Discouraged by American Medical Association
As preliminary to consideration of “the suggested plan of adding to their faculty and equipment so as to give one or two years’ medical study that would be accepted by a recognized medical college as part of a regular medical course,” definite information was sought regarding three points: (1) the changes involved in making the necessary adaptation of their course; (2) the requirements of such colleges as would affiliate on this basis; and (3) what such a plan would involve financially.AGP 356.3
In a meeting at College View, in October, 1909, the future of the school was again considered, and it was—AGP 356.4
“Resolved, That we recommend the Board of Management of the Loma Linda College of Evangelists to secure a renewal of the charter for the school, that it may develop as the opening providence and the instruction of the Spirit of God may indicate.”—General Conference Committee Minutes, Oct. 13, 1909.
Owing to the importance of the enterprise at Loma Linda, it was voted by the General Conference Committee that Prof.AGP 356.5
Homer Salisbury, then Educational Secretary of the General Conference, should go with me to join with the brethren in Loma Linda in drafting the Articles of Incorporation. As we were passing through Chicago, we stopped to interview Dr. Colwell, the secretary of the American Medical Association. It would be necessary to be approved by this organization, if we were to conduct a medical school.AGP 357.1
When we laid before Dr. Colwell our plans, he told us most frankly, yet kindly, that we could never succeed. He reminded us that it would require a very large sum of money to provide buildings and equipment for such an institution. Further, he questioned our ability to assemble a faculty such as would be required. He explained that at that very time the American Medical Association was engaged in eliminating all the “C” grade schools throughout the country, and that they were putting pressure on the “B” grade schools. “Our aim,” he told us, “is to retain only the class ‘A’ medical colleges.” He felt sure that we could not possibly hope to establish anything higher than a “C” grade school, and advised us not to proceed with the undertaking.AGP 357.2
Notwithstanding this discouraging outlook, we proceeded to California, and joined our brethren in preparing Articles of Incorporation, which opened the way for the school to develop, so as to grant the degree of M. D. to its graduates.AGP 357.3
There still remained some difference of opinion as to the real meaning of certain communications that had come from Mrs. White. In order that they might have a specific, unequivocal statement from her, the delegates, at a meeting of the Pacific Union Conference, held at Mountain View, California, January 24-30, 1910, sought her counsel in the matter. A letter was drafted, which contained the following question:AGP 357.4
“Are we to understand from what you have written concerning the establishment of a medical school at Loma Linda that, according to the light you have received from the Lord, we are to establish a thoroughly equipped medical school, the graduates from which will be able to take State Board examinations and become registered, qualified physicians?” Quoted in Pacific Union Recorder, February 3, 1910.
A prompt answer was received, as specific as the question:AGP 358.1
“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. 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 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…. 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.”—Idem.
A few weeks later, at a meeting of the General Conference Committee, representatives from the Pacific Coast were present, and read to us this clear, plain testimony calling for the operation of a medical school that would meet the requirements of the authorities for the qualification of physicians.AGP 358.2