The Story of our Health Message

The Health Reformer

Six weeks later appeared the first number of The Health Reformer, with a two-page introductory article by J. H. Ginley, M.D., and a single-page editorial by Dr. Lay. The remaining articles were contributed by the ministers. Mrs. E. G. White, under the heading “Duty to Know Ourselves,” urged that “men and women should inform themselves in regard to the philosophy of health,” concluding by saying that “ignorance upon this important subject is sin; the light is now beaming upon us, and we are without excuse if we do not cherish the light and become intelligent in regard to these things, which it is our highest earthly interest to understand.”—The Health Reformer, August, 1866. SHM 148.4

Other contributors to the first issue of the journal were Elders J. N. Loughborough, D. T. Bourdeau, A. C. Bourdeau, R. F. Cottrell, J. H. Waggoner, and J. N. Andrews. In the second issue the editor wrote a note for the benefit of those who might think that “nobody can talk on health but an M.D., and nobody on theology but a D.D.,” and made the following reference to the qualifications of the contributors, with assurance that their writings were checked by professionally qualified practitioners: SHM 149.1

“Many have written for The Reformer thus far, whom we hope to retain as permanent correspondents, who are not professionally medical men. But they have been forced by circumstances and their own experience to acquaint themselves more or less with health reform; and they are prepared to speak as advisedly with reference to its great principles as though they could attach to their names all the titles known to the medical profession. To those, however, who must have the magic of an M.D. to inspire confidence, we would say that all these articles are examined professionally and endorsed before they are laid before the reader.”—The Health Reformer, September, 1866. SHM 149.2

In this same connection the editor apologetically explains, as a reason for certain “deficiencies” in the journal, that “the many labors and cares incident to opening the Western Health Reform Institute have been sufficient to fully occupy both head and hands thus far.”—Ibid. SHM 149.3