101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White

95. Is More Information Called For?

Should the readers of the E. G. White books be given more information concerning the preparation of these books? QSEW 103.6

Some have suggested that the introduction to each of Mrs. White’s books should present certain acknowledgments, recognizing the assistance of literary helpers. But the literary assistants did not provide any of the text. They were in no way co-authors. Their work was mechanical or editorial, as explained under question 92. QSEW 103.7

There are those who feel that quotation marks should be introduced into The Desire of Ages wherever Ellen White has drawn on the works of others. However, this seems not to be a practical possibility, since hardly anything has been quoted directly. QSEW 103.8

A sample chapter, “Lazarus Come Forth” (Chapter 58) was carefully compared with the works of nine nineteenth century authors who wrote on Christ’s life. The closest similarity in wording was the phrase, “the greatest of Christ’s miracles” (The Desire of Ages, 524), which has three successive words identical to those used in Hanna’s phrase, “the greatest of His miracles” (The Life of Christ, Page 452). Quotation marks would hardly be called for on those three words. Ellen White wrote “Jesus encouraged her faith” (Page 530), while John Fleetwood said “Jesus, who was willing to encourage this imperfect faith” (The Life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Page 281). Ellen White wrote, “Lazarus was stricken with sudden illness” (Page 525), while Hugh MacMillan said “Lazarus was stricken down with one of those sharp malignant fevers” (Our Lord’s Three Raisings from the Dead, Page 146). It can be seen that quotation marks would serve little purpose and actually would be inappropriate here. QSEW 103.9

While Ellen White may have read several of the nine authors examined, there is not much evidence that she was dependent on them for her ideas. Of twenty-four extra-Biblical points discussed by the various authors, Ellen White mentions fifteen. In eight cases she agreed with all others who discussed the same incidents or ideas, on two points she agreed with some while disagreeing with others, while on five points she stood completely alone. QSEW 104.1

Thus, while the suggestion that due credit be given to various authors may appear simple and practical, implementation would be complex and perhaps impractical. QSEW 104.2