The Story of our Health Message

J. H. Kellogg in Medical Training

There were some who, having seen the apparent prosperity of the institution, had continued to urge that it be enlarged. But with this Elder White could not agree. To Elder G. I. Butler, the president of the General Conference, he wrote: “Show me the doctors and then build away. Hustle young men off to some doctor mill, and get ready. Our institute buildings are already larger than our doctors.”—Letter dated July 13, 1874. SHM 204.3

Early in the seventies Elder and Mrs. James White had arranged for four young men to attend the Hygieo-Therapeutic College at Florence Heights, New Jersey, and learn what they could during the short-term course that Dr. Trail and his associates were conducting, with special reference to hygienic methods of treating disease. After completing the brief course of study, and receiving his degree of M.D., one of these students, J. H. Kellogg, enrolled at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, and took the regular three-year course of training. The hospital with which this medical school was connected was the largest in New York City. On its staff were many of the leading specialists in the various forms of disease. SHM 205.1

Elder White and other members of the Health Reform Institute Board recognized in J. H. Kellogg a young man of talent and industry. They believed that he was so thoroughly conversant with the principles of reform that he could continue his studies in a medical course without being influenced to compromise those principles, and Elder White encouraged him to continue his medical education till he had received the best training possible. In order that he might not be delayed in this enterprise, Elder White lent him $1,000 to meet his expenses in New York. SHM 205.2