Ellen G. White and Her Critics

The Final “Proof” Examined

Only one further “proof” in support of the lawsuit story remains to be considered. ^† It is a fact that the book went out of print probably not later than 1893-4, possibly before, and that the book by Mrs. White which took its place, Acts of the Apostles, was not published until 1911. Now, say the critics, it is unreasonable to believe the explanation offered by W. C. White for not printing further editions; namely that his mother wished first to add to the book before it was reprinted. She could not possibly have been planning that in the early 1890’s, for she did not produce the new book till 1911. EGWC 441.2

We have waited until this closing “proof” to bring on certain documentary evidence in refutation of the whole collection of proofs. We preferred to let the critics first present their case in chronological sequence. The letter files of the Ellen G. White Publications cover a wide range of denominational incidents and activities, particularly as they relate to the writings of Mrs. White, and fill in gaps in the publishing history of the denomination that were created by the disastrous fires that destroyed both the Review and Herald and the Pacific Press, with all their records, in the early 1900’s. In the period covered by the letters we examined, W. C. White was a most influential and active leader in the Adventist organization. To him came letters from General Conference presidents and other key men which discussed every kind of denominational problem. These letters, not written for publication, naturally give a far more intimate picture of the denomination than any published writings could do, and discuss frankly the problems and crises as well as the progress and glories of the work. And could there be any greater crisis than that of a legal threat to Mrs. White’s writings! EGWC 442.1

Do these files throw any light on Mrs. White’s 1883 book on Paul? They do. Do they discuss or even hint at a threatened lawsuit? They do not. Do they even darkly suggest that the book was “suppressed” for any reason? They do not. Finally, do these letter files discuss plans for a revised work on Paul’s life? They do. EGWC 442.2

From June 1883 onward for several months the letters to and from W. C. White reveal that Mrs. White’s work on Paul was being given intensive promotion in camp meetings and in Sabbath schools as not only a good book for devotional reading but as a special help for the Sabbath school lessons on the Acts of the Apostles. The book was also being promoted as a premium with Review and Herald and Signs of the Times subscriptions. We would naturally expect that under such promotion the market for the book among the church membership would shortly be saturated. EGWC 442.3