Le Pieux Mensonge

par Walter Rea

Chapitre 9 : Restes et Morceaux

Prophètes et Rois — et Diverses Choses

Le reste de l'histoire est une descente tout du long. Le dernier des cinq grands de la série Conflict of the Ages, publié l'année suivant la mort d'Ellen à près de quatre-vingt-huit ans, continua le modèle de soixante-dix ans — copier sur d'autres auteurs traitant du même sujet.

Une fois que l'Église et le public furent persuadés que la lecture d'Ellen avait vastement amélioré ses capacités et sa mémoire, tout ce qui portait son nom se vendrait. Au tournant du siècle, l'Église vendait Ellen loin et large. Peu à peu, Dieu, l'Évangile, ou même le récit biblique de l'Évangile, semblèrent perdre la priorité dans la chaire. L'accent porta principalement sur l'autorité d'Ellen à travers ses coups d'œil rapides dans l'avenir et son réalignement des événements de l'histoire, indépendamment de la source ou du degré d'exactitude. Beaucoup de membres du clergé devinrent moins des ministres de lumière et de vérité que des bonimenteurs pour l'Ellenologie adventiste et des supersalesmen pour l'Église. Dieu se retrouvait clairement à la deuxième place.

Ellen fut reconnue dans le Commentaire Adventiste comme la voix d'autorité pour les institutions d'enseignement que gère l'Église.¹ Les livres de dévotion annuels vendus aux vrais croyants apportaient pour chaque jour un mot lapidaire de Dieu par la plume d'Ellen.² Un éventail de matériaux imprimés inonda l'Église sous forme de témoignages « nouveaux » et « inédits. »³ Des compilations supplémentaires — demandées ou suggérées par des administrateurs de premier plan qui voulaient une autorité pour ce qu'ils faisaient, ou ce qu'ils voulaient faire, ou ce qu'ils croyaient — continuèrent à figurer dans les listes et les prospectus des maisons d'édition adventistes, et les membres les achetaient, peu soupçonnant dans quelle mesure des collaborateurs autres que Dieu avaient rendu l'abondance possible.⁴

Dès le début des années 1950, le White Estate avait écrit que leur objectif était de limiter la production de compilations. Mais les compilations continuèrent d'affluer.⁵ Des plans furent établis pour une pièce supplémentaire dans le coffre-fort du White Estate afin d'abriter tous les restes et morceaux de matériaux incorporés dans des ouvrages imprimés publiés sous le nom d'Ellen. Une rumeur amusante voulait que le petit-fils Arthur eût déplacé son lit de camp près de la porte pendant les travaux de rénovation pour protéger le matériel de Dieu et veiller à ce que la porte fermée de ce coffre-fort restât fermée. Dans l'ensemble, les années qui s'écoulèrent de la mort d'Ellen en 1915 au début des années 1960 firent plus pour améliorer ses écrits amplifiés, son image et son statut de « première entre égaux » de Dieu que toutes ses années d'effort de son vivant. Pour beaucoup, en fait, il a souvent semblé que davantage a été écrit sur elle, pour elle et par elle depuis sa mort que pendant sa vie. Où tout cela s'arrêterait-il ?

En période de ferveur, les gens ont tendance à se laisser emporter. Les événements peuvent devenir quelque peu désinvoltes ou imprudents — et c'est ce qui arriva avec certains des morceaux qui traînaient çà et là. Par exemple, une Review de 1871 imprima un paragraphe crédité à « Sélectionné » — indiquant que ce petit paragraphe avait été réimprimé d'une source soit inconnue soit impossible à nommer :

Le grand besoin de cette époque, c'est des hommes. Des hommes qui ne sont pas à vendre. Des hommes honnêtes, sains du centre à la circonférence, vrais jusqu'au fond du cœur — des hommes qui condamneront le mal chez un ami ou un ennemi, en eux-mêmes comme chez les autres. Des hommes dont la conscience est aussi stable que l'aiguille vers le pôle. Des hommes qui défendront le droit même si les cieux vacillent et que la terre chancelle.⁶

Une paraphrase de ce sentiment « sélectionné » (apparaissant quelque trente ans plus tard dans l'édition de 1903 d'Éducation d'Ellen) allait devenir l'un des grands joyaux adventistes — mémorisé, récité et révéré par d'innombrables milliers de fidèles :

Le plus grand besoin du monde, c'est des hommes — des hommes qui ne seront pas achetés ni vendus, des hommes qui dans l'intime de leur âme sont vrais et honnêtes, des hommes qui ne craignent pas d'appeler le péché par son vrai nom, des hommes dont la conscience est aussi fidèle au devoir que l'aiguille au pôle, des hommes qui défendront le droit même si les cieux s'effondrent.⁷

D'autres restes et morceaux commencèrent également à apparaître dans les Testimonies for the Church d'Ellen.⁸ Jusqu'à cette découverte, survenue après sa mort (autant que les informations actuelles permettent d'en juger), les Testimonies avaient toujours été tenus pour inviolables. Ils étaient la vierge de son génie, le signe de son lien avec Dieu, sa seule vraie prétention à ses séances personnelles, non adultérées, avec des êtres célestes. Même Uriah Smith avait tracé la ligne entre ce qu'il avait vu et ce dont il ne pouvait être certain à ce moment-là.⁹ Mais on ne pouvait plus nier que si quelqu'un avait posé un reste quelque part, Ellen le ramassait et l'utilisait, car tôt ou tard il apparaissait dans son mont-de-piété pour être vendu comme marchandise divine.

Un érudit que nous avons déjà rencontré, Don McAdams, surgit avec un manuscrit révélant qu'Ellen avait utilisé l'historien Wylie pour certains restes dans La Grande Controverse :

Les parties historiques de La Grande Controverse que j'ai examinées sont des abréviations et des adaptations sélectives d'historiens. Ellen White ne se contentait pas d'emprunter des paragraphes çà et là au fil de ses lectures, mais elle suivait en fait les historiens page après page, en omettant beaucoup de matériel, mais en utilisant leur enchaînement, certaines de leurs idées, et souvent leurs mots. Dans les exemples que j'ai examinés, je n'ai trouvé aucun fait historique dans son texte qui ne figure pas dans le leur. Le manuscrit manuscrit sur Jean Huss suit l'historien de si près qu'il ne semble pas même avoir traversé une étape intermédiaire, mais passe directement de la page imprimée de l'historien au manuscrit de Mme White, erreurs historiques et exhortations morales comprises.¹⁰

Vers le milieu des années 1970, un nombre croissant de rapports remettaient en question les écrits d'Ellen et de ses collaborateurs.¹¹ Même les membres du White Estate s'impliquèrent dans l'affaire de façon oblique. Ron Graybill, alors assistant dans les bureaux du White Estate, acheva une étude de l'un des chapitres de La Grande Controverse et découvrit qu'une grande partie en avait été incluse dans un article du Signs of the Times d'octobre 1883 intitulé « Luther in the Wartburg. »¹² Graybill avait découvert que ce qu'Ellen avait réellement fait n'était pas de copier l'historien Merle d'Aubigné, comme on l'avait supposé, « mais une version vulgarisée de d'Aubigné préparée par le révérend Charles Adams pour les jeunes lecteurs » — copiant le copieur dans ce cas.

Même le lien de Graybill avec le White Estate ne put atténuer la douleur lorsqu'il écrivit :

L'impression générale que l'on retire de cette étude est qu'elle confirme le point principal de McAdams — à savoir que le récit historique objectif et prosaïque était fondé sur le travail des historiens, non sur des visions.¹³

Comme dans le cas du travail de McAdams, le White Estate ne voulut pas rendre public le travail de Graybill, leur propre homme. Il faut plus qu'un agent infiltré pour obtenir une copie de cette petite œuvre de maître. Mais si l'on avait la chance de faire partie des quelques élus autorisés à contempler la précieuse relique de laquelle Graybill tira sa conclusion, on verrait qu'Ellen avait effectivement recopié de sa propre main les mots et les pensées de quelqu'un copiant les mots et les pensées d'un autre auteur. Si c'est là où les ecclésiastiques adventistes en sont quand ils insistent que « tout le monde » le faisait (donc ce doit être acceptable), ils pourraient avoir raison. Mais on pourrait demander — pourquoi entraîner Dieu là-dedans et insister qu'Il le sanctionnait ?

Parce qu'une grande partie du matériel source précieux du White Estate n'est pas facilement accessible aux chercheurs, la communauté intellectuelle n'a pas encore pu faire face au problème sérieux qui semble exister pour la signification de l'inspiration.

Les explorateurs modernes William S. Peterson et Ronald L. Numbers avaient bien fait en révélant les sources de certains des restes et morceaux qu'on avait vus de temps à autre dans la boutique d'Ellen. Mais ils eurent le malheur, pour leurs efforts, de devenir indésirables pour l'emploi dans les institutions adventistes, comme beaucoup avant eux. Pour rester opérationnel dans l'adventisme, il n'est pas nécessaire de voir ce qu'Ellen voyait, et il n'est certainement pas nécessaire de voir où elle voyait ce qu'elle voyait, mais il a toujours été nécessaire de croire qu'elle voyait ce qu'elle voyait. Ce fait devient difficile à accepter pour ceux qui, même par inadvertance, fouillent dans le mont-de-piété où la marchandise était présentée aux acheteurs comme la marchandise de Dieu.

Parfois les choses devinrent non seulement créatives mais aussi hilarantes. L'ancien président de la Conférence adventiste du septième jour du Sud de la Californie, Harold L. Calkins, inonda les Églises locales en 1977 de ce joyau attribué à Ellen G. White dans la Review du 7 octobre 1865 :

La prière est la réponse à tout problème dans la vie. Elle nous met à l'unisson avec la sagesse divine qui sait comment tout ajuster parfaitement. Souvent nous ne prions pas dans certaines situations, parce que de notre point de vue les perspectives sont sans espoir. Mais rien n'est impossible à Dieu. Rien n'est si embrouillé que cela ne puisse être réparé ; aucune relation humaine n'est trop tendue pour que Dieu ne puisse apporter réconciliation et compréhension ; aucune habitude n'est si profondément enracinée qu'elle ne puisse être surmontée ; personne n'est si faible qu'il ne puisse devenir fort. Personne n'est si malade qu'il ne puisse être guéri. Aucun esprit n'est si terne qu'il ne puisse être rendu brillant. Quoi que nous ayons besoin, si nous faisons confiance à Dieu, il nous le fournira. Si quoi que ce soit cause inquiétude ou anxiété, cessons de ressasser la difficulté et faisons confiance à Dieu pour la guérison, l'amour et la puissance.¹⁴

Plus tard, Leslie Hardinge, coordinateur d'Ellen G. White et secrétaire de la conférence, écrivit au White Estate pour demander vérification de la source de la déclaration. La réponse fut la suivante :

La citation que vous avez envoyée dans votre lettre du 31 mars, et que nous vous retournons ci-joint, prétendument trouvée dans un article d'E. G. White dans la Review du 7 octobre 1865, n'est pas une déclaration d'E. G. White. Du moins personne au White Estate n'a été en mesure de retrouver une telle déclaration dans ses écrits. … Nous n'avons aucune idée de la source de cette citation.¹⁵

Non pas que cela eût fait la moindre différence si la citation avait été présentée comme sortie de la plume d'Ellen, car même ainsi les lignes auraient fort bien pu être copiées sur quelque autre auteur. Mais la question soulevée est : combien de fois ce genre de chose a-t-il été fait auparavant, au nom d'Ellen et de l'inspiration, et finalement au nom de Dieu ? Les étais furent renversés sous la déclaration, car sans l'endossement d'Ellen elle manquait de valeur d'autorité. Pour la multitude des vrais croyants, peu a de valeur sans le cachet d'approbation d'Ellen.

Dans une lettre rédigée en 1921 en réponse aux questions posées par son neveu, Vesta J. Farnsworth défendit loyalement Ellen et son activité. Comme c'est souvent le cas, une défense peut, par sa nature même, révéler des informations qui font en réalité l'opposé de défendre. Par exemple, Mme Farnsworth écrivit :

Dans ses dernières années, lorsque la pensée lui fut présentée que l'usage qu'elle avait fait des déclarations des historiens était considéré comme une violation des droits et des intérêts commerciaux des éditeurs, elle donna instruction que dans les éditions futures de ses livres une correction soit apportée, accordant plein crédit à toutes les citations.¹⁶

Bien que la majeure partie des œuvres principales d'Ellen eût été publiée à cette époque, après que cette « pensée fut présentée » concernant La Grande Controverse, personne n'a encore produit une déclaration de sa part montrant qu'elle était prête à accorder un crédit spécifique à des personnes spécifiques dont les œuvres et les idées étaient incorporées dans son matériel.

Une déclaration tirée d'une lettre de Willard A. Colcord fournit le cadre de l'explication que Vesta Farnsworth donna à une autre question de son neveu :

Ce que j'ai dit dans ma lettre à mon père au sujet de la lettre d'Australie était, je pense, trop vague pour que vous puissiez en tirer les faits réels. Dans les écrits sur des sujets de liberté religieuse envoyés ici au département de liberté religieuse par Sœur White il y a quelques années, les deux pages incorporées dans ceci, tirées d'une communication que j'avais envoyée à Sœur White alors que j'étais en Australie, y étaient incorporées sans aucun crédit, guillemets ou quoi que ce soit de ce genre ; simplement adoptées comme matière originale. … Cette utilisation d'autant de matériel rédigé par d'autres dans les écrits de Sœur White, sans guillemets ni crédit, lui a causé et a causé à ses écrits pas mal d'ennuis. L'un des principaux objectifs de la récente révision de « La Grande Controverse » était de remédier à ce genre de choses, et l'une des principales raisons pour lesquelles « Sketches from the Life of Paul » ne fut jamais réédité fut que des défauts graves existaient sur ce terrain.¹⁷

Pour répondre à son neveu, Mme Farnsworth cita comme suit des informations fournies par l'un de ceux qui avait servi quelque temps comme secrétaire d'Ellen White — Clarence C. Crisler :

Pendant les dernières années de l'activité de Sœur White, il était conservé dans son bureau non seulement des fichiers de ses lettres et manuscrits, mais aussi divers autres documents de diverses sources ; et cette collection hétéroclite était classée et rangée de façon à être facilement accessible en un instant. Collectivement, cette masse de matière était connue sous le nom de « Le Fichier de Documents. » Il était entièrement distinct du Fichier des témoignages, et conservé séparément.

Le Fichier de Documents était organisé par sujets, et contenait beaucoup de matière historique et d'intérêt général sur de nombreux aspects de notre travail dénominationnel. … Aucun effort n'était fait pour être complet ; le Fichier de Documents était plutôt un endroit où était conservée, sous forme classée, la matière susceptible d'être utile.

Dans ce Fichier de Documents se trouvait un dossier étiqueté « Département de la Liberté Religieuse » ; dans ce dossier avaient été placés, au fil des ans, des matériaux divers sur ce sujet, incluant quelques doubles et des portions recopiées de lettres et de manuscrits écrits par Sœur White.

Lorsque, préalablement à la Conférence Générale de 1909, Mme White demanda ce qui avait été écrit par elle sur le sujet de la Liberté Religieuse … afin qu'elle pût examiner ce qui devrait être inclus sur ce sujet dans un volume à paraître des Testimonies for the Church (tome neuf), on lui remit ce qui se trouvait dans le Fichier normal de ses lettres et manuscrits. Plus tard, alors qu'elle était sur le point de quitter sa maison et son bureau en Californie pour la Conférence, ces lettres et manuscrits furent en partie recopiés afin qu'elle pût en avoir des portions avec elle ; car elle n'avait pas encore pris de décisions définitives sur ce qu'il convenait le mieux de publier à ce moment-là.

Afin de s'assurer que tout matériel disponible serait à portée de main à distance du Bureau, l'une de ses secrétaires, avant de prendre le train pour la Conférence de Washington, prit dans le Fichier de Documents le dossier étiqueté « Département de la Liberté Religieuse » … et celui-ci fut emporté à la Conférence en plus des témoignages provenant du Fichier de lettres et de manuscrits. Ce dossier, comme la plupart des autres dossiers du Fichier de Documents, contenait de la matière de diverses sources, et c'est là qu'un membre du Département de la Liberté Religieuse tomba sur la page présentée comme « une lettre qu'il lui avait envoyée quelques années auparavant. » La page avait été rédigée par l'ancien W. A. Colcord.¹⁸

Ce que Vesta Farnsworth dit au sujet de Marian Davis, une autre assistante éditoriale d'Ellen, ouvre des perspectives encore à explorer :

Il est dit que Mlle Marian Davis fut trouvée un jour en larmes à cause du plagiat dans les livres de Sœur White. Si c'est vrai, c'est l'une des nombreuses choses liées à son travail qui la troublaient profondément. Sœur Marian Davis était extrêmement fidèle et consciencieuse dans ses labeurs, et ressentait vivement sa responsabilité dans le travail qui lui était confié en rapport avec les écrits de Sœur White. Elle était frêle de corps et souvent abattue. Bien des fois elle implora les prières et les conseils de ses associés et collègues de travail. Et avec l'aide de Dieu elle fit un noble travail. Elle aimait le travail plus que sa vie, et tout ce qui l'affectait l'affectait elle. Elle avait participé à la décision d'omettre les guillemets dans la première édition de « La Grande Controverse » et d'utiliser la reconnaissance générale dans la Préface. Puis quand vinrent de sévères critiques à ce sujet, elle, avec Sœur White et ses associés, le ressentit très vivement. [Italiques ajoutés.]¹⁹

Et maintenant la vraie bombe :

L'accusation selon laquelle Sœur White couvrait ses écrits de son tablier lorsqu'un visiteur entrait, afin de dissimuler le fait qu'elle copiait quelque chose d'un livre, est vraiment absurde. Ce n'était pas un secret qu'elle copiait des passages choisis de livres et de périodiques. Mais lorsqu'elle rédigeait des conseils et des réprimandes à des pasteurs âgés, elle souhaitait parfois que les jeunes travailleurs ne sachent pas à qui et sur quoi elle écrivait. Cela la conduisait souvent à couvrir ses écrits lorsque des visiteurs arrivaient. [Italiques ajoutés.]²⁰

Ce que Mme Farnsworth révéla était assurément bien plus qu'elle n'avait eu l'intention de dire. Elle avait d'abord déclaré qu'« en rédigeant cette lettre j'ai eu la chance de recevoir l'aide de sources fiables, et je crois que vous pouvez considérer ce que j'écris comme authentique. »²¹

Si elle est fiable, on doit conclure (a) que Marian Davis fut trouvée en larmes ; (b) qu'elle pleurait à cause du plagiat dans les livres d'Ellen ; (c) que Marian avait une énorme latitude dans ce qu'elle faisait, présumément souvent sans la permission ou la connaissance d'Ellen ; (d) qu'Ellen couvrait effectivement ses écrits de son tablier, comme la rumeur l'avait prétendu ; (e) que « ce n'était pas un secret qu'Ellen copiait des passages choisis de livres et de périodiques. »

Face à de telles preuves, que peut faire le White Estate sinon déplacer la discussion de la reprise par Ellen du matériel d'autrui (au nom de Dieu) vers le domaine de la valeur ?

Contrairement aux faits ou à la politique, la valeur, bien sûr, n'est rien de plus ni de moins que l'opinion personnelle. C'est la grande zone grise d'un pays imaginaire où la plupart d'entre nous vivons. Elle est intangible et subjective. C'est une affaire non pas d'esprit ou de raison, mais de sentiment, d'espoir, de désirs, de rêves et d'ambitions. C'est un domaine non de preuves mais de conjectures, souvent appelé « foi » par les sans-foi. C'est le terrain de bataille où les supersalesmen du psychique exercent leur magie. Pour l'ecclésiastique, cela peut s'appeler « inspiration. » Cela peut servir de drapeau pour éloigner les gens du vrai mot qu'ils n'osent pas affronter. Ce mot rarement utilisé est autorité.

Le mot autorité, comme inspiration, est lui aussi intangible dans le monde religieux. L'autorité dans ce monde est également, comme la beauté, dans l'œil de celui qui regarde. Mais contrairement à l'inspiration, l'autorité doit en fin de compte se traduire dans le monde objectif, concret de la réalité, l'ici et maintenant, l'action. L'inspiration n'a jamais besoin de quitter son canapé ; en effet, elle n'en a guère bougé au cours des siècles. L'inspiration se présente souvent comme une tentative malhonnête d'honnêtes gens pour définir et saisir un concept qui semble défier toute définition. L'inspiration réchauffe le corps et apaise l'esprit, mais n'a pas besoin de produire la moindre action. Elle peut rester enfermée dans les chambres secrètes de l'âme pour toujours et ne jamais être reconnue par les autres. Mais l'autorité doit vivre dans l'action, alors que l'inspiration chouchoute souvent l'action. L'autorité librement accordée devient la base de toute autodiscipline, tandis que l'inspiration s'évanouit bientôt. Les ecclésiastiques de la persuasion d'Ellen se rendraient bien mieux service à eux-mêmes et à leur cause en affrontant et en s'attaquant à la question de quelle autorité est accordée à Ellen, plutôt que de négliger leur navire jusqu'à ce qu'il coule, pendant qu'ils se crient dessus au nom de l'inspiration.

La position d'Ellen dans l'histoire adventiste, en dépit du pieux mensonge, est assurée. Son inspiration et son dévouement à sa cause ne peuvent être niés, parce qu'ils perdurent dans les vies de ses vrais croyants. Mais l'Église n'a jamais affronté son autorité sur les faits, les politiques et les pratiques. Les membres de l'Église Adventiste ont laissé les supersalesmen du psychique usurper l'autorité d'Ellen et la transformer en celle de Dieu à leurs propres fins. Ce sont eux qui soufflent souvent dans la trompette d'Ellen au nom de Dieu. Si l'Église doit survivre, les ecclésiastiques devront sortir du pays imaginaire et commencer à se guider eux-mêmes et les autres vers une réponse satisfaisante sur ce qu'est l'autorité d'Ellen.

C'était l'élucidation de cette autorité, non de l'inspiration, que William S. Sadler cherchait lorsqu'il écrivit à Ellen en 1906. Il avait toujours soutenu Ellen dans ses décisions et dans ses écrits. Mais il avait commencé à avoir des doutes — comme beaucoup d'autres qui avaient suivi trop aveuglément et trop longtemps. Il posa ainsi certains de ces problèmes :

En conséquence, je me retrouve dans un dilemme lorsque je cherche à comprendre certaines choses que vous avez récemment écrites. Je suis souvent à court de savoir comment choisir entre les deux positions suivantes :

(1) Dois-je reconnaître les conditions ou accusations qui sont énoncées dans le Témoignage comme vraies, et comme conditions existant réellement à l'heure actuelle, même si après une recherche dans la prière et une enquête soigneuse je ne puis toujours pas reconnaître que ces choses existent ? Ou bien,

(2) S'agit-il d'un autre cas comme les bâtiments de Chicago, dans lequel vous présentez une chose qui n'existe pas vraiment, mais que le Seigneur cherche à prévenir ?²²

Sadler vit un changement dangereux d'attitude (envers Ellen et ses écrits) s'infiltrer dans l'Église :

J'ai fait la sourde oreille à ces choses pendant des années, mais maintenant, puisque notre attitude envers les Témoignages est en train de devenir un test à travers toute la dénomination, je réalise que je dois aller au fond de tout cela.²³

Comme d'autres avant lui, il était préoccupé par l'influence de Willie White sur les Témoignages — comme il le faisait clairement comprendre en citant à Ellen la « communication écrite par vous sous la date du 19 juillet 1905, aux frères I. H. Evans et J. S. Washburn » :

J'écrivis quelques lignes à l'ancien Daniells pour suggérer que cela soit fait, mais Willie ne vit pas que la chose pouvait se réaliser ainsi, parce que l'ancien Daniells et d'autres étaient à cette époque très découragés quant à l'état des choses à Battle Creek. Alors je lui dis qu'il n'avait pas besoin de remettre le billet.²⁴

Ce avec quoi ce bon docteur semblait se débattre paraissait être la même chose que toutes les personnes pensantes autour d'Ellen devaient affronter à un moment ou l'autre de leur expérience. Leur problème revenait toujours à la même chose : Le VRAI DIEU d'Ellen G. White voudrait-il bien SE LEVER ? Dans sa lettre à elle, Sadler posa cette question encore et encore :

Les lettres que vous écrivez aux dirigeants de notre œuvre, en réponse aux lettres qu'ils vous écrivent, sont-elles des Témoignages ? Dois-je recevoir tout ce que vous écrivez comme venant du Seigneur — exactement tel quel, mot pour mot — ou y a-t-il des communications que vous envoyez qui sont vos lettres personnelles — des communications personnelles de Sœur White ?…

Quelle doit être mon attitude envers ceux qui hésitent à accepter un Témoignage, ou qui paraissent le rejeter ? Dois-je les laisser seuls avec Dieu et leur Bible, ou dois-je les dénoncer publiquement et leur faire la guerre ?…

Concernant la Robe de Réforme et le changement d'instruction… votre position aujourd'hui est-elle différente de celle que vous avez prise alors ?…

Il y a quelques années, on m'a dit que votre fils avait apporté ce changement au manuscrit. Est-ce vrai ? Quelqu'un a-t-il l'autorité de modifier vos écrits de quelque façon que ce soit ? Dans quelle mesure et de quelle façon exactement les Témoignages sont-ils édités après qu'ils ont quitté votre plume, avant d'être cristallisés en caractères d'imprimerie ?²⁵

Des questions, des questions, des questions.

Mais elles ne reçurent jamais de réponse. Ce dut être l'une des raisons pour lesquelles ce praticien de la médecine — dont le dossier dit qu'il fut un temps chirurgien en chef à l'hôpital Columbus et chirurgien en chef au sanatorium et hôpital Bethany, ancien professeur dans une école de médecine postuniversitaire à Chicago, auteur de plusieurs ouvrages — écrivit plus tard ceci à propos de certains cas similaires qu'il avait observés :

Presque toutes ces victimes de transes et de catalepsie nerveuse en viennent tôt ou tard à se croire messagères de Dieu et prophétesses du Ciel ; et il est hors de doute que la plupart d'entre elles croient sincèrement. Ne comprenant pas la physiologie et la psychologie de leurs affections, elles en arrivent sincèrement à considérer leurs expériences mentales particulières comme quelque chose de surnaturel, tandis que leurs disciples croient aveuglément tout ce qu'elles enseignent à cause du caractère supposément divin de ces soi-disant révélations.²⁶

Les preuves indiquent que Sadler parlait non seulement depuis sa conviction professionnelle, mais aussi depuis sa propre observation personnelle d'Ellen au fil des ans et son expérience en tant qu'ancien croyant.

Beaucoup, en leur temps et leur tour, en vinrent à avoir des questions concernant l'autorité d'Ellen. Ils pouvaient être mari, parent, secrétaire, assistant, éditeur, écrivain, éducateur, associé ou ami. Mais ils en vinrent à remettre en question sa relation avec Dieu en ce qui concernait ses prétentions dans ses écrits et ses « visions. » Ce n'est pas qu'ils doutaient de son inspiration pastorale, ni de sa croyance en elle. Mais ce qu'ils remettaient en question, c'était en quel nom elle faisait ce qu'elle faisait.

Cette question, qui préoccupait tant les personnes bien informées à l'époque et qui était leur (et la) plus grande controverse durant sa vie, demeure la cause de questions et de controverse en notre propre jour — toute une vie depuis sa mort en 1915.

Pas étonnant que, des décennies plus tard, Ron Graybill, associé du White Estate, dût s'interroger à voix haute devant le Conseil du Forum adventiste en novembre 1981, sur les mêmes pensées que Sadler mais en des termes différents, lorsqu'il dit :

La grande majorité de ses commentaires ne traite que de la source divine de son matériel et tend à nier l'influence de la pensée et de l'opinion humaines. Et ainsi, alors que nous n'avons aucun problème avec le fait que Mme White ait effectivement emprunté, nous nous demandons bien pourquoi elle semble avoir nié ses emprunts.²⁷

Mais elle le nia effectivement. Ce n'est qu'une partie du pieux mensonge étendu de dire que l'Église a été ouverte et honnête au sujet du travail de copie d'Ellen. Ni elle ni son mari ne donnèrent jamais la preuve qu'elle était dans le travail de voler les autres. En fait, jusqu'à ce qu'elle soit forcée à des aveux dans les années ultérieures, les White depuis James jusqu'à Willie le fils, et jusqu'au petit-fils Arthur, tinrent tous la ligne dure sur Mère Ellen. Le meilleur tir de James fut son livre Life Sketches, publié en 1880, juste huit ans avant la « grande confession » dans l'introduction de La Grande Controverse de 1888. Il est si fort et si absolu dans son ignorance ou sa dissimulation qu'il mérite d'être cité en entier :

3. L'incrédulité suggère-t-elle que ce qu'elle écrit dans ses témoignages personnels a été appris auprès d'autres ? Nous demandons : Quel temps a-t-elle eu pour apprendre tous ces faits ? Et qui, un seul instant, peut la considérer comme une femme chrétienne si elle prête l'oreille aux commérages, puis les note comme une vision de Dieu ? Et où est la personne dotée de capacités naturelles et acquises supérieures qui pourrait écouter la description d'un, deux ou trois mille cas, tous différents, et les rédiger ensuite sans les confondre, exposant l'ensemble du travail à mille contradictions ? Si Mme W. a recueilli les faits dans un esprit humain dans un seul cas, elle l'a fait dans des milliers de cas, et Dieu ne lui a pas montré ces choses qu'elle a écrites dans ces témoignages personnels.

4. Dans ses œuvres publiées, il y a beaucoup de choses exposées qu'on ne peut trouver dans d'autres livres, et pourtant elles sont si claires et si belles que l'esprit impartial les saisit aussitôt comme des vérités. Si les commentateurs et les auteurs théologiques en général avaient vu ces joyaux de pensée qui frappent l'esprit avec tant de force, et s'ils avaient été mis en lumière dans des imprimés, tous les pasteurs du pays auraient pu les lire. Ces hommes recueillent des pensées dans des livres, et comme Mme W. a écrit et dit cent choses, aussi véridiques qu'elles sont belles et harmonieuses, qu'on ne peut trouver dans les écrits des autres, elles sont nouvelles pour les lecteurs et auditeurs les plus intelligents. Et si elles ne se trouvent pas dans les imprimés, et ne sont pas développées dans des sermons depuis la chaire, où Mme W. les a-t-elle trouvées ? De quelle source a-t-elle reçu les pensées nouvelles et riches qu'on trouve dans ses écrits et ses allocutions orales ? Elle n'a pas pu les apprendre dans des livres, du fait qu'ils ne contiennent pas de telles pensées. Et certes, elle ne les a pas apprises de ces pasteurs qui n'y avaient pas pensé. Le cas est clair. Il faut évidemment cent fois plus de crédulité pour croire que Mme W. a appris ces choses des autres et les a fait passer pour des visions de Dieu, qu'il n'en faut pour croire que l'Esprit de Dieu les lui a révélées [italiques ajoutés].²⁸

Annexe du Chapitre 9

*Messages to Young People* E. G. White 1930	*Our Father's House* Daniel March 1871
[104] We have before us a warfare, — a lifelong conflict with Satan and his seductive temptations. The enemy will use every argument, every deception, to entangle the soul; and in order to win the crown of life, we must put forth earnest, persevering effort. We must not lay off the armor or leave the battlefield until we have gained the victory, and can triumph in our Redeemer. As long as we continue to keep our eyes fixed upon the Author and Finisher of our faith, we shall be safe. But our affections must be placed upon things above, not on things of the earth. By faith we must rise higher and still higher in the attainment of the graces of Christ. By daily contemplating His matchless charms, we must grow more and more into His glorious image. — The Youth's Instructor, May 12, 1898.	[255] So is it with us in our lifelong conflict with the seductions and temptations of the world. So long as we keep them under, we are safe. So long as we set our affections on things above, and continue to rise higher and higher in the successive attainments of a pure and blameless life, the world may toil after us, with its temptations in vain. To be sure of not sinking, we must never cease from the effort to rise. To win the crown of life, we have only to forget the things that are behind and press forward to those that are before.
*My Life Today* E. G. White 1952	*Home Life in the Bible* Daniel March 1873
[322] By a momentary act of will you may place yourself in the power of Satan, but it will require more than a momentary act of will to break his fetters and reach for a higher, holier life. The purpose may be formed, the work begun, but its accomplishment will require toil, time, and perseverance, patience, and sacrifice. The man who deliberately wanders from God in the full blaze of light will find, when he wishes to set his face to return, that briars and thorns have grown up in his path, and he must not be surprised or discouraged if he is compelled to travel long with torn and bleeding feet. The most fearful and most to be dreaded evidence of man's fall from a better state is the fact that it costs so much to get back. The way of return can be gained only by hard fighting, inch by inch, every hour. Those who win heaven will put forth their noblest efforts and will labor with all long-suffering, that they may reap the fruit of toil. There is a hand that will open wide the gates of Paradise to those who have stood the test of temptation and kept a good conscience by giving up the world, its honors, its applause, for the love of Christ, thus confessing Him before men and waiting with all patience for Him to confess them before His Father and the holy angels.	[83] It will take the work of a life-time to recover what a moment of thoughtlessness or temptation carelessly throws away.... You cannot lift yourself, by a momentary act of will, into the full possession of the best and highest life. The purpose can be formed and the work begun, but its completion will require time and toil, patience and sacrifice. Thorns and briers have grown in all earthly paths. The wanderer who sets his face to return to the lost paradise must not be surprised or discouraged if he is compelled to travel long with torn feet and bleeding heart. The most dreadful evidence of man's fall from a better state is the fact that it costs so much to get back. The way of return must be won by hard fighting, every inch and every hour. [84] Toil, patience, sacrifice, work hard, endure much, give all, — such are the conditions of return to the lost paradise. By such means only can man wrestle with the angel, and prevail. To those who come with the sweat of toil upon their brows and the patience of martyrs in their look and the sacrifice of self in the heart, the gate swings open wide.
*Sons and Daughters of God* E. G. White 1955	*Home Life in the Bible* Daniel March 1873
[154] To go forward without stumbling we must have the assurance that a hand all-powerful will hold us up, and an infinite pity be exercised toward us if we fall. God alone can at all times hear our cry for help.	[351] To go on without fear we must know that an almighty Hand will hold us up and an infinite Heart will pity us when we fall.... He can only trust to a Hand and a Heart....
[154] It is a solemn thought that the removal of one safeguard from the conscience, the failure to fulfill one good resolution, the formation of one wrong habit, may result not only in our own ruin, but in the ruin of those who have put confidence in us. Our only safety is to follow where the steps of the Master lead the way, to trust for protection implicitly to Him who says, "Follow me." Our constant prayer should be, "Hold up my goings in thy path, O Lord, that my footsteps slip not." (ST, July 28, 1881.)	[352] The removal of one safeguard from the sanctuary of conscience, the failure to fulfill one good resolution, the acquisition of one evil habit, the venture of a single night in the path of dissipation, one draught from the poisoned cup of forbidden pleasure, one more resolve to put off the first and highest claim of duty, may be the slip which is the beginning of the fatal fall.... Our only safety is to go where the steps of the Master lead the way, and trust for protection to him whose first command is, Follow me... They only are safe whose hearts go forth daily and trustingly in the prayer of David: Hold up my goings in thy path, O God, that my footsteps slip not.
*Sons and Daughters of God* E. G. White 1955	*The Great Teacher* John Harris 1836 (1870 ed.)
[243] Justice and Mercy stood apart, in opposition to each other, separated by a wide gulf. ... He planted His cross midway between heaven and earth, and made it the object of attraction which reached both ways, drawing both Justice and Mercy across the gulf.... With perfect satisfaction Justice bowed in reverence at the cross, saying, It is enough.... The sinner, drawn by the power of Christ from the confederacy of sin, approaches the uplifted cross, and prostrates himself before it. Then there is a new creature in Christ Jesus. The sinner is cleansed and purified. A new heart is given to him. Holiness finds that it has nothing more to require.... There was to be imparted to the human being striving for conformity to the divine image an outlay of heaven's treasures, an excellency of power, which would place him higher than the angels who had not fallen. (GCB, 4th Qtr., 1899.)	[110] He ... placed himself at the head of a new dispensation ... which was to reconcile the prerogatives of justice and compassion ... by enabling mercy to punish without impairing its clemency ... and enabling justice to forgive without sacrificing its purity. ... He laid hold on the nature of man... planting his cross midway, created a point of attraction which reached and drew them across the separating gulf. ... Justice moved from its high ... bowed with reverence at the cross, and said, "It is enough." The sinner ... falls prostrate before the cross, a new creation in Christ Jesus. By giving his heart to sinners and for them, holiness finds that it has nothing to ask.... While this amazing consummation was in actual process, the character of Christ evolved an amount of excellence which might have made angelic natures, if capable of the feeling, jealous of the rivalry and riches of earth.
*Selected Messages, Vol. 1* E. G. White 1958	*Night Scenes in the Bible* Daniel March 1868-1870
[27] 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 you. God was speaking through clay. 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.... 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? 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.... [Quoted from an article written June 22, 1882, and published in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, no. 31, pp. 63-64.]	[201] We must not defer our obedience till every shadow of uncertainty and every possibility of mistake is removed. The doubt that demands perfect knowledge will never yield to faith, for faith rests upon probability, not demonstration.... [202] We must obey the voice of duty when there are many other voices crying against it, and it requires earnest heed to distinguish the one which speaks for God. We must cherish the impulse of conscience in the moment when it urges us to action, lest it cease from its promptings and we be left to the blind guidance of appetite and passion.
*Steps to Christ* E. G. White 1892	*Night Scenes in the Bible* (cont'd.)
[96] If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase and deepen.... But if we come to God... and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants to Him ... who governs everything by His will and word, He can and will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts. Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness.	[336] While we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve the problem of the universe in the cabinets and laboratories of science, or to explore the depths of eternity with the feeble taper of human reason, we shall only increase our perplexity and deepen our disappointment.... [339] But let them go up to the mount of God... in humble, trusting prayer ... that the supreme power governing the universe ... and look only to Him who sees everything at one view and governs everything with a word.... Let them believe that... he will hear their voice and attend to their wants. And then the darkness and perplexity will vanish from their minds.... In every act of sincere prayer the soul comes into living contact with the infinite Mind. We see no face bending over us with looks of compassion. No voice answers to our humble cry. No hand is let down for us to grasp... as the child seeks the parent's supporting hand.
*Steps to Christ* E. G. White 1892	*The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life* Hannah Smith 1883 (1971 ed.)
[85] Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us.... [87] God speaks to us through His providential workings and through the influence of His Spirit upon the heart.... God speaks to us in His word.	[67] There are four ways in which He reveals His will to us, — through the Scriptures, through providential circumstances, convictions of our own higher judgment, and through the inward impressions of the Holy Spirit on our mind.
*Steps to Christ* E. G. White 1892	*God's Will Known and Done* Almon Underwood 1860
[96] Another element of prevailing prayer is faith. "He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6.... But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire is presumption.	[291] Another requisite of prevailing prayer, is faith. "He that cometh unto God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him." Heb. 11:6.... You are not to expect it to come in a particular way, nor necessarily at just such a time.
*SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6* E. G. White 1957	*The Great Teacher* John Harris 1836 (1870 ed.)
[1119] Satan is the prince of demons. The evil angels over whom he rules do his bidding. Through them he multiplies his agencies throughout the world. He instigates all the evil that exists in our world. But though the principalities and powers of darkness are both many in number and unceasing in activity, yet the Christian should never feel hopeless or discouraged. He may not hope to escape temptation through any lack of satanic efficiency. He who sent a legion to torture one human being cannot be repulsed by human wisdom or power alone.	[161] Among these, he spoke of one as Satan... one who, by signalizing himself as the most daring of rebels, had reached the bad preeminence of the "prince of demons."... That he is represented as multiplying himself, through their agency, over the whole field, — and concurring in, if not actually instigating, all the evils which it contains... warrants the conjecture.... Let no man, then, hope to escape temptation through any lack of satanic agents. He whose resources enable him to devote a legion to torment a human body, cannot be wanting in instruments to tempt and destroy the immortal soul.
Speaking of Satan, the Lord declares that he abode not in truth. Once he was beautiful, radiant in light.... Around the standard of rebellion that he planted, evil workers of all generations have rallied. No sooner was man created than Satan resolved to efface in him the image of God, and to place his stamp where God's should be.... He desired to usurp the throne of God. Failing in this, he has worked in darkness, in crookedness, in deception, to usurp his place in the hearts of men ... to appropriate the adoration that belongs to God alone (MS 33, 1911).	[162] Speaking of Satan, our Lord declares that he "abode not in truth:" once he possessed a throne where all is radiant with holiness and joy; but he swerved from his allegiance to "the blessed and only Potentate," and thus lost his first estate.... He ... planted the standard of rebellion, around which all the principles and powers of evil might rally and combine. [162] Stimulated by implacable hatred against God, he no sooner found our world created, than he came to efface from it the image of God, and to stamp his own on its breast.... Unable to expel God from his throne, and thus succeed to the homage of man, he had, by a universal system of idolatry, planted his throne between the human worshipper and the divine Being, intercepting and appropriating the adoration which belonged to God alone.
*SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7* E. G. White 1955	*The Great Teacher* John Harris 1836 (1870 ed.)
[935] His [Christ's] object was to reconcile the prerogatives of Justice and Mercy, and let each stand separate in its dignity, yet united. His mercy was not weakness, but a terrible power to punish sin because it is sin; yet a power to draw to it the love of humanity. Through Christ, Justice is enabled to forgive without sacrificing one jot of its exalted holiness. Justice and Mercy stood apart in opposition to each other, separated by a wide gulf. The Lord our Redeemer clothed His divinity with humanity, and wrought out in behalf of man a character that was without spot or blemish. He planted His cross midway between heaven and earth, and made it the object of attraction which reached both ways, drawing both Justice and Mercy across the gulf. Justice moved from its exalted throne, and with all the armies of heaven approached the cross. There it saw One equal with God bearing the penalty for all injustice and sin. With perfect satisfaction Justice bowed in reverence at the cross, saying, It is enough (MS 94, 1899).	[110] He ... placed himself at the head of a new dispensation, the object of which was to reconcile the prerogatives of justice and compassion; and to do this, not by compromising either, but by honoring both — by enabling mercy to punish without impairing its clemency or its claims to our love, and enabling justice to forgive without sacrificing its purity or its claims on our awful regards. The rights of justice and the condition of sinful man were essentially hostile — they had diverged to an infinite remoteness, and stood frowning at each other, as from opposite sides of the universe. He laid hold on the nature of man; and, planting his cross midway, created a point of attraction which reached and drew them across the separating gulf back to itself, as to a common centre. Justice moved from its high and awful position on Sinai; and, with all the armies of holiness, brightening and still brightening with complacency as it approached, bowed with reverence at the cross, and said, "It is enough."
*Testimonies to Ministers* E. G. White 1923	*The Great Teacher* (cont'd.)
[16] Consider... His church, to be His own, His own fortress, which He holds in a sin-stricken, revolted world; and He intended that no authority should be known in it, no laws be acknowledged by it, but His own. Satan has a large confederacy, his church. Christ calls them the synagogue of Satan because the members are the children of sin. The members of Satan's church have been constantly working to cast off the divine law, and confuse the distinction between good and evil....	[158] It is the only fortress which he holds in a revolted world; and he intended, therefore, that no authority should be known in it, no laws acknowledged, but his own.... His high design is, that, as Satan has a church, (he himself speaks of the synagogue of Satan,) consisting of the children of sin, — a church in which men have been always laboring to cast off the divine law, and to confound the distinctions between good and evil....
[17] His church is to be a temple built after the divine similitude, and the angelic architect has brought his golden measuring rod from heaven ... radiating in all directions the bright, clear beams of the Sun of Righteousness. The church is to be fed with manna from heaven and to be kept under the sole guardianship of His grace. Clad in complete armor of light and righteousness, she enters upon her final conflict....	[159] If his church is to resemble a temple, let it be built after the pattern of things in the heavens: let it have the exact dimensions and proportions assigned by the angel-architect, who brought to the work his golden measuring-rod from heaven ... and radiating around in all directions its dazzling beams... let her be fed with the manna which his own hand supplies, and grow as the indwelling life shall expand, and be left to the sole guardianship of his own grace, and she shall move in her own light, clad in more than complete steel, having the robes of divinity about her....
[15] I testify to my brethren and sisters that the church of Christ, enfeebled and defective as it may be, is the only object on earth on which He bestows His supreme regard. While He extends to all the world His invitation to come to Him and be saved, He commissions His angels to render divine help to every soul that cometh to Him in repentance and contrition, and He comes personally by His Holy Spirit into the midst of His Church.	[160] But the church of Christ, enfeebled and defective as it may be, is that only object on earth on which he bestows his supreme regard.... While he extends his sceptre, and despatches his angels to every part of the world, he engages to come personally into the midst of his church, and to honor their prayers and decisions by regarding them as laws for his own conduct. The church is his mystical body and he is present as the vital head, living through all its members. [160] He has it in prospect to collect a large revenue of glory from the earth; and his church is the repository in which all that wealth is stored, preparatory to its full and final display.
*Christ's Object Lessons* E. G. White 1900	*Lectures on the Parables of Our Saviour* Edward Kirk 1856
[17] The Scripture says, "All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables... that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."	[6] Matthew tells us that his preaching in parables was alluded to prophetically in the 78th Psalm: "I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."
[22] Among the multitudes that gathered about Him, there were priests and rabbis, scribes and elders, Herodians and rulers, world-loving, bigoted, ambitious men, who desired above all things to find some accusation against Him. Their spies followed His steps day after day, to catch from His lips something that would cause His condemnation.... He presented truth in such a way that they could find nothing by which to bring His case before the Sanhedrin. In parables He rebuked the hypocrisy and wicked works.	[10] Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, elders and priests; proud, earthly, ignorant, bigoted, envious and murderous, were continually acting as spies around him. It was therefore indispensable that he should avoid giving them any ground of accusation before the Sanhedrin, the civil tribunal, or the people. While then he gives them tremendous thrusts, his meaning is so couched in imagery, that they never got a plausible charge against him.
[50] The gospel seed often falls among thorns and noxious weeds.... Grace can thrive only in the heart that is being constantly prepared for the precious seeds of truth. ... But grace must be carefully cultivated.... [51] Christ specified the things that are dangerous to the soul. As recorded by Mark He mentions the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things.	[235-6] Since Adam's apostasy, thorns and thistles and noxious herbs have found the soil of the earth peculiarly congenial to their growth ... while grace thrives only by careful cultivation.... He specifys them to be — cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches, and desires of other things.
[58] The "honest and good heart" of which the parable speaks, is not a heart without sin; for the gospel is to be preached to the lost. Christ said, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Mark 2:17. He has an honest heart, who yields to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He confesses his guilt, and feels his need of the mercy and love of God.	[285] "Good and honest hearts" cannot here mean hearts without sin; for, in that case, there would be no Gospel for them. Christ says: "I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." An honest heart is one that acknowledges its wrong. There is no honesty in any of us denying that we are sinful before God, and sinners against him.
*Christ's Object Lessons* E. G. White 1900	*The Parables of Our Saviour* William M. Taylor 1886
[103] In ancient times it was customary for men to hide their treasures in the earth. Thefts and robberies were frequent. And whenever there was a change in the ruling power, those who had large possessions were liable to be put under heavy tribute. Moreover, the country was in constant danger of invasion by marauding armies. As a consequence, the rich endeavored to preserve their wealth by concealing it, and the earth was looked upon as a safe hiding place. But often the place of concealment was forgotten; death might claim the owner, imprisonment or exile might separate him from his treasure, and the wealth... was left for the fortunate finder.	[70] In those ancient days, there was little trade in which men could embark; no banks in which they could lodge their money, and no safe-deposit vaults on whose security they could depend ... so they very commonly buried them in the earth. It often happened, however, that, when a man had thus concealed his treasure, the secret of the place into which he had put it died with himself.... For the times were unsettled; and a sudden invasion of enemies might lead many to hide their riches in the ground.
[280] We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity.... Those who refuse to co-operate with God on earth would not co-operate with Him in heaven.... The son who for a time refused obedience to his father's command was not condemned by Christ; and neither was he commended.... [281] Their frankness is not to be regarded as a virtue.... The fact that a man is not a hypocrite does not make him any the less really a sinner.... When the call comes, "Go work today in My vineyard," do not refuse the invitation. "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts."... [281] The mold of your mind and your familiarity with evil will make it difficult for you to distinguish between right and wrong... [282] "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." 2 Peter 1:2-7.	[124-130] Observe... that the Lord does not express approval, and did not intend to approve, of the conduct of the first son... because he is not a hypocrite, he tries to make himself believe that he is not a sinner at all... open frankness of their iniquity is a virtue ... you cannot dissever the present from the future; and in the moral world, as in the natural, you shall reap what you sow... for sin may have weakened your resolution, and taken your will captive.... "Go work to-day in my vineyard."... "To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."... "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." 2 Peter 1:2-7.
*Christ's Object Lessons* E. G. White 1900	*Walks and Homes of Jesus* Daniel March 1856
[196] The value of a soul, who can estimate? Would you know its worth, go to Gethsemane, and there watch with Christ through those hours of anguish. ... Look upon the Saviour uplifted on the cross. Hear that despairing cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"... For our redemption, heaven itself was imperiled. At the foot of the cross... you may estimate the value of a soul.	[330] And our own greatness, the infinite price at which God estimates the value of the human soul, is best seen in the greatness of the ransom paid for our redemption. ... In the mystery and glory of the cross, we can best learn the price at which God estimates the value of man. How many worlds are upheld by the power of him who cried in agony upon the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
*Christ's Object Lessons* E. G. White 1900	*Philosophy of Health* Larkin B. Coles 1853
[347] Transgression of physical law is transgression of the moral law; for God is as truly the author of physical laws as He is the author of the moral law.	[137] To transgress physical law is transgressing God's law; for he is as truly the Author of physical law as he is Author of the moral law.
*Christ's Object Lessons* (cont'd)	*The Great Teacher* John Harris 1836 (1870 ed.)
[386] Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compartment of the temple, that every soul may have free access to God.	[71] He came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compartment in the temple of creation, that every worshipper might have free and equal access to the God of the temple.
*Gospel Workers* E. G. White 1915	*The Great Teacher* John Harris 1836 (1870 ed.)
[43] Where He had passed, the objects of His compassion were rejoicing in health, and making trial of their new-found powers. Crowds were collecting around them to hear from their lips the works that the Lord had wrought. His voice was the first sound that many had ever heard, His name the first word they had ever spoken, His face the first they had ever looked upon. Why should they not love Jesus, and sound His praise? As He passed through the towns and cities, He was like a vital current, diffusing life and joy.	[251] Where he had passed, the restored might be seen making trial of their new-found powers; listeners formed into groups, to hear the tale of healing. ... His voice was the first sound which many of them heard; his name the first word they had pronounced; his blessed form the first sight they had ever beheld. ... He went through the land like a current of vital air, an element of life, diffusing health and joy wherever he appeared.
*Gospel Workers* E. G. White 1915	*Night Scenes in the Bible* Daniel March 1868-1870
[320] Christ sought for men wherever he could find them, — in the public streets, in private houses, in the synagogues, by the seaside. He toiled all day, preaching to the multitude, and healing the sick that were brought to Him; and frequently, after He had dismissed the people that they might return to their homes to rest and sleep, He spent the entire night in prayer, to come forth and renew His labors in the morning.	[334] He sought for men wherever he could find them — in the public street, in the private house, in the synagogue or by the sea-side. He toiled all day in the work of healing and instruction, and then spent the night in solitary prayer, only to come forth again and renew his labor amid all the noise and conflict of the world.
*Counsels to Teachers* E. G. White 1913	*The Great Teacher* John Harris 1836 (1870 ed.)
[28] He came to sow the world with truth. He held the keys of all the treasures of wisdom, and was able to open doors to science, and to reveal undiscovered stores of knowledge, were it essential to salvation.... [29] He urged upon men the necessity of prayer, repentance, confession, and the abandonment of sin.	[26] He held the key of all the treasures of wisdom; and he distributed of its stores.... He had come to sow the earth with truth.... [27] [He had] an outline ... which should form the scope of his teaching ... the necessity of prayer, repentance, and holiness.... [51] He could have uttered a single sentence... furnishing a key to many a mystery, and affording a glimpse of arcana before unknown.
[262] The Saviour's entire life was characterized by disinterested benevolence and the beauty of holiness.	[45] The whole of his course was a history of pure, disinterested benevolence.
[358] Other blessings they desire; but that which God is more willing to give than a father is to give good gifts to his children; that which is offered abundantly, according to the infinite fulness of God, and which, if received, would bring all other blessings in its train.	[147] Other blessings are desired; but this, which would bring all blessings in its train, which is offered in an abundance corresponding to its infinite plenitude — an abundance, of which the capacity of the recipient is to be the only limit.
*Education* E. G. White 1903	*[Adventist] Review, Vol. 37, No. 6, Jan. 1871* [A filler "selection" from an unidentified author.]
[57] The greatest want of the world is the want of men — men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.	[47] The great want of this age is men. Men who are not for sale. Men who are honest, sound from center to circumference, true to the heart's core — men who will condemn wrong in a friend or foe, in themselves as well as others. Men whose consciences are as steady as the needle to the pole. Men who will stand for the right if the heavens totter and the earth reel.
*Education* (cont'd)	*Our Father's House* Daniel March 1871
[118] The eagle of the Alps is sometimes beaten down by the tempest into the narrow defiles of the mountains. Storm clouds, shut in this mighty bird of the forest, their dark masses separating her from sunny heights where she has made her home. Her efforts to escape seem fruitless. She dashes to and fro, beating the air with her strong wings, and waking the mountain echoes with her cries. At length, with a note of triumph, she darts upward, and, piercing the clouds, is once more in the clear sunlight, with the darkness and tempest far beneath. So we may be surrounded with difficulties, discouragement, and darkness. Falsehood, calamity, injustice, shut us in. There are clouds that we cannot dispel. We battle with circumstances in vain. There is one, and but one, way of escape. The mists and fogs cling to the earth; beyond the clouds God's light is shining. Into the sunlight of His presence we may rise on the wings of faith.	[254] The eagle of the Alps is sometimes beaten down by the tempest into the narrow defiles of the mountains. The clouds in black and angry masses sweep between the mighty bird and the sunny heights where she builds her nests and basks in the full day. For a while she dashes to and fro, buffeting the storm with her strong wings and waking the echoes of the mountains with her wild cry, vainly endeavoring to find some way out of her dark and high-walled prison. At length she dashes upward with a scream of triumph into the midst of the black clouds, and in a moment she is above them in the calm sunshine, with the darkness and the tempest all beneath, the light of heaven shining in full blaze upon her conquering pinions, and her loved home on the lofty crag in full sight waiting to receive her. It is through the darkness that she rushes into the light. It is by a mighty effort to ascend that she leaves the clouds and the storms of earth beneath. So by a firm decision and a mighty effort must we rise above all the clouds of doubt and fear to the serene heights of faith and peace in God. So through the darkness of trouble and conflict and death must we pass into heaven's eternal day.
*Education* (cont'd)	*The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life* Hannah W. Smith 1883 (1971 ed.)
[289] The will is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or choice. [47] What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice.	[57] Now, the truth is, that this life is not to be lived in the emotions at all, but in the will.... Fenelon says, somewhere, that "pure religion resides in the will alone." By this he means that, as the will is the governing power in the man's nature, if the will is set right, all the rest of the nature must come into harmony. By the will, I do not mean the wish of man, or even his purpose, but the deliberate choice, the deciding power, the king, to which all that is in the man must yield obedience.... It is sometimes thought that the emotions are the governing power in our nature....
*The Ministry of Healing* E. G. White 1905	*The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life* Hannah W. Smith 1883 (1971 ed.)
[176] The tempted one needs to understand the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man — the power of decision, of choice. They do not choose to serve Him.... But we can choose to serve God, we can give Him our will; then He will work in us to will and to do according to His good pleasure.	Previous text for comparison: [57] Now, the truth is, that this life is not to be lived in the emotions at all, but in the will.... Fenelon says, somewhere, that "pure religion resides in the will alone." ... By the will, I do not mean the wish of man, or even his purpose, but the deliberate choice, the deciding power, the king, to which all that is in the man must yield obedience....
*Testimonies, Vol. 5* E. G. White 1889	*The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life* Hannah W. Smith 1883 (1971 ed.)
[513] Pure religion has to do with the will. The will is the governing power in the nature of man, bringing all the other faculties under its sway. The will is not the taste or the inclination, but it is the deciding power which works in the children of men unto obedience to God or unto disobedience.	Previous text for comparison: [57] Now, the truth is, that this life is not to be lived in the emotions at all, but in the will.... Fenelon says, somewhere, that "pure religion resides in the will alone." ... By the will, I do not mean the wish of man, or even his purpose, but the deliberate choice, the deciding power, the king, to which all that is in the man must yield obedience....
*Evangelism* E. G. White 1946	*The Great Teacher* John Harris 1836 (1870 ed.)
[148] The Prince of teachers sought access to the people by the pathway of their most familiar associations. He presented the truth in such a way that ever after it was to His hearers intertwined with their most hallowed recollections and sympathies. He taught in a way that made them feel the completeness of His identification with their interests and happiness.... Christ drew many of his illustrations and lessons from the great treasure house of nature (Letter 213, 1902).	[55] He sought access to their minds by the beaten pathway of their most familiar associations; he insinuated and intertwined his divine instruction with the network of their most hallowed recollections and sympathies; thus providing for it the easiest mode of admission into their hearts, and making them feel that his identification with their nature and interest was complete. He drew his images and illustrations from the great treasury of our household affections, and from the most familiar features of nature.
*Evangelism* E. G. White 1946	*The Higher Christian Life* William E. Broadman 1871
[614] Such representations ... are made: "The Father is as the light invisible; the Son is as the light embodied; the Spirit is the light shed abroad." "The Father is like the dew, invisible vapor; the Son is like the dew gathered in beauteous form; the Spirit is like the dew fallen to the seat of life." Another representation: "The Father is like the invisible vapor; the Son is like the leaden cloud; the Spirit is rain fallen and working in refreshing power." They are imperfect, untrue. ... These are mere earthly things, suffering under the curse of God because of the sins of man.... The Father is all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight. The Son is all the fullness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace.	[90] The Father is as the Light invisible. The Son is as the Light embodied. The Spirit is as the light shed down.... The Father is like the dew in invisible vapor. The Son is like the dew gathered in beauteous form. The Spirit is like the dew fallen to the seat of life.... The Father is like the invisible vapor. The Son is as the laden cloud and falling rain. The Spirit is the rain fallen, and working in refreshing power. These likenings are all imperfect... poor and earthly at best... The Father is all the fulness of the Godhead invisible. The Son is all the fulness of the Godhead manifested.... The Spirit is all the fulness of the Godhead making manifest.
*Counsels on Stewardship* E. G. White 1940	*Mammon* John Harris 1836
[326] The Lord designs that the death of His servants shall be regarded as a loss, because of the influence for good which they exerted and the many willing offerings which they bestowed to replenish the treasury of God. Dying legacies are a miserable substitute for living benevolence.... But many professed Christians put off the claims of Jesus in life, and insult Him by giving Him a mere pittance at death. [327] Let all of this class remember that this robbery of God is not an impulsive action, but a well-considered plan which they preface by saying, "Being of sound mind." After having defrauded the cause of God through life, they perpetuate the fraud after death. And this is with the full consent of all the powers of the mind. Such a will many are content to cherish for a dying pillow. Their will is a part of their preparation for death.	[199] You are reversing that Divine arrangement which would have caused your death to be deprecated as a loss, and you are voluntarily classing yourself with the refuse of society, whose death is regarded as a gain.... [200] Dying charity is a miserable substitute for living benevolence.... [201] This robbery of the Christian cause... is your will; not a mere passing thought, not a precipitate, unconsidered act, but an act which you formally preface with saying, that you perform it "being in sound mind."... [202] After having defrauded the cause of Christ of your property during life, you take the most effective measures to perpetuate the fraud after death; and you do this with the full consent of all the powers of your mind.... This is your will, which you are content to have for a dying pillow. ... Your will — and, therefore, a part of your preparation for death!
*Fundamentals of Christian Education* E. G. White 1923	*The Great Teacher* John Harris 1836 (1870 ed.)
[177] He held the keys to all the treasures of wisdom. ... He urged upon men the necessity of prayer, repentance, confession, and the abandonment of sin. ... — Review and Herald, Nov. 17, 1891.	[26] He held the key of all the treasures of wisdom ... the necessity of prayer, repentance, and holiness.
[237] He could have opened mysteries which patriarchs and prophets desired to look into, which human curiosity has been impatiently desirous of understanding.... Jesus did not disdain to repeat old, familiar truths; for He was the author of these truths. He was the glory of the temple. Truths which had been lost sight of, which had been misplaced, misinterpreted, and disconnected from their pure position, He separated from the companionship of error; and showing them as precious jewels in their own bright luster, He reset them in their proper framework, and commanded them to stand fast forever.... —Review and Herald, Nov. 28, 1893.	[51] He could have uttered a single sentence, which, by furnishing a key to many a mystery, and affording a glimpse of arcana before unknown, would have collected and concentrated around it the busy thoughts of each successive generation to the close of time.... He disdained not the repetition of old and familiar truths. ... Truths, which the lapse of time had seen displaced and disconnected from their true position, as stars are said to have wandered from their primal signs, he recalled and established anew; and principles, which had faded, disappeared, and been lost, as stars are said to have become extinct, he rekindled and resphered, and commanded them to stand fast forever.
Note: [Comparer également les chapitres d'Ellen G. White dans Fundamentals of Christian Education : "The Teacher of Truth," pp. 174-80, "Christ as Teacher," pp. 236-41, "True Education," pp. 405-15, and "The True Higher Education," pp. 429-37 avec The Great Teacher de John Harris.]
*Testimonies, Vol. 1* E. G. White 1868	*Sketches of Christian Life and Public Labor of William Miller* James White 1875
[51] Worldly business was for the most part laid aside for a few weeks. We carefully examined every thought and emotion of our hearts, as if upon our deathbeds and in a few hours to close our eyes forever upon earthly scenes. There was no making of "ascension robes" for the great event.	[298] "During the last ten days, secular business was, for the most part, suspended; and those who looked for the advent gave themselves to the work of preparation for that event, as they would for death, were they on a bed of sickness expecting soon to close their eyes on earthly scenes forever.... [299] "The fact that many suspended their business for a few days was censured by opponents."
*Testimonies, Vol. 1* E. G. White 1868	*History of the Sabbath* J. N. Andrews 1862
[76] I was shown that if the true Sabbath had always been kept, there would never have been an infidel or an atheist. The observance of the Sabbath would have preserved the world from idolatry.	Had the Sabbath always been observed by all as God ordained it, there never would have been an atheist, an infidel, an agnostic, or an idolater in the world. [Review and Herald, 12 May 1853; History of the Sabbath, 1912 ed., p.]
*Testimonies, Vol. 1* E. G. White 1868	*Mammon* John Harris 1836
[194] The greatest sin which now exists in the church is covetousness. God frowns upon His professed people for their selfishness.	[53] If selfishness be the prevailing form of sin, covetousness may be regarded as the prevailing form of selfishness.
*Testimonies, Vol. 2* E. G. White 1885	*Philosophy of Health* Larkin Cole 1853
[60] Your family have partaken largely of flesh meats, and the animal propensities have been strengthened, while the intellectual have been weakened.... [63] Yet we do not hesitate to say that flesh meat is not necessary for health or strength. ... Its use excites the animal propensities to increased activity and strengthens the animal passions. When the animal propensities are increased, the intellectual and moral powers are decreased. The use of the flesh of animals tends to cause a grossness of body.... [70] It is just as much sin to violate the laws of our being as to break one of the Ten Commandments, for we cannot do either without breaking God's law.	[230] Meat-eating, especially in the excessive proportion of its present use, has also its moral bearings. By its stimulating properties, it acts on the animal organs of the brain, increasing the activity of the animal propensities. While it gives no additional strength ... it makes us more animal and less intellectual and moral.... [64] Flesh-eating is certainly not necessary to health or strength.... [67] There can be no question but that the use of flesh tends to create a grossness of body and spirit.... [216] It is as truly a sin against Heaven, to violate a law of life, as to break one of the ten commandments.
*Testimonies, Vol. 2* E. G. White 1885	*Cause of Exhausted Vitality* Eli Peck Miller 1867
[391] Moral pollution has done more than every other evil to cause the race to degenerate. It is practiced to an alarming extent and brings on disease of almost every description. Even very small children, infants, being born with natural irritability of the sexual organs, find momentary relief in handling them... until a habit is established which increases with their growth. These children, generally puny and dwarfed, are prescribed for by physicians ... but the evil is not removed.... [403] Steady industry upon a farm would have proved a blessing to these children, and constant employment, as their strength could bear, would have given them less opportunity to corrupt their bodies.... [409] Young girls are not as a general thing clear of the crime of self-abuse. They practice it, and, as a result, their constitutions are being ruined. Some who are just entering womanhood are in danger of paralysis of the brain....	[34] Self-abuse ... is an evil more damning than any other to which mankind is subject.... [35] Many children are born with this propensity, and the habit is commenced in infancy, or in early childhood, by handling the genital organs; the friction and irritation giving rise to a peculiar kind of excitement. ... The habit formed at this early age is usually kept up till after puberty, if the system does not earlier succumb to the effects. The little, puny, sickly, dwarfed ... children ... are many of them examples of this habit. [39] Self-abuse opens the door for ... almost every disease from which humanity suffers.... [43] The habit of self-abuse is practiced amongst girls as well as boys.... [110] Physical training either upon the farm, in the workshop, or the gymnasium... is indispensable.
*Testimonies, Vol. 3* E. G. White 1885	*Night Scenes in the Bible* Daniel March 1868-1870
[322] Christ sought for men wherever He could find them — in the public streets, in private houses, in the synagogues, by the seaside. He toiled all day, preaching to the multitude and healing the sick that were brought to Him; and frequently, after He had dismissed the people that they might return to their homes to rest and sleep, He spent the entire night in prayer, to come forth and renew His labors in the morning.	[334] He sought for men wherever he could find them — in the public street, in the private house, in the synagogue or by the sea-side. He toiled all day in the work of healing and instruction, and then spent the night in solitary prayer, only to come forth again and renew his labor amid all the noise and conflict of the world.
[323] While you take counsel with your doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that you cannot see clearly before you have faith, your perplexities will only increase and deepen.... You may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of your Redeemer is bending over you in compassion and love, but this is even so. You may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon you in love and pitying tenderness.	[336] While we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve the problem of the universe in the cabinets and laboratories of science, or to explore the depths of eternity with the feeble taper of human reason, we shall only increase our perplexity and deepen our disappointment.... [339] We see no face bending over us with looks of compassion. No voice answers to our humble cry. No hand is let down for us to grasp.... And yet in all prayer the heart pours itself forth to One whose awful presence is deeply felt....
[368] My mind goes back to faithful Abraham ... in a night vision at Beersheba.... With a breaking heart and unnerved hand, he takes the fire. ... Father and son build the altar, and the terrible moment comes for Abraham to make known to Isaac that which has agonized his soul all that long journey, that Isaac himself is the victim. Isaac is not a lad; he is a full-grown young man. He could have refused to submit... had he chosen to do so. He does not accuse his father of insanity.... He submits.... This act of faith in Abraham is recorded for our benefit.... By Abraham's obedience we are taught that nothing is too precious for us to give to God.... [369] To Abraham no mental torture could be equal....	[58] Now it is settled beyond all question in Abraham's mind that the voice in the night vision at Beersheba was a reality.... With a trembling hand and a breaking heart he takes the fire and the knife. ... The altar is built by the hands of both.... The father must tell the son the awful message which he has carried in his own bleeding heart through all the long journey. Isaac himself must be slain. ... It must be with his own consent if he is offered at all. For he is a full-grown man.... [59] And does he now conclude that the old man has become insane ... ? Which was most to be pitied it were hard to tell — the father... or the son who submits in silence.... [60] And this great act of faith shines forth.... Nothing is too precious for us to give to God.... [61] No trial, no mental torture could possibly have been greater.
*Testimonies, Vol. 4* E. G. White 1885	*Philosophy of Health* Larkin Coles 1853
[60] The sympathy which exists between the mind and the body is very great. When one is affected, the other responds. The condition of the mind has much to do with the health of the physical system. If the mind is free and happy... it will create a cheerfulness that will react upon the whole system, causing a freer circulation of the blood....	[127] The sympathy existing between the mind and the body is so great, that when one is affected, both are affected.... This state of mind has much to do with the healthy action of the physical system. A cheerful and happy mind gives a free and easy circulation in the nervous system.
*Testimonies, Vol. 4* E. G. White 1885	*Night Scenes in the Bible* Daniel March 1868-1870
[144] Abraham was an old man when he received the startling command from God to offer up his son Isaac for a burnt offering. Abraham was considered an old man even in his generation. The ardor of his youth had faded away. It was no longer easy for him to endure hardships and brave dangers.... The loss of such a son by disease would have been most heart-rending to the fond father, it would have bowed his whitened head with sorrow. ... [145] He did not say: "My hairs are gray, the vigor of my manhood is gone; who will comfort my waning life when Isaac is no more?"	[45] Abraham was an hundred and twenty years old when he received the strange and startling command to offer his only and beloved son Isaac for a burnt offering.... He already passed for an aged man, even upon the longer average of human life in his time.... His heart had lost much of the fervid and hopeful feeling of youth. ... It was no longer easy for him to bend before... affliction.... [47] It would have been enough to break an old man's heart to lose such a son by the ordinary course of sickness and death.... [48] How much more must the loss ... bring down the gray hairs of age with sorrow....
*Testimonies, Vol. 4* E. G. White 1885	*The Ministry of Healing* Adoniram J. Gordon 1882
[280] I realized that I was sick and had but little strength— In great distress I silently called upon God.... [281] The Spirit of the Lord rested upon me as I attempted to speak. Like a shock of electricity I felt it upon my heart, and all pain was instantly removed. ... My left arm and hand had become nearly useless... but natural feeling was now restored.	[189] I was in communion with my heavenly Father.... Up to this time there was no cessation from suffering or increase of strength. As I said before, I was weaker than usual.... [190] It seemed as if heaven were at that moment opened, and I was conscious of a baptism of strength... as if an electric shock had passed through my system. I felt definitely the strength come into my back... into my helpless limbs.
*Testimonies, Vol. 4* (cont'd)	*Walks and Homes of Jesus* Daniel March 1856
[374] It will do you good, and our ministers generally, to frequently review the closing scenes in the life of our Redeemer.... It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour each day reviewing the life of Christ. ... We should take it point by point and let the imagination vividly grasp each scene, especially the closing ones of His earthly life.... By contemplating ... we may strengthen our faith, quicken our love. We must all learn the lesson of penitence and faith at the foot of the cross.	[313] Nevertheless it will do us all good, frequently and solemnly to review the closing scenes in the Saviour's earthly life ... spending a thoughtful hour, in the endeavor to strengthen our faith and quicken our love at the foot of the cross. [314] We may learn... the lesson of penitence at the foot of the cross.
*Testimonies, Vol. 4* (cont'd)	*Night Scenes in the Bible* Daniel March 1868-1870
[444] There are deep mysteries in the word of God, which will never be discovered. ... There are also unsearchable mysteries in the plan of redemption. God's providence is a continual school, in which He is ever leading men to see the true aims of life. None are too young, and none too old, to learn in this school by paying diligent heed to the lessons taught by the divine Teacher.... By the wanderers His voice is heard, saying: "This is the way, walk ye in it."	[98] There are deep mysteries in the word of God — unsearchable mysteries in Divine Providence — mysteries past finding out in the plan of redemption.... [99] God's providence is the school in which he is ever setting before us the true aims of life.... None are too young, none are too old to learn, if only they heed the Divine Teacher... who whispers to the wanderer, "This is the way — walk ye in it."
*Testimonies, Vol. 4* (cont'd)	*Mammon* John Harris 1836
[480] Those who wait till death before they make a disposition of their property, surrender it to death rather than to God.... That which many propose to defer until they are about to die, if they were Christians indeed they would do while they have a strong hold on life. ... By becoming their own executors, they could meet the claims of God themselves.... We should regard ourselves as stewards ... and God as the supreme proprietor.... [481] In making their wills daily, they will remember those objects and friends that hold the largest place in their affections. ... This robbery of God is ... a well-considered plan which they preface by saying, "Being in sound mind." After having defrauded the cause of God through life they perpetuate the fraud after death.	[197] For he who withholds his hand from deeds of benevolence till his last hour, surrenders his property to death, rather than devotes it to God.... [198] What you are proposing to defer till the period of your natural death, the Christian, if he acts in harmony with his profession ... will be his own executor. ... You profess to regard ... God as its supreme Proprietor. ... [201] You naturally remember those persons and objects which hold the dearest place in your affections; your supreme friend is Christ.... You perform it [this robbery of the Christian cause] "being of sound mind."... [202] After having defrauded the cause of Christ of your property during life... you take the most effective measures to perpetuate the fraud after death.
*Testimonies, Vol. 5* E. G. White 1889	*Mammon* (cont'd)
[155] Dying charity is a poor substitute for living benevolence.... The cause of Christ is robbed, not by a mere passing thought, not by an unpremeditated act.	[200] Dying charity is a miserable substitute for living benevolence.... [201] This robbery of the Christian cause... [is] your will; not a mere passing thought, not a precipitated, unconsidered act.
[204] Selfishness, the sin of the world, has become the prevailing sin of the church.	[32] Selfishness, the sin of the world, has become the prevailing sin of the church.
*Testimonies, Vol. 5* E. G. White 1889	*The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life* Hannah W. Smith 1883 (1971 ed.)
[513] The will is the governing power in the nature of man, bringing all the other faculties under its sway. The will is not the taste or the inclination, but it is the deciding power which works in the children of men unto obedience to God or unto disobedience. You are a young man of intelligence; you desire to make your life such as will fit you for heaven at last. You are often discouraged at finding yourself weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits and customs of your old life in sin. You find your emotional nature untrue to yourself.... Nothing seems real.... The more you struggle in doubt, the more unreal everything looks to you. ... You regard in the same unreal light the words and works of those in whom you should trust.... [513] Your promises ... are of no value until you put your will on the side of faith and action.... Your feelings, your impressions, your emotions, are not to be trusted.... You must be determined to believe, although nothing seems true and real to you.... [514] It is for you to yield up your will to the will of Jesus Christ; and as you do this, God will immediately take possession and work in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.... Even your thoughts will be subject to Him. You cannot control your impulses, your emotions, as you may desire; but you can control the will.... Will you not say, "I will give my will to Jesus, and I will do it now," and from this moment be wholly on the Lord's side? ... Give Satan no chance to say: "You are a wretched hypocrite. ... Say, "I will believe, I do believe that God is my helper," and you will find that you are triumphant in God. By steadfastly keeping the will on the Lord's side, every emotion will be brought into captivity to the will of Jesus. ... It will take, at times, every particle of will power which you possess.... Talk faith. Keep on God's side of the line.... [515] But you must remember that your will is the spring of all your actions. This will, that forms so important a factor in the character of man, was at the Fall given into the control of Satan; and he has ever since been working in man to will and to do of his own pleasure.... "Yield yourself up to Me; give Me that will; take it from the control of Satan, and I will take possession of it; then I can work in you to will and to do of My good pleasure." When He gives you the mind of Christ, your will becomes as His will....	[58] A young man of great intelligence, seeking to enter into this new life, was utterly discouraged at finding himself the slave to an inveterate habit of doubting. To his emotions nothing seemed real; and the more he struggled, the more unreal did it all become. He was told this secret concerning the will, that if he would only put his will over on the believing side, if he would choose to believe, if, in short, he would in this Ego of his nature say ... "I will believe! I do believe!" he need not then trouble about his emotions. ... Your part then is simply to put your will, in this matter of believing, over on God's side, making up your mind that you will believe what He says because He says it, and that you will not pay any regard to the feelings that make it seem so unreal.... The young man paused a moment, and then said solemnly, "I understand, and will do what you say. I cannot control my emotions, but I can control my will.... I can give my will to God, and I do." [58] From that moment, disregarding all the pitiful clamoring of his emotions, which continually accused him of being a wretched hypocrite this young man held on... until at the end of a few days he found himself triumphant, with ... every thought brought into captivity to the power of the Spirit of God— [59] At times it had drained all the will power he possessed ... so contrary was it to all the evidence of his senses or of his emotions.... But he had caught the idea... that if he kept on God's side, he was doing all he could do. [59] The secret lies just here, — that our will, which is the spring of all our actions, has been in the past under the control of sin and self, and these have worked in us all their own good pleasure. But now God calls upon us to yield our wills up unto Him, that He may take the control of them, and may work in us to will and to do His good pleasure. If we will obey this call, and present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice, He will take possession of our surrendered wills, and will begin at once to work in us.... [60] Cease to consider your emotions.... [61] It is not the feelings of the man God wants, but the man himself.
*Testimonies, Vol. 6* (cont'd) E. G. White 1900	*The Great Teacher* John Harris 1836 (1870 ed.)
[159] The Great Teacher who came down from heaven has not directed teachers to study... great authors.... He says, "Come unto Me."... [160] They must see its freedom from formalism and tradition, and appreciate the originality, the authority, the spirituality, the tenderness, the benevolence, and the practicability of His teaching ... [363] By His appointment He has placed at His altar an Advocate clothed with our nature. As our Intercessor, His office work is to introduce us to God as His sons and daughters. Christ intercedes in behalf of those who have received Him. To them He gives power, by virtue of His own merits....	[18] [From the Introduction.] The book contains five Essays of considerable length, and on the following important topics: — I. The Authority of our Lord's Teaching. II. The Originality of our Lord's Teaching. ... III. The Spirituality of our Lord's Teaching. ... IV. The Tenderness and Benevolence of our Lord's Teaching. V. The Practicalness of our Lord's Teaching. [108] He has placed at the altar before it an Advocate clothed in our own nature. ... Our Intercessor assures us... that, if he accompanies and introduces us to God... it is... for us. [107] On the intercession of Christ in their behalf, the Father lays open all... his grace. By empowering his people to employ the argument of his name, he is... placing the fund of his merit at their disposal.
[364] And the Father demonstrates His infinite love for Christ, who paid our ransom with His blood, by receiving and welcoming Christ's friends as His friends. He is satisfied with the atonement made. He is glorified by the incarnation, the life, death, and mediation of His Son.... [364] As Christ intercedes in our behalf, the Father lays open all the treasures of His grace for our appropriation, to be enjoyed and to be communicated to others. "Ask in my name," Christ says; "I do not say that I will pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loveth you, because you have loved Me. Make use of My name. This will give your prayers efficiency, and the Father will give you the riches of His grace; wherefore, 'ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.'"	[107] The Father demonstrates his infinite love to Christ, by receiving and welcoming the friends of Christ as his own friends. He has pledged himself to do so, and he is so complacently delighted with Christ, — so fully satisfied with the atonement he has made, — feels himself so unspeakably glorified by the incarnation and life, the death and mediation, of Christ, by all that he has done for the honor of the divine government and the salvation of man.... The Father lays open all the treasures of his grace for their appropriation and use. "Yea," saith Christ, "ask in my name; and I do not say that I will pray the Father for you; for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me." "Make use of my name, and that will suffice; my name alone, without any entreaty on my part, would be a certain passport to my Father's heart, and to all the riches of his grace." "Wherefore ask and receive, that your joy may be full."
*Testimonies, Vol. 8* E. G. White 1904	*The Great Teacher* (cont'd.)
[178] In Christ's name our petitions ascend to the Father. He intercedes in our behalf, and the Father lays open all the treasures of His grace for our appropriation, for us to enjoy and impart to others. "Ask in My name," Christ says. "I do not say that I will pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loveth you. Make use of My name. This will give your prayers efficiency, and the Father will give you the riches of His grace. Wherefore ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."... Yes, Christ has become the medium of prayer between man and God. He has also become the medium of blessing between God and man.	[107] They come to his throne; and, on the intercession of Christ in their behalf, the Father lays open all the treasures of his grace for their appropriation and use. "Yea," saith Christ, "ask in my name; and I do not say that I will pray the Father for you; for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me." "Make use of my name, and that will suffice; my name alone, without any entreaty on my part, would be a certain passport to my Father's heart, and to all the riches of his grace." "Wherefore ask and receive, that your joy may be full."... [108] The Intercessor... having become the medium of prayer from man to God, he is rewarded by being made the medium of blessing from God to man.
*Testimonies, Vol. 9* E. G. White 1909	*Mammon* John Harris 1836
[50] God "gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." ... You are to make a gratitude offering.... Your time, your talent, your means — all are to flow to the world in a tide of love for the saving of the lost.... Jesus has made it possible for you to accept His love and in happy cooperation with Him to work.... He requires you to use your possessions in unselfish service. ... Would you make your property secure? Place it in the hand that bears the nailprint of the crucifixion. Retain it in your possession, and it will be to your eternal loss. Give it to God, and from that moment it bears His inscription. It is sealed with His immutability. Would you enjoy your substance? Then use [it] for the blessing of the suffering.	[253] "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."... [254] He invites you to accept that love and be happy. ... He only requires that the stream of gratitude should be poured into that channel... rolling through the world, and bearing blessings to the nations.... [262] Christian, would you render your property secure? Place it in the hand of omnipotent Faithfulness. Retain it in your own possession, and it is the proper emblem of uncertainty but devote it to God, and from that moment it is stamped with his immutability; his providence becomes your estate, and his word your unfailing security. Would you enjoy your substance? "Give alms of such things as you have."
*Advent Review & Sabbath Herald* E. G. White July 18, 1882	*Sermons, Vol. 1* Henry Melvill, B. D. 1846
[323, 324] In this first prophecy contained in the Scriptures is found an intimation of redemption. ... announces war between Satan and man. ... it was uttered in the hearing of our first parents, and hence must be regarded as a promise. ... But before they hear of the thorn and the thistle, the sorrow and anguish which should be their portion, and the dust to which they would return, they listen to words which must have inspired them with hope. ... Adam and Eve stood as criminals before their God, awaiting the sentence which transgression had incurred.... This enmity is supernaturally put and not naturally entertained. When man sinned, his nature became evil, and he was in harmony and not at variance with Satan. ... counted on securing their alliance and cooperation ... against... Heaven... no enmity between himself ... fallen angels.	[1-34] There can be no doubt that intimations of redemption were given to our guilty parents, ... announcing war between Satan and man. We have called the words a prophecy; ... they were spoken in the hearing of Adam and Eve, we must regard them also in the light of a promise. And it is well worth remark, that, before God told the woman of her sorrow and her trouble, and before he told the man of the thorn, and the thistle, and the dust to which he should return, he caused them to hear words which must have inspired them with hope.... they stood as criminals before God, expecting the sentence which disobedience had provoked.... The enmity, you observe, had no natural existence. ... As soon as man transgressed, his nature became evil, and therefore he was at peace, and not at war with the devil.... Satan and man would have formed alliance against heaven.... There is not, and cannot be, a native enmity between fallen angels and fallen man.
*Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4* E. G. White 1884	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd.)
[324-326] Satan tempted man to sin, as he had caused angels to rebel, that he might thus secure cooperation in his warfare against Heaven. There was no dissension between himself and the fallen angels... united in opposing ... Ruler of the universe ... Satan heard the declaration that enmity should exist between himself and the woman ... deprave human nature... by some means man was to be enabled to resist his power. ... This enmity is not naturally entertained....	This lofty spirit... if he could induce men, as he had induced angels, to join in rebellion, he should have them for allies in his every enterprise against heaven. There was nothing of enmity between himself and the spirits who had joined in the effort to dethrone the Omnipotent. ... though he had succeeded in depraving human nature, and thus assimilating it to his own, it should be renewed by some mysterious process, and wrought up to the lost power of resisting its conqueror. ... an enmity supernaturally put, and not naturally entertained.
*The Great Controversy* E. G. White 1884 (1911 ed.)	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd.)
[505-507] It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul. ... Without this converting grace and renewing power, man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding.... new principle in the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace.... man to resist the tyrant and.... to abhor sin instead of loving it... resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of a principle wholly from above. The antagonism that exists ... was most strikingly displayed in the world's reception of Jesus. ... purity and holiness... hatred of the ungodly. ... It was this that evoked enmity against the Son of God.... perpetual reproof to a proud, sensual people.... Satan and evil angels joined with evil men. All the energies of apostasy conspired against the Champion of truth.	[1-34] Unless God pour his converting grace into the soul... we shall continue to the end of our days his willing captives and servants. ... Introducing a new principle into the heart, he causes conflict where there had heretofore been peace, inclining and enabling man to rise against his tyrant.... whensoever you see an individual delivered from the love, and endowed with a hatred of sin, resisting those passions which held naturally sway within ... surveying the workings of a principle which is wholly from above.... Now the enmity was never put in such overpowering measure, as when the man Christ Jesus was its residence. ... Christ displayed precisely those powers. ... holiness of the Mediator which stirred up against him all the passions of a profligate world.... perpetual reproach on a proud and sensual generation.... evil angels conspired with evil men; and the whole energies of apostasy gathered themselves to the effort of destroying the champion of God and of truth....
*Prophets & Kings* E. G. White 1916	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd)
[701, 702] Satan could but bruise the heel, while by every act of humiliation or suffering Christ was bruising the head of His adversary... into the bosom of the Sinless... anguish.... He was paying the debt for sinful man and breaking the bondage.... Could Satan have induced Christ to yield to a single temptation, could he have led Him by one act or even thought... would have triumphed ... gained the whole human family to himself.	Satan was in the act of bruising Christ's heel, Christ was in the act of bruising Satan's head.... was made to empty all its pangs into the bosom of innocence.... with sorrow and anguish.... not an iota of his sufferings which went not towards liquidating the vast debt which man owed to God. ... If he could have seduced him into the commission of evil; if he could have profaned, by a solitary thought. ... and rising triumphant over man's surety, he (Satan) would have shouted, "Victory!"...
*Selected Messages, Vol. 1* E. G. White 1958	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd)
[343, 344] Christ is able to save to the uttermost because He ever liveth to make intercession for us.... No sin can be committed by man for which satisfaction has not been met on Calvary. ... continually proffers to the sinner a thorough expiation.... The typical shadows of the Jewish tabernacle no longer possess any virtue. A daily and yearly typical atonement is no longer to be made ... constant commission of sin.... Christ, our Mediator, and the Holy Spirit are constantly interceding in man's behalf, but the Spirit pleads not for us as does Christ, who presents His blood, shed from the foundation of the world ... prayers and penitence, praise and thanksgiving.... moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits.... perfumed with the merits of Christ's propitiation, the incense comes up before God wholly and entirely acceptable.	[35-65] Hence Christ is "able to save to the uttermost," on the very ground that "he ever liveth to make intercession:" seeing that no sin can be committed for which the satisfaction, made upon Calvary, proffers not an immediate and thorough expiation. ... the shadows of Jewish worship have been swept away, so that, day by day, and year by year, a typical atonement is no longer to be made, the constant commission of sin demand.... The Holy Ghost, as well as Christ Jesus, is said to make intercession for us. ... The Spirit pleads not for us as Christ pleads, holding up a cross, and pointing to wounds. ... though prayer and praise. ... unless moist with that mysterious dew which was wrung by anguish from the Mediator.... he holds in his hands the censer of his own merits, and, gathering into it the prayers and praises of his Church.... Perfumed with the odour of Christ's propitiation, the incense mounts; and God, in his condescension, accepts the offering, and breathes benediction in return.
*Testimonies, Vol. 4* E. G. White 1884	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd.)
[596] He asks your heart; give it to Him, it is His own. He asks your intellect; give it to Him, it is His own. He asks your money; give it to Him, it is His own. "Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price."	[66-94] He asks your heart; give it him; it is his own. He asks your intellect; give it him; it is his own. He asks your money; give it him; it is his own. Remember the words of the Apostle, "Ye are not your own; ye are bought with a price."
*Testimonies, Vol. 5* E. G. White 1889	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd.)
[736] None of us can do without the blessing of God, but God can do His work without the aid of man.... Angels of God, whose perceptions are unclouded by sin, recognize the endowments of heaven as bestowed ... be returned in such a way as to add to the glory....	No creature can do without God. But God could have done without creatures.... let the angel bestow that time upon that material, and let him bring the result as an oblation to his Maker.
*SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 6* E.G. White 1957	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd.)
[1100] "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gradually the Lord withdrew His Spirit. Removing His restraining power, He gave the king into the hands of the worst of all tyrants, -self.... Pharaoh sowed obstinacy, and he reaped obstinacy. He himself put this seed into the soil. There was no more need for God by some new power to interfere with its growth, than there is for Him to interfere with the growth of a grain of corn. All that is required... germinate ... after its kind.	[157-185] ... he may withdraw all the aids of the Spirit, and so give him over to that worst of all tyrants, himself. ... "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Pharaoh sowed obstinacy, and Pharaoh reaped obstinacy. The seed was put into the soil; and there was no need, any more than with the grain of corn, that God should interfere with any new power. Nothing more was required than that the seed should be left to vegetate, to act out its own nature.
*Testimonies, Vol. 5* E. G. White 1889	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd.)
[120, 121] We want... how the soul is destroyed... It is not that God sends out a decree that a man shall not be saved. He does not throw a darkness before the eyes which cannot be penetrated. But man at first resists a motion of the Spirit of God, and, having once resisted, it is less difficult to do so the second time, less the third, and far less the fourth. Then comes the harvest to be reaped from the seed of unbelief and resistance. Oh what a harvest of sinful indulgences. ... Conscience is the voice of God, heard amid the conflict of human passions; when it is resisted, the Spirit of God is grieved. ... When secret prayer and reading of the Scriptures are neglected today, tomorrow they can be omitted with less remonstrance of conscience. There will be a long list of omissions, all for a single grain sown in the soil of the heart.... The more we endeavor to explain the truth to others, with a love for souls, the plainer will it become to ourselves.	We greatly desire that you should rightly understand what the agency is through which the soul is destroyed. It is not that God hath sent out a decree against a man. It is not that he throws a darkness before his eyes which cannot be penetrated, and a chillness into his blood which cannot be thawed. ... He who has resisted once will have less difficulty in resisting the second time, and less than that the third time, and less than that the fourth time. So that there comes a harvest of resistances, and all from the single grain of the first resistance. ... And what is this but a harvest of sinful indulgences. ... Conscience is but the voice of Deity heard above the din of human passions. But let conscience be resisted, and the Spirit is grieved. You omit some portion of spiritual exercises, of prayer, or of the study of the word. The omission will grow upon you. You will omit more tomorrow, and more the next day, and still more the next. And thus there will be a harvest of omissions, and all from the solitary grain of the first omission.... The mere trying to make a point plain to another will oftentimes make it far plainer than ever to ourselves.
*Fundamentals of Christian Education* E. G. White 1923	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd.)
[377, 130, 84, 85] It carries us back through the centuries to the beginning of all things, presenting the history of times and scenes which otherwise never have been known. ... enlarge the mind of the candid student, it will endow it with new impulses and fresh vigor.... bringing them in contact with grand and far-reaching truths.... if the human mind becomes dwarfed and feeble and inefficient, it is because it is left to deal with commonplace subjects. ... The understanding takes the level of the things with which it becomes familiar.	[186-220] Travelling down to us across the waste of far-off centuries, it brings the history of times which must otherwise have been given up to conjecture and fable. ... enlarge the mind, and strengthen the intellect. There is nothing so likely to elevate, and endow with new vigour, our faculties, as the bringing them into contact with stupendous truths.... If the human mind grow dwarfish and enfeebled, it is, ordinarily, because left to deal with commonplace facts. ... The understanding will gradually bring itself down to the dimensions of the matters with which alone it is familiarized....
*Messages to Young People* Ellen G. White 1930	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd)
[254-255] ... the dignified simplicity of its inspired utterances, the elevated themes which it presents to the mind, the light, sharp and clear, from the throne of God, enlightening the understanding, will develop the powers of the mind....	The Bible, whilst the only book for the soul, is the best book for the intellect. The sublimity of the topics of which it treats; the dignified simplicity of its manner of handling them; the nobleness of the mysteries which it develops; the illumination which it throws on points the most interesting ... would be benefited by it intellectually.
*Advent Review & Sabbath Herald* July 11, 1881	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd)
[249] They may become acquainted ... parents... in Eden, in holy innocency. ... introduction of sin ... step by step. ... hold converse with patriarchs and prophets; he may move through the most inspiring scenes; he may behold Christ. ... In what sense are all the researches of human science comparable in sublimity and mystery with the science of the Bible.... "The entrance of thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple,"	... that converse should be held with the first parents of our race; that man should stand on this creation whilst its beauty was unsullied, and then mark the retinue of destruction careening with a dominant step over its surface ... to intercourse with patriarchs and prophets ... and behold the Godhead himself. ... In all the wide range of sciences, what science is there comparable, in its sublimity and difficulty, to the science of God? ... "the entrance of thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple."
*The Great Controversy* E. G. White (1911 ed.)	*Sermons, Vol. 1* (cont'd)
[596-600] The Roman Church reserves to the clergy the right to interpret the Scriptures.... that ecclesiastics alone are competent. ... thousands of professors of religion... hold than that they were so instructed by their religious leaders. ... yet we must not forget that the docility and submission of a child is the true spirit of the learner. Scriptural difficulties can never be mastered by the same methods that are employed in grappling with philosophical problems.... with that self-reliance with which so many enter the domains of science.... The Bible should never be studied without prayer. The Holy Spirit alone can cause us to feel the importance of those things... to prepare the heart so to comprehend God's word that we shall be charmed with its beauty, admonished by its warnings, or animated and strengthened by its promises. ... Scriptural difficulties can never be mastered by the same methods that are employed in grappling with philosophical problems.... which learned men pronounce a mystery, or pass over as unimportant, is full of comfort and instruction to him who has been taught in the school of Christ.... as on the singleness of purpose, the earnest longing after righteousness. ....All who value their eternal interests should be on their guard against the inroads of skepticism ... to keep beyond the reach of the sarcasms and sophisms, the insidious and pestilent teachings of modern infidelity. ... principles of Christianity.	[347-386] The Roman Catholic, when supporting the tenet of his Church ... will appeal confidently ... give the Apostle's authority to the measure of exclusion. ... he gives not the slightest intimation that the Epistles of St. Paul were unsuited to general use.... We would have it, therefore, remembered, that the docility and submissiveness of a child alone befit the student of the Bible; and that, if we would not have the whole volume darkened, its simplest truths eluding the grasp of our understanding, or gaining, at least, no hold on our affections, we must lay aside the feelings which we carry into the domains of science and philosophy. ... Never then should the Bible be opened except with prayer for the teachings of this Spirit. You will read without profit, as long as you read without prayer. It is only in the degree that the Spirit, which indited a text, takes it from the page and breathes it into the heart, that we can comprehend its meaning, be touched by its beauty, stirred by its remonstrance, or animated by its promise. We shall never, then, master scriptural difficulties by the methods which prove successful in grappling with philosophical. Why is it that the poor peasant, whose understanding is weak and undisciplined, has clear insight into the meaning of verses, and finds in them irresistible power and inexhaustible comfort, whilst the very same passages are given up as mysteries, or overlooked as unimportant, by the high and lettered champion of a scholastic theology? ...keep yourselves wholly at a distance from sarcasms or sophisms of insidious and pestilent teachers.... It is not possible that you should mix much with the men of this liberal... thrown out against the grand and saving tenets of Christianity.
*Testimonies, Vol. 8* E. G. White 1904	*Sermons, Vol. 2* Henry Melvill, B. D. 1851
[259-261] In dwelling upon the laws of matter and the laws of nature, ... if they do not deny, the continual and direct agency of God. They convey the idea that nature acts independently of God, having in and of itself its own limits and its own powers wherewith to work. In their minds there is a marked distinction between the natural and the supernatural. The natural is ascribed to ordinary causes, unconnected with the power of God. Vital power is attributed to matter, and nature is made a deity. It is supposed that matter is placed in certain relations and left to act from fixed laws with which God Himself cannot interfere; that nature is endowed with certain properties and placed subject to laws, and is then left to itself to obey these laws and perform the work originally commanded. This is false science; there is nothing in the word of God to sustain it. God does not annul His laws, but He is continually working through them, using them as His instruments. ... God is perpetually at work in nature.	[35-62] We shall consider the text as affirming, in the first place, the continual working of the Father: in the second place, the continual working of the Son: and we shall strive so to speak of each.... a tendency to the ... dwelling on the laws of matter, and the operations of nature, as to forget, if not deny, the continued agency of God.... we regarded nature as some agent quite distinct from deity, having its own sphere, and its own powers, in and with which to work. We are wont to draw a line between what we call natural, and what supernatural; assigning the latter to an infinite power, but ascribing the former to ordinary causes, unconnected with the immediate interference of God. ... we thus give energy to matter, and make a deity of nature.... to say that matter was endured with certain properties, and placed in certain relations, and then left to obey the laws, and perform the revolutions, originally impressed and commanded. This is ascribing a permanence.... We do not indeed suppose that God exerts any such agency as to supersede the laws, or nullify the properties, of matter. But we believe that He is continually acting by and through these laws and properties as his instruments, and not that these laws and properties are of themselves effecting the various occurrences in the material world. What is that nature, of which we rashly speak, but the Almighty perpetually at work?
*Patriarchs and Prophets* E. G. White 1890 (1913 ed.)	*Sermons, Vol. 2* Henry Melvill, B. D. 1851
[114, 115] It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth produces her bounties and continues her motion around the sun. The hand of God guides the planets and keeps them in position in their orderly march through the heavens. ... His energy is still exerted in upholding the objects of His creation. It is not because the mechanism that has once been set in motion continues to act by its own inherent energy that the pulse beats and breath follows breath; but every breath, every pulsation of the heart, is an evidence of the all-pervading care of Him in whom "we live, and move, and have our being."	....it not owing to inherent powers, originally impressed, that year by year, this globe walks its orbit, repeating its mysterious march round the sun in the firmament: I rather reckon that the hand of the Almighty perpetually guides the planet, and that it is through his energies ... that the ponderous mass effects its rotations. I do not believe it the result of properties, which, once imparted, operate of themselves, that vegetation goes forward, and verdure mantles the earth: I rather believe that Deity is busy with every seed that is cast into the ground, and that it is through his immediate agency that every leaf opens, and every flower blooms. ... that pulse succeeds to pulse, and breath follows breath: I rather regard it as so literally true, that in God "we live and move and have our being," that each pulse is but the throb, each breath the inspiration, of the ever-present, all-actuating Divinity.
*The Ministry of Healing* E. G. White 1905	*Sermons, Vol. 2* (cont'd)
[416] The hand of the Infinite One is perpetually at work guiding this planet. It is God's power continually exercised that keeps the earth in position in its rotation. It is God who causes the sun to rise in the heavens. He opens the windows of heaven and gives rain. "He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoar frost like ashes." "When He uttereth His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens... He maketh lightnings with rain, And bringeth forth the wind out of His treasures." It is by His power that vegetation is caused to flourish, that every leaf appears, every flower blooms, every fruit develops.	He it is, if we believe the statements of Holy Writ, who maketh the sun to arise, and the rain to descend. He it is, saith the Psalmist, "who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." "He giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar frost like ashes." "When He uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; He maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures." ... is momentarily engaged in actuating and upholding the vast system which He originality constructed. ... these laws and properties are but instruments in God's hands, by and through which He effects the results and calls forth the productions, which we are wont to refer to natural causes....

Références et Notes

Voir Annexe, Exemples comparatifs du Chapitre 9 sur le Commentaire SDA.
Voir Annexe, Exemples comparatifs du Chapitre 9 sur My Life Today et Sons and Daughters of God — deux livres de dévotion compilés longtemps après la mort d'Ellen White.
Voir Annexe, Exemples comparatifs du Chapitre 9. Certains livres furent compilés et publiés longtemps après la mort d'Ellen White.
Voir Annexe, Exemples comparatifs du Chapitre 9 sur les Testimonies for the Church et les publications ultérieures.
D. Arthur Delafield à Walter Rea en 1960, concernant les politiques du White Estate en matière de compilation de davantage de compilations. Merlin L. Neff au White Estate, 20 janvier 1961 : « Beaucoup de nos dirigeants, particulièrement à Washington, ont le sentiment que nous avons suffisamment de compilations de l'Esprit de Prophétie. Il y a une objection considérable à en faire paraître davantage en ce moment. »
[Remplissage éditorial], Review, vol. 37, n° 6, janvier 1871.
Ellen G. White, Éducation (Mountain View : PPA, 1903), p. 57.
Voir Annexe, Exemples comparatifs du Chapitre 9 sur les Testimonies for the Church.
Ingemar Linden, The Last Trump, p. 208. Voir aussi les lettres d'Uriah Smith à Dudley M. Canright en 1883 (11 mars, 6 avril, 31 juillet, 7 août).
Donald R. McAdams, « Shifting Views of Inspiration, » Spectrum 10, n° 4 (mars 1980) : 34. Ici McAdams cite « Ellen G. White and the Protestant Historians, » son manuscrit inédit disponible sous forme de photocopie dans les « centres de recherche » adventistes (White Estate, bibliothèque de l'Université Andrews, et Archives et Collections spéciales de la bibliothèque de l'Université de Loma Linda).
Ibid., pp. 27-41 (l'article en entier). Voir aussi les numéros de Spectrum tout au long des années 1970.
McAdams, Spectrum 10, n° 4 (mars 1980), p. 35.
Ibid., p. 34.
Harold L. Calkins aux membres de la Conférence adventiste du Sud de la Californie en 1977. La citation diffusée était présentée comme une citation des œuvres d'Ellen G. White dans une Review de 1865.
Bureau du White Estate à Leslie Hardinge, 18 avril 1977.
Vesta J. Farnsworth à Guy C. Jorgensen, 1er décembre 1921, pp. 32-33.
Lettre de Willard A. Colcord, 23 février 1912.
Vesta J. Farnsworth à Guy C. Jorgensen, 1er décembre 1921, pp. 32-33.
Ibid., p. 34.
Ibid., p. 34.
Ibid., p. 6.
William S. Sadler à Ellen G. White, 26 avril 1906, p. 2.
Ibid., p. 2.
Ibid., p. 3.
Ibid., pp. 4, 6, 8-10.
[William] S. Sadler, The Truth about Spiritualism (Chicago : A. C. McClurg and Co., 1923).
Ron Graybill, White Estate, novembre 1981, Conférence au Conseil du Forum adventiste.
James White, Life Sketches, Ancestry, Early Life, Christian Experience and Extensive Labors of Elder James White, and His Wife, Mrs. Ellen G. White (Battle Creek : Steam Press, 1880), pp. 328-329, édition de 1880.