Ellen White’s Last Four Books

Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students

As the year 1913 opened, the book they then called Christian Education (which we know today as Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students) was receiving first attention. In a letter written to O. A. Olsen on January 2, W. C. White described in some detail the procedures in preparing the manuscript: EWLFB 8.6

“First of all. Professor Salisbury [secretary of the General Conference Department of Education] sat down with Mother’s secretaries and spent two or three hours in pointing out those articles in the old book [Christian Education, 1893] which he regarded as essential; also those articles in Special Testimonies on Education [1897] which he thought should be used in the new edition.

“Then Sisters Minnie Hawkins, Maggie Bree, and Mary Steward gave the matter which he has designated a very careful reading, and made notes as to its contents. Then they went to Mother’s files to see what new matter they could find and they made note of its contents.

“Then we made a list of departments which we thought ought to be considered in the compilation, and with these subjects before them, they made a thorough study of printed matter and manuscripts. As they collected matter, the departments developed from ten to fourteen.”—WCW to O. A. Olsen, Jan. 2, 1913.

When the manuscript had been pulled together in its preliminary form and each chapter read by Ellen White, it was submitted to several leading educators for critical reading. To them W. C. White wrote: EWLFB 9.1

“If you find anything in the manuscript to criticize, if you know of important material which should be added, or if you have any suggestions regarding arrangement, please send them along, and we will give your suggestions consideration.”—WCW to M. E. Kern, Jan. 15. 1913.

The procedures in handling this manuscript were quite different from those followed in the preparation of Prophets and Kings. In the case of the Old Testament history there was a natural sequence which must be followed. In the case of the book on education some judgment could be exercised in the selection of materials and the most helpful sequence in which these should appear. Quite naturally, dedicated educators, who by nature of their work had given diligent study to the Spirit of Prophecy counsels which had a bearing on their work, would be in the best position to point out any important counsels that might have been overlooked, and to suggest the most effective arrangement of articles. EWLFB 9.2

As work on the manuscript neared completion early in 1913, Ellen White’s attention was called to the fact that it contained no counsel giving clear-cut guidance to school administrators, particularly in our colleges, concerning the association of students in our schools. She had written on the subject as the Avondale school was getting under way and had dealt with general principles in counsels to Battle Creek and Healdsburg colleges. To meet the need in filling out the manuscript on this point, she dictated a statement, and when it was worked into the manuscript, she read and reread it in its context to be certain it conveyed her intent adequately and correctly. The statement is found on page 101. EWLFB 9.3

With the book Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students in the hands of the publishers, work on the manuscript for Gospel Workers took a prominent place in the program at Elmshaven. On February 18, 1913, W. C. White reported to Elder Daniells: EWLFB 9.4

“Mother is quite well these days, but not at all strong. Our work in the office is progressing nicely. Minnie and Maggie are at work collecting material for Gospel Workers.”

On March 31, he wrote to Mrs. N. H. Druillard, an old friend of the family: EWLFB 9.5

“Mother ... keeps quite cheerful, rides out almost every pleasant day, reads all the manuscripts that we are preparing for the printer, gives us much valuable counsel about the work.”

And Ellen White herself reported on May 7: EWLFB 9.6

“I have a company of faithful workers, who are helping to prepare matter for the press. They are of good courage, and look on the bright side. We are doing our best to gather together the precious instruction that the people need.”—Letter 9, 1913.