Ellen G. White: The Progressive Years: 1862-1876 (vol. 2)

Ellen White's Moderate Positions

James White explained the moderate positions they held. He embodied this in his report from the Kansas camp meeting, published November 8: 2BIO 305.2

In reference to the use of tobacco, tea, coffee, flesh meats, also of dress, there is a general agreement. But at present she is not prepared to take the extreme position relative to salt, sugar, and milk. If there were no other reasons for moving carefully in reference to these things of so common and abundant use, there is a sufficient one in the fact that the minds of many are not prepared even to receive the facts relative to these things.... 2BIO 305.3

It may be well here to state, however, that while she does not regard milk, taken in large quantities, as customarily eaten with bread the best article of food, her mind, as yet, has only been called to the importance of the best and most healthy condition possible of the cow ...whose milk is used as an article of food. She cannot unite in circulating publications broadcast which take an extreme position of the important question of milk, with her present light upon the subject.—Ibid. (Italics supplied.) 2BIO 305.4

Turning particularly to sugar and salt, he set forth her middle-of-the-road stance: 2BIO 305.5

Mrs. White thinks that a change from the simplest kinds of flesh meats to an abundant use of sugar is going from “bad to worse.” She would recommend a very sparing use of both sugar and salt. The appetite can, and should, be brought to a very moderate use of both.—Ibid. 2BIO 305.6

Then he sounded warnings in another line, that of making abrupt changes: 2BIO 306.1

While tobacco, tea, and coffee may be left at once (one at a time, however, by those who are so unfortunate as to be slaves to all), changes in diet should be made carefully, one at a time. And while she would say this to those who are in danger of making changes too rapidly, she would also say to the tardy, Be sure and not forget to change.—Ibid. 2BIO 306.2