Selecting Articles for Publication

The early numbers of the Testimonies issued in small pamphlets contained messages of immediate interest and value to the church at the time the messages were given. These published Testimonies however, contained only a part of that which had been written, for many of the messages were of such a personal or local nature that there was no need for their publication. From the very first, it was necessary that choice be made of articles best suited for general circulation. In making this choice, Ellen White did not always rely solely upon her own judgment, but welcomed the counsel of workers of long experience in the cause. Her practice of consulting, when possible, with her ministering brethren regarding the best manner of presenting the views given, was stated by her in 1906 as follows:EGWMR 66.7

“It requires much wisdom and sound judgment, quickened by the Spirit of God, to know the proper time and manner to present the instruction that has been given.... In the early days of this cause, if some of the leading brethren were present when messages from the Lord were given, we would consult with them as to the best manner of bringing the instruction before the people.”—Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies to the Church, 5.EGWMR 66.8

At that time, Elder James White, with his general knowledge of conditions in the field, was well qualified to give counsel as to the use of the matter. In the case of the first number of the Testimonies the messages were read to the Battle Creek church, and, by vote of those present, it was decided that they should be published for general circulation. The choice of that which should be placed in print for general circulation, did not rest, however, entirely with human counselors. Quite early in her work she was given the assurance:EGWMR 66.9

“You are not alone in the work the Lord has chosen you to do. You will be taught of God how to bring the truth in its simplicity before the people. The God of truth will sustain you, and convincing proof will be given that He is leading you. God will give you of His Holy Spirit, and His grace and wisdom and keeping power will be with you.”—Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies to the Church, 11.EGWMR 66.10

While many of the Testimonies by their nature gave instruction of universal application, others met specific issues. Many set forth timely counsel regarding the advancing work of the church. In choosing articles for the later-published Testimonies if a subject of general interest was found to have been treated in an early number of the Testimonies the later article was not, as a general rule, published. As a cumulative group of writings, they grew in scope and value as time advanced, for as more and varied issues were met, counsel was given in the Testimonies to meet these issues. As the volume of writings grew larger, and the field of subjects covered increased, greater care had to be exercised in the choice of matter, in order to avoid undue repetition.EGWMR 66.11

Not only was the choice of articles an important task, but study must also be given by Mrs. White to the phraseology. The messages must be presented in the clearest way, in order that they might not be misunderstood. In 1901, she spoke of her work in gathering and examining matter for publication in Volume VI. Here are her words:EGWMR 67.1

“I have much to do before going to Conference. There are some things to be completed for Testimony 34 [Vol. VI].... I had thought to go to the sanitarium for a while, but I seem to be needed here. I must select the most important matters for the Testimony, and then look over everything prepared for it, and be my own critic; for I would not be willing to have some things which are all truth to be published; because I fear that some would take advantage of them to hurt others.EGWMR 67.2

“After the matter for the Testimony is prepared, every article must be read by me....EGWMR 67.3

“I try to bring out general principles, and if I see a sentence which I fear would give some one excuse to injure some one else, I feel at perfect liberty to keep back the sentence, even though it is all perfectly true.EGWMR 67.4

“During my sickness, I have worked every day excepting the Sabbath sitting on the bed propped up with pillows.”—E. G. White Letter 32, 1901.EGWMR 67.5

A few months later, she spoke of her letter writing and of the relation of her letters to future books:EGWMR 67.6

“Since the beginning of the year [1902], I have written about seven hundred pages. Much of this matter is letters to different persons. These letters will be used in the ‘Testimonies,’ and will, I hope, be a help to our people. At times my brain is so intensely active that it seems impossible for me to write the ideas as fast as they come to me.”—E. G. White Letter 68, 1902.EGWMR 67.7