Our Refuge in Sorrow by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 29, 1915

Our Refuge in Sorrow

By F. M. W.

WE are sure that the heart of every reader of the REVIEW was filled with sorrow as there was borne to him last week intelligence of the death of our dear Sister White. It will seem strange indeed no longer to receive from week to week her words of admonition and counsel through the church paper; we face the sad but cold and hard fact that death has claimed her as his own. Hers is the common lot of all mankind. None are exempt. The rich and the poor, the foolish and the wise, the righteous and the ungodly, the innocent babe, the man of mature years, the aged and infirm,—all fall a prey to death’s ruthless power. There is hardly a household in the land that his steps have not entered; but very few hearts among earth’s millions that have not felt the poignant wound which he inflicts.

Others speak in this paper of Sister White’s life work, of all that she has accomplished by God’s grace, of the nobility of her life and character; to these testimonials we can add but little. She died as she had lived,—with her faith steadfast in God, with her pathway growing brighter and brighter to the end of life’s journey, with unwavering trust in her Heavenly Father. And this indeed is the estimate of her long life.

Set as a teacher in Israel, she was true to the trust imposed upon her. With unswerving fidelity she bore her testimony as the Spirit of God directed her utterance—in reproof, in exhortation, in encouragement. As a special watchman upon Zion’s walls, as the messenger of God, she never faltered in bearing the burden which this ministry imposed. How often during her long ministry has she stood in the breach to call Israel back to their allegiance to God! How often has she rebuked sin in high places in the church! She has not betrayed her trust, but has proved loyal to the position appointed her.

With no spirit of self-assumption or egotistical arrogance has she carried forward the work God gave her to do. In her own personal life of practical godliness she has exemplified the principles which she taught to others. With reproof she ministered comfort. Affectionate as a wife, devoted as a mother, loyal as a friend, helpful and sympathetic as a sister in the church, she has stood to diffuse light and hope and gladness to the members of her own family, to the church of God, and to the world. Her own humble, God-fearing life, her simplicity of character, her dignity of womanhood, were models of Christian character.

But in saying this we would not unduly exalt the human; for our beloved sister was only human after all—a fallible mortal woman striving by God’s grace to overcome the evil tendencies which existed in her heart, and which exist in the heart of every human being. Her temptations, her fears, her personal strivings, her agonizing prayers for personal strength and overcoming grace, were known to God only. Handicapped by the frailties of human nature, hampered in her life work by the weakness of the body, by God’s grace she persevered even unto the end, developing a Christian character which under Christ is an example to the followers of the Master.

Of the great influence exerted by her words, spoken and written, we need not speak. The judgment will reveal, we believe, a wonderful fruitage of the labors of this devout servant. Though dead, she still speaks. Her works follow her. They still live to bless the church. Her stirring appeals, her exhortations, her instructions in the divine life, are still left us. To these we can still seek for the help which personally she is powerless to give. She does not need these words of commendation. She needs no praise to endear her to this people, no monument of stone to keep alive in their memory her long and useful life.

But while she was prominently connected with this movement, and while the church is so greatly indebted to the work which God did through her for its preservation and guidance, she did not form its groundwork. This movement is not dependent upon any of its human founders for continuance. God buries his workmen, but his work moves on; in it is his own enduring life.

In the wilderness wanderings of Israel, Miriam, the prophetess, was laid to rest; Aaron, the high priest, was gathered to his people; Moses, that great leader with whom God spoke face to face, was buried by angel hands. But God did not forsake his people. The pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire still led them on. In God’s providence others were raised up to take their places. Thus has God demonstrated in every age that the work of his church was not dependent upon human agencies.

One by one we have buried strong leaders in this movement. Elder James White, the apostle of God in this closing work, Elders Joseph Bates and J. N. Andrews, and other pioneers have been laid to rest. Their loss has seemed utterly irreparable. We still grieve for their memory, and honor them for the work which God wrought through their ministry. But this movement has passed from strength to strength, and thus it will continue to do until the grand consummation.

We shall miss our beloved sister, but we trust that we shall treasure even more carefully the instruction that she has given us. If we shall do this, if we shall turn to the Lord with all our hearts, realizing that our dependence is upon him, if we shall search his Word with renewed diligence, if we shall place all upon the altar of his service, God will constitute our strong rock of refuge and defense. F. M. W.