Manuscript Releases, vol. 15 [Nos. 1136-1185]

The Hidden Book

In a report signed by three early believers reference is made to the hidden book as Ellen White uttered certain words in vision. Here is the account: 15MR 66.2

“At another time at a meeting held at Brother Curtis' in Topsham, Maine, she was taken off in vision, and arose to her feet, took the large family Bible from the table, and held it on her hand some time at an angle of forty-five degrees, and said the hidden book was not there. When some one asked if the Apocrypha was not in the Bible, Brother Curtis remarked it was not. She talked sometime about the hidden book. No one knew but Bro. Curtis family that the Apocrypha was not there. 15MR 66.3

Mrs. S. Howland Rebecca Howland Winslow Frances Howland Lunt”.

In the report of a vision given to Ellen White at Oswego, New York on January 11, 1850, and carrying a copying date of January 28, 1850, Ellen White makes a reference to the hidden book. Her description of what was shown to her in the vision contains many items and as on file comprises four and a quarter type-written pages. Near the close of her statement we find these words:. 15MR 66.4

“All, all who keep the commandments of God, will enter in through the gates into the city and have right to the tree of life and ever be in the presence of that lovely Jesus whose countenance shines brighter than the sun at noon day. I then saw the word of God pure and unadulterated, and that we must answer for the way we received the truth proclaimed from that word. I saw that it had been a hammer to break the flinty heart in pieces, and a fire to consume the dross and tin, that the heart might be pure and holy. I saw that the Apocrypha was the hidden book, and that the wise of these last days should understand it. I saw that the Bible was the standard book, that will judge us at the last day. I saw that heaven would be cheap enough, and that nothing was too dear to sacrifice for Jesus, and that we must give all to enter the kingdom.”—Manuscript 4, 1850, (A copy of E. G. White's vision which she had at Oswego, N.Y.). On several occasions reference is made to the Apocrypha in articles in the Review and Herald. These are of interest, and copy of the materials is attached. 15MR 66.5

The full meaning and significance of the E. G. White statement of 1850 is not clearly seen. It should be observed that Ellen White makes no reference to the Apocrypha at any time in her writings in the subsequent 65 years. If what we have is a correct copy of what she wrote, and at times there is some uncertainty as to the accuracy of some of the statements bearing these early dates, at no time subsequent to that, did she have occasion to call the attention of the church to the apocrypha to urge its reading or to explain its significance. This being the case, our counsel would be to give the matter a minimum of attention. Surely the silences in her published writings on this subject carry significance. 15MR 67.1

Arthur L. White

Ellen G. White Estate

Washington, D. C.,

Release Date June 6, 1985