Medical work at Amoy began June 7th, 1842, when Dr. Cummings, a self-supporting missionary, under the patronage of the A. B. C. F. M., opened a dispensary in one of the rooms of Dr. A beel's house, on Kolongsu.
In January, 1844, Dr. Cummings moved his dispensary over to Amoy, into one of the two rooms that the Mission (Reformed) had rented for Gospel services.

Daily he ministered unto the sick as they came to him "for medicine and medical advice," both as regards spiritual and bodily diseases. Dr. Cummings was obliged to leave Amoy on account of ill-health in 1847.

Dr. J. C. Hepbnrn, under the patronage of the American Presbyterian Church, was engaged in medical work at Amoy from November 23th, 1843, to 1845. He was a co-laborer of Dr. Cummings.

In July, 1850, Dr. James Young, of the English Presbyterian Church, arrived and conducted the medical work until 1854, when ill-health banished him also from the field. From that time until about 1862 medical work was carried on under the co-operation of the three societies represented at Amoy.

The preceding was from Chapter XIV. Medical Work, of "Fifty Years in Amoy--the Story of the Amoy Mission," by Rev. Philip Wilson Pitcher.

Click here to read more about Amoy's pioneering medical work in "Discover Gulangyu."

CHAPTER XIV. MEDICAL WORK.
Medical work in China has long been proved to be indispensable in carrying on a missionary enterprise successfully. In many instances it has been the thinnest edge of the wedge that has finally cleft the hard and conservative hearts of these China's millions. It has "gained privileges" that no other agency has been able to as yet, and has risen rapidly in esteem and estimation of the natives. The hope of obtaining bodily relief for all their sufferings has been and is inducement sufficient for them to lay aside all their prejudices that they may entertain in regard to the foreigner and his religion and come to the hospital for treatment. But by thus coming they are brought in contact with the Gospel and led to know of a deeper malady, and of Him who is the Great Physician. This has ever been the purpose of this agency, and it is not too much to say that in this way souls have been won for Christ whose salvation we could never have looked for without this open door, through which they have walked into the Kingdom. Of course, this is human language, and yon will understand the meaning it is intended to convey.

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