The Story of our Health Message

Ministers Benefited

Ministers whose health had formerly been seriously undermined, and for whose recovery the period of fasting and prayer had been appointed, were now able to recount the benefits that followed their adoption of the principles of reform. A number of their grateful testimonies were published in the Review and Herald and in The Health Reformer. A typical note of gratitude is sounded by Elder M. E. Cornell, who wrote: SHM 157.1

“I believe the reform came up just in time to save me from becoming a complete wreck. Fourteen years of incessant labor, with all kinds of unhealthy diet and but little attention to the laws of life, had nearly used up a strong constitution. Now I hope to recover, by the blessing of God, and endure to the end. My whole being cries out, Praise God for the health reform. Let those who have adopted the reform hold on. And I exhort all others to take hold of it in earnest.”—Ibid., January 15, 1867. SHM 157.2

Elder H. S. Gurney wrote: “The reform in diet has now become a settled thing with me. I now wish to acknowledge the benefits of this reform, spiritually, physically, and financially.” He estimated that he had saved, through discarding “worse than useless articles,” more than $50, which he now gladly turned in to various branches of the cause, and regarding which he said, “This is not sacrificing on our part, but on the part of a depraved appetite, which proves very beneficial.”—Ibid., August 7, 1866. SHM 158.1

Elder John Byington affirmed that a year previous he had been afflicted with a cough so severe that his survival during the winter was considered doubtful. After making proper changes in diet, he wrote thus: “My cough is better. I have gained in flesh, have more warmth in my system, and feel better prepared to endure another cold winter.”—The Health Reformer, December, 1866. SHM 158.2

“Bless God for the health reform!” wrote Elder J. H. Waggoner. “It is no cross; it is no hardship; it brings pleasure in pain and gives strength in weakness. ... When bearing heavy burdens of body and mind, when all looked dark and cheerless in this world, it has come as a messenger of mercy, strengthening the body, cheering the mind, and refreshing the spirits, and bringing the peace of the Saviour to the sorrowing soul.”—The Review and Herald, January 1, 1867. SHM 158.3

Joseph Clark, not a minister, but an able and frequent writer for the Review and Herald, wrote enthusiastically: SHM 158.4

“Since adopting the health reform, my own health has been so much benefited that I have been at a loss to know whether it was duty to tell others of it, lest they might consider me an enthusiast; but over two years have passed away since we commenced to live out the health reform, and it is proving to be even better than I had imagined at first.”—The Health Reformer, February, 1867. SHM 158.5

Such gratifying testimonials by ministers and laymen to the benefit of the changes in health habits they had made served to strengthen the conviction of others who, urged by voice and pen, were joining the increasing army of health reformers. SHM 159.1