The Story of our Health Message

A Special Vision Given

When Mrs. White spoke to Dr. Jackson about taking her husband home, he expressed serious misgivings and advised that he be taken to some nearby place as an experiment. If this should work favorably, he might then go the rest of the way, whereas if he did not rally, it would be better to return with him to Dansville. So it was decided to attend a monthly meeting of the believers in Rochester, New York, about forty-five miles from Dansville. SHM 139.1

Three weeks were spent in Rochester. Elder J. N. Andrews came from Maine, other brethren of faith arrived from places nearby, and for ten days special, earnest prayer was held daily in Elder White’s behalf. Then some were obliged to return to their homes, but others remained and continued in their prayer seasons. Regarding some features of this experience, Mrs. White wrote: SHM 139.2

“It seemed to be a struggle with the powers of darkness. Sometimes the trembling faith of my husband would grasp the promises of God, and sweet and precious was the victory then enjoyed. Then again his mind seemed depressed and to be too weak to hold the victory he had gained. SHM 139.3

“Every season of prayer increased in interest, and everyone who took part in them felt repaid for their efforts in drawing near to God, and praying for my husband, by the work which they felt was wrought for their own souls. ... I felt the assurance that we should come forth from the furnace of affliction purified. ... SHM 139.4

“Christmas evening, as we were humbling ourselves before God, and earnestly pleading for deliverance, the light of Heaven seemed to shine upon us, and I was wrapt in a vision of God’s glory. It seemed that I was borne quickly from earth to heaven, where all was health, beauty, and glory.”—The Review and Herald, February 27, 1866. SHM 139.5

This vision was supplementary to, and perhaps of equal importance with, the first vision given to Mrs. White on the health reform two years and a half before. The first revelation set forth great health principles and urged their adoption by the remnant church. The second pointed out that the response to the light on health reform had been far short of what it should have been, and it made more clear the relation of that reform to the gospel message to be given to the world. Of the inadequate response on the part of church members, Mrs. White wrote: SHM 140.1

“In the vision given me in Rochester, N.Y., Dec. 25, 1865, I was shown that our Sabbathkeeping people have been negligent in acting upon the light which God has given in regard to the health reform; that there is yet a great work before us; and that, as a people, we have been too backward to follow in God’s opening providence, as He has chosen to lead us. ... While some feel deeply and act out their faith in the work, others remain indifferent and have scarcely taken the first step in reform.”—Testimonies for the Church 1:485, 486. (First published in January, 1867.) SHM 140.2