Light Through Darkness

So discouraging was the outlook that Elder White was almost ready to urge that the property be sold to pay the debts, and that the balance, if any, be returned to the stockholders in proportion to their investment in stock. But there came a divine interposition before such a drastic step was taken, a move that might well have resulted in the abandonment of an enterprise undertaken in harmony with divine counsel. The turning point came during a period of family worship and is thus related by Mrs. White:SHM 185.1

“One morning, in prayer at the family altar, the Spirit of God came upon him as he was praying for divine guidance in matters pertaining to the institute; and he exclaimed, while bowed upon his knees, ‘The Lord will vindicate every word He has spoken through vision relative to the health institute, and it will be raised from its low estate and prosper gloriously.’”—Testimonies for the Church 3:175.SHM 185.2

Up to this time the directing board of the institution was made up of ministers, or of men living in Battle Creek, who had very little experience to qualify them for the management of such a work. Elder White labored diligently to rectify this weakness, and following the annual meeting in 1870 the General Conference Committee reported that a board of directors was now chosen, one “consisting of efficient businessmen, who have shown their interest in the work by strenuous efforts put forth to correct errors which have too long existed, and to so rearrange the working of the institution as to secure the confidence of the stockholders and of our people, and the approbation and favor of God.”—The Review and Herald, May 3, 1870.SHM 185.3