The Story of our Health Message

Other Matters Attract Attention

It would not be true to fact to maintain that there ever had been a time when all the church members adopted heartily the principles of health reform as they were presented and taught on this point. Mrs. White had written as late as 1870: SHM 232.1

“There has been a war in the hearts of some ever since the health reform was first introduced. They have felt the same rebellion as did the children of Israel when their appetites were restricted on their journey from Egypt to Canaan. Professed followers of Christ, who have all their lives consulted their own pleasure and their own interests, their own ease and their own appetites, are not prepared to change their course of action and live for the glory of God, imitating the self-sacrificing life of their unerring Pattern.”—Testimonies for the Church 2:394. SHM 232.2

The resolutions adopted not only by the state conferences, but by the General Conference in 1879, indicate recognition of quite a general backsliding on health practices, and urge a renewal of faithfulness in this important matter. The health reform had been first introduced as the advance step in the message and was given a prominence that aided in its general adoption. SHM 232.3

As time went on, however, other issues arose to attract the attention of the people. In the work of the ministry the health reform began to take a secondary place. Aside from The Health Reformer and the few health publications, no regular continued effort was provided for systematic health education. Many new converts were added to the faith who received but little instruction in the health principles. Some of the young ministers and licentiates had not been trained to appreciate the importance of the reforms and were not fitted to instruct the people. SHM 232.4

The organization of the American Health and Temperance Association, with its revival of the principles of health, together with plans for individual activity, did much to check these backward moves and to impart new life and vigor to the reform. SHM 232.5

In the reports of the camp meetings held during the summer of 1879, prominent mention was made of the work of the organization of temperance societies. In reporting a meeting at Nevada, Missouri, Elder Butler wrote: SHM 233.1

“A strong effort was made in behalf of health reform and the temperance cause. Sister White had pointed reproofs for us because of our backslidden condition on this subject. She spoke very solemnly and represented our condition as being grievous in the sight of God, because we have not made better use of the light we have had.”—The Review and Herald, June 12, 1879. SHM 233.2