Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

3. The Propriety of Publishing Manuscripts

We come now to a crucial point in this discussion, that of the propriety of publishing excerpts from the E. G. White manuscripts and manuscript letters. While Mrs. White was living she published many personal testimonies for reasons which she clearly states: EGWMR 93.2

“Since the warning and instruction given in testimony for individual cases applied with equal force to many others who had not been specially pointed out in this manner, it seemed to be my duty to publish the personal testimonies for the benefit of the church.... Perhaps there is no more direct and forcible way of presenting what the Lord has shown me.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:658-9. EGWMR 93.3

As she prepared the copy for her later books, she often drew from the personal testimonies written in former years. In 1912 she spoke of this: EGWMR 93.4

“The many diaries and manuscript books which have been kept, containing the instruction which the Lord has given me, will lighten my labors in the work of preparing new books.”—Manuscript 59, 1912. EGWMR 93.5

She ever recognized that in the personal testimonies addressed to various individuals there was abundant counsel and instruction which would have a much wider service as time advanced. Note these words penned in 1905: EGWMR 93.6

“I am endeavoring by the help of God to write letters that will be a help, not merely to those to whom they are addressed, but to many others who need them.”—Letter 79, 1905. EGWMR 93.7

As she surveyed her work in 1910, one year after the publication of Testimonies volume 9, she wrote to her son, W. C. White: EGWMR 93.8

“I have much written in the diary I have kept in all my journeys that should come before the people if essential, even if I did not write another line. I want that which is deemed worthy to appear, for the Lord has given me much light that I want the people to have; for there is instruction that the Lord has given me for His people. It is light that they should have, line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. This is now to come before the people, because it has been given to correct specious errors and to specify what is truth. The Lord has revealed many things pointing out the truth, thus saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.“—Letter 117, 1910. EGWMR 93.9

A few of our older workers will remember visiting Sister White in her home during the last few years of her life, and they will recall her pointing to her published works and manuscript books and declaring: EGWMR 93.10

“Here are my writings, when I am gone they will testify for me.” “In future years, these may be of service in time of need.”—Reported by W. C. White, July 9, 1922. EGWMR 93.11

And then in 1912, in such a way as to avoid all misunderstanding, when, as already noted, Mrs. White placed her manuscript files in the hands of the Trustees, she specifically authorized “the printing of compilations from my manuscripts.” Surely this reflects Mrs. White’s approval of a posthumous use of her letters and manuscripts. EGWMR 93.12

But, someone may ask, Now that Mrs. White cannot supervise or approve the selection of matter made for publication, are we justified in drawing from these sources? Did not Mrs. White, in her letters often write of ordinary matters? How can we know that selections from her letters convey to us an inspired message? EGWMR 93.13

It is true that Mrs. White frequently conversed on ordinary topics and in her letters wrote concerning ordinary matters. However, if in connection with an ordinary letter she had a message from the Lord to convey, that fact was perfectly clear. Of course what the Lord’s messengers say, even about commonplace matters, may often be very revealing of the messenger’s attitudes and methods of work; such for instance as the following excerpts from Paul’s second letter to Timothy: EGWMR 93.14

“The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.”—2 Timothy 4:13. EGWMR 93.15

As a matter of practice by the E. G. White Trustees, except in the use of purely biographical material, excerpts are not taken from unpublished letters and manuscripts unless it is clear that they are based on messages given her by the Lord. EGWMR 93.16

The following paragraph from a letter written by Sister White to a leading church of earlier years is significant: EGWMR 93.17

“You might say that this communication was only a letter. Yes, it was a letter, but prompted by the Spirit of God, to bring before your minds things that had been shown me. In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me. I do not write one article in the paper expressing merely my own ideas. They are what God has opened before me in vision—the precious rays of light shining from the throne.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:67. EGWMR 93.18

The following illustrates her carefulness in refusing to give advice when she had no light from the Lord: EGWMR 93.19

“Please tell my brethren that I have nothing presented before me regarding the circumstances concerning which they write, and I can set before them only that which has been presented to me.”—Quoted in a letter from C. C. Crisler to E. E. Andross, Dec. 8, 1914. EGWMR 93.20

In making use of these unpublished materials great care is taken to use the excerpt in its proper setting and to give proper credit to the source from which it has been drawn. In order that we may be doubly careful regarding the use of unpublished letters and manuscripts, the policy was adopted in 1934 whereby the release of any such material is subject to the joint action of the E. G. White Trustees and the executive officers of the General Conference. EGWMR 94.1

It should be said in this connection that the unpublished writings of Mrs. White only supplement and expand upon what was formerly published. There are no pronouncements that would in any way alter what was published from her pen before her death regarding doctrinal teachings or denominational policies. All will agree, however, that what has been published since 1915 has amplified and strengthened our standards, doctrines, and policies. A judicious and proper use of manuscript statements has greatly enriched many of the E. G. White books of posthumous issuance. EGWMR 94.2