Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Charge Number 8

There is nothing original in what Mrs. White said on the question of health reform. It was all copied from other health reformers. Note these facts: EGWC 391.4

1. There were other health reformers in America before Mrs. White began to write on health. Some of these had written at length on the subject, and some had set up what might be described as health reform medical centers for treating the sick according to reform principles. EGWC 391.5

2. There can be found in Mrs. White’s writings certain parallels to the writings of earlier health reformers. EGWC 391.6

3. In September, 1864, James and Ellen White visited one of these health reform institutions and there learned about health reform. EGWC 391.7

It is true that there were health reformers before Mrs. White began to write on health. The critics cite a few sentences from her that reveal a close similarity of thought and expression to the writings of other health reformers. For all we know they might have quoted several sentences more. But we think that the reader will be unimpressed by an exhibit of a few sentences, after studying the facts set forth in the following chapters on plagiarism. It is also true that in September, 1864, Mrs. White and her husband visited a certain health reform institute operated by a Dr. Jackson, at Dansville, New York, called “Our Home,” to see what they could see and hear what they could hear. EGWC 391.8