Post Info TOPIC: Have the books been changed?
newbie

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Have the books been changed?
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If yes, post the truth and comparisons.

If it has been changed, who changed them and why?

What are the originals that are still like the day she wrote them?

Is this going to cause some to go away from her writings?

How many are in denial?

If no, how do you know?



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webmaster

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Many questions

I sure don't have all the answers, but have been studying this issue for over 20 years, and have given my whole life now (by God's grace), to spreading the first edition of the book commonly called "The Great Controversy" (original title - The Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels, and Satan and His Angels)  (1858).

This may cause some to go away from her writings.  More likely, it will cause a revival from those who have not read many of later editions of this book and others with Ellen White's name on them, and denial or outright hostility towards those pointing this out from those who like the later versions better.

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newbie

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One question at a time.

Have the books been changed? 
 
If yes, then what has been changed and for what reason.



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webmaster

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Books with "Ellen White" on the cover have been changed.  The best place to look is at the first edition of The Great Controversy (1858), and compare it to the nearly equivalent part in Early Writings.  But before you do, please read the Preface to Early Writings.  Notice especially the 5th paragraph in most of the printed books, where it says that "no portion of the work has been omitted".  Then go to the first chapter - The Fall of Satan, in both books, and look at the first 5 words in the 1858 book (Early Writings was first published in 1882).  See anything different?  Maybe even "omitted"?

Is it important, or not?


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newbie

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Webmaster,  I think this is very serious and I do believe there will be a judgement for this......

I was told that Sketches from the life of Paul was the original work and that the later work was Acts of the Apostles. I read AA years ago and now I'm reading LP. I happened to notice a very interesting paragraph in LP and wondered if it was in the AA.


Ch. 12 Apollos at Corinth. Sketches from the Life of Paul

Aquila and Priscilla listened to him, and saw that his teachings were defective. He had not a thorough knowledge of the mission of Christ, his resurrection and ascension, and of the work of his Spirit, the Comforter which he sent down to remain with his people during his absence. They accordingly sent for Apollos, and the educated orator received instruction from them with grateful surprise and joy. Through their teachings he obtained a clearer understanding of the Scriptures, and became one of the ablest defenders of the Christian church. Thus a thorough scholar and brilliant orator learned the way of the Lord more perfectly from the teachings of a Christian man and woman whose humble employment was that of tent-making. {LP 119.2}


The Acts of the Apostles
While in
Ephesus, Apollos "began to speak boldly in the synagogue." Among his hearers were Aquila and Priscilla, who, perceiving that he had not yet received the full light of the gospel, "took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." Through their teaching he obtained a clearer understanding of the Scriptures and became one of the ablest advocates of the Christian faith. {AA 270.1}


I can't tell you how these things make my heart weep. Why have people changed these things. How are we to tell people of the prophet when these things have been changed. They are not seeing the whole truth. They are seeing just the tip of the ice berg. There is soooooo much more to see and find out.



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webmaster

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That is interesting.  It is generally taught that "Life of Paul" borrowed too much from other writers, so it was not pushed, and changed to AA later.  hmmmm.

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newbie

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GC 1911  ch. 1 very close to the beginning, the paragraph that says .....The hour of hope and pardon was fast passing; etc.

drop down to this sentence.  "
QuoteWhen Christ should hang upon the cross of Calvary, Israel’s day as a nation favored and blessed of God would be ended."
  The 490 years of God's mercy for the Jewish nation wasn't ended at the cross.  There were still 3 1/2 more years to go for the 7 years to finish.  At the stoning of Stephen, the 490 years were up and God then rose up Saul/Paul to take the message to the gentiles.

'Jesus of Nazareth, the true Messiah,' he said, 'whose hands and feet were pierced, who was brought like a lamb to the slaughter, who was the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief, who after the scepter was taken from Judah, and the legislative power from between his feet, came the first time; shall come the second time in the clouds of heaven, and with the trump of the Archangel' (Joseph Wolff, Researches and Ministry Labors, page 62) 'and shall stand upon the Mount of Olives; and that dominion, once consigned to Adam over the creation, and forfeited by him' (Genesis 1: 26; 3: 17), 'shall shall be given to Jesus'" (The Great Controversy, 1911, p. 359). Did you catch it?  It is obviously talking about the second coming and that after the () they have Jesus on the Mount of Olives.  This implies that his feet will touch the ground and people will be deceived.  You can also see here and many other places where it is clearly documented that it is from other sources.    All the places where she said she saw something or was shown something have all been deleted.  I love what she saw and what she said as it was from inspiration. And, where does the 1911 talk about Thomas Paine being brought back again by Satan?  Shouldn’t we know these things?
I don't believe that EGW would make these errors.  This book was written around 1888 and I do believe that whole sections of it come from elsewhere.  This includes history books and sections from Uriah Smith's book.  I just wish they would have documented what they wrote and what she wrote.
 .  

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webmaster

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In 1883, a committe of 5 people was formed specifically to, quoting one section: "remove the imperfections" in Ellen White's books.  The justification for this, is that they believe only the ideas are from God, not the words themselves.  So if they change around a little here and there, it is no problem for those who do believe in that.  But for those of us who believe the words themselves are from God, it is a super big problem!

Regarding the end of the Jewish nation's favored status with God, yes, it is correct that finished when they spilled the most precious blood of Jesus Christ on the cross.  The Jewish nation did not lose the favor of God when Stephen was stoned, as they had lost that favor a few years before that, at the cross.  This has very large ramifications for end-time prophecy newbie!



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newbie

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Do we know who comprised this committee of 5 that felt they were knowledgeable enought to change a prophets writings?    I expect that judgment day will not be pleasant for these folks that changed her words.

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Gordon

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Daniel Webmaster,

There appears to be a difference in understanding.

Daniel: The Jewish nation did not lose the favor of God when Stephen was stoned, as they had lost that favor a few years before that, at the cross.

newbie: The 490 years of God's mercy for the Jewish nation wasn't ended at the cross. There were still 3 1/2 more years to go for the 7 years to finish.

Which is the correct position?

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webmaster

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Happy to answer Gordon, but i think this belongs on a different thread....

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VFT

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Of course they have been changed. Even some of her books were only written by EGW in the loosest sense of the word. Much of Desire of Ages was compiled By copyist Marian Davis using snippets of EGW's writings and articles from other sources, like Signs of the Times and Review. The famous "Life original, unborrowed and underived" was taken from an earlier article from the Signs of the Times, and then Davis reapplied the context. Did EGW write "Original, unborrowed and underived", yes she did. Was that quote altered by Davis for use in DA? Yes again. Check it out:

 

"In Christ is life original, unborrowed, underived." Desire of Ages

p 530 (1898)


(
The Signs of the Times, April 8, 1897- See Also 1 SM, pp. 296, 297)

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). It is not physical life that is here specified, but immortality, the life, which is

exclusively the property of God. The Word, who was with God, and

who was God, had this life. Physical life is something which each

individual receives. It is not eternal or immortal; for God, the Lifegiver,

takes it again. Man has no control over his life. But the life of

Christ was unborrowed. No one can take this life from Him. “I lay it

down of myself” (John 10:18), He said.
In Him was life, original,

unborrowed, underived. This life is not inherent in man. He canpossess

it only through Christ. He cannot earn it; it is given him as a

free gift if he will believe in Christ as His personal Saviour.



Davis also wrote much of the first chapter of DA and even sought the help of W.W. Prescott in its writing. Willie White also speaks of having a rubber stamp of EGW's signature so she would not be "bothered" to have to sign every copy of every edited version.

“‘Some criticism has been made because letters are sent out with a

rubber-stamp signature. We feel that it is not necessary to ask mother to sign several copies. It is her custom to sign the original copy, and our workers claim that it is their right to keep this signed copy on file in our office, so that if anybody should challenge its authenticity, we have on file the copy signed with her own hand...’ W. C. White, 1913.”


Of course there are many writings attributed to EGW that do not have original copies or hand signed copies. These include copies of sermon transcripts, supposed letters written by EGW, etc.

Maybe we should take Sr. White's advice and use the Bible and the Bible only for our rule of faith and doctrine.

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newbie

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VFT,
The bible and bible only statement is limited.  I think sometimes we need to read between the lines to get the full meanings.  That is how I use EGW writings.  There are some things that just can't be explained by the bible no matter how hard you search.
I have found a great set of originals that have not been messed with and you can tell the difference.  spiritual gifts I-IV, story of redemption, 1858 GC, Life Sketches of Paul, and even Patriarchs and Prophets has excellent original stuff in it that you can't find anywhere else. 
So you see, if you look hard enough you can find originals out there and they are very very good.  If you have not read them lately, I suggest reading them again.  You will see things that you missed the first time around.
I even love the devotional Our High Calling.  Excellent passages were put in this little book that thrills the heart.

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webmaster

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I've heard about the "rubber stamp" many years, and whether that was used or not, i still say the best way to check out the books, is to compare what is printed in them.  Do they contradict?  Yes they do in places.  What to do?

The Bible would be enough for us if we were close to Jesus, but he knew we aren't, and that Satan would get more cunning near the close of time, so he gave us additional light to know how to prepare for the final events.  Thank God!!  I recommend the books written by Ellen White up to around the time of her husband's death in 1881, and then the book Steps to Christ (without the unoriginal first chapter).  I have only found one contradiction in material with Ellen White's name on it before 1881, but many afterwards.

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Gordon

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Hello Daniel,

Could you identify the contradiction you have found before 1881, so we can check it out?

Have you noticed contradictions in the four volumes of Spirit of Prophecy, or Sketches from the Life of Paul. These were all printed by 1884.

Thanks, Gordon

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newbie

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My impression was that James White died in 1891 and that he protected things up until that time.  He was a very strong individual kinda like John the Baptist and people did not always like his corrections but he was right.

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Gordon

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I believe it was 1881.

"5 P.M., Sabbath, August 6, 1881". Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 252.

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newbie

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Thanks Gordon.  I must have remembered that wrong.  1881 it is.  That is a long time from then until now to not have protection. 
I really enjoy reading James White's material.  He was also very much inspired.

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webmaster

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Testimony for the Church #13:
From time to time for the past twenty years the Lord has shown me
that he had qualified my husband for the work of faithfully dealing
with the erring, and had laid the burden upon him, and if he should
fail to do his duty in this respect he would incur displeasure of the
Lord. I have never regarded his judgment infallible nor his words
inspired; but I have ever believed him better qualified for this work
than any other one of our preachers because of his long experience, and
because I have seen that he was especially called and adapted to the
work; and, also, because, when some have risen up against his reproofs,
I have, in many cases, been shown that he was right in his judgment of
matters, and in his manner of reproving.
=============================================
It was interesting to me to see that James White was never inspired idea

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newbie

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I should clarify.  Inspired as from the Holy spirit of God but not as a prophet of the Lord. 

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David Wilburn

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I am new to this website and was curious what the webmaster's background is to qualify a great deal of opinion expressed about the changing of Sister White's books? I am a 4th generaion SDA and a lay expert on Ellen White's life and work. I have spent authorized time in the EGW Estate vault researching many of the claims about these changes and I not only know that some of these statements made are not 100% factual, but are only half told but I can tell you as one of the owner of one of the largest and most extensive privately held collections of Ellen White materials from 1844-1917 along with thousands of pages of documents from the vaults of the White Estate on this topic that not one of her books were altered, changed, or edited without her express review and approval. I personally examined handwritten originals of several of her books mentioned in this thread as being altered by other people, and I fear that you may not fully understand, or have access to all the facts and history and documentary evidence I have on her book preparation process and or review of the transcriptions by the typists (copyist) and or Marian Davis role and how she actually worked for Ellen White and she never changed or modified one word that EGW didn't review and approve prior to going to the publishing how to have the type set. EGW owned the bookplates personally and reviewed her books for accuracy and signed off on them. I have copies where she did this and it wasn't the rubber stamp signature referenced herein. It is true they did have a rubber stamp, however, not one time, did I see in the original handwritten transcribed manuscripts once the spelling and grammar was corrected where the rubber stamp was used. It was soley for file copies of the letters in the letter files. I have compared many original manuscripts word for word against the handwritten originals, and they were not only verbatim but line by line exact. For 45 years I have as a laymen, researched and studied in acute detail the writing and publishing work of Sister White and I have full confidence in all the books published during her lifetime because I fully understand she herself wanted and directed changes to the Great Controversy story from Spiritual Gifts through Spirit of Prophecy Vol 4, The Great Controversy-The Controversy Ended (Volume 4); the 1888 Great Controversy through the 1911 revision.  I own original first editions of every one of these books with exception to Spiritual Gifts Vol 4. I own all 10 printing editions of the 1884 GC (50,000 copies were printed) and I own them in 3 separate bindings as well as Sketches from the Life of Paul. Ellen White directed when Sketches from the Life of Paul became out of print, it was NOT to be reprinted. That was her directive, because she wanted to expand upon his life and work and that wasn't completed until 1911 because of her work on the revision of GC, DA being prepared (yes from articles which the majority of her books were from articles)...there were very few books that were written from beginning to end wihout accessing and using writings from her letters, manuscripts and articles in some capacity. I think more careful research by the webmaster on this site should be done. Please don't misunderstand the spirit and intent of my comments...I like the site, it has a wonderful purpose, but I do know not all the historical documented facts are being given. I am not employed now nor have I ever been employed the church, but am in good and regular standing as a member, however, because I have such a love for the Spirit of Prophecy and this gift given to this people, to believe or accept that the God of Heaven would allow people to change HIS prophet's writings and not intervene is beyond me. He would not allow it. What is occuring is that some jump too far in one direction and turn totally against EGW's role and others jump too far to the other way and make explicit and implicit charges against her son (WCW) her employee (i.e. Marion Davis- in whom EGW has supreme trust and regard for and authorized her to do her work she did, but still under EGW's scruntiny". Marion would take EGW articles from RH and Signs and cut them out by date and paste them in "paste up" books which were blank pages. Then when material was needed for a book in preparation, EGW would have Marion who had a photographic memory (near 100%) could find and pull from those articles sections EGW wrote previously to compiled her books, including GC, DA ect.. I actually own two of these original paste up books Marion Davis created in 1878 and 1879 which were given to me in 1979 by Arthur L White as a gift during the week(s) I was there that year doing research which I have continued to do to this day. I am not trying to say there is intentional misleading information being provided, but I can say, all the facts are not being given as it relates to who, where, when, and why EGW herself continued through her life to expand her published writings as God directed. At least be fair to respect and know that EGW was not stupid, blind, or mislead and had her workers at any point in time done anything, the Lord would have brought it forth. Fanny Bolton is a prime example. Blessings- and keep up your spirit and work on this site....I'll glady answer any questions anyone may have as we share our mutual love, respect and interest in the Spirt of Prophecy writings.

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Gordon

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Hello Dave,

Thank you for this most interesting post and for your offer to answer questions. It is certainly a large body of work to study and cross reference. If possible please address the following:


  • In the 1884 Great Controversy, chapter 27 is entitled 'The Snares of Satan'. The first four pages of this chapter (337-340 inclusive) are missing, fully absent from later GC versions, both the 1888 and our present 1911 edition.

    This seems a grave omission. The missing content can be found in the compilation Testimonies to Ministers (1923) with a very lame appendix note stating that the 1884 GC 'was a volume written for the church" and that Ellen White "recognized" that "some portions" were not "appropriate for those who were not church members." NOT her own words. (TM 533-4).

    Dave, you mention that 50,000 1884 GCs were printed. But even by 1889, there were only 28,376 Church members in all North America. (1889 GC Bulletin) So it is very unlikely the 1884 GC was intended for Church members alone.

    Have you ever seen any evidence that the 1884 was intended only "for the church", or the real reason for the omission of those four critical pages of warning? (Which most SDAs have never read).

  • I have read how satisfied and relieved Ellen White was upon completing the 1884 GC manuscript. And that she was pleased with the finished product. It does not seem logical she had reason nor time to rewrite this manuscript during a very tempestuous period in which she was shunted off to Europe and back. Have you seen any reason why the 1884 was rewritten so soon (from her hand)?

    Have you read the new additions brought into the 1888 GC as they have been penned in her own hand? I refer generally to the historical references/quotations and specifically to the chapter on the French Revolution. Some of these expanded chapters do not sound like her own voice.

  • Have you read any EGW material refering to the many changes in chapter titles when moving from the 1884 to the 1888/1911 versions? These changes seem a great loss.


Hope this list is not too long. Thanks for your offer.

Gordon
gordonb1@mac.com

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webmaster

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Brother David Wilburn,
Thank you for your response.  I'm VERY interested in what you have found regarding the writings of Ellen White.

I know this thread is a little long, and perhaps you didn't see all the posts here, but on February 21, 2007, i made this post:

"Books with "Ellen White" on the cover have been changed.  The best place to look is at the first edition of The Great Controversy (1858), and compare it to the nearly equivalent part in Early Writings.  But before you do, please read the Preface to Early Writings.  Notice especially the 5th paragraph in most of the printed books, where it says that "no portion of the work has been omitted".  Then go to the first chapter - The Fall of Satan, in both books, and look at the first 5 words in the 1858 book (Early Writings was first published in 1882).  See anything different?  Maybe even "omitted"?

Is it important, or not?"

There are MANY omissions in Early Writings, as compared to the 1858 edition of the Great Controversy.  How do you account for this?

May we look at this in brotherly love, searching for the truth, because the truth will make us free :)



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Joe Q. Nodoby

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webmaster wrote:

Brother David Wilburn,
Thank you for your response.  I'm VERY interested in what you have found regarding the writings of Ellen White.

I know this thread is a little long, and perhaps you didn't see all the posts here, but on February 21, 2007, i made this post:

"Books with "Ellen White" on the cover have been changed.  The best place to look is at the first edition of The Great Controversy (1858), and compare it to the nearly equivalent part in Early Writings.  But before you do, please read the Preface to Early Writings.  Notice especially the 5th paragraph in most of the printed books, where it says that "no portion of the work has been omitted".  Then go to the first chapter - The Fall of Satan, in both books, and look at the first 5 words in the 1858 book (Early Writings was first published in 1882).  See anything different?  Maybe even "omitted"?

Is it important, or not?"

There are MANY omissions in Early Writings, as compared to the 1858 edition of the Great Controversy.  How do you account for this?

May we look at this in brotherly love, searching for the truth, because the truth will make us free :)



What a predictable silence on the part of Mr. Wilbern.  It seems all this could be put to rest by his careful research, but the kind gentleman hasn't returned to defend his honor.  What about the changes made in the Upward Look in which a person crossed out the word "it" every time Ellen White wrote that and replaced it with "his" or "he". 

While you're at it sir, could you help us out with that one too? 

JQN



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Tsatsui

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Please pardon the length of this post, but it's a good example of the topic at hand.

Satan's methods have not changed. He knows that if those seeking God are deceived regarding Truth, his plans and devices are not easily recognized. Something significant has occurred making it direly important to know what was actually written, enabling us to intelligently believe and recognize "the attacks from within"; keeping in mind that we are to prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.

Prayerfully compare the following excerpt from "Testimony for the Battle Creek Church", circa. 1882, with the compiled version found later in "Testimonies for the Church", volume 5, pp. 62 and onward. The retained portions are in green and the deleted or altered portions are in red.

The Testimonies Rejected.

Healdsburg, California, June 20, 1882.--Dear Brethren and Sisters in Battle Creek: I understand that the testimony which I sent to Eld. Smith, with the request that it be read to the church, was withheld from you for several weeks after it was received by him. Before sending that testimony my mind was so impressed by the Spirit of God that I had no rest day or night until I wrote to you. It was not a work that I would have chosen for myself. Before my husband's death I decided that it was not my duty to bear testimony to anyone in reproof of wrong or in vindication of right, because advantage was taken of my words to deal harshly with the erring and to unwisely exalt others whose course I had not in any degree sustained. Many explained the testimonies to suit themselves. The truth of God is not in harmony with the traditions of men, nor does it conform to their opinions. Like its divine Author, it is unchangeable, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Those who separate from God will call darkness light, and error truth. But darkness will never prove itself to be light, nor will error become truth.

The minds of many have been so darkened and confused by worldly customs, worldly practices, and worldly influences that all power to discriminate between light and darkness, truth and error, seems destroyed. I had little hope that my words would be understood; but when the Lord moved upon me so decidedly, I could not resist His Spirit. Knowing that you were involving yourselves in the snares of Satan, I felt that the danger was too great for me to keep silent.
Hence I wrote to you as I did; but Elder Smith felt at liberty to withhold the testimony from the church for weeks. If God was leading him and those who united with him and counseled him in this act, he was not leading me; the burden which moved me to write was a false burden, imposed by another spirit.

Further than this, Elder Smith questioned the propriety of bringing the testimony before the church at all. Thus he takes the responsibility of standing between God's word of reproof and the people. I committed the matter to Elder Smith as an officer of the church. But in consideration of my past position in this work, in consideration of the connection God has been pleased to give me with his cause from its very rise, was it the prerogative of Elder Smith, or of those whom he took into his counsel, to even question this matter? Shall he sit in judgment upon my work, or on my letters of warning to the church? This man, who has so long avoided disagreeable responsibilities; who has let matters drift whichever way they were disposed to go, rather than brace himself for duty, and with moral courage reprove and rebuke wrong; who has shunned so many duties belonging to him in his position of trust,--has now ventured to act in a new character, and to assume responsibilities which God hath not given him. He has placed himself and his influence in direct opposition to my work, so that I cannot reach the people to impress upon them the testimonies which God has given me. And there are others equally blinded, who will follow in this path.

For years the Lord has been presenting the situation of the church before you. Again and again reproofs and warnings have been given. October 23, 1879, the Lord gave me a most impressive testimony in regard to the church in Battle Creek, especially in reference to Elder Smith. Now he is found firm, persistent, stubborn, on the wrong side. He is not led by the Spirit of God in his decisions. The Lord has laid no such burden upon him. Human influences have molded his judgment. No greater evidence of this can be given than the course he has taken in regard to my testimony to the church.] During the last months I was with you I carried a heavy burden for the church, while those who should have felt to the very depths of their souls were comparatively easy and unconcerned. I knew not what to do or what to say. I had no confidence in the course which many were pursuing, for they were doing the very things which the Lord had warned them not to do.

That God who knows their spiritual condition declares: They have cherished evil and separated from Me. They have gone astray, every one of them. Not one is guiltless. They have forsaken Me, the Fountain of living waters, and have hewed out to them broken cisterns that can hold no water. Many have corrupted their ways before Me. Envy, hatred of one another, jealousy, evil surmising, emulation, strife, bitterness, is the fruit that they bear. And they will not heed the testimony that I send them. They will not see their perverse ways and be converted, that I should heal them.

Many are looking with self-complacency upon the long years during which they have advocated the truth. They now feel that they are entitled to a reward for their past trials and obedience. But this genuine experience in the things of God in the past makes them more guilty before Him for not preserving their integrity and going forward to perfection. The faithfulness for the past year will never atone for the neglect of the present year. A man's truthfulness yesterday will not atone for his falsehood today.

Many excused their disregard of the testimonies by saying: "Sister White is influenced by her husband; the testimonies are molded by his spirit and judgment." Others were seeking to gain something from me which they could construe to justify their course or to give them influence. It was then I decided that nothing more should go from my pen until the converting power of God was seen in the church. But the Lord placed the burden upon my soul. I labored for you earnestly. How much this cost both my husband and myself, eternity will tell. Have I not a knowledge of the state of the church, when the Lord has presented their case before me again and again for years? Repeated warnings have been given, yet there has been no decided change.
Why did I lie upon my face night after night, pleading with God in your behalf, if I did not know that you were going, step by step, away from the light.

I saw that the frown of God was upon His people for their assimilation to the world. I saw that the children of Brother Smith have been a snare to him. Their ideas and opinions, their feelings and statements, had an influence upon his mind and blinded his judgment. These youth are strongly inclined to infidelity. The mother's want of faith and trust in God has been given as an inheritance to her children. Her devotion to them is greater than her devotion to God. The father has neglected his duty. The result of their wrong course is revealed in their children.

As I spoke to the church I tried to impress upon parents their solemn obligation to the children, because I knew the state of these youth and what tendencies had made them what they are. But the word was not received. I know what burdens I bore in the last of my labors among you. I would never have thus tasked my strength to the utmost had I not seen your peril. I longed to arouse you to humble your hearts before God, to return to Him with penitence and faith.

Yet now when I send you a testimony of warning and reproof, many of you declare it to be merely the opinion of Sister White. You have thereby insulted the Spirit of God. You know,
Elder Smith, how the Lord has manifested Himself through the spirit of prophecy. Past, present, and future have passed before me. I have been shown faces that I had never seen, and years afterward I knew them when I saw them. I have been aroused from my sleep with a vivid sense of subjects previously presented to my mind; and I have written, at midnight, letters that have gone across the continent and, arriving at a crisis, have saved great disaster to the cause of God. This has been my work for many years. A power has impelled me to reprove and rebuke wrongs that I had not thought of. Is this work of the last thirty-six years from above or from beneath?

Suppose--some would make it appear, incorrectly however--that I was influenced to write as I did by letters received from members of the church. How was it with the apostle Paul? The news he received through the household of Chloe concerning the condition of the church at Corinth was what caused him to write his first epistle to that church. Private letters had come to him stating the facts as they existed, and in his answer he laid down general principles which if heeded would correct the existing evils. With great tenderness and wisdom he exhorts them to all speak the same things, that there be no divisions among them.

Paul was an inspired apostle, yet the Lord did not reveal to him at all times just the condition of His people. Those who were interested in the prosperity of the church, and saw evils creeping in, presented the matter before him, and from the light which he had previously received he was prepared to judge of the true character of these developments. Because the Lord had not given him a new revelation for that special time, those who were really seeking light did not cast his message aside as only a common letter. No, indeed. The Lord had shown him the difficulties and dangers which would arise in the churches, that when they should develop he might know just how to treat them.

He was set for the defense of the church. He was to watch for souls as one that must render account to God, and should he not take notice of the reports concerning their state of anarchy and division? Most assuredly; and the reproof he sent them was written just as much under the inspiration of the Spirit of God as were any of his epistles. But when these reproofs came, some would not be corrected. They took the position that God had not spoken to them through Paul, that he had merely given them his opinion as a man, and they regarded their own judgment as good as that of Paul.

So it is with many among our people who have drifted away from the old landmarks and who have followed their own understanding. What a great relief it would be to such could they quiet their conscience with the belief that my work is not of God. But your unbelief will not change the facts in the case. You are defective in character, in moral and religious experience. Close your eyes to the fact if you will, but this does not make you one particle more perfect. The only remedy is to wash in the blood of the Lamb.


In rejecting this testimony, Elder Smith, you have virtually rejected all the testimonies. You must know this is the case. This testimony bears the same evidence of its character that all others have borne for the last thirty-six years. But it condemns certain wrongs which you have committed, and which God condemns. The reason why you cannot see it, is because you have been cherishing feelings wholly opposed to the Spirit of God. Your actions stand registered in the books of Heaven.

Elder Smith, I was more grieved than I can express to find you again working on the side of the enemy. You will find quite a number who will strength you in your position; the leaven is working. You pronounce my work human, not actuated by the Spirit of God. On this point you have had great light; for this you are responsible. If God has ever wrought by me--unworthy and weak as I am at all times--he has wrought by me and through me for the last few months. In this long letter I spoke of many facts which I distinctly stated that I had seen what course you would pursue, to what lengths you would go, unless you heeded the light which God sent you in reproofs, in counsel, and warnings. Will you do despite to the Spirit of grace?

I was most astonished to read a letter from Sr. Amadon--a collection of partial disclosures, and dark hints of terrible things that could not be revealed. Then she remarks: "Sr. White, be careful how you slay." As though God's messenger was doing a work independent of the Spirit of God! Thus Ahab thought when he met Elijah, and said, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" Elijah throws back the imputation firmly and decidely: "I have not troubleth Israel; but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of God, and thou hast followed Baalim." Those who bear the warnings of God, are often regarded as the offending party, whereas, the whole blame rests with those who have alienated themselves from the Lord by transgression. Elijah does not offer one excuse for his work. He does not prophesy smooth things, neither does he try to conceal the real cause of the judgments of God.

If you seek to turn aside the counsel of God to suit yourselves, if you lessen the confidence of God's people in the testimonies He has sent them, you are rebelling against God as certainly as were Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. You have their history. You know how stubborn they were in their own opinions. They decided that their judgment was better than that of Moses and that Moses was doing great injury to Israel. Those who united with them were so set in their opinions that, notwithstanding the judgments of God in a marked manner destroyed the leaders and the princes, the next morning the survivors came to Moses and said: Ye have killed the people of the Lord." We see what fearful deception will come upon the human mind. How hard it is to convince souls that have become imbued with a spirit which is not of God. As Christ's ambassador, I would say to you: Be careful what positions you take. This is God's work, and you must render to Him an account for the manner in which you treat His message.

While standing over the dying bed of my husband, I knew that had others borne their part of the burdens, he might have lived. I then pleaded, with agony of soul, that those present might no longer grieve the Spirit of God by their hardness of heart. A few days later I myself stood face to face with death. Then I had most clear revealings from God in regard to myself, and in regard to the church. In great weakness I bore to you my testimony, not knowing but it would be my last opportunity. Have you forgotten that solemn occasion? I can never forget it, for I seemed to be brought before the judgment seat of Christ. Your state of backsliding, your hardness of heart, your lack of harmony of love and spirituality, your departure from the simplicity and purity which God would have you preserve--I knew it all; I felt it all. Faultfinding, censuring, envy, strife for the highest place, were among you. I had seen it and to what it would lead. I feared that effort would cost me my life, but the interest I felt for you led me to speak. God spoke to you that day. Did it make any lasting impression?

When I went to Colorado I was so burdened for you that, in my weakness, I wrote many pages to be read at your camp meeting. Weak and trembling, I arose at three o'clock in the morning to write to you. God was speaking through clay.
But the document was entirely forgotten; the campmeeting passed, and it was not read until the General Conference. You might say that this communication was only a letter. Yes, it was a letter, but prompted by the Spirit of God, to bring before your minds things that had been shown me. In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me. I do not write one article in the paper expressing merely my own ideas. They are what God has opened before me in vision--the precious rays of light shining from the throne.

After I came to Oakland I was weighted down with a sense of the condition of things at Battle Creek, and I, weak, power less to help you. I knew that the leaven of unbelief was at work. Those who disregarded the plain injunctions of God's word were disregarding the testimonies which urged them to give heed to that word. While visiting Healdsburg last winter, I was much in prayer and burdened with anxiety and grief. But the Lord swept back the darkness at one time while I was in prayer, and a great light filled the room. An angel of God was by my side, and I seemed to be in Battle Creek. I was in your councils; I heard words uttered, I saw and heard things that, if God willed, I wish could be forever blotted from my memory. My soul was so wounded I knew not what to do or what to say. Some things I cannot mention. I was bidden to let no one know in regard to this, for much was yet to be developed.

I was told to gather up the light that had been given me and let its rays shine forth to God's people. I have been doing this in articles in the papers. I arose at three o'clock nearly every morning for months and gathered the different items written after the last two testimonies were given me in Battle Creek. I wrote out these matters and hurried them on to you; but I had neglected to take proper care of myself, and the result was that I sank under the burden; my writings were not all finished to reach you at the General Conference.

Again, while in prayer, the Lord revealed Himself. I was once more in Battle Creek. I was in many houses and heard your words around your tables. The particulars I have no liberty now to relate. I hope never to be called to mention them. I had also several most striking dreams.


After I wrote you the long letter which has been belittled by Elder Smith as merely an expression of my own opinion, while at the southern California campmeeting, the Lord partially removed the restriction, and I write what I do. I dare not say more now, lest I go beyond what the Spirit of the Lord has permitted me.

When Professor Brownsberger came, I put to him a few pointed questions, more to learn how he regarded the condition of things, than to obtain information. I felt that the crisis had come. Had Elder Smith, and those united with him, been standing in the light, they would have recognized the voice of warning and reproof; but he calls it a human work, and casts it aside. The work he is doing he will wish undone ere long. He is weaving a net around himself that he cannot easily break. This is not my opinion.
What voice will you acknowledge as the voice of God? What power has the Lord in reserve to correct your errors and show you your course as it is? What power to work in the church? You have, by your own course, closed every avenue whereby the Lord would reach you. Will he raise one from the dead to speak to you?

If you refuse to believe until every shadow of uncertainty and every possibility of doubt is removed you will never believe. The doubt that demands perfect knowledge will never yield to faith. Faith rests upon evidence, not demonstration. The Lord requires us to obey the voice of duty, when there are other voices all around us urging us to pursue an opposite course. It requires earnest attention from us to distinguish the voice which speaks from God. We must resist and conquer inclination, and obey the voice of conscience without parleying or compromise, lest its promptings cease and will and impulse control. The word of the Lord comes to us all who have not resisted His Spirit by determining not to hear and obey. This voice is heard in warnings, in counsels, in reproof. It is the Lord's message of light to His people. If we wait for louder calls or better opportunities, the light may be withdrawn, and we left in darkness.

By once neglecting to comply with the call of God's Spirit and His word, when obedience involves a cross, many have lost much--how much they will never know till the books are opened at the final day. The pleadings of the Spirit, neglected today because pleasure or inclination leads in an opposite direction, may be powerless to convince, or even impress, tomorrow. To improve the opportunities of the present, with prompt and willing hearts, is the only way to grow in grace and the knowledge of the truth. We should ever cherish a sense that, individually, we are standing before the Lord of hosts; no word, no act, no thought, even, should be indulged, to offend the eye of the Eternal One. We shall then have no fear of man or of earthly power, because a Monarch, whose empire is the universe, who holds in His hands our individual destinies for time and eternity, is taking cognizance of all our work. If we would feel that in every place we are the servants of the Most High, we would be more circumspect; our whole life would possess to us a meaning and a sacredness which earthly honors can never give.

The thoughts of the heart, the words of the lips, and every act of the life, will make our character more worthy, if the presence of God is continually felt. Let the language of the heart be: "Lo, God is here." Then the life will be pure, the character unspotted, the soul continually uplifted to the Lord. You have not pursued this course at Battle Creek. I have been shown that painful and contagious disease is upon you, which will produce spiritual death unless it is arrested.
This is terrible, right at the heart of the work, where health and vitality are so essential for the health of the body.

Many are ruined by their desire for a life of ease and pleasure. Self-denial is disagreeable to them. They are constantly seeking to escape trials that are inseparable from a course of fidelity to God. They set their hearts upon having the good things of this life. This is human success, but is it not won at the expense of future, eternal interests? The great business of life is to show ourselves to be true servants of God, loving righteousness and hating iniquity. We should accept gratefully such measures of present happiness and present success as are found in the path of duty. Our greatest strength is realized when we feel and acknowledge our weakness. The greatest loss which any one of you in Battle Creek can suffer is the loss of earnestness and persevering zeal to do right, the loss of strength to resist temptation, the loss of faith in the principles of truth and duty.

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