Death of My Husband
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for the right, unaffected by any influence with which they may come
in contact?”
With tears he expressed his anxiety for our institutions at Battle
Creek. Said he: “My life has been given to the up-building of these
institutions. It seems like death to leave them. They are as my children,
and I cannot separate my interest from them. These institutions are
the Lord’s instrumentalities to do a specific work. Satan seeks to
hinder and defeat every means by which the Lord is working for the
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salvation of men. If the great adversary can mold these institutions
according to the world’s standard, his object is gained. It is my greatest
anxiety to have the right man in the right place. If those who stand
in responsible positions are weak in moral power, and vacillating in
principle, inclined to lead toward the world, there are enough who will
be led. Evil influences must not prevail. I would rather die than live to
see these institutions mismanaged, or turned aside from the purpose
for which they were brought into existence.
“In my relations to this cause I have been longest and most closely
connected with the publishing work. Three times have I fallen, stricken
with paralysis, through my devotion to this branch of the cause. Now
that God has given me renewed physical and mental strength, I feel
that I can serve His cause as I have never been able to serve it before.
I must see the publishing work prosper. It is interwoven with my very
existence. If I forget the interests of this work, let my right hand forget
her cunning.”
We had an appointment to attend a tent meeting at Charlotte, Sab-
bath and Sunday, July 23 and 24. As I was in feeble health, we decided
to travel by private conveyance. On the way, my husband seemed
cheerful, yet a feeling of solemnity rested upon him. He repeatedly
praised the Lord for mercies and blessings received, and freely ex-
pressed his own feelings concerning the past and future: “The Lord is
good, and greatly to be praised. He is a present help in time of need.
The future seems cloudy and uncertain, but the Lord would not have
us distressed over these things. When trouble comes, He will give us
grace to endure it. What the Lord has been to us, and what He has
done for us, should make us so grateful that we would never murmur
or complain. Our labors, burdens, and sacrifices will never be fully
appreciated by all. I see that I have lost my peace of mind and the
blessing of God by permitting myself to be troubled by these things.
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