A Prophet Among You

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James White’s Illness

The instruction concerning the establishment of a health institution by Seventh-day Adventists came at a time of crisis in the White home. It was becoming obvious that there was no health institution where care was given the patients in harmony with the plan of healthful living the Lord had outlined. In May, 1865, James White had been elected president of the General Conference, over his vigorous protests. The physical and mental trials of the preceding years had taken a severe toll on his physical strength. He felt that he should not under any circumstances accept the responsibility, but his brethren persisted in their conviction that he was the one best qualified to lead the church. To lighten his load, he gave up the editorship of the Review and Herald, and Uriah Smith was appointed in his place. He continued working beyond his strength until the break came on August 16, 1865. On that morning, while he and his wife were visiting a neighbor, James White was stricken with paralysis. The power of God, in response to immediate prayers, brought about a partial recovery; but the physicians gave no hope for his full restoration. APAY 230.1

During the next five weeks he was cared for at home, but there was little sign of improvement. He was then taken to a health institution, called Our Home on the Hillside, at Dansville, New York. Mrs. White and others were aware that some of the principles of healing and healthful living that were shown her in vision were being practiced at this institution, and they felt that James White might be benefited by Dr. Jackson. For about three months the Whites and J. N. Loughborough remained at Dansville. At the end of that period, it was clear to Ellen White that her husband was unlikely to make further progress there. More and more points of variance between what had been revealed to her and what was practiced at Dansville were appearing. Later she commented: “We did not feel that the three months passed at this institution were in vain. We did not receive all the ideas and sentiments and suggestions advanced, but we did gather many things of value from those who had obtained an experience in health reform. We did not feel that there was any necessity of gathering the chaff with the wheat.” Ellen G. White Manuscript 1, 1867. After this experience and the reception of additional light through Ellen White’s vision of December 25, 1865, the Whites could not feel free to recommend that other Seventh-day Adventists should visit such institutions for medical care. “They have to carry along with them at all times the gospel sieve and sift everything they hear, that they may choose the good and refuse the bad.” Testimonies for the Church 1:490. APAY 230.2

The insistence of the Dansville physicians that James White should have complete physical and mental rest led him to shrink from putting forth the slightest effort. The more inactive he became, the deeper his despondency grew. His wife had the conviction that the only thing that could restore him physically and mentally was some exercise of his physical and mental powers, no matter how small that might be at first. In December she took him from Dansville to Rochester, New York, where they remained for three weeks, while special seasons of prayer for his recovery were held. It was during one of these times of prayer that the vision of December 25 was given. Soon afterward James and Ellen White returned to Battle Creek. Within a short time they began to lay plans to dispose of their home in Battle Creek and move north to Greenville, Michigan. A small house was built on a plot of land in the country, and about the first of May, 1867, they moved there. This was home to James and Ellen White until the late summer of 1869. APAY 231.1

During the years at Greenville, Ellen White planned and worked toward the goal of bringing her husband back to full health. It was not an easy task, and it required resourcefulness and a bit of scheming to get the sick preacher to engage in some of the activities his wife was sure would help bring renewed health. Their son William C. White told this incident: APAY 231.2

“Soon it was haying time. The grass was cut by Brother Maynard’s mowing machine. When ready to haul in, Father thought to ask that it be hauled in by Brother Maynard’s hired man who had done the mowing. To prevent this, Mother had urgently requested Brother Maynard to say that his own work was pressing and that it would not be convenient to send his man to haul in the hay. I was sent to Neighbor Whitefield’s with a similar message. These kind neighbors very reluctantly consented to this request, when told what Mother’s reasons were for making it. When Father sent out requests for help with the hay, he was shocked at the answers. Then Mother said: ‘Let us show the neighbors that we can attend to the work ourselves. Willie and I will rake the hay and pitch it on the wagon, if you will load and drive the team.’ To this Father was forced to consent. As we had no barn, the hay must be stacked near the cow shed. At Mother’s suggestion, Father pitched it off the wagon, while she built up the stack. Meanwhile I was raking up another load. APAY 232.1

“While we were thus hard at work, some of the townspeople passed in their carriages, and gazed with much curiosity and surprise to see the woman who each week preached to a houseful of people, heroically engaged in treading down hay and building a stack. But she was not in the least embarrassed; she was intent upon the one object of securing her husband’s restoration to health, and was overjoyed to see that her efforts were succeeding.” William C. White, “Sketches and Memories of James and Ellen White,” MS., in White Publications Document File, No. 626. APAY 232.2

During the years at the Greenville home, James and Ellen White made a tour through northern Michigan, New York, and some of the New England states. They also made trips to Battle Creek. It was during one of their visits to Wright, Michigan, that plans were laid for annual camp meetings, now a regular part of the church program. The first one was held in 1868 at Wright. APAY 232.3

James White’s health improved steadily until he was once more able to bear a load in publishing, preaching, and administration. Again we must note a word of warning, typical of the numerous cautions given to individuals and the church. “God had cautioned and warned my husband in regard to the preservation of his strength. I was shown that he had been raised up by the Lord, and that he was living as a miracle of mercy—not for the purpose of again gathering upon him the burdens under which he once fell, but that the people of God might be benefited by his experience in advancing the general interests of the cause, and in connection with the work the Lord has given me, and the burden He has laid upon me to bear.” Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 195. APAY 233.1

In the The Review and Herald, September 22, 1868, Joseph Clark wrote: “Brother White has regained his mental and physical powers, though he appears much older than before his sickness; and we were surprised at the amount of labor he performs; not with tottering steps, but with the firmness and elasticity of early life. His preaching and general labors bear the impress of one who has improved his talents, and is still improving.” APAY 233.2