Of the three important lines of work assigned by Mrs. Ellen G. White to the custodians of her writings, mention will be made first of the care and promotion of her books as they appear in the English language. The instruction to the trustees, as previously noted in her will, provides that "right, title, and interest in the copyrights" be vested in the trustees for the purpose of "administering," "publishing, and selling said books," and "conducting the business thereof." Provision is also made for the "improvement of the books." This is understood to mean the mechanical improvement, such as in typographical appearance and illustrating, and is not construed as authorization to alter the text.
As illustrative of what the trustees have done in executing this last-mentioned phase of this division of their work, they can point to improvements that have been made in the mechanical makeup and illustrating of certain books. Early in their work, they authorized such improvements on "The Great Controversy" and "Patriarchs and Prophets," as are seen in the reillustrated and reset editions for wider subscription sale.
The principal accomplishment, however, which will be mentioned under this division of the trustees' work, is the issuance of eight important volumes planned and compiled since Mrs. White's death in 1915. Here we present the list:
"Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White."
"Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers."
"Counsels on Health."
"Fundamentals of Christian Education." "Index to the Writings of Mrs. Ellen G. White."
"Messages to Young People."
"Medical Ministry."
"Life and Teachings of Ellen G. White."
As mention is made of these volumes authorized and issued by the trustees, we are led to ask our workers if they would be willing to part with any one of them. And yet, had the trustees not functioned in the execution of this phase of the trust, we should not have these precious volumes to aid and guide us.
For those interested in the detailed record of the developments of this work, we will rehearse briefly the circumstances surrounding the issuance of these volumes:
1. The first Ellen G. White book planned and executed by the trustees, was the little volume, "Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White," which came from the press in 1922. This work, compiled from several published sources, was prepared principally for the use of our evangelistic workers in introducing to new believers a brief autobiographical sketch of her life and work, with stirring articles regarding the dangers and duties of the church.
2. The year 1923 witnessed the appearance of three new books compiled from Mrs. White's writings. We mention first, "Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers," which places within the reach of our evangelists, pastors, and others choice instruction assembled largely from articles that had first appeared in pamphlet and periodical article form. The larger portion of the articles found in the eleven pamphlets known as "Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers," -issued from 1890 to 1898, comprise the major part of this volume. To these were added articles selected from "Special Testimonies, Series B," the old Review volumes, and other early sources.
3. It was in response to an urgent appeal that "Special Testimonies on Education" and other helpful Ellen G. White articles on education formerly published in the Review, the Signs, and other early sources, be assembled and placed within the reach of our educators, that "Fundamentals of Christian Education" was authorized and prepared in conjunction with the General Conference Educational Department. This volume bears date of 1923,
4. Grouped together in another volume, "Counsels on Health," is much important instruction addressed to our medical missionary workers, selected from various published sources. This helpful collection, placing within the reach of our workers a considerable amount of matter not otherwise generally available, made its appearance the same year as the foregoing.
Each of these volumes was authorized by the trustees, and was prepared under their direction, largely by the staff of workers at the "Elmshaven" office during a four-year period prior to their publication.
5. For many years the need had been felt for a comprehensive index to the published works of Mrs. Ellen G. White. In 1918 the trustees authorized the preparation of such a volume, and the work was at once undertaken. It was a new field of endeavor. Though the trustees sought and followed the best counsel available, the manuscript was, nevertheless, eight long years in preparation. When the "Index" appeared in 1926, it was heartily welcomed by our workers and laymen, alike. An unexpectedly wide sale is witness to the appreciation for this volume, and convinces the trustees that they were justified in undertaking this stupendous task. While those who prepared the "Index" are first to recognize that it is not perfect in every detail of construction and arrangement, yet there is satisfaction in the large field of usefulness it is filling.
6. Another volume which is proving of value, especially to our youth, is "Messages to Young People," which came from the press in 1930. This book represents the joint work of the trustees and the General Conference Missionary Volunteer Department in selecting many choice Ellen G. White articles from the past files of the Instructor and other published sources.
7. "Medical Ministry" was launched on its helpful mission in 1932. This is a book made up largely of selections from special letters and manuscripts bearing upon this subject, which had not before appeared in print. Because the preparation of this volume represents a special and particularly important line of endeavor, it will be discussed more fully in a later article.
8. In a recent effort to help our evangelists -in all parts_of -the world -in introducing the work of the Spirit of prophecy to new converts, and for others interested in Mrs. White's work, a 128-page booklet, entitled "Life and Teachings of Ellen G. White," was compiled from well-known published sources, and came from the press in 1933. This volume contains a brief autobiography of Mrs. Ellen G. White's early life and Christian experience and a few choice selections from her writings. It is strengthened by two articles writen by the compilers and so indicated, which present the Scriptural evidence in support of the prophetic gift in the church. We believe that there is a promising future for this little book.
To this list of eight volumes which have proved of very real service to our workers, we might add several pamphlets which have been compiled from the Ellen G. White writings, by the trustees, such as "The Remnant Church Not Babylon," "A Call to Medical Evangelism," "True Temperance," "Gospel Temperance Work," "Preach the Word," etc.
As an aid to the study of the "Testimonies," a series of outlines prepared by the Estate, have recently appeared in a pamphlet entitled, "Selected Readings for a Systematic Study of the Testimonies."
The trustees are keenly interested in the proper appearance and extensive circulation of the Ellen G. White books. The responsibility which accompanies the trust weighs heavily; for they realize the importance of a wide circulation of the heaven-sent messages placed within their care. As they review their work in the preparation of manuscripts for, and promotion of, the English books, it is with a feeling of gratitude for what has been accomplished in the fulfillment of their trust. As they press forward with this important work, it is with a fervent prayer for guidance that comprehensive plans may be formed and executed which will place within the reach of every Seventh-day Adventist—and many seekers of light not yet in our ranks—the Spiritindited writings in their custody.
(To be continued)
