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

Chapter 2—History of the 1911 Edition

On January 5, 1910, C. H. Jones, manager of the Pacific Press wrote to W. C. White concerning The Great Controversy as follows: WWPGC 2.3

It will be necessary to print another edition of this book on or before July, 1910. You are aware that the plates are worn out. New plates ought to be made before printing another edition. WWPGC 2.4

This set in motion plans for resetting the type and the making of new printing plates. The work was entered upon with no expectation of any alteration of the text. It was merely a routine undertaking, but embodying plans to improve the illustrations, et cetera. Type-setting and plate making commenced immediately. Ellen White informs us, however, of her attitude toward the project: WWPGC 3.1

When I learned that The Great Controversy must be reset, I determined that we would have everything closely examined, to see if the truths it contained were stated in the very best manner, to convince those not of our faith that the Lord had guided and sustained me in the writing of its pages.—EGW to FMW, July 25, 1911.

This, together with a long-standing request that the historical quotations in the book be properly credited, prompted W. C. White to call a halt in the operation. The considerations led him to take up correspondence with the book committees of both the Pacific Press and the Review and Herald and to confer with several individuals opening the way for suggestions relating to the new reset book. WWPGC 3.2

One of the individuals W. C. White conferred with was Professor W. W. Prescott. He did so in connection with a trip to Washington in early April, 1910. Prescott was then editor of The Protestant Magazine and as The Great Controversy had considerable to say about the Roman Catholic Church, it was logical that he should be asked to look the book through, especially in the light of Ellen White’s desire to “have everything closely examined, to see if the truths it contained were stated in the very best manner.” Prescott, with the views that he held in regard to inspiration, ¹ was reluctant to do as he was requested, but he accepted the assignment and in the matter of two or three weeks submitted his report to W. C. White. This was in the form of a 39-page, double-spaced letter, dated April 26, 1910. WWPGC 3.3