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

The New York Independent

On August 23, 1915, there appeared in The New York Independent (a prestigious monthly journal published in New York) an editorial entitled: “An American Prophetess.” 6BIO 443.4

It is the distinction of our days that the American Church has enjoyed the teachings of two prophetesses.... Our two later prophetesses, Mrs. Eddy, founder of the Christian Science Church, and Mrs. Ellen G. White, leader and teacher of the Seventh-day Adventists, lived and died in comfort and honor, surrounded by their admiring followers. Many of Mrs. Eddy's disciples believed she would never die, and Mrs. White hoped to be one of those who would be taken up alive to meet the Lord in the air. 6BIO 443.5

But the Lord delayed His coming, and she entered into rest, just as others do, at the age of eighty-eight, and her burial took place a few days ago at the Advent headquarters at Battle Creek, Michigan. Her husband, Elder White, shares with her the honor of founding the Seventh-day Advent Church, but she was its one prophetess.—DF 756, “News Coverage of the Death of Ellen G. White.” 6BIO 443.6

Then followed a brief life sketch in which was mentioned the revelations given to Ellen White that set the high standards of living followed by Adventists. The article closed with very interesting comments: 6BIO 443.7

Of course, these teachings were based on the strictest doctrine of inspiration of the Scriptures. Seventh-day Adventism could be got in no other way. And the gift of prophecy was to be expected as promised to the “remnant church,” who had held fast to the truth. This faith gave great purity of life and incessant zeal. No body of Christians excels them in moral character and religious earnestness. 6BIO 444.1

Their work began in 1853 in Battle Creek, and it has grown until now they have thirty-seven publishing houses throughout the world, with literature in eighty different languages, and an annual output of $2,000,000. They have now seventy colleges and academies, and about forty sanitariums; and in all this, Ellen G. White has been the inspiration and guide. Here is a noble record, and she deserves great honor. 6BIO 444.2

Did she really receive divine visions, and was she really chosen by the Holy Spirit to be endued with the charisma of prophecy? Or was she the victim of an excited imagination? Why should we answer? One's doctrine of the Bible may affect the conclusion. At any rate, she was absolutely honest in her belief in her revelations. Her life was worthy of them. She showed no spiritual pride and she sought no filthy lucre. She lived the life and did the work of a worthy prophetess, the most admirable of the American succession. 6BIO 444.3