Loma Linda Messages

Some Facts Relative to the Loma Linda Medical College

Although numerous articles in addition to the foregoing have of late been published in our papers relative to this institution and enterprise, I find that a wrong impression still exists in the minds of some of our people, caused no doubt by a lack of knowledge of facts in the possession of the promoters of this enterprise, which have not appeared in any of the articles written for general circulation. LLM 553.1

It has been my privilege of late to read the numerous communications that have come from the Lord's servant relative to Loma Linda and the work the Lord designed to have carried forward at that place, and I find that not an important move has been made involving the outlay of means or the policy to be pursued, but what has back of it definite instruction, and in some instances positive commands. LLM 553.2

The property was purchased in the first place by instruction from Sister White by telegraph “to secure the property without delay.” Later, when visiting the property in person, she (913) recognized it as one of the places she had seen nearly two years before in vision, and she said further, “It was in the order of God that this property had been secured.” LLM 553.3

The price we paid for the property was $40,000.00 and while it had cost the former owners who had fitted up the place for a sanitarium, $150,000.00, it was still lacking one very essential feature of a well equipped sanitarium, viz., well equipped and commodious bath and treatment rooms. To make this and some other necessary improvements, entailed an outlay of $40,000.00. Later, the liabilities of the institution were increased by the purchase of fifty acres of land adjoining the original estate and the purchase of water shares and rights. While all this has increased the liabilities from $40,000.00 to $124,000.00 as it stands at present, we are still $26,000.00 below what the property cost the original owners, while every dollar expended by the manager is a legitimate asset and has increased the value of the property in proportion to the outlay, so that while the institution is invoiced at only the original cost, it has a surplus of $34,000.00. Such management cannot be correctly classed as “reckless” or “plunging,” especially since back of each movement made, there is positive instruction from the Lord's servant to go ahead, even tho you have to borrow the money. Additional property that she said at the same time should be purchased for the future good of the institution, but which was not purchased for lack of means and dread of increasing indebtedness, had increased in value four-fold, and in the way it is being managed will prove a detriment to our work. LLM 553.4

Loma Linda is today one of the most valuable plants in the denomination, and every Seventh-day Adventist should rejoice that God has given us so valuable a property for so small an outlay. LLM 554.1

The least estimate placed upon the value of the property by (914) businessmen, not of our faith, is a quarter of a million. LLM 554.2

While there was much criticism at the time the bath-room addition was made to the main building because of its size and expense, yet they have already reached the point in the increase of patronage where this building is taxed beyond its capacity. LLM 554.3

I speak of these things only that all may see that instead of “plunging” and “reckless” management, the most sanguine have failed to see in this enterprise what God saw in it, and thru lack of faith and discernment we do not occupy the vantage ground in this enterprise that it was our privilege to occupy. There is no enterprise that is being carried forward by us as a people at this time that lies nearer to the heart of Sister White, than the Loma Linda Medical School, and she expresses most hearty confidence in the men who have born the burden of this work. LLM 554.4

Altho the enemy has succeeded in hindering and holding back this work by instilling unbelief into our minds, yet we can still redeem the time in a measure by rallying to its support with our means, our prayers and our influence, and by encouraging young men and women of proper age and education and who possess a good moral character, to attend either the Medical or Medical Missionary Course. LLM 554.5

The unbelief relative to this enterprise has not been confined alone to the business management, but has included our ability as a people to conduct a creditable medical school. While this, in point of fact, is still to be demonstrated to the satisfaction of all, yet those having full confidence in the statements made by Sister White, and are willing to move out by faith, will realize the fulfillment of every statement that she has made relative to other enterprises which to some seemed absurd and impossible of realization. LLM 554.6

(915)

In one of the most recent communications relative to this work, these words occur, “We are not to accept and follow the views of men who refuse to recognize God as their teacher, but who learn of men and are guided by man-made laws and restrictions. I was shown how that in a special sense we as a people are to be guided by divine instruction. Those fitting themselves for medical missionary work should fear to place themselves under worldly doctors, to imbibe their sentiments and peculiar prejudices, and to learn to express their ideas and views.... It is not necessary that our medical missionaries follow the precise track marked out by medical men of the world. They do not need to administer drugs to the sick. They do not need to follow the drug medication in order to have influence in their work. The message was given me that if they would consecrate themselves to the Lord, if they would seek to obtain under men ordained of God, a thorough knowledge of their work, the Lord would make them skillful.... Some of our medical missionaries have supposed that a medical training according to the plans of worldly schools is essential to their success. To those who have thought that the only way to success is by being taught by worldly men and by pursuing a course that is sanctioned by worldly men, I would now say, put away such ideas. This is a mistake that should be corrected. It is a dangerous thing to catch the spirit of the world; the popularity which such a course invites, will bring into the work a spirit which the word of God cannot sanction. It is a lack of faith in the power of God that leads our physicians to lean so much upon the arm of law, and to trust so much to the influence of worldly powers. The true medical missionary will be wise in the treatment of the sick, using the remedies that nature provides. And then he will look to Christ as the true healer of diseases. The principles of health (916) reform brought into the life of the patient, the use of nature's remedies and the cooperation of divine agencies in behalf of the suffering, will bring success. LLM 554.7

“I am instructed to say that in our educational work there is to be no compromise in order to meet the world's standards. God's commandment-keeping people are not to unite with the world to carry various lines of work according to worldly plans and worldly wisdom. LLM 555.1

“Our people are now being tested as to whether they will obtain their wisdom from the greatest Teacher the world ever knew, or seek to the god of Ekron. Let us determine that we shall not be tied by so much as a thread to the educational policies of those who do not discern the voice of God, and who will not hearken to His commandments. LLM 555.2

“Shall we represent before the world that our physicians must follow the pattern of the world, before they can be qualified to act as successful physicians? This is the question that is now testing the faith of some of our brethren. Let not any of our brethren displease the Lord by advocating in their assemblies the idea that we need to obtain from unbelievers a higher education than that specified by the Lord. LLM 555.3

“The representation of the great Teacher is to be considered an all-sufficient revelation. Those in our ranks who qualify as physicians are to receive only such education as is in harmony with these divine truths. Some have advised that students should, after taking some work at Loma Linda, complete their medical education in worldly colleges. But this is not in harmony with the Lord's plan. God is our wisdom, our sanctification and our righteousness. Facilities should be provided at Loma Linda, that the necessary instruction in medical lines may be given by instructors (917) who fear the Lord, and who are in harmony with His plans for the treatment of the sick. LLM 555.4

“I have not a word to say in favor of the world's ideas of higher education in any school that we shall organize for the training of physicians. There is danger in their attaching themselves to worldly institutions, and working under the ministrations of worldly physicians. Satan is giving his orders to those whom he has led to depart from the faith. I would now advise that none of our young people attach themselves to worldly medical institutions in hope of gaining better success, or stronger influence as physicians.” LLM 556.1