The Story of our Health Message

Dr. R. T. Trall’s Views

The physicians at the institute had good reason for confidence in the teachings of Dr. Trail. The doctor’s scientific works on health were outstanding in their real merit, and they were freely read and offered for sale by the denominational leaders. We may agree with Elder White when he said that Dr. Trail “is admitted by all to stand at the head of the health reform in this country, so far as human science is concerned.” The Review and Herald, July 28, 1868. SHM 194.1

By invitation of the General Conference Committee, Dr. Trail came to Battle Creek in the summer of 1868 to visit the Health Reform Institute. While there he delivered in the church a series of nine lectures, which were well attended. In a report of these lectures the General Conference Committee wrote: SHM 194.2

“We hold it to be duty to hear and gather truth from every possible source, and consider it a very gratifying circumstance that there are such men as Dr. Trail, who have thoroughly investigated these principles on a scientific basis, that we may have still greater confidence in our position, knowing that science cannot be arrayed against us.”—Ibid., May 26, 1868. SHM 194.3

On his part Dr. Trail was favorably impressed with the principles advocated and the methods followed by our brethren in Battle Creek. This appreciation was shown in two ways: first, by words of commendation; and second, by offering to turn over to The Health Reformer the list of subscribers to his own paper, The Gospel of Health, in return for which he was granted the privilege of conducting a department in the paper. SHM 194.4

At the time this affiliation was effected, Dr. Lay had resigned from the active editorship of The Health Reformer, and it was controlled by an editorial committee consisting of four physicians, five ministers, and three laymen. The magazine was enlarged, and for a time it seemed that Dr. Trall’s connection with the paper was of great benefit to all concerned. Because of his more advanced scientific education, no one, and least of all a layman who was acting editor, was in a position to weigh the evidence for all the doctor’s positions or to take exception to them. Rather, it was but natural that the editor should place emphasis upon the same teachings as did Dr. Trail in his department. SHM 194.5