The Review and Herald

April 9, 1914

Early Counsels on Medical Work—No. 2

Overwork and Illness

EGW

[Compiler's Note.—“Our people are generally waking up to the subject of health,” wrote Elder James White in an editorial in the Review, December 13, 1864, “and they should have publications on the subject to meet their present wants, at prices within reach of the poorest.” He announced the early issuance of a series of pamphlets, under the general title, “Health; or How to Live.” RH April 9, 1914, par. 1

The strong conviction of Elder and Mrs. White that the reforms to be outlined in these pamphlets were of great importance, is thus expressed in a note in the Review (January 24, 1865), calling attention to the publication of the first of the series: RH April 9, 1914, par. 2

“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 our 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.” RH April 9, 1914, par. 3

During the first five months of 1865 this series was completed. These health pamphlets, six in number, contained articles from Sister White on “Disease and Its Causes,” and on allied subjects, and many extracts from the writings of various physicians and others interested in health reform principles. Hygienic recipes were included, also hints on the use of water as a remedial agency. The harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee, spices, and other stimulants and narcotics, were further emphasized. RH April 9, 1914, par. 4

The winter of 1864-65 was a time of stress and trial. While uniting with his wife in the preparation of health matter for publication, Elder James White found it necessary to labor untiringly in behalf of Sabbath keepers who were being drafted for service in the army. This work was attended with perplexity and anxiety, and drew heavily on his sympathies, besides overtaxing his physical strength. The administrative cares of the General Conference held in May, 1865, added to his weariness. RH April 9, 1914, par. 5

Worn with the labors of writing and publishing, and of looking after many interests connected with the general work, Elder White and his wife were, nevertheless, given no rest. Immediately after the Conference session, they were called to Wisconsin and Iowa, where they endured many hardships. Soon after their return to Michigan, Elder White was stricken with partial paralysis. RH April 9, 1914, par. 6

An account of these afflictions, and of the impetus they indirectly brought to the health reform movement a few months later, is given by Sister White in the issues of the Review dated February 20 and February 27, 1866, a portion of which appears below. RH April 9, 1914, par. 7

This story, as prepared for publication, has been read by Sister White, and a few editorial changes from the original have been made.] RH April 9, 1914, par. 8

At the close of the General Conference we found ourselves excessively exhausted in physical and mental strength; yet duty seemed to urge us West; and we dared not remain at home. We had not for years past consulted our own ease and pleasure, and God had sustained us. Would he not sustain us now? We thought it the safest course to venture, and, summoning all the energy we could, we started on our journey. RH April 9, 1914, par. 9

We attended meetings in Wisconsin, and went to the farthest limit of our strength. Our diet was not such as would nourish.... RH April 9, 1914, par. 10

We felt it to be our duty to visit Iowa before returning to Michigan. We had no knowledge of the rebellion of ----- and -----, but felt that there was a work for us to do in that State. We first heard of the rebellion on our way to Pilot Grove, Iowa, only a few hours before we met its leaders face to face in the meetinghouse. We labored with intensity of feeling to save the poor sheep who had been wounded and torn and left bleeding by these unfaithful shepherds. Our efforts were crowned with success. While engaged in meeting opposition, falsehood, and insult, prejudice and jealousy, we had thought little of our health. The blessed results that followed our labors, cheered us amid the gloom which we felt as we beheld what these two shepherds had accomplished in their dreadful work of tearing to pieces the flock of God. RH April 9, 1914, par. 11

Our overtaxing labors in Iowa told upon the strength of my husband. His labors in meeting this rebellion were of such a nature as to arouse his zeal, and lead him beyond what prudent consideration for his health would have allowed. If, on his return home, he could have had a period of entire rest, and entire freedom from anxiety and care, he would have recovered from the effects of that journey. But the work that these false ministers had been doing for months in preparing for a determined rebellion, ... made it necessary for us to write again, to save the honest from being deceived.... RH April 9, 1914, par. 12

When the time came to fill our appointment in Memphis, we needed rest of body and mind. For months we had been under a constant strain. Our nights were spent in broken sleep, because of bodily infirmities. Yet we spurred up our exhausted energies, arose at midnight, walked about a mile to the railway station, and stepped on board the train which was to take us to Detroit. At Ridgeway, we were obliged to wait about two hours for the arrival of a train from the East, before the stage would leave for Memphis. My husband lay down upon a bench in the station, and slept for about fifteen minutes, and this relieved his weariness in a measure. We rode about seven miles, to Brother Gurney's, and obtained some rest and sleep, to prepare us to attend the evening appointment. RH April 9, 1914, par. 13

The meetings in Memphis called for strenuous labor, and while in attendance my husband performed an amount of labor sufficient for two men possessing a good degree of strength. His vital energies were exceedingly depressed, yet his zeal in the cause of God urged him on presumptuously to exhaust, by overwork, the little strength that remained. RH April 9, 1914, par. 14

Our meetings closed on Sunday evening, after eleven o'clock. We retired after midnight, and arose at daybreak to take the stage for the cars. The cars missed connection, and we did not reach home till past midnight. RH April 9, 1914, par. 15

My husband slept but little that night, and would not be prevailed upon to rest the next day. He thought his business required him at the office. Night found him exhausted, and his sleep was broken and unrefreshing; yet we arose in the morning at five o'clock to take our usual walk before breakfast. We stepped into Brother Lunt's garden, and while my husband attempted to open an ear of corn, I heard a strange noise. Looking up, I saw his face flushed, and his right arm hanging helpless at his side. His attempt to raise his right arm was ineffectual—the muscles refused to obey the will. RH April 9, 1914, par. 16

I helped him into the house, but he could not speak to me until in the house he indistinctly uttered the words, “Pray, pray.” We dropped on our knees and cried to God, who had ever been to us a present help in time of trouble. My husband soon uttered words of praise and gratitude to God, because he could use his arm. His hand was partially restored, but not fully.... RH April 9, 1914, par. 17

My husband and I felt the need of drawing near to God. And as by confession and prayer we drew near to God, we had the blessed assurance that he drew near to us. How unspeakably precious was the sense of God's boundless mercy toward us, his afflicted children! The stroke that had fallen upon my husband might have been fatal, or left him with one half of his body palsied and dead. We wept for joy, that amid our affliction the care of God was toward us. The mighty Maker of the world—the omnipotent Ruler of the universe, was our Father! Precious, exceedingly precious, were these seasons of communion with God! Much of the time my husband was happy in the Lord. Day and night, the praise of God was upon his lips, and the sick room was truly a heavenly place. RH April 9, 1914, par. 18

(To be continued.)