Ellen G. White and Her Critics

The 1907 Pamphleteer’s Statement Analyzed

The anonymous writer of this pamphlet conversed with a man “who was formerly a member of the Review and Herald Board.” This man gave him no certain information, but was simply “of the opinion.” Nor did that “opinion” suggest that a suit was threatened, but only that the Review and Herald had been “requested” to “stop publishing” Mrs. White’s book on Paul’s life. The pamphlet writer displays the refreshing frankness of admitting: “Whether or not this is a fact, I am not prepared to say.” If this former board member knew nothing more certain than this, how could anyone else ever hope to know anything for certain about the matter. Note, in passing, the pamphlet statement that the book had been “suppressed” for “now nearly a quarter of a century.” In other words, the book would have had to be suppressed almost immediately on publication—from 1883 to 1907 is only twenty-four years. No proof of suppression is offered. Remember, also, that a present-day critic states that the book was circulated until 1893-4, or until the edition was “exhausted.” EGWC 438.2

The first published story of a lawsuit threat that we have been able to find is in Canright’s book, Life of Mrs. E. G. White, published in 1919. Says he: “The publishers of Conybeare and Howson’s work threatened prosecution if her work was not suppressed.”—Pages 196, 197. A 1907 anonymous story that it was “requested” that Mrs. White’s book not be published, becomes, in 1919, a “threatened prosecution.” EGWC 438.3

Canright does not trouble to cite any authority for his statement, not even a conversation with a former Review and Herald board member! EGWC 438.4