The Testimony of Jesus

Facing the Hour of Death

This same spirit of consecration to God and His service marked the closing days of her own earthly life. A short time before her death, in an interview with another, she spoke of her courage as follows: TOJ 159.1

“My courage is grounded in my Saviour. My work is nearly ended. Looking over the past, I do not feel the least mite of despondency or discouragement. I feel so grateful that the Lord has withheld me from despair and discouragement, and that I can still hold the banner. I know Him whom I love, and in whom my soul trusteth.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 443, 444. TOJ 159.2

Referring to the prospect of death, she declared: TOJ 159.3

“I feel, the sooner the better; all the time that is how I feel—the sooner the better. I have not a discouraging thought, nor sadness.... I have nothing to complain of. Let the Lord take His way and do His work with me, so that I am refined and purified; and that is all I desire. I know my work is done; it is of no use to say anything else. I shall rejoice, when my time comes, that I am permitted to lie down to rest in peace. I have no desire that my life shall be prolonged.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 444. TOJ 159.4

And to her son she remarked, a few weeks before she breathed her last: TOJ 159.5

“I am very weak. I am sure that this is my last sickness. I am not worried at the thought of dying. I feel comforted all the time, that the Lord is near me. I am not anxious. The preciousness of the Saviour has been so plain to me. He has been a friend. He has kept me in sickness and in health. TOJ 159.6

“I do not worry about the work I have done. I have done the best I could. I do not think that I shall be lingering long. I do not expect much suffering. I am thankful that we have the comforts of life in time of sickness. Do not worry. I go only a little before the others.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 444, 445. TOJ 159.7

The spirit breathed in the facsimile letter, in the message to her son, in the words spoken at her husband’s funeral, and in these final quotations, marked the life of Mrs. E. G. White. Her experience was one of earnest Christian labor, of sacrifice for the Master she loved. Separated oftentimes from her children, denied the comforts of home life in her extensive travels, handicapped frequently by physical suffering, meeting the natural prejudice and opposition which existed in many minds against her work, she labored on, faithfully and untiringly, even to the close of life. She rests from her labors, but her works follow her. TOJ 159.8

We thank God that He gave a prophet to the remnant church. No Seventh-day Adventist should be ashamed of this blessed truth. Rather we should rejoice that the Lord has in this manner visited His people, and again and again warned them of their danger in the midst of the evils which threaten the church at the present time. These messages, we believe, should be faithfully followed by every believer. Next to the Bible, and in connection with it, they should be read and studied. They throw a floodlight upon the Sacred Record. “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20. TOJ 160.1