Go Forward by C. McREYNOLDS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 20, 1916

Go Forward

By C. McREYNOLDS

Our people are acquainted to some extent with the movement that was launched at the fall council of the General and North American Division Conferences, at Loma Linda last November, to provide the necessary facilities for the work of the College of Medical Evangelists. This action was the result of the influence of some very plain statements

from the pen of the Lord’s messenger.

In order properly to qualify physicians it is necessary that one or more years of clinical instruction and experience be provided for the students. To secure the material for this part of the course, thus far in the history of the college, a small building has been rented in the city of Los Angeles for a dispensary, where the classes which have been graduated were given experience in dispensary work. But this place is entirely inadequate to meet the demand of such a work, and the Los Angeles County Hospital was resorted to for clinics, where much of the instruction is given by physicians from worldly medical colleges. This was all that could be done. No better conditions exist today. The class of 1916, soon to finish, is having the same experience. Shall this continue thus? It cannot, if we do the work that the Spirit of God has plainly directed us to do.

In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, we read: “It is at the time his people see no way to advance, when the Red Sea is before them and the pursuing army behind, that God bids them, ‘Go forward.’ Thus he is working to test their faith. When such experiences come to you, go forward, trusting in Christ. Trials will come, but the word is, ‘Go forward.’”

This does not mean that a few men are to go forward and produce the buildings and procure the facilities that are needed, by accepting the money at a low rate of interest, thus creating a heavy liability. No; the call to Israel was to the entire body of the Lord’s people. So it is today; the call is to all the people.

It is proposed to raise the money at once to build a hospital and dispensary in the city of Los Angeles, to be known as The Ellen G. White Memorial Hospital, which, when equipped, will provide what is necessary. This work of raising the funds is in the hands of an organized committee known as the Women’s Committee, of which Mrs. S. N. Haskell is chairman, and Mrs. G. A. Irwin is general secretary.

Does it look like the Red Sea before us? Remember the call is to all the people to go forward.

Many years ago, when we were a very small people, we built in the city of Battle Creek, Mich., the “Dime Tabernacle,” at a cost of about $36,000. I dare say scarcely a Seventh-day Adventist in the world failed to have a part in this work. The call was to all the people, and the church was quickly built, paid for, and dedicated. Later we built our first college, also in Battle Creek. Elders G. I. Butler and S. N. Haskell, who are intensely interested in this present movement, had the burden of raising the money to build this first denominational college. They went to all the camp meetings and to all the large churches, and nearly all, both old and young, and even the children, contributed, and the necessary amount was quickly raised.

There are few if any of our people in any part of the world who will not desire to have at least a small part in the erection of this monument to the name of the Lord’s messenger whose latest burden was for the success of the College of Medical Evangelists. Let us go forward. C. McREYNOLDS.