Chapter 3—The Custody of the Ellen G. White Writings
Practically all of the extant Ellen G. White writings, published and unpublished, are on file at the office of the Ellen G. White Publications. In the light of this fact, these questions naturally come to mind: Did Mrs. White, before her death, plan for the future care and use of these writings? If so, to whom were they entrusted? and who is responsible for their custody? With such pertinent questions as an introduction, we shall in this chapter consider the plans that Mrs. White devised and instituted for the preservation of her writings, and for the continuance of certain specified work with these writings subsequent to her death.EGWMR 73.1
After making her home at “Elmshaven,” Mrs. White, realizing her advancing age and the possibility of not having much longer to work, gave careful thought, from time to time, to the future of her published works and her manuscripts. Eight years before her death she wrote:EGWMR 73.2
“Abundant light has been given to our people in these last days. Whether or not my life is spared, my writings will constantly speak, and their work will go forward as long as time shall last. My writings are kept on file in the office, and even though I should not live, these words that have been given to me by the Lord will still have life and will speak to the people.”—The Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies to the Church, 13, 14. (Available from Ellen G. White Publications. Price, 5 cents.)EGWMR 73.3
As she neared the close of her lifework, she made definite provision for the future handling of her writings after her decease. This we find in a document bearing date of February 9, 1912, “The Will of Mrs. E. G. White,” which forms the basis of this statement. We shall quote from this instrument, drafted in the customary legal form, such portions as pertain to the subject under discussion. Here are the key provisions regarding the care and use of her writings, in their original setting:EGWMR 73.4
“I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to William C. White, Clarence C. Crisler, Charles H. Jones, Arthur G. Daniells, and Frank M. Wilcox” [here in the will there appears a listing of her modest properties, consisting of the home and its appurtenances referred to in the opening statement describing “A Visit to Elmshaven”] “all of my right, title, and interest in the copyrights and book plates in all languages, of the following publications” [here follows a list of her current books]; “also, my general manuscript file and all indexes pertaining thereto; also my office furniture and office library.EGWMR 73.5
“Together with all and singular, the tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances thereunto belonging, or in anywise appertaining in trust nevertheless for the uses and purposes hereinafter contained.EGWMR 73.6
“To Have And To Hold, the said real and personal property unto said trustees, and their successors, upon the trust to enter into and upon and take possession of the said real estate and said personal property.EGWMR 73.7
“Administering, preserving, and protecting the said real property and of handling said personal property, and publishing and selling said books and manuscripts and conducting the business thereof.”EGWMR 73.8
The will then leads into certain financial provisions, and in further specifying the work of the trustees in their care and use of the writings, says:EGWMR 73.9
“Then my said trustees shall use the overplus for the improvement of the books and manuscripts held in trust by them, and herein provided; for the securing and printing of new translations thereof; for the printing of compilations from my manuscripts.”EGWMR 73.10
Thus we have before us the general plan as developed by Mrs. White in the creation of a board of trustees to care for her writings, and the definite instructions given to these five men. We find that their work as custodians of the writings falls into three general classes:EGWMR 73.11
First, the care and promotion of the E. G. White books in the English language.EGWMR 73.12
Second, the preparation of manuscripts for, and the promotion of the translation and publication of, the E. G. White writings into foreign languages.EGWMR 73.13
Third, the custody of the manuscript and letter files, and the selection of matter therefrom for general circulation.EGWMR 73.14
The five men appointed to this sacred trust were men of long experience, chosen by Mrs. White because of their acquaintance with her experience and work, and because their qualifications fitted them to carry this responsibility.EGWMR 73.15
Immediately following Mrs. White’s death, the trustees of her choosing took control of her property and work, and undertook the carrying out of the provisions of the trust as custodians of her writings in harmony with the will of its creator.EGWMR 73.16
Aside from the manuscript and book properties, the real and personal property was convertible into cash and most of it was sold. The proceeds from the sale of these properties, together with royalty income, have furnished sufficient means to meet all obligations that stood against Mrs. White at the time of her death, and to carry forward certain phases of the work of the trustees. The obligations referred to had been largely incurred through many charitable gifts in forwarding the cause, and the large expense of preparing her manuscripts and publishing her works in many foreign languages. With an assured royalty income from her books, she felt justified in borrowing money with which to speed their wide circulation. EGWMR 73.17
The business having to do with real and personal property other than the continuing custody of the writings, having been largely executed soon after Mrs. White’s death, there consequently remain to their care now only these writings, either in published form or in manuscript.EGWMR 74.1
The original group of trustees were fortunate in being privileged to labor together without a break in their numbers for nearly two decades. In more recent years, however, all of the five men of Mrs. White’s choosing have passed to their rest, and others have been selected to fill the vacancies thus created. This has been done in harmony with the express instruction given by Mrs. White in her “will,” that:EGWMR 74.2
“If a vacancy shall occur for any reason among said trustees, or their successors, a majority of the surviving or remaining trustees are hereby empowered and directed to fill such vacancy by the appointment of some fit person.”EGWMR 74.3
In 1933 the original board of five trustees, in counsel with the leading officers of the General Conference, laid careful plans to ensure the continuance of the custody of the Ellen G. White writings in succeeding years, in harmony with Mrs. White’s instruction. These plans involved, among other things, two major steps:EGWMR 74.4
1. The drawing up and registering of Articles of Incorporation, thus establishing the perpetuity of the trusteeship.EGWMR 74.5
2. Arranging for moving at some appropriate future date the files and office of the Estate from “Elmshaven,” near St. Helena, California, to the General Conference building in Washington, D.C. This move was made in 1938.EGWMR 74.6
The Articles of Incorporation filed in 1933 state that the purpose of the corporation is “to carry out and perform the provisions of the charitable trust created in the last will and testament of Ellen G. White, deceased.” The five trustees designated by Mrs. White, or their successors, appointed according to the provision of her will, are the constituency of the corporation. The same persons are the board of trustees of this corporation.EGWMR 74.7
The true nature of the work of the Ellen G. White Estate, Incorporated, is revealed in the fact that it is “the proprietor of the White Publications.” “White Publications” is the term frequently employed in referring to the work of the Estate.EGWMR 74.8
When in 1933 the trustees, with certain General Conference officers, gave study to long-range plans for the work of the Estate, they became aware of (a) the problems created by the wide geographical separation of the five trustees, and (b) the increased demands upon the board as the result of the rapid growth of the denomination. The Articles of Incorporation were therefore drawn up in such a manner as to provide, if need be, for the enlargement of the board of trustees at some future time. The bylaws, adopted at the same time, provided for drawing immediately into the circle of routine trustee activities, four men of experience who would join the trustees as counselors, or alternate trustees as they were later designated. This plan, with some variations, was effective to mid-1958.EGWMR 74.9
The enlargement of the board of trustees was accomplished in two steps. In 1950, by action of the constituency of the corporation the number of trustees was increased from five to seven. In 1958 the bylaws were amended to provide for a board of nine trustees—seven life members and two elected for a four-year term. At the time of this printing (1969) the trustees are: W. P. Bradley , Theo. Carcich, D. A. Delafield, D. A. McAdams , W. G. C. Murdoch, R. S. Watts, Neal C. Wilson, K. H. Wood, and A. L. White.EGWMR 74.10
Although the work of the White Estate, Inc., like that of all denominational agencies, is administered by its own board, its trustees have ever sought to maintain a close and helpful working relationship with all other activities of the cause. Tasks of major importance are undertaken in counsel with the General Conference leadership.EGWMR 74.11
There are various matters, largely promotional, closely related to the work of the trustees but beyond the sphere of their direct responsibility. These are handled by the General Conference Committee functioning through a subcommittee known as the Spirit of Prophecy Committee. This subcommittee includes in its members certain of the White Estate trustees. The working relationship between the General Conference Committee and the White Estate has been set forth in a joint agreement passed by the General Conference Committee and the White Estate trustees on October 10, 1957.EGWMR 74.12
Some may be interested regarding the financial support of the work of the White Estate and its office. The Ellen G. White books produce a modest royalty income in harmony with the church’s policy on royalty. This goes to the General Conference treasury, and the General Conference, in turn, provides an annual budget appropriation for the work of the White Estate.EGWMR 74.13