Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 38. (8/5/1915)

Review and Herald

Aug 5, 1915

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 5, 1915

Appreciation of the Work of Mrs. E. G. White

By M. C. Wilcox; G. B. Thompson

It was in the seventies of the last century that the writer, a young school-teacher, first became acquainted with this people, and through them with the work of Mrs. E. G. White. Having been for years skeptical regarding the Bible, he was even more skeptical of her work. Therefore it was not the conviction of sentiment, but of evidence, that led to the recognition of her gift and work among this people.

Nor was it evidence of what might be called outward or physical signs of her gift. These might be convincing to others, but they made little or no appeal to his reason or conviction.

The preeminent evidence with him was the character of her work and its fruits. Some of these are worthy of note, but he does not seek to name them in the order of their importance.

Mrs. White did not, as have some latter-day teachers, claim that the truth was restored in her after having been lost for centuries. She recognized God's leading and guiding hand all through the ages. She and her people were but seeking to carry on to completion, as set forth in prophecy, the Reformation begun in the fifteenth century, but left incomplete. She recognized that God wrought mightily through his own instruments in all the ages, and her heart had large charity for those in the great Protestant denominations who could not see all that she saw.

She did all in her power to advance educational work in its truest and fullest sense,—the education of the whole man, physical, mental, moral, spiritual.

Mrs. White aimed not at outward display, but at the primitive simplicity of Christianity, with conscientious, rigid economy; yet she was not niggardly, but liberal to the impoverishment of herself. She worked with irrepressible energy, yet was careful of the health of those around her.

She did not seek to build up some great center. She did not believe in colonization. It was the duty of God's people not to seek selfishly what would please and profit them, but to be missionaries among the needy. Her efforts in behalf of foreign missions have been great, and her appeal to her people as she saw the need of millions was to sacrifice, to labor, and to pray for others. The erection of sanitariums, publishing houses, schools, in all of which she was a leading spirit, had for their ultimate object the salvation of souls, the glory of the cause of Christ. She therefore did not seek to establish any great earthly center, but many centers, spiritual ganglia, so to speak, the great center of which was the Eternal Throne.

Mrs. White sought to teach men to look to God for guidance in perplexity, and not to her or any other human being. Frequently when men have written for light on perplexing questions, she has in reply urged them to seek God, assuring them that he was as willing to hear them as he was to hear her.

She held to no human standard. The Bible was to her the Book of God. The Spirit that inspired its words would guide the soul willing to be guided, into all truth. All her utterances, by pen or voice, pointed to the Word of God as the one all-sufficient guide. From that living Spirit she daily drank of the waters of life.

Mrs. White never claimed or assumed leadership among this people. Hers was one gift among many—vital and important it is true, but not the greatest. There was but one leader, Christ Jesus. He was our example, our Saviour from sin, our constant Friend, our mighty Helper, our coming King. From him she took orders. To him she went not vainly in every trial. To him she pointed others.

All these are divine, life-molding principles. Many may read with prejudice; even so have men ever read light and truth to their own undoing. Many may recognize that God sends light and truth through the frailest and humblest instruments, and may profit thereby.

So has the writer profited, and he here wishes to voice his appreciation of Mrs. E. G. White's life work, and of its fruits. He has learned that her messages are not clubs to mangle, not daggers to destroy souls. Sometimes they are caustic to burn away sin, but they are also balm for the bruise, healing for the hurt, helpfulness and encouragement to the broken heart, a guide to the eternal principles and rich promise of the love of God. In their continuance is life.

M. C. WILCOX.

I embraced the truths of the third angel's message in 1884. Before that I was without God and without hope. When the message came to me, I accepted the whole message, including the spirit of prophecy. It seemed reasonable to me that God would speak to his church now in somewhat the same way as he did in former times. I had no doubt then, nor have I had in all the years which have since intervened, that Sister White was chosen of the Lord as his special messenger to communicate to his remnant church words of warning and instruction just as truly as were the prophets of old.

The first book I purchased after beginning to keep the Sabbath was “Early Writings.” I have it still, rebound. I have read this precious little volume through many times. None, it would seem, could read this book, among the first of her writings, without being assured that it was indited by the Spirit of God in a special sense. The same is true of all the many volumes from her pen. Read where you will and you are directed to the Holy Scriptures as the guide, and to Jesus as the Redeemer. As one reads, a conviction of sin steals into the heart, there comes a desire to pray, and to make a deeper and more complete consecration to God of all he has and is, and he feels that he must do more to save the lost. This is evidence of the work of the Spirit of God. I prize these writings next to my Bible, and regard them as containing the most helpful comments on the Holy Scriptures in existence.

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Appreciation of the Work of Mrs. E. G. White

(Concluded from page 2)

As I have read these writings, I have been profoundly impressed with their deep spirituality, and have many times said that the people to whom God has committed such an inestimable gift are the most favored, and also the most accountable for light, of all people in the world.

This faithful and devoted servant of God is now laid to rest, and can no longer instruct and admonish us either by voice or by pen. We should reread the volumes from her pen, and give heed, as never before, to the counsel which has come to us, endeavoring to walk in the clear pathway of holy living which it points out.

Through the years of my ministry I have read and prized the works of Sister White. When it was dark, the way has been pointed out. In sorrow there has been comfort. When the cause of God was in a crisis, warnings have come to save from disaster. The snares and pitfalls of the enemy have been unmasked. I sometimes fear that as a people we have not appreciated this gift as we ought.

Now her work is done, her sun has gone down from a cloudless sky. That voice which has uttered so many faithful warnings is stilled, the hands which have been so ready to minister to others are folded to rest. Her pen is laid aside forever. She now sleeps in the silence of the tomb. But though dead, she still speaks. Her works indeed follow her, and will continue to do so till the close of probation. We have all sustained a great loss, but God lives, and the triumph of the message, foretold both in the Scriptures of Truth and in the writings of the spirit of prophecy, is assured.

G. B. THOMPSON.

The Weary Watcher Rests

By Eugene Rowell

EUGENE ROWELL

God’s weary watcher sleeps. His silence lies Upon the voice unstilled by human fears. His seal is set on the discerning eyes That saw his light through all the darkening years.

Mysterious years with awful meaning fraught, That on us crowd so fast, who shall declare Their warning message or their hidden thought, Or give us hope against their deep despair?

Mourn not, God’s chosen people. Do not weep For that long-faithful servant gone to rest. He hath but given his beloved sleep, And with his peace that life of toil hath blessed.

So sleep his prophets old, awhile withdrawn From toil and pain and sorrow. Their reward Is not less sure; and when the night is gone, In God’s own morning they shall meet their Lord.

Her message still is with us. Mark it well. A saintly life is scrolled in wisdom there. More reverent on its living precepts dwell, And heed the more its urgent call to prayer.

What troublous times are on us, God alone Can in the fullness of his wisdom know; Yet he will make his dreadful secrets known, Nor leave us for quick floods to overflow.

For God is with his people. His high will Is still toward us for good. His great design Moves steadfast and unwavering onward still; His years are set by an unswerving line.

Draw close, draw close, his chosen, in this hour When darkness threatens danger. Let the tie Of love divine clasp with immortal power The brotherhood of saints. Let faith not die.

So, weary watcher, sleep. Thy vigil long Hath won life’s hope for us, its crown for thee. Sleep on, to waken to the victor’s song, And joy of saints upon the glassy sea.

Continue reading: The Final Funeral Services of Mrs. Ellen G. White