Dedication of Loma Linda (Cal.) Sanitarium by J. A. Burden

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 7, 1906

Dedication of Loma Linda (Cal.) Sanitarium

By J. A. Burden

THE Loma Linda Sanitarium, acknowledged by all who have visited it to be the most beautifully located of all the sanitariums conducted by this denomination, was formally dedicated on the fifteenth day of April. The exercises though somewhat brief and simple in character were such as to give a good idea of the principles, power, and objects of this great sanitarium movement.

The institution is located in the renowned San Bernardino Valley near Redlands. It is said to be one of the grandest view-points of southern California. It certainly is ideal in location for a work of its character, and the climate is everything one could ask for. Upon this particular day everything seemed to be at its best. Over six hundred people assembled to inspect the buildings, partake of the hygienic lunch, and enjoy the exercises.

The institution consists of one hundred and ten acres of productive land, lying along the main line of the Southern Pacific Railway—the grand Sunset Route, from Los Angeles to New Orleans and Chicago. In the midst of this beautiful tract of land, only about thirty-five rods from the railroad station of the same name, stands Loma Linda, the Spanish words for “Hill Beautiful.” Loma Linda is an imposing elevation about two hundred feet above the surrounding valley, on which stands the sanitarium building and a number of beautiful cottages, amid extensive lawns, shaded walks, and graded driveways.

On the green lawns under the spreading pepper-wood trees just back of the sanitarium building a speakers’ stand, commodious seats, and a lunch-counter had been improvised for the exercises of the day. The people from the surrounding valley, Redlands, San Bernardino, Colton, and Riverside began to assemble early in the day. At ten o’clock a passenger-train from Los Angeles arrived, and poured out on the campus almost its entire train load, thus swelling the number of visitors to more than six hundred. When all had inspected the buildings and grounds and were seated in the grove, the sanitarium nurses served the entire company with a hygienic luncheon.

Lunch being over the assembly was called to order by an address of welcome, setting forth in brief the reasons why sanitariums are dedicated. The chairman, Elder W. C. White, spoke of the nature of sanitarium work and of the far-reaching influence of such an institution as manifest in the cosmopolitan character of its workers and patrons, mentioning that the climatic conditions of this institution would tend to give it even a wider influence than many others. He referred to the criticism, that persons who visit institutions of this character are liable to get the sanitarium habit.

But he ventured to say that those who visit this institution would be in danger of getting the Loma Linda habit so badly that it would be difficult to keep them away.

Prof. G. W. Rine spoke on the rise and progress of the Sanitarium Idea, showing that it stood for entire wholeness, physical, mental, and spiritual; that in an incredibly short space of time its influence had extended until it now encircled the earth, having representative institutions in almost every country; and that the small seed planted in Battle Creek less than fifty years ago had multiplied, until to-day there were nearly a hundred institutions, representing these ideas.

Elder R. S. Owen spoke of the sanitarium work as representing the entire gospel, dwelling especially upon results of sin in its effects on the entire man, and showing how the gospel undertakes his complete regeneration, physical, mental, and spiritual, as illustrated in the work of Christ who went about healing the people of their physical maladies and freeing them from their spiritual bondage.

Mrs. Ellen G. White then spoke on her favorite theme, the “Ministry of Healing;” dwelling especially upon the healing power of God that comes through contact with nature, showing how admirably Loma Linda Sanitarium is situated for a work of this kind. Here the sick may lie under the inviting shade of the beautiful trees listening to the songs of the birds, admiring the beautiful flowers, the beautiful scenery of the everlasting hills. Or, if strong, he can walk out into the fields and groves or work among the flowers. As she closed her remarks, all bowed while Elder S. N. Haskell offered a fervent and impressive prayer, dedicating the Loma Linda Sanitarium grounds to its mission of mercy to suffering humanity.

As the company dispersed, you could hear remarked everywhere, “The beauty and charm of this place can never be described. It must be seen to be appreciated.”

J. A. BURDEN.