G OD ever works through human instrumentality. When He desires to perform a work, He lays upon the hearts of His children a burden for that task, and gives the vision of what may be accomplished for Him. The details are then worked out and great events set in motion for His glory. Personnel When it pleased the Lord to establish the School of Mis sionary Medicine at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, He had His prepared servants ready to bring it into being. The idea first occurred to the Dean of the Institute, Dr. S. H. Sutherland, who had long been distressed by the plight of the missionaries who, without medical training of any kind, were often obliged to administer help in relieving suffering natives or fellow-missionaries. In addition, Biola graduates, with their faces turned toward the foreign field, were con tinually asking where they might obtain some practical knowledge of simple cures, dietetics, sanitation, etc. Dean Sutherland was of the opinion that Biola should supplement its Bible and Seminary training with a Graduate School of
Missionary Medicine for its missionary volunteers. The board and faculty promptly endorsed this project, and the plan went forward. To secure an able and enthusiastic director for the School of Missionary Medicine was the first important step. Fortu nately, for some time Dean Sutherland had been in contact with one who by her consecration, training and temperament was admirably suited for the post. Miss Leonie V. Soubirou, a graduate of the Bible Institute, holding additional degrees of R.N., Ph.N., B.A. and M.A., in 1945 was persuaded to head fhis new department. Since Miss Soubirou herself had been sn accepted candidate of the China Inland Mission, within six days of sailing when the Chino-Japanese war broke out in 1937, naturally she had a great heart interest in missions and a deep understanding of the problems the missionary faces. The new venture immediately captured the imagination of Christian doctors and nurses, who happily joined the staff, some without any salary and with only their expenses pro vided. Distinguished physicians, well trained in medicine, surgery, obstetrics, pharmacology, eye, ear, nose and throat diseases, public health, dental science, tropical diseases, lab oratory science and nursing arts began their courses. A laboratory, dental science clinic, and other expensive medical and dental equipment were supplied in miraculous ways, through gifts of Christian people, war surplus “bargains,” and even from the doctor-instructors themselves. While the equipment was—and still is—by no means adequate; so thorough has been the instruction, and so great the co-opera tion between teachers and pupils engaged in this unique endeavor that already two classes have been graduated, and 37 of the graduates are already on the mission field, with many others under appointment to sail. Reports from those who have taken this newly-acquired medical knowledge into the dark places of the earth present unassailable evidence that the school under the leading of God was established for such a time as this. Purpose For it is distinctly and solely a School of MISSIONARY Medicine—not a medical school, nor a nurses’ training insti tution, nor a course in first aid. Its primary objective is to T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
Hospital (where each student trains']
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