Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

Chapter 7—Present-Day Use of the Manuscripts

The question naturally arises: Do the trustees have the authority and right to make use of manuscripts? Was it intended by Mrs. White that after her decease any compilations or new publications should appear, gathered in whole or in part from this extensive source? If so, what provisions were made for the guidance of the appointed custodians of these writings? EGWMR 82.1

This phase of the trustees’ work, that of custodianship of the manuscripts, was amply covered in the Ellen G. White “will,” which specifically provides that to the trustees are entrusted her “general manuscript file and all indexes pertaining thereto,” with provisions for “publishing” “manuscripts” and for the “printing of compilations from my manuscripts.” EGWMR 82.2

This instruction is very explicit, and it is readily observed that Mrs. White anticipated certain future needs, and made provision that certain manuscripts which had not been published should appear in print for the guidance of the church. EGWMR 82.3

In addition to this general authorizing action of Mrs. White’s “will,” there is in published statements, and in a number of her manuscripts, definite instruction which, studied in conjunction with the “will,” develop a clear outline of the work which Mrs. White expected the trustees to carry forward after her decease. EGWMR 82.4

Here is one statement which presents the matter in a definite way. It is to be found in a letter bearing date of November 22, 1910, and addressed to her son, W. C. White, who at that time was attending a conference in the East. Mrs. White was busy with her bookwork at “Elmshaven,” and after speaking of what she had been doing, and of her desire, if possible, to visit the East again and bear once more her living testimony, her mind turns to the future, and she says: EGWMR 82.5

“I have much written in the diary ^* I have kept in all my journeys that should come before the people if essential, even if I did not write another line. I want that which is deemed worthy to appear, for the Lord has given me much light that I want the people to have; for there is instruction that the Lord has given me for His people. It is light that they should have, line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. This is now to come before the people, because it has been given to correct specious errors and to specify what is truth. The Lord has revealed many things pointing out the truth, thus saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.”—Mrs. E. G. White, Letter 117, 1910. EGWMR 82.6

Let us analyze this statement carefully: EGWMR 82.7

1. Note the date of writing, November 22, 1910, a year after the appearance of volume nine of the Testimonies. EGWMR 82.8

2. There is “much written in the diary ... that should come before the people.” EGWMR 82.9

3. This was to “come before the people if essential,” and it was her wish that “that which is deemed worthy” should appear. This is very important, for here we find stated the condition which should control the selection for publication of any manuscript matter. Here it is plainly implied that study would be given to the manuscripts, and selection be made for use in accordance with the needs; not all that was written was to be published. EGWMR 82.10

4. This matter in her “diary” is spoken of as “instruction” that “the Lord has given” “for His people,” and “light” that they should have. EGWMR 82.11

5. This instruction and light “has been given to correct specious errors and to specify what is truth.” EGWMR 82.12

With this statement in mind which indicates her anticipation of the future use of the unpublished matter, let us now turn to specific instruction which we find was recorded on the manuscripts themselves, in connection with her rereading of them. EGWMR 82.13

As has previously been stated, there was kept in Mrs. White’s writing room, a file of her manuscripts in addition to the office file kept in the vault. These were bound in yearly volumes, in chronological order, convenient for her use. Many of these volumes she read over from time to time, and in some cases she added interlineations. Not only this, but her mind turned to the future usefulness of these documents, which had already filled their first intended mission. In her own hand, at the top of many of the manuscripts, she gave counsel regarding their future use. EGWMR 82.14

An excellent illustration of this is found in the book of letters for 1908. This is the complete file for the year, and contains more than seven hundred typewritten pages. Opening the volume to the first letter, written December 30, 1907, but not copied until January 1, 1908, and so filed in, the 1908 file and bearing the credit of D 2, 1908, we find this statement written in ink, “I have looked this book through quite thoroughly, and it contains much that must come to the people. Ellen G. White.” [Italics added.] Then in pencil at the top of the sheet are the words, “Consider this article.” EGWMR 83.1

Turning through the book, other statements are found. The top of one page bears this message, “This I have read and accept to be placed in a book of experience. Ellen G. White.” And at the head of a letter written June 17, and bearing the file number H 188, 1908, we find the words, “Not publish.” EGWMR 84.1

In the manuscript file for 1913 we find the following statement at the head of the sheet on which is recorded an interview held December 4, 1913, bearing file credit of MS 12, 1913: EGWMR 84.2

“This is correctly presented, and I repeat this for the benefit of others. May the Lord help us and teach and guide us at every step in our difficulties.” EGWMR 84.3

A letter written January 22, 1905, and bearing the file number W 267, 1905, carries the handwritten words, “Not to be published.” EGWMR 84.4

A letter to our “Medical Missionaries,” written October 30, 1903, and bearing the file number B 254, 1903, carries this clear message: EGWMR 84.5

“This is to be republished where and when it will serve the cause of truth for this time.” EGWMR 84.6

Other annotations might be cited, but these are sufficient to indicate clearly that as she looked over these files of manuscripts and letters, she thought of the future service they would be to the cause. EGWMR 84.7

While we cannot analyze each of these statements in detail, yet we desire to call attention to several points of importance. In the book of letters for 1908 the same page which carries the statement of her careful examination of the letters in the book, also records the words, “Consider this article,” indicating that the writer expected that use would be made of those articles which would be timely. EGWMR 84.8

The statement that a certain letter was “to be republished where and when it will serve the cause of truth for this time,” is likewise of vital importance. EGWMR 84.9

The two instances cited, where the negative instruction, “Not to be published,” is found, are no less significant. Both of these letters are personal and confidential. It was not Mrs. White’s intention that every communication from her pen, regardless of its character, should be published for general circulation, but rather that documents which dealt with subjects of a confidential nature should be handled in a manner in keeping with their content. EGWMR 84.10

In connection with our study of the foregoing specific instruction, we have for consideration some cautions which Mrs. White felt constrained to record in print: EGWMR 84.11

“Regarding the Testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered. Nothing must be done untimely. Some matters must be withheld because some persons would make an improper use of the light given.”—The Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies to the Church, 25. EGWMR 84.12

These principles clearly outlined in the foregoing instruction and statements have been a guide to the trustees in their work as custodians of the Ellen G. White manuscripts. EGWMR 84.13

As a part of their work, specific instruction, local as to place, and addressed to those carrying the work in certain fields or institutions, has in some cases been gathered together, and placed in the hands of those bearing the responsibilities of the work in that particular field in the form of typewritten compilations. EGWMR 84.14

Crises have been squarely met by mimeographed compilations from the manuscripts containing instruction given to meet similar issues in the past. New publications have appeared, compilations from the manuscripts and other sources, which bring to our workers and laymen valuable instruction and counsel dealing with lines not so well covered by what was, prior to their publication, generally available. EGWMR 84.15

In the preparation of each of the documents and publications issued by the trustees, they have been guided by the provisions made by Mrs. White in her “will” which authorize this work of “printing of compilations from my manuscripts,” and the instruction that that which is “essential” in her manuscripts should “come before the people.” EGWMR 84.16

This work has not been undertaken without a realization of the care that must be exercised in the selection of that which should be published, and a consideration of the factors of “time and place” which she recognized as important in the use of the instruction. The trustees have also recognized the fact that Mrs. White counseled with her brethren in regard to the use of testimony matter. This she states as follows: EGWMR 84.17

“In the early days of this cause, if some of the leading brethren were present when messages from the Lord were given, we would consult with them as to the best manner of bringing the instruction before the people.”—The Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies to the Church, 5. EGWMR 84.18

It is the aim of the trustees, in dealing with the manuscripts, to follow the principles which guided Mrs. White in the selection of matter for publication. Just as Mrs. White counseled with leading brethren regarding her work and the publication of the Testimonies, in the same way the trustees in carrying forward the work committed to them avail themselves of the counsel of the leading officers of the church. EGWMR 84.19