Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 75, 1908

Burden, J. A.

St. Helena, California

February 16, 1908

Previously unpublished.

Elder Burden:

I have just read your letter, and I am not prepared to give you the advice you desire. I can take in what you are anxious to know, but I would be very careful in giving you advice on the points mentioned. I am really perplexed to know where you can find all the advantages that would be required to manage a school after the order you anticipate. I am not so sure that this burden should come so fully on the parties that manage the sanitarium. It would, I fear, bring upon you much greater responsibilities than you should have. 23LtMs, Lt 75, 1908, par. 1

The sanitarium will increase in patronage, and it should be carried with an intellectual, sanctified strength of ability. Have you it, that you could rely upon? If there is in the school reliable assistance that would carry responsibilities in the fear of God, letting their light and knowledge reflect light under the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, with angels of God presiding in the grand matter of educating under discipline to God, then there is hope; but if not, it would bring perplexities to you that you should not have. If there were those who were conscientious learners to impart, and who in their working for others [would permit] the Holy Spirit’s influence to come in and the Lord to have the right of way to rule, this would meet the necessities that are required, which are sound judgment and the help that the Lord alone can give. 23LtMs, Lt 75, 1908, par. 2

As you write to W. C. White, your plan is a good plan, if you succeed in obtaining reliable men who are true to principle. This [the school?] is not to be near the sanitarium building. There would be confusion for the sick, and it would not work. If not, it would be an advantage in giving the benefits of obtaining a knowledge of Bible truth. 23LtMs, Lt 75, 1908, par. 3

Then there is the opportunity to thoroughly work Redlands and the settlements that are in and around Redlands, which we desire shall become acquainted with the Word of the Lord. It is an advantage if in every place where there is a sanitarium we can have the blessing of God upon all that is set in operation in every line, and one can be a help to the other lines. All the business required, you can, in the name of the Lord, make a success. If the heavenly angels are your front guard and rereward, then you know you have the greatest advantage possible. 23LtMs, Lt 75, 1908, par. 4

In all these business arrangements, let all seek counsel of God and unity of action. Loma Linda will be just the place to establish a far-reaching influence in educational lines that will give Southern California an influence among the influences now existing upon the temperance question. The large settlements, where there is need of reform, will have courage to advocate the right upon the temperance question, and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union will have an opportunity to see and understand Bible truth. We may give the last message of warning in the southern field to the many who shall come in as they have done for years. 23LtMs, Lt 75, 1908, par. 5

Loma Linda has come into our possession for the purpose of giving the last message of warning to the churches and the unconcerned pleasure lovers. I see what this can mean to us all who have a work to do in seed sowing. It cuts off the excuse that has prevailed that Battle Creek is the center of education. But oh how important that every move shall bear the stamp of the heavenly in the place of the worldly! Washington is to be another center. And for the southern states, we may have a decided work done; the truth is to go to the southern section of America. The Lord’s last message must go forth as a lamp that burneth. I am pleased with the idea of not presenting the highest wages, but that all shall have an eye single to the glory of God. 23LtMs, Lt 75, 1908, par. 6

I am now writing in my room every morning long before daylight. I believe if we walk humbly with the Lord we shall see of His salvation. The end is near, and we have the last note of warning to give to a fallen world. The last message of mercy must go to thousands. 23LtMs, Lt 75, 1908, par. 7

I will now stop writing to you, for there are letters I should write to Washington, D.C. I am being sustained now to prepare much matter to be used in the giving of the history of our work in the earlier stage of our experience. I thank the Lord that my right hand does not fail me. I can hold and fill my fountain pen as I ever could. May the Lord bless you in all your councils is my prayer. 23LtMs, Lt 75, 1908, par. 8