Q. Someone told me that one of your White Estate secretaries was being interviewed by a professor in a meeting of scholars overseas. He stated bluntly to him, "I understand it is as hard to get into the White Es tate to get access to Mrs. White's writings as it is to get an interview with the Pope of Rome." Is there any truth to this charge?
A. Well, I have never tried to get an interview with the Pope of Rome, so I am unable to comment on that statement. But one thing I'm sure of, the per son who asked that question was badly informed as to the policies that control the operations of the White Estate vault.
Q. What are these policies, and who is in charge of these operations? How does the process of access to and release of Ellen G. White documents really function?
A. I think you know, Bob, that the Ellen G. White Estate established by Mrs. White's will of February 9, 1912, became operative at Elmshaven, California, upon her death in 1915. In harmony with the will five trustees of her appointment undertook at that time the custody of her literary works. In 1938 the entire collection of her writings, along with related literary materials, was transferred to the Central Building of the General Conference in Washing ton, D.C. Today eleven trustees, together with a White Estate office staff, continue to carry out the responsibilities laid upon them by Mrs. White's will.
Q. What are these responsibilities? And how closely is the Board of
Trustees discharging the terms of their trusteeship?
A. Well, the first duty imposed upon us is to promote the publication of the Ellen G. White books in the English language. Number 2, to encourage the publication of her books in non-English languages. Number 3, to exercise the stewardship of managing the Ellen G. White files. This includes: (a) caring for and protecting the manuscript and letter files; and (b) compiling new books as called for from the Ellen G. White manuscripts and periodical articles. Frequently we are asked by General Conference leaders to compile material from Ellen White's pen on specific subjects that will give guidance in conducting the work of the church.
Q. The White Estate has been charged with suppression of some documents. Certain scholars intimate that there is a cover-up, a sort of concealment strategy. Some get the impression that the trustees are holding out on the church, that there are certain books or papers which if disclosed would discredit Mrs. White and upset too many people. Is there any truth to these charges?
A. These charges are not new. The trustees have had to meet them for years. Human nature being what it is, people are naturally curious and suspicious, and when we are dealing with the guardianship and the proprietorship of these inspired counsels, I suppose that we have to expect that some just do not trust human nature sufficiently to believe that because unrestricted access is not given to every document there is some concealment of vital instruction from Mrs. White.
Q. I recall the time when the General Conference was bringing out Questions on Doctrine, in which an swers were given to questions raised by certain evangelical leaders. One of these leaders emphatically stated that his associate had seen a little black book hidden in the White Es tate vault that contained materials which if disclosed would destroy confidence in Ellen White. When his associate heard this story, he was shocked and stated in writing, "I am delighted to go on record that I have never made such a statement, never saw any such book, and do not know of the existence of any such ma terial." Still it was rumored that he had seen the book and that it represented a withholding of the mate rials which if disclosed would dam age the church.
A. No, Bob, we have nothing to hide or to be ashamed of. We do not fear to let light shine into any aspect of the work of Ellen G. White.
The experience you cite illustrates the vaporlike character of rumors, which pop like a bubble when the truth is known. Why should the White Estate suppress the Ellen G. White writings when the very commission that gives them direction in their work requires that they put them to good use? At the present time we have sixty-three titles bearing Mrs. White's name as the author, more than 2,000 Review articles from her pen, and about 1,400 Signs articles soon to be published, as well as numerous pamphlets, many dealing with local issues. And I have not mentioned volume 7A of the Commentary Series, in which all of the Ellen G. White quotations are extracted from the seven volumes of the SDA Bible Commentary and put together under one cover.
By the way, in addition, we publish a three-volume comprehensive Index which cost the denomination more than $110,000, to say nothing of the labors of a half dozen people over a period of six or seven years. Let me ask this question: If the White trustees and the church are not eager that the members should have easy access to the Ellen G. White writings generally available, why did we spend so much money and go to such pains to provide access to her teachings in every conceivable area of her vast published writings?
Q. Are research workers welcome to come into the vault for study of the unpublished letters and man uscripts?
A. Yes, hundreds of individuals have had this privilege, usually in their graduate study.
Q. Are such researchers given lib erty to browse in the unpublished materials?
A. No, browsing is not allowed in the Ellen G. White vault. A staff member always assists a visitor who wishes to do research there. The established procedure is for the researcher to write in advance to the secretary of the El len G. White Estate and describe the subject of his contemplated study pro gram, and request permission to do re search in the letters and manuscripts. When this permission is granted, the researcher can come to the E. G. White office and consult the card index of the manuscripts and letters, and request that he be given access to relevant material. The staff member gets out the documents for him.
Naturally a trusteeship of important historical papers involves guardianship and care in the use made of them. That is what trusteeship is all about. Archivists recognize the sacredness of their responsibility as proprietors of valuable historical and confidential documents from the pen of important people.
Q. Perhaps you should clarify the difference between access to ma terials and release of materials for publication. Is a researcher free to copy and carry away at will, unpublished materials that he discovers?
A. Not unless it is first released. When release of hitherto unpublished material that makes a significant contribution is desired, a request is placed with the Ellen G. White trustees and if they approve, the material is considered by the Spirit of Prophecy standing committee of the General Conference; if approved by them the publication and distribution of the material is open to any writer.
Q. How broad is the researcher's access to the vault materials? Are there any limitations to what a re searcher may read? I am not refer ring to securing a release for publication of certain materials.
A. There are sensitive Ellen G. White letters written to private individuals. We think sensitive biographical materials in which the names of prominent persons appear ought not to become a subject of public discussion and criticism. Living members of the families of these individuals would resent the publication and the general distribution of private details of their lives. Not only does such a procedure denigrate the party concerned, but it could bring reproach upon living relatives or descend ants.
In much of the work of Ellen G. White there was and is an aspect of confidentiality that does not exist in the work of ordinary secular workers. She her self recognized that her spiritual work for others involved the inner lives of people, and she refused to open these matters to others, even in the church. In 1867 she spoke about the matter as it arose in Battle Creek:
"It has been the disagreeable work as signed me to reprove private sins. Were I, in order to prevent suspicions an jealousy, to give a full explanation of my course, and make public that which should be kept private, I should sin against God and wrong the individuals. I have to keep private reproofs of private wrongs to myself, locked in my own breast. Let others judge as they may, I will never betray the confidence re posed in me by the erring and repentant, or reveal to others that which should only be brought before the ones that are guilty." —Life Sketches, p. 177.
This brings to mind the comment that Ellen White made about the confidential relationship of Jesus with those who came to Him for spiritual help: "Those whom He thus helped were convinced that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray the secrets they poured into His sympathizing ear." —The Desire of Ages, p. 92.
In the case of a church leader whose life and work were faulty, Ellen White would uphold him as far as possible in his official duties, while at the same time giving him counsels from the Lord to correct his errors and to strengthen his leadership. She refrained from openly undermining his leadership and destroying his influence as long as he could be helped.
In the case of Dr. Kellogg, when his theological departure from truth be came clear, she did not hesitate to bare the deception involved in his teachings (see Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 193- 200).
The same was true in Indiana where the conference president and several other workers were teaching that believers could attain to a holy flesh experience (see Selected Messages, book 2, pp. 31-39).
Q. What about Ellen G. White's statements dealing with last-day events and developments? Don't you have some documents that you are holding back that ought to be re leased because they represent prophecies now meeting their fulfillment?
A. Prophecies made by Ellen White years ago regarding developments in the world and in the church are in the hands of our people in the current books and published articles. A few of these prophecies are a bit ambiguous; even so, the White Estate has shared some of them with our people. For example, "When the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened . . . then the tables of stone, hidden by God until that day, will be presented before the world as the standard of righteousness." — Review and Herald, Jan. 28, 1909. The exact meaning of this prophecy is not clear; nevertheless, the statement is made currently available to the church as relating to last-day events, the trustees leaving the application or interpretation to each reader.
Q. That is a good illustration. I can see that there are some things that Ellen White said in the way of prophecy, the meaning of which is still not completely clear at this time.
A. It is not the responsibility of the trustees or staff to interpret the prophetic or other statements of Ellen G. White, though it seems advisable at times to add notes of historical or explanatory material that will help the reader to understand the setting of her statements. One responsibility the trustees have is to see that she is quoted accurately in books and periodicals, and in proper context. Also we are often called upon to verify or to give the source of quotations. You will remember that in volume 3 of the Index, pages 3189-3192, there is a collection of apocryphal quotations attributed to Ellen G. White, covering all kinds: Those depending on the uncertain memory of an individual, those which seem to be logical deductions, as well as some that are pure fiction.
Q. Have you ever had to turn down an applicant who wanted to do research in the White Estate offices?
A. In dealing with applicants we have leaned over backwards in order to be completely fair. On several occasions we have been dubious of the intentions of certain researchers whose past rec ord seems to reveal a fault-finding, disloyal spirit. These persons, since they were still employed by denominational institutions, have been permitted to do research in our vault, assuring us that they would use the releases requested in a responsible way, but unfortunately this has not always turned out well. While nearly all researchers have handled the materials responsibly, several have used these materials, twisting them out of context, or ignoring balancing statements in a subtle attempt to attack the church and to denigrate the prophetic mission of Ellen White and to destroy confidence in the visions. Such persons are frequently the originators of the cry, "The White Estate is guilty of suppression."
Perhaps it is too much to hope that the work of the church, its founders, and leaders will be free from the attacks of those who are on a crusade of fault finding. Wrote Ellen White: "Every advance made by those whom God has called to lead in His work has excited suspicion; every act has been misrepresented by the jealous and faultfinding." —Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 404.
Q. What is your opinion as to how these ideas of suppression got started?
A. I think the charge of suppression is in the very air we breathe today. It is directed against government leaders and church leaders, as well as the White Estate. When people have power and influence in their hands, they are immediately suspect. This is a problem that will remain as long as there are committees, boards, presidents, secretaries, and leaders in positions of responsibility. The important thing is that those who have power delegated to them shall use it wisely and unselfishly. The White Estate Board of Trustees tries to do this, conscientiously and in the fear of God.
In these present times it is regarded as meritorious to open all operations to public view. Often this is unwise. Regarding the interests of the church and the unveiling of her secrets to the world, Ellen White warned: "We must be true, loyal soldiers in the army of Jesus Christ. All His followers are to keep step with their Leader. They should never introduce their secrets to, or make confidants of, the enemies of Jesus Christ in regard to their movements or what they purpose to do in their line of action; for it is a betrayal of sacred trusts, and is giving the enemy every advantage. Let the counsel of the people of God be within their own company." —Testimonies to Ministers, p. 269.
"Let the Christian keep his own counsel, and divulge no secret to unbelievers. Let him communicate no secret that will disparage God's people." —Counsels on Health, p. 341.
Let me thank you for your time and for being so open and frank in your replies. Personally, my confidence has been greatly strengthened in the work of the White Estate and those in charge of this work.
