Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

The Preparation of the Manuscripts

Each of the manuscripts—except a few interviews and the sermons, which were stenographically reported—was originally written out in longhand by Mrs. White. The handwritten document was then placed with one of her secretaries for copying. Many times the original copy was carefully written, and needed few, if any, changes in spelling, punctuation, or grammar. Sometimes, however, when she had written very rapidly with the desire to place on paper, as quickly as possible, the thoughts that were pressing upon her mind, the copyist would find it necessary to make certain grammatical corrections. The secretaries were authorized by Mrs. White to make these mechanical, editorial changes. EGWMR 79.3

The typewritten copy, thus transcribed, with whatever editorial changes had been made, was returned to Mrs. White for her further study. Wide spacing between the lines allowed opportunity for such additions and alterations in phraseology as she might wish to make in an effort to convey her thought more clearly to the reader. She often added words, phrases, and sentences to make the presentation more emphatic and as perfect as possible. With these revisions, the manuscript was again copied, and then, in most cases, again passed through her hands for final reading and her signature. EGWMR 79.4

The communication was then ready to be sent to the person or group for whom it was intended, or for preservation for some future use. A duplicate was recorded in the letter copybooks, another was placed in Mrs. White’s personal file in her writing room, and another was placed in the manuscript file. All three of these copies are now preserved in the White Publications vault. EGWMR 79.5

It goes without saying that no one aside from Mrs. White had the right to make any alteration which would affect the thought being presented. This right has never been given to, or assumed by, anyone in her employ. As has been stated, any changes in phraseology made by her helpers were invariably submitted to her for approval. EGWMR 79.6

Mrs. White was very desirous that the messages entrusted to her should be so presented as to convey most perfectly to others the thoughts imparted in the revelations given to her. These revelations were often in the form of an enlightenment of the mind, many times through scenes or views which passed before her. She must describe as best she could these revelations, and in doing this, she would endeavor to use the best language at her command. This being the case, any mechanical editorial changes made by her secretaries, or any alterations or additions which she herself might make to bring out the thought more clearly or more forcefully, were fully justified. EGWMR 79.7