Loma Linda’s Work

Ellen G. White

Copyright © 2018, Ellen G. White Estate, Inc.

Table of Contents

Information about this Book

College of Medical Evangelists

God’s Object and Purpose in Loma Linda The Character of the School

For the Training of Physicians

Medical Evangelistic Physicians

To be Separate from the World

Physicians to Pass State Boards

A Medical School of the Highest Order

Christ the Chief Instructor

Our People now being Tested

The Question that Tests our Faith

Facilities Should be Provided at Loma Linda

Attending Worldly Medical Colleges

Christian Simplicity in our Education

Danger of Imbibing the Spirit of the World

A New Understanding of the Medical Work

Outline of the School

Not Large Salaries

The Constant Danger

Educated Worldlings

Not Deficient in Scientific Knowledge

God-Fearing Physicians Speak Modestly

Reasons for Establishing a Medical School

Loma Linda to Provide All that is Essential

A Medical School of the Highest Order

Teachers to Encourage a High Standard

No Carelessness in Work or Study

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Ellen G. White (1827-1915) is considered the most widely translated American author, her works having been published in more than 160 languages. She wrote more than 100,000 pages on a wide variety of spiritual and practical topics. Guided by the Holy Spirit, she exalted Jesus and pointed to the Scriptures as the basis of one’s faith.

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There are many ways of practicing the healing art, but there is only one way that Heaven approves. God’s remedies are the simple agencies of nature, that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. Pure air and water, cleanliness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God, are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out-of-date because their skillful use requires work that the people do not appreciate. Fresh air, exercise, pure water, and clean sweet premises, are within the reach of all with but little expense; but drugs are expensive, both in the outlay of means and the effect upon the system.

E. G. W. [2]

College of Medical Evangelists

[Quotations from Special Testimonies to Loma Linda]

God’s Object and Purpose in Loma Linda The Character of the School

The Character of the School “Loma Linda is to be not only a sanitarium but an educational center.

“With the possession of this place comes the weighty responsibility of making the work of the institution educational in character.

“A school is to be established here for the training of gospel medical missionary evangelists. Much is involved in this work, and it is very essential that a right beginning be made.

“It will take some time to get a right understanding of the matter, but just as soon as we begin to work in the line of true reform, the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us, if we are willing to be guided.

For the Training of Physicians

“In regard to the school, I would say, Make it especially strong in the education of nurses and physicians.”

In answer to a question, “Is this school that you have spoken of simply to qualify nurses? or is it to embrace also the qualification of physicians?” Sister White replied:

“Physicians are to receive their education here. Here they are to receive such a mould that when they go out to labor, they will not seek to grasp the very highest wages, or else do nothing.

“We want a school of the highest order,—a school where the word of God will be regarded as essential, and where obedience to its teachings [3] will be taught. For the carrying forward of such a school, we must have carefully selected educators.

Medical Evangelistic Physicians

“In medical missionary schools many workers are to be qualified with the ability of physicians to labor as medical missionary evangelists. This training the Lord has specified is in harmony with the principles underlying true higher education.

“Some of the students are to be educated as nurses, some as physicians.

“Much good can be done by those who do not hold diplomas as fully accredited physicians. Some are to be prepared to work as competent physicians. Many working under the direction of such ones can do acceptable work without spending so long a time in study as has been thought necessary in the past.

“They may obtain at our schools all that is essential to perform the work for this time.

To be Separate from the World

“We want none of that kind of higher education that will put us in a position where the credit must be given, not to the Lord God of Israel, but to the god of Ekron.

“I felt a heavy burden this morning when I read over a letter that I found in my room, in which a plan was outlined for having medical students take some work at Loma Linda, but to get the finishing touches of their education from some worldly institution. As God’s peculiar people, we should not feel that we must acknowledge our dependence upon the transgressors of God’s law to give us influence in [4] the world. It is God that gives us influence. He will give us advantages that are far above all the advantages we can receive from worldlings....

“Shall we by our course seem to acknowledge that there is a stronger power with the unbelievers than there is with God’s own people?”

“We need not tie to men in order to secure influence. We need not think that we must have their experience and their knowledge. Our God is stronger than any human influence. If we will accept him as our educator, if we will make him our strength and righteousness, he will work in our behalf.

“Shall we unite ourselves with those that are full of error, who have no respect for God’s commandments, and shall our students go forth to obtain the finishing touches of their education from them?”

W. C. White: “What is to be the final outcome? Will all our medical missionaries be simply nurses? Shall we have no more physicians? or shall we have a school in which we can ourselves give the finishing touches?”

E. G. White: “We shall have a school of our own. But we are not to be dependent upon the world. We must place our dependence upon a power that is higher than all human power. If we honor God, he will honor us.

“Our influence is dependent upon our carrying out the word of the living God. We weaken our powers by not placing our dependence upon God, and taking hold of his strength.”

Physicians to Pass State Boards

Question: “Are we to understand from what [5] you have written concerning the school at Loma Linda, that we are to establish a thoroughly equipped medical school, the graduates from which shall be able to take state board examinations, and become registered qualified physicians?”

In response to this question, Sister White wrote:

“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. They are to be prepared to stand the essential tests required by law, and to treat understandingly the cases of those who are diseased, so that the door will be closed for any sensible physician to fear that we are not giving in our school the instruction essential for the proper qualification of a physician.

A Medical School of the Highest Order

“The medical school at Loma Linda is to be of the highest order, because we have a living connection with the Wisest of all physicians, from whom there is communicated knowledge of a superior order. And whatever subjects are required as essential in the schools conducted by those not of our faith, we are to supply, so that our youth need not go to these worldly schools. Thus we shall close the door that the enemy would be pleased to have left open; and our young men and young women, whom the Lord would have us guard religiously, will not need to connect with worldly medical schools conducted by unbelievers. [6]

“Let the students be given a practical education. And the less dependent you are upon worldly methods of education, the better it will be for the students.

“The education that meets the world’s standard is to be less and less valued by those who are seeking for efficiency in carrying the medical missionary work in connection with the work of the third angel’s message.

Christ the Chief Instructor

“I wish to express to you some thoughts that should be kept before the sanitarium workers. That which will make them a power for good is the knowledge that the great medical Missionary has chosen them to this work, that he is their chief instructor, and that it is ever their duty to recognize him as their teacher.

“He would have us understand that it is a mistake to regard as most essential the education given by physicians who reject the authority of Christ, the greatest physician who ever lived upon the earth. We are not to accept and follow the view of men who refuse to recognize God as their teacher, but who learn of men, and are guided by man-made laws and restrictions.

Our People now being Tested

“I am instructed to say that in our educational work, there is to be no compromise in order to meet the world’s standards. God’s commandment-keeping people are not to unite with the world to carry various lines of work according to worldly plans and worldly wisdom.

“Our people are now being tested as to [7] whether they will obtain their wisdom from the greatest Teacher the world ever knew or look to the god of Ekron. Let us determine that we shall not be tied by so much as a thread to the educational policies of those who do not discern the voice of God, and who will not hearken to his commandments.

The Question that Tests our Faith

“Shall we represent before the world that our physicians must follow the pattern of the world before they can be qualified to act as successful physicians? That is the question that is now testing the faith of some of our brethren.

“Let not any of our brethren displease the Lord by advocating in their assemblies the idea that we need to obtain from unbelievers a higher education than that specified by the Lord.

“The representation of the great Teacher is to be considered an all-sufficient revelation. Those in our ranks who qualify as physicians are to receive only such education as is in harmony with these divine truths.

Facilities Should be Provided at Loma Linda

“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 the Lord’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. [8]

Attending Worldly Medical Colleges

“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.

“There is danger in their attaching themselves to worldly institutions, and working under the ministrations of worldly physicians. Satan is giving his orders to those whom he has led to depart from the faith. I would now advise that none of our young people attach themselves to worldly medical institutions in the hope of gaining better success, or stronger influence as physicians.

Christian Simplicity in our Education

“The Lord has instructed us that in our institutions of education, we should ever be striving for the perfection of character to be found in the life of Christ, and his instructions to his disciples. Having received our commission from the highest authority, we are to educate, educate, educate in the simplicity of Christ.

“Efforts should be made to secure teachers who will instruct after Christ’s manner of teaching, regarding this of more value than any human methods.

“Teachers who are not particular to harmonize with the teachings of Christ, and who follow the customs and practices of worldly physicians, are out of line with the charge that the Saviour has given us.

Danger of Imbibing the Spirit of the World

“Some of our medical missionaries have supposed that a medical training according to the [9] plans of worldly schools is essential to their success. To those who have thought that the only way to success is by being taught by worldly men and by pursuing a course that is sanctioned by worldly men, I would now say, Put away such ideas. That is a mistake that should be corrected. It is a dangerous thing to catch the spirit of the world; the popularity which such a course invites will bring into the work a spirit which the word of God can not sanction.

A New Understanding of the Medical Work

“At Loma Linda there is to come to the physicians and to the teachers new ideas, a new understanding of the principles that must govern the medical work. An education is to be given that is altogether in harmony with the teachings of the word of God.

“It is a lack of faith in the power of God that leads our physicians to lean so much upon the arm of the law, and to trust so much to the influence of worldly powers.

“Loma Linda has been specified to me as a very important place, and one which demands the best Bible teacher we can supply. There are promising youth who are to be qualified to fill important positions in the work. They should have the best class of instructors, and capable Bible teachers who understand the truths of the word. The truth and righteousness revealed in the word of God is to be the stronghold of our workers.

Outline of the School

“There has been given to us an outline of the work that must be done at Loma Linda, and I know that we must give to that place our best labors. The Lord wants the wisest talent [10] there, for by means of our very best educational talent we are to train our ministerial laborers. The work is to be carried after the Lord’s order, and not according to the suppositions of men.

Not Large Salaries

“The Lord calls for the best talent to be united at this center for the carrying on of the work as he has directed, not the talent that will demand the largest salary, but the talent that will place itself on the side of Christ to work in his lines.

“We must have medical instructors who will teach the science of healing without the use of drugs. If physicians refuse to give their services unless they can be paid the highest wage, we shall not bribe them. We are to prepare a company of workers who will follow Christ’s methods.

“A time will come when medical missionaries of other denominations will become jealous and envious of the influence exerted by Seventh-day Adventists who are working in these lines. They will feel that influence is being secured by our workers which they ought to have.

The Constant Danger

“There is constant danger among our people that those who engage in labor in our schools and sanitariums will entertain the idea that they must get in line with the world, study the things which the world studies, and become familiar with the things that the world becomes familiar with. This is one of the greatest mistakes that could be made. We shall make grave mistakes unless we give special attention to the searching of the word.

“Strong temptations will come to many who place their children in our schools because they desire the youth to secure what the world regards as the most essential education.

“Those who regard as essential the knowledge [11] to be gained along the line of worldly education are making a great mistake, one which will cause them to be swayed by individual opinions that are human and erring. To those who feel that their children must have what the world calls the essential education, I would say, Bring your children to the simplicity of the word of God, and they will be safe. We are going to be greatly scattered before long and what we do must be done quickly.

Educated Worldlings

“The light has been given me that tremendous pressure will be brought upon every Seventh-day Adventist with whom the world can get into close connection. We need to understand these things. Those who seek the education that the world esteems so highly are gradually led farther and farther from the principles of truth until they become educated worldlings. At what a price have they gained their education! They have parted with the Holy Spirit of God. They have chosen to accept what the world calls knowledge in the place of the truths which God has committed to men through his ministers and prophets and apostles. And there are some who, having secured this worldly education, think that they can introduce it into our schools, but let me tell you that you must not take what the world calls the higher education and bring it into our schools and sanitariums and churches I speak to you definitely; this must not be done

Not Deficient in Scientific Knowledge

“The light that God has given in medical missionary lines will not cause his people to be regarded as inferior in scientific medical knowledge, but will fit them to stand upon the highest eminence. God would have them stand as a wise and understanding people because of his presence with them. In the strength of him [12] who is the source of all wisdom, all grace, defects and ignorance may be overcome.

“Let every medical student aim to reach a high standard. Under the discipline of the Greatest of all teachers, our course must ever tend upward to perfection. All who are connected with the medical missionary work must be learners. Let no one stop to say, ‘I can not do this’. Let him say instead, ‘God requires me to be perfect, he expects me to work away from all commonness and cheapness, and to strive after that which is of the highest order’.

“There is only one power that can make medical students what they ought to be, and keep them steadfast,—the grace of God and the power of the truth exerting a saving influence upon life and character. These students who intend to minister to suffering humanity, will find no graduating place this side of heaven. That knowledge which is termed science should be acquired, while the seeker daily acknowledges that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Everything that will strengthen the mind should be cultivated to the utmost of their power, while at the same time they should seek God for wisdom; for unless they are guided by the wisdom from above, they will become an easy prey to the deceptive power of Satan. They will become large in their own eyes, pompous and self-sufficient.

God-Fearing Physicians Speak Modestly

“God-fearing physicians speak modestly of their work; but novices with limited experience in dealing with the bodies and souls of men will often speak boastingly of their knowledge and attainments. These need better understanding [13] of themselves; then they would become more intelligent in regard to their duties, and would realize that in every department where they have to labor, they must possess a willing mind and earnest spirit and a hearty unselfish zeal in trying to do others good. They will not study how best to preserve their dignity, but by thoughtfulness and caretaking will earn a reputation for thoroughness and exactitude, and by sympathetic ministry will gain the hearts of those whom they serve.

“In the medical profession there are many skeptics and atheists who exalt the works of God above the God of science. Comparatively few of those who enter worldly medical colleges come out from them pure and unspotted. They have failed to become elevated, ennobled, sanctified. Material things eclipse the heavenly and eternal. With many, religious faith and principles are mingled with worldly customs and practices, and pure and undefiled religion is rare....

“Let not medical students be deceived by the wiles of the devil or by any of his cunning pretexts which so many adopt to beguile and ensnare. Stand firm to principle. At every step inquire, What saith the Lord? Say firmly, I will follow the light. I will respect and honor the Majesty of truth....

Reasons for Establishing a Medical School

“It is because of these peculiar temptations that our youth must meet in worldly medical schools, that provision should be made for preparatory and advanced medical training in our own schools under Christian teachers. Our larger union conference training schools in [14] various parts of the field should be placed in the most favorable position for qualifying our youth to meet the entrance requirements specified by state laws regarding medical students. The very best teaching talent should be secured that our schools may be brought up to the proper standard. The youth and those more advanced in years who feel it their duty to fit themselves for work requiring the passing of certain legal tests should be able to secure at our union conference training schools all that is essential for entrance into a medical college.

“Prayer will accomplish wonders for those who give themselves to prayer, watching thereunto. God desires us all to be in a waiting hopeful position. What he has promised he will do, and inasmuch as there are legal requirements making it necessary that medical students shall take a certain preparatory course of study, our colleges should arrange to carry their students to the point of literary and scientific training that is necessary.

Loma Linda to Provide All that is Essential

“And not only should our larger training schools give this preparatory instruction to those who contemplate taking a medical course, but we must also do all that is essential for the perfecting of the courses of study offered by our Loma Linda College of Medical Evangelists. As pointed out about the time this school was founded, we must provide that which is essential to qualify our youth who desire to be physicians so that they may intelligently fit themselves to stand the examinations required to prove their efficiency as physicians. They should be taught to treat understandingly the cases of those who are diseased, so that the door will be closed for any sensible physician to imagine that [15] we are not giving in our school the instruction necessary for properly qualifying young men and young women to do the work of a physician. Continually the students who are graduated are to advance in knowledge, for practice makes perfect.

A Medical School of the Highest Order

“The medical school at Loma Linda is to be of the highest order, because those who are in that school have the privilege of maintaining a living connection with the Wisest of all physicians, from whom there is communicated knowledge of a superior order. And for the special preparation of those of our youth who have clear convictions of their duty to obtain a medical education that will enable them to pass the examinations required by law of all who practice as regularly qualified physicians, we are to supply whatever may be required, so that these youth need not be compelled to go to medical schools conducted by men not of our faith. Thus we shall close a door that the enemy would be pleased to have left open; and our young men and young women whose spiritual interests the Lord desires us to safeguard, will not feel compelled to connect with unbelievers in order to obtain a thorough training along medical lines.

Teachers to Encourage a High Standard

“The teachers in our medical college should encourage the students to gain all the knowledge they can in every department. If they find the students deficient in care-taking, in a comprehension of their responsibilities, they should lay the matter frankly before such ones, giving them an opportunity to correct their habits and to reach a higher standard.

“The teachers should not become discouraged because some are slow to learn. Neither should they discourage the students when mistakes are made. As errors and defects are kindly pointed out, the students in turn should feel grateful for any instruction given. A haughty spirit on the part of the students should be discouraged. [16] All should be willing to learn, and the teachers should be willing to instruct, training the students to be self-reliant, competent, careful, painstaking. As the students study under wise instructors and unite with them in sharing responsibilities, they may, by the aid of the teachers, climb to the topmost round of the ladder.

No Carelessness in Work or Study

“Students should go as far as possible in thought, training and intelligent enterprise; but they should never infringe upon a rule, never disregard one principle that has been interwoven into the upbuilding of the institution. The dropping down is easy enough; the disregard of regulations is natural to the heart inclined to selfish ease and gratification. It is much easier to tear down than to build up. One student with careless ideas may do more to let down the standard than ten men with all their efforts can do to counteract the demoralizing influence.

“Failure of success will be read in the course the students pursue. If they stand ready to question rules and regulations and order, if they indulge self, and by their example encourage a spirit of rebellion, give them no place. The institution might better close its doors than to suffer this spirit to leaven the helpers and break down the barriers that it has cost thought, effort and prayer to establish.

“In training workers to care for the sick, let the student be impressed with the thought that his highest aim should always be to look after the spiritual welfare of his patients. He could learn to repeat the promises of God’s word, and to offer fervent prayers daily while preparing for service. Help him to realize that he is always to keep the sweetening, sanctifying influence of the great medical Missionary before his patients. If those who are suffering can be impressed with the fact that Christ is their sympathizing compassionate Saviour, they will have rest of mind, which is so essential to recovery of health.”