ELDER BURDEN returned to Loma Linda. A few days later the executive committee of the General Conference met and passed a number of resolutions favorable to the project of advanced medical education at Loma Linda. Significant among these was the resolution that the Loma Linda board of directors be authorized by this conference to secure a charter for the Loma Linda College of Evangelists, but at the same time disclaiming on the part of the General Conference any financial responsibility for the project.
It was not merely on the point of finance that many of the leaders had questions. Actually, one of the chief reasons for caution in attempting to operate a medical school was a very valid one in harmony with the main objectives of the medical missionary work. Dr. Ruble stated this in the discussion of the resolution above mentioned.
Some are so anxious to secure a medical degree that they are taking some shorter courses, of possibly two or three years, or, in some instances, of even only a few months, so as to get some kind of a degree. . . . We must not tie the hands of our youth, by giving to them an education that will not stand the test in these countries where they may afterward be called to labor. Our field is the world, and we have a world-wide medical missionary work to do. Our physicians must have thorough training . . . that will be recognized ... in all these lands. 1
Those who seemed to be slow in proceeding with a fell-fledged medical school probably realized more clearly than some of the others what it was going to take to "conduct a creditable medical school."
When the executive committee took action authorizing the Loma Linda board of directors to secure a charter, there was still no intention of making Loma Linda a full-fledged medical college. At that time it was thought necessary to secure a charter to enable students who had taken the first, second, and possibly third year of training at Loma Linda to find acceptance in the State medical schools in order to complete the course. When Elder Burden received this word from the General Conference, and also a letter from W. C. White advising him that "this is not a time for undertaking large movements," he decided to go to St. Helena and visit Mrs. White.
Elder Burden Questions "Compromise Plan"
He wrote a long letter presenting the advantages and disadvantages of the plans suggested by the executive committee, which he termed a "compromise plan," and after arrival at Elmshaven had this letter placed on Mrs. White's table for her to peruse before his interview. Early on the morning of September 20, 1909, she read this letter, and later in the day called in Elder Burden and W. C. White and answered it in person. A stenographic report was made of the interview, which is of outstanding interest and significance.2 Many quotations from the statements made on that occasion have appeared from time to time.
Mrs. White first stated that she felt a very heavy burden when she read Elder Burden's outline for "a compromise plan": "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." 3
Elder White and Elder Burden were both anxious to get a positive and definite answer in regard to plans for Loma Linda, and pressed the question again and again. They made very plain some of the problems that there would be in operating a denominational medical school:
The necessity of securing a charter from the Government; the teaching of required studies that might have subject content differing in viewpoint from our own, such as the matter of drugs, evolution, et cetera. "You must plan these details yourselves," said Mrs. White. "I have told you what I have received." 4
Training to Be Complete and Different
Two conclusions may be drawn from this interview: First, Elder Burden and Elder W. C. White received the answer to their question. Seventh-day Adventist medical students should be able to receive their complete training in our school and not have to attend other schools in order to receive their degrees. Second, the chief purpose in operating our own school was to provide a different type of medical education than that offered in the schools of the world. The first was to be contingent on the second, a means to an end. "We are to stand distinct and separate from the world." Mrs. White also counseled, "If you can gain force and influence that will make your work more effective without tying yourselves to worldly men, that would be right." 5
A further discussion of the medical college by the denominational leaders was set for the Autumn Council of the General Conference Committee to be held in College View, Nebraska, in October. On October 4 Elder Burden wrote once again to Mrs. White. Had he rightly understood her at the interview at St. Helena? He thought he had, but he needed reiteration. "From your last talk," he wrote, "it seems clear that we should not advise our students to go to outside medical schools to finish their medical education." There were still many of the brethren, he said, who did not see it this way. Once again he asked, "Should this advanced work be done at some other school and not at Loma Linda?" The answer to this letter, dated October 11, arrived dramatically during the middle of the meeting at College View. Elder Burden describes the meeting of the Council at College View as follows:
Among those who took their stand strongly in favor of our plan called for in the communication from Sister White were Elder G. A. Irwin, Elder I. H. Evans, Dr. W. A. Ruble, Dr. D. H. Kress, Dr. W. A. George, and Prof. Griggs. Elder Evans, then treasurer of the General Conference, made a thrilling appeal in behalf of the value of such an institution for the training of workers for the mission field. Professor Griggs, secretary of the Educational Department of the General Conference, made a strong appeal in behalf of our young people who wish to study medicine. Dr. W. A. Ruble, secretary of the Medical Department, gave a logical and candid review of the serious objections to our undertaking such a great work, and then clearly presented reasons why we should attempt the work, expecting by united effort and the blessing of God to make a success of the enterprise.
Some came to this meeting with serious misgivings as to the wisdom of undertaking such a large enterprise, but the Spirit of the Lord witnessed convincingly to the words spoken by various ones, showing the necessity of providing facilities in Christian schools for the qualifying of our workers as physicians, the same as we had to prepare our other missionary workers for the cause. The brethren were convinced that the Lord was calling for the establishment by us of a medical college, and after the discussion the following action was taken:
"Resolved, That we recommend the board of management of the Loma Linda College of Evangelists to secure a charter for the school, that it may-develop as the opening providences and the instruction of the Spirit of God may indicate."
After this action had been taken, a communication was received from Sister White dated October 11, 1909. The principles laid down strengthened the brethren in their belief that the Lord had led them in the step they had just taken.6
"I would say in closing," Elder Burden said in another letter in which he described this meeting to Mrs. White, "that your letter addressed to me at College View did not arrive until after the brethren had been influenced by the Spirit of God to take the action they did. I was rather glad of that."
Articles of Incorporation, December, 1909
Two months later, on December 9, 1909, the Articles of Corporation which consolidated the Loma Linda Sanitarium and the College of Medical Evangelists into one corporation were signed. These two dates are history. But between December and May the following incident occurred, which is of significance in understanding the whole situation.
In spite of the action taken at the Fall Council stated above, there was still some difference of opinion among the leaders as to the real meaning of the communications Mrs. White had sent. There was also some uncertainty as to the position to be taken by the conference relative to the plans for the development of the newly chartered College of Medical Evangelists. At the fifth biennial session of the Pacific Union Conference these questions were the principal items on the agenda. As the plans committee was weighing these matters, it was decided to appoint a committee to interview Mrs. White and obtain a restatement of the counsel regarding the medical college. The committee of three was composed of the president of the Pacific Union Conference, the treasurer of the General Conference, and the president of the Southern California Conference. Instead of seeking a personal interview, these brethren composed a letter to Mrs. White, dated January 25, 1910. Part of this letter follows:
Some hold that when you speak of "a medical school," you mean a school where the Bible is made prominent, where all features of our faith are taught, and where the message is given in its fullness; in addition to which we give an outline of the treatment of simple diseases, the care of the sick, and such things as will qualify the student to gointo a foreign field, or even into a city, and do intelligent medical missionary work. . . .
Others hold that when you use the phrase "a medical school," you mean, in addition to the foregoing, a fully equipped medical school . . . that gives such a thorough training along medical lines as will qualify the students ... to pass state board examinations and become registered, qualified physicians for public work.
Loma Linda School to Be of "Highest Order"
The answer which Mrs. White wrote to this on January 25, 1910, was clear and unequivocal.
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 required to prove their efficiency as physicians. . . . The medical school at Loma Linda is to be of the highest order.—Medical Ministry, p. 57.
This letter was accepted as conclusive, and was published in the Pacific Union Recorder of February 3, 1910. The resolutions affecting the College of Medical Evangelists that were passed at this session were developed in response to the answer they had received from Mrs. White. These resolutions, in addition to approving the establishment and maintenance of a medical college, set forth a suggestive division of responsibility, control, and financing that included the General Conference and other union conferences. The resolutions were later approved by the General Conference, and a basis of denominational responsibility was established. Though misgivings and second thoughts developed and had to be dealt with, the institution at this point moved definitely from its former union conference and semi-independent standing toward its present status as a General Conference institution—a standing that has meant so much to its success.7
Significant Milestone— General Conference Status
A significant milestone had been reached when the denomination had united to operate a medical college. This was but the first step in a long and difficult journey. There was still the matter of gaining recognition by the State. Many problems remained to be solved—questions of financial responsibility, qualified staff, inspections, war regulations, new buildings.
But having put their hands to the plow, the founders would not turn back. The faith and confidence with which they would meet the difficulties of the future are exemplified in the statement made to Dr. N. P. Colwell by John Burden at the time of the first inspection.
AMA Enters the Picture
Back in 1907 H. R. Salisbury had called on Dr. Colwell, Secretary of the Council on Medical Education of the American Medical Association, and presented the desire of the denomination to open a medical school. "Unless you are heavily endowed," stated Dr. Colwell, "the American Medical Association will close you down. They do not propose to allow any more one-horse medical schools to come into existence."
Soon after its incorporation Dr. Colwell visited the College of Medical Evangelists to look into its operation and to determine what attitude the AMA would take toward the school. He visited the various departments and conferred with the doctors regarding plans and purposes, and then took up the financial backing of the school, which seemed to be the prominent test in his mind. The doctors took him to confer with Elder Burden. His first question was, "What about the financial backing of the school?"
"Excellent!" replied Elder Burden. "It is 110,000 consecrated people who make up all the deficits occurring in any part of our missions or educational work, and who also furnish the means for our buildings and facilities by popular subscription, legacies, and donations." He then gave the yearly budget of the denomination for its world work, and told how the denomination had rallied to the aid of the Skodsborg Sanitarium and the Danish Publishing House in time of difficulty, while many financial commercial institutions went to the wall due to the money panic.
"Doctor," he said, "before going further into the financial side of this matter I would like to lay before you our entire missionary program." And he did, mentioning the threefold preparation—mental, physical, and spiritual—which is the basis of our entire educational program.
"Will you tell me, Doctor, to what school we can send our young people to equip them for this world mission work with this threefold preparation?"
"Mr. Burden," answered Dr. Colwell, "there is no such school in existence. When I took my medical training it was to become a medical missionary for the foreign field."
"Did you go to the foreign field, Doctor?"
"No, the medical work absorbed me and the mission lost out!"
"Do you desire then to close down our little school, which is in no way in competition with your large medical schools?" 8
Following his inspection and report the American Medical Association granted the college a C-rating. All through the years from that time until his death in 1936, Dr. Colwell was a sympathetic friend and a wise counselor to the College of Medical Evangelists.
(Part II, on obtaining the B-rating, will follow in the next issue.)
1 General Conference Bulletin, June 2, 1909, p. 293.
2 Ellen G. White MSS 71, 72 1909. (Portions printed in Medical Evangelistic Library, No. 6, pp. 23-26, and Story of Our Health Message, by D. E. Robinson, pp. 381-383.)
3 Story of Our Health Message, p. 382.
4 Manuscript 72, 1909.
5 Story of Our Health Message, pp. 382, 383..
6 A Divine Providence (Unpublished manuscript, chap. 15), pp. 23, 23a, "Plans for a Medical College," J. A. Burden.
7 Notes from Walter P. Elliott, chairman of the CME Board, 1949-1959.
8 Letter from J. A. Burden to E. H. Risley, June 9, 1929. (All letters referred to are in the correspondence file of Historical Records Office, Vernier Radcliffe Memorial Library, Loma Linda, Calif.)
