A Wide Scope of Writing

The writings of Mrs. E. G. White cover a wide range of thought and experience. Nearly forty volumes through the years came from her facile pen. In some instances this matter was a duplication. Some later books contain compilations from her former publications. Her written works could perhaps be divided into two general classifications:TOJ 120.3

1. The Testimonies for the Church, and books dealing with various phases of church work and Christian experience.TOJ 121.1

2. Books dealing with the great controversy between truth and error, from the creation to the final consummation.TOJ 121.2

Of her method of preparing some of these books, especially the latter class, she herself said:TOJ 121.3

“Through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, the scenes of the long-continued conflict between good and evil have been opened to the writer of these pages. From time to time I have been permitted to behold the working, in different ages, of the great controversy between Christ, the Prince of life, the Author of our salvation, and Satan, the prince of evil, the author of sin, the first transgressor of God’s holy law....TOJ 121.4

“As the Spirit of God has opened to my mind the great truths of His word, and the scenes of the past and future, I have been bidden to make known to others that which has thus been revealed,—to trace the history of the controversy in past ages, and especially so to present it as to shed a light on the fast-approaching struggle of the future. In pursuance of this purpose, I have endeavored to select and group together events in the history of the church in such a manner as to trace the unfolding of the great testing truths that at different periods have been given to the world, that have excited the wrath of Satan, and the enmity of the world-loving church, and that have been maintained by the witness of those who ‘loved not their lives unto the death.’”—The Great Controversy, Introduction, v-xi.TOJ 121.5

The following list, with date of publication, comprises, according to our best knowledge, the principal books which came from her ever-busy pen. This list does not include, however, some compilations made from books which had already been published.TOJ 121.6

Early Writings 1851-58 (Spiritual Gifts), 1882 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. I 1855-1868 Spiritual Gifts, Vol. I (The Great Controversy) 1858

Life Sketches 1860, 1880, 1915 Spiritual Gifts, Vol. II 1860 Spiritual Gifts, Vol. III 1864 Spiritual Gifts, Vol. IV 1864 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. II 1868-1871 Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I 1870 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. III 1872-1875 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. IV 1876-1881 Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. II 1877 Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. III 1878 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. V 1882 Sketches From the Life of Paul 1883 Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. IV 1884 Great Controversy 1888, 1907, 1911 Patriarchs and Prophets 1890, 1908 Gospel Workers 1892, 1915, 1920 Steps to Christ 1892, 1908 Christian Education 1893 Christ Our Saviour 1896 Desire of Ages 1898 Christ’s Object Lessons 1900 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VI 1900 Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing 1900 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VII 1902 Education 1903 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VIII 1904 Ministry of Healing 1905 Testimonies for the Church, Vol. IX 1909 Acts of the Apostles 1911 Counsels to Teachers 1913 Prophets and Kings 1917 Counsels on Health 1923 Fundamentals of Christian Education 1923 Testimonies to Ministers 1923 (1888 onward) Messages to Young People 1930 Medical Ministry 1932 Sanctified Life 1937 Counsels on Diet and Foods 1938 Counsels on Stewardship 1940

Not all the writings of Mrs. White are in this collection. Thousands of pages have been published in the Review and Herald, the Signs of the Times, and other denominational papers. Each of these thirty-eight volumes is a distinct publication. Each book represents much labor and earnest effort. A number of these books have been issued in other languages, and are published in various countries throughout the world.TOJ 123.1