Estimate of the Public Press

The writings of Mrs. White have been read by tens of thousands throughout the world. Many thousands have listened to her addresses on temperance and various Christian themes, given in North America, Europe, and Australasia; and many who had no organic connection with Seventh-day Adventists have expressed high appreciation of her work. Following her death, many secular journals bore testimony to the genuine worth of her character. We have space to quote only a few of these testimonials:TOJ 127.2

“A highly gifted and talented woman of nation-wide prominence.”—Napa (Calif.) Register, July 23, 1915.TOJ 127.3

“Besides remarkable talents as a preacher, Mrs. White displayed great organizing and administrative ability. These were all given to her church. It grew and prospered and spread into many lands. The printing press was a great aid, universities were founded, also medical schools, hospitals, and schools for teachers and missionaries.”—Jackson (Mich.) Patriot, July 25, 1915.TOJ 127.4

“Mrs. White was a remarkable woman in many ways. She was deeply religious, and none who knew her intimately had any doubt as to her sincerity.... That she believed in the divine inspiration of her visions, need not be questioned. She was a woman of strong character and unusual intelligence, and has left her mark on the century in which she lived.”—News Tribune (Detroit, Mich.), July 25, 1915.TOJ 128.1

“Mrs. White was probably one of the best known women in the world. She had traveled extensively, had lectured to large audiences in many countries, and her writings had been published in various languages, carrying to people of nearly all tongues the message she felt called upon by God to deliver.TOJ 128.2

“The life of Mrs. White is an example worthy of emulation by all. Though of limited education, for the greater part of her long life in poor health, she never faltered, but for seventy-two years carried and preached the message of Jesus Christ, as understood by her, to the farthermost corners of the earth. She was a humble, devout disciple of Christ, and ever went about doing good. Her writings have been published in books, papers, and periodicals. She was revered by all the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and honored and respected by all who appreciate noble womanhood consecrated to unselfish labor for the uplifting and betterment of mankind. Her death marks the calling of another noted leader of religious thought, and one whose almost ninety years were full to overflowing with good deeds, kind words, and earnest prayers for all mankind.”—Editorial in the St. Helena (Calif.) Star, July 25, 1915.TOJ 128.3

“In her Christian service, Mrs. White endeavored always to keep in closest touch with the world’s activities and needs. As an evangelist, she often preached to thousands, her voice having unusual resonance and carrying power; and as a worker in temperance and health lines she wielded a wide influence....TOJ 128.4

“In all her teachings she insisted on a return to sound Scriptural doctrine and to apostolic simplicity. She recognized the Bible, and the Bible alone, as the supreme rule of faith and practice. She often stated that her mission was not to attempt to teach any new principles, but rather to call attention anew to principles plainly taught in the Bible for the observance of all, whatever their creed or affiliation.”—Kennebec (Maine) Journal, July 17, 1915.TOJ 128.5

The New York Independent, on the occasion of Mrs. White’s death, in 1915, made a discriminating statement, for a magazine of the world. First of all, this magazine, which used to be called the leading religious journal, bore witness to the spirit of the movement. Of the Adventist teachings and spirit the Independent said:TOJ 129.1

“Of course, these teachings were based on the strictest doctrine of inspiration of the Scriptures. Seventh-day Adventism could be got in no other way. And the gift of prophecy was to be expected, as promised to the ‘remnant church,’ who had held fast to the truth. This faith gave great purity of life and incessant zeal. No body of Christians excels them in moral character and religious earnestness.”TOJ 129.2

This journal went on to describe the rise and growth of this movement, referring to the number of publishing houses and colleges and schools and health institutions which have been built up in all parts of the world. The Independent concluded:TOJ 129.3

“In all this Ellen G. White has been the inspiration and guide. Here is a noble record, and she deserves great honor.TOJ 129.4

“Did she really receive divine visions, and was she really chosen by the Holy Spirit to be endued with the charism of prophecy? or was she the victim of an excited imagination? Why should we answer? One’s doctrine of the Bible may affect the conclusion. At any rate, she was absolutely honest in her belief in her revelations. Her life was worthy of them. She showed no spiritual pride and she sought no filthy lucre. She lived the life and did the work of a worthy prophetess.”—August 23, 1915.TOJ 129.5

The editor of the Toledo Blade, in an article entitled “A Modern Prophetess,” speaks of the great influence of Mrs. White in molding the movement with which she was connected, and closes with this statement:TOJ 129.6

“Mrs. White was a remarkable woman. Had she lived in an earlier period of the career of Christianity, and escaped the bigots and the fire, she would most surely have been canonized. She was of the flesh of which saints are made.”TOJ 129.7

Some religious journals which had no sympathy with the work of Seventh-day Adventists spoke most kindly of the work of Mrs. E. G. White and the influence attending her life. One editor who took occasion in an extended article to criticize severely the denomination to which Mrs. White belonged, closed his criticism with this beautiful encomium of Mrs. White’s life and work:TOJ 130.1

“Her long, eventful life has closed, but as it closed, beautiful lights of self-sacrifice and devotion are left shining throughout the world, lit up by heavenly thoughts from her fruitful mind and loving heart. Sweet be her long-deserved rest until the great Life-giver shall speak her into life eternal.”TOJ 130.2