Ellen G. White: The Lonely Years: 1876-1891 (vol. 3)

Practical Gift Suggestions

In the setting of the gift-giving at the Christmas season, she made some suggestions: 3BIO 210.3

It is right to bestow upon one another tokens of love and remembrance if we do not in this forget God, our best friend. We should make our gifts such as will prove a real benefit to the receiver. I would recommend such books as will be an aid in understanding the Word of God, or that will increase our love for its precepts. Provide something to be read during these long winter evenings.—Ibid. 3BIO 210.4

She recommended books she herself admired and had been referring to as she was writing on the great controversy theme and on New Testament history: 3BIO 210.5

For those who can procure it, D'Aubigne's History of the Reformation will be both interesting and profitable. From this work we may gain some knowledge of what has been accomplished in the past in the great work of reform. We can see how God poured light into the minds of those who searched His Word, how much the men ordained and sent forth by Him were willing to suffer for the truth's sake, and how hard it is for the great mass of mankind to renounce their errors and to receive and obey the teachings of the Scriptures.... 3BIO 210.6

Many of our people already have the Life of Christ [Geikie]. The Life of Paul [Conybeare and Howson], now offered for sale at this office, is another useful and deeply interesting work which should be widely circulated.—Ibid. (Geikie advertised in Ibid., November 7, 1882). 3BIO 211.1

She mentioned also as appropriate the Testimonies and the three volumes of Spirit of Prophecy, and suggested children's books as appropriate reading—all available from the publishing houses, east and west. 3BIO 211.2