The Purchase of Land at Loma Linda

Sunday forenoon, February 25, Sister White again came into my office room, and after spending a few minutes in conversation over various matters pertaining to the manuscript work, she began to outline quite fully her experience in connection with the control of tracts of land adjacent to the Loma Linda Sanitarium. She spent fully half an hour in conversation on this one point, and emphasized the necessity of our being wide awake at times when we have opportunity to gain control of properties close by our leading institutions.LLM 591.1

Sister White pointed out the advantages of our having control of certain farming lands close by Loma Linda, and even if we should not think best to have them owned always by the institution. She said that it is far better for us to have the deciding voice as to the future disposition of these lands, than allow speculators to come in and subdivide and sell to any one who may choose to buy.LLM 591.2

She pointed out the fact that there are loyal men or large means who at some time may wish to settle close by Loma Linda, and that these brethren, if thought best, could be permitted to purchase portions of the land we are now seeking to control, and could stand as bulwarks against the invasion of the Loma Linda neighborhood by unfriendly parties.LLM 591.3

Sister White also said that the growing needs of Loma Linda may make it advisable for the institution to control the farming lands in the future, so as to make suitable provision for the feeding of their stock, etc.LLM 591.4

Over and over again she emphasized the importance of the opportunity we now have to reveal wisdom by keeping these properties under our own control, even if we could not immediately decide just what disposition ought finally to be made of them; for the interest on the investment required would be largely met by the annual crops that might be produced, and in the end we should not be the losers, even if we should some day decide to sell the lands to those who are favorable to the objects for which the institution has been founded. She said she was sure that our brethren who are gifted with wise discernment will appreciate the advantage of our handling these properties ourselves, thus conserving the interests of the institution, rather than to allow speculators to step in and handle the properties for selfish gain, regardless of the interests of the institution.LLM 591.5

*****

Wednesday morning, February 28, Sister White called me to her office room, and after going over some manuscript work relating to our cause in the Southern States, she dwelt on the importance of our preparing the publishing proper historical compilations on important missionary enterprises that have been undertaken and carried forward under the special guidance of the Holy Spirit, by workers of large faith. She referred particularly to the story of the work in the South, the story of the earlier experience of our workers in Europe, and the story of the rise and development of the third angel's message in Australia. During the course of our conversation along these lines, Sister White abruptly turned the conversation toward Loma Linda matters, and said that some of the brethren have thought it rather strange that she should take so active a part in the matter of our brethren at Loma Linda securing control of the farming lands lying close by the institutions.LLM 591.6

Sister White said that when these lands were offered for sale, there were those who would have been glad to purchase them, to sell again as a matter of financial profit.LLM 592.1

She told me that while at Loma Linda, she was instructed during the night season, “Beware.” She awoke, and immediately fell asleep again, when she was further instructed that it was her duty to make proper presentation of the Loma Linda work before the people, just as she had thought of preparing histories of the early experiences of our workers in the South, in Europe, and in Australia, and in connection with the sanitarium and publishing enterprises.LLM 592.2

Sister White said further that the angel instructed her that there are those who, because of their fear of the consequences of advancing by faith in the opening providences of God in connection with the development of the Loma Linda enterprise, might make a wrong use of her writings concerning the conduct of the work. She was also instructed that there are still others who, in their eagerness to press the work forward, might go too far, if left alone and unaided in their efforts to present to the people the encouraging counsels that have been given regarding the Loma Linda enterprise. In view of this situation, she was instructed that it was her duty to take an active part in the preparation of a correct presentation of the Loma Linda enterprise in all its general features, for publication at an early date.LLM 592.3

Then Sister White began to speak again of the advantages we shall gain by making a wise use of the farming lands that have recently been secured by friends of the institution. I asked her particularly if she had been instructed to prepare some of her writings regarding Loma Linda, for publication, and she answered in the affirmative, and immediately began speaking again of the control of adjacent properties. She emphasized repeatedly the necessity of our being wide awake, at times when the enemy seeks to thwart the purposes of God concerning the advancement of His work in important centers.LLM 592.4

Sanitarium, Calif.

Feb. 28, 1912.

Clarence C. Crisler