Loma Linda Messages

A Physician's View-point

Dr. S. P. S. Edwards: The discussion of plans in regard to the establishment of a medical school at Loma Linda, Calif., means more, I believe, to the future of the medical work, than many realize. The experiences through which I have passed in former years as a practicing physician, have given me opportunity to observe somewhat concerning the needs of our cause along medical lines. I have seen the results that attend the study of medicine by our youth who have never gained a thorough knowledge of the fundamental features of our faith. LLM 525.4

There is nothing that gives me greater joy, than to witness not only the willingness, but the anxiety of the leading brethren to take this forward step, and to provide a place where the young men and young women who are to become a strong factor in developing the work in new and difficult fields, are to be educated under influences that will tend to lead them to regard the truth of God's word as the greatest thing in the world. LLM 526.1

Taught of God

Some have doubtless been wondering whether we have men of sufficient ability to impart a thorough medical education. Have we teachers to man a strong medical school? When I heard the instruction given through the servant of God, indicating that we should have a medical school, to be conducted in accordance with the highest ideals of the Christian religion,—a school in which the Bible is to be made the basis of all wisdom and knowledge,—I remembered that the great Teacher, during His earthly ministry, did not call the greatest philosophers of Greece or Rome, or even the men of greatest learning in the nation of Israel, to become the teachers whose productions, as handed down to us in the New Testament writings, have stood the test of time to this day, and have inspired multitudes to live the Christ-life. The divine Teacher called for this work men through whom He could work by His Holy Spirit. LLM 526.2

I believe I voice the sentiments of many of my brethren when I declare that it is a source of joy to us all to know that we shall have a medical school at Loma Linda. While we have, perhaps, only a limited conception of the perplexities, and the difficulties, that we are placing on the shoulders of those who are to have the more direct management of the school, yet we are glad to pledge these brethren our influence and hearty support, and promise them that we will forward the enterprise in every way possible. LLM 526.3