Ellen G. White and Her Critics

The “Backslidden” Family

But what about “others who ate meat,” whom Mrs. White describes as “backslidden”? Here is the context of these words: EGWC 387.1

“One family in particular have needed all the benefits they could receive from the reform in diet; yet these very ones have been completely backslidden. Meat and butter have been used by them quite freely, and spices have not been entirely discarded. This family could have received great benefit from a nourishing, well-regulated diet. The head of the family needed plain, nutritious food. His habits were sedentary, and his blood moved sluggishly through the system. He could not, like others, have the benefit of healthful exercise; therefore his food should have been of the right quality and quantity. There has not been in this family the right management in regard to diet; there has been irregularity. There should have been a specified time for each meal, and the food should have been prepared in a simple form, and free from grease; but pains should have been taken to have it nutritious, healthful, and inviting. In this family, as also in many others, a special parade has been made for visitors; many dishes prepared and frequently made too rich, so that those seated at the table would be tempted to eat to excess. Then in the absence of company there was a great reaction, a falling off in the preparations brought on the table. The diet was spare, and lacked nourishment. It was considered not so much matter ‘just for ourselves.’ The meals were frequently picked up, and the regular time for eating not regarded. Every member of the family was injured by such management. It is a sin for any of our sisters to make such great preparations for visitors, and wrong their own families by a spare diet which will fail to nourish the system. EGWC 387.2

“The brother referred to felt a lack in his system; he was not nourished, and he thought that meat would give him the needed strength. Had he been suitably cared for, his table spread at the right time with food of a nourishing quality, all the demands of nature would have been abundantly supplied.”—Testimonies for the Church 2:485, 486. EGWC 387.3

Here is a picture of a family “completely backslidden” from the whole idea of health reform. And what is the prime idea in health reform so far as diet is concerned? To provide the body with the best, the most nourishing, food available. This family evidently turned away from this idea in a variety of ways, even though they knew better and, what is equally important, could evidently have secured the better food. EGWC 387.4

Why should anyone find a conflict between Mrs. White’s statement regarding that family and her statement regarding herself: “When I could not obtain the food I needed, I have sometimes eaten a little meat”? EGWC 388.1