Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

The Conflict Story Completed

Although the outstanding features of the great conflict were covered in Patriarchs and Prophets, The Desire of Ages, and The Great Controversy, there still remained two wide gaps in the portrayal of the conflict between good and evil from the fall to the final restoration, one period reaching from the death of David to the birth of Christ, the other covering the first century of the Christian church. When other labors permitted, Mrs. White and her literary assistants undertook with enthusiasm the task of gathering and preparing matter for two more volumes to complete the series. As in the case of The Desire of Ages there were to be found in earlier books and in periodical articles, hundreds of pages already in print covering portions of these periods. Also, many chapters and portions of chapters could be drawn from the manuscript file. Then much new matter was written by Mrs. White specifically for the work in preparation. EGWMR 61.10

Limited space permits only one brief statement from Mrs. White relative to the work on these volumes. A letter written October 15, 1911, gives a picture of the work then in progress: EGWMR 61.11

“My work on the book, ‘The Acts of the Apostles,’ is completed. In a few weeks you shall have a copy. I have had excellent help in preparing this work for the press. There are other writings that I desire to get before our people, that they may speak when my voice is silent. The book on Old Testament History [Prophets and Kings], which we hope to bring out next, will call for earnest effort. I am grateful for the help the Lord is giving me in the labors of faithful, trained workers, and that these workers are ready to carry forward this work as fast as it is possible.”—Letter 88, 1911. EGWMR 61.12

A few months after the foregoing statement was penned, The Acts of the Apostles came from the press and was given a hearty welcome. Soon the work on Prophets and Kings was undertaken in earnest, but due to the pressure of other important tasks, was carried forward slowly. The author met with an accident as the last chapters were in preparation. Then, as Mrs. White was unable to continue her careful study and approval of new work on the manuscript, the work ceased. We quote from Life Sketches a few words regarding the completion of the book: EGWMR 61.13

“At the time of her accident, in February, 1915, all but the last two chapters had been completed, and these final chapters had been sufficiently blocked out to admit of completion by the inclusion of additional matter from her manuscript file.”—Page 436. EGWMR 61.14