The Test of Trial

The real test of character is not found in the days of prosperity. We find many fair-weather Christians who in the days of storm and tempest doubt the wisdom of God’s leadings and surrender their faith in Him. Mrs. E. G. White passed through many trying experiences during her lifework. Probably the greatest test of her faith in God and her submission to the divine will was experienced in the death of her husband, which occurred August 6, 1881. At the time of his death Mrs. White herself was prostrated with sickness, and it was a question as to whether she could survive. Though she was so feeble that she had to be borne to the funeral, at the close of the discourse delivered by Elder Uriah Smith, she unexpectedly arose and spoke to the audience for about ten minutes. The following are some of her words on this occasion, words which show the spirit of resignation to the divine will which possessed her life and revealed the hope that buoyed her up in this hour of greatest grief:TOJ 157.2

“I want to say a few words to those present on this occasion. My dear Saviour has been my strength and support in this time of need. When taken from my sickbed to be with my husband in his dying moments, at first the suddenness of the stroke seemed too heavy to bear, and I cried to God to spare him to me,—not to take him away and leave me to labor alone.... When my husband was breathing out his life so quietly, without a groan, without a struggle, I felt that it would be selfishness in me to wish to throw my arms of affection around him and detain him here. He was like a tired warrior lying down to rest. My heart can feel to its very depths, and yet I can tell you I have no tears to shed for the dead. My tears are for the living....TOJ 157.3

“And now I take up my lifework alone. I thank my Saviour I have two sons He has given me to stand by my side. Henceforth the mother must lean upon the children; for the strong, brave, noblehearted husband is at rest. The turmoil with him is over. How long I shall fight the battles of life alone I cannot say; but there is one thing that I will say to you, and that is, that when I saw my husband breathe his last, I felt that Jesus was more precious to me than He ever had been in any previous hour of my life. When I stood by my first-born, and closed his eyes in death, I could say, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ And I felt then that I had a Comforter in Jesus Christ. And when my little one was torn from my arms, and I could no longer see its little head upon the pillow by my side, then I could say, ‘The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ And now he upon whose large affections I have leaned, with whom I have labored,—and we have been united in labor for thirty-six years,—is taken away; but I can lay my hands upon his eyes and say, ‘I commit my treasure unto Thee until the morning of the resurrection.’TOJ 158.1

“In Jesus Christ all our hopes of eternal life are centered, so then let us ever labor for Him. He from henceforth is my Guide, and my Husband, and my Counselor, and my Friend. He will walk with me through the thorny paths of life, and at last we shall meet again where there is no parting, where there is no separation, and where none shall any more say, ‘I am sick.’ I yield my precious treasure; I bid him farewell; I do not go to his grave to weep. Nor can I shed any tears over my youngest nor my eldest sons. The morning of the resurrection is too bright. And then I look to that morning when the broken family links shall be reunited, and we shall see the King in His beauty, and behold His matchless charms, and cast our glittering crowns at His feet, and touch the golden harps, and fill all heaven with the strains of our music and songs to the Lamb. We will sing together there. We will triumph together around the great white throne.”—From Life Sketch by E. H. Gates, in brochure of Memorial Service held in Australia, Sept. 11, 1915.TOJ 158.2