Medical Missionary Training College by Mrs. S. N. Haskell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1916

Medical Missionary Training College

By Mrs. S. N. Haskell

DURING the past year, from the Atlantic to the Pacific there has been a noble response made to the call to free our educational institutions from the burden of debt that has crippled them for years. All have rejoiced as one after another of our training schools has announced that it is free from the shackles of debt.

Every Seventh-day Adventist takes delight in the fact that we have strong colleges, academies, and normal schools where our youth may be trained by Christian teachers, under spiritual influences, to fill the many calls for ministers, Bible workers, and Christian teachers.

As Samuel said to Jesse, when his ten strong, stalwart sons passed in review before him, “Are here all thy children?” so the Lord, were he to speak audibly to his people as they are rejoicing over their educational institutions, would say, “Are here all thy training schools?”

As a denomination, we could only answer, as did Jesse, “There remaineth yet the youngest.” Loma Linda medical training school is the youngest, but not by any means the least in importance. Like David, it has a great work to accomplish for the upbuilding of God’s work in the earth.

There is no class of workers in the third angel’s message that have greater opportunities before them than the medical missionary workers. “There is no missionary field more important than that occupied by the faithful, God-fearing physician. There is no field where a man may accomplish greater good, or win more jewels to shine in the crown of his rejoicing.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. V, p. 448.

Strange that workers with such an important work before them should have been left to receive all their training in worldly schools!

From time to time young men “have been singled out as men who might be a real useful as physicians, and they have been encouraged to take a medical course. But some who commenced their studies in the medical colleges as Christians, did not keep the divine law prominent; they sacrificed principle, and lost their hold on God. They felt that single-handed they could not keep the fourth commandment, and meet the jeers and ridicule of the ambitious, the world-loving, the superficial, the skeptic, and the infidel. This kind of persecution they were not prepared to meet. . . . Temptations of every kind opened before them, and they had no strength to resist.”—Id., p. 447.

If our young men who are fitting themselves to be ministers and teachers had been thrown under such influences while obtaining their education, many of them would have been lost to the work. Why require the youth fitting as medical evangelists to pass through the fire of worldly temptations while we safeguard those fitting for service in other lines? God designs that our medical workers while in training should be safeguarded from the pitfalls of the enemy as far as possible.

“Some have advised that students should, after taking some work at Loma Linda, complete their medical education in worldly colleges. But this is not in harmony with God’s plan. Facilities should be provided at Loma Linda that the necessary instruction in medical lines may be given by instructors who fear the Lord, and who are in harmony with his plans for the treatment of the sick. Those fitting themselves for medical missionary work should fear to place themselves under the direction of worldly doctors, to imbibe their sentiments and peculiar prejudices, and to learn to express their ideas and views.”—Medical Evangelist Library, No. 1, pp. 7, 8.

Young David could not meet the enemy clad in the armor of Saul; only in his own armor could he contend with the enemies of the Lord. Neither can the Loma Linda medical school accomplish its purpose with the equipment which is fully adequate for our other training schools.

The law requires that the medical students spend the last two years of their course in connection with a hospital of two hundred beds, in a large city, where the students will gain an experience in treating all kinds of diseases. In regard to this, Sister White said, “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 essential to prove their efficiency as physicians.”—Id., No. 6, pp. 30, 31.

Sixty-one thousand dollars is needed to build and equip this hospital in Los Angeles. In view of the fact that Sister White for several years before her death carried a heavy burden for the Loma Linda College, it has been suggested by many that the hospital be called the Ellen G. White Memorial Hospital.

At the combined council of the General Conference and the North American Division Conference, convened at Loma Linda last autumn, when the rivers of difficulty were full and overflowing their banks, and it seemed almost impossible for our leading men to lift this additional financial burden, the representative women from different conferences who were attending the council presented a request that the women of the denomination might be given the privilege of gathering the funds necessary for building and equipping this hospital. The request was granted, and the work has been going forward very encouragingly. Many have responded by liberal pledges, and wherever the enterprise has been presented, it has met with a hearty response.

While the women take the initiative in soliciting the money, all—men, women, and children—are urged to assist in this needy cause.

The building of the hospital will go forward only as fast as the money is paid into the treasury. No debts are to be incurred in erecting this building. W. T. Knox, the treasurer of the General Conference and of the North American Division Conference, is the treasurer of the Hospital Fund.

We hope those who have pledged, will send in the money as soon as possible to W. T. Knox, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. We trust that all who read these lines will feel it a privilege to take part in this work. Do not wait for some one to solicit a donation from you, but send your offering direct to W. T. Knox.

When sending money, please give the name of your church and conference, so that proper credit can be given.

The privilege of contributing toward this hospital is not limited to members of Seventh-day Adventist churches. Donations will be thankfully received from all friends of the institution.

MRS. S. N. HASKELL, Chairman of the Women’s Committee.