PROPHET OF THE END

CHAPTER SEVEN

ANTICIPATING SCIENCE  

The writings of Ellen White contain a treasure house of scientific insights, and leading researchers are discovering it. This includes the fields of health, nutrition, medicine, narcotics, hypnosis, physiology, plant science and geology.

The late Clive McCay, Ph.D., professor of nutrition at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, discovered her health writings quite by accident, and was astounded by them.

Here is one of his statements:

"In 1915 at the ripe age of 88 died one of the most remarkable women that America has produced. Her name was Ellen White. Although she had only a few months of formal schooling when a child, her list of books even today numbers about 60. Some of these are books about her or compilations from her lectures . . The writings of Ellen White . . provide a guide to nutrition that comprehends the whole body. Much of this wisdom of the past is not understood today. . Ellen White died before modern biochemistry. . and the composition of foods [was understood] ,—but if people followed her plan even today they would be far better fed than they are in their attempts to eat bad diets and then compensate by miracle foods. She advocated simple, natural diets, low in fat, low in salt, well prepared and modest in amount. Gradually she became a vegetarian,. . [and] taught the importance of good food for health and the essentiality of a healthy body if we are to have a good soul" —Clive M. McCay, in a lecture before a large assembly in Memphis, Tennessee, March, 1958.

Clive McCay was not particularly religious as far as we know, nor a member of any church body, but, he was an expert in his field, and as such was fascinated to know how Ellen White had acquired such advanced nutritional knowledge, which others in her time generally lacked.

"We stayed overnight at Dr. McCay's home. . We soon discovered to our delight that though he was a specialist in the field of nutrition, his active interest and reading extended over a remarkable range. More than once during the evening he returned to the question: 'How do you explain the fact that Mrs. White, with very little formal education and no special training in nutrition, so accurately set forth nutrition principles that are only now scientifically established?' He ruled out as wholly unsatisfactory the answer sometimes casually given: 'Mrs. White simply borrowed her ideas from others.' He observed that such an answer simply raises another question: 'How would Mrs. White know which ideas to borrow and which to reject out of the bewildering array of theories and health teachings current in the nineteenth century?' Dr. McCay did not attempt to answer such questions. As a scientist he was interested in the phenomenon of her singular knowledge in advance of scientific discovery and experiment."—"Explanatory Note" to a series of three articles by C. M. McCay in "Review and Herald," February 12,19,26, 1959.

"To sum up the discussion: Every modern specialist in nutrition whose life is dedicated to human welfare must be impressed in four respects by the writings and leadership of Ellen White:

”In the first place, her basic concepts about the relation between diet and health have been verified to an unusual degree by scientific advances of the past decades. Someone may attempt to explain this remarkable fact by saying: 'Mrs. White simply borrowed her ideas from others.' But how would she know which ideas to borrow and which to reject out of the bewildering array of theories and health teachings current in the nineteenth century? She would have had to be a most amazing person, with knowledge beyond her times, in order to do this successfully!

"In the second place, everyone who attempts to teach nutrition can hardly conceive of a leadership such as that of Mrs. White that was able to induce a substantial number of people to improve their diets.

"In the third place, one can only speculate about the large number of sufferers during the past century who could have had improved health if they had accepted the teachings of Mrs. White.

"Finally, one can wonder how to make her teachings more widely known in order to benefit the overcrowded earth that seems inevitable tomorrow with the present rate of increase of the world's population. .

"In spite of the fact that the works of Mrs. White were written long before the advent of modern scientific nutrition, no better over-all guide is available today."—Clive M. McCay, in Review and Herald, February 26, 1969.

Ellen White lived in a time of abysmal ignorance of healthful living, nutrition, and medicine. The two great interests in her time were bleeding sick patients to death in order to make them well, and poisoning them to death with extracts made from toxic plants or poisonous minerals. Dr. Gallup led the fight for bleeding people to death, and Dr. Tully stood in the forefront of the crusade for poisoning them to death. Those were times that could kill strong men such as George Washington. He awoke one morning with a simple streptococcal infection in his throat. First, one man drained a cup of blood from his veins, "to get him well." Then Dr. Craik, his personal physician arrived and declared the illness to be ”inflammatory quinsy" and bled him again. By now it was afternoon and two more physicians came and again Washington was bled. Between bleedings and poisonous doses of calomel, he finally pled, late in the afternoon, to be let alone to die in peace. At 10 p.m. that night he passed away.

During her lifetime, Ellen White wrote, not only in the field of nutrition, but also in the science of medicine and the recovery of the ill.

"The Spirit of Prophecy [the writings of Ellen White] is medically up to date. Before starting medicine I was well acquainted with the health ideas found in the writings of Mrs. E.G. White. Since finishing medical school I have been in practice for nineteen years. I have not had to change one medical idea that I have gotten from the writings of Mrs. E.G. White, but all my medical books have had to be replaced with up-to-date versions based on more modern medical research. . The books "Counsels on Diet and Foods," "Counsels on Health," "The Ministry of Healing," "Medical Ministry," and "Temperance" are as current as ever. As medical science advances, I find these guides do not become outdated, but are still ahead of modern medical research on many health subjects.

"When medical science disagrees with the Spirit of Prophecy, given a little more time, medical research comes to the same conclusions.. This has happened a number of times in the past nineteen years. Considerable research of the medical literature shows that today the majority of the health principles and information given by Mrs. White have scientific backing.

"I am confident that the health information of the Spirit of Prophecy that is yet unproved can be accepted by faith with no danger that such faith will have been misplaced when scientific corroboration becomes evident."—Statement by Jackson A. Saxon, Washington D.C. area physician.

Paul Harvey, the noted syndicated writer and news reporter, has spoken a number of times about the amazing predictions and scientific insights of Ellen White. Here is one of his statements:

"Once upon a time, a hundred years ago, there lived a young lady named Ellen White. She was frail as a child, completed only grammar school, [actually, only three grades of education], had no technical training, and yet she lived to write scores of articles and many book’s on the subject of healthful living..

"Perhaps we should reread what she has taught: 'The oil, as eaten in the olive, is far preferable to animal oil or fat.' Today we know about cholesterol. She knew: 'Fine flour white bread is lacking in nutritive elements to be found in bread made from whole wheat. . She wrote: 'Do not eat largely of salt.' Now we know we should keep the sodium intake low. We have come to accept the wisdom of such advice so completely that it is difficult for us to realize how revolutionary her theories were almost a century ago. . She urged: 'Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise.' She wrote: 'Tobacco is a slow, insidious, but most malignant poison. It is all the more dangerous because its effects are slow and at first hardly perceptible.' Ellen White was indeed ahead of her time. Are there additional recommendations, which this remarkable woman urged upon us, which we have, so far, ignored? Speaking about the times in which she lived, Paul Harvey adds: "Remember, this was in the days when doctors were still blood­letting and performing surgery with unwashed hands. This was in an era, of medical ignorance bordering on barbarism." —Paul Harvey, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Times, August 11, 1960, reprinted in "Today's Health in 1960."

Drs. Calvin and Agatha Thrash, a husband and wife pathology team, happened upon the writings of Ellen White while Agatha was teaching in the University of Georgia School of Medicine. Both had been atheists, but their study of Ellen White's writings led them to the Bible and to Christ. Their scientific training well qualified them to evaluate the health and medical validity of Ellen White's writings.

"Calvin nor I had ever believed in anything of a supernatural nature, feeling that anything that is unexplained would eventually be explained on the basis of natural phenomena. How carefully we scrutinized the matter of divine inspiration of Mrs. White. In every field in which Calvin or I had sufficient competence to tell that we would make adequate judges of the material which she wrote, we made careful examination.

"In the fields of health and nutrition we have come to recognize that there is not, even in the present day, anything that approaches the scientific accuracy of the body of information which she has set down as guidelines for good health and good nutrition. When one considers the superstition, ignorance, error, and inattention to obvious health rules of that day, it is all the more remarkable that every single item which Mrs. White wrote in the fields of nutrition and health are consistently supported by the newest scientific information."—Statement by Agatha Thrash, M.D., Seale, Alabama:

"Among writers of the past century. . those who are concerned with the betterment of human health must pay tribute to the writings of Ellen G, White because she understood the importance of the selection of proper foods and the relation of the test of the regime of living to proper nutrition and sound health. These notes have been prepared by a bio­chemist who specializes in nutrition in the hopes that others may gain a broader appreciation of the genius of this pioneer nutritionist, Ellen White. Whatever may be the religious belief of a reader, he or she cannot help but gain much guidance in a better and healthier way of life from reading the major works of Ellen White." From the university nutrition class lecture notes of Dr. Clive McCay, April 9.1958.

 It all began in the early summer of 1863. On the evening of June 6, Ellen arrived in a carriage at a humble pioneer cabin on the outskirts of Otsego, Michigan, the home of Aaron Hilliard and his family. It was planned that the next morning she would speak at meetings in Otsego. After supper, as twilight neared, all knelt in prayer, to begin family worship,—when Ellen was taken off in vision.

It only lasted forty-five minutes, yet it was destined to change the lives of thousands, for during that time Ellen received the basis of her knowledge of health, hygiene, nutrition, and medications. All of her writings in these fields stem from this basic vision, given in the year that Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation..

"God is the author of science. Scientific research opens to the mind vast fields of thought and information, enabling us to see God in His created works. . True science contributes fresh evidences of the wisdom and power of God. Rightly understood, science and the Written Word agree, and each sheds light on the other. Together they lead us to God by teaching us something of the wise and beneficent laws through which He works.” —Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, page 426.

"The Bible is not to be tested by men's ideas of science, but science is to be brought to the test of this unerring standard. When the Bible makes statements of facts in nature, science may be compared with the Written Word, and a correct understanding of both will always prove them to be in harmony. One does not contradict the other."—Ellen White, in "Signs of the Times," March 13. 1884.

Here are some of Ellen White's scientific statements, made long before science was to verify them:

FATS AND HEART—AND BLOOD—VESSEL DISEASE

Ellen White wrote that we should not eat the blood and the fat of animals (eating either is prohibited in the Bible), because it would "make a diseased current in the blood." 1. And she warned that certain overweight individuals were "liable to acute attacks of disease, and to sudden death," 2. and that part of the problem was due to their eating of flesh foods. 3.

Modern research in the past forty years has unearthed a mass of material on this subject. It is now known that the average level of blood cholesterol raises with any increase in the average daily intake of animal fats." and that "No fat commonly eaten in large amounts causes so much a rise as butter fat." 4.

It is recognized today that the foods most dangerous in this respect are meat, margarine and butter. Yet Ellen White carefully warned against the use of meat and butter 5. (margarine did not exist in her day). "A vegetarian diet can prevent 90 percent of our thrombo-embolic diseases [clots in the veins and arteries] and 97 percent of our coronary occlusions." 6 . And yet these two conditions account for more deaths than all other causes combined in North America, with the exception of the deaths due to legalized abortion. Dr. William B. Kannel, of the National Heart Institute, after studying the blood cholesterol levels of more than 5,000 people, stated that there is no better way to predict future coronary disease—than by determining total serum-cholesterol levels. 7

PRENATAL INFLUENCES

Back in the days when "prenatal influence" was declared to be old wives' tales,. Ellen White declared that the habits, emotional temperament, morality and diet of the mother would affect her unborn child. 8

"The well-being of the child will be affected by the habits of the mother. Her appetites and passions are to be controlled by principle. . But if the mother unswervingly adheres to right principles, if she is temperate and self-denying, if she is kind, gentle, and unselfish, she may give her child these same precious traits of character;" 9 "If she chooses to eat as she pleases and what she may fancy, irrespective of consequences, she will bear the penalty, but not alone. Her innocent child must suffer because of her indiscretion." 10

Dr. Ashley Montagu, writing in 1954, was one of the first researchers to uncover scientific evidence linking the mother's emotional habits during pregnancy, with the emotional temperament of her child after it is born. "Mothers undergoing periods of severe emotional distress during pregnancy frequently have infants which exhibit evidences of irritable and hyperactive nervous systems. " And he added, "It is largely up to her, and to those surrounding her during her pregnancy, whether her infant will be born a happy, healthy, sweet-tempered individual or an ill adjusted neurotic." 11 Two years later, Drs. Lyon P. Strean and Lyndon A. Peer attributed a hormonal imbalance, triggered by the negative emotions; as the cause of the problem. "The intangible factor of emotional stress suffered by a woman between the eighth and twelfth weeks of pregnancy may be a precipitating factor in causing harelip and cleft-palate defects."

"Strean and. . Peer studied 228 cases of Cleft palate . . During the critical weeks of pregnancy—when the two halves Of the upper jaw normally fuse in the palatal arch—the doctors found that 23 percent had been ill or injured, and no less than 68 percent recalled emotional disturbances. . Strean and Peer reason that severe emotional disturbance of whatever kind, stimulates the adrenal glands to pump out extra hydrocortisone; this checks the formation at connective tissue between the two sides of the palate or may actually dissolve tissue already formed." 12 Leland H. Scott, in 1967, added yet more information to the rapidly growing evidence, linking prenatal influence to emotional or organic damage to the young: "There is growing evidence that chemical irregularities in the mother's blood brought about by endocrine [hormonal] imbalance, dietary deficiencies, or ill health may have serious effects. . [Including] childhood abnormalities, such as rickets, nervous instability, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy." 13 William S. Kroger, gynecologist at the Chicago Medical School did landmark work on this emotion-caused damage and reported it at the A.M.A. Convention in 1953. 14 Bret Ratner M.D. of New York, also linked diet during pregnancy 'to fetal injury 15 More than emotions are thus involved. Dr. Jesse D. Rising of the University of Kansas, after detailed research, reported in 1958 that "a doctor treating a woman during pregnancy with anesthetics, X ray, ACTH or cortisone-type hormones, may subject the fetus to oxygen shortage or some other threat. The result: physicians now face the horrible possibility of responsibility for many developmental defects." 16 Rising considered such defects to include abnormal heart, cleft palate, one eye; Siamese twins, and Mongolism. 17 Thus medicinal drugs taken during pregnancy—can be very dangerous. In further research, Thomas M. Rivers, M.D., cited large doses of alcoholic beverages as yet another cause of child-birth malformations. 18

"THE BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF SUNLIGHT

In 1865, Ellen White commented that "rooms that are not exposed to light and air become damp. . The atmosphere in these rooms is poisonous, because it has not been purified by light and air." 19 "Death ­producing germs abound in dark, neglected corners." 20 The solution given was "perfect cleanliness, plenty of sunlight, careful attention to sanitation' 21 and "thorough ventilation and plenty of sunlight. Let there be a current of air and an abundance of light in every room in the house.” 22.

It was eighty years later that Dr. Lawrence P. Garrod, professor of bacteriology at the University of London performed studies on the effect of light on bacteria in the dust of sickrooms. His surprising disclosure came as a bombshell to the medical world: Dust on the floor near the beds of patients suffering from an infectious disease contained many of the bacteria that produced the disease. And this was also true of the dust under the bed and in every dark place in the room. But an analysis of dust near the window, on the windowsill, and on the window itself contained no disease-producing bacteria. And Dr. Garrod found this to be true even in rooms that never had direct sunlight, due to a northern exposure. Additional research revealed that these facts remained consistent even in winter when less light was available, and it had to penetrate two layers of glass." 23. "It must now be recognized that ordinary diffuse day­light, even on a cloudy day and even in winter in England, can be lethal [deadly] to bacteria, and that glass is no absolute bar to this effect." 24

THE PERILS OF MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL HYPNOSIS

In the mid1950s, a concerted effort was made to convince the general public of the great value of medical hypnosis, but within a relatively short time doubts were beginning to arise. In "Psychiatry," for August, 1962, the question was asked in regard to it, "Does the end justify the means?" But Ellen White sounded the warning even more clearly over a century before. Writing about hypnosis to a physician, she said.

"No man or woman should exercise his or her will to control the senses or reason of another, so that the mind of the person is rendered passively subject to the will of the one who is exercising the control. This 'science' may appear to be something beautiful, but it is a science which you are in no case to handle. . There is something better for you to engage in than the control of human nature. No individual should be permitted to take control of another person's mind, thinking that in so doing he is causing him to receive great benefit The mind cure is one of the most dangerous deceptions which can be practiced upon any individual. Temporary relief may be felt, but the mind of the one thus controlled is never again so strong and reliable." 25

It is well-known that an individual who has submitted to hypnosis is more easily hypnotized again.

Never let anyone control your mind. In her day, medical hypnosis was often called "mind cure", In 1902 she wrote: "The 'mind cure is a satanic science. Already you have gone far enough in it to endanger seriously your future experience." 26 Thus hypnosis is dangerous both to the one who uses it as well as to the one it is used upon!

“Men and women are not to study the science of how to take captive the minds of those who associate with them. This is the science that Satan teaches. We are to resist everything of the kind. We are not to tamper with mesmerism and hypnotism—the science of the one who lost his first estate, and was cast out of heaven." 27

Although not often perceived, psychology and psychiatry are partially linked to the principles upon, which hypnosis operates: strong mental suggestion, separate from Christian experience and Biblical counsels.

“In these days when skepticism and infidelity so often appear in a scientific garb, we need to be guarded on every hand. Through this means our great adversary [Satan] is deceiving thousands, and leading them captive according to his will. The advantage he takes of the sciences, sciences which pertain to the human mind, is tremendous. Here, serpent like, he imperceptibly creeps in to corrupt the work of God. This entering in of Satan through the sciences is well devised. Through the channel of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism [hypnotism], he comes more directly to the people of this generation, and works with that power which is to characterize his efforts near the close of probation." 28

It has not been until very recently that research scientists have fully grasped the dangers to be found in medical and non-medical hypnosis. A weakening of the ability to resist immoral and incorrect suggestions has been noted. The scientist, J.A. Whieldon, M.D., presented a paper at the Institute of Mental Hygiene, meeting in Worthington, Ohio, on November 12-15, 1956: "Psychic hypnosis is . . in many instances a harmful procedure which can in reality undo the very thing those in psychotherapy are trying to most to accomplish, the growth of the individual to emotional independence and personal responsibility. . Often the men who use hypnosis have an unconscious need to dominate—to exert themselves over others, doing hypnosis often is little more than satisfaction of a person's narcissism. Psychic hypnosis is, then, an understandable phenomenon and can be performed because all people are suggestible. Hypnosis does not cure—and actually may be dangerous" or a hindrance to the recovery of the patient." 29 Floyd L. Ruch, writing in "Psychology and Life," commented: "Hypnotic suggestion. . removes the danger signal of pain without curing the organic disease." 30 Interestingly enough, not much more is known about how hypnosis operates than when Dr. Mesmer first introduced to the medical world two centuries ago. 31 But practicing spiritualists recognize it to be an occult science used in devil worship.

 DANGERS IN LIVING YEAST

Ellen White recommended raised (leavened) and unleavened bread. But she specified that, if yeast was used, the loaves should be small, well baked—so that the leaven would be entirely killed before it was eaten. "Bread should be light and sweet. Not the least taint of sourness should be tolerated. The loaves should be small, and so thoroughly baked that, so far as possible, the yeast germs shall be destroyed." 32

What a strange idea! Why would it matter whether the yeast germs were killed before the bread was eaten? As late as the 1930's, the use of live bread yeast was recommended by nutritionists for the B vitamins it contained. Back in those days, people were urged to eat a cake of baker's yeast every day. But now it is known that the live yeast cells are capable of passing through the acid in the stomach and making yeast growths within the intestines. Bogert's book, "Nutrition and Physical Fitness," is a standard college nutrition textbook. Here is what we know now: "Live yeast cells. . take up B vitamins from the food material in the intestine, thus making them unavailable for the body. If the effect of B vitamins in combating; constipation is desired, it is better to take dried [killed] brewer's yeast or wheat germ." 33

It should be mentioned here that powdered or flaked "nutritional yeast" (brewer's yeast) which you purchase in a health food store is now used as a source of the vitamin B complex. Nutritional (Brewer's) yeast is composed of dead yeast cells.

ELECTRIC CURRENTS IN THE BODY AND PLANTS

Writing about the human body, Ellen White Wrote: "Whatever disturbs the circulation of the electric currents in the nervous system lessens the strength of the vital powers, and the result is a deadening of the sensibilities of the mind." 34 "This class [physical laborers who use the brain powers very little] fall more readily if attacked by disease; the system is vitalized by the electrical force of the brain to resist disease." 35 It was in the year 1929 that Hans Berger, a German psychiatrist, first published a series of irregular curved lines. "In the quarter of a century since then the study of his little wavy lines has grown into a new department of science called electro-encephalography. Today several hundred laboratories in the United States, and a similar number in Europe are recording and interpreting charts of the electrical discharges of human brains. Their total annual output of charts would girdle the earth." 36 It was not until five years., after Berger first announced his discovery that Charles Mayo, M.D. of the Mayo Clinic, first supported his discovery. Now we know that "the little wavy lines." reveal the activity of the micro-electrical generators within our nervous systems." "These wonderful waves exist in the human body, and are the vital-force of the heart and the nerves." 37

But Ellen White also wrote about electricity within plants: "There is life in the seed, there is power in the soil; but unless an infinite power [the power of God] is exercised day and night, the seed will yield no returns. The showers of rain must refresh the thirsty field; the sun must impart warmth; electricity must be conveyed to the buried seed. The life, which the Creator has implanted, He alone can call forth. Every seed grows, every plant develops, by the power of God." 38 She said that in the year 1900. In 1959, Dr. H.S. Burr of Yale University, in a symposium held at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, was quoted as saying: "Periodic, predictable electrical rhythms exist not only in humans but in trees arid other forms of life. . Dr. Burr . . said the vigor and growth rate of plants already have been successfully predicted by measurement of the electricity in cotton seeds." 39 It was for reasons that included this, that she strongly urged the eating of plant foods, —for in so doing we eat living tissue with the electricity still in it. The eating of animals as food is the eating of dead food.

ANTICIPATING SCIENCE

We have noted but a very few of the scientific insights that were given to Ellen White. Many more could be mentioned; enough in fact to quite fill this book. For example: Cancer is caused by a germ, and can be contracted in a number of specified ways that many are not aware of. Children are not physically and nervously ready to begin formal schooling until the age of eight to ten. Dangerous effects of X-Rays. Salt must only be used in very moderate amounts, but it should not be entirely discarded. The use of coffee and tea is responsible for a number of otherwise unexplained illnesses. The mind as both a causative and preventative factor in disease and illness. The close relationship between the use of too much sugar and a liability to disease. The damage that alcohol has on the brain. The relation of harmful drugs to birth defects. The close interrelationships between mind and body in a number of significant ways.

Concepts such as these, with their ramifications, hardly grasped a hundred years ago, are only now beginning to be explored scientifically.

David Paulson, M.D., about the year 1913, reported a conversation that he had with Dr. John Harvey Kellogg a number of years earlier. Introductory to the following statement, it should be mentioned that in the late nineteenth century, John H. Kellogg, M.D., was recognized as a world leader in several areas of medical practice:

"Dr. Kellogg asked me in New York City twenty-two years ago if I knew how it was that the Battle Creek Sanitarium was able to keep five years ahead of the medical profession. I did not know. Then he told me.

"He said when a new thing is brought out in the medical world, he knew from his knowledge of the spirit of prophecy [the writings of Ellen White] whether, it belonged in our system or not If it did, he instantly adopted it and advertised it while the rest of the doctors were slowly feeling their way, and when they finally adopted it he had five years the start on them.

"On the other hand when the medical profession were swept off their feet by some new fad, if it did not fit the light we had received he simply did not touch it. When the doctors finally discovered their mistake, they wondered how it came that Dr. Kellogg did not get caught" —Document File 45, referred to by Richard A. Schaefer in "Legacy," page 60.

1. EGW, Counsels on Diet and Foods, pages 393-394.

2. Ibid.

3. EGW, Testimonies, Volume 2, page 61.,

4. W. Dock, M.D., "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," Volume 5, pages 674-675. (1957).

5. Meat: EGW, Counsels On Diet and Foods, pages 373-418. Butter:

EGW; Counsels on Diet and Foods, pages 349-353. Grease: EGW, Counsels on Diet and Foods, pages 353-355.

6. W. A. Thomas, M.D., in "Journal of the American Medical Assoc­iation," June 3, 1961, page 783.

7. "Medical World News," November 22,1963, page 57.

8. EGW, Adventist Home, pages 255-259.

9. EGW, Ministry of Healing, pages 372-373.

10. EGW, Testimonies, Volume 2, pages 382-383. n. Dr. Ashley Montagu, "Ladies Home Journal," February, 1954, page 43."

12. Dr. Lyon P. Strean and Dr. Lyndon A. Peer, "Time," September 17,1956.

13. Leland H. Scott, Child Development: An Individual Longhudinal Approach, pages 371-372. 1967.

14. Associated Press news release, dated June 3, 1953, under the title, "Unborn Baby May be 'Marked' by Mother's Emotions."

15. Dr. Ashley Montagu, "Ladies Home Journal, "February, 1954, page 43.

16. Dr. Jesse D. Rising, "Drugging" During Pregnancy,” in "Time,” October 27,1958.

17. Ibid.

18. Thomas M Rivers, "Radiation, Strong Drugs and Alcohol," in "The National Foundation.".

19. EGW, How to Live, page 62. (1865) (Republished in Selected Messages, Book 2, page 462."

20. EGW, Ministry of Healing, page 276.

21. Ibid.

22. EGW, Ministry of Healing, page 274.

23. Dr. Lawrence P. Garrod; in "British Medical Journal," 1 :247. (1944)

24. Ibid.

25. EGW, Medical Ministry, 113-116.

26. EGW, Selected Messages, Book 2, pages 349-351. (1902)

27. EGW, Medical Ministry, 110-111 (1905).

28. EGW, "Signs of the Times," November 6, 1.884 (Selected Mes­sages, Book 2: pages 351-352).

29. J.A. Whieldon, M.D., "The Peril of Hypnosis," a paper presented at the Institute of Mental Hygiene, Worthington, Ohio, November 12-15,1956.

30, Floyd l. Ruch, Psychology and Life,1948, page 516.

31. "Journal of the A.M.A.," June 16,1962, Volume 180, November 11

32. EGW, The Ministry of Healing, page 301 (1905)

33. L. Jean Bogert, Nutrition and Physical Fitness, 7th edition page 406.

34. EGW, Testimonies, Volume 2, page 347. (Also in Education, page 209.)

35. EGW, Testimonies, Volume 3, page 157.

36. "The Scientific American," June, 1954, page 54.

37. Ernst Weber, President.' Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn, New York, quoted in "This Week," December 30, 1962.

38. EGW, Christ's Object Lessons, page 63. (1900)

39. Dr. H.S. Burr, quoted at symposium, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg Virginia, November 22, 1959. Quoted in Washington "Post," November 22,1959, page A-1.  

 CHAPTER EIGHT

RECOGNIZED BY OTHERS

A number of years ago the Minister of Education of a certain southern European country came to America to do post-graduate work at Columbia University in New York. Although he already had several doctorates, he wanted to obtain still further information,—the very best of information to take back home to the people of his country.

Arriving home, he published a full-length book in his own language. It was to be the standard of public education for the people of his nation. And, indeed, it was widely agreed to be a masterpiece, in its thoroughness and practicality.

The book was a word-for-word translation of Ellen White’s book, "Education." The only changes were to be found in the final chapter and in the authors name: he listed himself as the author.

The present writer recalls an incident that took place about thirty years ago in another European country; A high-level church official took the beautiful book, "Steps to Christ" by Ellen White, and reprinted it in his own language—under his own name. The people loved it. And they had reason to. It provided a clear description of how to come to Christ.

George Wharton James, writer, lecturer and contemporary of Ellen White, in his authoritative volume on California, "California-Romantic and Beautiful," said this about Ellen, who at that time was a resident of that State:

"This remarkable woman, also, though almost entirely self-educated, has written and published more books and in more languages, which circulate to a greater extent than the written works of any woman in history."—George Wharton James, "California—Romantic and Beautiful," pages 319-320.

And, we might add, she turned out far more written material than most men in history, also. But there was a reason, an impelling reason. Men and women all around her needed to be helped. And God gave her guidance in preparing letters, articles, and books that would meet that need.

It is significant that over 78,000 Bible references and quotations are to be found in her writings. That which she wrote not only agreed with Scripture; it was filled with Scripture. And over the years, these writings were discovered by many people, who found in them that which they had been looking for.

Here, briefly, are some of the things that others have said about the life, personality and ministry of Ellen White:

"As a speaker, Mrs. White is one of the most successful of the few ladies who have become noteworthy as lecturers, in this country, during the last twenty years. Constant use has so strengthened her vocal organs as to give her voice rare depth and power. Her clearness and strength of articulation are so great that, when speaking in the open air, she has frequently, been distinctly heard at the distance of a mile. Her language, though simple, is always forcible and elegant. When inspired with her subject, she is often marvelously eloquent, holding the largest audiences spellbound far hours with out a sign of impatience or weariness."—American Biographical Dictionary, under topic “White, Ellen G."

"Mrs. White was probably one of the best-known \/Women in the world. She had traveled extensively, had lectured to large audiences in many countries, and her writings had been published in various languages carrying to people of nearly all tongues [not quite: translations were made into over forty languages] the message she felt called upon by God to deliver.

"The life of Mrs. White is an example worthy of emulation by all. Though of limited education, for the greater part of her long life in poor health, she never faltered, but far seventy-two years carried and preached the message of Jesus Christ, as understood by her, to the furthermost corners of the earth. She was a humble, devout disciple of Christ and ever went about doing good. Her writings have been published in books, papers and periodicals and from her prolific pen has came writings on many religious topics. She was. . honored and respected by all who appreciate, noble womanhood consecrated to unselfish labor far the uplifting and betterment of mankind. Her. . almost ninety years were full to overflowing with kind deeds, kind wards and earnest prayers far all mankind. This good Samaritan will surely be greatly missed. Her reward will be commensurate with the great goad she has done."—St. Helena, California, "Star," July 23, 1915.

"Her Christian life was marked by deep personal piety; she had great faith in prayer, and was zealous in her spiritual devotions. Her charities were liberal beyond her means; she was ever impoverishing herself by her gifts to the cause she loved and by her care far the poor and needy.'

"She believed in the divine inspiration of the Bible. Of this Word she was a constant student all her life; to her it was the voice of God. . She exalted Christ as the sinner's only hope. She loved the Savior, and did what she could to bring others to a knowledge of Him."  —I. H. Evans, quoted in "Review and Herald," July 29,1915.

At the time of her death, two large American newspapers commented as follows:

"Here is a noble record, and she deserves great honor . . She showed no spirited pride and she sought no 'filthy lucre.' She lived the life and did the work of a worthy prophetess."— Editorial, "The New York Independent," August 23, 1915.

"Mrs. White was a remarkable woman in many ways. She was deeply religious, and none who knew her intimately had any doubt, as to her sincerity. "—Editorial, Detroit "News-Tribune," July 25,1915.

D. M. Canright said the following about Ellen White, ten years before he suddenly turned against her and wrote articles attacking her as a vicious person:

"As to the Christian character of Sister White, I beg leave to say that I think I know something about it. I’ve been acquainted with sister White for eighteen years, more than half the history of our people. I have been in their family time and again, sometimes weeks at a time. They have been in our house and family many times. I have traveled with them almost everywhere; have been with them in private and in public meeting and out of meeting, and have had the very best chances to know something of the life, character, and spirit of Brother and Sister White.

"I know Sister White to be an unassuming, modest, kind­hearted, noble woman. These traits in her character are not simply put on and cultivated, but they spring gracefully and easily from her natural disposition. She is not self-conceited, self-righteous, and self-important, as fanatics always are. I have frequently came in contact with fanatical persons, and have always found them to be full of pretensions, full of pride, ready to give their opinion, boastful of their holiness, etc. But I have ever found Sister White the reverse of all this. Anyone, the poorest and the humblest, can go to her freely for advice and comfort without being repulsed. She is ever looking after the needy, the destitute, and the suffering, providing for them, and pleading their cause. I have never formed an acquaintance with any persons who so constantly have the fear of God before them. Nothing is undertaken without earnest prayer to God. She studies God's Word carefully and constantly.

"I have heard Sister White speak hundreds of times, have read all her testimonies through and through, most of them many times, and I have never been able to find one immoral sentence in the whole of them, or anything that is not strictly pure and Christian; nothing that leads away from the Bible, or from Christ; but there I find the most earnest appeals to obey God, to love Jesus, to believe the Scriptures, and to search them constantly. I have received great spiritual benefit times without number, from the testimonies. Indeed, I never read them without feeling reproved for my lack of faith in God, lack of devotion, and lack of earnestness in saving souls. If I have any judgment, any spiritual discernment, I pronounce the, testimonies to be of the same Spirit and of the same tenor as the Scriptures.

" . . One thing I have remarked, and that is, that the most bitter opponents of the visions of Sister White admit that she is a Christian. How they can now make this admission is more than I know. They try to fix it up by saying that she is deceived. They are not able to put their finger upon a single stain in all her life, nor an immoral sentence in all her writings. They have to admit that much of her writings are excellent, and whoever would live out all she says would be a good Christian, sure of Heaven. This is passing strange if she is a tool of the devil, inspired by Satan, or if her writings are immoral or the vagaries of her own mind."—Written by the man who later turned on Ellen White as her most fervent enemy: Dudley Marvin Canright, Review and Herald, April 26, 1877. The following statement tells of Canright at her funeral in 1915, twenty-eight years after he first declared her to be of the devil:

"Even the bitterest critic—one who had left the movement and turned to write many attacks upon the work of his former associates, and especially upon the Spirit of prophecy in the church—paid tribute to a noble Christian life. He came to Mrs. White's funeral. His brother. . told us of D. M. Canright's emotion as they walked together past the casket, with others of the.. congregation, at the close of the funeral service. They came back to their pew, and stood while the great congregation was still filing past. 'Then. . my brother [D. M. Canright] suggested that we go down again, to take one more look. We joined the passing throng, and again stood by the bier. My brother rested his hand upon the side of the casket, and with tears rolling down his cheeks, he said brokenly, ‘There is a noble Christian woman gone!"'—W. A. Spicer, quoted in Spirit of Prophecy Treasure Chest, page 186.

Ellen White wrote in many fields. One of these was education. Her book, "Education," was her best-known volume dealing with this subject. Schools and colleges have been founded upon the principles contained within those books.

In 1959, a leading educator and faculty member of the Department of Education at Teachers' College. Columbia University, in New York City, happened upon 'the book, "Education," by Ellen White. Dr. Florence Stratemeyer, an authority in her field, had this to say about that book:

"Recently the book 'Education' by Ellen White has been brought to my attention. Written at the turn of the century, this volume was more than fifty years ahead of its times. And I was surprised to learn that it was written by a woman with but three years of schooling.

"The breadth and depth of its philosophy amazed me. Its concept of balanced education, harmonious development, and of thinking and acting on principle are advanced educational concepts..

"The objective of restoring in man the image of God, the teaching of parental responsibility, and the emphasis on self control in the child are ideals the world desperately needs.

"Mr. White did not necessarily use current terms. In fact, she did not use the word curriculum in her writings. But the book "Education" in certain parts treats of important curriculum principles. She was concerned with the whole learner—the harmonious development of mental, physical, and spiritual powers.

"Today many are stressing the development of the intellect. But feelings and emotional development are equally important. In our changing society, the ability to act on thought and in terms of principle is central. It is this harmonious development that is so greatly needed, yet so, generally neglected today."—Dr. Florence Stratemeyer, Professor of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, quoted in "Review and Herald," August 6, 1959.

Thomas M. Elliott, editor of the prestigious "Atlanta Constitution," wrote a key editorial in his paper on October 9, 1950, endorsing two books written by Ellen White:

"Among the many hundreds of books I have studied on the subject of religion that inspire heart warmth and enriched faith, none have been of greater help than Ellen White's two books—'Patriarchs and Prophets' and 'Prophets and Kings.'

"Those books were written, not for literary fame or financial reward, but to help heart-hungry humanity learn of God. They make God's dealings with man clear to the most simple-minded reader without bias or sectarianism, I commend these books to all seekers after a clearer knowledge of the righteousness of God."—Thomas M. Elliott, editorial in "The Atlanta Constitution," October 9, 1950.

The above two books, "Patriarchs and Prophets" and "Prophets and Kings" provide a detailed description of the Old Testament story. They have encouraged many folk. The present writer recalls the story of an older man, who when asked the name of his favorite book by Ellen White, said, "I value them all, but—" and then his voice faltered, "it is 'Patriarchs and Prophets' that I appreciate the most—for that is the book that brought me back to God."

"Another volume, cherished by many, is "Desire of Ages," a graphic description of the life of Christ as portrayed in the Four Gospels of the New Testament.

Several years ago, one who had come to love that book was attending, summer school at a state university in Massachusetts, when the following incident occurred:

“One day our teacher, who had just returned from an extended study of literature in Europe, asked each member of the class to come next day with three quotations from a favorite author The name was not to be given, and the class was to be asked to name the author by the selection read.

"I was the first one called on, and although there were forty-eight in the class, no one else was called upon. The entire time was taken up in discussing the three quotations I presented —passages from 'The Desire of Ages,' No one could name the author. Then to my happy surprise, the teacher said:

”Well, class, that is from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White.” She spoke at length, saying she knew nothing of the author's religion, but she felt able to declare herself as to literature; and she said it was a pity Mrs. White's writings were not better known in the literary world. She said she was going to make a strong statement, but she meant every word. Of all the writings she knew, outside of the Bible, there were none so full of beauty, so pure, and yet so simple, as the writings of Mrs. E.G. White."—Quoted in The Gift of Prophecy, by DA Delafield, page 34.

The curator of the religious book section of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., the largest library in the world, was asked if he would name the book that, in his opinion, was the finest book on the life of Christ, in print or out of print. An expert in his field, and well-acquainted with the holdings and accessions of the Library of Congress dealing with biographical works on the life of Christ, he replied without hesitation, "The book, 'Desire of Ages,' by Ellen White is the most beautifully written book on the life of Christ in the Library of Congress."

And yet this was the writer who, when asked about the authorship of her books, humbly said:

"I walk with trembling before God. I know not how to speak or trace with pen the large subjects of the atoning sacrifice. I know not how to present subjects in the living power in which they stand before me. I tremble for fear lest I shall belittle the great plan of salvation by cheap words. I bow my soul in awe and reverence before God and say, 'Who is sufficient for these things?' "—Letter 40, 1892.

And this was the author who said:

"Sister White is not the originator of these books. They contain the instruction that during her lifework God has been giving her. They contain the precious, comforting light that God has graciously given His servant to be given to the world. From their pages this light is to shine into the hearts of men and women leading them to the Saviour."—Colporteur Evangelist, page 36.  

Continue chapter 9