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

The Six How to Live Pamphlets

The readers of the Ibid., January 24, 1865, were advised: 2BIO 110.2

The first of the series of pamphlets entitled Health; or How to Live is now ready. We wish to call the attention of the brethren everywhere to these works, prepared with especial care, on the important subject of a reform in the manners of life, which is greatly needed, and as we view it, will surely be accomplished in whatever people find themselves at last prepared for translation. The series will consist of five pamphlets [later changed to six] of sixty-four pages each. Price $1, post paid.—Ibid., January 24, 1865 2BIO 110.3

The description of the contents of the first number was impressive: 2BIO 110.4

No. 1 contains the following: 1. “The Ladder With Eight Rounds: or Bible Sanctification.” ...2. “‘Our Home’: or Three Weeks at Dansville, New York,” an account of the visit of Brother and Sister White to that place, with what they saw, heard, and thought. 3. “Flesh as Food for Man,” an extract from one of the best and ablest lectures of Dr. J. C. Jackson. 4. “Cookery“: embracing twenty pages of recipes for preparing food, embracing Bread, leavened and unleavened, Mushes and Porridges, Pies and Puddings, Fruits, and Vegetables, containing in all one hundred and seven recipes.... 2BIO 110.5

Chapter 1, “Disease and Its Causes,” by Sister White, with some miscellaneous items, fills out number 1.—Ibid. 2BIO 111.1

A little later as James White advertised that six pamphlets were to be available in one bound volume, he explained the purpose of their publication as pamphlets: 2BIO 111.2

Our object in issuing it in numbers was to get the subject of diet before our people at once, in the first number, that whatever changes they might see fit to make in diet they could make them best and safest in the more leisure season of winter.—Ibid., March 14, 1865 2BIO 111.3

He could see that several months would be required in completing the six pamphlets, producing in all 384 pages. When completed, these were to be bound into one volume, to sell for $1.50. 2BIO 111.4

White went on to explain, “Health journals are doing a great work for the world. But you may have to read one of them for years to gather all the important facts necessary to right living.”—Ibid., June 6, 1865 2BIO 111.5