All great movements and leaders seem to have begun in obscure corners. With Herods to slay them, Iscariots to be tray them, mobs to crucify them, and even sepulchers to confine them, they at last burst forth into recognition and appreciation, rising above suspicion, calumny and defeat. Their vindication, however, usually requires time and the untiring labors of some stalwart who, with a sense of fairness in his soul and the ability to expose error, unsheathes the sword of justice to lay bare the facts and reveal real values.
Even so the Advent Movement began in obscurity, but it came at the time, in the way, and in the place Providence had out lined. Not sensing its divine purpose, many have been severely critical of Ellen G. White, and most bitter invectives have been hurled at this messenger of the Lord. Occasionally a reply has been made to these criticisms, but for the most part, especially in more recent times, these charges have been allowed to go unchallenged. Those who were in a position to know the facts, however, were not disturbed by the attacks of ignorant enemies. Realizing that we were called to do a great work, we could find little reason for leaders to come down from the walls to defeat our enemies. But now a new generation has arisen, and these builders need to have in their possession information that will strengthen their confidence and enable them to defend the cause. There is a time to keep silence; there is also a time to speak, for error that goes unchecked and unchallenged seems to have a habit of increasing in prestige. There may be some who have reservations concerning the need of a forthright apologetic. These would do well to reread the history of Nehemiah, the great reformer of Israel, when he was superintending the rebuilding pro gram in Jerusalem. Side by side with the men who worked with the trowels were also men who handled the sword, and "so the wall was finished."
Our readers all recognize the place of Ellen G. White in the movement. Her writings need no defense. In every phase of our development these inspired counsels have guided us. On whatever subject she wrote, the messages always bore the imprint of Heaven. Nor are Adventists the only ones who have recognized this. Educators, physicians, ministers, and leaders of all types have paid tribute to the value of her works.
Recently a minister who had newly come into the message from another Christian body came to see us. He had just returned from visiting a number of his former ministerial associates. Many were anxious to know the reason for his change in belief. Eagerly they listened as he unfolded the message to them. A number inquired especially about Mrs. White. Amazed and encouraged, he witnessed more than one minister go to his library and, reaching in behind the books on the shelves, lift out copies of such books as Evangelism, Gospel Workers, and other titles equally familiar to us. One influential leader said to him: "Brother, I value these books. They contain the best counsel I know. And when I have to give a talk to my workers I always go to these books for guidance and inspiration. They are kept out of sight for obvious reasons. I am sure some of my brethren would misunderstand me if they saw them on the shelves. But I know their value."
Remarking on this, our newly baptized brother said to me, "I am confident we would be amazed if we could but know how far reaching is the influence of the Spirit of prophecy upon the thinking of hundreds and perhaps even thousands of ministers of other faiths."
While some have been discovering the true value of her writings, others have been bitterly critical. During the years certain charges have been made concerning her character and her work. And it is not surprising to note that as each modern Sanballat or Tobiah has appeared, he has built on the premise of some earlier enemy. Consequently, the whole picture is confused; even friends of the cause had no way of distinguishing between the true and the false. Sometimes workers from the earth's far ends have written asking for an explanation of certain things which surely needed explaining. In some instances it has been difficult for us to pass on the information they needed, for the facts were not in our possession.
Now we have the facts. F. D. Nichol, in his own inimitable way, has again un sheathed the sword and has dealt with each criticism on its merits. His book Ellen G. White and Her Critics is a masterpiece. He rendered valuable service to the Advent cause by writing The Midnight Cry. Yet in the judgment of many of our leaders this latest book surpasses The Midnight Cry, and is going to wield an even larger influence. Before its publication more than one hundred leading workers read the manuscript.
This volume is the Ministerial Reading Course book for this month. It is a work not one of us can afford to pass by. It is not being promoted in the usual way, for it has not been written for the general public. Its purpose is to place in the hands of our ministers and other workers vital information they need in order to answer the cruel criticisms of those who are either misinformed or malicious.
If you want the answer, here it is. We are confident this book will have a large circulation and an appreciative reading by our workers around the world.