Explore the emphasis on health reform within Adventism and its role in the development of the church in the 19th century.

 Introduction

Currently, the Seventh-day Adventist church is the most studied religious group because of its emphasis on healthy lifestyle among its members and has a very extensive network of health institution around the world. National Geographic has featured the Loma Linda as the only blue zone in America – a community where most people reach a century of living and still has the vigour to live a normal and fulfilling life in the community.[1] Thanks to the health reform message from God that the church has accepted and adopted as part of its fundamental beliefs.

I will explore the emphasis of health reform within the Adventist movement and its consequential role in the development of the church specifically during the second half of the 19th Century.

Mortality Rate in the Early Church

A quick background of the medical practice during the 19th century can help us appreciate the health reform as emphasised within our church and its role in shaping the church’s members’ lifestyle, community mission outreach projects, publishing, and educational enterprises.

Adventism came about in the mid 19th Century through the millerite movement. Obituaries in the Review and Herald during the pioneering days of the church saw about half of all recorded deaths in the church came before their 30th year of life, which frequently came like a thief in the night, and mostly from pulmonary diseases (consumption) followed by typhoid fever and diphtheria. Death was common even among ministers and funeral services were even conducted sadly without the presence of a minister. This was one big reason why God needed to send the early church the health message.[2]

Common Medical Practice

During the early church, true medical science had not yet occurred upon the professional medical practice and thought. The medical books of the time showed evidence that the medical practice of the physicians was that of freely prescribing strong drugs and opiates along with bleeding.

At the turn of the 19th century, George Washington was one famous figure that became the unintentional victim of drugging and bleeding. The first half of the 19th century witnessed but very little improvement in the general medical practice.

It does not come as a surprise to us now that people then were dying due to ignorant beliefs about diseases and very little attention was given to the cause of the disease and natural methods for healing. With no scientific knowledge regarding healthful practices in the areas of diet, sanitation, and natural methods of healing. The church laity and clergy get sick and die prematurely. Home remedies were as bad as the professional practice too.

It is only with this background in mind that we can rightly appreciate the role of the health reform message to our knowledge of physiology, health, nutrition, and medical treatment and home remedies.

Lifestyle Change Emphasis of Health Reform

There were already health reforms being started at the turn of the 19th century but not until approaching the mid-19th century that few men of science dared openly questioned the utility of drugs and advocated rational remedies like water cure or hydrotherapy and simple laws of health as rational methods of treatment of diseases.[3]

It was due to God’s mercy and grace that he sent the health reform to the church through his prophet. Preliminary reforms were already called in the vision of autumn 1848 where injurious effects of tobacco (also tea and coffee) was shown. At a time when tobacco was prescribed for lung conditions, Mrs White wrote:

“Tobacco is a slow, insidious, but most malignant poison. It is more subtle (than intoxicating drink) and its effects are difficult to eradicate from the system, multitudes have fallen victims to its poisonous influence. They have surely murdered themselves by this slow poison.” [4]

Then the lack of hygiene among sabbath-keepers was called out and the need to control appetite was emphasised in the second vision of 1854.

After the great doctrinal truths were defined and church organisation was implemented to ensure unity of action, the church received in 1963 the comprehensive health reform vision which was supplemented by additional visions as time went on or as the need arises.

The vision given on the Christmas eve of 1865 gave the instruction that led to the establishment of the Western Health Reform Institute. Another vision was given in 1868 which pointed out the danger against brethren who were extremists and would bring reproach upon the health reform. On December 10, 1871, warnings were given about the danger of losing emphasis and focus on the great object for which the institution has been founded.[5]

The broad principles of the subject that had been revealed to Mrs. Ellen G. White during her vision in 1863 are briefly described as follows:

a. Care for health is a religious duty.

b. Most diseases are caused by a violation of the laws of health.

c. Condemnation of various forms of intemperance: stimulating drinks (alcohol), tobacco, highly spiced foods, overwork.

d. Vegetarianism is advocated for the first time.

e. Proper dietary habits necessary to control appetite.

f.  Control of the mind is essential.

g. Natural remedies offered over drug medication: pure air, water, sunshine, physical exercise, adequate rest, fasting, proper nutrition.  (Trust in God was added in 1885).

h. Personal hygiene.

i.  Environmental concerns.

j.  Health education urged.

From the very start of the health reform movement within the church, great emphasis was placed upon the subject of food habits and its effect upon health and spirituality. This immediately decrease mortality rates among those who followed the healthy lifestyle and water therapy treatments.

Emphasis of Progressive Health Reform

It is evident in the multiple visions on health reform given to Mrs. White that the health reform was progressive in its emphases on different topics. Some church pioneers were already advanced in health reforms like Joseph Bates, followed by James White, even before the church’s formal organisation, yet it was still a time of general ignorance about health. It was God’s design that the great fundamental spiritual truths should be presented first to unify and fully knit the brethren together before being tested by the introduction of the health reform message. It is well known tendency of human nature to revolt against any attack on his self-indulgent habits. Had the health message, with its emphasis on temperance and self-denial, been prematurely urged, it might have caused distraction and confusion and led the minds of the brethren from the importance of the present work of God among the remnants.[6]

Although there was no corporate move made among sabbath-keeping Adventist before 1863, certain fundamental preliminary steps were already taken progressively through the formative years of the church. Tobacco, tea, and coffee were included in the first steps of reform. In 1853, tobacco was first rebuked by Elder White stating that this drug hinders spiritual growth and those who pleaded poverty as a reason for not being able to sustain the Review and Herald, he wrote:

“They have much leisure time, and perhaps are in the filthy, health-destroying, God-dishonoring practice of using tobacco. Yes, too poor to help a brother send out the bread of heaven to the scattered flock; but have means enough to obtain tobacco, snuff, and tea. Can the Holy Spirit dwell with such men and women? Who dares say, Yes?”[7]

For some churches even, this became a test of fellowship. In a general meeting held at Vermont attended by delegates from most churches in the state, the delegates voted to deem it their duty to withdraw the hand of fellowship from those members who do not reform. Steady progress was seen but as with any reforms, it requires time and patient education. They evidently found it difficult to enforce their test of fellowship.[8]

From tobacco, tea and coffee reform to cleanliness and diet reform; step by step, the people were led along progressively in the primary reforms, as they could bear it, then light was given about food and dress reforms. At the end of 1870, Elder White reported that the reforms introduced many years before had been adopted by practically all Seventh-day Adventist.[9]

Thus, the health reform had a leading role in the church’s development in terms of the member’s lifestyle and even church policies in requirements for fellowship.

Unique Health Reform Emphasis

Although certain aspects of the health reform advocated by Mrs. White was not unique nor first to be taught by her, for example in 1863, Dr. Jackson, who practice water cure and simple laws of health, wrote that their hope in presenting the health considerations to the people originates from a sense of the duty which Christ imposes to sanctify their bodies and souls to his service.[10]

However, what was unique about the health reform taught by Mrs. White was its philosophical and theological emphasis to health. She made it a sacred obligation and linked the physical condition and the spiritual experience in a cause-effect relationship.[11] She wrote,

"The health of the body is to be regarded as essential for growth in grace and the acquirement of an even temper.[12]

“The body is the only medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character.”[13]

The emphasis of the health reform was not only physical healing but also the prosperity of the soul or moral discernment. As Mrs. White penned, “let it ever be kept before the mind that the great object of hygienic reform is to secure the highest possible development of mind and soul and body.”[14]

Health Education Emphasis

Elder White proposed a series of six pamphlets bearing the title “How to Live” written by Mrs White with topics related to nutrition, hydrotherapy, drugs, air, dress, and proper exercise. In each issue of the pamphlet starting in the early part of 1865, different aspects of the health reform were emphasised. She urged that “during the first six or seven years of a child’s life special attention should be given to its physical training, rather than the intellect.[15] Other topics included fresh air being more essential to the sick than their food, this was given to correct the common myth about the “night air”. The subject of dress in relation to health and modesty was emphasised on the sixth issue. The health reform had a significant impact on the literature ministry of the church.

Emphasis for Adventist Health Institution

Early in 1865, in the first issue of the pamphlet “How to Live”, Elder White recommended the skilled physicians led by Dr Jackson of the health institution called “Our Home on the Hillside” at Dansville, New York.

Later in 1865 Elder White was stricken with paralysis due to overfatigue, he was able to visit the institution again in Dansville and more became acquainted with their practice. They did not agree with all the ideas suggested like the absence of salt in food.[16] Other objectionable features were about the ideas about amusement and pleasure like dancing, card-playing, theatregoing as a diversion from serious thoughts which were considered detrimental to the recovery of health.[17]

Experience had now made it clear that faithful Seventh-day Adventist would find constant temptation to compromise with principle even in the very best and most advanced medical institutions.[18] Ellen White was shown that the church should provide a home for the afflicted and those who wish to learn how to take care of their bodies that they may prevent sickness. She wrote:

“Our people should have an institution of their own, under their own control, for the benefit of the diseased and suffering among us, who wish to have health and strength that they may glorify God in their bodies and spirits which are His.”[19]

The opportunity was given to the church members and leaders to contribute to the enterprise and a site of five acres was secured with buildings already on the ground, the institution was set to open in few months. “The Western Health Reform Institute” was chosen for the name of the new health institution and the journal was called “Health Reformer”. The denomination already has another journal aside from the Review and Herald.

The health reform had a big role in the development of the church’s community outreach and medical service not just in the educational part but also with bricks and mortar in building health institutions. It was because of their faith in the inspired counsels from God through Ellen White that they pursued the counsels although it was contrary to apparent circumstances and business practice.

The health reform emphasis moved on to health care and educational training and what a great role it effected on this area of ministry, the church will be known to have the best health institution in the world at the end of the 19th century. Ellen White wrote, “I was shown that we should provide a home for the afflicted and those who wish to learn how to take care of their bodies that they may prevent sickness.”[20]

Emphasis to Build Medical School

The managers of the health reform institute felt that the institute was not making strong appeals to the more educated and cultured classes of society due to limited equipment and second-class buildings and limited training of the physicians.

Elder White believed that the physicians’ scientific knowledge should be improved so that it should command respect from all classes of people.

In 1876, Dr. J.H. Kellogg became the medical superintendent of the Health Reform Institute and so began a new era in the health reform movement among Seventh-day Adventists. And the size of the health Reform Institute buildings were increased and new budlings were dedicated in 1878.

The institute had now commanded respect from the medical profession. The institution has grown to become the largest institution of its kind in the world unsurpassed by any in the wide world in its appliances and facilities for the hygienic treatment of the sick and religious health.[21]

It was the health reform and special messages from God through his prophet that guided the small group of Adventist in the 1860s until it has become the best provider of health care in the world in less than 20 years. The church leaders had developed a very trusting and faith relationship with the spirit of prophecy.

Emphasis to Establish Hygienic School

On the same year, Dr. Kellogg announced the establishment of a hygienic school, he stated,

“We speak in behalf of this hygienic school. We believe it is needed. There should be, connected with every church, individuals who understand what to do in the sickroom. They should know how to give packs, baths, etc. ... May God bless this our first effortt.”[22]

In 1889 another enterprise was entered and launched the Health and Temperance Missionary School and progressively known over time as Health Missionary School and then Medical Missionary School. After the medical students completed their preparatory courses at Battle Creek, they were sent to Ann Arbor to finish their medical degree. Ellen White wrote some caution,

“No one who is seeking an education for the work and service of God will be made more complete in Jesus Christ by receiving the supposed finishing touches at Ann Arbor, either in literary or medical lines. Many have been unfitted to do missionary work by attending such schools.”[23]

The only solution was to establish a college for the training of physicians. It was the right time as the institution at Battle Creek already had acquired a high standing with the medical profession.

There were providential circumstances that were instrumental to the successful launching of the college for training physicians. Two brothers from South Africa donated $40,000 in cash to Dr. Kellogg to start a medical missionary work in Chicago. Their money had come from the sale of their farm in the diamond fields. Five lines of work were inaugurated- a dispensary, a bathroom, a laundry, an evening school for the Chinese, and a nursing bureau. Then after two years another mission dispensary and nurses’ home visits was started in the southern part of Chicago. Through these two enterprises with no thought of the ultimate results, it was now found out that it was of sufficient size to furnish the clinical practice for a medical college.[24]

Emphasis to Establish a Medical College

In 1895, the Seventh-day Adventist Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association discussed the topic of establishing a medical missionary college. The sanitarium board voted to launch the enterprise to be known as the “American Medical Missionary College” to be in Chicago. The instruction will be given partly in Battle Creek and partly in Chicago. Charter was granted by the Illinois legislature on July 3, 1895. Forty-one students enrolled by the opening date on October 1, 1895.[25]

Summary and Conclusion

The health reform message emphasis within the church made significant changes and improvements within multiple facets of the church. The health reform message affected the lifestyle of the members and leaders for the better. It was through the vision of God’s messenger that a health reform was given which dealt with the health destroying habits of the church members emphasising that the health of the body affects the formation of character because the brain nerve is the only medium through which heaven communicates with men.

The role of the health reform message in the church development in its most important work of mission outreach is best described in the directory of the church in 1901, only six years later after the opening of the American Medical Missionary College, there were recorded 286 medical missionaries, of whom 111 were qualified physicians. Sanitariums were also founded in the states of California, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Colorado, Iowa, Oregon, Ohio, and Washington.[26] Thus because of the health reform message, the church had very strong emphasis on health education and health care. The role it played in the church development was very important in the preaching of the 3 angels’ messages through the gospel-medical missionaries that were trained in our church institutions. The health work opened up new territories for mission so that the gospel can enter.