Chapter 14—The Death of My Husband
Notwithstanding the labors, cares, and responsibilities with which
my husband’s life had been crowded, his sixtieth year found him active
and vigorous in mind and body. Three times had he fallen under a
stroke of paralysis; yet by the blessing of God, a naturally strong
constitution, and strict attention to the laws of health, he had been
enabled to rally. Again he traveled, preached, and wrote with his
wonted zeal and energy. Side by side we had labored in the cause of
Christ for thirty-six years; and we hoped that we might stand together
to witness the triumphant close. But such was not the will of God. The
chosen protector of my youth, the companion of my life, the sharer of
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my labors and afflictions, has been taken from my side, and I am left
to finish my work and to fight the battle alone.
The spring and early summer of 1881 we spent together at our
home in Battle Creek. My husband hoped to arrange his business so
that we could go to the Pacific Coast and devote ourselves to writing.
He felt that we had made a mistake in allowing the apparent wants of
the cause and the entreaties of our brethren to urge us into active labor
in preaching when we should have been writing. My husband desired
to present more fully the glorious subject of redemption, and I had
long contemplated the preparation of important books. We both felt
that while our mental powers were unimpaired we should complete
these works—that it was a duty which we owed to ourselves and to
the cause of God to rest from the heat of battle, and give to our people
the precious light of truth which God had opened to our minds.
Some weeks before the death of my husband, I urged upon him
the importance of seeking a field of labor where we would be released
from the burdens necessarily coming upon us at Battle Creek. In reply
he spoke of various matters which required attention before we could
leave—duties which someone must do. Then with deep feeling he
inquired: “Where are the men to do this work? Where are those who
will have an unselfish interest in our institutions, and who will stand
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