Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Why She Read Her Manuscripts to Others

In the setting of these statements by Mrs. White, and the General Conference pronouncement, how pointless is the critic’s inquiry: “If God gave her the words, why did she scratch them out and alter them?” In fact, most of the sections of this charge disappear in the light of her statements. Why should she not read her manuscripts to her husband? Authors often read their manuscripts to those who will listen to them. An author’s purpose in so reading may not be with a view to making any change of thought in the writing, but only to make sure that he has expressed his thought in language that will be most effective, most clear, most expressive, and least capable of misunderstanding. The listener may suggest changes in words, but that does not necessarily imply changes in thought. There is a world of difference. How often a listener may say to an author: “I believe I understand the thought you seek to present, but it would be clearer to me if you expressed it in a little different words.” Does the listener thus feel that he is in any way entering into the creative work of that author? Not at all. EGWC 470.3