Loma Linda Messages

Passed by the Southern California Conference

(This was omitted from the last Conference Committee Meeting's report. It should have been included under item concerning Loma Linda and the Gen. Conf.) LLM 410.1

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To The Delegates of the Thirty Seventh Session of the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists at Takoma Park Assembled.

We the members of the Conference Committee of Southern California, and, of the Board of Loma Linda Sanitarium, would respectfully submit the following memorial for your consideration: LLM 410.2

At the 1901 General Conference, in an article entitled, “Instruction regarding the School Work,” read before the delegates April 22, 1901, it was pointed out that all our medical students were not to receive their training at the one medical College in Battle Creek. Of our schools that were introducing educational reforms, Sister White read: (G.C.B. 455-1901) “We are thankful that an interest is being shown in the work of establishing our schools on a right foundation, as they should have been established years ago. If the proper education is given to students, it is a positive necessity to establish our schools at a distance from cities, where the students can do manual work.” ... LLM 410.3

Although there may be few students at first, do not be discouraged. The school will win its way. Introduce the medical missionary work. Some of the students are to be educated as nurses and some as physicians. It is not necessary for our students to go to Ann Arbor for a education. They may obtain at our schools all the education that is essential to perform the work for this time.” LLM 410.4

It will take some time to get a right understanding of the matter, but just as soon as we begin to work in the lines of true reform the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us if we are willing to be guided.... All must place themselves under the influence of the Holy Spirit. When they place themselves under the influence of the Spirit, they will accommodate themselves to Bible lines. When the word of God takes possession of the minds of teachers, then they are fitted to deal with the education of others.... The word of God is to stand as the foundation of all education. It is to be made the basis of all the schools that we shall establish.” LLM 410.5

Thus we see that eight years ago, God, foreseeing the calamity that would come upon the one medical school then in operation among us, counseled the establishment of other schools in which both nurses and physicians were to be educated. As pointing out the defectiveness of the American Medical College, and the necessity of giving the Bible its proper place in medical education, the following instruction was given,—which instruction should have been our guide in our school work. LLM 410.6

Oct. 17, 1903, in a letter addressed “To our medical missionaries” (B-241-'03) we find the following: “God would have all who profess to be gospel medical missionaries, learn diligently the lessons of the great Teacher.... The one book that is essential for all to study is the Bible. Studied with reverence and Godly fear, it is the greatest of all educators... Study the Bible more and the theories of the medical fraternities, less, and you will have greater spiritual health. Your mind will be clearer and more vigorous. Much that is embraced in the medical course is positively unnecessary. Those who take a medical training, spend a great deal of time in learning that which is merely rubbish. Many of the theories that they learn may be compared in value to the traditions and maxims taught by the scribes and pharisees. Many of the intricacies with which they have to become familiar are an injury to their minds. These things God has been opening before me for many years. In our medical schools and institutions, we need men who have a deeper knowledge of the scriptures.... Because the word of God has been neglected, strange things have been done in our medical missionary work of late. The Lord can not accept the present showing.” LLM 411.1

During the years from 1901 to 1904, the mind of the servant of the Lord was directed in a special way to Southern California as a field in which the medical missionary work was to be given great prominence by the establishment of at least, four leading sanitariums with branches in various cities. One of these was to be located near the towns of Riverside and Redlands. LLM 411.2

During the session of the General Conference four years ago, under the direction and imperative demand of the Spirit of Prophecy, Loma Linda was purchased, situated four miles from Redlands and about nine miles from Riverside. Soon sanitarium work was begun at this place. This was followed immediately by testimonies which have continued to come up to the present time, both guiding, and urging forward the work. Extracts from these testimonies are as follows:— LLM 411.3

“Loma Linda is to be not only a sanitarium, but an educational center. With the possession of this place comes the weighty responsibility of making the work of the institution, educational in character. A school is to be established here for the training of gospel, medical missionary evangelists.” “In regard to the school I would say, make it all you possibly can in the education of nurses and physicians.” “Make the school especially strong for nurses and physicians.” “Thousands of workers are to be qualified with all the ability of physicians, to labor, not as physicians, but as medical missionary evangelists.” LLM 411.4

“I have clear instruction that wherever it is possible, schools should be established near to our sanitariums, that each institution may be a help to the other.” LLM 412.1

Acting under the advice of these communications, steps were taken to establish the Loma Linda College of Evangelists. This was opposed by some and a communication was sent of which the following is an extract,—“Be very 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. 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.” In harmony with this instruction, the school was established with a three years’ medical evangelistic course, supplemented by a strong three years’ nurses course, designed to qualify workers with all the ability of physicians, in harmony with the testimonies given. LLM 412.2

In connection with the opening of the school the following was sent: LLM 412.3

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“Much is involved in this work and it is very essential that a right beginning be made. The Lord has a special work to be done in this field. He instructed me to call on Elder and Mrs. Haskell, to help us in getting properly started, a work similar to that they had carried on at Avondale.” LLM 412.4

After the school was thus organized and our first class had nearly completed the second year in the medical course, testimonies came from which the following are extracts, dated April 23, 1908: LLM 412.5

“There is a very precious work to be done in connection with the interests of the sanitarium and school at Loma Linda, and this will be done when all work to that end.... Ever bear in mind that heaven is interested in every question that agitates your mind in regard to your school and sanitarium. Both are to be strengthened... In our school at Loma Linda many can be educated to work as missionaries in the cause of Health and Temperance. The best teachers are to be employed in this educational work. Not men who esteem highly their own capabilities, but men who will walk circumspectly, depending wholly upon the Lord.” (B - 132'08) LLM 412.6

That this school is not to be patterned after worldly standards of medical education, is shown by the following: LLM 413.1

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“In the work of the school, maintain simplicity. No argument is so powerful as is success, founded upon simplicity. And you may attain success in the education of students as medical missionaries, without a medical school that can qualify physicians to compete with the physicians of the world. Let the students be given a practical education. And the less dependent you are upon worldly methods of education, the better it will be for the students. Special instruction should be given in the art of treating the sick without the use of poisonous drugs, and in harmony with the light that God has given. Students should come forth from the school without having sacrificed the principles of health reform. LLM 413.2

“The education that meets the world's standard is to be less and less valued by those who are seeking for efficiency in carrying the medical missionary work in connection with the work of the third angel's message. They are to be educated from the standpoint of conscience, and as they conscientiously and faithfully follow right methods in their treatment of the sick, these methods will come to be recognized as preferable to the methods to which many have become accustomed, which demand the use of poisonous drugs.” (B - 90 - ’08) LLM 413.3

That the school is designed of the Lord to be, not a local one, but general in its scope of influence and patronage, we would call attention to the following facts stated in the testimonies:—First, that thousands are to be trained. Second, that persons trained at this institution are to be sent to other states to conduct local schools of health and temperance. Both the school and sanitarium have been blessed of the Lord. And the school has now the endorsement and hearty cooperation of our local conference. During the last year the General Conference has assisted it by the payment of the salary of the Bible teacher employed. LLM 413.4

Believing the school to be general in its character, the Conference Committee of Southern California, and the Board of management of the institution, desiring counsel and help in perfecting the work of the school in harmony with the light given, passed the following:— LLM 413.5

We respectfully ask the General Conference to recognize the Loma Linda College of Evangelists, as an institution for the education and training of both nurses and physicians, in harmony with the testimonies above quoted. Second, that it assist the management in arranging the curriculum, and plans for the future development of the school. LLM 413.6

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Washington, D. C.

B.100 - ’09. June 9, 1909.

Elder J. A. Burden:

In the night season I seemed to be conversing with you, and encouraging you to go forward in the name of the Lord, preparing your school to give the education most needed at this time. The education that is to be given by our people in the large cities of Southern California is set before me day and night. The people in these cities are to be made to understand what constitutes “higher education.” Higher education means conformity to the plan of salvation. LLM 414.1

Obtain facilities for your school work. Let the means that shall come to you be used very economically. Do not spend one dollar unnecessarily. LLM 414.2

Endeavor to place yourself where you will not be confused by the representations and forbiddings of human agencies who would misinterpret the true meaning of the higher education. Lift up the Man of Calvary. By the work of teaching and by earnest prayer, endeavor to place the students where they will receive inspiration of heaven. Jesus Christ is to be presented before them as the Source of all light and knowledge. Let none dishonor Him by choosing to accept the world's interpretation of what the higher education means. Let us leave that to those who do not acknowledge the truths of the word of God as the source of all true knowledge. LLM 414.3

Give to the teachers all the advantages possible, to secure a clear understanding of what constitutes the essential education. LLM 414.4

Teach the students to look for wisdom to the One who gave His life for the salvation of the world. Now is your time to work. That same Jesus who walked with His disciples on earth, and who taught them from day to day, will teach His servants in this age. LLM 414.5

I would call your attention to the eighth chapter of Acts, in which is related Philip's experience with the Ethiopian seeker after truth. The record states: - Acts 8:26-40 “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the South unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went; and, behold a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. LLM 414.6

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. LLM 415.1

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? LLM 415.2

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. LLM 415.3

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. LLM 415.4

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus; and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.” LLM 415.5

The whole of the book of Acts should receive careful study. It is full of precious instruction; it records experiments in evangelistic work, the teachings of which we need in our work today. This wonderful history; it deals with the highest education, which the students in our schools are to receive. LLM 415.6

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MS. 53 - ’09.