Loma Linda Messages

Lillie Starr to W. C. White, Feb. 28, 1908

(Copy for Elder Burden)

National City, Cal., Feb. 28, 1908.

Dear Brother White:

I have thought of writing you about my work here at the Paradise Valley Sanitarium and vicinity, but everything has gone so slowly it was not so pleasant to write a report as if things appeared more flourishing. LLM 359.3

The State President of the WCTU gave me a letter of introduction, as I was coming, to the County President of San Diego County. This I presented and have been cordially received by the WCTU ladies from the first. They at once began to get the opportunity for me to talk on tobacco and alcohol in the public schools. They kept right at it until they succeeded. The officers of the schools are very cautious about anything being allowed in the schools outside of their regular work. They (the WCTU women) wrote to the Supt. of Schools of San Bernardino, asking him about my work in the schools there. He wrote a very nice letter which they presented to the Supt. of Schools here in San Diego. It was finally arranged that I should give one talk before the eighth grade pupils in a certain building, and the Supt. and others as judges were to listen to me and decide whether they would permit it to be given throughout the many schools of the city. Two of the WCTU women went with me. These were influential women, one of them being a physician who has much to do with the schools and seems to stand as an authority here. LLM 359.4

I think I was about as nervous as if I had been on trial for my life. I did the best I could in the time given me, and was glad when the ordeal was past. I was almost sorry and could hardly keep from crying when the Supt. said to me that they would be pleased to have me talk in the schools and that he would take me to the next room where I should speak. I felt as though I could not speak again that day, but at his kindly suggestion to talk to some smaller children a few minutes on tobacco, I consented; and although he and the principal of the building and the other guests sat as listeners, I felt at ease and enjoyed freedom. Since then all the school officials and teachers seem exceedingly kind and courteous toward me and seem to appreciate what I do. Some days I have given five talks in a forenoon, but this is too much for me. I usually give three. Now I have talked to over 2,000 children. LLM 360.1

Before I began in the City schools I had made a trip to El Cajon and spoke in the High School of Bostonia and the grammar school of El Cajon. I also gave a few talks in our church school in San Diego, at the invitation of the teachers. I have done but little in connection with our own people or the church because there seems to be quite a spirit against me. Elder Healey has always treated me kindly but evidently has made no effort whatever to make my work effective. Dr. Whitelock opposed me strongly to my face. I do not know what he has said to anyone else. He told me that my coming here was entirely unnecessary, that they had all be[en] thoroughly instructed on all these subjects, (646) that the temperance question had been well handled,—they had temperance programs, etc., etc., that he had offered to give half his time to the work if the Conference would pay him for half time, etc. LLM 360.2

We stayed in San Diego during the week of prayer and Bro. Healey had given me opportunity to speak to the church a short time each day so I read the special Testimonies about working with Ministry of Healing and the temperance work, etc., trying to emphasize the call of the hour, and when I asked how many would assist with the proposed campaign with Ministry of Healing, four members raised their hands. We got a young man from Loma Linda, one of Eld. Warren's Company, to come down and take the lead in this work, thinking that many more would take hold and help; but instead of that not even the four who first responded have done anything. There seemed to pass over them the criticism that to do that would be working for the Paradise Valley Sanitarium and they had enough to do for themselves. Eld. Healey spoke quite at length when the vote was first taken and the four persons raised their hands, apologizing and saying that they were all doing what they could, they were all doing well—they just couldn't do more, etc., but of course they were all interested to see the Sanitarium do well. I felt sick at heart and longed to see the people press forward and do the work just when the Lord calls for it to be done and thus get the blessing. LLM 360.3

Now I have no wish to be complaining, but knowing that you and Sister White are more interested in the efforts I have been making than anyone else, unless it is Brother Burden, I have tried to tell you how I have been received here and the cooperation I had hoped for which I have not received. Until last week, only three of [our] sisters had responded to the effort to get their neighbors together for parlor talks on health subjects, and only one of the three continued after the first or second meeting. At the third place we have had every week very interesting times. Last week another sister began, and we had her parlor full of ladies who seemed much interested, and this week we had more—almost more than could get in, and real genuine interest was shown. The ladies insisted on paying my street car fare and said they would do so each time. LLM 361.1

I will enclose some copies of letters which if you care to read them, will mention some other things. I hope I am not worrying you too much with all these details of work and effort against influences, but Bro. Wessels urged me to write you how things seemed to be going and now I have tried to do so. I am really perplexed to know what I ought to do, as Eld. Reaser is still planning to turn me down. I sometimes wish I could go out in the country and raise chickens for a living. If God wants me to work on in the face of these things, I will do it no matter what comes; but I am so helpless financially it makes these criticisms cut pretty deep. My poor husband suffers so keenly because of his own condition, as he does not seem to be able to rise above this awful depression which presses him down, and feels that every one is very kind to him and everything has been offered him by way of opportunity to work, but he seems wholly unable to bear up and do any kind of work. Light breaks through occasionally, but the depression comes on again. O, brother, (647) please pray a little longer for my poor suffering companion that he may be wholly healed. The children are with us now, and very busy several hours of the day and get along better than at Loma Linda. LLM 361.2

I am seeking to know from God my duty toward my husband, my children, and toward the work. Pray for me. LLM 361.3

(Signed) Lillie Starr.

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