(Continued from the Field Work Department) by W. A. Ruble

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 13, 1913

(Continued from the Field Work Department)

By W. A. Ruble

Loma Linda Hospital Day, March 15, 1913

THE commission of Christ to his disciples, to the seventy who were sent forth, and to all his followers down to the end of time was: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel.” “Heal the sick, . . . and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” This complete gospel for body and soul is committed in a special way to his remnant people for two reasons,—first, to prepare a people for translation; second, to aid in reaching the public with the message for to-day.

Purpose of the College of Medical Evangelists

Early in the history of the denomination, emphasis was laid by the spirit of prophecy upon the importance of combining medical missionary work with evangelistic effort in carrying the gospel message for this time. About four years ago plain instruction was given regarding the establishment of a school for the preparation of medical evangelists.

Following as nearly as possible the light received, the College of Medical Evangelists was chartered Dec. 9, 1910, for the purpose of educating physicians as medical missionaries.

Courses of Study Directed

It was evident from the instruction that three courses were to be given,—one preparing men and women as physicians to meet the medical requirements of State laws, to stand at the head of our institutions; another preparing a larger number of persons as physicians, to labor as evangelists; and a third, preparing a large number as nurses, for missionary service.

Present Facilities of the College

One of the best laboratories in the West has been provided for the college. In this the most of the first three years' work of the course is given. Excellent equipment has been installed, making it possible to give thorough instruction in all branches of the first half of the medical course.

Our Crying Need Now

The last half of the medical course consists very largely of hospital and dispensary practise. No hospital has as yet been provided for the college. Hospital and dispensary facilities must be provided before the opening of another school year if the college is to continue. Already the school is in jeopardy because they have not been provided. These features are required for the use of students the last two years of their course, or they will not even be admitted to examinations before State boards.

We now face the necessity of providing these needed facilities and having them in operation before September next. Otherwise we should disappoint the sixty-three students who are in the college, which would be a great injustice to the more advanced classes. In fact, unless the hospital and dispensary are provided at once, we can get no recognition as a medical school. Will the denomination come to the aid of the school to-day by raising the $20,000 needed for this hospital?

Two Great Plans

The General Conference has undertaken two great plans for delivering our institutions,—one to remove all indebtedness from our institutions, and the other to raise sufficient means to build a hospital for the medical college. The latter plan is as follows: Sabbath, March 15, has been set apart as Loma Linda Hospital day. Liberal donations and gifts are to be received from all our people in the churches on this day. It is desired that at least half as many dollars be raised by each church as there are members in the church. This would abundantly provide for the hospital.

Reasons for a Hospital

There are two great reasons why there should be a hospital. The one of primary importance to the college is to furnish opportunity for training its students in the methods of treating the sick which the Lord has given us as a people. Some have advocated that students be sent to this college for the first half of their course, and then go to an outside college to finish their course. This will never do. The most important part of our medical course is the last half, when the students are grounded in the right methods of treating the sick. These methods can be taught and demonstrated only in a properly conducted hospital under the complete control of the school.

The second great reason for a hospital is that the poor may be provided for in such a hospital. Abundant provision is made for treating the rich in our sanitariums, but little effort has been made heretofore by the denomination to provide a place where the sick poor may be brought in a medical way under the influence of the truth.

Will not all our people unite in this effort to furnish this hospital for our college at Loma Linda.

W. A. RUBLE.