The Spirit of Prophecy in the Advent Movement

The Books Were To Speak

This future work of her books was much upon her heart in later years; and in the closing days, after a fall that confined her to her room and made her feel that her end was near, she spoke particularly of one burden—the translation of these messages into foreign languages. Speaking from her sickroom, not only of her own books, but of all, she sent word to a convention of bookmen in session: SPIAM 125.1

“If our bookmen will do their part faithfully, I know, from the light God has given me, that the knowledge of present truth will be doubled and trebled. This is why I have been in so much of a hurry to get my books out, so that they could be placed in the hands of the people and read. And in the foreign languages the Lord designs that the circulation of our books shall be greatly increased.”—Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 446, 447. SPIAM 125.2

This foreign-language work was close to her heart—the multitudes of other speech who were to hear. From the sale of some of the books in English, and perhaps in two or three other languages, there would be income to devote toward issuing portions of the writings in the many languages wherein the expenditure would be more than any income to be expected from their sale. It was the provision of her last will and testament that the trustees were to continue this publishing of the writings of the Spirit of prophecy in other languages as rapidly as funds permitted. It has meant setting many a tongue to speaking portions of these messages that have so enriched the movement. SPIAM 125.3

One thing has always been emphasized—the necessity of not neglecting the smaller languages or the remoter people of the earth. SPIAM 125.4