Caring for the Sick

After the vision of June 6, 1863, at which time there was revealed to Mrs. White that the transgression of the laws of nature was the underlying cause of sickness, she was shown the benefits of co-operating with nature in restoring health. When sickness came to the White home, simple, rational methods of treatment were employed with remarkable success. Then when the neighbors and friends were ill, Elder and Mrs. White were frequently called upon to assist with advice and help in giving treatments. Of this experience, Mrs. White reminisced in writing to friends at Battle Creek in 1903:EGWMR 106.7

“Before our sanitarium there was established, my husband and I went from house to house to give treatment. Under God’s blessing, we saved the lives of many who were suffering.”—Letter 45, 1903.EGWMR 106.8

“We would bring to our house cases that had been given up by the physicians to die. When we knew not what to do for them, we would pray to God most earnestly, and He always sent His blessing. He is the mighty Healer, and He worked with us. We never had time or opportunity to take a medical course, but we had success as we moved out in the fear of God, and sought Him for wisdom at every step.... We combined prayer and labor. We used the simple water treatments, and then tried to fasten the eyes of the patients on to the great Healer. We told them what He could do for them.”—Manuscript 49, 1908.EGWMR 106.9

In those early years of the message, before there was regular support for the cause as we know it today, at times various laborers found themselves in need. There are frequent references in statements made by them to periods of weeks or months that they were at the White home as guests without charge. Not only workers shared in experiences of this kind but at times lay members were also thus assisted. As an illustration, we find in the records of 1868 that Elder and Mrs. White, while residing at Greenville, Michigan, learned of a certain sister who, in making a business trip, was detained by severe illness in a Greenville hotel. They looked her up and took her to their home, where she remained until they were satisfied that she should be sent to the health institute in Battle Creek. They took the children of this afflicted woman into their own home. It was five months before the mother could resume her work and the care of her family again.EGWMR 106.10

The diary for this same year portrays the story from day to day of the accident occurring to Seneca King (resulting in a skull fracture), of how he was brought to the White home at Greenville, cared for through days and nights when his life hung in the balance, and of his final full recovery. To make room for this patient, Mrs. White was obliged to take her work of writing to an unfinished room, and many adjustments were required to meet the unusual needs of this neighbor.EGWMR 106.11

In her extensive travels acquaintance was formed with many needy families, and although she was often unable to provide the help necessary, she did what she could to bring relief. There were times when this consisted of knitting warm garments for those who labored in cold countries. While in Europe she came in contact with some families that she knew would suffer if she did not help them, so after her return to America she devoted spare time to the knitting of stockings which were sent to them. It might be said that knitting became her hobby.EGWMR 106.12