Ellen White: Woman of Vision

Who Manipulated Her Writings?

The questions raised concerning the manipulation of her writings, and the influence of W. C. White on the testimonies, distressed Ellen White, particularly such charges as were traced to careless statements made by James Edson White. WV 494.2

The two sons of James and Ellen White were much unlike in personality and character. The younger, William C., was steady, calm, loyal to the Testimonies, dependable, and endued with leadership qualifications. The older son, James Edson, while talented, creative, and a good author, was unsteady, a poor manager of finances, and, because his brother and church leaders could not and did not endorse all his ventures, very critical. The testimonies of his mother addressed to him from early years carried at times little weight; yet when fully consecrated to God he did a remarkable work, particularly among the neglected Blacks in the South. WV 494.3

Because he was the son of James and Ellen White, James Edson was able to borrow money, mainly from Adventists, to support his various enterprises, many of which failed. Again and again his mother and his brother came to his personal financial aid as various enterprises he had been warned against collapsed. WV 494.4

As Ellen White found she could not endlessly support him in these ventures, his brother attempted to counsel him. He in turn took the position that W. C. was influencing his mother. Among his personal friends in and around Battle Creek were a number who were voicing Dr. Kellogg's insinuations that Ellen White was being influenced by her son William and others. It was easy for James Edson to join in. He said some unfortunate things that were quickly picked up and, coming from Mrs. White's own son, capitalized on. WV 494.5

Finally, painful as it was, Ellen White had to step in and set the record straight. She wrote a six-page letter to Edson, ending with this firm statement: WV 494.6

Your position is a grievous thing to your mother and wears upon the life of your brother.... I shall have to speak. I cannot and will not suffer reproach to come upon the cause of God, and my work that God has given me to do, by your saying he manipulates my writings. It is falsehood—but what a charge is this! Not one soul manipulates my writings (Letter 391, 1906). WV 494.7

In another letter to Edson, written May 21, 1906, she stated: WV 494.8

The position you have taken, the words you have said, are not a secret. Everywhere they are handled by those who would uproot confidence in the Testimonies, and they have influence because you are WCW's brother and the son of Ellen G. White.... W. C. White is true as steel to the cause of God, and no lie which is in circulation is of the truth (Letter 143, 1906). WV 494.9

Earlier in the year she had written: WV 495.1

There are those who say, “Someone manipulates her writings.” I acknowledge the charge. It is One who is mighty in counsel, One who presents before me the condition of things in Battle Creek (Letter 52, 1906). WV 495.2

Through June and the early part of July, Ellen White devoted much of her time to answering questions from the field. She wrote scores of letters totaling hundreds of pages. Many of these carried warnings concerning the perils of cherishing doubts in the face of the strong evidences God had given of the integrity of the Spirit of Prophecy. WV 495.3

When it became clear that “the most frivolous questions” were being asked (Letter 180, 1906), instruction began to come to her that she need not pick up and answer “all the sayings and doubts that are being put into many minds” (Manuscript 61, 1906). She and her staff, after providing answers to the principal questions, considered their work in this area quite well finished. WV 495.4