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

Received Well in the Field

J. N. Andrews wrote from Norridgewock, Maine, of his reactions to the pamphlets: 2BIO 113.5

I wish to speak in behalf of this series of excellent tracts now offered in one bound volume for $1.25. The information here embodied is of more value than thousands of gold and silver.... 2BIO 113.6

Man, whose own being is the most wonderful mechanism, seems to suppose that he may, with impunity, disregard the laws of his being which the Creator has ordained as the conditions of life and health. And when sickness follows, as sooner or later it must, then man in his ignorance lays it all to God's mysterious providence, when his own bad habits of life have been the direct cause. 2BIO 113.7

Thank God that with us as a people, this is being changed. Light has begun to shine upon us. We begin to understand not only that temperance is a Christian virtue, but also that it is the real foundation of good health, and we are learning something of what it is.—Ibid., September 12, 1865 2BIO 114.1

Then he turned to the practical side of the matter, posing the question as to what the readers were going to do about it: 2BIO 114.2

But how shall we conduct ourselves in order to render obedience to these vital laws? Where shall we obtain the needed instruction on this important subject? 2BIO 114.3

I am happy to be able to point you to a single volume, moderate in size, unexceptionable in character, and full of the choicest information on this interesting topic. How to Live is precisely what its title imports. If my advice could have weight, I would have this volume in every family of our people; and I would have it read and reread till all the family from the eldest to the youngest understood its straightforward, commonsense teachings. The cost of the volume is such that it is within the reach of all, and it will pay for itself many times over to those who will obey its words of wisdom.—Ibid. 2BIO 114.4

During the previous year, Andrews had spent considerable time at “Our Home” and was familiar with the teachings of Dr. Jackson and others there. So he was qualified to write in appraisal of the How to Live pamphlets. A few Sabbathkeeping Adventists were beginning, seemingly, to ride the crest of a wave of good health, but as yet they had not fully grasped all the important facets of the subject. Loughborough wrote of the experience: 2BIO 114.5

At that time both Brother White and I were reaping physical benefits from the adoption of the health reform, but perhaps had not taken sufficient lessons on the “rest question.” We were both laboring beyond what we ought to have done.—Pacific Union Recorder, November 21, 1912. 2BIO 114.6

They had found the changes, particularly in diet, so beneficial, giving them added strength and zest and feelings of well being, that they hastened to employ this euphoria toward increasing their working ability. 2BIO 114.7