Exhibit 43—Monday, October 30, 1892, Marian Davis to Ellen White

I want to ask a question about the two parables of the hidden treasure and the merchant man seeking goodly pearls. Do these two parables represent exactly the same thing? It does not seem as if Christ would give two parables to teach exactly the same thing. Is there not some point in which they differ? Might they not represent two different classes who find the truth? The man who finds the treasure is not said to have been seeking for it. He may have come upon it unexpectedly as he was at work in the fields. But when he finds it, he is ready to give all in order to possess it. Then he will diligently search the field for more. How many there are to whom the truth comes that way, unexpectedly, unsought, but who gladly sacrifice for its sake when they discern its preciousness. But the merchant was seeking goodly pearls. So there are earnest and thoughtful minds everywhere who are earnestly seeking for something precious and enduring—something upon which to fix their hopes, and when the truth is received to them, they too receive it with great joy.ERWDA 23.10

Thus through all time the two parables would appeal to two different classes of people. I know the parable of the treasure has been used to represent diligence in searching. But this explanation would not do away with that. Does not the searching come in after he finds that there is treasure hid in the field?ERWDA 24.1

I have gone past these parables in my work, but am anxious to have them brought out just right, and if you can give me any light on them I shall be very thankful.ERWDA 24.2

—White Estate Document File #393a. (Written from St. Kilda, Melbourne, to Ellen White who was at Adelaide.)