xxx
Counsels for the Church
religion. Those who follow Christ the most closely have not been
gloomy.”
On another occasion she wrote: “In some cases the idea has been
[22]
entertained that cheerfulness is inconsistent with the dignity of Chris-
tian character; but this is a mistake. Heaven is all joy.” She discovered
that if you give smiles, smiles will be returned to you; if you speak
kind words, kind words will be spoken in return.
Nevertheless there were times when she suffered a great deal. One
such period occurred soon after she went to Australia to assist in the
work there. She was very ill for nearly a year and suffered intensely.
She was confined to her bed for months and could sleep but a few
hours at night. Of this experience she wrote in a letter to a friend:
“When I first found myself in a state of helplessness, I deeply
regretted having crossed the broad waters. Why was I not in America?
Why at such expense was I in this country? Time and again I could
have buried my face in the bed quilts and had a good cry. But I did not
long indulge in this luxury of tears. I said to myself, Ellen G. White,
what do you mean? Have you not come to Australia because you felt
that it was your duty to go where the Conference judged it best for you
to go? Has this not been your practice?
“I said, ‘yes.’
“Then why do you feel almost forsaken and discouraged? Is not
this the enemy’s work? I said, ‘I believe it is!’
“I dried my tears as quickly as possible and said, ‘It is enough. I
will not look on the dark side any more. Live or die, I commit the
keeping of my soul to him who died for me.’
“I then believed that the Lord would do all things well, and during
this eight months of helplessness I have not had any despondency
or doubt. I now look upon this matter as a part of the Lords’ great
plan, for the good of His people here in this country, and for those in
America, and for my good. I cannot explain why or how, but I believe
it. And I am happy in my affliction. I can trust my Heavenly Father. I
will not doubt His love.”
Mrs. White lived in her home in California during the last fifteen
years of her life and, although she was growing older, she took an
interest in the work about the little farm, and in the welfare of the
families of those who assisted her in her work. We find her busy with
her writing, often beginning soon after midnight, as she retired early.