Ellen G. White: The Australian Years: 1891-1900 (vol. 4)

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The Long-range Harvest of Falsehood and Misrepresentation

But the seed had been sown in Australia. Of the harvest, Ellen White wrote on April 11, 1897, to Fannie, who was in Battle Creek: 4BIO 249.1

My Sister Fannie Bolton: The work which you have done here in Australia has yielded a harvest which is widespread.... You claimed that it was your superior talent that made the articles what they were. I know this to be a falsehood, for I know my own writings.... 4BIO 249.2

Brother McCullagh has reported your words of information given him from house to house, saying that I have very little to do in getting out the books purported to come from my pen, that I had picked out all I had written from other books, and that those who prepared my articles, yourself in particular, made the matter that was published.... 4BIO 249.3

You can see by this what a harvest your leaven of falsehood and misrepresentation have produced.... I will say that much of the time that you were in Australia, you surely did not know what manner of spirit you were of. Satanic agencies have been working through Fannie Bolton.—Letter 25, 1897. 4BIO 249.4

In response to this very plain message, Miss Bolton replied to Ellen White on July 5, 1897, and, following an extended confession, declared: 4BIO 249.5

My eyes are open to the way in which I hurt your work, for my spirit was not right. The enemy had magnified my supposed difficulties, and though I did not realize what I was doing, he knew exactly what he intended to do through me, but by the grace of God he has lost his tool.... 4BIO 249.6

As to the testimony you sent of my feelings, faults, errors, and ignorance of my attitude, I say it is true, true to the core. 4BIO 250.1

In her closing paragraphs she asked a question and made a statement: 4BIO 250.2

Do you think it can be possible for you to give me a place in your heart now? Can you think kindly toward me? Will you ever be able to repose any confidence in me as a friend? ... 4BIO 250.3

I do not know whatever made me make such a blunder as to insist on going with you to Australia, or of insisting over and over after repeated failures; but I am warned not to undertake a place of so great responsibility. I dare not do it, for it has been proved over and over that I am as weak as water, and I think the decision of the testimony [that Fannie should never work for her again] was wise.—DF 445a. 4BIO 250.4

This pattern of falsifications and subsequent confessions continued for a number of years, including statements circulated particularly in Battle Creek that she had written Steps to Christ and, at Ellen White's bidding, certain of the testimonies she sent out. [Note: Those desiring further information regarding fannie Bolton's connection with Ellen White may secure it from the Ellen G. White Estate at the cost of duplication and mailing.] Such reports brought perplexity and concern to those unfamiliar with the facts in the case. The fears expressed by some who knew her well, that Fannie Bolton was unbalanced in mind, were confirmed when she was admitted to mental institutions on several occasions. 4BIO 250.5

In 1900, four years after Fannie returned to the United States, Ellen White made the following cogent observation: 4BIO 250.6

Wherein do my articles in the papers now differ from what they were when Fannie was with me? Who is it that now puts in words to supply the deficiencies of my language, my deplorable ignorance? How was this done before Fannie Bolton had anything to do with my writings? Cannot people who have reason see this? If Fannie supplied my great deficiency, how is it that I can now send articles to the papers?—Letter 61a, 1900. 4BIO 250.7