The Story of our Health Message

A Reply That Charted the Course

Mrs. White’s reply was delivered the day following the receipt of this inquiry. It, too, appeared in the The Review and Herald, May 19, 1910, as follows: SHM 386.1

“The light given me is, We must provide that which is essential to qualify our youth who desire to be physicians, so that they may intelligently fit themselves to be able to stand the examinations required to prove their efficiency as physicians. They should be taught to treat understandingly the cases of those who are diseased, so that the door will be closed for any sensible physician to imagine that we are not giving in our school the instruction necessary for properly qualifying young men and young women to do the work of a physician. Continually the students who are graduated are to advance in knowledge, for practice makes perfect. SHM 386.2

“The medical school at Loma Linda is to be of the highest order, because those who are in that school have the privilege of maintaining a living connection with the wisest of all physicians, from whom there is communicated knowledge of a superior order. And for the special preparation of those of our youth who have clear convictions of their duty to obtain a medical education that will enable them to pass the examinations required by law of all those who practice as regularly qualified physicians, we are to supply whatever may be required, so that these youth need not be compelled to go to medical schools conducted by men not of our faith. Thus we shall close a door that the enemy would be pleased to have left open; and our young men and young women, whose spiritual interests the Lord desires us to safeguard, will not feel compelled to connect with unbelievers in order to obtain a thorough training along medical lines. SHM 386.3

“ELLEN G. WHITE.” SHM 386.4

In the face of this clear, definite counsel, the committee on plans hesitated no longer. They promptly brought before the Pacific Union Conference Committee a report favoring the establishment of a denominational medical school at Loma Linda. They recommended that the union conference invite the other union conferences in North America and the General Conference to unite with them in the establishment, the equipping, and the maintenance of the college, each of these organizations to be represented on the board of management. The school was to be maintained by tuition and donations, any annual deficit to be shared equally by the General Conference and the various union conferences. SHM 386.5

These resolutions were discussed fully and freely. Elder I. H. Evans, a vice-president of the General Conference, spoke enthusiastically in favor of advancing by faith. He pointed out that for several years many had felt that they ought to have such a school, but they had been hesitant about launching such an enterprise because of the seeming lack of teachers and of money with which to carry it forward. Of his confidence that united action in the field would be assured, he said: SHM 387.1