The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters

Remarks of Mrs. E. G. White Regarding Aggressive Moves at Loma Linda

At a meeting in the Chapel

April 20, 1911

(Thursday afternoon, April 20, there was a council meeting called in the Loma Linda Chapel, to consider the opportunity that had just been presented to purchase from Mr. Kelly a tract of land west of the Pepper Drive and south of the Colton Road, consisting of about eighty-four acres. PC 169.1

After very brief remarks about the Vine and the branches, and the benefits resulting from the disciplinary process of pruning, Sister White spoke of various phases of the work.) PC 169.2

Today with Sister McEnterfer, and again with my son, I rode around the Loma Linda grounds, and took more particular notice of them than ever before; and I feel very thankful that we have such a place. Surely we ought to be a grateful people because God has brought us into possession of this beautiful place. PC 169.3

In our meetings during this council, we have been speaking of the higher education. What is the higher education? It is to understand Christ's words and teachings, and to follow on to know the Lord. It is to know that His going forth is prepared as the morning. PC 169.4

Today, as I looked over the place more thoroughly than ever before, and saw the grounds, the drives, and the cottages that were standing before we came here, I felt gratitude in my heart toward God, that through His providence we had been brought into possession of Loma Linda. I felt thankful also to see the improvements that have been made since we have had the place. And I thought how important it is that we make every move in accordance with the will of God. PC 169.5

As the Lord prospers us, we should manifest our gratitude by a willingness to advance. We should see the advantage of adding to that which we already have. I feel a burden regarding the danger of letting anybody come into the neighborhood to spoil the place. PC 169.6

There is a piece of land across the railroad, lying next to a piece already purchased, which should be secured. One day we drove over it, and all around it. We wanted to see all about it. And I am sure from the representations that have been made to me, that this piece of land ought to come into our possession. If you are wise, the next time I come here, you will have that land. I will try to help you all I can. Let us work intelligently. PC 169.7

There are several reasons why you should have this land. You need the produce from it for your cattle to subsist upon; this piece is close at hand, and joins that which you already have. PC 169.8

Here we have our school, and here many important interests are centered. We must not permit elements to come in that will tend to hinder and retard the work. It will be pleasing to the Lord if we keep our eyes wide open, and are fully awake, ready to take advantage of every circumstance, that will place us in right relation to the work we have to do. It would be a grievous error for us to allow to pass an opportunity to secure this property, for we might never again have such an opportunity. I advise you to secure it before it becomes so expensive that you could not afford to buy it. PC 170.1

There is danger of our becoming too narrow. These many little houses close together across the railroad do not look well. If we can get land, and have room, so as not to build any more in that way, it will be better. PC 170.2

You need the land, and it will be a matter of regret bye and bye if it is not secured. Do not make any delay to take steps that will prevent it being taken up by those who would plan for unbelievers to crowd into it. We should keep them out. If we do this, we shall have reasons to rejoice. PC 170.3

The Lord is well pleased with what you have already done here at Loma Linda. When one sees the prosperity that has attended the work, and the spirit of consecration that prevails, the conviction deepens that you are working in harmony with God. PC 170.4

I desire that all the work of this place shall be a correct representation of what our health institutions should be. Let everything that we lay our hands to show the result of the moving of the Spirit of God upon the human hearts. This will be evidence that we have the higher education. Workers whose hearts are in obedience to the movings of the Spirit of God will make this place what God desires it to be. I am surprised, happily surprised to see everything looking so well. It is beyond my expectations. And now let everyone strive to keep it so, and labor for improvement. PC 170.5

I am highly gratified as I look upon the land we already have. This will be one of the greatest blessings to us in the future, one that we do not fully appreciate now, but which we shall appreciate bye and bye. I hope that you will get the other land that I have spoken of, and join it to that which you already have. It will pay you to do this. As I have carried the burden of this place from the very beginning, I wanted to say this much to you. Now I leave the matter with you; and let us work in harmony. PC 170.6