Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 303, 1905

Merrill, I. L.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

October 26, 1905

Previously unpublished.

I. L. Merrill
998 South Second St.
San Jose, California

Dear Brother Merrill,—

Since the San Jose camp-meeting I have been very busy. There have been many letters for me to write to our brethren in the East and the West, in Europe and in Australia, regarding the work to be done and the earnestness which the Lord would have us manifest in these days of perplexity and peril. 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 1

Some marked victories have been gained where the enemy had planned to undermine our institutions by causing division. When a crisis came, the Lord fulfilled His promise, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” [Isaiah 59:19.] 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 2

I am now preparing to bring out some books that are much needed; and when this is done, I desire to spend the latter part of the winter in Southern California. I have written to Elder Haskell and his wife, asking them to join me at Loma Linda about the middle of the winter. It is represented to me that there is a great educational work to be done in that place, and I desire that these old pioneers, who helped us to establish the work in Australia, shall help us to give a right mold to the work in Loma Linda and shall also help in Los Angeles. 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 3

You will remember that when I was at your home I told you about a beautiful property at Loma Linda, which we had purchased for a sanitarium. There has been expended on this property by the former owners over $150,000. We purchased it for forty thousand. It is the most nearly perfect site for a sanitarium that I have ever looked upon. Our brethren have paid $15,000 of the purchase price. Five thousand more is due the last of December, and the remainder can stand for several years at moderate interest. 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 4

Recently I learned from Brother Burden that the officers of the old company, from whom we purchased the place, desire to close up their business, and they will give us $350 off the interest if we will pay them $5,000 soon. 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 5

Our brethren in Southern California are very hearty in their support of this sanitarium enterprise, but they have just raised a considerable sum for the Glendale Sanitarium and are lifting heavily to clear the indebtedness from their school. On account of so many things coming at once, Brother Burden is looking for some one outside of Southern California, who could lend him the $5,000 needed for the next payment on Loma Linda. Can you help them in this good work? If so, let me hear from you soon. For full particulars, write to Mr. J. A. Burden, Loma Linda, California. 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 6

With this we are sending you a little pamphlet describing the property, a forty-eight-page tract containing much information regarding our work in Southern California and a smaller tract, No. 2, which has an article from Brother Burden on pages 20-24, relating to the same matter. 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 7

Sanitarium work is one of the most successful means of reaching all classes of people. Our sanitariums are the right hand of the gospel, opening doors whereby suffering humanity may be reached with the glad tidings of healing through Christ. In these institutions the sick may be taught to commit their cases to the great Physician, who will co-operate with their earnest efforts to regain health, bringing to them healing of soul as well as healing of body. 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 8

Christ is no longer in this world in person, to go through our cities and towns and villages healing the sick. He has commissioned us to carry forward the medical missionary work that He began; and in this work we are to do our very best. Institutions for the care of the sick are to be established where men and women suffering from disease may be placed under the care of God-fearing physicians and nurses and be treated without drugs. 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 9

Hoping to hear from you soon, I am 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 10

Your sister in Christ. 20LtMs, Lt 303, 1905, par. 11