First Colporteur Edition

In the fall of 1884, the book was ready for distribution. The price was set at $1, thus harmonizing with the first three books of the series. Very soon it was discovered that it could be sold to those not of our faith; so the publishers took the plates and printed an illustrated subscription edition to sell at $1.50. During the first four years after its publication, ten editions, totaling not less than 50,000 copies, of this book were printed and sold.EGWMR 57.6

From 1885 to 1887, Mrs. White visited Europe. While there, her contact with European people and her visits to some of the historic places brought to her mind many scenes that had been presented to her in vision during previous years, some of them two or three times, and other scenes many times. And when plans were discussed for the publication of The Great Controversy in the principal European languages, she decided to make additions to the book. She was thus able to write more graphically and fully regarding some important events, in preparing the manuscript for translation.EGWMR 57.7

That which Mrs. White has written out are descriptions of representations, often in the form of scenes or views, as given her regarding the actions of men, and the influence of these actions upon the work of God for the salvation of men, together with views of the past, present, and future in its relation to this work. She speaks in the following words regarding the source of the information which she presents concerning the great conflict, and the commission to write it out:EGWMR 57.8

“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....EGWMR 57.9

“As the Spirit of God has opened to my mind the great truths of His word, and the scenes of the past and the 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.”The Great Controversy, Introduction, x, xi.EGWMR 57.10