101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White

88. Examples of Manuscript Editing

Please give an example of one of Mrs. White’s manuscripts both before and after her literary assistant had worked on it. QSEW 89.1

On the following pages (90-92) Manuscript 30a, 1896, Page 1, is shown, first in Ellen White’s own handwriting, then in an exact transcription of the original, with editorial corrections indicated. Two paragraphs from this manuscript as now published in the book In Heavenly Places are also shown. QSEW 89.2

The first page of the handwritten original of Letter 2, 1874, is also reproduced, as well as the published version. QSEW 89.3

It will be observed that the 1896 manuscript required considerable editing, while the 1874 letter needed very little. QSEW 89.4

This is typical of Ellen White’s literary work. Some of her manuscripts required more attention from her copyists than others. W. C. White explains the difference: QSEW 89.5

“Sometimes when Mother’s mind is rested, and free, the thoughts are presented in language that is not only clear and strong, but beautiful and correct; and at times when she is weary and oppressed with heavy burdens of anxiety, or when the subject is difficult to portray, there are repetitions and ungrammatical sentences.”—W. C. White to G. A. Irwin, May 7, 1900. QSEW 89.6

Fannie Bolton, who assisted Ellen White for several years in Australia, concurred with W. C. White. She stated, “Many times her manuscript does not need any editing, often but slight editing, and again a great deal of literary work” (White Estate Document File #445). QSEW 89.7

Reproduction of Manuscript 30a, 1896, p. 1, written at Ashfield, N.S.W., Australia, October 4, 1896. Original size 7 ½ x 8 ½ inches. QSEW 90.1

Please refer to page 90 in the print version of 101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White for a reproduced copy of the handwritten manuscript QSEW 90.2

An exact typewritten reproduction of the original of Manuscript 30a, 1896, p. 1. Ellen White’s literary assistant made the grammatical improvements which we have indicated here. QSEW 91.1

Please refer to page 91 in the print version of 101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White for a reproduced copy of the manuscript Please refer to page 92 in the print version of 101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White for a reproduced copy of the document QSEW 91.2

In Heavenly Places QSEW 92.1

May 7 QSEW 92.2

An Audience with the Most High QSEW 92.3

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectively works also in you that believe. 1 Thessalonians 2:13. QSEW 92.4

The Bible is God’s voice speaking to us just as surely as though we could hear Him with our ears. The word of the living God is not merely written, but spoken. Do we receive the Bible as the oracle of God? If we realized the importance of this Word, with what awe would we open it, and with what earnestness would we search its precepts. The reading and contemplating of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience with the Most High. QSEW 92.5

God’s Word is a message to us to be obeyed, a volume to be perused diligently, and with a spirit willing to take in the truths written for the admonition of those upon whom the ends of the world are come. It must not be neglected for any other book. When we open the Bible, let us compare our lives with its requirements, measuring our character by the great moral standard of righteousness. QSEW 92.6

The life of Christ, that gives life to the world, is in His Word. It was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea, and raised the dead; and the people bore witness that His word was with power. He spoke the Word of God, as He had spoken to all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ. It is our source of power. QSEW 92.7

As our physical life is sustained by food, so our spiritual life is sustained by the Word of God. As we must eat for ourselves in order to receive nourishment, so we must receive the Word for ourselves. We are not to obtain it merely through the medium of another mind. QSEW 92.8

Yes, the Word of God is the bread of life. It gives immortal vigor to the soul, perfecting the experience, and bringing joys that will abide forever. QSEW 92.9

Reproduction of the first page of Letter 2, 1874. QSEW 92.10

Original page size 5 x 7 inches. QSEW 92.11

The published version is from Selected Messages 1:74. Please refer to page 93 in the print version of 101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White for a reproduced copy of the manuscript QSEW 92.12

Battle Creek, Michigan QSEW 93.1

August 24, 1874 QSEW 93.2

Dear Brother Loughborough: QSEW 93.3

I hereby testify in the fear of God that the charges of Miles Grant, of Mrs. Burdick, and others published in the Crisis are not true. The statements in reference to my course in forty-four are false. QSEW 93.4

With my brethren and sisters, after the time passed in eighteen forty-four [1844 AD] I did believe no more sinners would be converted. But I never had a vision that no more sinners would be converted. And am clear and free to state no one has ever heard me say or has read from my pen statements which will justify them in the charges they have made against me upon this point. QSEW 93.5

It was on my first journey east to relate my visions that the precious light in regard to the heavenly sanctuary was opened before me and I was shown the open and shut door. We believed that the Lord was soon to come in the clouds of heaven. I was shown that there was a great work to be done in the world for those who had not had the light and rejected it. Our brethren could not understand this with our faith in the immediate appearing of Christ. Somc accused me of saying that my Lord delayeth His coming, especially the fanatical ones. I saw that in 1844 God had opened a door and no man could shut it, and shut a door and no man could open it. Those who rejected the light which was brought to the world by the message of the second angel went into darkness, and how great was that darkness. QSEW 93.6

I never have stated or written that the world was doomed or damned. I never have under any circumstances used this language to any one, however sinful. I have ever had messages of reproof for those who used these harsh expressions.—Letter 2, 1874. QSEW 93.7