The Conference Declines Responsibility

Through the next three weeks letters and telegrams concerning the Loma Linda property crisscrossed the continent. Southern California Conference officers, after counseling with union conference leaders, telegraphed that the conference could take no responsibility in the matter (The Story of Our Health Message, 349).6BIO 16.3

An Ellen White letter urged the securing of the property but declared the conference could not be asked to assume the responsibility. But if Burden would move forward, money would come. “If you in Los Angeles will do your best,” wrote Ellen White on May 24, “we will do our best.... If you do nothing, waiting for the conference, you will lose your chance.”—Letter 145, 1905.6BIO 16.4

One telegram signed by conference officers and Ellen White urged Burden to delay action till they returned to the West. But circumstances did not warrant this. Burden could delay action on the deal only till Friday, May 26. On that date, if the property was to be held he must make a payment of $1,000 to bind the contract until Thursday, June 15. By then conference officers and Ellen White and her son would be back.6BIO 16.5