101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White

101. The Whites’ Financial Affairs

The Los Angeles Times article of October 23, 1980, insinuates that James and Ellen White had selfish motivations, for their writing. What did James White mean when he suggested to Ellen White that there was still “wealth” in their pens? QSEW 110.4

About six months before his death, James White wrote his wife: QSEW 110.5

“We must get out certain books. These we shall not complete in California, or in Battle Creek, unless we keep away from the Office and its business. Our financial matters stand well, and there is wealth yet in our pens, if we will keep away from bustle and care and work, and use our pens. In this way we can leave something that will tell when we may be gone.”—James White to E. G. White, February 7, 1881. QSEW 110.6

The last sentence, which was not quoted in the Times article, provides the key to James White’s thinking. The other letter quoted in the Times also omitted those passages which showed that the Whites were not thinking selfishly. Under date of April 18, 1880, James wrote his wife: QSEW 110.7

“I prefer to receive nothing back from the Sanitarium and College, and in order to have means, to act our part in point of giving to other enterprises, we should receive liberally on our books. With the increasing demand for our writings, and the new Way of Life picture, there will be an income of several thousand dollars annually, besides the immense amount of good our writings will do. I shall find no difficulty in raising the $20,000 to place your volumes on steamers and ships, in libraries and in companies just raised up.”—James White to E. G. White, April 18, 1880. QSEW 111.1

James White was not only an editor, a preacher, and an administrator; he also was a good businessman. He sold Bibles, concordances, and stationery in his travels among the churches and at camp meetings. Income from his sales provided funds that he and his wife could use for promoting the general interests of the cause. They consistently made generous contributions toward the establishment of churches, hospitals, schools, and other church enterprises. QSEW 111.2

In 1888 Ellen White wrote: QSEW 111.3

“I do not begrudge a cent that I have put into the cause, and I have kept on until my husband and myself have about $30,000 invested in the cause of God. We did this a little at a time and the Lord saw that He could trust us with His means, and that we would not bestow it on ourselves. He kept pouring it in and we kept letting it out.”—Manuscript 3, 1888. QSEW 111.4

Throughout her lifetime Ellen White constantly shared her home and her pocketbook with others. The following lines in a letter written from Australia are typical: QSEW 111.5

“I see so many things that must be done in order to make even a beginning, to raise the standard in these new fields. From every direction I hear the Macedonian cry for help. ‘Come over and help us.’ I also have calls to assist young people to attend school, and also to open primary schools in different locations, where the children may be educated. This is work that must be done. QSEW 111.6

“I wish to make some additions to Christian Education, and then if the Review and Herald wish to carry it, they can do so if they will pay me a small sum as a royalty, to be invested in the education of many who cannot attend school and pay their own expenses. In Melbourne I bore the expenses of no less than fourteen. During the first term of the school in Cooranbong, I carried several through school, paying their board and school expense.”—Letter 7a, 1897. QSEW 111.7

When Ellen White died in 1915 her books showed a credit balance. According to the court appraisal, however, her assets came short of her liabilities. Neither she nor her husband accumulated any earthly wealth; their treasure was laid up in heaven. See Ellen G. White and Her Critics, pages 516-530, for a detailed discussion of Ellen White’s financial affairs. QSEW 111.8