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College of Medical Evangelists

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 27, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 43.

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College of Medical Evangelists

By S. P. S. Edwards

Opening Exercises

SEPTEMBER 29 was a red-letter day in the history of our medical missionary work. A new mile-stone was passed in the opening of the College of Medical Evangelists, our denominational medical college at Loma Linda, Cal.
Because of the importance of this institution as a training center for medical missionary workers, both for home and foreign fields, it was appropriate that on this opening day of actual school work, special exercises should be held, when the object of the school, the conditions which called for its establishment, the work it is called upon to do, and its relation to the work of the denomination, could be clearly presented, for the benefit of the faculty and students, the guests of the sanitarium, and the many friends who were present.
In this opening we had a living picture of the medical missionary work. The patients in wheel-chairs and on cots represented the needy, suffering world; the Christian physicians and ministers on the platform were representatives of the Great Physician, who loves the world so much, and has sympathy, healing, and forgiveness for all; while between the physicians and the patients were the students and nurses, here to receive a training that will enable them to minister to all in pain and need.
It is our prayer that this condition may always continue at Loma Linda, not only in figure but in actual life,—the gospel ministers and the Christian physicians united heart and hand in giving quickly and with power to the eager students the whole truth which the world needs, and which God has committed to us.
The following program was carried out, Dr. W. A. Ruble, the president of the college, presiding:— Doxology ................ Congregation Scripture Reading ...... Elder C. Santee Prayer .................. Elder Luther Warren Hymn: “Come, Thou Almighty King” ......................... Congregation Address: “Why Is This Medical College Needed?” .... Elder E. E. Andross Music ................... Double Quartet Address: “Growth of Medical Missionary Work in Foreign Fields” ......................... Elder J. A. Burden Address: “What the College of Medical Evangelists Means to Our Denominational Work” ............ ......................... Dr. S. P. S. Edwards Address: “What Can We Do to Make Our School a Success?” ............ ......................... Dr. W. A. Ruble Hymn, “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains” ........ Congregation Benediction ............ Elder R. S. Owen
The address by Elder E. E. Andross, president of the Southern California Conference, was an impressive presentation of the great principles of Christianity and Christian education, in contrast with the conditions found in many educational institutions of the world. He spoke in part as follows:—
“I am very glad that God has given us a complete gospel,—one of healing for the soul and healing for the body. Jesus came to this earth to save souls, but he did not make that his only work. The healing of the body was associated with the healing of the soul. Many times physical healing was bestowed to teach men that he is able to save the soul also. Thus in our work we ought to take into account both these great principles, and give the full gospel of the healing of the soul and the healing of the body. “To-day the gospel of Jesus is being perverted; it is not taught in its simplicity in the great institutions of the world. It may be asked, as it has been asked over and over again, why we are establishing this medical school, which will involve the expenditure of a great amount of funds. Some regard it as unnecessary. But while we have educational institutions for the training of workers in every other kind of effort necessary to carry the gospel of Jesus to the world, we greatly need an institution for the training of Christian physicians. This need has called the College of Medical Evangelists into existence.”
The speaker then read several very striking extracts from articles appearing recently in leading magazines, showing the attitude of prominent universities toward the Bible and its teachings. From these statements of leaders in the educational systems of the world, it is evident that many of these educators repudiate the Bible as the Word of God, and with it its Author, both as Creator and as Redeemer. After earnest discussion of such teaching, the speaker concluded with the following words:—
“When it comes to pass that such enunciations as these find a place in the curriculum of the colleges of the world, and we are to fit men and women for the coming of the King of glory, surely we must have an institution where the Word of God as it is written, and the commandments of God as they came to us, are regarded, respected, and written in the hearts of its instructors. I am glad that we have such a place, and a faculty who believe that God’s Word is of divine origin.”
Elder J. A. Burden, who has been the business manager at Loma Linda since its acquirement by our people, spoke earnestly of the history of medical missionary work.
Dr. W. A. Ruble, president of the college, stated what the school should and could be, and what each one could do to help meet the demands.
The calm, earnest spirit of the exercises was indicative of the atmosphere of the whole institution. Within a few minutes after the benediction, the assembly had quietly dispersed, each to take up active work, some with tools to assist in putting up the new buildings, others to various departments of the medical work of the institution, and some to their duties in the domestic department, all happily and seriously taking up the task at hand.
The spirit of industry so permeates every part of the institution that it is a lonesome place for the one with nothing to do. I hope the time is not far distant when the industrial work of Loma Linda will be so organized that every patient who enters the institution will be taught, by precept and example, the pleasure and curative value of manual labor.
The medical college opens with ninety-two students enrolled. Of these, ten are second-year medical, twenty-four first-year medical, six cooks and bakers, and fifty-two nurses. There are many more applicants who must be rejected, either because of insufficient preliminary education or failure to meet the requirements in other lines.
This school must be close to the hearts of our people. It must be watched closely in its development, not that we may find fault and criticize, and so make heavier the burdens of those in charge, but that we may love and help it, pray for it, and give of our means to provide the necessary equipment.
S. P. S. EDWARDS, M. D.