The Story of our Health Message

Elder White Exonerated

Elder White had recovered his health so far by now that he consented to take his place as president of the General Conference, as well as to serve actively as a member of the board of directors for the Health Reform Institute. A resolution passed by the constituency absolved him from all responsibility for “the errors committed in its management,” pointing out that because of sickness he had been unable to have any part in the business. The Review and Herald, May 25, 1869. SHM 183.3

Almost immediately after the close of the annual meeting, Elder White made a statement to the readers of the Review and Herald regarding the health institution. He pointed out the embarrassments that had come to it because of the large number of patients that were cared for at half rates, and also because of those who waited till they were desperately ill before they applied for admission. He emphasized the educational advantages of the institution as being of even greater importance than the treatments designed to recover lost health. SHM 184.1

“One half of the readers of the Review,” he said, “would do well to spend from three weeks to three months at the institute. Their money laid out at full prices would pay 50 per cent in the end. The advantages healthwise cannot be estimated in dollars and cents. ... Come while you can be helped. Do not wait till you are so low as to only be able to reach the institute just alive, to be told, on examination, that there is no help for you. ... Do not wait till you have eaten all the drugs in town, and have fairly gotten up an apothecary shop in your stomach, and you are nearly ready for the cemetery, before you decide to come to the institute. ... SHM 184.2

“You do not do the institute justice to put off the matter of recovery till your case becomes doubtful. Come while it is a matter of certainty that you can be helped.”—Ibid., June 8, 1869. SHM 184.3

There was another serious obstacle to the success of the institution at this time. The suddenly checked plans for enlargement, together with the unhappy experiences that had called forth words of caution and reproof, caused a reaction of feeling among the people. This resulted in nearly a complete withdrawal of the liberal support that had characterized the launching of the enterprise. Elder White’s efforts to restore confidence and enthusiasm could not at once change this attitude. By September of 1869 there were only eight paying patients, and the institution was still burdened with a heavy indebtedness of over $13,000. SHM 184.4