Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

At the Elmshaven Home, St. Helena

When Mrs. White took up residence at Elmshaven, near St. Helena, California, she was in advancing years. Her family consisted of her office and home helpers. Although her time and energies were given over almost entirely to writing and speaking, she found relaxation in the activities about the farm and the home. Much to the distress of her personal secretary, Sara McEnterfer, she occasionally slipped away to visit with the neighbors without telling the family where she was going. At the age of seventy-five she took a day to drive into the mountains “to get cherries—small black ones” to can. “Our carriages,” she explained, “were drawn up under the trees, and I picked nineteen quarts, sometimes sitting on the carriage seat, and sometimes standing on it.” (Letter 121, 1903.) At another time she drove out to the pasture with Brother James, her efficient farmer, “to see the black calf,” for she was anxious to know whether it was “faring well after the long rain.” (Letter 91, 1904.) EGWMR 105.5

Mrs. White took joy in watching the progress of the vegetable garden and the growth of the fruit trees, but in the flowers she found special delight. Even in her advanced years she was not unmindful of the welfare of the members of her family and her guests. She was eager to have them comfortable, and she wanted to be assured that the food was appetizing and adequate. EGWMR 105.6

During the last three years of her life less time was devoted to writing, and she was often found reading her Bible, her own books, and our denominational papers. The daily newspaper kept her in touch with world events which all pointed to the near advent of her Saviour. This was Ellen G. White the homemaker. EGWMR 105.7