Selected Messages Book 3

Copy of a Letter Written by Elder W. C. White:

Sanitarium, Calif.,

July 25, 1911

To the Members of the Publication Committee

Dear Brethren,

In the accompanying letter to our State Missionary Agents, I have made a brief statement about the changes that appear in the new edition of Great Controversy. 3SM 441.1

A study of these changes may lead some to ask the question, “Has Sister White the authority and right to make changes in her published writings, either by addition, or by omission, or by any change whatever in the forms of expression, the manner of description, or the plan of the argument?” 3SM 441.2

The simple statement of some facts regarding the writing of her books, and the enlargement and development of the story of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, may of itself constitute an answer to this question. 3SM 441.3

It is generally admitted that in Sister White's discourses, spoken to the people, she uses great freedom and wisdom in the selection of proofs and illustrations, to make plain and forcible her presentation of the truths revealed to her in vision. Also, that she selects such facts and arguments as are adapted to the audience to whom she is speaking. This is essential to the attainment of the best results from her discourses. 3SM 441.4

And she has always felt and taught that it was her duty to use the same wisdom in the selection of matter for her books, that she does in the selection of matter for her discourses. 3SM 441.5

When Mother was writing Great Controversy, Volume IV, in 1882-1884, she was instructed regarding the general plan of the book. It was revealed to her that she should present an outline of the controversy between Christ and Satan as it developed in the first centuries of the Christian Era, and in the great Reformation of the sixteenth century, in such a way as to prepare the mind of the reader to understand clearly the controversy as it is going on in our day. 3SM 441.6

While Mother was writing this book, many of the scenes were presented to her over and over again in visions of the night. The vision of the deliverance of God's people, as given in Chapter XL, was repeated three times; and on two occasions, once at her home in Healdsburg and once at the St. Helena Sanitarium, members of her family, sleeping in nearby rooms, were awakened from sleep by her clear, musical cry, “They come! They come!” (See page 636.) 3SM 442.1

Several times we thought that the manuscript of the book was all ready for the printer, and then a vision of some important feature of the controversy would be repeated, and Mother would again write upon the subject, bringing out the description more fully and clearly. Thus the publishing was delayed, and the book grew in size. 3SM 442.2

Mother regarded this new book as an expansion of the subject as first published in “Spiritual Gifts,” Volume I (1858), and now found in Early Writings, 210-295. 3SM 442.3

And notwithstanding the divine instruction regarding the plan of the book, which has made it so useful to the general public, Mother felt that it was addressed chiefly to the Adventist people of the United States. Later, in preparing it for a wider circulation, she omitted a few portions that had appeared in the earlier edition. Examples of these may be found in the chapter entitled, “The Snares of Satan,” Pages 518-530.... 3SM 442.4

In her first visions the lives of the patriarchs, the mission and teachings of Christ and His apostles, and the controversy as carried forward by the church of Christ from the ascension to our day were at first presented to her in outline and were written out in brief, comprehensive articles as we find them in Early Writings. 3SM 442.5

In later years, one group of subjects after another was shown her in vision repeatedly, and each time the revelation brought out more clearly the details of the whole or of some features of the subject. 3SM 442.6

Consequently Mother has written and published her views on the various phases of the great controversy several times, and each time more fully. 3SM 443.1

That which was published regarding the fall of Satan, the fall of man, and the plan of salvation, in Early Writings occupied eight pages. The same subjects as published in Patriarchs and Prophets occupied thirty larger pages. 3SM 443.2

That which was published in 1858 about the life of Christ, as found in Early Writings, occupied forty pages. The same as published in 1878 fills over six hundred pages of Spirit of Prophecy, Volumes II and III. And as now published in Desire Of Ages, and in Christ's Object Lessons, it fills more than a thousand pages. 3SM 443.3

In Great Controversy, Volume IV, published in 1885, in the chapter “Snares of Satan,” there are three pages or more of matter that was not used in the later editions, which were prepared to be sold to the multitudes by our canvassers. It is most excellent and interesting reading for Sabbathkeepers, as it points out the work that Satan will do in persuading popular ministers and church members to elevate the Sunday Sabbath, and to persecute Sabbathkeepers. [Currently found in Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 472-475.] 3SM 443.4

It was not left out because it was less true in 1888 than in 1885, but because Mother thought it was not wisdom to say these things to the multitudes to whom the book would be sold in future years.... 3SM 443.5

With reference to this, and to other passages in her writings which have been omitted in later editions, she has often said: “These statements are true, and they are useful to our people; but to the general public, for whom this book is now being prepared, they are out of place. Christ said, even to his disciples, ‘I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.’ And Christ taught his disciples to be ‘wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.’ Therefore, as it is probable that more souls will be won to Christ by the book without this passage than with it, let it be omitted.” [A Marian Davis statement.—Compilers.] 3SM 443.6

Regarding changes in forms of expression, Mother has often said: “Essential truths must be plainly told; but so far as possible they should be told in language that will win, rather than offend.”—Letter, July 25, 1911. 3SM 444.1

W. C. White.