The Story of our Health Message

Two Courses Before Them

As such they were, if drafted, given their choice of two courses: They might enter the army and be assigned to noncombatant lines of duty; or they might secure release by payment of $300 for exemption. Unfortunately some who were drafted and thus entered the service found that the orders of the War Department were often disregarded by local officials who tried to force them to violate their conscience. The increasing number of believers who were drafted, and who appealed for help in buying their exemption, brought great perplexity to the leaders, especially to Elder James White, who was foremost in promoting the raising of a fund for that purpose. SHM 132.3

So it was that Elder White, in the early part of 1865, found himself pressed beyond measure. His arduous labors in behalf of his brethren who were being drafted into the army added to his already heavy burdens and told heavily upon his strength. Yet he rose above his weaknesses, and during the conference session in May he labored untiringly for the upbuilding of the cause he loved, not allowing himself proper periods of rest. Despite his plea that his burdens be lightened, he was persuaded to accept the presidency of the General Conference. SHM 133.1

Mrs. White also shared in the burdens of this meeting. One evening, as reported by Elder Uriah Smith, she spoke “on the connection between the physical and the mental and moral, the relation which health bears to, or the almost controlling influence it has over, our feelings, and the necessity of caring for the health of the body, if we would possess buoyancy and cheerfulness of spirit. The important bearing of this subject upon the present truth will be seen at once by all who realize how necessary is a reform in our physical habits to that high state of spirituality involved in the preparation needful for us to be partakers in the latter rain.”—The Review and Herald, May 23, 1865. SHM 133.2

Immediately after the conference Elder White and his wife were called by telegram to Wisconsin, where they met with unusual hardship in journeying from place to place. From there they hurried on to Iowa to meet serious difficulties that had arisen in that conference. Unfortunately during their travels they were frequently unable to obtain suitable food, and this circumstance proved a severe tax on their waning strength. Soon after returning home from this exhausting experience, they were urged to attend week-end meetings in Memphis, Michigan. There, following a late Sunday night service and a very short sleep, they arose before sunrise and walked a mile to the station to take a train for Battle Creek, Michigan. Then missing a connection at Detroit, they did not reach home till midnight. The following day Elder White attended to important matters connected with the office, hoping then to take a sorely needed rest. SHM 133.3