Domestic wine occasionally referred to by Ellen White and in the Review and Herald, we would understand to be the juice of the grape pressed out and at first free from fermentation. It must be remembered that in 1867, 1868 and 1869 there was no sure and effective method of preserving grape juice unfermented. This meant that even utilizing the best means available for preserving grape juice, it would eventually gain an alcoholic content. Concerning the use of this kind of wine in the ordinances, James White counseled in 1867: “Know what you use. Let the deacons obtain the cultivated grape, see the wine made, and secure from the air to keep it from fermenting as much as possible” (The Review and Herald, April 16, 1867, 29:222).CBPH 77.5

Two years later, when Ellen White wrote her testimony, there was still no known means of preserving grape juice from fermentation. This is indicated by an item in the The Health Reformer, July, 1869. Speaking of grapes and apples, a questioner asked, “Is there any way of keeping the juices of them from changing to alcohol after being pressed out?” The answer given by Dr. R. T. Trall was, “No way, except by means of ice.”CBPH 77.6

The Ellen White 1869 testimony allowing “a little domestic wine” pertained to a pregnant woman in Wisconsin whose extremist husband was depriving her of proper food. In this connection Ellen White declared:CBPH 77.7

When she needed ... extra food, and that of a simple yet nutritious quality, it was not allowed her. Her system craved material to convert into blood, but he would not provide it. A moderate amount of milk and sugar, a little salt, white bread raised with yeast for a change, Graham flour prepared in a variety of ways by other hands than her own, plain cake with raisins, rice pudding with raisins, prunes, and figs, occasionally, and many other dishes I might mention would have answered the demand of appetite.—Testimonies for the Church 2:383, 384.CBPH 77.8

Then she added:CBPH 77.9

If he could not obtain some of these things, a little domestic wine would have done her no in jury; it would have been better for her to have it than to do without it. In some cases, even a small amount of least hurtful meat would do less injury than to suffer strong cravings for it—Testimonies for the Church 2:384.CBPH 77.10

The situation was desperate. Grape juice preserved in the best manner known at the time would supply elements which were needed by this woman. It is known to be rich in minerals, vitamins and food elements which are easily and quickly assimilated by the body. In the absence of other foods which would have provided what she needed, the “domestic wine,” even though it contained a little alcohol, would have proved more beneficial than harmful to her, supplying certain elements which her body needed. Were she living today, with our present knowledge of methods for preserving grape juice, Ellen White would certainly have counseled the use of “unfermented wine” as she did to Dr. Kress in 1901. See CDF 204.CBPH 77.11

The footnote (#28) on page 249 states that “James White himself used domestic wine for medicinal purposes.” Most likely he did, but if he did he used only a very little. So did Ellen White in a few extreme situations. James White refers to this in The Review and Herald, March 17, 1868, in answering a question:CBPH 77.12

During the past year, Mrs. W. has, at three or four times, had feelings of great debility and faintness in the morning. One was at Eld. Sanborn’s, at the time of the Convocation Assembly at Johns town. Wis. To prevent distressing fainting at these times, she, immediately after rising, had taken an egg in a little pure, domestic, grape wine, perhaps a spoonful at a time, and never thought that this had to do with drugs, as she uses the term in her writings, more than with the man in the moon. During the past year, she may have used one pint of wine. It is only in extreme cases that the use of wine is justifiable, and then let it be a “little wine,” to gently stimulate those in a sinking condition.CBPH 77.13

Certainly no rational person would use this information to counter the abundant counsel concerning using fermented wine as a beverage. How pleased the church was when methods of preserving grape juice in an unfermented state became known. The Review and Herald, October 10, 1882, carried an article giving instructions on preserving grape juice for the communion service, and urged each church to appoint someone to make it. Had Prophetess of Health placed the domestic wine situation in its proper historical setting, the reader would have been in a position to make a more fair judgment.CBPH 77.14

Did Mrs. White Copy

A Little Tea