Literary Helpers

In recognition of her own lack of professional training, Ellen White wrote:WDEGWB 10.4

I am not a scholar.... I must see if I cannot become a scholar. I am not a grammarian (Ms 3, 1873; Selected Messages 3:90).

Those who heard her speak and worked with her would understand these comments to refer to the technical side of her writing, and not to her skills as a presenter of truth. She often held large audiences in rapt attention as she spoke, and her style and beauty of expression are well known by thousands of readers of her books. We know the language was hers from the hundreds of pages of handwritten material preserved. As would be true of any writer, there were times when she wrote hurriedly, or was ill, and the work was not done as carefully as usual, but there is a style that was distinctly hers. She said of those who copied her writing for publication: “They do not change my language. It stands as I write it” (Letter 61a, 1900; Ibid).WDEGWB 10.5

She referred to Marian Davis as her “bookmaker,” and yet when she had some suggestions on The Desire of Ages while it was being prepared in Australia, Ellen White wrote:WDEGWB 11.1

Marian specifies chapters and subjects for me to write upon that I do not see really need to be written upon. I may see more light in them. These I shall not enter upon without [unless] the Lord’s spirit seems to lead me (Letter 131, 1893; Selected Messages 3:116).

There were times, however, when Ellen White did accept suggestions from Marian:WDEGWB 11.2

Tell her that she has a point about Zedekiah’s having his eyes put out. That needs to be more carefully worded—also the rock, when the water flowed (Letter 38, 1885; Selected Messages 3:121, 122).

Such help was occasionally sought from others. In 1876, while she was preparing Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 2, she wrote:WDEGWB 11.3

How will it do to read my manuscript to Elders [J H] Waggoner and [J N] Loughborough? If there is any wording of doctrinal points not so clear as might be, he might discern it (Waggoner, I mean) (Letter 4a, 1876; Selected Messages 3:104).

It is of interest to note that at least three of Ellen White’s helpers were shown to her in vision. Two of them, Mary Clough, and Fannie Bolton, were dismissed from their work at God’s direction. (See Selected Messages 3:455-457.) Her son, W C White, on the other hand, was shown in vision to be her special helper after her husband, James White, died:WDEGWB 11.4

I have several times received instruction that the Lord has given me W C White to be my helper, and that in this work the Lord will give him of His Spirit (Selected Messages 1:50).WDEGWB 11.5