Loma Linda Messages

W. C. White to W. A. Ruble, Apr. 17, 1908

Sanitarium, Calif., Apr. 17, 1908.

Secretary Medical Department, Takoma Park Sta., Washington, D.C.

Dear Brother Ruble:

Yesterday I received from Elder Burden copy of his letter to you, dated April 14, accompanied by a copy of the recent state law of California, which opens the way for the organization of such a school as Brother Burden thinks we ought to have. I had this copied and will send you several copies which you may place in the hands of our brethren who may have occasion to study this matter. LLM 373.4

During my recent visit to Southern California I found that there were four plans in the minds of various brethren which I would describe as follows: LLM 373.5

1. That the Loma Linda School modify its present plans, giving up most of its special work and operate simply as an ordinary sanitarium nurses' training school. LLM 373.6

I think this proposition would be favored only by a very few. I do not know who they are. I supposed we had left that proposition way behind, but I am told there are a few, probably those connected with rival institutions, who still hold to it. LLM 373.7

2. That the Loma Linda School be developed along the lines of the recommendation in the resolutions adopted at the October convention held at Loma Linda. These recommendations, I am told, were fully endorsed at the Pacific Union Conference. LLM 374.1

3. That the Loma Linda School carry out the resolutions (670) adopted at the October convention, and in addition to this, that a legal corporation be formed under the California act which would permit graduates of the school to practice their special lines in the State of California. LLM 374.2

4. To work toward the end of some day establishing a regular medical college. LLM 374.3

In times past when I have heard Mother endeavoring to outline to our brethren things that have been presented to her regarding what might be done at Loma Linda if we advance in the opening providences of God, I have supposed that we would probably work for a few years on plan #2 and then develop plan #4. LLM 374.4

Elder Burden and some of his associates think that plan #3 would be a more correct working out of the pattern shown to Mother, and they think that we need not wait several years but that it could be done without much delay. LLM 374.5

This is the matter which Elder Burden would have submitted to your council had he acted upon the resolution of the Southern California Conference Committee, opening the way for him to go East to attend this council; but after Elder Cottrell had gone East, the physicians at Loma Linda invited me to join them in council, and we spent considerable time discussing the advantages of plan #2, which has been endorsed by the medical convention and by the union conference, and it was finally agreed that it would be better to work upon this plan for the coming (671) year. During the year those who are in favor of plan #3 could present the matter in a clear way to the medical department, and during the next General Conference the question could be raised and the opinion of the medical department secured as to whether it was advisable to take the advance step, and when. This is my understanding of the present status of the question. In the Word, it is said that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established. Undoubtedly Elder Cottrell has given you his testimony, and in Elder Burden's letter of April 14 you have his testimony, and now I have briefly given you mine. I think they are all in agreement, but perhaps each of us has emphasized some feature more than the other, and thus you have the composite picture. LLM 374.6

Now to the practical question of next year's work for the Loma Linda School. I believe that a large corps of very good students can be gathered. I am confident that the faculty of the school will be materially strengthened, and now I wish to remind you and your associates of the request made when you were assembled at Loma Linda, that the General Conference should provide the salary of a strong Bible teacher through the year to help in the work of the Loma Linda School. I believe this would be an excellent investment in behalf of foreign mission work, and I hope you will plead for this appropriation. LLM 374.7

Another point which I wish you would consider is the matter of our making a special effort to train a large number of young men and young women well advanced in experience to go to Latin American fields, the trained lady nurses to act as midwives, the young men to teach English. LLM 375.1

There are openings for self-supporting work in both of (672) these lines, and self-supporting work is what we should hunt for at the present time. I think that Brother Forga has written a letter to the General Conference Committee regarding this. With this I will send you a copy. LLM 375.2

Praying that the rich blessing of the Lord may be with you in your councils, and hoping to hear from you at the close of the meetings regarding the matters referred to in this letter, and also regarding the relief work, I am LLM 375.3

Yours very truly,
W. C. White.

P.S. — Brethren Crisler and Robinson have been gathering some of the clearest things which Mother has written during the last two years regarding the work to be done with Ministry of Healing and Object Lessons. They are working hard to complete the copying this afternoon, and we hope to get off a copy to you, a copy to Brother Palmer, and copies to some other members of the Bureau. LLM 375.4

W.

POM

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