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Ellen Gould White (1827-1915)
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Ellen Harmon (later Mrs. Ellen White) was called in 1845 at the age of 17 to be a messenger for God. There were other individuals at that time in the world who were also claiming to be divinely led. Consequently, those who came within the range of her influence were extremely cautious in applying all the Bible criteria to test whether she was a true prophet of God or not. Yet, her life and work measured up in every particular.
In 1856, she married a minister, James White, and together they devoted their lives to God’s cause. They had four sons. Ellen White traveled widely in the United States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
White’s education only lasted as far as third grade, in spite of this, and the fact that she was for many years plagued with seriously poor health, God used her as a remarkable tool for His work, and she became a prolific writer. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 49 books. And today, more than 100 titles are available in English, including compilations from 50,000 pages of her manuscripts. With the sole exception of Agatha Christie, White is the most translated female writer in the history of literature and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings have been accepted as priceless instruction in the fields of religion, evangelism, prophecy, Bible history, education, publishing, management, health, medicine, temperance, nutrition, Christian lifestyle, human relations, marriage counseling, family guidance and many other subjects.
Ellen White was a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts. Through her writings and public ministry she has made a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world that continues in this century. Her varied roles included speaking before audiences as large as 20,000 (without a microphone!). She was a leader who emphasized education and health and promoted establishment of schools, medical centers and publishing houses. Her insights into healthful living were light years ahead of her time yet have stood the buffer of time to be remarkably accurate teachings widely accepted today by the scientific and medical community.
At the close of her long career and life one of the large daily papers observed that Ellen White had “lived the life of a prophet and had done the work of a prophet.” The details of the call and labors of this remarkable, yet humble and God-fearing woman, is most impressive and leaves the reader convinced that the source of her information was higher than human, and in consideration of its nature and results, could be none other than God.
We would recommend that if any of our readers are not personally acquainted with the beauty and value of her priceless writings, that they prove what is true, not by believing what is said but by reading her books and experiencing whether or not they draw one into a closer relationship with our Savior and deepen our love for God and joy in living.
Most importantly, one will find that all her writings are in complete agreement with the Word of God as we believe that both are inspired by the same Spirit.
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