John Nevins Andrews. July 22, 1829 October 21, 1883 (54 at his death)

Transcription

1 John Nevins Andrews July 22, 1829 October 21, 1883 (54 at his death) 1 1

2 Elder Andrews, our first missionary to Europe, was a self-educated man. I do not think he was in school a day after he was eleven years old. He almost always kept in his pocket a book treating on some language that he desired to understand, or on some historical or scientific subject; and as he went about his daily work, he would keep referring to this book. Whenever he had a little spare time, he would take out the book and improve his leisure moments by studying. 2 2

3 At one time, when in feeble health, he went to Waukon, Iowa, to labor in the open air, hoping thereby to benefit his lungs and regain his health. He would go into the field with his oxen, and as he drove them, he would refer to his book and read a few words or sentences and then repeat these in full, loud tones in order to exercise his lungs as well as to impress the words and sentences upon his memory. Thus he improved his opportunities and became one of our most valued laborers. (Ms ) 3 3

4 Elder Andrews, when he was driving his oxen, had his Bible with him and he would take it out and read a few words and then think of these while he went on with his work. Thus he obtained a knowledge of the Scriptures and of the love of God to man. We can all have our Bibles with us and when we have a spare moment we can read a verse and thus keep our minds fixed upon God. (5MR 435.2) 4 4

5 Elder Andrews is a conscientious servant of Jesus Christ....We sent you the ablest man in all our ranks....we needed Elder Andrews here. But we thought his great caution, his experience, his God-fearing dignity in the desk, would be just what you needed. We hoped you would accept his counsel, and aid him in every way possible while he was a stranger in a strange country. (5MR 436.3) 5 5

6 From what God has shown me from time to time, Brother Andrews was His chosen servant, to do a work others could not do. (5MR

7 In 1849 (age 20) he began to preach the seventh-day Sabbath and that Jesus was coming soon, and he also wrote many articles for The Advent Review & Sabbath Herald. 7 7

8 Over the next five years J. N. Andrews literally wore himself out traveling from place to place searching for lost souls. He walked thousands of miles in heat and cold, and was so engrossed in preaching the Word that he gave little thought to clothing and food, or where he would sleep. He had only one aim to reach as many as possible with the gospel of Christ.... (Norma Collins, Heartwarming Stories of Adventist Pioneers, p

9 Andrews teamed up with Hiram Edson... and they visited the new states in the West. Using Edson s horse and buggy, they covered 600 miles in six weeks. During that time Andrews developed a bad cough and was thin as a rail as he pushed himself to the limit. By day he preached; by night far into the night he wrote articles for the Review. Edson tried to caution him against working so hard, but Andrews felt like the Apostle Paul: Woe is me if I preach not the gospel. How can I rest when souls are perishing? (Ibid., p. 153) 9 9

10 His fragile health broken, it was necessary for him to head home. He got only as far as Rochester, New York, where the publishing work had been set up... James White happened to look out the window and saw a haggard, bent man, steadying himself with a cane as he shuffled toward the house. (Ibid.) 10 10

11 1874 Switzerland 1878 General Conference session in Battle Creek. Took Mary. She died in October from tuberculosis. A year later he returned to Switzerland diagnosed with tuberculosis 1883 died

12 Three years after their arrival in Switzerland John fell ill with pneumonia. A physician was called to treat him, and when the doctor pulled back his shirt to examine him he explained, Why this man is starving to death! (p. 162) 12 12

13 It was true, for in addition to his heavy work load, Elder Andrews was trying to save all he could in living expenses including food in order to further the Lord s work. He and his children lived mostly on white bread from the local bakery, graham pudding, potatoes, and sometimes cabbage.... In addition, toilet and bathing facilities were extremely poor and unsanitary. (Ibid.) 13 13

14 Back in Basel, [after Mary s death] Andrews never really recovered any measure of health. He was so weak that much of the time he dictated letters and articles, and took care of church business, from his bed. But his mind was as sharp as ever, and he continued to write articles in English, French, German, and Italian. (p. 164) 14 14

15 By 1883 Andrews was completely bedfast. In his last letter to Ellen White, a month before his death, he wrote, I have given up the control of everything to Brother Whitney. I try still to read the proof sheets of our French paper, but I have no longer the power to prepare any articles for it. I am a mere skeleton and have not attempted to put on my clothes for many weeks. However, I can say that my feet are on the Rock of Ages and that the Lord holds me by my right hand. (p. 165) 15 15

16 Andrews University John Nevins Andrews school in Takoma Park, Maryland (JNA) Sculpture on campus Andrews University 16 16