ELLEN G. WHITE

MESSENGER TO THE REMNANT

4 - ELLEN G. WHITE-THE HUMAN-INTEREST STORY

by Arthur L. White

CONTENTS

4 - ELLEN G. WHITE-THE HUMAN-INTEREST STORY

As a Steward of Means

God's Messenger

AS OTHERS KNEW HER

ACCORDING to line 21 of the General Conference Biographical Information Blank, Ellen Gould White was 5 feet 2 inches tall, and weighed 140 pounds in 1909, with "complexion rather dark," "eyes gray," "hair gray” Had the blank been filled out some years earlier, it would have noted her hair as brown, but she was now eighty-one years of age. Twenty-six other spaces on this blank yield such information as "Date and place of birth, Gorham, Maine, November 26, 1827." "Date of conversion-probably in March, 1840." She was married to Elder James White on August 30, 1846; and he died August 6, 1881. There were four boys born to the Whites, the oldest and youngest were deceased. Mrs. White traveled extensively, and wrote many books, which were translated into many languages.

This interesting blank renders much valuable information regarding Ellen White as a Seventh-day Adventist worker, but it does not acquaint us with her as an individual. It does not speak of her disposition, nor does it tell us how she related herself to others, or how she bore her burdens. It does not speak of her joys and sorrows, her struggles with discouragement, the battle with appetite, her love of home, her interest in flowers and animals. It does not tell of the hours she stood by the sickbed of a neighbor's child, or of the cooking, the mending, and the shopping. It says nothing about Mrs. White as a speaker, of the burden of writing, and of the endless hours spent in seeing those who sought her counsel. These would not appear in a formal blank. But these are the experiences and characteristics by which we really become acquainted with Sister White. Fortunate it is that from her voluminous records, housed in the Ellen G. White Publications vault at the office of the General Conference, we can reconstruct sketches of these human-interest features of her life and experience.

If we were to visit the White home in the early days-and we will fix the year as 1859, for we have Mrs. White's diary for that year, we would find ourselves in a little frame cottage only a few blocks from the Review and Herald office in Battle Creek, Michigan. Mrs. White is a woman of thirty-one, and her husband is thirty-seven. There are three boys - Willie, Edson, and Henry-their ages four, nine, and twelve. We observe that Mrs. White is a thoughtful mother, a careful housewife, a genial hostess, and a helpful neighbor. She is a woman of conviction, but gentle in manner and voice. She is interested in the everyday happenings and the local news. She can enjoy a good laugh. There is no place in her experience for a long-faced religion.

One feels at perfect ease in her presence. She is friendly, but not snoopy or prying. It is early in January, and Mrs. White is busy writing, sewing, and preparing for a three-week journey, which will take her to a number of the churches in northern Michigan. She will go in advance of her husband who plans to join her soon. We find her assisted in the home by Jenny, a sterling young woman who keeps things running smoothly while the Whites are away on their trips. Our first visit is in midwinter, and there is snow on the ground. We notice that the home is on the edge of town, with garden and barn at the rear. We shall be interested to see the out-of-door activities later in the spring.

One of the Many Journeys

The little black leather-covered diary not only reveals the plans for this journey but discloses also a detailed, day-by-day account of the trip. Occasionally it gives us a glimpse of her heart experience. Here is the entry for Friday, January 7: "Went to Otsego, to Brother Leighton's. It was a cold drive, yet we kept quite comfortable." The entries that follow tell of meetings held and people seen, and of her state of health. We turn to Wednesday, January 19: "In the afternoon we go to Wright [where nine years later our first camp meeting was held].. Brother Cramer, the elder, takes a seat in our carriage to pilot us. He is acquainted with the road. It is a good road. Have no milk for Teresa [Evidently Brother Cramer's daughter.]. She cries. Oh that we may be as earnest for the bread of life as she is for temporal food. She will not be satisfied." Diary, 1859.

Two days later, Friday, Mrs. White thought especially of home, as the traveling worker often does when the Sabbath draws on. She confides in her diary: "I have felt so homesick on the journey. Fear that I have not been willing to sacrifice the company of my husband and children to do others good. I desire a willingness to make a whole sacrifice and crucify every selfish feeling. I feel a lack of the Spirit of God. Have had a weeping time before the Lord."

The Battle With Appetite

Four years roll by, and it is summer, 1863. In our imagination we are again in the White home. We are told of the health-reform vision of June 6 of this year, and of the changes it brought to the family in dietetic practice. Mrs. White had been a heavy meat eater, and had cared little for the Simple, wholesome foods. She had thought she needed meat for strength. Her health had not been good; in fact, she had fainted several times a week. But in the vision she had been shown the advantages of a simple and wholesome diet free from stimulating food and flesh meat. She had determined to bring these principles, so new to her, into practice in her own home.

The cook was instructed that they would have no more meat, and the order was promptly carried out. A few hours later the family came to the table, which was bountifully set with the good things of the earth, but without flesh food. Mrs. White had thought she was hungry, but now decided that she was not, .and left the table. At mealtime again the family was summoned. By this time she knew that she was hungry. But after looking over the table and finding no meat there, she decided she did not care to eat, and left without touching food. She was hungry only for meat.

When mealtime again came, Mrs. White eagerly hurried to the dining table. There was no meat there and she longed for it. The simple articles of diet were unappealing to her. Then, she tells us, "I placed my arms across my stomach, and said, '. . . I will eat simple food, or I will not eat at all.' . . . I said to my stomach, 'You may wait until you can eat bread." Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 371, 372. It was not long until Mrs. White enjoyed the wholesome, simple food which God provided for man.

Thus we discover that she had the same battles with appetite that we all have. Being the Lord's messenger did not relieve her from these personal struggles in her own experience. She records a similar experience in gaining the victory over the use of vinegar. (See Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 485.)

Appreciation of the Beautiful

In the summer of 1873 we find the White family in the Rocky 'Mountains. Elder and Mrs. White, with their younger son, are seeking a little relaxation in Colorado. Mrs. White's appreciation of the beauties of nature is contagious. Listen as she speaks:

"I love the hills and mountains and forests of flourishing evergreens. I love the brooks, the swift-running streams of softest water which come bubbling over the rocks, through ravines, by the side of the mountains, as if singing the joyful praise of God. . . . "We have here in the mountains a view of the most rich and glorious sunset it was ever our privilege to look upon. The beautiful picture of the sunset, painted upon the shifting, changing canvas of the heavens by the great master Artist, awakens in our hearts love and deepest reverence for God. The surpassing loveliness of the blended colors of gold, silver, purple, and crimson, painted upon the heavens, seems to speak to us of the amazing glories within. As we stand almost entranced before this picture of nature's unsurpassed loveliness, contemplating the glories of Heaven of which we have a faint reflection, we repeat softly to ourselves, 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him,' "-Health Reformer, August, 1873.

At Recreational Gatherings

Of course, we are interested in Mrs. White's personal attitude toward recreation. The year is 1876, and Mrs. White and the group of workers from her office and others from the Pacific Press spend a day in recreation on San Francisco Bay, at the beach and in a sailboat out through the Golden Gate. It is a beautiful April day. A Seventh-day Adventist captain is piloting the craft. How everyone enjoys the water! As the captain heads the ship out through the Golden Gate to the open ocean, they find that the Pacific is not too peaceful, and some of the ladies are seasick, but not Mrs. White. We will let her tell of it as she does the next day in a letter to her husband:

"The waves ran high, and we were tossed up and down so very grandly. I was highly elevated in my feelings, but had no words to say to anyone. It was grand. The spray dashed over us, the watchful captain giving his orders, the ready hands to obey. The wind was strong outside of the Golden Gate, and I never enjoyed anything as much in my life,"

Then she contemplates: God "holds the winds in His hands. He controls the waters. We are mere specks upon the broad, deep waters of the Pacific; yet angels of heaven are sent to guard this little sail-boat as it races over the waves. Oh, the wonderful works of God! So far beyond our understanding I At one glance He beholds the highest heavens and the midst of the sea,"-Letter 5, 1876.

The next day she was to write on the theme of Christ stilling the tempest. "I am glad I went upon the water," she said. "I can write better than before."-Ibid.

Mrs. White was often an invited guest at church school picnics. She took delight in such occasions when parents, teachers, and students united in a day of recreation. Forgetting present surroundings, let us join such a group of forty or fifty years ago. We note the time, and discover it is nearly noon. A carriage is driving onto the grounds, and the word is passed along, "Sister White has come." She alights and joins the group around the bountiful meal spread out on the grass. Everyone enjoys the good lunch provided, and then the company of old and young press a little closer together, and Mrs. White addresses them for about twenty-five minutes.

Her talk over, the company scatters to enjoy the afternoon, but some gather about her to visit a bit. Someone suggests surprise that she should leave her writing and her many duties as the Lord's messenger to spend a few hours on the picnic grounds. She assures them that she takes pleasure in such wholesome recreation. Perhaps she is reminded of an experience earlier, in 1884. We will let her tell the story which reveals her attitu4e toward such occasions:

"At the close of my long journey East, I reached my home in time to spend New Year's eve in Healdsburg. The College hall had been fitted up for a Sabbath-school reunion. Cypress wreaths, autumn leaves, evergreens, and flowers were tastefully arranged: and a large bell of evergreens hunll' from the arched doorway at the entrance to the room. The tree was well loaded with donations, which were to be used for the benefit of the poor, and to help purchase a bell. Except in a few instances, the names of the donors were not given; but appropriate Bible texts and mottoes were read as the gifts were taken down from the tree. On this occasion nothing was said or done that need burden the conscience of anyone.

"Some have said to me, 'Sister White, what do you think of this? Is it in accordance with our faith?' "I answer them, 'It is with my faith.' . . .

"We have tried earnestly to make the holidays as interesting as possible to the youth and children. Our object has been to keep them away from scenes of amusement among unbelievers."-Review and Herald, Jan. 29, 1884.

Cheerfulness in Adversity

The death of Elder James White came as a great blow to Sister White and to the denomination. He was just sixty years of age, and his death followed closely a few days' illness. It seemed to the bereaved messenger of the Lord that she could not go on. How could she pick up her burdens alone. For a time it appeared that she too might lose her hold on life. But she soon took command of herself, determined to press on, and determined also not to allow that experience which brought such sadness to her heart to cause her to cast a shadow upon those with whom she came in contact. She would be cheerful and pleasant, even though her heart was bleeding. A few years earlier, when in adversity, she had expressed her philosophy of life in these words:

"Do you ever see me gloomy, desponding, complaining? 1 have a faith which forbids this. It is a misconception of the true ideal of Christian character and Christian serv.ice, that leads to these conclusions. It is the want of genuine religion, that produces gloom, despondency, and sadness. Earnest Christians seek to imitate Jesus, for to be a Christian is to be Christlike."-MS. I, 1867.

Some years later in Australia, Mrs. White passed through a period of great physical suffering. With the contemporary records before us, we, in imagination, tiptoe into her bedroom, for she is quite ill. Having learned that, even though in great bodily suffering, she has been writing much on the life of Christ, we are not surprised to find her propped up in bed, pen in hand. Her arm is resting on a framework that 'has been constructed at her request to enable hh to proceed with her work. She has suffered much during the past eight months from inflammatory rheumatism and can catch but a few hours' sleep at night. After greeting her we express regret that she must suffer so, and then she tells us how she looks upon this experience. She is speaking now:

"When I first found myself in a" state of helplessness I deeply regretted having crossed the broad waters. Why was I not in America? Why at such expense was I in this country? Time and again I could have buried my face in the bed quilts and had a good cry. But I did not long indulge in the luxury of tears. "I said to myself, 'Ellen G. White, what do you mean? Have you not come to Australia because you felt that it was your duty to go where the conference judged it best for you to go? Has this not been your practice ?'

"I said, 'Yes.'

"'Then why do you feel almost forsaken and discouraged? Is not this the enemy's work?'

"I said, 'I believe it is.'

"I dried my tears as quickly as possible and said, 'It is enough. I will not look on the dark side any more. Live or die, I commit the keeping of my soul to Him who died for me.'

"I then believed that the Lord would do all things well, and during this eight months of helplessness, I have not had any despondency or doubt. I now look at this matter as a part of the Lord's great plan, for the good of His people here in this country, and for those in America, and for my good. I can not explain why or how, but I believe it. And I am happy in my affliction. I can trust my heavenly Father. I will not doubt His love. I have an ever watchful guardian day and night, and I will praise the Lord; for His praise is upon my lips because it comes from a heart full of gratitude."-Letter 18a, 1892.

Thus she lifted herself above bereavement and suffering with a determination to trust firmly in God.

Mrs. White Very Human

Having met Sister White under varying circumstances, we discover that she is very human. She is not, as some have thought, an austere, smileless woman, somewhat' removed by position and work from the common people with their joys and sorrows. She is one of us. But we have seen her only on a very few occasions. We still want to spend more time in her home and office and join her in her travels, becoming acquainted with her as a homemaker, a neighbor, a counselor, a writer, a speaker, a personal worker, a steward of means, and as God's messenger. To accomplish this, we turn to more of her diaries, her letters, and her articles in our denominational papers, and through these learn to know Mrs. White as she was known to those around her. The documents we shall draw on for the succeeding articles are, for the most part, not formal statements written for publication. Rather we shall construct our story largely from the informal records.

THE HOMEMAKER

IT IS easy to picture Mrs. E. G. White as an indefatigable writer and an earnest speaker, but not often is she thought of as a capable housewife and mother, carrying many home responsibilities and caring for and training her children.

During the first years of their married life James and Ellen White had no regular income, for there was no systematic support for the ministry. They had no fixed place of abode, but they "resolved not to be dependent" (Life Sketches, p. 105), even though much of their time was given to the work of God. They found life not too easy, for the Lord allowed trials to come lest they "should settle down at ease," "unwilling to leave" a pleasant home. (Ibid., p. 106.) Often entrusting the care of their children to others, they traveled from place to place, tarrying at times for but a few weeks or months at anyone location. Sometimes they kept house in a spare room, or attic, with borrowed furniture (Ibid., p. 123), and sometimes they boarded with the families with whom they stayed.

In establishing the publishing work at Rochester, New York, in 1852, a building was rented to serve both as home and office, but they were "compelled to exercise the most rigid economy and self-denial" to keep the enterprise going. The cheapest secondhand furniture, some of it badly needing repair, was secured, and the food budget was so restricted that for a time they used "sauce in the place of butter, and turnips for potatoes." (Life Sketches, p. 142.) Ellen White, however, counted it a pleasure to have a settled home where the entire family could be together.

Soon after moving the publishing work to Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1855, the Whites were privileged to have a home all their own; and although away much of the time, home life was maintained to provide their children with the proper environment. From this time until the death of James White, in 1881, they maintained a home in Michigan. They also had. a home in California for a period in the seventies, dividing their time between the growing work on the Pacific Coast and the Battle Creek headquarters.

At Home in Battle Creek

Incidental references which occasionally occur in the records indicate that the White home was a cheerful, happy place, although stirring with activity. The first building of their own was a six-room frame cottage located on Wood Street at the western edge of Battle Creek. At the back was the garden and barn, and they had their own cow. They drew their _ater l from the well which served the community. On a back corner of their land was a wooded spot providing a secluded place for prayer.

Since Mrs. White's time was much taken up with writing, preaching, and traveling, it was necessary to employ responsible domestic help; yet she did not surrender her position as manager of the household affairs, as mother and hostess. Her diaries reveal that during her time at home and while traveling, a large part of many days was devoted to writing, yet other activities were not neglected. When sewing was receiving special attention, we find her from day to day making "a pair of pants," preparing "a coat for Edson," and making "a mattress for the lounge," or working "hard all day on a dress to wear through the mud." (Diary, March 25, 28; April 26, 1859.)

This particular year the gardening season was inaugurated with the setting out of a "currant bush" late in March. It turned out to be "a cold, blustering day," and after fitting out departing guests with loaned "cloak, mittens and necktie to protect them," she jotted in her diary, "In the new earth there are no chilling winds, no disagreeable changes. The atmosphere is ever right and healthy." (Ibid., March 24, 1859.)

In succeeding weeks, currant and raspberry bushes and strawberry plants were all set out. One entire day was devoted to "making a garden for my children," as she wished "to make home. . . the pleasantest place of any to them." (Ibid., April II, 1859.) Plants were secured from the neighbors, and exchanges of plants and roots are recorded. (Ibid., April II-13, 1859.)

Then there was the buying to be done. Shopping trips to town were made, not only to supply the family needs, but at times to assist neighbors in the selection of merchandise, for Ellen White was known to be a good buyer.

One day she went downtown to buy some goods with which to make a pair of trousers. She asked Mr. Skinner, the proprietor of one of the dry-goods stores, to show her a piece of all-wool material. He threw down a bolt of goods on the counter and told Mrs. White he had just received it, and he believed it was what she was looking for.

"Is it all wool?" she asked Mr. Skinner. "Oh,' yes, Mrs. White, one hundred per cent wool," he assured her.

Without thinking, her hand felt for the raveled edge and she found a loose thread. She pulled it out, untwisted its strands, and discovered some cotton. Holding it up, she inquired: "Is this wool. Mr. Skinner?" Much embarrassed, he admitted it was not, and then told Mrs. White that he had bought it for all wool. This shows Mrs. White's knowledge of textiles, and her familiarity with the practical things of tire. Rer mother was a very sensible, practical woman, and had trained her girls well.

Sabbath and Home Routine

The Sabbath in the White home was a full dar, spent in attending service, reading to the children in the afternoon, walking through the woods or by the stream, and visiting the sick or discouraged.

Mrs. White usually did her writing at home in a roam set aside for her office, but for a period she shared her husband's office at the Review and Rerald. Sometimes when lhe went over lhe found work pressing hard in the bindery, and there she would join others in folding or stitching papers, book signatures, or pamphlets. (Ibid., Jan. 5, March 28, 29, 1859.)

aur ministers were not infrequently called to Battle Creek for general meetings. So it was in early March, 1859. The diary entry records a parting visit with one of these workers, the youthful J ohn N evins Andrews.

"It is a dar when infirmities are strivinr for the victory. I sulIer muro pain in roy left shoulder and luar. My spirits are depressed. Brother John Andrews leaves today, comes up to visit us in the evening. Have a pleasant interview.

"Get together a few things for him to take home. Send Ange1ine a new ca1ico dress (nine shillings) and a stout pair of calí skin shoes. Father gives the making of the shoes and the making of a pair of boots for Brother J ohn Andrews. I send the little boy a nice little flannel shirt and yarn to knit him a pair of stockings. I send Sister or Mother Andrews a Dite large cape well wadded for her to wear. I make a bar to put them in of towel cloth. Write three small pares to Sister Mary Chase. In it write a recipe obtained from John."-Ibid., March 8, 1859.

The White home was always open to visitors, and at times it seemed to the family that they operated a gratuitous hotel. Conference time in 1859 finds thirty-five eating at their home. The dar after the conference there is but one brief entry: "We were alI much worn out." -Ibid., June 7, 1859.

The diary story for that and other years records many individuaIs and famiJies who were welcomed to the home for a night or a dar or two or longer. This brought a heavy strain on the family budget, increased the labor in the home, and deprived the family of much of that privacy to which they were entitled. What this entertaining sometimes meant personally to Mrs. White is revealed in a letter penned in 1873 to one of our workers:

"I have arisen at half past five o'clock in the morning, helped Lucinda wash dishes, have written until dark, then dane necessary sewing, sitting up until fitar midnight; I have dane the washings for the family after my day's writing was dane. I have frequently been so weary as to stagger like an intoxicated person, but praise the Lord I have been sustained."-Letter 1, 1873.

The meals were simple, but there was ample wholesome food. After receiving the light on health reform, the table conformed to the instruction given. The cooking was usually well dane except when new, untrained help first carne to the home. Mrs. White wrote in 1870:

"1 have a we1l-set table on ali occasions. I make no change for visitors, whether believers or unbe1ievers. I intend Dever to be surprised by an unreadiness to entertain at my table from ORe to half a dozen extra who mar chance to come ia. I have enough simple, healthful food ready to satisfy hunger and nourish the system. If any want more than this, they are aI liberty to find it elsewhere. No butter or flosh-meals of any kind come on my table. Cake is seldom found there. I generally have an ample supply of fruits, rood bread, and vegetables. Our table is aIways we11 patronized, and ali who partake of the food do well, and improve upon it. Ali sit down with no epicurean appetite, and eat with re1ish the bounties supplied by our Creator."-Testimonies, vai. 2, p. 487.

Those in the White home found a good latitude of freedom in the matter of their personal diet.

"I do not hold myse1f up as a criterion for them. I leave each ORe to follow bis own ideas as to what is best for him. I bind no ORe e1se's consciente by my own. . . . There are those in my family who are very fond of beans, while to me beans are paisano Butter is Dever placed on my table, but if the members of my family choose to use a little butter away from the table they are at liberty to do soo Our table is set twice a dar, but if there are those who desire something to eat in the evening, there is no rule that forbids them from getting it."-Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 491.

Discipline in the White Home

Although heavily burdened withp:any problems, the busy mother did not neglect the training of her children. Rome discipline was tire, but administered with understanding kindness and lave. She endeavored to avoid crises, and sought constantly to lead the minds of the boys in such a way as to strengthen character and develop will power. Suitable and simple rewards encouraged obedience and good behavior. The inducements outside the home were often offset by innocent pleasures in the home. Very seldom was corporal punishment administered, and then only after a quiet talk and earnest prayer.

af confIe problems arose. The White boys were not model children. But issues were dealt with promptly and with decision. Their mother testified :

"I Dever aIlowed my children to think that they could plague me in their childhood. N ever did I aIlow myse1f to say a harsh word. . . . When my spirit was stirred, or when I fe1t anythinr like being provoked, I would say, 'Children, we shall let this rest now; we shall not say anything more about it now. Before you retire, we shall talk it ali over.' Having ali this time to reflect, by evening they had cooled 01I, and I could handle them very nice1y."-MS. 82, 1901.

The frequent absence of one or both of the parents tended to complicate the task of rearing the children. While on her journeys the mother kept in elose touch with them by frequent letters. Rer thoughts and her prayers were often concerned with the growing boys at home.

The Home in Later Years

After the death of Elder James White in 1881, Mrs. White continued to maintain her own home. By this time the children had established themselves, and her family consisted largely of her literary assistants, domestic help, and worthy young people she was assisting in school, and at times individuals-either workers or lay members-who were in need of caTe. More of the responsibilities of the operation of the home were now thrown upon the housekeeper, and Mrs. White filled the position of gradous hostess. After a busy day of writing the family worship service was often supplemented by Ellen White's recounting the expericoces of the early days of the work.

In Australia the White home at Sunnyside, Cooranbong, was a busy place with the family numbering floro ten to sixteen. (C ounsels on Diet and Foods, p. 488.) The house, augmented with tents, served both as residence and office. One of the first buildings on the new school property, it was often the stopping place for visiting workers or those who were joining the school staff. Those were pioneer days, and the strictest economy was enforced of necessity, yet the table presented wholesome satisfying food. "Grains, vegetables, and fresh and canned fruit constituted our table fare," she wrote in r896. (Ibid., p. 489.) There was plenty of land, and Mrs. White planned the orchard and gardeDo Determined to make her "wilderness home blossom as the rose" (Letter 59, 1896), she set apart ample space for flowers. She wished her home to be IDade beautiful by the things of nature created by God. She purposed to make her orchard and gardens "an object lesson to those who would rather beg than work." (Letter 128, 1899.)

The White home echoed with the clicking of typewriters busily engaged in copying letters and articles and book manuscripts. But on one Tuesday morning alI this was silenced as the large dining.room became the setting for a wedding. It was a pleasant, yet solemo, sacred service, in which Mrs. White took part by offering the prayer. She records that there "was no light jest or foolish sayings." (MS. 23, 1894.)

At times adjustments had to be IDade in the rooming facilities to make a place for someone who needed treatment and good food, but could not afford caTe at an institution. One such persoo was a guest in 1898, "although we have to crowd up our family to do this," Mrs. White wrote. It is further stated that "she is treated as a member of my family without cost to herself of a penny. I thought Jesus would do just this." (Letter 68, 1898.)

At the Elmshaven Home, Sr. Helena

When Mrs. White took up residence at Elmshaven, near St. Helena, California, she was in advancing years. Her family consisted of her office and home helpers. Although her time and: energies were given over almost entirely to writing and speaking, she found relaxation in the activities about the farm and the home. Much to the distress of her personal secretary, Sara McEnterfer, she occasionally slipped away to visit with the neighbors without telling the family where she was going. At the age of seventy-five she took a day to drive into the mountains "to get cherries-small black ones" to cano "Our carriages," she explained, "were drawn up under the trees, and I picked nineteen quarts, sometimes sitting on the carriage seat, and sometimes standing on it." (Letter 121, 1903.) At another time she drove out to the pasture with Brother ]ames, her efficient farmer, "to see the black calf," for she was anxious to know whether it was "faring well after the long rain." (Letter 91, 1904.)

Mrs. White took joy in watching the progress of the vegetable garden and the growth of the fruit trees, but in the flowers she found special delight. Even in her advanced years she was not unmindful of the welfare of the members of her family and her guests. She was eager to have them comfortable, and she wanted to be assured that the food was appetizing and adequate.

During the last three years of her life less time was devoted to writing, and she was often found reading her Bible, her own books, and our denominational papers. The daily newspaper kept her in touch with world events which alI pointed to the ficar advent of her Saviour. This was Ellen G. White the homemaker.

AS A NEIGHBOR

WHEN the lawyer came to the Saviour, asking the way to eternal life, the conversation turned to man's relationship to his fellow men. In response to the question, "Who is my neighbour?" Jesus told the story of the good Samaritan, leading to the unmistakable conclusion that a true neighbor is one who does what he can to help those about him in need. Acts of neighborly kindness, of course, are not usually matters of record, and yet we do find references here and there which help us to understand that, as defined in the parable, James and Ellen White strove to be good neighbors.

The earliest day-by-day diary of Ellen White

in our possession antedates institutional and conference organi_ation and the choosing of a denominational name. This little book, dated 1859, carries records of 'a period soon after Elder and Mrs. White were situated in their own home in Battle Creek, Michigan. The entry of January 2 records the giving of a cloak and a dress to a sister in need, and the entry for the next day reveals that Mrs. White was furnishing work to needy sisters. Two days later, January 5, although pressed hard in preparing for an extended journey, she was urged to go to the stores and help in selecting "some things for Roxana."

The next day we find her giving "a half-worn dress" for the needy mother of a girl employed in their home, and in this connection is the exclamation, "May the Lord have mercy upon the needy!" Among the many diary entries we find frequent mention of providing for the destitute. Here is one for a certain Tuesday:

"Walked to the office. Called to see Sister Sarah (Belden) and mother. Sarah gave me a little dress and two aprons for Sister Ratel's babe. . . . I rode down to the city and purchased a few things. Bought a little dress for Sister Ratel's babe. Came to the office, assisted them a little there and then came home to dinner. Sent the little articles to Sister Rate!. Mary Loughborough sends her another dress, so she will do very well now. uGh, that all knew the sweetness of giving to the poor. of helping do others good and making others happy. The Lord open my heart to do all in my power to relieve those around me I-give me to feel my brother's woe !"-March I, 1859.

Turning the pages of this time-worn little

book,- we find many entries indicating acts of neighborly kindness. April 21, after speaking of her writing and of sympathy of certain church members for a needy family, we find the words, "We have contributed a mite for their relief, about seven dollars. Purchased them different things to eat, and carried it to them."

Caring for the Sick

. After the vision of June 6, 1863, at which

time there was revealed to Mrs. White that the

transgression of the laws of nature was the underlying cause of sickness, she was shown the benefits of co-operating with nature in restoring health. When sickness came to the White home, simple, rational methods of treatment were employed with remarkable success. Then when the neighbors and friends were ill, Elder and Mrs. White were frequently called upon to assist with advice and help in giving treatments. Of this experience, Mrs. White reminisced in writing to friends at Battle Creek in 1903 :

"Before our sanitarium there was established, my husband and I went from house to house to give treatment. Under God's blessing, we saved the lives of many who were suffering."-Letter 45, 1903.

"We would bring to our house cases that had been given up by the physicians to die. When we knew not what to do for them, we would pray to God most earnestly, and He always sent His blessing. He is the mighty Healer, and He worked with us. We never had time or opportunity to take a medical course, but we had success as we moved out in the fear of God, and sought Him for wisdom at every step. . . .We combined prayer and labor. We used the simple water treatments, and then tried to fasten the eyes of the patients on to the great Healer. We told them what He could do for them."-MS. 49. 1908.

In those early years of the message, before there was regular support for the cause as we know it today, at times various laborers found themselves in need. There are frequent references in statements made by them to periods of weeks or months that they were at the White home as guests without charge. Not only workers shared in experiences of this kind but at times lay members were also thus assisted. As an illustration, we find in the records of 1868 that Elder and Mrs. White, while residing at Greenville, Michigan, learned of a certain sister who, in making a business trip, was detained by severe illness in a Greenville hotel. They looked her up and took her to their home, where she remained until they were satisfied that she should be sent to the health institute in Battle Creek. They took the children of this afflicted woman into their own home. It was five months before the mother could resume her work and the care of her family again.

The diary for this same year portrays the story from day to day of the accident occurring to Sennica King (resulting in a skull fracture), of how he was brought to the White home at Greenville, cared for through days and nights when his life hung in the balance, and of his final full recovery. To make room for this patient, Mrs. White was obliged to take her work of writing to an unfinished room, and many adjustments were required to meet the unusual needs of this neighbor.

In her extensive travels acquaintance was

formed with many needy families, and although she was often unable to provide the help necessary, she did what she could to bring relief. There were times when this consisted of knitting warm garments for those who labored in cold countries. While in Europe she came in contact with some families that she knew would suffer if she did not help them, so after her return to America she devoted spare time to the knitting of stockings which were sent to them. It might be said that knitting became her hobby.

Neighborly Acts in Australia

It seems that on every' hand there were opportunities to help those who were ill or in need. This was especially so in Australia, for Mrs. White was there during days of financial depression. In the neighborhood about Avondale she discovered many destitute families, and even though her own re

sources were limited, she could not pass them by. without sharing with them. Food was provided; sometimes she herself drove long distances to deliver it; and at other times clothing was supplied. This was not often furnished, however, in the form of ready-made garments. Good quality cloth would be purchased by the bolt, and then apportioned out to the needy families. If the housewife were unable to make the needed garments, perhaps the housekeeper or one of the literary helpers from Mrs. White's staff would be sent to assist in teaching the mother how to sew.

There was much sickness in the region. Some could be cared for in the White home, but more often she sent her private secretary and traveling companion, Sara McEnterfer, to help out.

For a time at Avondale Miss McEnterfer's time was nearly all consumed in work similar to that of a community nurse. Every possible way was devised to assist those in need. We get a glimpse of this in a few words written in r894: "We purchase wood of our brethren who are farmers, and we try to give their sons and daughters employment, but we need a large charitable fund upon which to draw to keep families from starvation. . . . 1 divided my household stores of provisions with families of this sort, sometimes going eleven miles to relieve their necessities."-Letter 8ga. I8g4.

We discern her tact in this work in an ac

count of how one family was helped: "1 interested myself in his case. . . . I endeavored

to anticipate his needs, and never to place him where

he would have to beg for work. While in Cooranbong, I tried to set an example of how the needy should be helped. I tried to work in the way' set before me by the Lord."-Letter lOS, 1902.

There were times in the White home when all literary work was laid aside, and every member of the family joined in providing help for the unfortunate. Mrs. White wrote in 1897: "Last evening we had a Dorcas society in our home, and my workers who help in the preparation of my articles for the papers, and do the cooking and the sew"ing, five of them, sat up until midnight, cutting out Clothing. They made three pairs of pants for the c1Iildren of one family. Two sewing machines were running until midnight. I think there was never a happier set 'of workers than were these girls last evening."Letter II3, 1897.

__That there were plenty of opportunities to help is made clear by the following: "We do not have to hunt up cases; they hunt us up. These things are forced upon our notice; we cannot

be Christians and pass them by and say, 'Be ye

warmed and clothed,' and do not those things that will warm and clothe them. The Lord Jesus says, 'The poor ye have always with you,' They are God's legacy to us,"-MS. 4, 1895.

Various Homes of the Family

It was the Whites' practice to own their own home. She felt that this was a wise policy. Thus at different times they owned modest properties in Battle Creek, Michigan, and Healdsburg and Oakland, California. Later, after James White's death, Mrs. White owned homes at Avondale in Australia, and at St. Helena, California. The buildings were well kept, and the grounds were improved. True Christianity, she felt, was reflected in the home and the premises. She enjoyed having the neighbors call on her, and in turn she would often drop in to visit with them. She took special pleasure in her Elmshaven home near St. Helena, where she resided the last fifteen years of her life. The house, located on a little knoll, was we\l built. Surrounding it were orchard, vineyard, garden, hayfield, and pasture. In the distance on all sides were the wooded hills, and from the hillside at the north the St. Helena Sanitarium looked down upon her place. Not long after this property was acquired, she sent to Australia for Brother Iram James to come and take charge of the farm. His family was soon comfortably located in a little cottage to the east. Across the creek to the southeast was a piece of wooded land and a garden spot which she gave to her son W. C. White, and he built a house and settled his family there, about five minutes' walk from her home. To the south were two cottages. These were occupied by the families of her office workers, and a little later another house for a $ecretary was built not far away to the north. Another small cottage close to her home housed still another family of helpers.

It was with satisfaction that she thought of these families about her. She frequently called at their homes, and often went beyond to other neighbors in the valley. These visits brought relaxation to her, and they left cherished memories in the minds of those upon whom she called.

The Morning Carriage Drives

In the later years of her life it was Mrs. White's custom to drive out with the carriage on pleasant mornings. She was usually accompanied by some of her helpers. These drives often took her up and down the Napa Valley and many times over the narrow, winding roads of the coast range. These trips gave her a pleasant diversion, and broadened her acquaintance in the neighborhood.

Away from home, when it could be arranged, she continued this practice. In 1904 she spent a year at Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., and frequently drove through the forests and parks. One such drive brought a pleasant experience to her in which, being human, she took a bit of pride, for she met President Theodore Roosevelt. She speaks of this in writing to her son:

"A few days ago Sister Hall, Sara, and I went for a long drive in Rock Creek Park. This is a most beautiful place. I have seldom driven over finer roads. This is a national park. Here the President takes his rides. The drives are equal to, yes, more than equal to anything that I saw in Denmark or Swiuerland. On our drive we met the President. He bowed to us as we passed him,"-Letter 357, 1904.

Many of the residents within a radius of ten miles of "Elmshaven" were of Southern European descent. Their principal occupation was grape growing and wine making. Just over the hill there was a very large stone winery, reputed for many years to be the largest in the world. Seventh-day Adventists, with their temperance principles, were not too popular with many of these people.

These circumstances, however, did not deter Mrs. White from making many a friendly acquaintance with those on surrounding farms. As she drove up the valley perhaps she would notice a mother on the porch or in the yard. Likely as not she would stop and visit with the woman. No, she did not know her name, but that did not matter. She knew a mother's heart and a mother's problems. Oftentimes these visits rendered an opportunity for a bit of missionary work, either by word, or, in the case of the less fortunate, by deed.

Years after her death Ellen White was tenderly remembered by not a few of the residents of the Napa Valley as "the little old woman with white hair, who always spoke so lovingly of Jesus."

THE WRITER

WRITE, write, write, I feel that I must, and not delay," penned Ellen White in r884. "Great things are before us, and we want to call the people from their indifference to get ready."-Letter II, r884. In these words are summed up the objective of her most important work, and that by which she is best known today.

Her childhood experience and her education were not such as we would ordinarily think of as naturally fitting one to spend a lifetime in writing. Her schooling was limited. But when called of God in her girlhood, she was fitted by Him for the tasks entrusted to her. She graphically pictures to us her call to write:

"Early in my public labors I was bidden by the Lord, 'Write, write the things that are revealed to you.' At the time this message came to me, I could not hold my hand steady. My physical condition made it impossible for me to write.

"But again came the word, 'Write the things that are revealed to you.' I obeyed; and as the result it was not long before I could write page after page with comparative ease. Who told me what to write? Who steadied my right hand and made it possible for me to use a pen ?-It was the Lord."-Review and Herald, June 14, 1906.

Had the Lord chosen as His messenger a brilliant student, or one of mature years with education, some might have said that the messages were not the product of the Spirit of God, but had their origin in the mind of the writer and were based on preconceived ideas and prejudices. The Lord chose a humble instrument for His work, that the messages might flow from Him to the church and to the world without danger of contamination, and in such a way that all could see that it was His work.

From the time that her hand was steadied, back in r845, to the close of her lifework, Ellen G. White did all her writing by hand. Even when secretarial help was available, she chose to work undisturbed, penning the sentences thoughtfully and carefully. Sometimes the writing would be done on note paper, sometimes on large sheets, and at other times in bound, ruled copybooks.

The circumstances under which Mrs. White wrote varied greatly. When she could do her work at home she was pleased. For a time in early Battle Creek days she worked largely at home, but at times went to the Review office, where she shared a room with her husband. But much. of the time the writing had to be sandwiched in as best she could while traveling, speaking, and visiting. The diary of r859 gives us a glimpse of this:

"Awoke a little past two A.M. Take cars [train] at four. Feel very miserable. Write all day. . . . Our journey on the cars ended at six l'.M."-Diary, Aug. IS, 1859.

A little later on this same journey, early one morning Elder and Mrs. White were taken to the home of one of our believers. So pressed was she with her work that although "the house is full of company" she recorded, she "had no time to visit. Shut myself in the chamber to write."-Diary, Oct. 10, 1859. In 1891 she notes in connection with a tour of three months in the Eastern States that she had "spoken fiftyfive times, and have written three hundred pages. . . . The Lord it is who has strengthened and blessed me and uI>held me by His Spirit." -MS. 4, 1891.

It is related that at one conference Ellen White was so pressed with her writing that she found she must write in meeting through the week. One morning, seated at the table just in front of the pulpit, she wrote steadily while J. N. Andrews preached. At the noon intet:fi1ission she was asked as to her opinion on EIder Andrews' qualifications as ,a 'preacher. She replied that it had been so long since she had heard Elder Andrews preach that she could not express an opinion. This indicates intensive COl'1centration in her work.

In the Early Morning

Mrs. White often did her work in the early hours of the morning, retiring early in the evening, and resting some during the day. We will let her tell us of this. She wrote to one of our pioneer workers in the year r906:

"The evening after the Sabbath I retired, and rested well without ache or pain until half past ten. I was unable to sleep. I had received instruction, and I seldom lie in bed 'after such instruction comes. There was a company assembled in -, and instruction was given by One in our midst that I was to repeat and repeat with pen and voice. I left my bed, and wrote for five hours as fast as my pen could trace the lines. Then I rested on the bed for an hour, and slept part of the time..

"I placed the matter in the hands of my copyist, and on Monday morning it was waiting for me, placed inside my office door on Sunday evening. There were four articles ready for me to read over and make any corrections needed. The matter is now prepared, a.nd some of it will go in the mail today.

"This is the line of work that I am carrying on. I do most of my writing while the other members of the family are asleep. I build my fire, and then writ£: uninterruptedly, sometimes for hours. I write while others are asleep. Who then has told Sister White? A messenger that is appointed."-Letter 2S, 1906.

Other glimpses of this early morning work are seen in the following, written from Australia :

"I sit here on my bed, this cold July morning trying to write to you. I have woolen mitts on my hands, leaving my fingers free to write. I place my lamp on one side at my left hand, rather than behind me, and then the light shines on my paper in just the right way. . . . It is a little past two o'clock. I continue to be an early riser and I write every day."-Letter 105, 1900.

"I am obliged to continue my writing, and I praise the Lord for tbe strength that He gives me. I am carrying so heavy a burden that often I can not sleep past twelve or one o'clock. When my mind is so pressed, I can find relief only in prayer and writing. My workers tell me that since my return from the East [a period of two months], I have written about six hundred pages of type-written matter."-Letter 54, 1902'.

"I have much to write. For several nights scenes have been opening before me. Yesterday morning, with one eye bandaged, I sat writing page after page hours before the other members of my family were awake." -Letter 372, 1906.

Through Periods of Suffering

Much writing was done during periods of great physical suffering. Soon after she reached Australia, in th_early nineties, she was ill for nearly a year with rheumatic fever. At times she could sleep but very little, yet she pushed forward with her writing. We get a picture of this in two statements penned in 1892:

"With the writings that shall go in this mail I have, since leaving America, written twenty-hundred pages of letter paper. I could not have done all this writing if the Lord had not strengthened and blessed me in large measure. Never once has that right hand failed me. My arm and shoulder have been full of suffering, hard to bear, but the hand has been able to hold the pen and trace words that have come to me from the Spirit of the Lord."-Letter 20., 1892.

"You will excuse the poor writing, for I am obliged to change my position about every hour to be able to be made any way comfortable to write at all. I send in this mail sixty pages of letter paper written by my own hand. First my hair-cloth chair is bolstered up with pillows, then they have a frame, a box batted with pillows which I rest my limbs upon and a rubber pillow under them. My table is drawn up close to me, and I thus write with my paper on a cardboard in my lap. Yesterday I was enabled to sit two hours thus arranged. . . . Then I must change position. She [her nurse] then gets me on the spring bed and bolsters me up with l1illows. I may be able to sit some over one hounmd fh1isitis_change, but I am thankful I can write at all."-LetterI6c, 1892. (Italics mine.)

Of course, her hand grew weary and her eyes heavy, but it was not the weariness of incessant labor that burdened her heart. Her great concern was that she might present aright the great truths opened to her mind. Thus she cried out:

"I know not how to speak or trace with pen the large subjects of the atoning sacrifice. I know not how to present subjects in the living power in which they stand before me. I tremble for fear, lest I shall belittle the great plan of salvation by cheap words."-Letter 40, 1892.

"Now I must leave this subject so imperfectly presented, that I fear you will misinterpret that which I feel so anxious to make plain. 0 that God would quicken the understanding, for I am but a poor writer, and cannot with pen or voice express the great and deep mysteries of God. 0 pray for yourselves, pray for me."-Letter 67, 1894.

Watched Choice of Words

Winning words were always sought for by Ellen White-words which would draw and convince and not repel, for she said: "Essential truths must be plainly told; but so far as possible they should be told in language that will win, rather than offend."-Quoted by W. C. White in letter to members of the Publication Committee, July 25, 19II.

At another time she wrote of the words used: "In my letter to you I felt deeply. I was very cautious that not a word I should say should wound, but that the facts should be related as simply as possible." -Un copied Letter 14. 1864.

As a writer she labored to increase the stock of words from which she might draw. She ever sought language which measured with her subject and adequately conveyed the ideas she was treating. Early Writings, written in the fifties. presents a very forceful, but simple, vocabulary and sentence structure. In later books, as The Desire of Ages and Education, we discover a richer and broader choice of words and more complex sentences. In reading, in traveling, and in conversing with others, she bettered her ability to express the truths which were revealed to her. She was, of course, aided by the Spirit of God in her writing, but not in a me. chanical way. "The words I employ in describing what I have seen," she explained, "are my own unless they be those spoken to me by an angel, which I always enclose in marks of quotation."-Review and Herald, Oct. 8, 1867. In vision her mind was enlightened, then it became her task to present the truths to others.

She soon discovered that she must write very guardedly and explicitly. There were always some who would distort her meaning or misrepresent her teachings. Not long after the first copies of her first book, A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White, were issued in 1851. she found it necessary to paste in a page of "Notes of Explanation," which in expanded form are now found in Early Writings, pages 85 to 96.

Mrs. White studied diligently to find a way of combining words in such a manner as to express' the thought effectively and strikingly. One morning she came to breakfast at the newly opened Loma Linda Sanitarium, happy as a child with a new toy. "I've got it! I've got it!" she exclaimed, "Medical-Missionary-Evangelists I" She had been reaching out for a combination of words that would tersely and fully describe the qualifications of those who would there receive their medical training. This led eventually to naming the medical school The College of Medical Evangelists.

Ellen White could also write in a lighter vein, and she sometimes did when communicating with members of her family or close friends. Thus, from Oakland, California, in a letter to her husband, who was in Battle Creek, Michigan, she quipped:

"Dear Husband:

"We received your few words last night on a postal card: "'Battle Creek, April II. No letters from you for two days. James White.' "This lengthy letter was written by yourself. Thank you for we know you are living. "No letter from James White previous to this since April 6. . . . I have been anxiously waiting for something to answer:'-Letter 5, 1876.

A Broad Fic;1d of Writing

Not all the E. G. White writing was of the same character. There are the great books of description and exposition, setting forth the story of the age-long conflict from its beginning to its close. In these not only are the outstanding events in the great controversy pictured, but the reader is taken behind the scenes, as was the writer. Thus he is permitted to view the underlying objectives and motives and purposes in these happenings. Through all this we find a great deal of exposition of Scripture. We would place the Conflict of the Ages Series in this grouping.

Some of the books fall into the category of admonition, warning, and counsel. Closely associated with these are the writings of instruction, giving explicit guidance to individuals and those responsible for the enterprises constituting the several branches of the work of God in the earth. We are speaking of the Testimonies, and of the "Counsel" books now.

Some of the writings present views 0) the future, with detail as to the relation of coming events, and counsel as to the proper attitude to take at the time. The views set forth in Early Writings and the last part of The Great Controversy form the larger part of this type of writing-. '"