Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Chapter 14—The Death of My Husband[106]Notwithstanding the labors, cares, and responsibilities with whichmy husband’s life had been crowded, his sixtieth year found him activeand vigorous in mind and body. Three times had he fallen under astroke of paralysis; yet by the blessing of God, a naturally strongconstitution, and strict attention to the laws of health, he had beenenabled to rally. Again he traveled, preached, and wrote with hiswonted zeal and energy. Side by side we had labored in the cause ofChrist for thirty-six years; and we hoped that we might stand togetherto witness the triumphant close. But such was not the will of God. Thechosen protector of my youth, the companion of my life, the sharer ofmy labors and afflictions, has been taken from my side, and I am leftto finish my work and to fight the battle alone.The spring and early summer of 1881 we spent together at ourhome in Battle Creek. My husband hoped to arrange his business sothat we could go to the Pacific Coast and devote ourselves to writing.He felt that we had made a mistake in allowing the apparent wants ofthe cause and the entreaties of our brethren to urge us into active laborin preaching when we should have been writing. My husband desiredto present more fully the glorious subject of redemption, and I hadlong contemplated the preparation of important books. We both feltthat while our mental powers were unimpaired we should completethese works—that it was a duty which we owed to ourselves and tothe cause of God to rest from the heat of battle, and give to our peoplethe precious light of truth which God had opened to our minds.Some weeks before the death of my husband, I urged upon himthe importance of seeking a field of labor where we would be releasedfrom the burdens necessarily coming upon us at Battle Creek. In replyhe spoke of various matters which required attention before we couldleave—duties which someone must do. Then with deep feeling heinquired: “Where are the men to do this work? Where are those whowill have an unselfish interest in our institutions, and who will stand100