"WHAT ELSE did Ellen White say that might be important to me?" As a college student, Ronald Ruskjer pondered this question. He had read in some of her books things that were practical, useful, and vital to his Christian growth. Yet he began to learn that there were more books that he hadn't touched, with multiplied thousands of pages. Was even one lifetime long enough to read them all? If Ellen White's writings were indeed God's voice to His church, how could anyone really hear Him out?
Most Adventist church members had resolved the problem by buying sets of her books to keep on their shelves and reading snatches from various books. Yet that approach left the reader with a poor grasp of the context of what he was reading, and perhaps a false confidence that he knew the scope of her messages.
Ruskjer resolved to examine this problem and see if there were not a better way. He discovered that the White Estate had attempted a partial solution by preparing compilations of her writings on specific areas of concern, drawing statements from many of her books and manuscripts and putting them into single volumes. However, to anyone wanting to read all of her writings, this only compounded the task. It added more pages than ever.
After some research Ruskjer discovered that Ellen White's published writings totaled some thirty thousand pages, almost half of which were of the nature of reprinted materials. Therefore, if some way were devised to locate those seventeen thousand pages of "original" writings, and then work at a plan to study those systematically, a person could expect to have a reasonably complete knowledge of Ellen White's mes sages to the church. But how long would it take the average person to digest that much reading?
The average college textbook may have from three hundred to five hundred pages, and students may read through several of these every semester, a chapter at a time. In a year's time a student may read through six thousand to ten thousand pages of fairly concentrated text. Why couldn't a reading plan be worked out for the writings of Ellen White and be spread out over several years? Thus, one might examine all the writings, even if he did it a little at a time.
With this goal in mind Ruskjer began to examine the nature of the White writings. He resolved to arrange them in a sequence that would reflect her approach to complex Christian doctrines, beginning with the simplest and most fundamental (Steps to Christ), and would also take into account the chronological features of her writing since her publications cover a span of sixty years. He tried also to get what he called basic books early in the list, and to arrange the different kinds of books in an order that would provide variety and change for the reader. In this he was aided by representatives from the White Estate.
Ruskjer also sought to list these publications in a form that would allow the reader to pace himself with a few pages at a sitting, for which he set a minimum of six. If one were to read only six pages a day, he could cover the 17,000 pages in eight years. Of course, if one read more each time or each day, he would cover the total more quickly. He ultimately completed a "Systematic Reading Guide," with lists of Ellen White's books and detailed six-page assignments, which the reader can check as he completes them. These passages coincide with what Ruskjer calls natural sections in the train of thought.
This project was completed while Ruskjer was still a student at Andrews University Theological Seminary, and the editor of the college paper published it for the students. The students responded enthusiastically to the idea, and Ruskjer decided to seek a publisher for it. Pacific Press has now brought it out in a booklet entitled Ellen G. White, Prophet of the Last Days, With Guide for Systematic Reading. Accompanying the Guide are twenty-two articles by various writers, including Ruskjer, which explain the use of the Guide and discuss the significance of Ellen White's life and writings. (The articles total fifty-five pages, which at six pages a day could be read in nine more days.)
In a testimonial to Ellen White, Richard Hammill, former president of Andrews University, declares, "I know [of] nothing else students can do that will have such a far-reaching influence for good as a program of daily reading of the Bible and the books of Ellen G. White."
This inexpensive booklet provides church members with a practical, concrete guide to these inspired writings. Ellen White's counsel is often held up for their admiration, but too often neither members of the congregation nor their leaders have a real basis for understanding that counsel. To be familiar with an important piece of writing as a result of reading it through is far more helpful to one's full comprehension of its meaning than to know it by title alone, or to take someone else's word for it.
Ruskjer does not, of course, discourage people following his plan from seeking additional knowledge about the life and times of Ellen White. He recommends that one attend courses at college or church in which her writings are discussed. The new Testimony Countdown series would complement and amplify this personal reading plan. Church pastors might promote this systematic reading plan as part of their prayer-meeting programs.
In thus confronting the problem church members face in assimilating the manifold writings of their prophet, Ruskjer has done the denomination a great service. By breaking down the task to small, easily-digested units, he has moved the mountain. Now all God's children in the church can better hear His voice through His messenger.
