Cautions Against Premature Growth

It must be evident to all that, in order to undertake such an enterprise as the establishment and maintenance of a medical college, there must be, among our leading brethren, a united belief that God is calling for such an enterprise, and a faith that He will enable His people to make it a success. With this thought in mind, we may now understand counsel that came early in 1908 urging caution in the matter of making large moves in this direction prematurely.LLM 6.3

In February of 1906 there met at Loma Linda a council consisting of the faculty of Fernando Academy, the faculty of the Loma Linda school, and the executive committee of the Southern California Conference. It should be especially noted that this council was wholly composed of persons living in Southern California, and connected with the work located in one local conference, the membership of which was only about two thousand.LLM 6.4

In a letter to Mrs. E. G. White, written February 14, after mentioning the assembling of these brethren, Elder J. A. Burden wrote:LLM 6.5

“There was perfect agreement among all present in the conclusions reached and the plans laid. It would have done you good, Sister White, to see the spirit of unity, and the desire of all that the work at Loma Linda should be made just what the Lord designed it to be.LLM 6.6

“After carefully considering the light that has been sent to us, and the counsel that has been given with reference to the school at Loma Linda, all were unanimous in their decision that it must be the Lord's plan that a medical missionary school should be carried forward here, with a course sufficiently complete to thoroughly qualify nurses for their professional duties, and to work as educators in medical evangelistic work; and also to qualify certain ones to stand at the head of our medical evangelistic work; and also to qualify certain ones to stand at the head of our medical institutions as fully accredited physicians.LLM 6.7

“As we studied over what would be necessary for the school to accomplish this work, it seemed to us it would be necessary to employ two physicians as teachers in the school, a Bible instructor, and one other general school man. These four instructors, with the three physicians employed by the Sanitarium and such practical instructors as those qualified to teach practical hydrotherapy, practical nursing, healthful cookery, etc., would be a strong educational faculty for the qualifying of the two classes of workers, one as nurses, and the other as physicians to engage in evangelistic medical work...LLM 7.1

“Now in order to give these evangelistic physicians standing in the world, it was thought we should secure a charter for the school, which would enable it to grant degrees to all who finished the prescribed course of study. Many, no doubt, would enter the field without waiting to secure a degree, possibly after studying one or two years, as there are many fields in which they could labor freely as medical missionary evangelists without a degree. But from the instruction in the testimonies, we understand that some should qualify as fully accredited physicians, hence the school should plan its course accordingly.LLM 7.2

“In planning what would be necessary for a school of this character, to afford facilities for the training of say twenty-five to fifty, it was thought that we would need to erect buildings and equip them with proper laboratory facilities, etc., at a cost of from ten to fifteen thousand dollars. Possibly we would not need all of this at once, but our plans ought to be laid to embrace that amount when completed. This seems like expending a good deal of means in addition to what we have already expended at Loma Linda; but all who were present were unanimous that if such a school were to be carried forward, not simply for the local interest, but for the many who are appealing to us for education in these lines, the expenditure named would be about as little as we could consider....LLM 7.3

“The amount named, of course, would not include rooming facilities for the students, but only the school recitation building and necessary equipment in the way of laboratories, etc. for the school work. It certainly would be a great relief and help to the sanitarium work at Loma Linda if sufficient funds could be raised to meet a portion of the indebtedness represented in the buildings occupied by the students for rooming, which would mean at least another ten or fifteen thousand dollars. But as matters now stand, of course we have these, although we are obliged financially for them.LLM 7.4

“The committee present felt that these matters should be laid carefully before you before we proceeded further, with the request that if it seemed good to the mind of the Lord for us to move forward, a special call be written by yourself and Brother White through the Review and Herald, that the people may know the real aims and purpose of the school, and the way be opened to call for means everywhere from those who are interested in such an enterprise.LLM 7.5

“All through the United States there are young people writing to us, inquiring what the outlook is for the medical school at Loma Linda, and whether it aims to qualify accredited physicians, or only to give a medical course of study for those who want to do missionary work along with their other Bible work. We always answer that the aim and purpose of this medical school is not for professional work, but to qualify consecrated persons with medical ability to labor in evangelistic lines; but that it is the intention of the school that those who finish the course will be credited with degrees as physicians....LLM 8.1

“Now, Sister White, we have tried to lay before you these plans as best we can, and are praying the Lord that if He has any more light for us, He will be pleased to reveal it to us, as we do not want to make a mistake in undertaking anything that the Lord has not planned should be carried forward at this place.LLM 8.2

“Praying the Lord that He will give you special light on these matters, and that we may be able to cooperate with Him in carrying out His designs in this place, we beg to remain,LLM 8.3

Yours,

J. A. Burden.”

*****

While these brethren in the Southern California Conference had, after a study of the needs of the field and the instruction found in the testimonies, reached the above conclusions, yet the brethren upon whom must ultimately fall a considerable part of the burden of supporting and maintaining a medical school, had not given to this matter the study and thought that would lead them to unite heartily and courageously in making a success of such an undertaking.LLM 8.4

Evidently it would have been unwise “at this time” to hasten the launching of large enterprises, for which our people generally were not prepared, and to which only a portion of the brethren in Southern California were ready to give their approval.LLM 8.5

After reading the foregoing letter from Elder Burden, Sister White addressed a letter to the Physicians and Manager at Loma Linda, dated February 20, 1908, in which she said:LLM 8.6

“I dare not advise you in such large plans as you propose. You need to make the Lord your wisdom in these matters. I do not feel that you should plan for such large outlay of means unless you have some certainty that you can meet your obligations. I would caution you against gathering a large load of indebtedness. There is the food factory to be completed and set in operation. I call your attention to this enterprise, that you may not lay more plans than you can well carry out.LLM 8.7

“You are men of varied talents, and you are right on the ground. The Lord will be your instructor in all matters if you will seek His counsel in faith. If He gives you light in the matter, then you can move with assurance. Now is the time for you to ask of the Lord wisdom, and submit your plans to Him. It is an excellent opportunity for you to receive an individual experience. Plan wisely; move guardedly; and the Lord will certainly be your helper.LLM 9.1

“I feel a deep interest in the work at Loma Linda. The plans you suggest seem to be essential; but you need to assure yourselves that they can be safely carried. You should not make hasty moves that will involve heavy indebtedness.LLM 9.2

“The work which you propose will require wise business men and efficient physicians. If you had the talent and means to carry such responsibilities, we should be glad to see your plans carry. But the sanitarium must be your first consideration. May the Lord give you wisdom and grace to bear these responsibilities as He would have you. This institution must have all the talent that is needed to make it a success.”LLM 9.3