Battling Against Disease
137
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
The Review and Herald,
February 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 break-
fast, 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
[169]
help in time of trouble. My husband soon uttered words of praise and
gratitude to God, because he could use his arm. His hand was partially
restored, but not fully.
My husband and myself felt the need of drawing near to God. And
as by confession and prayer we drew near to God, we had the blessed
assurance that He drew near to us. Precious, exceedingly precious,
were these seasons of communion with God.
The first five weeks of our affliction we spent at our own home. For
wise purposes our heavenly Father did not see fit to raise my husband
to immediate health in answer to our earnest prayers, although He
seemed preciously near to comfort and sustain us by His Holy Spirit.
Sojourn at Dansville, N. Y.
We had confidence in the use of water as one of God’s appointed
remedies, but no confidence in drugs. But my own vital energies were