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    Chapter III

    The Whites knew what affliction and bereavement meant. Two children were buried in the family plot in the Oak Hill cemetery at Battle Creek. But the great loss came when James White died in 1881 at the age of sixty. Were we to crowd into the Battle Creek Tabernacle on the early August afternoon for the funeral—and 2,500 people did—we probably would be a bit surprised during the closing moments of the service to see Ellen White arise from her cot (for she was ill and had been carried to the Tabernacle), walk over to the casket, and then address the audience for ten minutes in a clear strong voice. She expressed her bereavement, reaffirmed her confidence in her Saviour, and declared that with his help she would pick up her burden alone. “My husband has found rest,” she said, turning toward the coffin; “but I have yet to battle. I cannot yet lay off the armor of the Lord. When I fall, let me fall at my post of duty; let me be ready; let me be where I can say as he said, ‘All is well. Jesus is precious.’” 1In Memoriam; A Sketch of the Last Sickness and Death of Elder James White (Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald Press 1881).EGWP 4.5

    Her fortitude was shown in a conversation with her husband’s older brother, John, a Baptist minister, just before the funeral service.EGWP 4.6

    “God help you, my dear sister, God help you on this occasion,” he said.EGWP 4.7

    She replied, “Brother John, you do not know me. The more trying the situation, the more fortitude I possess.”EGWP 4.8

    And she continued:EGWP 4.9

    “I shall give way to no outbursts of grief if my heart break. I serve God not impulsively but intelligently. I have a Saviour who will be to me a very present help in time of trouble. I am a Christian. I know in whom I have believed. He expects from me implicit unwavering

    submission. Undue grief is displeasing to God.EGWP 5.1

    “I take up my appointed cross and will follow the Lord fully. I will not give myself to abandonment or grief. I will not yield to a morbid and melancholy state of feeling. I will not complain or murmur at the providence of God. Jesus is my Saviour. He lives. He will never leave me nor forsake me.” 2Letter 9, 1881.

    Her fortitude came especially into play twelve years later. Having just nicely started her work in Australia, she was stricken with a long-drawn-out, painful ailment, sometimes referred to as neuritis and sometimes as inflammatory rheumatism. Having done all she could do to bring relief, she called in the leading ministers to anoint her and pray for her healing. She fully expected that God’s blessing would free her for the work she had traveled 8,000 miles to accomplish. She was greatly helped by the prayer season, but she was not healed. She traced her thoughts in her diary: “I have done all that I can to follow the Bible directions, and I shall wait for the Lord to work.... I shall hold fast to the assurance then given me: ‘I am your Redeemer; I will heal you.’” 3Manuscript 19, 1892, published in Selected Messages 2:235 (Washington, D. C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association 1958).EGWP 5.2

    The healing process was slow and gradual. At the end of eight months of suffering she wrote Ole A. Olsen, president of the General Conference:EGWP 5.3

    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 the 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 at this matter as a part of the Lord’s 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. I have an ever watchful guardian day and night, and I will praise the Lord; for His praise is upon my lips because it comes from a heart full of gratitude. 4Letter 18a, 1892, published in Selected Messages 2:234.

    Thus she lifted herself above suffering with a determination to trust firmly in God and press on in her work.EGWP 5.4

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