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

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 11, 1907

Loma Linda (Cal.) Sanitarium

By J. A. Burden

The special providences of God that led to the securing of this beautiful property, and the oft-repeated instruction from the Testimonies that southern California is to become a special field for medical missionary work, have given this institution a world-wide reputation among our people. Believing the readers of the Review would be interested in a somewhat detailed account of the development and progress of its work, we write these few lines, hoping they may strengthen faith in the gift the Lord has given this people to guide us in dark and trying times.

For many years southern California has been growing in reputation as a health resort, until now the eyes of the world are turned toward its sunny climate as offering special advantages for the sick and feeble.

Several years ago, when Sister White returned from Australia, the Lord opened before her plans for the work in this field, stating that its reputation from a health standpoint would greatly increase, also calling the attention of our people to the importance of establishing without delay a number of medical institutions. We were told that there were properties for sale at a low price which could be used for sanitariums, and were urged to secure some of these and make a beginning. A number of efforts were made to rally the people for a forward move in medical lines, but without avail, as there were no funds on hand with which to begin operations. Still the word came urging that sanitariums be established without delay. Finally a few, who were so interested to see the work go forward that they could wait no longer, secured a desirable property at Paradise Valley, near San Diego. With but little encouragement except from its promoters, the institution was soon fitted up to receive patients, and has gone steadily forward with its work until it is now a well-equipped sanitarium.

While this enterprise was developing in San Diego, an effort was being made to place the Los Angeles vegetarian café and treatment rooms in improved quarters, also to establish a sanitarium near Los Angeles. In both these enterprises the outlook seemed very dark and forbidding, and the only thing to encourage was the testimony that once more the Lord had signified that the work should be started here in Los Angeles. Those, therefore, who could not delay longer, undertook the preliminary work of securing the Glendale Sanitarium, and new quarters for the treatment rooms and vegetarian café in Los Angeles.

While at first things moved hard and slow, as we moved forward in confidence in the Testimonies that had pointed out the definite work to be done, difficulties soon vanished, and in a few months the Glendale Sanitarium, its branch treatment rooms, and the vegetarian café in Los Angeles were all in good running order, thus proving that when the Lord bids us move forward, it is not impossible to do so. Although the work had been delayed for a number of years, when the people had a mind to take hold and follow the Lord's instruction, the work was really accomplished in a short time. The first year's balance sheet of these combined enterprises showed a gain of over six thousand dollars above running expenses, besides the six thousand dollars donated to start the work.

The Glendale Sanitarium was scarcely opened when we were instructed by the Testimonies that we should look for another sanitarium near Riverside and Redlands. Three times the message was repeated, but coming at such a time as this, it was a bewilderment to the most sanguine. We could not understand it, much less see how it was possible to undertake the establishment of a fourth institution in less than a year. The last message suggested that the site waiting for us was nearer Redlands. We who had looked over the field very carefully, having a general idea of the properties for sale, were impressed at once that this new site must be Loma Linda. While we could not see any way possible to undertake another enterprise so soon, yet we dared not turn the matter aside without giving it consideration. Accordingly, a committee was appointed, and on investigation it was found that the property could be secured at about one third its original cost. As Sister White was passing through Los Angeles on her way to the General Conference, the facts concerning the property were laid before her. She instructed the committee to look the matter up very carefully and send full particulars to her at Washington.

The question of purchasing Loma Linda was then taken up more thoroughly, and a final price of forty thousand dollars was arranged for, provided everything was satisfactory. Full description of the place and terms of purchase were forwarded to Sister White at Washington, and to our surprise, an answer was telegraphed to secure the property without delay.

Although the instruction to secure the property was very definite and clear, few could rally their faith to undertake so great an enterprise, considering the other institutions already started. Arrangements were made for Sister White to return by way of southern California, and plans were laid for general meetings with the churches to consider what should be done with this new enterprise. All who visited the place were impressed that the property fully met the description given to Sister White some four years before as a sanitarium property waiting for our people, but it is by no means easy to face seeming impossibilities, even when we have definite instruction that it is just what the Lord would have us do.

At one of these meetings Elder G. A. Irwin was present and told of the way God had wonderfully worked for the Avondale School in Australia, in harmony with the light the Lord had given through Sister White, when to the brethren it seemed impossible to undertake the enterprise. The development of the Avondale School had demonstrated the wisdom of following the light the Lord gives us, whether we see wisdom in it or not.

The rehearsal of these wonderful experiences connected with the Avondale School were electric in their effect. A sister arose, her face beaming with courage, and said she had ten thousand dollars invested in the world, which, if the Lord would release, she would gladly put into Loma Linda; and she had been praying the Lord to make her a pioneer in some of these enterprises. The meeting closed with a unanimous vote to secure the property, and begin at once to raise the funds and open it as a sanitarium.

In less than a year, the entire amount of forty thousand dollars had been raised in loans and donations, a corps of workers secured, and the institution opened and doing quite a little business. Although some four months were consumed in securing workers, thus incurring quite an expense before it opened, yet at the close of the first year the institution showed less than a thousand dollars loss in its running expenses, and a prosperous outlook for the future.

From the first, we were instructed that Loma Linda was to become a special place for educating medical missionaries, and that a school should be established with a course of instruction as thorough as possible for nurses and physicians; that thousands needed to be qualified with all the ability of physicians, to work not in professional lines, but as medical missionary evangelists. Accordingly, plans were laid for this part of the work, and the Loma Linda College of Evangelists was opened October 4, with nearly forty bright young people as students. The school has been doing a good work. Those interested in medical studies would do well to send for a circular of the Loma Linda College of Evangelists.

To provide facilities for the school and treatment rooms for the sanitarium, pledges were taken amounting to twelve thousand dollars, and a large three-story building was erected.

The Loma Linda plant now consists of the following:—One hundred and ten acres of good land under cultivation, with about twenty-five acres of bearing orchard—oranges, plums, peaches, apricots, lemons, olives, figs, pears, and apples; a good artesian well and pumping plant; one hundred and sixty-five shares of water in the irrigating company; a three-story main building forty by one hundred and twenty-five feet, with an addition forty by eighty feet, containing, in all, two large treatment rooms, doctors' offices, pharmacy, operating room, parlors, dining-rooms, offices, kitchen, and pantry, and seventy rooms for guests; eight substantial cottages, supplying fifty more rooms; and a recreation building, now used for school purposes; a beautiful campus well laid out; shaded walks with graded driveways; vegetable gardens; good dairy; livery; and poultry-yard.

The Loma Linda Sanitarium is acknowledged by all to be one of the most beautifully located of all our sanitariums. Our guests are from all over the United States and Canada. All are delighted with the beauty of the place. It offers the best facilities and climate to those who are seeking health. It is just the place for our aged brethren and sisters who are able to enjoy a home in one of our institutions where they can have every comfort in their declining days. Already a number have chosen Loma Linda for their home, placing their funds at the disposal of the institution. We

shall be glad to correspond with any others who may desire to do so. The sanitarium and the Loma Linda College of Evangelists offer an excellent course of study and training for those who wish to prepare for medical missionary work. To all such, we shall be glad to forward the calendar of the Loma Linda College.

J. A. BURDEN.