Ellen White’s Last Four Books

The final months

January 1, 1915, Crisler wrote of work on the chapters linking the Solomon story with that of Elijah because they were “not bright enough and hopeful enough to suit” Ellen White (CCC to WCW, January 4, 1915). So, following “her counsel in making them more nearly right,” scriptures were introduced which she felt were needed. Crisler was pleased that this satisfied her and he himself was glad they could now include matter they “disliked to see left out of the more hastily prepared volume” (CCC to WCW, January 4 and 5, 1915). EWLFB 15.6

As the year 1915 opened, the Review and Herald was setting type for Gospel Workers. As the work progressed, the workers at Elmshaven were reading proofs and double checking. More meticulous care was taken with an Ellen White book than with other works. EWLFB 15.7

On Tuesday, January 5, 1915, Crisler had occasion to write to Edson White, and he reported on his mother’s health: EWLFB 16.1

“You will be pleased to learn that Sister White is keeping up fairly well, all things considered .... She can get about the house unaided and unattended, going freely from room to room and up and down stairs; but her steps are much slower and uncertain than in former years, and even than when you were last with us [May, 1914] ....

“Often during the past few months she has spent a good portion of the time downstairs, sitting in the sitting room by the fireplace; and Miss May Walling has endeavored to sit much with her, to keep her company .... There is really more home life for your mother than during the years when her activities led her to isolate herself in her office room most of the time.”

Two days later he wrote to W. C. White: EWLFB 16.2

“I am sending you these few lines to tell you that your mother is about the same, healthwise. She spends part of her time reading the large-print volumes within easy reach, and seems content. Today we went over another long chapter of the Elijah story.”—CCC to WCW, January 7, 1915.

On January 12, 1915, the report was: EWLFB 16.3

“Your mother ... seems to be just about the same from day to day. I find her able to consider manuscripts daily, in harmony with the plan outlined in recent letters. She takes pleasures in this work, and gives us real help when we need her help .... At times, I find your mother going over the Signs and Review and other papers; but of late I have not found her reading the newspaper.”—CCC to WCW, January 12, 1915.

Then on Sunday, January 17, he wrote to W. C. White: EWLFB 16.4

“I went to your mother’s sitting room to have a visit with her. We read over some of the Amos and Hosea prophecies, and considered matter that will strengthen the chapter dealing with these.”

February 10 marks the writing of a letter by D. E. Robinson to S. N. Haskell. He wrote: EWLFB 16.5

“You will be glad to know that Sister White’s general health is fairly good. She is still able to dress herself and to get around the house. She takes her meals with the family, and when the weather is good goes out for a drive.

“She takes an interest in the matter that is being prepared from her manuscripts for publication. She constantly expresses her gratitude to God for His care over her. The last three days I have been eating at her table, and she thoroughly enjoys her food. Yet we who are associated with her can see that she is constantly growing weaker.”

By Friday, February 12, W. C. White was home and by letter informed his friends: EWLFB 16.6

“Friday afternoon, February 12, as I was leaving the office for a quick trip to St. Helena, Mother came outdoors, and we spent ten minutes walking about in the bright sunshine and talking about the progress of the message in all the world.”—WCW to “Dear Friend,” February 15, 1915.

The next day, Sabbath, February 13, 1915, as she entered her writing room Ellen White fell and broke her hip, She lived another five months, but her work was done. Two chapters for the Old Testament history were still not quite finished. Ellen White’s death and funeral and the major adjustments made at Elmshaven left the work on the manuscript and the proposition of the publication of the book we know today as Prophets and Kings somewhat in limbo. After seeking counsel the White trustees decided to move forward with the publishing of this book which would fill out the complete five-volume series on The Conflict of the Ages story. The unfinished chapters were completed with materials available from the manuscript files, and the manuscript for the book was sent to the Pacific Press for publication. In due time it was ready for the market. EWLFB 17.1

Series Concluded EWLFB 17.2