Ellen G. White: The Lonely Years: 1876-1891 (vol. 3)

To Grow Old Gracefully

Here comes in the careful study of every discreet man when to begin to lay off the burdens, and how fast; or, to learn to grow old gracefully. 3BIO 113.3

The writer has been studying this matter several years. At the age of 20 we put the armor on, and for thirty-eight years ours has been a life of toil, care, perplexity, and sickness much of the time. Our nervous system has been shocked three times with paralysis, and three times the arm that traces these lines has fallen, for a time to be raised and moved only by the other. 3BIO 113.4

These dangerous attacks have usually occurred after severe mental strain, such as has ever been our portion at General Conference. We were reported absent from the late conference in consequence of ill health. Thanks to that worthy body for the vote of sympathy. It is our duty, however, to state that our absence was through fear of another breakdown. 3BIO 113.5

Both Mrs. White and the writer have important writing to do, books to complete which should be in the hands of the people. If we attend the conferences and camp meetings at the call of our people, we shall never do this work, which is not second to any other.... Thus retired, with the blessing of God, we hope to restore that “lost art” in this fretting generation, of growing old gracefully.—Ibid., May 15, 1879 3BIO 113.6

But these words, written in sincerity, were soon forgotten. 3BIO 113.7