Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Extracts From Her Diary

A diary that Mrs. White kept for some years throws light on her personality. Though she had to travel much, she remained at home as often as possible. In fact, her autobiography and other writings frequently reveal how keenly she suffered in being separated from her children. She was not an impractical, dreamy type of person, introspective and far removed from the workaday world. Her diary, for example, tells of her making “a pair of pants,” and sewing “a coat for Edson [her son],” and “a mattress for the lounge.” Again, she tells of laboring “hard all day on a dress to wear through the mud.” (Diary, March 25, 28, April 26, 1859.) EGWC 39.5

One day, in the spring of 1859, was spent “making a garden for my children,” because, as she explained, she wanted “to make home ... the pleasantest place of any to them.”—Diary, April 11, 1859. EGWC 40.1

Referring, many years later, to the discipline she employed in rearing her sons, she wrote: EGWC 40.2

“I never allowed my children to think that they could plague me in their childhood.... Never did I allow myself to say a harsh word.... When my spirit was stirred, or when I felt anything like being provoked, I would say, ‘Children, we shall let this rest now; we shall not say anything more about it now. Before you retire, we shall talk it over.’ Having all this time to reflect, by evening they had cooled off, and I could handle them very nicely.”—MS. 82, 1901. EGWC 40.3

Another diary entry in 1859 reads thus: EGWC 40.4

“Walked to the office. Called to see Sister Sarah [Belden] and mother. Sarah gave me a little dress and two aprons for Sister Ratel’s babe.... I rode down to the city and purchased a few things. Bought a little dress for Sister Ratel’s babe. Came to the office, assisted them a little there and then came home to dinner. Sent the little articles to Sister Ratel. Mary Loughborough sends her another dress, so she will do very well now. EGWC 40.5

“Oh, that all knew the sweetness of giving to the poor, of helping do others good and making others happy. The Lord open my heart to do all in my power to relieve those around me—give me to feel my brother’s woe!“—Diary, March 1, 1859. EGWC 40.6

An entry on April 21 includes a reference to another poor family. Here are two sentences: “We have contributed a mite for their relief, about seven dollars. Purchased them different things to eat, and carried it to them.” EGWC 40.7