Loma Linda Messages

The Call for a Denominational Medical School

Elder G. A. Irwin: It has seemed to me that this question of establishing a medical school at Loma Linda, Calif., is one that the whole people ought to understand and be clear upon; for it interests the whole people—the entire denomination. Heretofore, our people in general have known very little, practically nothing, about this enterprise, because the communications that have been received in regard to it have been studied by only a few who were immediately connected with it. LLM 498.3

During the session of the Pacific Union Conference in which we are now assembled, the committee on plans have had under consideration this problem of establishing a medical school, and have brought this recommendation before us. They feel that as additional light from the Spirit of Prophecy has come concerning this proposed school, it is due not only to the delegation, but to the whole congregation, and to our brethren in general as well, that full information be given regarding the exact situation. They realize that if the school is to be established and carried forward in accordance with the recommendation (863) that is now before us, and that if this recommendation is accepted by the General Conference and by other Union Conferences, it will be necessary for us to appeal to the whole people to help carry forward this medical school enterprise. LLM 498.4

Since we have met in this Union Conference, the matter has assumed definite shape. The additional light that has come, as the committee acknowledges in their report, seems to make the matter very clear. LLM 498.5

Now I will beg your indulgence to say a few words further, by way of opening this question for discussion, so that I shall not need to speak again. To my mind, brethren, the problem of establishing a medical school for the training of our youth as competent physicians, is a very important question. It has been an important question in this denomination for many years. Away back in 1894 or 1895, I do not remember the exact year, our people became stirred up on the importance of having a denominational medical school. The testimonies that came at that time were very pointed in regard to the importance of having such a school, and the necessity of making some provisions whereby it would not be necessary for those of our youth who desired to obtain a medical education, to attend worldly medical schools; and as a matter of history, I think it would be not only interesting, but profitable, to read just a few paragraphs from the communications that came at that time. LLM 498.6

Attendance of Christian Youth at Worldly Medical Schools

You will remember that most of our young people who were starting in on a medical course at that time, attended Ann Arbor, because of its proximity to our headquarters at Battle Creek. On page 122 of “Special Testimonies on Education,” I read these words: LLM 499.1

“A course of study at Ann Arbor may be thought essential for some; but evil influences are there ever at work upon susceptible minds, so that the farther they advance in their studies, the less they deem it necessary to seek a knowledge of the will and ways of God. None should be allowed to pursue a course of study that may in any way weaken their faith in the truth and in the Lord's power, or diminish their respect for a life of holiness. I would warn the students not to advance one step in these lines,—not even upon the advice of their instructors or men in positions of authority,—unless they have first sought God individually, with their hearts thrown open to the influence of the Holy Spirit, and obtained his counsel concerning the contemplated course of study. Let every selfish desire to distinguish yourselves to be set aside; take every suggestion from humanity, to God trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” LLM 499.2

I pass on to another statement found on page 136: LLM 499.3

“It is not best to advise men and women to take a course of study at Ann Arbor. Many who have been there have not been benefited in the past, and will not be in the future.” LLM 499.4

Again, from page 153: LLM 499.5

“What need is there for students to bind off their education by attending Ann Arbor to receive the finishing touch? It has proved to be the finishing touch to very many as far as spirituality and belief in the truth are concerned. It is an unnecessary discipline, opening the mind to the sowing of tares among the wheat; and it is not pleasing to our great Teacher thus to glorify teachers who have not care to hear or minds to comprehend a plain ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ In thus honoring those who are educating directly away from the truth, we do not meet the approval of God.” LLM 499.6

On page 169 we read: LLM 499.7

“Prophecy tells us that we are near the close of time. Intellectual power, natural abilities, supposed excellent judgment, will not prepare the youth to become missionaries for God. No one who is seeking an education for the work and service of God will be made more complete in Jesus Christ by receiving the supposed finishing touch at Ann Arbor, either in literary or medical lines. Many have been unfitted to do missionary work by attending such schools. They have dishonored God by leaving Him on one side and accepting man as their helper.” LLM 499.8

I wanted to read this as a matter of history, to show that what the Lord is calling for at the present time is not something new, but He is calling upon us to do what we failed to do at the proper time. LLM 500.1

There was one class of students who attended Ann Arbor, which included a number of those who have since become prominent as physicians in our sanitariums. I do not know that I can name them all; but among them were Drs. H. F. Rand, D. H. and Lauretta Kress, David Paulson, A. B. Olson, W. A. George, and Abbie Winegar-Simpson. I want to tell you how these students did while in this school. They realized their danger, because they had read what the testimonies said in regard to it. Dr. Kress and his wife rented a house and made a home for these other students who were in the same class and these people studied diligently the Bible and the testimonies of God's Spirit, and as a result of their studies, beautiful things were brought to light. The testimonies relating to health and temperance, and to the work of medical missionaries, were grouped in convenient form, and these have been of value to many of us since that time. LLM 500.2

Now this group of students so far as we have been able to see passed through that institution practically unscathed, because they united in a daily study of the Scriptures and of the testimonies to fortify themselves against the evils of which they had been warned and which personal knowledge taught them were in the place. But some of those who followed were not so careful to continue this study, and we know that what the testimonies have said in regard to their receiving their “finishing touch,” so far as their missionary spirit was concerned, is all too true, and to many of them it was the finishing touch for them in regard to this truth. God knew the dangers of our students when He referred to that institution. He saw what would develop in it. A recent article in the Cosmopolitan magazine asserts that the Bible and its teachings have been practically repudiated by the faculty of that institution. LLM 500.3

Experiences of the Past

About the time that I have referred to above, Dr. Kellogg and his associates connected with the Battle Creek Sanitarium became very anxious to establish a medical school in our own denomination. Such a school was established, and for a time it was conducted on correct principles; but gradually wrong principles came into that school. In our efforts to avoid the evils that existed in Ann Arbor, we ran into other evils; and it was not very long before the reproof of God came upon our school. The reproof was not fully heeded; hence the servant (864) of the Lord felt justified in warning the young people of this denomination, against going to the school, because they would be taught principles there that would as surely lead astray as would the teachings at Ann Arbor. LLM 500.4

Present Necessities

I understand, brethren, that there is just as much need today of a medical school in this denomination, as there was when this question was agitated sufficiently to establish a medical school nearly fifteen years ago. I believe that the principles enunciated, at which I have merely hinted, are just as applicable today, yea, more applicable today than they were then, because time has progressed, and the enemy of our souls has come more and more into the schools of the world. Surely, if it was dangerous then to send our young people to worldly medical schools, if it was liable then to put the “finishing touch” to their faith and spirituality, it will be doubly dangerous today. LLM 501.1

I believe that we stand in greater need of a medical school at the present time, than at any previous time since our existence as a separate denomination. For a number of years, I as an individual have never felt clear to advise one of our young people who desires a medical education, to go to a worldly school. If I had had a child of my own who desired such a course of study, and who wished to go to a worldly school, I would never have given my consent. And so, brethren, I believe today that it is entirely right for this denomination to go forward and bring into existence this school, and to establish it on right lines, and to see to it that it is maintained on right lines, and not switched off by the enemy onto wrong lines as the former one was. LLM 501.2

Maintenance of Unity Among Working Forces

You know of the teachings that came out in the book, Living Temple, and I will not speak of these. But there were other teachings, that were designed to array the physicians against the ministry and the evangelical work of this denomination. That seemed to be the studied purpose of those having charge of the school; but such a division of forces has never been in harmony with the teachings of the testimonies, and is not today. You will notice, in recent communications, that the union of the evangelical and the medical work is advocated repeatedly. We must have a medical missionary evangelistic school, which not only trains nurses to labor as medical missionary evangelists, but which offers courses that will fit our youth to act as physicians, and to stand as medical superintendents in our sanitariums. This medical school must be evangelistic in its workings. We must see to it that the institution is founded on right principles, and carried forward on right principles. From beginning to end, we must adhere to the principles that will make this people the head, and not the tail, and that will help our physicians to glorify God rather than men of the world who have no regard for God. LLM 501.3

Institutional Investments

I wish to call your attention to the fact that in this denomination we have 186 institutions, comprising schools, sanitariums, and publishing houses. Of our 79 sanitariums, 46 are under denominational control, and 33 are under private management. We have 81 educational institutions, and 26 publishing houses. These institutions have assets aggregating nearly five millions of dollars. Their present worth is about three and a half millions. This is a large amount of money to invest in institutions, yet not more than has been required to carry forward the work properly. But while we have spent so large an amount of money for sanitariums, schools, and publishing houses, we have not, to my knowledge, spent a single dollar of General Conference funds to build or equip a medical school. LLM 502.1

Our Present Responsibility

Now, brethren, it does seem to me, in view of the importance of this line of work, and in view of the counsel the Lord has given in the past and is giving today, it is as little as this Conference can do to pass this recommendation tonight and to enter heartily into the work of carrying it into effect. It seems like a very small start, in comparison with what we have done in behalf of other kinds of institutions. I am so anxious that our people see the importance of establishing a medical college at this time. I believe that it is nothing more than justice and right dealing that we take steps, and that we take them as quickly as possible, to bring such an institution into existence. LLM 502.2

Not long ago, I talked with some young people who said that just as soon as I learned anything definite about the future of the medical school proposed at Loma Linda, they desired me to let them know it. They wished to gain a medical education, but did not want to go to a school conducted by unbelievers. LLM 502.3

Last winter, I had a conversation with a young man who was attending a medical school in Chicago. He had formerly asked my advice about attending that medical college, and I had advised strongly against it; but he was determined to go. The last time I saw him, I asked him how he was getting along. He said that, thus far, he had kept the Sabbath, but that he did not know how much longer he could withstand the influences with which he was surrounded. That young man was brought up by godly parents whose desire was to see him become a worker in the Lord's cause; and if he withstands the terrible influences against which he is compelled to stand, it will be because the Lord has wrought in a special manner in his behalf. All too often, those who come under such adverse influences as these, yield right principles, and are “finished” so far as usefulness in the missionary work of this denomination is concerned. LLM 502.4

Now I must ask your pardon for taking so much time, but I thought I would like to call your attention to a few fundamental principles, before we begin to consider this recommendation in detail. There are certain great underlying principles that have a vital bearing on the question before us tonight, and I thought it might help us, if we should consider some of these in the beginning of the discussion. LLM 503.1

Let us be perfectly free to continue the discussion of the recommendation now before the conference. LLM 503.2