W. W. Prescott and the 1911 Edition of The Great Controversy

Chapter 1—The Documented Facts in the Case

In July, 1911, a new edition of Great Controversy came from the presses of the Pacific Press and the Review and Herald. It is often spoken of as the 1911 “revision” of The Great Controversy. The term revision is much too broad for what was actually done. The word “refinement” would be more in keeping with both what was intended by the author and her staff at Elmshaven and what actually took place. While the work was in progress, workers involved made it clear that the book was not being revised. The word “revision,” in the interest of accuracy, was studiously avoided, and rightly so. C. C. Crisler, writing to H. C. Lacey, September 20, 1910, said: “No revision of the text has been attempted.” WWPGC 2.1

Not only have the terms used in reference to the 1911 edition of The Great Controversy been used loosely—and the White Estate is not guiltless in this respect—but at times very inaccurate statements have been made as to the book and the work done on it. This is clearly evidenced in the minutes of the 1919 Conference of Bible and History Teachers. WWPGC 2.2