Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

Cheerfulness in Adversity

The death of Elder James White came as a great blow to Sister White and to the denomination. He was just sixty years of age, and his death followed closely a few days’ illness. It seemed to the bereaved messenger of the Lord that she could not go on. How could she pick up her burdens alone? For a time it appeared that she too might lose her hold on life. But she soon took command of herself, determined to press on, and determined also not to allow that experience which brought such sadness to her heart to cause her to cast a shadow upon those with whom she came in contact. She would be cheerful and pleasant, even though her heart was bleeding. A few years earlier, when in adversity, she had expressed her philosophy of life in these words: EGWMR 101.5

“Do you ever see me gloomy, desponding, complaining? I have a faith which forbids this. It is a misconception of the true ideal of Christian character and Christian service, that leads to these conclusions. It is the want of genuine religion, that produces gloom, despondency, and sadness. Earnest Christians seek to imitate Jesus, for to be a Christian is to be Christlike.”—Manuscript 1, 1867. EGWMR 101.6

Some years later in Australia, Mrs. White passed through a period of great physical suffering. With the contemporary records before us, we, in imagination, tiptoe into her bedroom, for she is quite ill. Having learned that, even though in great bodily suffering, she has been writing much on the life of Christ, we are not surprised to find her propped up in bed, pen in hand. Her arm is resting on a framework that has been constructed at her request to enable her to proceed with her work. She has suffered much during the past eight months from inflammatory rheumatism and can catch but a few hours’ sleep at night. After greeting her we express regret that she must suffer so, and then she tells us how she looks upon this experience. She is speaking now: EGWMR 101.7

“When I first found myself in a state of helplessness I deeply regretted having crossed the broad waters. Why was I not in America? Why at such expense was I in this country? Time and again I could have buried my face in the bed quilts and had a good cry. But I did not long indulge in the luxury of tears. EGWMR 102.1

“I said to myself, ‘Ellen G. White, what do you mean? Have you not come to Australia because you felt that it was your duty to go where the conference judged it best for you to go? Has this not been your practice?’ EGWMR 102.2

“I said, ‘Yes.’ EGWMR 102.3

“Then why do you feel almost forsaken and discouraged? Is not this the enemy’s work?’ EGWMR 102.4

“I said, ‘I believe it is.’ EGWMR 102.5

“I dried my tears as quickly as possible and said, ‘It is enough. I will not look on the dark side any more. Live or die, I commit the keeping of my soul to Him who died for me.’ EGWMR 102.6

“I then believed that the Lord would do all things well, and during this eight months of helplessness, I have not had any despondency or doubt. I now look at this matter as a part of the Lord’s great plan, for the good of His people here in this country, and for those in America, and for my good. I can not explain why or how, but I believe it. And I am happy in my affliction. I can trust my heavenly Father. I will not doubt His love. I have an ever watchful guardian day and night, and I will praise the Lord; for His praise is upon my lips because it comes from a heart full of gratitude.”—Letter 18a, 1892. EGWMR 102.7

Thus she lifted herself above bereavement and suffering with a determination to trust firmly in God. EGWMR 102.8