Exhibits Relating to the Writing of The Desire of Ages

Exhibit 77—Wednesday, June 15, 1898, Marian Davis to Miss E. J. Burnham

Your letter of May 16, with proofs, received. I have hastily read the pages. Except one or two trifling errors, the text is all right. I can’t tell you how great relief I feel on seeing so much of the matter in type, and straight. Have been almost consumed with anxiety in thinking of the possibilities for so many insertions sent so far away. I am unspeakably thankful to God, whose good hand is over the work, that He has made it possible for you to have it in charge, and I hope that no word of mine may bring on you any needless burden.... ERWDA 40.1

In the preface, would it not be well to state, in some way, that this book is not a harmony of the gospels, that it does not attempt to teach chronology. Its purpose is to present the love of God, the divine beauty of the life of Christ, not to satisfy the questioning of critics. The above may not be the best way to put it. It is intended only as a suggestion. ERWDA 40.2

—W. C. White Letter Book 10-A, pp. 166-8. (Written from Cooranbong, Australia, to Miss Burnham at the Pacific Press in Oakland, California.)