A Critique of the Book Prophetess of Health

The Adelia Patten Letter

“Our Home”
On the Side of the Mountain
September l5, 1864

Dear Sister Lockwood:

I don’t think it would be serving you very pretty not to write you a letter as soon as opportunity presents itself. I wrote about half a letter to Anna, and now as I have got through with what I had to do on the Instructor I take time to tell you how I stand Cure life. I must say I am interested in hearing Dr. Jackson lecture, but he combines his theology, his medical instruction, his comical nonsense and his theatrical gestures all into his discourses. He flies about like a young man, and will come into the lecture hail with an old blue woolen cap on, which he takes off and puts under his arm and walks along and mounts the rostrum with all the firmness of an experienced lecturer. CBPH 111.1

We passed examination a day or two ago. As my turn came he set me [in] a chair, and said “My dear, you are sick ain’t you.” Bro. White gave him a little sketch of our Graham life during the past summer and of what my cares and labors had been. He said that I had evidently overworked, that I must make a decided change, and take a rest or it would tell seriously by and by. He gave advice &c. and said when I got thoroughly initiated to their style of living if I took proper exercise and rest I would enjoy better health than ever before. I have their system about one half of it practically learned. CBPH 111.2

We have the crackers, they don’t furnish “gems” only in case of a wedding or some other extra occasion. They don’t have salt. The pudding is thin and fresh squash and cabbage without salt or vinegar and oh such times. I had a little salt dish this noon and wanted to pocket the salt that was left and as none of our company had an envelope so had Bro. W[hite] tip it onto his passbook. CBPH 111.3

Yours in haste and love, Adelia P. Patten
Ellen G. White Estate General Correspondence File