Ellen G. White: The Progressive Years: 1862-1876 (vol. 2)

Ellen G. White Busy Writing

While Uriah Smith was staying at the White home in Greenville Ellen was busy writing. So much had been opened up to her in the vision of June 12. She wrote scores of personal testimonies. Some were soon included in Testimony Nos. 16 and 17. At this time Edson was with them in their Greenville home. On July 27 she wrote a birthday letter to him, who would be nineteen the next day. It opens: 2BIO 245.3

My dear Son,

I write this for your nineteenth birthday. It has been a pleasure to have you with us a few weeks in the past. You are about to leave us, yet our prayers shall follow you. 2BIO 245.4

Another year of your life closes today. How can you look back upon it? Have you made advancement in the divine life? Have you increased in spirituality? Have you crucified self, with the affections and lusts? Have you an increased interest in the study of God's Word? ...As you enter upon a new year, let it be with an earnest resolve to have your course onward and upward.—Letter 17, 1868 (see also Testimonies for the Church, 2:261). 2BIO 245.5

The twelve-page handwritten letter closes with these observations and admonitions: 2BIO 245.6

A new year of your life now commences. A new page is turned in the book of the recording angel. What will be the record upon its pages? Shall it be blotted with neglect of God, with unfulfilled duties? God forbid. Let the record be stamped there which you will not be ashamed to have revealed to the gaze of men and angels.—Ibid. (see also Ibid., 2:268). 2BIO 245.7

She handed the carefully penned letter to Edson on his birthday, and as he left a few days later for Battle Creek, where he was continuing his education, he took it with him. Then, as she thought more of it, and how it might be a help to other young people, on August 11 she called for it back, that she might make a copy. She included it in Testimony No. 17, published in February, 1869. 2BIO 246.1