The Story of our Health Message

Prepared for United Action

By the effective linking together of local churches, state conferences, and the General Conference, the way was now prepared for a far greater unity of action in the work of Seventh-day Adventists than had been possible while each church or section had been a unit in itself. SHM 75.2

We have seen that during the preceding fifteen years several basic steps had been taken involving the discontinuance of tobacco and tea and coffee. The importance of cleanliness was stressed, and counsel had come in regard to the use of rich foods. By painstaking and persevering effort ground had been gained on these preliminary points. In one instance, it will be recalled, reforms that we now recognize as right in themselves had been an occasion for confusion and controversy, because they were premature. The Lord had then sent messages of restraint addressed to zealous advocates of the nonuse of swine’s flesh. SHM 75.3

As though Heaven had been waiting for the arrival of this propitious time for a united advance in temperance and godliness, the Spirit of God now spoke to the church through the prophetic gift by which it had received counsel and guidance all along the way. “It was at the house of Brother A. Hilliard, at Otsego, Michigan, June 6, 1863,” writes Mrs. Ellen G. White, “that the great subject of health reform was opened before me in vision.” The Review and Herald, October 8, 1867. This was less than two weeks after the adjournment of the General Conference. SHM 76.1

Elders R. J. Lawrence and M. E. Cornell were conducting tent meetings in Otsego, and a company of believers showed their interest in the effort by driving up there from Battle Creek, a distance of about thirty miles, to pass the week end. Among these were Elder James White and his wife. Worn with overwork and perplexity, and in feeble health, Elder White was much depressed in spirit. SHM 76.2