“What Shall be Done in Her Case?” not leave a sinking, doubting Peter to perish.
The hand
“The condition of Edith Andrews is a grief to us all.
She seems to be failing in health. What shall be done
in her case?”--Manuscript 16a, 1885.
Unpublished Manuscripts (on file at CEC) regarding
Edith Andrews, Letter 26, Dec. 24, 1885,
“This morning Sr. Edith Andrews fell asleep about
half past five o’clock. Her last hours were without a
struggle. She has suffered considerable pain in her left
lung up to the time I came from Italy, on week ago last
Thursday. I visited her last Friday and she talked very
freely with me. Said she had read and re-read the
testimony for her and she had made every effort in her
power to correct every wrong in her course with
others. She said sometimes she felt the blessing of the
Lord, and then again she thought she had done so
wrong the Lord would not accept her as His child, She
wanted to know if I thought the Lord would forgive
her. I assured her that He would, that He had pledged
His word that He would pardon every transgression, if
we would only return unto Him with true repentance
and contrition of soul. I believe, Edith you have done
this, and wherein you are too feeble to do the work as
thoroughly as if you were well, Jesus’ precious mercy
and merits supplies the deficiencies on the part of His
repenting, humble ones who seek to take hold of His
strength.
In this feebleness, I presented before her the words
of promise from God, ‘And the Lord passed by before
him, and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God,
merciful, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in
goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands,
forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Ex.
34:6-7. Thus God has proclaimed His character
himself. Will you, my dear child, believe Him? What
sins can be too great for Him to pardon? Every soul is
precious in His sight. He is merciful, infinitely more
willing to pardon than condemn. He is gracious. He is
touched with the feelings of your infirmities. He
knows your weakness. It would have been much better
had you obtained the experience of becoming
acquainted with God when in strength; then you would
have been able to trust Him fully whom you had
proved but you have made your best efforts and now
Christ stands ready to supply where you lack. His
merits will be imputed to you; his boundless goodness
will heal your backslidings, and he will accept today
the best you have to give and He will love and bless
you. “He is long suffering, not willing that any should
perish but that all should come to repentance.” He
doeth not willingly afflict or grieve the children of
men.” “He suffereth long and is kind. His love is
without a parallel. He is slow to anger and of great
kindness. He has waited and waited for you to give
Him your affections, and undivided heart. God will
never leave nor forsake one penitent soul that looks to
Him in faith.
You can show honor to God by believing fully in
the merits of Jesus Christ. we have a Savior that can
save to the uttermost all who come unto Him. He did
thrown up in appeal to Jesus with the prayer, “Save
Lord, or I perish” was immediately responded to. He
did save him fully. He will save you because you ask
Him in faith.”
I cannot express the comfort these words brought
to Edith. The tears came from her eyes and dropped
from her cheeks while she looked so peaceful and at
rest. She said, “I believe He accepts me. I believe He
loves me and I all undeserving, have His peace.”
I prayed with her. She was blessed and relieved of
pain in her left lung and it did not return. Again she
was comforted and had no more afflicting doubts.
While praying, I felt that Jesus came very near to us. I
felt the assurance that Jesus did pardon her
transgressions. All present were melted into tears. Our
hearts were filled with peace and love to Jesus. Edith
had no more trouble of mind for she knew the Lord
blessed her then in answer to prayer.
Sunday I was called to her bedside in the early
morning. She was greatly distressed for breath. She
gasped out, “Sr. White, pray for me.” I dropped upon
my knees and poured out my soul before God with
strong crying and tears. The Lord herd, the Lord
answered, relief came and Edith responded quite
strong and heartily, and at the close praised God..
Brother and Sister Whitney followed in prayer. We felt
that Jesus’ presence was in the room, saying, “Peace
be unto you.” Our hearts were filled with joy, comfort
and love. How precious was Jesus to us in this trying
hour. Edith had the evidence as she has never had it
before, that Jesus loved and blessed her. I talked with
some and told her that she need not feel that she must
have her mind laboring and strained in her feebleness,
but when tempted by the enemy, that Jesus will not
save her such a sinner, as she had often expressed to
me; but all she had to do was to look and live. Say to
Satan, “Jesus is my Savior, He has bought my by His
precious blood. Jesus, ‘Simply to thy cross I cling.’”
She seemed comforted, relieved, blessed. She thanked
me that I had prayed with her and comforted her.
She said, “I have no longer any fears. I am willing
to go. ‘Hope thou, O, my soul, in the Lord.’ I am
trusting in Jesus, no longer in myself.” Words came to
me so encouraging to speak to the afflicted one, telling
of Jesus who had passed through death and brightened
the portals of the tomb, that when Jesus the Live Giver
should come in His glory, He would call up His
faithful believing ones to a glorious immortality. You
may say, Edith, “ I commit the keeping of my soul to
God as unto a faithful Creator.”
At night I was called again. She was supported by
Brother Whitney while strangling for breath. Every
breath was an agony. I dropped on my knees and again
besought my heavenly Father to give Edith relief from
this terrible distress. Our prayers were heard, relief
came. Said she “Praise the Lord, He has heard prayer.
I feel so much better.”
Again I pointed her to the strong helper, the
precious Savior, and she felt the assurance of His love.
Said she, “Oh how good is the Lord, He loves me,
even me. O, I thank you Sister White, I thank you, you
have comforted me and the Lord has blessed me.” The
Lord gave me words to speak to Edith, and I felt
indeed that angels of God were round about the child.
For two days she has not seemed to have a clear mind,
but has not suffered much except with restlessness,
until she fell asleep in Jesus this morning, half past
five o’clock.
There was also another death last evening. Sister
Keller was expecting to attend the missionary meeting,
and was copying her missionary letter, when she said,
“My head pains me.” Her daughter went to lay down
the little child she was holding, and when she got back
her mother’s head was bowed upon the table—she was
dead.
We felt that we are admonished to be ready, for our
probation may close when we least expect it. I had
great comfort in telling Edith of Jesus, who is the
Live-Giver. She at the edge of the grave, I could in all
faith tell her of Him who is the resurrection and the
life of the soul and the body. That those who sleep in
Jesus, will He bring with Him from the graves. The
light of Jesus irradiates the grave, and lights the
beyond with its blessed rays. Edith was not afraid to
die.
Let us be making our preparation for heaven.-- E.
G White.
Every unselfish action makes the character more
Christlike. . . . A true, noble life is characterized by
thoughtful attention to the needs of others. . . .There is
no graduation from the school of Christ. Throughout
the ceaseless ages of eternity Christians will be
learners in this school.-- Letter 6, 1885, p. 3. Found in
Manuscript Releases, Volume 9, p. 370.
Edith [Andrews] was brought into meeting and she
bore her testimony, but I am sorry to say she is not
spiritual and does not know how to come to the Light
Sunday morning I attended early meeting with the
office workers, prayed with them and talked with
them. They seemed interested and, some, deeply
affected. Then after the meeting closed I talked with
the girls in the office in relation to Edith and the close
friendship and attention they were giving her. I told
them they had made her an idol and had flattered her
and petted her until she was entirely deceived in
regard to herself. She was not awake to her needs. She
felt not [that] she needed a Physician. They had helped
her to this state of blindness by their worshiping her,
that this extra love was so choice its fragrance could
be permitted to go to only a few while others, more
devotional, more worthy, were excluded. I told them
that this deception would be fatal to Edith if it was
kept up to the last. She wanted to be diverted and
amused when the hours [given] to her [by God] were
solemn and precious, to be [325] devoted to
preparation of heart to meet her Savior in the morning
of the resurrection. I wished them to review the past
and see if in one instance Edith had led their minds
and affections heavenward, if they could think of any
time she had talked of Jesus and heaven and the truth.
I told them she had led their minds away from the
truth, away from devotion of God, to human worship.
They had an admiration society, seeking to be loved,
praised, petted, and this had separated their affection
from God so that not one of those who were so
sympathetic, so loving, so devoted to Edith, was
learning to wear Christ's yoke or to carry His burdens.
They were backsliding from God, and in the place of
giving Him the heart's best and loveliest affections
they were placing confidence and love upon an
earthly, erring creature. They did not love Edith
because she was devotional, because she lived so near
to Jesus, but because they thought her perfection. She
pleased them but she did not please Jesus or really
love Jesus. I talked to them very plainly and shall not
see these young people deceived. I shall talk with
Edwin and John Vuilleumier.
Basel, Nov. 22, 1885. I attended the morning
meeting of the workers in the office, prayed with them
and spoke to them about thirty minutes upon the
necessity of faithfulness. I think many felt deeply
upon this matter, for I know there have been
influences that have drawn their minds from devotion
and heart service to God, to having their affection and
their interest divided, placing human objects where the
Lord alone should rule and reign. A request was made
for all who would from this time make most earnest
efforts to reach a higher standard, to arise. All arose.
We hope this now will have the effect to win them to
God and to heavenly reflections and make earnest
efforts to be all that God has given them power to be--
faithful and true devoted soldiers of the cross of
Christ. How my heart is drawn out for these young
men.
I called together the girls from the office and talked
with them seriously and affectionately, trying to have
them see that they had enshrined Edith Andrews in
their heart as an idol. The worship due to God they
had given to a human, erring creature, one who was
herself in need of mercy and the pardoning love of
God or she would not be saved. May the Lord set the
words that I have spoken to them home to the hearts.
Manuscript Releases, Volume 17, pp. 324-325, 331-
332.
To Addie Walling: Brother Whitney returns today
on his way to Basle, Switzerland. Edith Andrews is
steadily failing. I think this climate is better than Basle
for my lungs. There has been much labor brought
upon me through the lovesick sentimentalism of the
workers in the office. I hope, my dear girl, you will
keep free of this. You will gain the confidence of all
whom you respect if you are reserved and do not
encourage the attentions and the society of young
men. If I had time, I would write you some things I
have had to meet here and in every place where I have
been. Edith, poor child, is not fit to die. She has
attracted attention to herself and had a few favorites
and neglected those who were worthy and good
because they did not just meet her taste. These few she
lavished her affections upon--[they] thought her
perfection, and have petted her, and she petted them
and [they] idolized one another. So, you see, God was
left out of the question. This sentimentalism has
injured the usefulness of excellent young men in the
office and unfitted young girls for their work. I talked
very plainly with Edith, and she does not seem to
sense her condition. I have written to her, and I think
she will now see her mistakes. She has had no
experience in genuine religion, but has everything to
do now in her feeble condition to know Christ and the
power of His grace. Oh, that she had learned this while
in health.
I do hope you will not be deceived, Addie, as this
poor child is. I hope you will be an earnest, true
Christian day by day, seeking God in prayer. Do not be
so busy you cannot give time to read the Bible and
seek the grace of God in humble prayer. Follow no
one's example or custom in dress or in actions. If they
lead to indifference and worldliness, do not express
vanity in dress, but dress becomingly, neatly; but seek
earnestly to be meek and lowly of heart and be
obtaining a rich experience in the things of God. Learn
to overcome vanity which exists in the heart that is not
sanctified through the truth. Do not be forward, but be
retiring and modest. – Letter 28, 1885 Daughters of
God, 159-160.
To Edith Andrews: . . . Attention to health is one of
our most important duties. We owe this to ourselves,
to society, and to God. Young men and young women
are proverbially careless in regard to their health.
Hundreds die in early life, not because of a
dispensation of providence, but because of a
dispensation of carelessness. Many girls go half clad
in cold weather. Others choose to sit reading or writing
when they should be taking physical exercise. God
gave them organs for use. The living machinery is not
to be allowed to rust from inaction. To keep all the
powers of the body equally taxed will require self-
restraint. The lives of many who have suffered
premature death might have been prolonged to old age
had they acted intelligently.
Disease and death have become common because
of the unpardonable ignorance of those who ought to
know better.
Exercise is indispensable to the health of every
organ. If one set of muscles is used to the neglect of
others, the living machinery is not being worked
intelligently.
When physical exercise is taken, the circulation is
quickened. The heart receives blood faster and sends it
to the lungs faster. The lungs work more vigorously,
furnishing a greater amount of blood, which is sent
with stronger power through the entire being. Exercise
gives new life and strength to every part of the body.
The nerves gain or lose strength in accordance with
the way in which they are treated. If used too long and
too severely, they are overtaxed and weakened. If used
properly, they gain strength.
In order to have health, equilibrium of action must
be maintained. The mind must harmonize with this, or
the benefits are not realized. If physical exercise is
regarded as drudgery, the mind takes no interest in the
exercise of the different parts of the body. The mind
must be interested in the exercise of the muscles.
In the education of the youth, physical exercise
must be combined with mental taxation.
Young girls who have health never know how to
appreciate its value. If their employment is sedentary,
they have a distaste for other branches of labor. They
complain of great weariness if they take exercise. This
should be to them a convincing fact that they need to
train their muscles.--Letter 6, 1885 (written probably
in early spring or sooner. “Letter 7” was written
February 10.) Daughters of God, 172-173.
Ellen White in Europe, pp. 87-89
The week following the European Council was a
sorrowful time for Ellen White in several ways. First,
she had a "painful operation" on her teeth Friday
morning. The pain lasted over the Sabbath, October 3,
and by Sunday morning she was suffering severely but
hot fomentations brought some relief. Her own health
problems were over-shadowed, however, by those of
Edith Andrews, a niece of J. N. Andrews, and the
oldest daughter of Martha Andrews Bourdeau. Edith
had come to Europe with her uncle in May, 1879, just
after J. N. Andrews' young daughter, Mary, had died of
tuberculosis.1 The disease had taken J. N. Andrews in
1883, and now the vivacious 22-year-old Edith was
showing its effect. Ellen White wrote in her diary
during the European Council: "The condition of Edith
Andrews is a grief to us all. She seems to be failing in
health. What shall be done in her case?"--Manuscript
16a, 1885.
When the council had decided to send A. C.
Bourdeau and Edith's mother, Martha, to Torre Pellice,
Italy, it was suggested that Edith go along for her
health's sake, but she wanted to stay and work or, if
she had to, go to America.
Edith was quiet a leader among the young people in
the publishing house, but her example was not always
the best. W. C. White sized up the situation: "Her
influence in the office is not the best. It is to center her
affections on a choice few, and care but little for the
rest of the world." The influence of Edith's "clique"
was not good in a situation where so many people,
young and old, had to live and work together day after
day.
During the council Ellen White began to talk to
Edith about her spiritual health: "In the afternoon
[Wednesday, September 23] had a long, plain, pointed
talk with Edith Andrews. She seemed to have some
sense of her condition. We prayed together. I feel deep
pity for this child."2 --Manuscript 16a, 1885.
1
. [J. N. ANDREWS TOOK UP RESIDENCE IN EUROPE IN 1874.
HE RETURNED TO THE UNITED STATES TO ATTEND TWO
GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSIONS IN BATTLE CREEK--IN
NOVEMBER, 1878, AND APRIL, 1879. HE SET SAIL AGAIN FOR
EUROPE ON MAY 29, 1879, WITH HIS NIECE, EDITH, AND A
MISS ANNA OYEN. A FEW MONTHS LATER HIS DAUGHTER,
MARY, DIED OF TUBERCULOSIS IN BATTLE CREEK, AT THE
AGE OF 17 YEARS. (HISTORICAL SKETCHES, P. 33.)]
2
ELLEN WHITE HERSELF AS A TEEN-AGE "CHILD"
SUFFERED WITH TUBERCULOSIS. HER BROTHER ROBERT
WAS A VICTIM (SPIRITUAL GIFTS, VOL. 2, P. 174), AND IN
 On Sabbath, October 3, Edith sought out Ellen
White, and the two had another long talk about Edith's
religious experience. After seeing both her cousin and
uncle wasted by tuberculosis, Edith no doubt sensed
what was ahead, and wanted to make sure she was
ready to go and that she had made everything right.
Then followed two months of suffering for young
Edith. During those two months Mrs. White visited the
Scandinavian countries and Italy. When she returned
to Basel in December, Edith appealed to her for
assurances that the Lord had accepted her. Tenderly
the Lord's servant spoke with the dying girl, pointing
out that God had pledged to pardon every
transgression if we would only return to Him with true
repentance. "I believe, Edith, that you have done this,
and wherein you are too feeble to do the work as
thoroughly as if you were well, Jesus' precious mercy
and merits supplies the deficiencies on the part of His
repenting, humble ones." --Letter 26, 1885.
Then she quoted from Exodus 34:6, 7: "The Lord
God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering and
abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for
thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and
sin."
She asked Edith:
"Will you, my dear child, believe Him? What sins
can be too great for Him to pardon? Every soul is
precious in His sight. He is merciful, infinitely more
willing to pardon than condemn. He is gracious. He is
touched with the feelings of your infirmities."--Letter
25 (sic), 1885.
Sister White continued, telling of the great love of
Jesus, reminding the ailing young woman how He
saved Peter when he was sinking in doubt. Tears came
to Edith's eyes and ran down her feverish cheeks. "I
believe He accepts me,'" she said, "`I believe He loves
me and I all undeserving, have His peace.'"
On Sabbath, December 19, the messenger of the
Lord spoke twice, and that night she recorded in her
diary, "I am impressed that this is the last Sabbath
Edith will ever see."--Manuscript 30, 1885.
Finally, on Thursday, December 24, at 5:30 A.M.
the converted girl fell asleep. Blessed sleep! Sister
White was confident about her salvation. "She has
fallen asleep in Jesus."--Letter 72, 1886.
On Christmas Day Mrs. White wrote in her diary:
"There is a great solemnity upon my mind. Edith is
dead in the house. Her record is in the books of
heaven, unchangeable. What a solemn thought is life,
and how we live that life! We have evidence that
Edith's life is not what it might have been, but her last
THOSE DISTANT DAYS IT WAS KNOWN AS "CONSUMPTION,"
A PROGRESSIVE WASTING AWAY OF THE BODY, WITH
LITTLE HOPE OF SURVIVAL. A NUMBER OF PIONEER
WORKERS DIED FROM TUBERCULOSIS, E.G., T. RALPH
(IBID., PP. 91, 92). JAMES WHITE'S BROTHER, NATHANAEL,
AND SISTER, ANNA, WERE CASUALTIES (IBID., P. 195; LIFE
SKETCHES, P. 147). THE GIFTED POETESS, ANNIE SMITH,
SUCCUMBED TO THE DREAD DISEASE AT THE AGE OF 27
(REVIEW AND HERALD, AUG. 21, 1885). JAMES WHITE HAD
IT BUT RECOVERED (TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH, VOL.
1 P. 96). DOUBTLESS ELLEN WHITE COULD FEEL DEEPLY
WITH YOUNG EDITH ANDREWS OVER HER AFFLICTION.
(Notes in Original)
days were days of penitence, repentance, and
confession. We have reason to believe that the pitying
Redeemer accepted Edith."--Manuscript 30, 1885.
The next day Martha Bourdeau took her
stepdaughter, Sarah (A. C.'s daughter), and left for
Basel. Edith Andrews' condition had continued to
deteriorate, and Martha wanted to be with her child
during her last days. There were more rides into the
mountains for Ellen White that week, and more
trouble when the weekend came. Now Corcorda and
Grant had managed to influence the man from whom
Bourdeau had rented the new hall to turn the
Adventists out of that one, too! He finally decided to
hold the meetings in his own house until he could
purchase a hall. Here the messenger of the Lord spoke
to the believers for the balance of her visit. {EGWE
145.2}
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Other dying people’s testimonies by EGW
"While we were absent from Rochester on this eastern
tour the foreman of the Office was attacked with
cholera. He was an unconverted young man. The lady
of the house where he boarded died with the same
disease, also her daughter. He was then brought down
and no one ventured to take care of him, fearing the
disease. The Office hands watched over him until the
disease seemed checked, then took him to our house.
He had a relapse and a physician attended him and
exerted himself to the utmost to save him, but at
length told him that his case was hopeless, that he
could not survive through the night. Those interested
for him could not bear to see the young man die
without hope. They prayed around his bedside while
he was suffering great agony. He also prayed that the
Lord would have mercy upon him, and forgive his
sins. Yet he obtained no relief. He continued to cramp
and toss in restless agony. The brethren continued in
prayer all night that he might be spared to repent of his
sins and keep the commandments of God. He at length
seemed to consecrate himself to God, and promised
the Lord he would keep the Sabbath and serve him. He
soon felt relief. The next morning the physician came,
and as he entered, said, 'I told my wife about one
o'clock this morning that in all probability the young
man was out of his trouble.' He was told that he was
alive. The physician was surprised and immediately
ascended the stairs to his room, and as he examined
his pulse, said, 'Young man, you are better, the crisis is
past, but it is not my skill that saved you, but a higher
power. With good nursing you may get about again.'
He gained rapidly, and soon took his place in the
Office, a converted man. {LS80 295.4}
"After we returned from our eastern journey I was
shown that we were in danger of taking burdens upon
us that God did not require us to bear. We had a part to
act in the cause of God, and should not add to our
cares by increasing our family to gratify the wishes of
any. I saw that to save souls we should be willing to
bear burdens; and that we should open the way for my
husband's brother Nathaniel and sister Anna to come
and live with us. They were both invalids, yet we felt
to extend to them a cordial invitation to come to our
house. This they accepted. As soon as we saw
Nathaniel we feared that consumption had marked him
for the grave. The hectic flush was upon his cheek, yet
we hoped and prayed that the Lord would spare him,
that his talent might be employed in the cause of God.
But the Lord saw fit to order otherwise. Nathaniel and
Anna came into the truth cautiously yet
understandingly. They weighed the evidences of our
positions, and conscientiously decided for the truth.
{LS80 296.1}
"Nathaniel died May 6, 1853, in the 22d year of his
age. The following particulars of his sickness and
death, are from a letter I wrote to our bereaved
parents:-- {LS80 297.1}
"'Dear Nathaniel, we miss him much. It seems hard
for us to realize that we are no more to have his
society here. He bore up through his sickness with
remarkable cheerfulness and fortitude. I never heard
him groan but once, and that was the Tuesday before
he died. I loved him when he first came because he
was brother to my husband, and I felt that I could do
anything for his comfort, but soon he seemed as near
to me as a natural brother. I read some in the Bible to
him Wednesday, and told him about my poor brother
Robert, who, after six months of great suffering, died
of consumption. Said he, "I should not wish to have
such lingering sickness as he had." He enjoyed his
mind well, and told us not to look sad when we came
into his room. Said he, "I am happy; the Lord blesses
me abundantly. I have obtained the victory over
impatience, and have the evidence that the Lord loves
and owns me as his child." That night he suffered
much with wakefulness. Thursday morning he
expressed his joy that the long night had passed, and
day had finally come. As he walked out to breakfast in
the large parlor that morning, he looked around the
room, and said, "Any one cannot help but get well in
such a beautiful house as this, with such large, airy
rooms." {LS80 297.2}
"'Anna generally took his meals to him from
choice, and then sat by his side while he ate; as she did
not wish to eat until after he had. Said he, "Ellen, I
wish you would make Anna sit down and eat with the
rest of the family, for there is no need of her sitting by
me while I eat." He seemed to love Anna very much,
and through his sickness often spoke of his coming to
Rochester to accompany her, because she was so
feeble, and now she was waiting upon him, and often
said, "Anna, you did not know when you made up
your mind to come to Rochester that you were coming
to wait upon me." That night [Thursday] we went into
his room and prayed with him, and he was abundantly
blessed. He praised the Lord aloud, while his face
lighted up with the glory of God. We especially prayed
that he might have sleep and rest that night. He rested
very well through the night. Friday morning, the last
morning that he lived, he called us into his room. He
said that he wished us to pray there, but first he had
something to say. He then with remarkable clearness
called up little things that had transpired while he had
been with us, and every word that he thought he had
spoken hastily or wrong he confessed heartily. He
confessed wherein he had distrusted God in times past,
and asked forgiveness of the family. "I regret," said he,
"that I have been unreconciled to my sickness. I have
felt that I could not have it so, and that the Lord dealt
hard with me. But I am now satisfied it is just; for
nothing but this sickness could bring me where I am.
God has blessed me much of late, and has forgiven me
all my sins. It often seems that if I should reach out
my hand I could embrace Jesus, he is so near. I know
that I love God and he loves me." {LS80 297.3}
"'After he had said what he wished to, we united in
prayer. It was a sweet season. He manifested great
interest while we were praying, responding to our
prayers, saying, "Amen! Praise the Lord! Glory to
God! I will praise him, for he is worthy to be praised!
His name is Jesus, and he will save us from our sins!"
He prayed earnestly and in faith for a full consecration
to God's will, to be baptized with his Spirit, and
purified by his blood. Said he, "Thou hast forgiven me
all my sins. Thou hast sanctified me to thyself, and I
will honor thee as long as I have breath." His face
shone, and he looked very happy. He said that the
room seemed light, and he loved us all. After we arose
from prayers he said, "Anna, I love you, come here."
She went to his bedside, and he embraced her, and
said, "I am very happy, the Lord has blessed me."
Nathaniel was triumphant in God through the day,
although he was very sick. I remained in his room and
entertained him by reading the Bible and conversing
with him. As I read he would say, "How appropriate
that is! How beautiful! I must remember that!" {LS80
298.1}
"'I then said, "Nathaniel you are very sick. You may
die in two hours, and unless God interposes, you
cannot live two days," He said, very calmly, "Oh, not
so soon as that, I think." He immediately arose from
the bed, sat in the rocking-chair, and commenced
talking. He began back to the time when he was
converted, and told how much he enjoyed, and how
afraid he was of sinning, and then when he began to
forget God, and lose the blessing, how high his hopes
were raised. He "meant to be a man in the world, to
get an education and fill some high station." And then
he told how his hopes had died, as afflictions had
pressed heavily upon him, and how hard it was for
him to give up his expectations. He said he felt he
could not have it so, he would be well, he would not
yield to it. Then he spoke of his coming to Rochester.
How trying it was to have us wait upon him, and to be
dependent. "It seemed to me," said he, "that the
kindness of you all was more than I could bear, and I
have desired to get well to pay you for all this." He
then spoke of his embracing the Sabbath. Said he, "At
first I was not willing to acknowledge the light I saw. I
wished to conceal it, but the blessing of God was
withheld from me until I acknowledged the Sabbath.
Then I felt confidence towards God." Said he, "I love
the Sabbath now. It is precious to me. I now feel
reconciled to my sickness. I know that it is the only
thing that will save me. I will praise the Lord, if he can
save me through affliction." {LS80 299.1}
"'At our usual supper-time, we prepared poor
Nathaniel's supper, but he soon said that he was faint,
and did not know but he was going to die, He sent for
me, and as soon as I entered the room, I knew that he
was dying, and said to him, "Nathaniel dear, trust in
God, he loves you, and you love him. Trust right in
him as a child trusts in its parents." Don't be troubled.
The Lord will not leave you. Said he, "Yes, yes." We
prayed and he responded, "Amen, praise the Lord!"
He did not seem to suffer pain. He did not groan once,
nor struggle, nor move a muscle of his face, but
breathed shorter and shorter until he fell asleep.' The
following lines occasioned by his death, were written
by Sister Annie R. Smith:--
"Gone to thy rest, brother! peaceful thy sleep;
While o'er thy grave bending, in sorrow we weep,
For the loved and the cherished, in life's early
bloom,
Borne from our number, to the cold, silent tomb.
"Sweet be thy slumber! in quiet repose;
Beneath the green turf, and the blossoming rose;
Oh, soft is thy pillow, and lowly thy bed;
Mournful the cypress that waves o'er the dead.
"Dark though the pinion that shaded his brow,
The truth which he followed illumined it now;
In the arms of his Saviour he fell to his rest,
Where woes that await us pervade not his breast.
"Weep not for the Christian whose labor is done;
Who, faithful to duty, the treasure has won.
The jewel was fitted forever to shine,
A gem in the casket, immortal, divine.
"Not long will earth's bosom his precious form hide,
And death's gloomy portals from kindred divide;
For swiftly approaching, we see the bright day,
That brings the glad summons, Arise! come away!
{LS80 300.1}
---
"My brother continued to fail rapidly. If he felt a cloud
shutting Jesus from him, he would not rest until it was
dispelled, and bright hope again cheered him. To all
who visited him he conversed upon the goodness of
God, and would often lift his emaciated finger,
pointing upwards, while a heavenly light rested upon
his countenance, and say, 'My treasure is laid up on
high.' It was a wonder to all that his life of suffering
was thus protracted. He had hemorrhage of the lungs,
and was thought to be dying. Then an unfulfilled duty
presented itself to him. He had again connected
himself with the Methodist church, from which he was
expelled in 1843 with the other members of the family
on account of his faith. He said he could not die in
peace until his name was taken from the church-book,
and requested father to go immediately and have it
taken off. In the morning father visited the minister,
stating my brother's request. He said that he would
visit him, and then if it was still his wish to be
considered no longer a member of their church, his
request should be granted. Just before the minister
arrived my brother had a second hemorrhage and
whispered
his fears that he should not live to do this duty. The
minister visited him, and he immediately expressed his
desire, and told him he could not die in peace until his
name was taken from the church-book, and that he
should not have united with them again if he had been
standing in the light. He then spoke of his faith, and
hope, and the goodness of God to him. A heavenly
smile was upon his countenance, and those lips, a few
moments before stained with blood, were opened to
praise God for his great salvation. As the minister left
the room he said to my parents, 'That is a triumphant
soul, I never saw so happy a soul before.' Soon after
this my brother fell asleep in Jesus, in full hope of
having a part in the first resurrection. The following
lines were written upon his death by Sister Annie R.
Smith:--
"He sleeps in Jesus--peaceful rest--
No mortal strife invades, his breast;
No pain, or sin, or woe, or care,
Can reach the silent slumberer there.
"He lived, his Saviour to adore,
And meekly all his sufferings bore.
He loved, and all resigned to God;
Nor murmured at his chastening rod.
"'Does earth attract thee here?' they cried,
The dying Christian thus replied:
While pointing upward to the sky,
'My treasure is laid up on high.'
"He sleeps in Jesus--soon to rise,
When the last trump shall rend the skies;
Then burst the fetters of the tomb,
To wake in full, immortal bloom.
"He sleeps in Jesus--cease thy grief;
Let this afford thee sweet relief--
That, freed from death's triumphant reign,
In heaven will he live again. {LS80 289.1}
---
"The Lord spared our dear babe to us, when to all
appearance he was already in death's embrace. Oh,
how grateful we felt to God for his mercy to us! I felt
very solemn as I heard in the still evening the cry,
"Child lost!" and then the description of some mother's
little one whose fate was in uncertainty. I clasped my
little Willie to my heart, which throbbed with love and
gratitude to the Lord who had spared our dear boy.
{LS80 321.2}
"But we were yet to pass through another severe
trial. At the Conference a very solemn vision was
given me. I saw that some of those present would be
food for worms, some subjects for the seven last
plagues, and some would be translated to Heaven at
the second coming of Christ, without seeing death.
Sister Bonfoey remarked to a sister as we left the
meeting-house, 'I feel impressed that I am one who
will soon be food for worms.' The Conference closed
Monday. Thursday, Sister B. sat at the table with us
apparently well. She then went to the Office as usual,
to assist in mailing the Review. In about two hours she
sent for me. She had been suddenly taken very ill. My
health had been very poor, yet I hastened to suffering
Clara. In a few hours she seemed some better. {LS80
321.3}
"The next morning we had her brought home in a
large chair, and she was laid upon her own bed, from
which she was never to rise. Her symptoms became
alarming, and we had fears that a tumor, which had
troubled her for nearly ten years, had broken inwardly.
It was so, and mortification was doing its work. Friday
evening, about seven o'clock she fell asleep. She had
her senses until her eyes closed in death. She stated
that her pilgrimage was ended, and that she had no
fears of death. We united in prayer, and she responded.
She kissed us, and bade us an affectionate farewell.
She seemed very solicitous for my health, and was
grieved if I manifested distress. We were unprepared
for her death. To lose her was a living loss. Eight years
she had shared our joys and trials, and she had never
proved untrue. We have missed her cheerful society,
and her sisterly affection, and her care in our family.
We laid her in Oak Hill Cemetery to rest until the
sleeping saints awake to immortality. {LS80 322.1}
--
During this severe attack of sickness [experienced
in Oakland, California, in 1888] I had vividly brought
to my remembrance the experience I passed through
when my husband was dying. I prayed with him in
my great feebleness on that occasion. I sat by his side
with his hand in mine until he fell asleep in Jesus. The
solemn vows I there made to stand at my post of duty
were deeply impressed upon my mind -- vows to
disappoint the enemy, to bear a constant, earnest
appeal to my brethren of the cruelty of their jealousies
and evil surmisings which were leavening the
churches. I would appeal to them to love one another,
to keep their hearts tender by the remembrance of the
love of Jesus exercised toward them, in what He did
for them. And He said, "Love one another, as I have
loved you" (John 15:12). I never can express with pen
or voice the work that I discerned was laid out before
me on that occasion when I was beside my dying
husband. I have not lost the deep views of my work,
as I sat by the bed of my husband with his dying hand
in mine. -- Ms 21, 1888. {RY 163.3}
After my husband died, one of our brethren, who
thought a great deal of him, said, "Do not let them
bury him, but pray to the Lord that He may bring him
to life again." I said, "No, no, although I realize my
great loss, I will not do this," I felt that he had done
his work. No one but myself knew how great a load
he had carried in the efforts we had put forth to
advance the truth. He had done the work of three
men. {RY 164.1}
Night after night, at the beginning of our work,
when advancement seemed to be hindered on every
hand, he would say, "Ellen, we must pray. We must
not let go until we realize the power of God." He
would lie awake for hours, and say, "Oh, Ellen, I am
so afflicted. Will you pray for me, that I may not fail
or be discouraged." Together we offered up our
prayers, with strong crying and tears, until from his
lips came the words, "Thank the Lord; He has spoken
peace to me. I have light in the Lord. I will not fail. I
will press the battle to the gates." Would I have him
suffer all this over again? No, no. I would in no case
call him from his restful sleep to a life of toil and pain.
He will rest until the morning of the resurrection. {RY
164.2}
---
In company with Bro. C. we went to Rocky Hill to
meet with the brethren there. We were informed of the
sickness of Bro. T. Ralph, and called to see him.
Consumption had marked him for the grave, and he
knew that he could not live. He was strong in God,
and his whole interest was in the truth. We left our
dear afflicted brother, promising on our return to call
again. {2SG 91.2}
When we called at night we found the young man
very near his end. His mortal frame was racked with
pain. We prayed with him, and his heavy breathing
and groaning ceased while we were praying. The
blessing of God rested down in that sick room, and we
felt that angels were hovering around. He was relieved
a little, yet knew that he was dying. He tried to have us
understand that hope lightened up the future, and that
to him it was not a dark uncertainty. We understood
from broken sentences that he should have part in the
first resurrection, and then be made immortal. Said he,
"Tell Bro. Bates that I will meet him then." His
faltering tongue often spoke that dear name, so
precious to the dying Christian-- Jesus--in whom all
his hope of eternal life centered. He fell asleep in
Jesus a few hours after we left. My husband attended
the funeral. There were many present who had listened
to his faithful exhortations, and despised them while
he was living, and some who had abused him on
account of his faith, a short time before. They looked
upon the countenance of the dead, which bore a
pleasant smile, and turned from the sight with
quivering lip and moistened eye. We could but think,
though dead, he speaketh. It was the testimony of all
present that they had never seen so pleasant and lovely
an expression upon the face of the dead. We followed
the body to the grave, to rest until the righteous dead
awake to immortality. {2SG 92.1}
 The conference was held at Rocky Hill, Ct., in the
large, unfinished chamber of Bro. Belden's house. I
will here give an extract of a letter from my husband
to Bro. Howland respecting that meeting. {2SG 93.1}
March 17th. We rode out of the city to visit Bro. I.'s
family, the daughter A. accompanying us. We found
the mother had been absent. She had just returned
from walking three miles and back, making six miles,
to obtain help to put up a fence around a little spot of
land they had cleared for the purpose of making a
garden. She was disappointed, and her long walk
amounted to nothing. We found her husband very low,
and his difficulties aggravated by the inconvenience of
the dwelling. It was a log house, unfinished. There
was only one room, and a chamber which they used
for a sleeping apartment by climbing a ladder. The
steam of the cooking increased the sick man's cough,
and the only relief he could obtain was to go out doors
and cough in a painful, violent manner. They had one
little son about ten years old, and small of his age. The
labor of one nearly double his age came upon him. He
seemed willing to do all he could. We had a praying
season before leaving, and it was a solemn place; it
was indeed the house of mourning. The daughter A.
prayed for her father in an earnest, touching manner,
and then for her sisters. As our petitions went up
unitedly to God, there was weeping aloud for some
time in the dwelling, and after we had risen from our
knees we heard A. outside of the house pleading with
her sisters to serve God, and all were weeping aloud.
All felt that a sacred tie was about to be broken. Our
visit was a profitable one, and we believe God
approbated the efforts we had made to comfort the
afflicted, suffering one, and ease his passage to the
grave. The knowledge that there were those who
would have a kindly care for the mother and children
was a great consolation to him, for he knew that he
must soon part with them. {GS, December 1, 1859
par. 3}
After we returned home we made the church
acquainted with the situation of the afflicted family,
and measures were immediately taken to relieve them.
A little addition was put on to their log house for a
cook-room, that the sick parent might be made more
comfortable. A few weeks after this he fell asleep. He
died, leaning upon the strong promises of God. Jesus
was his friend, and all through his sickness he seemed
to lean upon his bosom with assurance that he should
come forth in the resurrection morn immortal. The
family are now left without a husband and father. They
must not want, they must be supplied with life's
necessaries, if they are deprived of many of its
comforts. And we believe it will be the highest
pleasure for those who have abundance to help the
poor who are needy. Especially should widows be
taken care of. They should have our tenderest
sympathy, prayers, and we should look after the
interest of the fatherless children. Husbands and
fathers, make their case your own, and have a care for
them just as you would wish others to have a care for
your companion and children if you should be called
away from your families. This is a cold and selfish
world. It is natural to look out for self, and neglect
those who are pining for sympathy and consolation,
and are suffering privation. {GS, December 1, 1859
par. 4}
---
Sara took charge at once, told them that they were
killing him, that the lungs must have food--good, pure
air. All must leave the room but those required to wait
on him. She examined the house and told them he
must be moved into the sitting room.
First, she directed that his bowels, which were
burning hot, be relieved by an enema, administered
by two brethren who were present. Then a cot was
brought in, and Sara made it up. Then, all unconscious
of everything, he was moved by four men onto the cot,
and plenty of air was given him. He fell asleep for the
first time since Monday. After remaining until the
afternoon was nearly gone, Sara and May returned.--
MS 174, 1897. {4BIO 328.1}
But the good work started by Sara was cut short. A
physician who had been sent for before Sara was
called, and who had waited on the young man earlier
in the week, came belatedly on Friday evening. He
was surprised to find the young man had made a
change for the better and was rational. When told what
treatment the patient had received, the doctor said it
could not be bettered, declared the young man free
from fever, and left word to give him a drop or two of
liquor if he had sinking spells. When William
Cloutsen came in a bit later, he found a blazing fire in
the room and the windows all closed. He put the fire
out, threw the wood out of doors, opened the
windows, and bathed the patient's face and head.
{4BIO 328.2}
"You are a good fellow, Billy Cloutsen," the patient
said. "You know what to do for a fellow. I feel
better."--Ibid. {4BIO 328.3}
The father and brothers were drinking rum when
Cloutsen left, and proposed giving some to the sick
man. {4BIO 328.4}
"Don't give him a drop. If you do, it will kill him,"
Cloutsen admonished. {4BIO 328.5}
They said they would not give him any. His
brothers told Cloutsen that he was the only member of
the family who would not drink--"He would never
touch it." But after Cloutsen left, they thought he was
weakening and gave him liquor. When Cloutsen called
in the morning, he found the young man was dead.
"You gave him liquor," he charged. {4BIO 328.6}
The family admitted they had, and in doing so were
responsible for the death of the son. {4BIO 329.1}
---