the slogan, "Work instead of alms!" and this slogan was carried into practice. Here men could find employment, and here the families of working men could be helped to purchase their own homes.
The influence and strength of the colony grew, and missionary work among the Africans was also undertaken. In 1905 a theological school was opened in order that young men might receive a Biblical and theological training. Bethel was founded upon the Bible and sought to exhibit a practical manifestation of Scriptural teaching.
Bethel's Institutions
The present day institutions are situated upon a hill-side. The streets bear Palestinian names, and one is reminded in many ways of Palestine. The hospice in which I was privileged to stay bore the name of Nazareth-Hospice. Early in the morning I made my way to the Theological School where the lecture was to be held. It was a rather thrilling experience, and the students and faculty bore with me in a most gracious manner. When told that Bethel was the only place in Germany at which I was lecturing, they shuffled their feet in applause.
After the lecture I was taken on a tour of the institutions. At the present time there are some fourteen thousand people connected with Bethel, including patients, as well as doctors and nurses. A pastor was assigned to take me about and explain the different departments. It soon became apparent that idleness was not encouraged at Bethel. Men and women were working for whom it was difficult to work. One found himself in the presence of those who were deformed. Yet they seemed to accomplish much. All were cheerful.
At Bethel the patient is given the best of care. And all is done in the Name of Christ. One scene stands out with particular vividness. We passed through the corridors of a mental institution and came out upon a beautiful garden. On a balcony of the house there were a number of women. Some of them were tossing a ball back and forth. Others were simply standing. The balcony was closed in with a wire netting. A few of the women simply stood and looked out upon the yard and garden. The attendant pointed to a young girl or so I thought she was, and asked how old I believed she was. To me she looked like a child of twelve years or so. As a matter of fact, she was twenty-eight years of age. Then he explained the situation. These women, he said, often do not even know their own ages. Their minds, for the most part, seem to have gone, and they are perfectly content if they can just sit or stand and do nothing. One of them, he said, had been sent home for a time. They had thought that she was well. Outside life, however, was too much for her, and she had come back where once again she was content.
Unusual Patience
Many of these patients, it was explained to me, had to be fed, and cared for in every respect. A parent must have patience with his child, but we teach our nurses, so the pastor told me, to be unusually patient with these people. We teach them to repeat a word or sentence over and over again, possibly a hundred times, if need be. In response to my question he remarked that a religious service was held for these people, a service which was so simple that it would seem to be designed only for children.
Then came a surprising statement. The only real help for these people, the pastor stated, is Christ. Of course I agreed, but I wanted to know in what respect the statement was intended. I was told that much prayer was offered up for these people, and that experience had taught the workers the need for tremendous love and patience in dealing with them. On their death bed, it appears, such people often return to sanity for a moment or so, and in such moments of sanity speak forth the wonderful praises of Christ the Saviour. It was that, I was told, which encouraged the attendants to treat their patients with all tenderness and affection. The Word, spoken over and over again, had a greater effect than was often realized. The Word of truth made an impression, even where it seemed that there was little or no mind to receive it, and just before death, the blessed result of such faithfulness was often apparent.
It was impossible to hear such an account without being reminded of how good God has been in giving to us the gift of good health.
Christianity is a religion of mercy and of love. Jesus Christ was the Great Physician, and here at Bethel, humble people who love His Name, are in His Name performing a work of mercy for His little ones.