The Testimony of Jesus

The Income From Publications

When we take account of the large number of books that came from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White, and the extensive circulation they have received, the question is naturally suggested, Did not these publications bring to their author a princely income, making Mrs. White immensely wealthy? Strange as it may seem, the very reverse was true. Thousands of dollars were indeed received by Mrs. White, but she did not become wealthy, because of her many benefactions. Not only did she use all the income thus received, but borrowed many thousands of dollars which were used in ways indicated below. When Mrs. White died in July, 1915, it was found that her estate carried an indebtedness of nearly $90,000. How was this large indebtedness incurred? This came about because of the following reasons: TOJ 123.2

1. Her earnest effort to place the instruction, which she believed God had given her, in the various languages of the world, and the liberal investment she made for the purpose of translation. This work of promoting her books oftentimes involved as initial expense the payment of quite a large sum of money before any returns could come from the books. Some of the foreign editions of Mrs. White’s books carried no royalty return. The rate on foreign books carrying royalty was much lower than that of the English books. She depended upon the royalties which would be received to meet this initial expense, the same as our publishing houses do today when they put thousands of dollars into some new book, depending upon its sale later for reimbursement. Oftentimes the anticipated income from such sales has not been realized by our publishing houses. And this was true in the experience of Mrs. White. Sometimes our people were slow to promote the messages which the Lord instructed her to give the people, and this involved a carrying of indebtedness, which under other circumstances would have been promptly met. TOJ 123.3

2. Mrs. White herself through all the years made liberal donations to various branches of the work. Her heart responded to the calls of our mission fields. Indeed, when she herself led in emphasizing the need of the world-wide proclamation of the message, of planting the standard of truth in the regions beyond, she could not consistently do otherwise than set an example in sustaining these enterprises by her own donations. TOJ 124.1

Mrs. White borrowed thousands of dollars with which to advance the interests of the work in various fields. To a brother from whom she was requesting a loan for this purpose in the year 1904, Mrs. White wrote as follows: TOJ 124.2

“I invest in the work of God all the means that I can possibly spare. I sent one thousand dollars to Elder Haskell to help in beginning the work in New York City.... TOJ 124.3

“I wish that I had money to invest in other places, like Greater New York. Many cities in the South should be worked. We who know the truth should do what we can to proclaim the truth in new places, to carry the light to those who are in darkness of error.... TOJ 124.4

“Can you influence any of those whom you know to be entrusted by the Lord with the talent of means, to lend me money, with or without interest, to be used in the work of the Lord? I will give my note for whatever sums I may receive. In the past some have lent me money without interest. And no one has ever asked me for the return of his money without receiving it. TOJ 124.5

“If our brethren will now lend me money, with or without interest, I will invest it in various parts of the field to help carry forward the work that needs to be done. TOJ 125.1

“It was thus that I helped in the advancement of the work in Australia.... I borrowed money for the erection of meeting-houses, and to provide facilities for tent meetings.... I used the royalties on my books to help in starting a school in Melbourne, and then I borrowed money from those who were interested in the work ... TOJ 125.2

“We realize that the truths of the Word of God must be carried to all the world, and we are doing the best we can. I have helped the work in Europe as much as possible. It cost me over three thousand dollars to have my books translated into the foreign languages. All the royalty on my books sold in Europe, I have given to the work in that field. This has amounted to several thousand dollars.... TOJ 125.3

“Besides what I have invested in Australia and in Europe, I have also made donations to the Southern field. I have borrowed money to send to them when they were in strait places. I shall continue to do all I can to help the needy fields. Time is short, and I wish to see the money of our people that is tied up in banks put into circulation, where it can help the work of God. TOJ 125.4

“When I receive what I have invested in my books, I hope to have money sufficient to repay what I have borrowed, and to have more of my own money to use.”—MS., C-103-1904. TOJ 125.5

This course of Mrs. White in borrowing means for the advancement of the work was no violation of the testimonies she had borne against debt. She said that debt should be shunned as we would shun the leprosy. She recognized that there was a vital difference between debts contracted by institutions or conferences or persons not having an earning power to pay their debts, and the borrowing of money for the carrying on of a business with a regular income. She herself from her publications had an assured income, and there were assets which were sufficient to form a sound basis of credit, the assets with earning power being sufficient to meet the amounts of money which were borrowed by her. TOJ 125.6

3. Mrs. White gave liberally of her means to supply help to individuals who were in need. She and her husband through the years assisted many worthy young men and women in obtaining an education and in finding a place in gospel work. Mrs. White gave liberally in assisting aged and infirm ministers before definite provision was made for their support, as is now found in the sustentation provision. TOJ 126.1

Mrs. White never engaged in speculation. She never invested any of her means in questionable enterprises. She was obliged to entrust the management of her financial affairs very largely to others. Mrs. White never lived extravagantly, but always plainly and simply. Her indebtedness proved her devotion to the work which she believed had been given her of God, of publishing to the world the light she had received. It is to her credit that she did not amass a large fortune, as did certain leaders of other great movements. TOJ 126.2