114
Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
The “Review and Herald”
In November, 1850, the paper was issued at Paris, Maine. Here
it was enlarged, and its name changed to that which it now bears,
the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald. We boarded in Brother A.’s
family. We were willing to live cheaply, that the paper might be
[140]
sustained. The friends of the cause were few in numbers and poor in
worldly wealth, and we were still compelled to struggle with poverty
and great discouragement. We had much care, and often sat up as late
as midnight, and sometimes until two or three in the morning, to read
proof sheets.
Excessive labor, care, and anxiety, a lack of proper and nourishing
food, and exposure to cold in our long winter journeys, were too much
for my husband, and he sank under the burden. He became so weak
that he could scarcely walk to the printing office. Our faith was tried to
the utmost. We had willingly endured privation, toil, and suffering, yet
our motives were misinterpreted, and we were regarded with distrust
and jealousy. Few of those for whose good we had suffered, seemed
to appreciate our efforts.
We were too much troubled to sleep or rest. The hours in which we
should have been refreshed with sleep, were often spent in answering
long communications occasioned by envy. Many hours, while others
were sleeping, we spent in agonizing tears, and mourning before the
Lord. At length my husband said: “Wife, it is of no use to try to
struggle on any longer. These things are crushing me, and will soon
carry me to the grave. I cannot go any farther. I have written a note
for the paper, stating that I shall publish no more.” As he stepped out
of the door to carry the note to the printing office, I fainted. He came
back and prayed for me. His prayer was answered, and I was relieved.
The next morning, while at family prayer, I was taken off in vision
and was instructed concerning these matters. I saw that my husband
must not give up the paper, for Satan was trying to drive him to take
just such a step, and was working through agents to do this. I was
[141]
shown that we must continue to publish, and the Lord would sustain
us.
We soon received urgent invitations to hold conferences in different
States, and decided to attend general gatherings at Boston, Mass.;