A Medical School at Loma Linda
By W. A. R.
At the session of the Pacific Union conference, held at Mountain View, Cal., January 25, the Loma Linda College of Medical Evangelists received consideration. In 1907, counsel had been received by the workers at Loma Linda, from Sister E. G. White, that “with the possession of this place comes the weighty responsibility of making the work of the institution educational in character. Loma Linda is to be not only a sanitarium, but an educational center. A school is to be established here for the training of gospel medical missionary evangelists. Much is involved in this work, and it is very essential that a right beginning be made. In regard to the school, I would say, Make it especially strong in the education of nurses and physicians.” This matter was discussed at the General Conference Committee Council held in College View, Neb., Oct. 5-15, 1909, where the following action was taken:— “Resolved, That we recommend the board of management of the Loma Linda College of Evangelists to secure a charter for the school, that it may develop as the opening providences and the instruction of the Spirit of God may indicate.” In harmony with this action, the College of Medical Evangelists was chartered Dec. 9, 1909, which charter provides for the granting of medical degrees to those who are graduated from the full medical course. During the said session of the Pacific Union conference, January 25-30, the committee on plans studied the question, as briefly outlined in a communication from Sister E. G. White, under date of Oct. 11, 1909, regarding the proper education of physicians. The committee also took into account the responsibility, financial and otherwise, which would rest upon any organization that might attempt to organize and support a denominational medical college. The object to be gained was greatly to be desired, but the expense would be so large, and the difficulties so many, that they did not feel free to recommend the undertaking of such an enterprise, before satisfying themselves, first, that they correctly understand the instruction given in the communications received from Sister White. Therefore the following letter was placed in her hands Wednesday, January 26:— “DEAR SISTER WHITE: We have read the testimonies, as far as we have seen them, that you have given concerning Loma Linda, and the establishment of a medical school in connection with the work at that place. As far as we know, our people are anxious to carry out the12light that the Lord has given; but there is a difference of opinion between us in regard to what you mean when you use the term, ‘a medical school.’ “Some hold that when you speak of ‘a medical school,’ you mean a school where the Bible is made prominent, where all features of our faith are taught, and where the message is given in its fulness; in addition to which we give an outline of the treatment of simple diseases, the care of the sick, and such things as will qualify the student to go into a foreign field, or even into a city, and do intelligent medical missionary work, using his medical knowledge as a means of introducing the Bible and teaching the truth. “Others hold that when you use the phrase ‘a medical school,’ you mean, in addition to the foregoing, a fully equipped medical school that teaches the Bible and the truth, as before said, but that gives such a thorough training along medical lines as will qualify the students who take the course, to pass State Board examinations and become registered, qualified physicians for public work. “We are very anxious to preserve unity and harmony of action. In order to do this, we must have a clear understanding of what is to be done. Are we to understand, from what you have written concerning the establishment of a medical school at Loma Linda, that, according to the light you have received from the Lord, we are to establish a thoroughly equipped medical school, the graduates from which will be able to take State Board examinations and become registered, qualified physicians? “Most respectfully yours, This letter of inquiry was returned Thursday, January 27, with the following reply:— A Statement Regarding the Training of Physicians
“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 practise makes perfect. “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 practise 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. Recommendations Outlining a Plan of Operation
The instruction contained in this reply was so clear and definite that the committee on plans felt they could no longer hesitate; hence they prepared a recommendation favoring the establishment of a medical school at Loma Linda. The committee brought this recommendation, with the accompanying correspondence, before the conference on Friday afternoon, January 28, for consideration. The recommendation reads as follows:— “21. We recommend, (1) That, in harmony with the above instruction, we favor the establishment and maintenance of a medical school at Loma Linda, Cal. “(2) In order that this medical school may meet the mind of the Lord in doing the work appointed for it by the spirit of prophecy, we invite the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the Lake, Northern, Central, Southwestern, and North Pacific union conferences, and the Southern California Conference, to unite with the Pacific Union Conference in establishing and suitably equipping and maintaining this school. “(3) That a board of control, for directing the management of the school, be appointed as follows:— “(a) Two members to be appointed by the General Conference. “(b) One member by the Lake Union Conference, one by the Northern Union Conference, one by the Central Union Conference, one by the Southwestern Union Conference, one by the North Pacific Union Conference, one by the Pacific Union Conference. “(c) Two members to be appointed by the Southern California Conference. “(4) That the school shall be maintained by funds obtained as follows:— “(c) Deficit, if any, to be met annually by the General Conference, the Lake, Northern, Central, Southwestern, North Pacific, and Pacific union conferences, and the Southern California Conference, all sharing equally. “(5) That each of the above-mentioned organizations be requested to raise one thousand dollars, in behalf of the equipment and maintenance of the school for the calendar year 1910. “(6) That a separate set of books be kept, carrying all accounts of the school, so that the same can be audited, and a full knowledge of the cost of operating the school submitted to the constituency annually. “(7) That a committee consisting of the incoming president of the Pacific Union Conference, the president of the Southern California Conference, W. C. White, J. A. Burden, and I. H. Evans, be asked to present this entire question to the General Conference and the union conferences referred to, and to lead out in the establishment of this medical school.” Since the time of the foregoing action representatives have been chosen from these various conferences to meet in Loma Linda as a board of management to arrange in detail for the establishment and organization of this medical school. At the late meeting of the General Conference Committee in Washington, April 6-16, the following was adopted:— “That the General Conference unite with the Pacific Union Conference in establishing a medical school at Loma Linda, Cal.” Provision was also made for financial help and other co-operation.