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Show 75 This ordinance of washing and anointing, commonly performed in Ellis's time by worthy women of the church in private homes and for the benefit of faithful females seeking special blessings of physical health or emotional or spiritual well being, is no longer available through the women of the church. In the fervor of the Equal Rights movement the brethren were much maligned by activist women for their earlier changing of the custom to requiring that all such blessings be administered by the priesthood. The attack was made by those who perceive the church as a political body which will yield, as do other political entities, to popular social pressures. Early in September Ellis begins a season characterized by "sick and restless" nights and "weak and spiritless" days. For this reason, she defers her annual fruit harvesting trip to Battle Creek. Milford goes there, but returns two days later. As time drags on, Ellis berates herself for not accomplishing what she wishes to accomplish and for not making any great progress in developing those divine traits which she so desires in order to "be more beloved" by her Heavenly Father and to garner from her husband "a purer and higher appreciation" of her virtues. In mid October Milford is sick for a week and has to "keep to his bed." Ellis responds to the situation with a desire to "live nearer the Lord" in order to have "more power with Him through faith" and be able by prayer to see her loved ones "restored to life and health." In November she and Lizzie resolve to "turn over a new leaf" and |
