Ellen G. White and Her Critics

The Sad Story of Fannie Bolton

Note again that Mrs. White, in the letter we have quoted, refers to two literary assistants, one Marian Davis and the other Fannie Bolton. It is evident from the letter that Mrs. White is critical of Miss Bolton, and for very specific reasons. As already indicated, it was Miss Bolton who invented the story that Mrs. White had instructed her to write a testimony to someone in Battle Creek. It was Miss Bolton, also, who declared that she had played a very important role in preparing Mrs. White’s writings for publication, that indeed she edited into those writings some of their choicest passages. Furthermore, the present-day critic whom we have cited as charging that Fannie Bolton wrote Steps to Christ in toto, declares that it was she who made this claim to him. EGWC 478.5

Now we confess that bringing out into the light charges and counter-charges regarding those long dead is a sorrowful business at best. But we must either bring out the sorry facts, or else leave Mrs. White’s critics free to gloat over a most damaging charge. Perhaps no charge against Mrs. White ever seemed more plausible or ever could have been more disastrous in its implications than this claim by Fannie Bolton. EGWC 478.6

How eagerly wound people listen to a woman who had worked right in Mrs. White’s home on her manuscripts. Surely she should know whereof she speaks. And if she has done such creative work on the manuscripts, how selfish and deceiving of Mrs. White not to give her recognition. That is what makes her charge so potentially dangerous. Of course if everyone who heard this charge had taken time to examine the six points of evidence just presented, Miss Bolton’s statements would have been viewed with great incredulity. But then, too few people take time to examine a matter carefully and critically before coming to a conclusion. Hence Miss Bolton’s declarations, as might easily be imagined, created no small stir. And needless to add, Mrs. White’s critics found in Fannie Bolton the kind of support that they were wanting. Hence the charge before us that Fannie Bolton wrote Steps to Christ “in toto,” “without any dictation or assistance from Mrs. White whatever.” EGWC 479.1

We are glad the charge is specific. We shall seek to answer it in the same way. But first, a general statement concerning Miss Bolton to put the whole matter in proper perspective. EGWC 479.2