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It saves my poring over a mass of matter, which I have no time to do. So you understand that Marian is a most valuable help to me in bringing out my books. This is the difference between the workers. As spoken by the heavenly agencies, the words are severe in their simplicity; and I try to put the thoughts into such simple language that a child can understand every word uttered. The words of someone else would not rightly represent me.
I have written thus fully in order that you may understand the matter. A report in circulation in Battle Creek has just come to my notice. Lest, through this report, any should be led to reject the instruction and warning of the Spirit of God, I feel it a duty to say what I know in regard to the matter in question.
It is reported that the writing of a testimony for a prominent man in Battle Creek was intrusted to one of Sister White's former workers, or that she was given matter for him, with instruction to fill out the points, so that the testimony was virtually her work. I cannot think that anyone who has been connected with Sister White's work could make such a statement as this. I cannot think that anyone who is acquainted with Sister White's manner of writing could possibly believe it. The burden she feels when the case of an individual is presented before her, the intense pressure under which she works, often rising at midnight to write out the warnings given her, and often for days, weeks, or even months, writing again and again concerning it,.
For more than twenty years I have been connected with Sister White's work. During this time I have never been asked either to write out a testimony from oral instruction, or to fill out the points in matter already written. The one who is reported to have made the statement was never, to my knowledge, either asked or permitted to do such a thing. And from my own knowledge of the work, as well as from the statements of Sister White herself, I have the strongest possible ground for disbelieving that such a thing was done. Sometimes when Mother's mind is rested, and free, the thoughts are presented in language that is not only clear and strong, but beautiful and correct; and at times when she is weary and oppressed with heavy burdens of anxiety, or when the subject is difficult to portray, there are repetitions and ungrammatical sentences.
Mother's copyists are entrusted with the work of correcting grammatical errors, of eliminating unnecessary repetitions, and of grouping paragraphs and sections in their best order. If a passage is not fully understood, the copyist asks its full meaning and proper connection.
When corrected and plainly copied with the typewriter or the pen, the manuscripts are all carefully examined by Mother, and corrected, wherever correction is required, and then copied again, if the corrections are numerous. This is done with many manuscripts, not only because corrections are made in the work of the copyist, but because Mother sees a way to express the thought a little more clearly or more fully.
Often Mother writes out a matter the second time, because she feels that it is very difficult to put in writing the scene or events, as they are presented to her. Mother's workers of experience, such as Sisters Davis, Burnham, Bolton, Peck and Hare, who are very familiar with her writings, are authorized to take a sentence, paragraph, or section from one manuscript and incorporate it with another manuscript where the same thought was expressed but not so clearly. But none of Mother's workers are authorized to add to the manuscripts by introducing thoughts of their own.
They are instructed that it is the words and thoughts that Mother has written, or spoken, that are to be used. God would be pleased to see The Desire of Ages in every home. In this book is contained the light He has given upon His word. To our canvassers I would say, Go forth with your hearts softened and subdued by reading of the life of Christ.
Drink deeply of the water of salvation, that it may be in your heart as a living spring, flowing forth to refresh souls ready to perish. Dear Children Edson and Emma: In regard to The Desire of Ages , when you meet with those who have criticisms to make, as will always be the case, do not take any notice of the supposed mistakes, but praise the book, tell of its advantages.
What you say about the appendix is the first objection we have heard regarding that feature. Many have spoken of the great help they have found in the appendix. If people are prejudiced against anything that makes prominent the Sabbath, that very objection shows the necessity of it being there to convict minds. Let us be guarded. Let us refuse to allow the criticisms of anyone to imprint objections on our minds. Let criticizers live by their trade of criticism. They cannot speak in favor of the very best of blessings without attaching a criticism to cast a shadow of reproach.
Let us educate ourselves to praise that which is good when others criticize. Murmurers will always pick flaws, but let us not be saddened by the accusing element. Let us not consider it a virtue to make and suggest difficulties which one mind and another will bring in to harass and perplex. He also so objected to the appendix in the first edition, asking "What is the use of pitching into other people's beliefs in the way it is done in this appendix? My dear sister Mary [Foss]: Now, my sister, do not think that I have forgotten you; for I have not.
You know that I have books to make. My last effort is a book on true education. The writing of this book has been very trying to me, but it is nearly finished. I am now completing the last chapter. This book will not have In it so much matter as there is in some of my larger works, but the instruction it contains is important.
I feel the need of help from God continually. I am still as active as ever. I am not in the least decrepit. I am able to do much work, writing and speaking as I did years ago. I read over all that is copied, to see that everything is as it should be. I read all the book manuscript before it is sent to the printer. So you can see that my time must be fully occupied.
Besides writing, I am called upon to speak to the different churches, and to attend important meetings. I could not do this work unless the Lord helped me. Dear Brother and Sister Burden: I feel very thankful for the help of Sister Marian Davis in getting out my books. She gathers materials from my diaries, from my letters, and from the articles published in the papers. I greatly prize her faithful service. She has been with me for twenty-five years, and has constantly been gaining increasing ability for the work of classifying and grouping my writings.
I am leaving tomorrow for Battle Creek. Yet my soul is drawn to the dying girl who has served me for the last twenty-five years. We have stood side by side in the work, and in perfect harmony in that work. And when she would be gathering up the precious jots and tittles that had come in papers and books and present it to me, "Now," she would say, "there is something wanted. I cannot supply it. We worked together, just worked together in perfect harmony all the time. And it is devotion to the work. She takes the intensity of it as though it were a reality, and we both have entered into it with an intensity to have every paragraph that shall stand in its right place, and show its right work.
I wish all to understand that my confidence in the light that God has given stands firm, because I know that the Holy Spirit's power magnified the truth, and made it honorable, saying: The Holy Spirit traced these truths upon my heart and mind as indelibly as the law was traced by the finger of God, upon the tables of stone, which are now in the ark, to be brought forth in that great day when sentence will be pronounced against every evil, seducing science produced by the father of lies.
My dear Brother Robinson: I put her off as long as I could, as I did not feel capable of rendering any special assistance, but finally I yielded to her importunities and, after receiving the MSS of certain chapters, I made some suggestions which she seemed glad to accept. Now I cannot remember any details relative to those suggestions, other than that I have a vivid recollection that she seemed anxious to have certain sentences logically connected. We therefore re-arranged some of them, and I have an impression that there was some necessary rewording done.
But I am certain that there was no altering of the thought anywhere. With reference to the first chapter, I have a more vivid recollection. I remember that Sr.
The article I send, "No Reward but of Grace," the parable of the laborers, is the last of the matter that was prepared for the book. For years it was our practice to place in her [Miss Davis'] hands a copy of every article sent off for publication and of all principal letters and testimonies. Read online Listen to audio book. White to David Paulson, February 15, , W. She brings in the manuscript after she has copied to read it to me. It dwells very fully upon the sufferings and death of Christ, his resurrection and ascension to Heaven, and closes with an account of the lives, teachings and persecutions of the apostles.
Davis was greatly worried about it. She did not seem to have sufficient material to fill it out sufficiently well. It was repeatedly revised, and I think that Elder W. Palmer were frequently consulted as to its composition. Finally it assumed the form in which it now appears in the Desire of Ages.
At the Bible Conference in Washington, D. White's writings, I said, that in my opinion it would be well for the clarifying of the whole question before the people if the fact was clearly stated somewhere I meant, on the title page or in the preface that the Desire of Ages was written by Mrs. White, and edited by Miss Marian Davis. I did say that she came to me to get help to prepare the first chapter especially, as she seemed to be much concerned over its final form.
Hoping these simple statements will be of service in rebutting those who seem to be persisting in misrepresenting what was really said at the Bible Conference referred to, I remain, Sincerely yours in the Faith of this Truth. For years it was our practice to place in her [Miss Davis'] hands a copy of every article sent off for publication and of all principal letters and testimonies.
Sister Davis had a wonderful memory, and this was of great service in her work of searching for and grouping together the choicest things that Sister White had written regarding Christ in His ministry as a Healer [and] in regard to Christ as an Example of medical missionaries and medical evangelists. When a goodly number of extracts had been gathered and grouped together as possible material for chapters, they were read to Sister White. This revived her memory of the. Time and time again in Sister White's room, was discussed the object and the best plan for the book-- a whom the book would serve; b how much room should be given to each subject; c what was the best relationship of the great subjects with which it should deal.
After chapters were thus formed, they were carefully read again by Sister White and then submitted to the printer. The enclosed copy of your amazing letter to Elder W.
White has been forwarded to me to answer. First, let me say unqualifiedly, and as before God as witness, that I never made the statement--at any time or to anyone--which you refer to when you say "that Elder Lacey while he was here has been telling various ones that he and not Sister White is the author of Desire of Ages. Secondly, I gladly and with all my heart accept The Desire of Ages as an inspired book; indeed I regard it as the most spiritual Life of Christ, outside the Gospels, ever given to His Church.
In my own Bible, on extra sheets gummed in at the front and the back, I have scores of extracts taken from this wonderful book, and from other writings of Sister White. I value them as products of the same "Spirit of Prophecy" as indited the Scriptures. And thousands of my hearers in church and classroom will bear witness to that. Miss Marian Davis, who was entrusted with the preparation of Desire of Ages , frequently came to me in and asking help in the arrangement of the material which she gathered from Sister White's various manuscripts.
Sister Davis was a warm personal friend of mine, and I did the best I knew how to aid her, especially in the first chapter. As I recall it, this help was only in the arrangement of the sentences and paragraphs, or the choice of a more suitable word. Never at any time, was there any alteration of the thought, or the insertion of an idea that was not already expressed in the original text. The resultant "copy" was always submitted to Sister White herself for final approval.
The entire Desire of Ages as it is now printed is, therefore, I hold, the product of Sister White's mind and heart, guided by the good Spirit of God. And the "editing" was merely technical. If I mentioned these facts to anyone in New York, it must have been in consequence of some situation arising like the present--the revival of that preposterous rumor dating back to the Bible Teachers' Council of in Washington, when I was first charged with saying that I had written the book. There was no foundation then or since for such a ridiculous and malicious charge.
Further, let me say that so far from belittling or disparaging the Testimonies, I have ever upheld them, and quoted largely from them in my public ministry. It was because of that that the Greater New York Book and Bible House gave me, for the Temple Church in an entire set of the writings of Sister White; and at the time the gift was made, that thought was expressed by the donor. Had you done that, just a kind thing for any Christian to do, these malicious rumors would have been strangled at their birth. Has not your failure to do so made you a partner in this misrepresentation?
Some amends may perhaps yet be made by your going at once to each "reporter" and showing him this letter. White Estate Washington, D. Toggle Navigation Ellen G. White Joseph Bates John N. Kellogg Uriah Smith Goodloe H.
Ellen White's Books on the Life and Teachings of Jesus [Top of Document] Ellen White's writing on the life of Christ began in , following her visit to Lovett's Grove, Ohio, where many scenes from the age-long conflict between Christ and Satan were revealed to her in vision. Editorial Assistance [Top of Document] Even though she was inspired in the fullest sense, Ellen White did not always use perfect grammar, spelling, punctuation, or sentence and paragraph construction in her writing. I am not a grammarian" Entries for January 10 Page 2 and 11, , pp. Page 3 Since it is clear that Mrs.
Ellen White declared she would not write on these topics unless "the Lord's Spirit seems to lead Page 4 me" p. Sources of Information [Top of Document] a Visions. He was informed Page 5 in this matter by the members of the house of Chloe. White states, In some of the historical matters such as are brought out in Patriarchs and Prophets , and in Acts of the Apostles and in The Great Controversy , the main outlines were made very clear and plain to her, and when she came to write up these topics, she was left to study the Bible and history to get dates and geographical relations and to perfect her description of details.
Page 6 White Correspondence File. The Desire of Ages an Inspired Book [Top of Document] In , as Ellen White once again commenced her writing on the life of Christ, she spoke of "the things which burn in my soul in reference to the mission of Christ. It carries within its pages its own divine Page 7 credentials. Holt's labors have been greatly blessed in this place. He thinks about forty are keeping the Sabbath in this place. A few weeks since there were none. We enjoyed great freedom with these brethren.
On First-day God manifested his power in a wonderful manner before the crowded assembly.
Several decided to keep the Lord's Sabbath and go with the people of God. We feel much indebted to Bro. Tillotson who were with us two weeks and conveyed us comfortably with their carriage all the way from where we left the rail road at Green Spring, till we found it again at Freemont where we took the cars for home.
That I should have to contend with the powers of darkness, for Satan would make strong efforts to hinder me, but angels of GOD would not leave me in the conflict, that in GOD must I put my trust. After I came out of vision, the afflicted friends, and a portion of the congregation, bore the body to its resting-place. Great solemnity rested upon those who remained. Monday we commenced our journey homeward with Bro. The next day we took the cars at Freemont for Jackson, Mich.
While riding in the cars we arranged our plans for writing and publishing the book called the Great Controversy, immediately on our return home. Spiritual Gifts , Vol. The Fall of Satan,. The Fall of Man,. The Plan of Salvation,. The First Advent of Christ. The Ministry of Christ,. The Betrayal of Christ,. The Trial of Christ,. The Crucifixion of Christ,. The Resurrection of Christ. The Ascension of Christ,. The Disciples of Christ,. The Death of Stephen,.
The Conversion of Saul,. The Jews Decided to Kill Paul,. Death, not Eternal Life in Misery,. The Church and World United,.
The First Angel's Message,. The Second Angel's Message,. The Third Angel's Message,. The Sins of Babylon,. The Third Message Closed,. The Time of Jacob's Trouble,. Deliverance of the Saints,. Source of Information in Spiritual Gifts, Vol. But his course was marked out, and he must fulfill the work he came to do. III and IV, both published in , completed the first writing of the great controversy story. These two volumes dealt largely with Old Testament history.
II, was an autobiography of Ellen White and was not a part of the great controversy series. As the years passed Ellen White determined to rewrite and enlarge these books. First in the new series, published in , was Spirit of Prophecy , Vol. I, which covered Old Testament history up to the time of Solomon. Manuscript 3, , p. I spoke at eleven o'clock upon the life and temptation of Christ in the wilderness. I felt the force of the subject I presented before them.
My heart is inexpressibly sad. This morning I take into candid consideration my writings. My husband is too feeble to help me prepare them for the printer, therefore I shall do no more with them at present. I am not Page 11 a scholar. I cannot prepare my own writings for the press. Until I can do this I shall write no more. It is not my duty to tax others with my manuscript. This Sabbath morning opens cloudy.
My mind is coming to strange conclusions. I am thinking I must lay aside my writing I have taken so much pleasure in, and see if I cannot become a scholar. I am not a grammarian. I will try, if the Lord will help me, at forty-five years old to become a scholar in the science. God will help me. I believe He will. I cannot see any light shining to Michigan for me. This year I feel that my work is writing. I must be secluded, stay right here, and I must not let inclination or persuasion of others shake my resolution to keep closely to my work until it is done.
God will help me if I trust in Him. I enjoy the presence of God and yet my soul is continually drawn out for more of His salvation. I am writing and having freedom in my writing. Precious subjects I am handling. The last I completed or about completed yesterday--Jesus healing the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda. It is a great subject, the discourse of Christ, following the healing as He was accused of the Jews of Sabbath breaking. Letter 1, , p. We have been having company about every day for some days back, but I try to stick to my writings and do as much each day as I dare.
I cannot write but one half of a day each day. Letter 3, , p. I have confidence that He will help me in my efforts to get out the truth and light He has given me Page 12 to [give to] His people. Mary is a good help. I am writing some every day but cannot confine myself to writing more than one-half a day. We had quite a walk. The precious subjects open to my mind well. I trust in God and He helps me to write. I am some twenty-four pages ahead of Mary. She does well with my copy. It will take a clear sense of duty to call me from this work to camp meetings.
I mean to finish my writings, on one book at any rate, before I go anywhere. Letter 4, , pp. In regard to publishing my book here, what do you think of it? The manuscript could at once be put in the hands of the printers. Will you please inform us in reference to this. I have liberty in writing and I plead with God daily for counsel and that I may be imbued with His Spirit. I then believe that I shall have help and strength and grace to do the will of God. I am glad you are so free and happy.
I never had such an opportunity to write in my life and I mean to make the most of it. How will it do to read my manuscript to Elders Waggoner and Loughborough? If there is any wording of doctrinal points not so clear as might be, he might discern it. Letter 4a, , pp. My husband writes that an appeal is to be sent to me from the [General] Conference [Session], but I shall not be moved from that which I believe to be my duty at this time. I have a special work at this time to write out the things which the Lord has shown me.
We progress finely, but I cannot write more than half a day. I have felt that I must neglect everything to get out these writings. I have not attended meetings for two weeks. While Elders Waggoner and Page 13 Loughborough are here, I let them do the work , and I keep all my strength for one purpose--to write. I want time to have my mind calm and composed. I want to have time to meditate and pray while engaged in this work. I do not want to be wearied myself or be closely connected with our people who will divert my mind. This is a great work, and I feel like crying to God every day for His Spirit to help me to do this work all right.
Matter at Petaluma was needed for labor there next week. I put copy in Elder Waggoner's hand to copy. He just did a miserable job. He did not change anything or improve it at all. I prize Mary more and more every day. Letter 59, , pp. I have written quite a number of pages today. Mary is hard after me. She gets so enthusiastic over some subjects. She brings in the manuscript after she has copied to read it to me. She showed me today quite a heavy pile of manuscripts she had prepared. Quite proudly she viewed it. Willie, his Mary and Mary Clough accompany me to the city tonight.
I think that we had better not get any furniture for [the] new house till you are here to select it. I do not wish my mind diverted from my work to even go and select furniture, but I only suggest. Oh, how I do long for that social and mysterious connection with Jesus that elevates us above the temporal things of life. It is my anxiety to be right with God, to have His Spirit continually witnessing with me that I am indeed a child of God.
I shall strive to bring out these matters, so precious, to the acceptance of God. Well, I cannot write you very much news, when I shut myself in my chamber day after day writing, and then when I write you every day, but you must be content with what you can get. We now take the boat. Letter 8, , pp. We went to the city Sunday night.
I spoke to quite a large congregation of outsiders with acceptance. Taking up the subject of the loaves and fishes with which Jesus by His miraculous power fed about ten thousand people--five thousand men and women and five thousand children--that were continually collecting, after the [Return to the Beginning of this Section] [Top of Document] Page 14 Saviour had blessed the small portion of food; Christ walking on the sea and the Jews requiring a sign that He was the Son of God. The neighbor next to the church near the public garden was there.
Cragg, I believe his name is. They all listened with wide open eyes, and some [with] open mouths. Mary says she feels provoked that she has written out that subject before she heard me speak upon it. She will now insert some living points she heard that night. She seemed deeply interested. I see many subjects to write out which must be done with the greatest care. I want this summer, the whole of it, to do this work in. I must stop a day or two in the week and go somewhere or my head will break down.
I begrudge every moment that I feel compelled to rest. These intensely interesting subjects weary me far more to write them out than to speak upon them. I feel that it would not be advisable for me to break off now and go East. Mary does not feel inclined to go. Says she just despises the Eastern climate, but this would not prevent me if I could feel that it was my duty to go. I would feel pleased to meet my brethren and sisters in camp meeting. It is just such work as I enjoy. Much better than the confinement of writing. But this will break up my work and defeat the plans of getting out my books, for I cannot do both--travel and write.
Now seems to be my golden opportunity. Mary is with me, the best copyist I can ever have. Another such chance may never be mine. Letter 9, , pp. Letter 12, , p. She is just as ardent and anxious as I am that this Page 15 work shall be done now before we leave California. Letter 13, , p.
Letter 14, , pp. Letter 15, , p. Letter 61, , p. Letter 16a, , pp. Letter 18, , pp. I never expect so good an opportunity again of writing. May God help me is my continual cry. Letter 21, , pp. Letter 24, , p. Then [Return to the Beginning of this Section] Page 18 we can take time to get out a more perfect edition on [the] Pacific Coast and have [it] stereotyped, then your father's and my life will be written and printed in the Pacific Printing Office.
Letter 45, , pp. Letter 46, , pp. Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. THIS volume, by Mrs. White, is now ready. It dwells very fully upon the sufferings and death of Christ, his resurrection and ascension to Heaven, and closes with an account of the lives, teachings and persecutions of the apostles. It is written in the same forcible and impressive style as the preceding volumes, and is a book of equally thrilling interest. It will be hailed with gladness everywhere by those best acquainted with sister W. In style, size and price, it is the same as Vols.
This week we shall commence to live in the new house. It is roomy and a very nice building. Be sure and send me that coarse material like Emma's dress. Please send that double paisley shawl. I have a plan for it. Send my plaid shawl, and you may send two comfortables. Send books, red-covered Jewish Antiquities and the Bible Dictionary. If so, send it. Letter 60, , p. White Dear Children, Edson and Willie: Tell her that she has a point about Zedekiah's having his eyes put out.
That needs to be more carefully worded--also the rock, when the water flowed--something in reference to this. I think I can make the articles specified more full Well, my dear Willie and Edson and Emma, let us draw very nigh to God. Let us live daily as we would wish we had lived when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, and when everyone will be rewarded according to his works. I am not cast down nor discouraged, but I feel weighed down as a cart beneath sheaves. We have had several days of beautiful weather. It has commenced raining this afternoon. Tell Mary to find me some histories of the Bible that would give me the order of events.
I have nothing and can find nothing in the library here. Letter 38, , p. Sunday, January 16, , Basel, Switzerland, W. It is Sunday afternoon. I have received no telegram from Olsen and conclude that their meeting is postponed, therefore I decided not to go to London. I also enclose a list of books prepared by Sister Davis which she wishes to have examined by some of your party that we may know if any of them will be valuable to us in our Bible study or the preparation of articles on Bible subjects.
After reading the memoranda as prepared by Sister Davis I see there is little I need to say. The Call by the Sea. The Sermon on the Mount.
The Touch of Faith. A Night on the Lake. The Crisis in Galilee. The Foreshadowing of the Cross. At the Feast of Tabernacles. The Last Journey From Galilee. Not With Outward Show. The Law of the New Kingdom. The Feast at Simon's House. The Temple Cleansed Again. If you don't like what that book says don't blaim the Auther, blaim history. Would I recamend it to others? In a heart beat! You don't hear this preached from pulpits today and that is a tragedy.
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