1850

Ms 2, 1850

[January 9, 1850, Oswego, New York]¹

The only extant copy of this vision is found in James White's letter to “Brother Hastings,” headed “Oswego, N.Y., January 10, 1850.” The vision, White reports, was received “last night.”

1EGWLM 188.4

The Need for The Present Truth.1EGWLM 188.5

This manuscript is published in entirety in Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, p. 172.1EGWLM 188.6

The importance of continuing support for The Present Truth paper.1EGWLM 188.7

I saw the paper and that it was needed.²

The reference here is to The Present Truth. One of the earliest Sabbatarian Adventist periodicals, and the first published by the group that later took the name “Seventh-day Adventists,” the first issue was published by James White in July 1849. “Very soon,” wrote Ellen White, “letters came bringing means to publish the paper.” However, by December, six issues later, initial reader enthusiasm and donations had diminished, and James White thought “the poor little paper … [would] die.” He was further discouraged by Joseph Bates's opposition to the whole project of issuing a periodical, preferring to publish pamphlets instead. It was while James White was “in this depressed, miserable state of mind” that Ellen had the encouraging vision on January 9, 1850, part of which is reported in this manuscript.

See: Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts [vol. 2], p. 116; James White to Leonard and Elvira Hastings, Jan. 3, 1850; idem, “The Paper,” Present Truth, December 1849, p. 47; idem, to Leonard Hastings, Jan. 10, 1850. For an overview of early publishing ventures, see Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, pp. 163-173; EGWEnc, s.v. “Present Truth.”

That souls were hungry for the truth that must be written in the paper. I saw that if the paper stopped for want of means, and those hungry sheep died for want of the paper, it would not be James’ [James Springer White] fault, but it would be the fault of those to whom God had lent His money to be faithful stewards over, and they let it lie idle; and the blood of souls would be upon their garments. I saw that the paper should go, and if they let it die, they would weep in anguish soon. I saw that God did not want James to stop yet, but he must write, write, write, write, and speed the message and let it go. I saw that it would go where God's servants cannot go.1EGWLM 188.8

Picture: First number of The Present Truth, published by James White. Original dimensions (H x W): 9.5 x 6 in. (24 x 15.2 cm.).1EGWLM 189