The Story of our Health Message

Success Assured

Assurance was given that “with all the efforts in every department, put forth in a correct and judicious manner, and with the blessing of God, the institution will prove a glorious success.” On the other hand, “a single failure ... might sooner or later prove a great injury.” “It should not be forgotten,” Mrs. White reminded the directors, “that out of many hygienic institutions started in the United States within the last twenty-five years, but few maintain even a visible existence at the present time.”—Ibid., 558, 559. SHM 176.2

During later years Mrs. White was frequently led to repeat what now for the first time she pointed out: that in their enthusiasm over the health reform movement some of our brethren were in danger of giving it a position of undue importance. While it was important, it was not the leading feature. She counseled: SHM 176.3

“Let the health reform and the health institute grow up among us as other worthy enterprises have grown, taking into the account our feeble strength in the past and our greater ability to do much in a short period of time now. Let the health institute grow, as other interests among us have grown, as fast as it can safely, and not cripple other branches of the great work which are of equal or greater importance at this time. ... Move no faster, brethren, than the unmistakable providence of God opens the way before you.”—Ibid., 559, 560. SHM 176.4

She further urged that every stirring appeal in behalf of the Health Reform Institute should be accompanied by a caution not to rob other branches of the work. SHM 177.1