XXV

PERSONAL TRIALS

When my husband became so feeble, before our removal from Rochester, he desired to free himself from the responsibility of the publishing work. He proposed that the church take charge of the work, and that it be managed by a publishing committee whom they should appoint, and that no one connected with the office derive any financial benefit therefrom beyond the wages received for his labor.

EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH THE PUBLISHING WORK

Though the matter was repeatedly urged upon their attention, our brethren took no action in regard to it until 1861. Up to this time my husband had been the legal proprietor of the publishing house, and sole manager of the work. He enjoyed the confidence of the active friends of the cause, who trusted to his care the means which they donated from time to time, as the growing cause demanded, to build up the publishing enterprise. But although the statement was frequently repeated, through the Review, that the publishing house was virtually the property of the church, yet as he was the only legal manager, our enemies took advantage of the situation, and under the cry of speculation did all in their power to injure him, and to retard the progress of the cause. Under these circumstances he introduced the matter of organization, which resulted in the incorporation. of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, according to the laws of Michigan, in the spring of 1861.

PARENTAL CARES

Although the cares that came upon us in connection with the publishing work and other branches of the cause involved much perplexity, the greatest sacrifice which I was called to make in connection with the work was to leave my children frequently to the care of others.

Henry had been from us five years, and Edson had received but little of our care. For years at Rochester our family had been very large, and our home like a hotel, and we from that home much of the time. I had felt the deepest anxiety that my children should be brought up free from evil habits, and I was often grieved as I thought of the contrast between my situation and that of others who would not take burdens and cares, who could ever be with their children, to counsel and instruct them, and who spent their time almost exclusively in their own families. And I have inquired: Does God require so much of us, and leave others without burdens? Is this equality? Are we to be thus hurried on from one care to another, one part of the work to another, and have but little time to bring up our children?

LOSS OF CHILDREN

In 1860 death stepped over our threshold, and broke the youngest branch of our family tree. Little Herbert, born Sept. 20, 1860, died December 14 of the same year. When that tender branch was broken, how our hearts did bleed none may know but those who have followed their little ones of promise to the grave.

But oh, when our noble Henry died,' at the age of 1 The death of Henry N. White occurred at Topsham, Maine, Dec. 8, 1863.

sixteen, when our sweet singer was borne to the grave, and we no more heard his early song,- ours was a lonely home. Both parents and the two remaining sons felt the blow most keenly. But God comforted us in our bereavements, and with faith and courage we pressed forward in the work He had given us, in bright hope of meeting our children who had been torn from us by death, in that world where sickness and death will never come.

our caster

We feel the less of our dear Henry very Much we miss him every where. The Gougest. and oldest branches of the family trachias been brother off. We return from journey Revended but not comfort less. It pores a gread blessing to be permitted to wit on the last benful beurs of may prist bom clly is week singer is dead 100 Paire will bis voice inite belt 0. creme the family altar (no more (ll Music be called forth by his touch, we more will lies Bolling feed and hand do our bidding Bud live look forward to Births joy to the resurrection Morning

Facsimile (slightly reduced) of portion of a page written by Mrs. White shortly after the death of her first-born, Henry N. White, Dec. 8,

1863.

XXVI

BATTLING AGAINST DISEASE

[HISTORICAL NOTE.-"Our people are generally waking up to the subject of health," wrote Elder James White in an editorial in the Review, Dec. 13, 1864, "and they should have publications on the subject to meet their present wants, at prices within reach of the poorest.' He announced the early issuance of a series of pamphlets, under the general title, "Health: or How to Live."

The strong conviction of Elder and Mrs. White, that the reforms to be outlined in these pamphlets were of great importance, is thus expressed in a note in the Review, Jan. 24, 1865, calling attention to the publication of the first of the series:

"We wish to call the attention of the brethren everywhere to these works, prepared with especial care, on the important subject of a reform in our manners of life, which is greatly needed, and as we view it, will surely be accomplished in whatever people find themselves at last prepared for translation."

During the first five months of 1865 this series was completed. These health pamphlets, six in number, contained articles from Mrs. White on "Disease and Its Causes," and on allied subjects; and many extracts from the writings of various physicians and others interested in health reform principles. Hygienic recipes were included, also hints on the use of water as a remedial agency. The harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee, spices, and other stimulants and narcotics, were further emphasized.

The winter of 1864-65 was a time of stress and trial. While uniting with his wife in the preparation

of matter on health and temperance for publication, Elder White found it necessary to labor untiringly in behalf of Sabbath keepers who were being drafted. for service in the army. This work was attended with perplexity and anxiety, and drew heavily on his sympathies, besides overtaxing his physical strength. The administrative cares in the session of the General Conference held in May, 1865, added to his weariness.

Worn with the labors of writing and publishing, and of looking after many interests connected with the general work, Elder White and his wife were nevertheless given no rest. Immediately after the Conference session, they were called to Wisconsin and Iowa, where they endured many hardships. Soon after their return to Michigan, he was stricken with partial paralysis. An account of this affliction, and of the impetus it indirectly brought to the health reform movement a few months later, is given by Mrs. White in the Review, Feb. 20 and 27, 1866, a portion of which forms the text of this chapter.]

THE SICKNESS OF ELDER JAMES WHITE

One morning, as we were taking our usual walk before breakfast, we stepped into Brother Lunt's garden, and while my husband attempted to open an ear of corn, I heard a strange noise. Looking up, I saw his face flushed, and his right arm hanging helpless at his side. His attempt to raise his right arm was ineffectual the muscles refused to obey his will.

I helped him into the house, but he could not speak to me until in the house he indistinctly uttered the words, "Pray, pray." We dropped on our knees and cried to God, who had ever been to us a present