The College of Medical Evangelists by W. T. Knox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 15, 1912

The College of Medical Evangelists

By W. T. Knox

In the fall of 1909, the General Conference Committee held a council at College View, Nebr. Among other questions considered on this occasion was the establishment of a medical college in connection with the Loma Linda Sanitarium. This, however, was not the first occasion of the consideration of this proposition, but at the above-mentioned council the following action was taken:—

Resolved, That we recommend the board of management of the Loma Linda College of Evangelists to secure a renewal of the charter for the school, that it may develop as the opening providence and the instruction of the Spirit of God may indicate.

Much time was given to the consideration of this proposition, and it elicited considerable discussion, especially as pertaining to the financial side of the question. Favorable action, however, was taken, instructing the brethren connected with the Loma Linda College to secure a charter.

To those in attendance at the council this appeared to be the only consistent course to pursue, in view of the necessity of the denomination’s making some suitable provision for those of our young people who desire a medical education to receive a proper training under favorable conditions to qualify them for medical evangelists, and also in view of the instruction imparted by the spirit of prophecy concerning this obligation, calling upon us to provide at Loma Linda proper facilities for such a work.

From time to time this enterprise has been before the General Conference Committee for consideration, as its work has been developing. At present, by action taken in the organization of the college, the constituency consists of,—

The members of the executive committee of the Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
The members of the executive committee of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists resident in the United States.
The members of the executive committee of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
The original incorporators.

At the fall council of the General Conference Committee held in October, 1911, at which meeting the presidents of the union conferences and many of the local conference presidents were in attendance, action was taken, recommending that a fund of ten thousand dollars be raised to provide additional facilities at the Loma Linda College of Medical Evangelists in the way of buildings, in order to enable the institution more properly to carry on its work. This ten thousand dollars, it was understood, was to be provided for as follows:— Pacific Union Conference ........ $ 1,500 Southern California Conference ...... 1,000 General Conference ................. 1,000 Central Union Conference ........... 1,500 Lake Union Conference .............. 1,500 North Pacific Union Conference ..... 1,000 Northern, Southwestern, and Columbia Unions, $500 each .... 1,500 Southern and Southeastern Unions, $250 each ............. 500 Atlantic Union Conference ...... 300 Canadian and Western Canadian Unions, $100 each .......... 200 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　$10,000

The creation of this fund was made necessary by reason of the requirement of the laws of California for certain buildings and equipments for medical colleges, the most pressing and immediate need being a hospital for clinical work. Our brethren at the head of the medical college are endeavoring to realize as rapidly as possible upon this provision, as they are in immediate need of the funds. Appreciating the situation at Loma Linda, the General Conference Committee is anxious that the various conferences concerned shall furnish the relief necessary at the earliest moment.

W. T. Knox.