Ellen G. White’s Use of Remedial Agencies
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retain nothing on my stomach and I did take a little weak tea as a
medicine, but I don’t want any of you again to make the remark that
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“Sister White uses tea.” If you will come to my house I will show you
the bag that contains my herb drink. I send to Michigan, across the
mountains, and get the red-clover top. In regard to coffee, I never
could drink it, so those who reported that Sister White drinks coffee
made a mistake.—
Manuscript 3, 1888
(Sermon, Oakland, California).
Clover Blossoms—First Crop—I have a request to make. Will
these children please gather me as much clover or even more than
they did last year? If they can do this, they will do me a great favor.
I cannot do it here. We have no clover on our ground. The first crop
is preferable, but if this comes too late, the second crop had better be
secured.—
Letter 1, 1872
(To a family in Michigan).
Tea Used as a Medicine, but Not as a Beverage—I do not use
tea, either green or black. Not a spoonful has passed my lips for
many years except when crossing the ocean, and once since on this
side I took it as a medicine when I was sick and vomiting. In such
circumstances it may prove a present relief.
I did not use tea when you were with us. I have always used red-
clover top, as I stated to you. I offered you this, and told you it was a
good, simple, and wholesome drink
I have not bought a penny’s worth of tea for years. Knowing its
influence I would not dare to use it, except in cases of severe vomiting
when I take it as a medicine, but not as a beverage....
I do not preach one thing and practice another. I do not present to
my hearers rules of life for them to follow while I make an exception
in my own case....
I am not guilty of drinking any tea except red-clover-top tea, and if
I loved wine, tea, and coffee, I would not use these health-destroying
narcotics, for I prize health and I prize a healthful example in all these
things. I want to be a pattern of temperance and of good works to
others.—
Letter 12, 1888
(To a minister on the West Coast).
Coffee as Medicine—I have not knowingly drunk a cup of genuine
coffee for twenty years, only, as I stated, during my sickness—for a
medicine—I drank a cup of coffee, very strong, with a raw egg broken
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into it.—
Letter 20, 1882
(To friends).
Grape Juice and Eggs—I have received light that you are injuring
your body by a poverty-stricken diet.... It is the lack of suitable food