Loma Linda Messages

To Elders Reaser, Burden, and the Executive Committee of the Southern California Conference

Oakland, Calif.

B. - 274- ’06 August 19, 1906.

Dear Brethren,

I am very anxious that Brethren Reaser and Burden, and their associates shall see all things clearly. God has given to every man a certain work to do, and He will give to each the wisdom necessary to perform his own appointed work. LLM 181.4

To Brethren Reaser and Burden I would say, In all your counsels together, be careful to show kindness and courtesy toward each other. Guard against anything that has the semblance of domineering spirit. LLM 181.5

Be careful not to do anything that would restrict the work at Loma Linda. It is in the order of God that this property has been secured, and He has given instruction that a school should be connected with the sanitarium. A special work is to be done there in qualifying young men and young women to be efficient medical missionary workers. They are to be taught how to treat the sick without the use of drugs. Such an education requires an experience in practical work. LLM 182.1

The work at Loma Linda demands immediate consideration. Preparations must be made for the school to be opened as soon as possible. Our young men and young women are to find in Loma Linda a school where they can receive a medical missionary training, and where they will not be brought under the influence of some who are seeking to undermine the truth. The students are to unite faithfully in the medical work, keeping their physical powers in the most perfect condition possible, and laboring under the instruction of the great Medical Missionary. The healing of the sick and the ministry of the Word are to go hand in hand. There is to be a thorough education in Bible truth. The Word of God is spirit and life. We need constantly to look to Jesus. The efficiency of every worker is largely determined by the education and training he receives. In our educational institutions there is to be a higher class of education than can be found elsewhere. The students are to be treated kindly, tenderly, and interestedly. LLM 182.2

In order properly to fit the sanitarium and the school at Loma Linda to carry on the work that the Lord has plainly directed should be carried on, means must be raised. And let no one act a part in influencing our brethren and sisters in S. Calif. not to do that which needs to be done. LLM 182.3

The Lord has blessed Elder Burden, and He will continue to bless him, as he continues to move in the fear of God, and plans wisely and economically with his associates for the fitting up and management of the institution. If any of his brethren act arbitrarily in an effort to restrain him in this, they would be hindering the very work that the Lord has signified should be done. He is not to be forced to turn aside from his convictions as to the way in which the work under his charge shall be carried on. LLM 182.4

In the carrying forward of the educational work at Loma Linda, our brethren must constantly guard against the efforts of the enemy to bring in a spirit of criticism and of alienation between brethren. LLM 182.5

There are times when certain sanitariums will have to pass through a close, severe struggle for means in order to do a special work which the Lord has particularly designated should be done. In such emergencies, they are to be free to receive gifts and donations from our churches. Some who receive the truth have means and they will aid in sustaining the good work which should be done in our sanitariums. LLM 182.6

My brethren, I am praying that the Lord will guide you in the very best methods of reaching hearts. Let no one, whatever his official position, decide matters fully on his own judgment, or he may make mistakes that will have to be corrected. One thing is certain, we have a short work before us. We are living very near the end of this earth's history. LLM 183.1

For years we have wrestled to see the work of God advanced in S. Calif. At one time we found such narrow, prescribed plans that the work could not move forward. Then when an effort was made to advance, it resulted in large outlay, and in extravagant plans that were altogether out of order. Then followed a pressure for money, and the work was held back. LLM 183.2

Still the light kept coming to me that the work should be conducted after a different order, that many plans and devisings of men needed to be changed. Of late some moves have been made. The Lord has wrought in the securing of properties at Fernando, at Paradise Valley, and at Glendale. LLM 183.3

A sanitarium has been established at Loma Linda, and this is in the providence of God. Some know how difficult it has been to accomplish the work that has been done. But the work at Loma Linda is not yet perfected. More money must be raised in order to make this place a center for the training of medical missionary evangelists. LLM 183.4

As the president and executive committee of the S. Calif. Conference unite with Brother Burden and his associates in planning for the thorough accomplishment of the sanitarium and school work at Loma Linda, they will find strength and blessing. Brother Burden is not to be bound about in his work. LLM 183.5

Pray to the Lord, my brethren, counsel together, and then labor unitedly to help in establishing the work which we all so greatly desire shall not be hindered. LLM 183.6

The work of higher education has been greatly hindered because men and women have not discerned spiritual things as they should. We should know the facts that are of weight in making decisions. LLM 183.7

All our brethren are to be sober-minded and cautious. Those who hold office need the ability to view every matter wisely. We are all to be workers together with God. LLM 183.8

Ellen G. White

*****

Sanitarium, Calif.

L.-286-'06 Sept. 3, 1906.

Roy Logan:

Dear Brother,

Sister King has spoken to me of you as a young man desiring advice in regard to entering a school of Osteopathy, conducted by unbelievers. LLM 183.9

I would caution you to be on your guard. You cannot be too careful how you place yourself in a position where you will be surrounded by students who are unbelievers, and receive instruction from teachers who are not taught by the great Teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ. LLM 184.1

It has frequently been seen that what seemed to be favorable opportunities for obtaining an education in worldly institutions, were snares of the enemy. The time of the student has been occupied, to the exclusion of the study of God's word. They have completed the course of study, but they were not fitted to take up the study of the work of the Lord. LLM 184.2

It is not necessary for you to go to a worldly school to obtain an education; for there are excellent opportunities before you in schools conducted by those who understand the truth, and where you can receive an education in Bible knowledge. If you desire to fit yourself for medical missionary work, you can find at Loma Linda the very best opening. If you need preliminary work, this you can obtain at the college in Healdsburg. Would it not be wisdom for you to attend one of these schools, rather than to place yourself in the company of those who neither teach nor obey the commandments of God? LLM 184.3

You will have severe enough battles to fight, even when you place yourself under the best influences possible. Would it not be presumption to place yourself unnecessarily in a school where the teachers do not have respect to the Lord's commandments, where the Sabbath is not recognized as His sign? ... LLM 184.4

Our young men need, above all else, to be thoroughly instructed that they may teach the way of the Lord to perishing souls. “The words that I speak unto you,” says Christ, “they are spirit, and they are life.” Study the word. The strictest fidelity is to be cherished. The love of the truth, and a genuine desire for improvement in the understanding of the Word, will make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the service of God. As you learn, you should seek for opportunities to explain the truth to others. LLM 184.5

The tempter is watching you, in your uncertainty. He will make a determined effort to secure you to serve his purposes. How few understand Satan's great power to deceive. Close every door where he might enter. Surrender yourself, body, soul, and spirit to God. LLM 184.6

Place yourself under those who teach and obey the truth and learn all you can from them. When you place yourself under the influence of the Holy Spirit, then you can see light in God's light, and you will rejoice in His truth. Keep yourself in the circle of His light, where His light is cherished, and then “let your light so shine before men that they, by seeing your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven.” LLM 184.7

Ellen G. White

*****

Sanitarium, Calif.

Oct. 3, 1908.-6- B-304-'06 Sept. 14, 1906.

Dear Brother and Sister Burden,

I cannot sleep after one o'clock. We left St. Helena on Friday morning to spend Sabbath and Sunday in Oakland. I spoke both afternoons in the tent. On Sabbath afternoon the tent was filled, mostly with our own people; and all present were interested. I had special freedom in speaking from the seventh chapter of Revelation. This is a most interesting chapter. LLM 185.1

The only place that could be obtained for the tent was a lot of ground close by the car line, where the cars are coming all the time. You can see that this would not be the most favorable place for speaking. The interest was good; but I would not dare to attempt to speak in so high a key as would be necessary in this tent, and shall not venture to do this. Apart from this disadvantage the location is excellent. After a while we may get a better location. The Lord has graciously strengthened me to stand before the people. Souls are becoming interested in the truth. LLM 185.2

I am in good health now, and I praise the Lord with heart and soul and voice. I would like to see you and to converse with you. Be of good courage in the Lord. I received your letter, and although it was short, I was glad to have it. LLM 185.3

September 28, 1906

I have been writing from two this morning until six, when W. C. White left for his journey to Washington I had written eighteen pages of letter paper for him to take with him. I could not get the matter copied at so early an hour, but thought he could take it with him in the original writing. After he had gone I wrote eighteen pages more. Before he left we had a season of prayer, and the Lord gave us His peace. LLM 185.4

Brethren Burden and Howell, the work of the school and the sanitarium will be a blessing, the one to the other. Each must act its individual part, but both must blend together; then the interests of both will be advanced. If there is cooperation between the educational work and the work of the sanitarium, we can heartily recommend that the higher education be carried on in the sanitarium grounds for this is the Lord's plan. If the men at the head of this enterprise plan for the usefulness of these institutions, each helping the other, there is nothing to hinder the operations of the school. As the work grows, buildings may have to be prepared. LLM 185.5

Brother Burden, I have written a great deal of late in regard to the subject of food manufacture. We are not to allow Dr. Kellogg's plans in regard to the corn flakes cause a large investment of money that should be invested in less expensive preparations of food. We will deal in foods that will require such an outlay of means in order to secure the privilege of using them. I will send to you copies of some things I have written on this subject. (These will be sent soon. D.E.R.”) LLM 185.6

Time is very short; and cities and towns are to be visited with judgment. Fire and water will work with their destructive forces. We should not make the food business a straining for high profits. We should work in connection with the great food manufacturer, Jesus Christ, who fed five thousand people with five loaves and two small fishes. LLM 186.1

“When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He said unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” This question was asked simply to see what Philip would say; for Jesus knew what He would do. Philip answered, “Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.” LLM 186.2

Christ might have said to Philip, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? or, as the Lord answered Moses in a similar case, “Is the Lord's hand waxen short?” In our feeble faith we are likely to distrust God's power, and believe no farther than we can see. After seeing the miracles of Christ, Philip could readily have answered, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst exert Thy power for this hungry multitude;” but now He asked, “What are they among so many?” LLM 186.3

“Bid the men sit down,” Christ commanded; for the grass was abundant in that place. A blessing was asked upon the food, and thanks were offered for it; and never did food taste sweeter. The seemingly meager supply was passed from the hand of Christ to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. LLM 186.4

There might have been questioning among the multitude how they might entertain their benefactor and His disciples; for many of the people were rich, and they knew that Christ and His disciples were poor. But Christ would give these men a lesson; He entertained the hungry crowd by working a miracle. In this way He teaches that spiritual gifts are not to be bought, but are the free gift of God. Having fed their souls with the precious word, the Bread of Life, He supplied their temporal necessities, and thus encourages a manifestation of the grace of thankfulness. LLM 186.5

When all had eaten, the word went forth from lips that had blessed the bread, “Gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost.” “Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten.” Then leading the minds of the miracle-fed men from the temporal to spiritual food, Christ represented Himself as Bread of eternal life. LLM 186.6

The food provided was not especially inviting, and by many would be considered coarse. This does not signify that we should confine ourselves to a coarse fare, when Providence supplies us with better. But when necessity demands, and the blessing of the Miracle worker is upon the food, even the coarsest fare will become palatable. To those hungry men, the meal composed of barley bread and fish was the most palatable they had ever eaten. LLM 187.1

Ellen G. White

*****

Sanitarium, Calif.

B.-304-'06 Sept. 14, 1906.

Dear Brother and Sister Burden,

...

The work of the school and the sanitarium (Loma Linda) will be a blessing, the one to the other. Each must act its individual part, but both must blend together; then the interests of both will be advanced. If there is cooperation between the educational work and the work of the sanitarium, we can heartily recommend that the higher education be carried on in the sanitarium grounds; for this is the Lord's plan. If the men at the head of this enterprise plan for the usefulness of these institutions, each helping the other, there is nothing to hinder the operations of the school. As the work grows, buildings may have to be prepared. LLM 187.2

*****

Ellen G. White

Sanitarium, Calif.

MS. 81, 1906. Sept. 27, 1906

... In many places, in different sections of the country, an effort should be made to utilize natural products for healthful foods. A good work along this line may be done at Loma Linda. Our brethren there should make a beginning soon, even if all the arrangements regarding this work cannot be definitely decided upon at this time. As our brethren at Loma Linda study how to make the health food work a means of bringing the truth for this time before the minds of unbelievers, the Lord will add His blessing, and will make plain the course they should pursue in the conduct of the business. LLM 187.3

A similar work is to be carried forward in the Southern States. Men and women who embrace the truth in the South will often need to be helped to find employment. Many will find opportunity to engage in evangelistic work; and these should learn, in connection with this work, to teach worldlings how to prepare simple, palatable food. LLM 187.4

Outside the city of Nashville there are advantages that should be utilized in providing wholesome food for the people... LLM 188.1

Ellen G. White

*****

Sanitarium, Calif,

Nov. 2, 1906. B.280'07

Elder J. A. Burden,

I have words to speak to you. The Lord has laid upon you the responsibilities of no ordinary nature. At the time of the meeting held before you were settled at Loma Linda, when I was so sick, the Lord showed me what was to be your work as director of the Sanitarium, and that if you would connect yourself with divine wisdom, you would be taught of God. You need a clear mind in order to settle wisely the many questions that come to you for decision. The Lord would have you taught of Him. LLM 190.1

My Brother, do not allow men of limited experience to come in, as Elder Reaser has done, and assume a controlling power. Brother Reaser has placed himself as teacher and adviser and ruled in many matters, and unless you work and watch carefully, such an influence will retard the work. Brother Reaser should learn that he is not qualified to do the work he supposes he is to do. LLM 190.2

Brother Reaser supposes that if it were not for his watching of the finances, there would be serious losses, whereas, if he had nothing to do and say in these matters, it would save many perplexities. He has taken upon himself burdens that the Lord has not laid upon him. He has learned some of his lessons of Elder Healey who has done much to retard the work in the South. If he would attend to his work of ministry, and keep his hands off the work of directing, he would save himself and others many burdens. From the light that has been given me, I know that it is a mistake for him to be connected with our sanitariums; he should not be a manager. LLM 190.3

In regard to the health food business, I would urge you to move slowly. Dr. Kellogg's proposition to sell the corn flakes rights to our people for twenty years has just been considered by our brethren here; and I fear, if I had not been on the ground, this matter would have been carried through to the loss of our food business. When a thing is exalted, as the corn flakes has been, it would be unwise for our people to have anything to do with it. It is not necessary that we make the corn flakes an article of food. LLM 190.4

I would advise you, my brother, to keep away from the influence of Dr. Kellogg's ingenious plans. Let us use our own ingenuity to invent the best kinds of food possible. We are living in the closing days of the earth's history; souls are starving for a knowledge of the word of God and of healthful living. Let us seek to carry our work solidly, giving all possible instruction regarding the principles of health reform, praying with the sick, and teaching the people how to care for themselves in sickness and health. LLM 190.5

The Lord has sent us valuable help in Dr. White, who is studying to know how to follow the way of the Lord. Let there be much earnest prayer on the part of the workers, each depending on the great Physician to carry the work according to His purpose “For we are laborers together with God; ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's building.” In our efforts to build up the cause of God in the earth, we are to make sure work for eternity. LLM 190.6

Many workers who are bearing responsibilities are embracing too much authority; and they will certainly confuse the human judgment by their dictatorial authority. I must warn my brethren to be on their guard against this. The cause of God is imperiled when the workers become self-confident, and seek to embrace more than the Lord has laid upon them. Hindrance instead of advancement is the result of such a spirit. LLM 191.1

Brother Burden, carry your work intelligently, ever consulting the word of God; for this word is very precious to the worker in the cause. Study the messages that God has sent to His people for the last sixty years through the Spirit of Prophecy. Do not seek the counsel of men, but by earnest prayer seek the wisdom of God. A mistake has been made in the past by leaning upon the guidance of men. Seek to correct this mistake.... LLM 191.2

Yesterday was a strange day for me. I was compelled to leave letters and other writings unfinished. LLM 191.3

The Lord has been working with Elder Simpson, teaching him how to give to the people this last warning message. His method of making the words of the Bible prove the truth for this time, and his use of the symbols presented in Revelation and Daniel, are effective. Let the young men learn as for their lives what is truth, and how it should be presented. We are living in the last days of the great conflict; the truth alone will hold us securely in this time of trouble. The way should be prepared for Elder Simpson to give the message, and our young men should attend his evening meetings. LLM 191.4

Those who have considered themselves qualified to bear responsibilities in the churches, should seek to obtain light and a knowledge of how to prosecute their work at this time in the cities, north and south, east and west, that are calling for a knowledge of the truth for this time. Our campmeetings should do a more thorough work in preparing the laborers for the work that is to be done in every place. LLM 191.5

The campmeetings which my husband attended were made special seasons of seeking the Lord. Every morning at an early hour the ministers assembled in the large tent, where we sought to become of one mind. The question would be asked, Have we any personal difficulties to settle? If so, let us settle them. Let us not pass one day on this ground cherishing hard feelings against a brother. Let there be no evil speaking one of another; for this will greatly dishonor God. Let us by every means in our power seek to remove the alienation and differences that exist. LLM 191.6

Then we would have a season of prayer, and these were times of confession and breaking of heart before God. Often the workers, and especially the ministers, would state their true feelings, relating their temptations, and confessing their loss of confidence in their brethren. These confessions tended to clear away any ill feeling that existed, and brought in a very different atmosphere. LLM 192.1

At these campmeetings, no one man carried the burden of deciding who should speak, but those were chosen who were experienced in the message and in conducting campmeetings. We used then the very arguments that are now given why the young men should not be brought to the front while the aged workers were passed by. LLM 192.2

God speaks through the men who understand the guiding of the Holy Spirit. When thousands come out to attend our meetings, they desire to get the greatest benefit possible, and it is poor policy to place as speakers men who are not fully adapted to meet the needs of the situation. The word should be spoken by men who have felt the deep moving of the Spirit upon their hearts, and who feel the burden of the message that God has given them for the people. The old soldiers of the cross are not to be passed by. LLM 192.3

Men who have been placed in office for the first time and who are just gaining their experience, need to move carefully and in humility of mind; for often they are not apt to judge wisely. When Elder Reaser was placed in a position of responsibility, he did not see his need to learn all that he could from the experience of others who had a knowledge of the history of the work in S. Calif., and who had burdens laid upon them for that work by the Lord. At the first assuming of his new responsibilities, Elder Reaser should have considered that these persons understood the situation better than he did. By his officious attitude, he has made the work much more perplexing than it otherwise would have been. If he will be taught, the Lord will teach Elder Reaser that He has men on the ground who are fully as capable of planning and devising for the interests of the work as himself. LLM 192.4

The Lord has given you your work, Brother Burden. He has not appointed Elder Reaser to tell you what your duty is, as superintendent of the sanitarium, your work is an important one. Elder Reaser is not to intrude himself upon that which God has given you to do. That there shall be no more money in the sanitarium until the institution shall have earned that amount required, is not for Elder Reaser to decide. Hire money, if this is necessary in order to perfect the work. LLM 192.5

Ellen G. White

*****