Ellen G. White: The Later Elmshaven Years: 1905-1915 (vol. 6)

Life Sketches of Ellen G. White

As the messenger of the Lord neared the close of her life, two tasks of a biographical nature emerged. Study was being given as to what would be said in the public press when Ellen White was at rest. W. L. Burgan, of the newly organized General Conference Press Bureau, was reaching out for materials that could be supplied the press to inform the general public about her life and work and possibly stall off some poor or even hostile journalism when the news broke. So from time to time the Elmshaven staff conferred by correspondence with Burgan in Washington and also with F. A. Coffin, who was working in a similar vein at closer range in southern California. This was done with the hope that it would not interfere with work on the books. 6BIO 419.4

Plans for a permanent biographical work that could be published immediately after Ellen White's death were also being developed. Out-of-print materials on her life were available for use in the new book. In 1860 she had written quite a detailed account of her life, which was published under the title of “My Christian Experience, Views and Labors.” This was issued as Spiritual Gifts, volume 2. In 1880 James White had taken this and with some editing had put it with the account of his life and labors and published the combined work as “Life Sketches” of James White and Ellen G. White. There was a reprint in 1888, but aside from this volume, now long out of print, there was no biography available. 6BIO 420.1

Seventh-day Adventists had been kept in touch with Ellen G. White through articles appearing weekly in the Review and Signs and Youth's Instructor, which brought her close to the readers. The occasional accounts of her travels and labors that appeared in these journals, together with the introductory material in volume one of the Testimonies and some biographical accounts here and there in the nine Testimony volumes themselves, kept Seventh-day Adventists aware of her life and activities. But soon her active labors would cease, fresh articles would no longer appear in the journals, and it was felt a modest volume on her life was needed. So beginning in late 1914, consideration was given to the preparation of a manuscript that would at her death appear as Life Sketches of Ellen G. White. C. C. Crisler and D. E. Robinson, using what help W. C. White could give, undertook the work. 6BIO 420.2

The 1880 Life Sketches volume formed the basis for the early part of the book. This material, supplemented by other biographical materials, traced the story to the time of James White's death in 1881. Then Clarence Crisler, filled in rather sketchily the story till her death, with the account in the third person. 6BIO 420.3