Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

The Battle With Appetite

Four years roll by, and it is summer, 1863. In our imagination we are again in the White home. We are told of the health-reform vision of June 6 of this year, and of the changes it brought to the family in dietetic practice. Mrs. White had been a heavy meat eater, and had cared little for the simple, wholesome foods. She had thought she needed meat for strength. Her health had not been good; in fact, she had fainted several times a week. But in the vision she had been shown the advantages of a simple and wholesome diet free from stimulating food and flesh meat. She had determined to bring these principles, so new to her, into practice in her own home. EGWMR 100.2

The cook was instructed that they would have no more meat, and the order was promptly carried out. A few hours later the family came to the table, which was bountifully set with the good things of the earth, but without flesh food. Mrs. White had thought she was hungry, but now decided that she was not, and left the table. At mealtime again the family was summoned. By this time she knew that she was hungry. But after looking over the table and finding no meat there, she decided she did not care to eat, and left without touching food. She was hungry only for meat. EGWMR 100.3

When mealtime again came, Mrs. White eagerly hurried to the dining table. There was no meat there and she longed for it. The simple articles of diet were unappealing to her. Then, she tells us, “I placed my arms across my stomach, and said, ‘... I will eat simple food, or I will not eat at all.’ ... I said to my stomach, ‘You may wait until you can eat bread.’”—Testimonies for the Church 2:371, 372. It was not long until Mrs. White enjoyed the wholesome, simple food which God provided for man. EGWMR 100.4

Thus we discover that she had the same battles with appetite that we all have. Being the Lord’s messenger did not relieve her from these personal struggles in her own experience. She records a similar experience in gaining the victory over the use of vinegar. (See Counsels on Diet and Foods, 485.) EGWMR 100.5