Where to Attend Medical School by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Aug 17, 1916

Where to Attend Medical School

By I. H. Evans

This question must have been asked by many young people during the past few weeks, and it may be that this article will be read by some who must yet answer it. I want to help you give yourself a sane, safe, and reasonable answer. The question is vital. In many cases eternal life is at stake. It is not a trifling thing for a young person to put himself where there is constant temptation to break one of God's commandments. The worldly medical school exposes the student to a constant temptation to break the Sabbath day. Is a medical student justified in attending classes on the Sabbath? If he can do so with impunity, then why may not all students pursue their work on that day? Would any student go to a school where he was compelled to violate the prohibition against theft or falsehood?—No, indeed. Is Sabbath breaking a lesser sin than these others? Then how could our young people justify themselves were they to attend a medical school where they were compelled to break the law of God, or fail to get their proper credits?

In the first place, God has given to Seventh-day Adventists a special interest in medical work. Almost from the very inception of this message there has been connected with it, as an integral part of it, a medical department,—not always organized as such, but still it has been a real part of the third angel's message. For many years Seventh-day Adventists stood at the forefront in dietetic reforms and in rational remedies for the treatment of the sick. This people has had great light and much instruction along these particular lines. We have

not always faithfully followed the light. Many times we have neglected the messages that have been sent regarding healthful living. But from the very beginning, we have been interested in medical work, as demonstrated by the numerous medical institutions which have been planted not only in the homeland, but in many other parts of the world. Probably no other people in the world has established so many sanitariums, carrying out strict reforms and giving valuable instruction in healthful living, as have Seventh-day Adventists. Then, too, our young people believe the third angel's message, and medical work offers them special opportunities for service, and allows them to keep the Sabbath.

For these reasons, many of our boys and girls have given themselves to the study of medicine, or have gone to medical institutions to secure training as nurses. With high ideals, and with true temperance principles instilled into their minds, it is natural that they should be among the best class of medical workers, for they are conscientious, and have a standard not often found in the world. They believe in the reforms which have been taught by this people, and are always ready to do everything possible for the relief and restoration of the sick.

Until recently most of our young people have been compelled to get their medical training in worldly schools. But now it is different. Some years ago, instructed by the servant of the Lord, this denomination established a medical school where our young people could have the privilege of studying medicine under the instruction of Christian teachers who believe the third angel's message.

The college at Loma Linda, Cal., has now been in operation long enough to graduate physicians. A large number of these graduates have passed State board examinations and have qualified for registration. The graduates from our school have averaged a high per cent in the State board examinations which they have taken.

The teachers in our medical college are Seventh-day Adventists who not only believe but practice Christianity, and who are in full sympathy and accord with the third angel's message. Now that this college is equipped and in operation under the control and direction of Seventh-day Adventists, what reason would any young man or woman desiring to connect with the work of God and to complete a medical course, have for pursuing studies in a worldly school, where the teachers generally are not Christians, and where none of them believe in the third angel's message, unless it be for the superior advantages offered in equipment and more experienced instructors? Are these advantages in educational lines equal to the spiritual and moral advantages offered in our own school? It does not seem that it would be necessary for any young man or woman to study this point long before reaching the right conclusion. If eternal life is worth living for, there can be no question where a Seventh-day Adventist student should go to secure medical training.

Our school was not established as a money-making enterprise, but for the sole purpose of enabling Seventh-day Adventist young men and women to secure a medical education under Christian influences and where the Word of God is believed and obeyed. It is hoped that the graduates of this college may not drift into the world to practice medicine from a monetary standpoint. We want them to leave our medical school ready and willing to enter as heartily into the spirit of sacrifice and service for God and humanity, and under the same conditions, as our evangelists and other workers.

Fathers and mothers who have sons and daughters desiring to attend a medical school should not hesitate to send their children to our own denominational medical college at Loma Linda. It was not founded for the education and training of worldlings, but to give consecrated Seventh-day Adventist young people a medical training, that they may go into service without having their faith destroyed by the false teachings of unbelieving professors in worldly institutions.

We urge all our young people who contemplate taking a medical course, to patronize our own school. We earnestly advise all Seventh-day Adventist parents whose children consider fitting themselves for medical work, to use their influence in persuading these young people to get that medical training in our own institution. We believe that our people will never regret pursuing this course.

The first two years of the school work are conducted in the country, under the simplest and most natural surroundings possible. Here practical lessons of economy can be taught to our students. Here they can be in close touch with nature. Here they are protected from the temptations of city life. The last two years' work is to be taken in Los Angeles

but under conditions that will, we hope, be conducive to the growth of Christian life, and under influences that will safeguard the morals and ideals of our young people. This school should be filled to its utmost capacity; and we believe that in the end those who avail themselves of the opportunity afforded by this school, will always thank the Lord for having taken their course under Christian influences and associations.

We trust that if any of you who read this are attending outside medical colleges, you will pause, and if possible, reconsider. Ask God for light; counsel with men who fear God and love this truth, and we trust that you will see the wisdom of getting your education in our own denominational medical school.

I. H. EVANS.