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    Chapter I

    What kind of person was this little woman who had three years in school, at the age of seventeen was called to the prophetic office, married, reared a family, wrote and published books, traveled as a speaker and church leader the world over, and died at the age of eighty-seven?EGWP 1.10

    In partial answer we could employ a number of adjectives: cordial, outgoing, resourceful, persevering, sympathetic, economical, discerning, open, trustful, dedicated. We would expect to see reflected in the life of a prophet those qualities, virtues, and characteristics which she extolled and urged the dedicated, joyous Christian to emulate.EGWP 1.11

    In 1909 she was eighty-one years of age and had lived at Elmshaven in northern California for nine years. It was her own house, and she loved it. She believed in home ownership. She and her husband had owned first a little cottage in Battle Creek in which they initially invested $500; but with additions and accrual in value in early Civil War days, they had seen its market value rise until they could sell it and acquire something a little better and a little more convenient to the publishing house. While never speculating in real estate, yet alert to opportunities as they came, the Whites had owned several properties through the years. Financial gains they had enjoyed had placed in their hands means that could be used in building up the cause of God.EGWP 1.12

    The Elmshaven home in 1909 was surrounded by a vineyard, a garden, and two orchards—one a family orchard the other a 2,000-tree commercial prune orchard. Nearby there was a stable and barn for the horses and cows. Ellen White took an active interest in all of the features of the farm and garden. The flower beds close to the house she especially delighted in. And so it had been at her Sunnyside home in Australia, and before that her Healdsburg home in California (near the college), and the Battle Creek homes. Well into her sixties, she was often an active participant in the agricultural activities—planting, nurturing, and harvesting the crops that supplemented the food supplies for an ever-large family that included some of her helpers.EGWP 2.1

    Ellen White had a good working knowledge of soils and gardening. As she looked over a piece of land, in her mind she would assign appropriate crops to the different areas. She was conscious of the proper timing of agricultural procedures. She had a good working knowledge of animal husbandry. She could select a good cow or horse. She knew how to feed and treat such animals with affection to gain their fullest cooperation, whether she was milking the cow or driving the team. She abhorred any practice that brought pain or discomfort to animals, and she had firm words of disapproval for anyone who misused a horse or abused a cow.EGWP 2.2

    The home was ever open to visitors, and it was seldom that the Whites did not have guests. As they traveled, they stayed in the homes of the believers; and when these believers came to the centers where the Whites were located, it was but natural that they should stay with them. To run a “free hotel” was a strain on the family, from the standpoint of finances and from that of surrendering the privacy and relaxation a home usually provides, but guests were always welcome, and as a hostess Ellen White was alert to their needs and comforts. James and Ellen were careful, however, to reserve a little wooded place of seclusion to which they could escape for prayer.EGWP 2.3

    Of course under these circumstances, and with her traveling and writing, Ellen White had to have some domestic help. They had no daughters on whom to rely, and so this help usually came from young women who were drawn in as part of the family. But not until her family members were grown and gone did she surrender the close supervision of the day-to-day activities of the home.EGWP 2.4

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