Early Writings of Ellen White
Table of Contents
Chapter
Preface
Rare indeed it is in these changing times that a book lives on through a century in ever-increasing demand and takes its place in current reading by the side of books dealing with present issues. Yet such is the enviable record of Early Writings of Ellen White. Through the years there have been many printings of the several editions. It now appears in a fifth American Edition.
This popular little volume is rightly named, being a republication of the first three Ellen White books -- Christian Experience and Views of Mrs. E. G. White, first printed in 1851; a supplement to Experience and Views, issued in 1854; and Spiritual Gifts, Volume I, which appeared in 1858.
The wide and lasting popularity of Early Writings may be attributed to the unwaning desire to possess and study the messages of information and encouragement which came early to the church through the prophetic gift.
The second printing of this matter was made in 1882 in two small volumes-- Experience and Views and the Supplement comprising the first, and Spiritual Gifts the second. As to certain additions to the first of these original works and some slight editorial changes made at that time, the publisher's preface states:
"Footnotes giving dates and explanations, and an appendix giving two very interesting dreams, which were mentioned but not related in the original work, will add to the value of this edition. Aside from these, no changes from the original work have been made in the present edition, except the occasional employment of a new word, or a change in the construction of a sentence, to better express the idea, and no portion of the work has been omitted. No shadow of change has been made in any idea or sentiment of the original work, and the verbal changes have been made under The author's own eye, and with her full approval."
The two companion books were also reissued as a single volume in 1882 under the title Early Writings. In 1906 the type was reset to make the third American Edition, which has had wide distribution, meeting the ever-increasing demand. The paging of this edition became the standard for all reference work and the subsequently published indexes to the writings of Mrs. White.
The fourth edition of Early Writings was published in 1945. Forty years of printing and reprinting made necessary new printing plates. As the type was reset the content was held page for page with the edition it succeeded. Modern spelling and current forms of punctuation were employed and a new preface reviewed briefly the history of the book.
This fifth edition is characterised by a historical prologue, added to furnish the reader with a knowledge of the times and circumstances of the various portions of the book and by several appendix notes provided to explain expressions and situations not so well understood now as at the time of writing. There has been no change of the E. G. White text nor change in the paging from the fourth edition which this succeeds, consequently it harmonises with the comprehensive Index to the writings of Ellen White.
In Experience and Views is presented Mrs. White's first biographical sketch, briefly tracing her experience through the advent movement of 1840-44. Then follow a number of the earlier visions, many of which had first appeared in print in broadside or periodical article form.
The Supplement explains certain expressions of the earlier work which had been misunderstood or misconstrued, and gives additional counsel to the church. Its publication preceded by one year the first pamphlet bearing the title of Testimony for the Church.
Spiritual Gifts, Volume I, being the first published account of the long-extended conflict between Christ and his angels and Satan and his angels, is cherished for its vivid descriptions and its compactness, touching as it does only the more salient points. In succeeding years this brief story of the conflict was greatly amplified in the four volumes of The Spirit of Prophecy, published 1870-84. After wide distribution, this four-book set was replaced by the well-known and widely read conflict of the ages series, presenting the account in still more detailed form, as it had been presented to Mrs. White in many revelations. Even though the fuller volumes-- Patriarchs and Prophets, Prophets and Kings, the Desire of Ages, the Acts of the Apostles, and the Great Controversy-- present the conflict story in its more complete form, the initial writing of the account as here presented in its brief, clear-cut, simple form, will, with Experience and Views, always be in large demand.
The Trustees of the Ellen White Publications.
Washington, D.C.
March, 1963
Preface to First Edition of "Experience and Views"
We are well aware that many honest seekers after truth and bible holiness are prejudiced against visions. Two great causes have created this prejudice. First fanaticism, accompanied by false visions and exercises, has existed more or less almost everywhere. This has led many of the sincere to doubt anything of the kind. Secondly, the exhibition of mesmerism, and what is commonly called the "mysterious rapping," are perfectly calculated to deceive, and create unbelief relative to the gifts and operations of the Spirit of God.
But God is unchangeable. His work through Moses in the presence of pharaoh was perfect, notwithstanding Jannes and Jambres were permitted to perform miracles by the power of Satan, that resembled the miracles wrought by Moses. The counterfeit also appeared in the days of the apostles, yet the gifts of the spirit were manifested in the followers of christ. And It is not the purpose of God to leave his people in this age of almost unbounded deception without the gifts and manifestations of his spirit.
The design of a counterfeit is to imitate an existing reality. Therefore the present manifestation of the spirit of error is proof that God manifests himself to his children by the power of the holy spirit, and that he is about to fulfil his word gloriously.
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." acts 2:17. (Cf. Joel 2:28.)
As for mesmerism, we have ever considered it dangerous, therefore have had nothing to do with it. We never even saw a person in a mesmeric sleep and know nothing of the art by experience.
We send out this little work with the hope that it will comfort the saints.
James White.
Saratoga Springs, N.Y., August, 1851
