101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White

89. Editorial Imperfections

Did Ellen White or her literary helpers ever make mistakes in the editorial process? QSEW 94.1

Yes. For example, whoever put the quotation marks in Testimonies for the Church 6:59, put them in the wrong place. The handwritten original of the manuscript published in part on that page has been lost. However, we do have the typewritten copy made from the original shortly after it came from Ellen White’s pen, and it contains no quotation marks, except for Scripture texts. QSEW 94.2

When this material was put into print in the Review and Herald in 1899, quotation marks were not used. They were inserted for the first time in 1900 when the manuscript was published in part in volume 6 of the Testimonies. The quotation from Christ obviously ends in the middle of the second paragraph. Close quotation marks should have been inserted at that point rather than at the end of the following paragraph. Christ would hardly have spoken the sentences we have underlined. QSEW 94.3

The last paragraph is similar in many respects to a passage in Heman Humphrey’s introduction to John Harris’ book, The Great Teacher. Humphrey writes: QSEW 94.4

“We turn to the beloved disciple once more, and ask him what he saw and heard in the visions of Patmos, and he answers, ‘I beheld, and heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living ones and the elders. ’ QSEW 94.5

“Here then, Christian reader, is a theme worthy of an angel’s pen—yea, of more than an angel’s intellect. Here is the grand radiant point, towards which all the affinities converge: infinite wisdom—infinite love—infinite justice—infinite mercy! Depths, heights, length, breadth—all passing knowledge! Innumerable pens have been employed upon the life, character, preaching and mediation work of Christ.”—The Great Teacher, pages xiv, xvi (1836 edition). QSEW 94.6

Note the differences between the 1899 and 1900 publications which are reproduced side-by-side on the next page. QSEW 94.7

Review and Herald	Testimonies for the Church,
April 4. 1899, Pages 209,210	Volume 6, Pages 58, 59 (1900).
At the beginning of the Sabbath my heart went out in prayer that God would give wisdom to these workers, and in the visions of the night many words of instruction and encouragement were spoken to us. Ministers and workers were in a meeting where Bible lessons were being given. We said, We have the Great Teacher with us today, and we listened with interest to his words. He said: There is a great work before you in this place. You will need to present truth in its simplicity. Bring the people to the waters of life. Speak to them the things which most concern their present and eternal good. Do not present subjects that will arouse controversy, things that it will require a person of experience by your side to defend. In all that you say, know that you have something that is worthy of the time you take to say it, and of the time of the hearer to hear. Speak of those things which are essential, those things which will instruct, bringing light with every word.	At the Queensland camp meeting in 1898, instruction was given me for our Bible workers. In the visions of the night, ministers and workers seemed to be in a meeting where Bible lessons were being given. We said, “We have the Great Teacher with us today,” and we listened with interest to His words. He said: “There is a great work before you in this place. You will need to present truth in its simplicity. Bring the people to the waters of life. Speak to them the things which most concern their present and eternal good. Let not your study of the Scriptures be of a cheap or casual order. In all that you say, know that you have something which is worthy of the time you take to say it, and of the time of the hearers to hear. Speak of those things which are essential, those things which will instruct, bringing light with every word.
Learn to meet the people where they are. Let not your study of the Scriptures be of a cheap or casual order. Let not your instruction be of a character to perplex the mind. Do not cause the people to worry over things that you may see, but which they do not see, unless those are of vital consequence to the saving of the soul. Do not present the Scriptures in a way to exalt self, and encourage vainglory in the one who opens the Word to others. The work for this time is to train students and workers to deal with subjects in a plain, serious and solemn manner. There must be no time uselessly employed in this great work. We must not miss the mark. Time is too short for us to undertake to reveal all that might be opened up to view. Eternity will be required that we may know all the length and breadth, the height and depth, of the Scriptures. There are some souls to whom certain truths are of more importance than other truths. Skill is needed in your education in Scriptural lines. Read and study Psalm 40:7, 8; John 1-14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:14-17; Revelation 5:11-14.	“Learn to meet the people where they are. Do not present subjects that will arouse controversy. Let not your instruction be of a character to perplex the mind. Do not cause the people to worry over things which you may understand but which they do not see, unless these are of vital consequence to the saving of the soul. Do not present the Scriptures in a way to exalt self and encourage vainglory in the one who opens the word. The work for this time is to train students and workers to deal with subjects in a plain, serious, and solemn manner. There must be no time uselessly employed in this great work. We must not miss the mark. Time is too short for us to undertake to reveal all that might be opened to view. Eternity will be required for us to know all the length and breadth, the depth and height, of the Scriptures. There are some souls to whom certain truths are of more importance than other truths. Skill is needed in your education in Scriptural lines. Read and study Psalm 40:7, 8; John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:14-17; Revelation 5:11-14.
To the apostle John, on the Isle of Patmos, were revealed the things that God desired him to give to the people. Study these revelations. There are themes worthy of our contemplation, large and comprehensive lessons, which all the angelic hosts are now seeking to communicate. Behold the life and character of Christ, and study his mediation work. Here are infinite wisdom, infinite love, infinite justice, infinite mercy. Here are depths and heights, lengths and breadths, for our consideration. Numberless pens have been employed in presenting to the world the life, the character, and the mediation work of Christ. Yet every mind through whom the Holy Spirit has worked has presented these themes in a light that is fresh and new, according to the mind and spirit of the human agent.	“To the apostle John on the Isle of Patrons were revealed the things which God desired him to give to the people. Study these revelations. Here are themes worthy of our contemplation, large and comprehensive lessons, which all the angelic host are now seeking to communicate. Behold the life and character of Christ and study His mediation work. Here is infinite wisdom, infinite love, infinite justice, infinite mercy. Here are depths and heights, lengths and breadths, for our consideration. Numberless pens have been employed in presenting to the world the life, the character, and the mediation work of Christ, and yet every mind through which the Holy Spirit has worked has presented these themes in a light that is fresh and new.”