His Messenger

Chapter 16—The Angel Said, “Write”

When Ellen Harmon had first been told by the angel, “Relate to others that which I have revealed to you,” she began to visit groups of believers and tell them her message. Soon after this the angel told her, “Write the things that are revealed to you.” HMes 89.1

“Lord,” she answered, “I cannot write.” HMes 89.2

She was still suffering from the accident that came to her when she was nine years old, and she could not hold her hand steady. HMes 89.3

“Write out the things I give you,” the angel again commanded. HMes 89.4

With her trembling right hand she took up a pen and began slowly to write. Although her hand had trembled so, that for many months she had not been able to write more than a few words at a time, she obeyed the command of the angel and could now write steadily and clearly. HMes 89.5

Ellen White knew that this power to write was a gift from God, and she did not spare herself in using it to His glory. Many letters of guidance were written to the leaders of the different companies to help them in their work. HMes 89.6

The visions that were given to her must be shared with the churches too, and these were copied over and over again by hand and sent to different ones of the ministers and faithful workers who could pass them on to others. But this work of writing became a great burden, for there was never enough time to answer all the letters when they should be answered, or to send to each little church the messages that would be a special help to it. HMes 89.7

The burden became almost more than Mrs. White and her husband could bear. They prayed for some way to open by which they could reach more people in a shorter length of time without wearing themselves away trying to do more than they could. HMes 90.1

A meeting was held in Massachusetts, where a few of the believers gathered to help one another plan the great work of telling others of the seventh-day Sabbath and the nearness of Jesus’ coming. During this meeting Ellen White was given a vision of the proclaiming of the message. HMes 90.2

After the vision she said to her husband, “I have a message for you. You must begin to print a little paper, and send it out to the people. Let it be small at first; but as the people read, they will send you means with which to print, and it will be a success from the first. From this small beginning it was shown to me to be like streams of light that went clear round the world.” HMes 90.3

This was indeed an encouraging message! These papers which they were to publish would take the important light to many people. Mrs. White, too, could send out her messages through articles in this paper. How much easier to mail out papers to the different churches than to write a letter to each by hand! Why, even the scattered believers who lived here and there all over the country could have a copy and be blessed by the message. HMes 90.4

The plan was wonderful! But no one was willing to put money into this new publishing work. After the meeting James and Ellen White visited different Sabbathkeepers who had money and farms, but none of them felt that they could spare any money just then for the publishing work. HMes 90.5

“I must earn the money myself and publish the paper,” Mr. White decided at last. “Last year I earned money by working in the hayfield to pay our fare to visit the churches and attend important meetings. Surely the Lord would bless and strengthen me again for this new work. I will buy a scythe at once and start to work.” He and Ellen White were staying with the Beldens in Connecticut at the time, and they agreed to let him mow in their fields. As he started out the door to go to town, someone called, “Mr. White, come back quickly; your wife has fainted.” HMes 91.1

When James White saw his wife, he realized that her condition was serious. He quickly gathered together those who were in the house, and they earnestly prayed that God would revive Mrs. White. She began to feel better in a few minutes, and then she was given a vision. In the vision she was shown that it was not God’s plan for her husband to work in the hayfield this time. HMes 91.2

“He has other work for you to do,” Mrs. White told him. “You must write, write, write, and walk out by faith. If you do the will of God and publish the paper, others will send the money for the expense of the printing.” HMes 91.3

When Ellen White told her husband the message, he again started to town, but not to buy a scythe; he was going to make arrangements to have a paper printed. HMes 91.4

He went to the printer in Middletown and explained to him all about what he wanted to do. HMes 91.5

“If you print this paper for us you will have to wait for the money. Will you do that?” James White asked. The printer was a generous, kindhearted man. He felt that he could trust a man who was getting out a religious paper, and James White looked honest. “Yes, I will print the paper for you,” he said. “How many do you want?” HMes 91.6

“I want one thousand copies, and the paper is to have eight pages.” The agreement was made, and James White went home to prepare the material for the paper. Now Mr. White must show his faith by trusting in the Lord for the care of his family, if he was to spend his time in writing. Mr. Belden gave him the use of a large unfinished room over his kitchen and dining room. A young woman who had recently inherited some furniture lent it to them, and they were quickly settled in their new home. Mr. White was soon busily writing the articles for the paper. HMes 92.1

When a few articles were written, he walked to Middletown, eight miles away, and gave them to the printer. In a few days, when the proof sheets were ready, he went back to the printer again and brought them home, where he and his wife carefully corrected them. The corrected proof sheets were then taken back to Middletown. HMes 92.2

What rejoicing there was when the first copy of Present Truth was brought home from the printers! Everyone in the house gathered around to see the new paper. The thousand copies were laid upon the floor, and they knelt around them and offered prayer—a prayer of thanksgiving that the truth was at last in print, and a prayer of blessing on the little papers that were to carry God’s message from place to place. HMes 92.3

The papers were folded and wrapped and addressed to people who they hoped would appreciate their message, and James White carried them to the post office in Middletown. Soon letters began coming back, bringing thanks for the paper and money to pay for the printing. But best of all were the letters telling of people who had learned to keep the seventh-day Sabbath from reading the message found in Present Truth. Three more numbers were printed and sent out in the next three months. Although the paper was small in size and the type was so fine that it was hard to read, still people were eager for the message. More and more letters came asking for papers, which were gladly sent out. HMes 92.4

In the late winter James White felt they should change their home to Oswego, New York, for this seemed a better place from which to publish the paper. Then, too, there were several small companies of Adventists living nearby, who needed the help that these workers could give them. HMes 93.1

At times the money was slow in coming in to pay for the printing of the paper, and this made it hard for Mr. White. He was working constantly, visiting the people, and writing, and this extra worry made his burdens too heavy. HMes 93.2

“I am going to stop the publishing work for a time,” wrote Mr. White to a friend. “To publish is an uphill work unless there are many who are interested in the paper and are praying for it.” But a few days later, while they were praying for their sick child, Mrs. White was shown in a vision that Mr. White should not be discouraged. HMes 93.3

“I saw the paper and that it is needed,” she said. “Souls are hungry for the truth that must be written in the paper. God does not want you to stop yet. You must write, write, write, and speed the message. I saw that it will go where God’s servants cannot go.” HMes 93.4

This message encouraged Mr. White, and he changed his plans and went on getting out the paper. In November, 1850, a larger paper was started to take the place of Present Truth. This was called The Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, and was printed in Paris, Maine. Although this paper was much larger than the little Present Truth, it also was sent out free. “Terms: gratis, except the reader desires to aid in its publication,” was printed in the paper. The believers everywhere were glad to receive this paper, and many sent in money to help in printing it. But Mr. White worked too hard in getting the articles ready. He could not sleep well, and soon he became very weak. Then, too, in trying to save money, he had not eaten as much food as he should have had to give him the strength he needed. He was hardly able to walk to the printing office. Again he felt discouraged. HMes 93.5

“Wife,” he said one day, “it is no use to try to struggle on any longer. These things are crushing me, and will soon carry me to the grave. I cannot go on. I have written a note for the paper stating that I shall publish no more.” HMes 94.1

The next morning while they were bowed in prayer at family worship, Mrs. White was given a vision about this matter. HMes 94.2

“I was shown that you must not give up the paper,” she told her husband after the vision was ended. “This is just the step that Satan is trying to drive you to take. You must continue to publish, and the Lord will sustain you.” HMes 94.3

This message gave new courage to Mr. White to continue publishing the Review and Herald, but he saw that he could not go on with the work unless he had some help. HMes 94.4

Soon after this they moved again, this time to Rochester, New York. Mr. White bought a printing press and type, so that they could do their own printing. He found other workers who were willing to join them in the work of printing the paper, until quite a family lived together. All these workers labored as did Mr. and Mrs. White, without pay except for their food, home, and other necessary expenses, which were met by the donations sent in by the readers of the paper. HMes 94.5

The work of these laborers was much appreciated, for although there was no price paid for the papers, still enough money was sent in to support the work. Four men who had fine farms worth about $3,500 each, sold their farms and gave part of the money for the printing work. The farmers then rented farms or else went into other work. HMes 94.6

A paper just for the young people and the boys and girls! That was the desire of Mr. and Mrs. White. Their hopes really came true in August, 1852, when they were able to publish a paper called The Youth’s Instructor and send it out to the young people. HMes 95.1

How they read and treasured every page! In many issues there were articles written by Ellen G. White just for the boys and girls, in language they could understand. HMes 95.2

The Youth’s Instructor was published every month and mailed to anyone who was interested in having it. Each one who received it was asked to pay twenty-five cents a year. HMes 95.3

This paper for young people has been published for more than one hundred years. Now it is sent out to many thousands, and each week it carries its message to every continent. HMes 95.4