The following article is a response to an email correspondence between William Fagal (Associate Director of Ellen G. White Estate) and an anonymous correspondent, taken from the Ellen White Estate’s website, pertaining to the pronouns Ellen White used for the Holy Spirit in the first edition of the devotional, Ye Shall Receive Power. We can observe from below that the pronouns used to designate the Holy Spirit in the devotional for February 20, entitled, Abide In Him, was changed from “it” (neuter pronouns) in the original source material (Signs of the Times, September 27, 1899) to “He” and “Him” (masculine pronouns) in the devotional. On the website, the earliest correspondence begins at the bottom of the page and the latter at the top, just as shown below. In other words, you would have to start reading from the bottom to follow the original email thread chronologically (I have added the numbers 1 through 6 in brackets below to indicate the original correspondence in chronological order).

Source Link: https://ellenwhite.org/correspondence/187419

Metadata:
Date: 2006-09-13
Type: email
Is public: Yes
Handwritten: No

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[Ellen G. White Estate website content begins here with William Fagal’s response; bold emphasis added]

[6] I really don’t know if I’ve covered it all. That’s all the kinds of changes I can think of right now. The publishing houses can update punctuation to contemporary standards, and the trustees may change errors that are discovered, whether of transcription, grammar, etc. In one source that had been published since Mrs. White’s death, there was a puzzling reference to a vision in which she heard “expression after expression.” When it was found that this was actually “explosion after explosion,” the reference was changed on our CD-ROM and the publishing house was notified to change that part in any subsequent reprinting. At the moment I can’t think of other categories of changes made after Mrs. White’s death, other than those I have mentioned to you already. During her lifetime, of course, she made changes to her writings or authorized others to do so. She revised The Great Controversy in 1-1, with the help of a number of other people who could bring expertise to the project. The 1883 General Conference session, recognizing that we believed in thought inspiration rather than word inspiration, and recognizing that many of the original Testimonies had been written under less than ideal conditions, voted to revise them before printing them again (many had gone out of print by then). Far from being aghast at this, Mrs. White welcomed it and wanted it done promptly. I think it was done by Uriah Smith and others, if I remember correctly. 

One sometimes hears allegations that the White Estate has tampered with the writings so that they do not say what Mrs. White intended. This is simply untrue. Some folks who think that we should return to the semi-Arian position about Jesus that most of our early pioneers held are at a loss to account adequately for statements by Mrs. White that assert the eternal self-existence of Jesus. So they simply deny that she wrote them, accusing the White Estate, or perhaps the “brethren” of Mrs. White’s time, of having manufactured them. This accusation founders on the fact that such statements appeared in Mrs. White’s writings while she lived, such as in The Desire of Ages (1898), in the earliest editions. So it wasn’t the White Estate that put them there. (The White Estate only came into existence after Mrs. White’s death, through a provision of her will for the care of her writings.) Since these statements were published while she lived, in one of her major books, are we to believe that others put them there, and she knew nothing about it? Can we hold that the Lord showed her many important things, but never told her that evil men were tampering with her writings to substantiate false doctrine? It is ridiculous, when you think about it.

I can’t think of more right now on this topic. I hope that is good enough. God bless!

William Fagal Associate Director Ellen G. White Estate 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 U.S.A. Phone: 301 680-6550 FAX: 301 680-6559 E-mail: mail@WhiteEstate.org Web: www.WhiteEstate.org

[5] Dear Brother Fagal,

Again, thank you so much! That is very helpful. It is understandable how those changes were made and why. I just need to know for sure that all those cited are all of the changes in the mainline books (in contrast to paraphrases, or new editions, etc.), or were there more. I don’t want to get caught with my pants down on this one!

Thanks so much.

[4] Dear Brother ____,

No, I would not say that there is no other change. In 1950, for instance, four changes were made to The Great Controversy to reckon properly with the passage of time. Here are a couple of them, with the quote as it appeared in the 1888 version first (and it also appeared this way in the 1-1 version originally), followed by how it appears now:

The same argument eighteen hundred years ago was brought against Christ by the “rulers of the people.” (GC88 615)

The same argument many centuries ago was brought against Christ by the “rulers of the people.” (GC 615)

In 1816, the American Bible Society was founded. When the British Society was formed, the Bible had been printed and circulated in fifty tongues. It has since been translated into more than two hundred languages and dialects. {GC88 287.1}

In 1816 the American Bible Society was founded. When the British Society was formed, the Bible had been printed and circulated in fifty tongues. It has since been translated into many hundreds of languages and dialects. (See Appendix.) {GC 287.2}

Just as the passage of time can change statistics and calculations, it can also change the meaning of words. Recently the White Estate trustees voted to change two places in Steps to Christ where the word “intercourse” appears. Modern readers associate that word with something other than what Mrs. White meant.

Changes to the standard books of Mrs. White are not made lightly. They require action by the trustees of the White Estate, who take their responsibility seriously. To the best of my knowledge, such changes are quite rare.

As time goes by and people find Mrs. White’s writings harder to read, there has been a growing interest in adapting them to more current vocabulary and sentence structure. The White Estate has published a few of these, such as an adapted version of The Ministry of Healing, published last year at the request of the General Conference Health Department, to mark the 100th anniversary of the original book. The title of the adaptation, The Ministry of Health and Healing, shows its connection to the original while differentiating it from the original. Such books are clearly labeled as ada
ptations. A lesser amount of adaptation has gone into the two most recent Ellen G. White devotional books, Christ Triumphant and To Be Like Jesus. In books where this is done, the adaptation is explained in the preface of the book.

I hope this may clarify matters for you. God bless!

William Fagal Associate Director Ellen G. White Estate 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 U.S.A. Phone: 301 680-6550 FAX: 301 680-6559 E-mail: mail@WhiteEstate.org Web: www.WhiteEstate.org

[3] Dear Brother Fagal,

What you sent was very helpful. Just for clarification, there is no other change in any of her works, correct?

____

[2] Dear Brother ____,

Thank you for contacting the Ellen G. White Estate. I don’t recall anything about the book Lift Him Up in this regard, but the question has arisen concerning the devotional book about the Holy Spirit, Ye Shall Receive Power. Here is something I wrote to someone last year who had noted certain places where the pronoun had been changed:

[start quoted material]

Mrs. White herself was not consistent in her use of pronouns for the Holy Spirit. Sometimes she used the masculine pronoun “he” and sometimes she used the neuter pronoun “it.” Occasionally she used both in the same article. In general, though, I believe the neuter pronouns tend to cluster in the earlier part of her ministry, and the masculine pronouns appear more in the later years.

When the White Estate put together the devotional book Ye Shall Receive Power, the editors decided that a consistent usage in the book would be desirable for the readers and would do no disservice to Mrs. White’s intent. They used the personal pronoun “he.” However, after the book’s publication, further reflection led to the conclusion that making those changes was really beyond the proper editorial role of the White Estate, and around 1’8 or 1’9 we instructed the publishing house to change certain of the “he” references back to “it” in future printings of the book, to reflect Mrs. White’s original usage. When the CD-ROM was reprinted in the year 2000, it incorporated these changes, while the one you have (which presumably was earlier) does not include them. However, it is clear that we missed some of these references, because some that you sent to us have not been changed, while others that you pointed out had already been returned to “it” on the current CD-ROM.

We are grateful for your care in locating these differences and for your having shared them with us. When our Director returned yesterday from a trip, several of us met together with the Chairman of the White Estate Board to discuss the steps needed to restore the remaining references back to their original state.

Again, thank you for calling this to our attention. May the Lord continue to bless and guide your service for Him.

[end of quoted material]

I hope this may clarify it somewhat for you. Let me know if I can be of further service. Thank you for writing, and God bless!

William Fagal Associate Director Ellen G. White Estate 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 U.S.A. Phone: 301 680-6550 FAX: 301 680-6559 E-mail: mail@WhiteEstate.org Web: www.WhiteEstate.org

[1] The issue concerning the Trinity has recently come up at our institution (some supporting a “semi-arian” position on the nature of Christ’s divinity and the idea of the non-personality of the Holy Spirit), and some allegations have been made about changes in some of the Spirit of Prophecy materials, such as the book, “Lift Him Up” et. al. that some of the references to the Holy Spirit have been changed from “It” to “He” etc.

Could you clarify if any such changes have been made, if so, why and how extensive were they as well as any other pertinent information that would be helpful for the topic.

Thanks so much!

Sincerely

[Ellen G. White Estate website content ends here]

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Source link: https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/ST/ST18990927-V25-39.pdf

I’m not sure when the EGW Estate reverted the pronouns back but here’s the link to the official White Estate website digital copy which shows the pronouns reverted back to “it”: Click HERE

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In his correspondence, William Fagal mentions the idea that we, as Seventh-day Adventists, believe “in thought inspiration rather than word inspiration,”. The fact that Fagal mentions this within the context of Ellen G. White Estate’s role in editing the inspired writings of Ellen White, appears to give the impression that, as long as the EGW Estate’s editorial is done in keeping with the integrity of the author’s intentions (or thought), then the rigid effort to maintain the exact wording becomes negligible.

The problem of applying this kind of reasoning in making any editorial decision (not that I’m accusing the White Estate of doing this) is that, while some may think that they are maintaining the integrity of the author’s intentions in changing the wording, they may unwittingly (I’m sure with all the good intentions), have allowed the edited statements to convey a different “thought” than what the original author had intended, due to their own theological bias (perhaps having an aversion to “semi-Arian position”?) influencing the decision. This reminds me of a statement Ellen White has made about certain “learned men” in the past thinking they were doing God a service in editing the Bible, was in fact doing a disservice:

“I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible; yet WHEN COPIES OF IT WERE FEW, ‘LEARNED MEN’ had IN SOME INSTANCES ‘CHANGED THE WORDS,’ thinking that they were making it more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition. But I saw that the Word of God, as a whole, is a perfect chain, one portion linking into and explaining another. True seekers for truth need not err; for not only is the Word of God plain and simple in declaring the way of life, but the Holy Spirit is given as a guide in understanding the way to life therein revealed.” (EGW, Early Writings, pp. 220.2 – 221.1)

I would add here that, while sister White does point out the realities of faulty editorial efforts, it comes not without reassurance that the “True seekers for truth need not err; for not only is the Word of God plain and simple in declaring the way of life, but the Holy Spirit is given as a guide in understanding the way to life therein revealed.”

Moving on, Fagal defends the editorialization of sister White’s writing by stating that during her lifetime, Ellen White “made changes to her writings or authorized others to do so with the help of a number of other people who could bring expertise to the project.” he added, “Far from being aghast at this, Mrs. White welcomed it and wanted it done promptly.”

While there may have been instances where certain edits have been made under the direction of Ellen White, what Fagal fails to mention is that Ellen White never intended anyone taking the liberty to edit her writings without her consent or approval. Concerning certain brother named, Eli Curtis, she noted:

There is another fact that should be stated here. I am not responsible for all that has been printed as coming from me. About the time that my earliest visions were first published, several articles did appear purporting to have been written by me and to relate what the Lord had shown me, but sanctioning doctrines which I did not believe. These were published in a paper edited by a Mr. Curtis. Of the name of the paper I am not certain. In the years of care and labor that have passed since then, some of these less important particulars have been forgotten, but the main points are still distinct in my mind. — “Testimonies Garbled by Eli Curtis” {Ms4-1883.9}

This man took articles that came from my pen and wholly transformed and distorted them, picking out a sentence here and there without giving the connection, and then after inserting his own ideas, he attached my name to them as if they came direct from me. {Ms4-1883.10}

On seeing these articles, we wrote to him expressing our surprise and disapprobation and forbidding him thus to misconstrue my testimonies. He answered that he should publish what he pleased, that he knew the visions ought to say what he had published, and that if I had written them as the Lord gave them to me, they would have said these things. He asserted that if the visions had been given for the benefit of the church, he had a right to use them as he pleased. {Ms4-1883.11}

Some of these sheets may still be in existence and may be brought forward as coming from me, but I am not responsible for them. The articles given in Early Writings did pass under my eye; and as the edition of Experience and Views published in 1851 was the earliest which we possessed and as we had no knowledge of anything additional in papers or pamphlets of earlier date, I am not responsible for the omissions which are said to exist. {Ms4-1883.12}

Again she also wrote:

“They come to me, those that are copying my writings, and say, ‘NOW HERE IS THE BETTER REVISED WORDS, AND I THINK I WILL PUT THAT IN.’ DON’T YOU CHANGE ONE WORD, NOT A WORD. THE REVISED EDITION WE DO NOT NEED AT ALL. WE HAVE GOT THE WORD THAT CHRIST HAS SPOKEN HIMSELF AND GIVEN US. AND DON’T YOU IN MY WRITINGS CHANGE A WORD FOR ANY REVISED EDITION. THERE WILL BE REVISED EDITIONS, PLENTY OF THEM, JUST BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THIS EARTH’S HISTORY, and I want all my workers to understand, and I have got quite a number of them. I WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ARE NEVER TO TAKE THE REVISED WORD, AND PUT IT IN THE PLACE OF THE PLAIN, SIMPLE WORDS JUST AS THEY ARE. THEY THINK THEY ARE IMPROVING THEM, BUT HOW DO THEY KNOW BUT THAT THEY MAY SWITCH OFF ON AN IDEA, AND GIVE IT LESS IMPORTANCE THAN CHRIST MEANS THEM TO HAVE.” {Ms188-1907}

It is worth noting that the (EGW Estate) editors initially decided to change the original neuter pronoun “it”, referring to the Holy Spirit, to “he”, thinking that “a consistent usage in the book [Ye Shall Receive Power] would be desirable for the readers and would do no disservice to Mrs. White’s intent.” However, after the book’s publication, and after further reflection, they concluded “that making those changes was really beyond the proper editorial role of the White Estate,” and thus they eventually “instructed the publishing house to change certain of the ‘he’ references back to ‘it’ in future printings of the book, to reflect Mrs. White’s original usage.” To the White Estate’s credit, I’m actually encouraged to see that they did reflected on the issue of editing and have decided to change the pronouns back to how they were originally rendered.

Fagal says,

“As time goes by and people find Mrs. White’s writings harder to read, there has been a growing interest in adapting them to more current vocabulary and sentence structure.”

“we believed in thought inspiration rather than word inspiration, and recognizing that many of the original Testimonies had been written under less than ideal conditions, voted to revise them before printing them again”

In saying, “many of the original Testimonies have been written under less than ideal conditions”, is Fagal implying that the Testimonies written under “less than ideal conditions” are somehow constrained to find a proper expression? Did John write the Book of Revelation under an ideal condition? Furthermore, in saying, “As time goes by and people find Mrs. White’s writings harder to read”, an adequate justification to adopt a “more current vocabulary and sentence structure”?

Why are we not changing the Bible because times are changing or some matter that Biblical writers spoke could be improved upon with current language? Then again, there will be those who will defend the modern translations of the Bible. That said, I’m more incline to think that when approaching the Spirit of Prophecy, we should approach it as we would approach the Bible-with great caution. Aren’t the Inspired writings of Ellen White no less inspired than the writings of the Bible?

We would also do well to consider how the Holy Spirit was designated in the book of Acts 2:2,3:

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”

Would it be appropriate to change it to “He filled all the house…and He sat upon each of them.”?

How about John 1:32?

“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.”

Would it be appropriate to change it to “…and He abode upon him.”?

Couple that with:

“That which was truth in the beginning is truth now. Although new and important truths appropriate for succeeding generations have been opened to the understanding, THE PRESENT REVEALINGS DO NOT CONTRADICT THOSE OF THE PAST. Every new truth understood only makes more significant the old.” {RH, March 2, 1886 par. 6}

Questions arise…Did their initial editorial decision to change the pronoun, “it” to “he” caused the statement to convey a different meaning, namely in the way that we understand the Holy Spirit’s personhood? Perhaps. Would those changes help to bolster the claims of the modern trinitarian understanding of the personality of the Holy Spirit? Not sure, considering there are plenty of other inspired statements by Ellen White, including the Scriptures (John 1:32; Acts 2:2,3; Romans 8:16, 26; 1Peter 1:11) wherein the Holy Spirit is designated as a neuter pronoun, “it”.

Fagal say,

“Some folks who think that we should return to the semi-Arian position about Jesus that most of our early pioneers held are at a loss to account adequately for statements by Mrs. White that assert the eternal self-existence of Jesus.” [end quote]

It appears that Fagal, not unlike many other modern-day Seventh-day Adventist Trinitarians, erroneously holds to a belief that various inspired statements concerning the “eternal self-existence” of Christ, undoubtedly serves as a repudiation of Christ’s pre-incarnate begetting. I don’t necessarily identify myself as one of those “folks who think we should return to the semi-Arian position about Jesus”, but I think Fagal is sadly mistaken here. I would contend that the pre-incarnate begotten sonship (in an ontological sense) of Christ and Him being eternal and self-existent are not mutually exclusive. For those who are interested, this topic is covered elsewhere. To learn more click HERE, HERE and HERE.

Furthermore, when Fagal says, “I really don’t know if I’ve covered it all. That’s all the kinds of changes I can think of right now.”, non-trinitarian SDAs would be more than eager to point out other edits made by the Estate that Fagal may have overlooked here. Below we find edits to the book, Counsels on Health, where the neuter pronouns in the 1923 edition is changed to masculine pronoun by the time the book was republished in 1951:

Another notable edits non-trinitarians would like to point out is in the book, The Desire of Ages, wherein the expression, “third person of the Godhead” in all of the editions prior to 1939 was in the lowercase is now changed to the uppercase “Third Person of the Godhead” since the year 1940. Learn more HERE.

The point here is that, even though I do not necessarily endorse the Estate’s editorial decisions, I just don’t see any glaring evidence (as some would like to point out) to support the idea that there exists some sinister intent, if you were to accuse the White Estate of doing something deliberately wrong (at least with respect to the editorial decisions on Ye Shall Receive Power, in order to strengthen the modern SDAs version of the pneumatology), other than the fact that, initially their efforts may have been “beyond the proper editorial role” but admittedly, they were able to recognize it and have taken the appropriate action.

This brings us to an area of concern. Within the Seventh-day Adventist non-trinitarian circles, there exists many suspicions when it comes to the Ellen White Estate’s handling of sister White’s manuscripts. And often, the accusations run rampant and are regurgitated without verifying the source. There are some who contends that the White Estate has intentionally edited various statements of Ellen White in order to further the church’s current trinitarian agenda. Consequently, they have casted doubts and misapprehensions upon the inspired writings, especially those that challenge what may amount to an untenable but cherished non-trinitarian positions. To those who are on this path, I would just encourage you to be less presumptuous and try to maintain a more balanced approach before jumping to some kind of conspiratorial conclusions and zealously promoting those so called corrupted statements as being not credible or accusing the institutions such as Ellen White Estate being highly suspect of wrong doing.

We would do well to move with some caution and be mindful of volumes of admonition sister White gave concerning the issue of doubting Inspiration…

“When men venture to criticize the Word of God, they venture on sacred, holy ground, and had better fear and tremble and hide their wisdom as foolishness. God sets no man to pronounce judgment on His Word, SELECTING SOME THINGS AS INSPIRED AND DISCREDITING OTHERS AS UNINSPIRED. THE TESTIMONIES HAVE BEEN TREATED IN THE SAME WAY; BUT GOD IS NOT IN THIS.”—Letter 22, 1889

“THE ENEMY HAS MADE HIS MASTERLY EFFORTS TO UNSETTLE THE FAITH OF OUR OWN PEOPLE IN THE TESTIMONIES, AND WHEN THESE ERRORS COME IN THEY CLAIM TO PROVE ALL THE POSITION BY THE BIBLE, BUT THEY MISINTERPRET THE SCRIPTURES. They make bold assertions, as did Elder Canright, and misapply the prophecies and the Scriptures to prove falsehood. AND, AFTER MEN HAVE DONE THEIR WORK IN WEAKENING THE CONFIDENCE OF OUR CHURCHES IN THE TESTIMONIES, they have torn away the barrier, that unbelief in the truth shall become widespread, and there is no voice to be lifted up to stay the force of error. THIS IS JUST AS SATAN DESIGNED IT SHOULD BE, and those who have been preparing the way for the people to pay no heed to the warnings and reproofs of the testimonies of the Spirit of God will see that a tide of errors of all kinds will spring into life. THEY WILL CLAIM SCRIPTURE AS THEIR EVIDENCE, AND DECEPTIONS OF SATAN IN EVERY FORM WILL PREVAIL..– Letter 109, 1890, p. 5. (To W. C. White and J. E. White and wife, Dec. 6, 1890.)

“The enemy has made his masterly efforts to UNSETTLE THE FAITH OF OUR OWN PEOPLE IN THE TESTIMONIES, and when these errors come in THEY CLAIM TO PROVE ALL THE POSITIONS BY THE BIBLE, BUT THEY MISINTERPRET THE SCRIPTURES. They make bold assertions,… and misapply the prophecies and the Scriptures to prove falsehood. And after men have done their work in weakening the confidence of our churches in the testimonies they have torn away the barrier, that unbelief in the truth shall become widespread, and there is no voice to be lifted up to stay the force of error. {Lt109-1890.12}

“IF YOU LOSE CONFIDENCE IN THE TESTIMONIES YOU WILL DRIFT AWAY FROM BIBLE TRUTH. I have been fearful that many would take a questioning, doubting position, and in my distress for your souls I would warn you. How many will heed the warning? As you now hold the Testimonies, should one be given crossing your track, correcting your errors, would you feel at perfect liberty to accept or reject any part or the whole? That which you will be least inclined to receive is the very part most needed.” [Testimonies for the Church 5:98 (1882).]

“You who have been educating yourselves and others in a spirit of criticism and accusing, remember that you are imitating the example of Satan. When it suits your purpose, you treat the Testimonies as if you believed them, quoting from them to strengthen any statement you wish to have prevail. But how is it when light is given to correct your errors? Do you then accept the light? When the Testimonies speak contrary to your ideas, you treat them very lightly. {GCDB April 13, 1891, par. 4}

“It does not become anyone TO DROP A WORD OF DOUBT HERE AND THERE THAT SHALL WORK LIKE POISON IN OTHER MINDS, SHAKING THEIR CONFIDENCE IN THE MESSAGES WHICH GOD HAS GIVEN, which have aided in laying the foundation of this work, and have attended it to the present day, in reproofs, warnings, corrections, and encouragements. TO ALL WHO HAVE STOOD IN THE WAY OF THE TESTIMONIES, I would say, God has given a message to His people, and His voice will be heard, whether you hear or forbear. Your opposition has not injured me; BUT YOU MUST GIVE AN ACCOUNT TO THE GOD OF HEAVEN, WHO HAS SENT THESE WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO KEEP HIS PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT WAY. You will have to answer to Him for your blindness, for being a stumbling block in the way of sinners. (GCDB APR.13,1891 par. 5)

“When you find men questioning the testimonies, finding fault with them, and seeking to draw away the people from their influence, BE SURE THAT GOD IS NOT AT WORK THROUGH THEM. IT IS ANOTHER SPIRIT. Doubt and unbelief are cherished by those who do not walk circumspectly. They have a painful consciousness that their life will not abide the test of the Spirit of God, whether speaking through His Word or through the testimonies of His Spirit that would bring them to His Word. Instead of beginning with their own hearts, and coming into harmony with the pure principles of the gospel, they find fault, and condemn the very means that God has chosen to fit up a people to stand in the day of the Lord.” {1SM 45.1}

“This is just as Satan designed it should be, and those who have been preparing the way for the people to pay no heed to the warnings and reproofs of the testimonies of the Spirit of God will see that a tide of errors of all kinds will spring into life. They will claim Scripture as their evidence, and deceptions of Satan in every form will prevail.” {Lt109-1890.13}

“And now, brethren, I entreat you not to interpose between me and the people, and turn away the light which God would have come to them. Do not by your criticisms take out all the force, all the point and power, from the Testimonies. DO NOT FEEL THAT YOU CAN DISSECT THEM TO SUIT YOUR OWN IDEAS, CLAIMING THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU ABILITY TO DISCERN WHAT IS LIGHT FROM HEAVEN AND WHAT IS THE EXPRESSION OF MERE HUMAN WISDOM. IF THE TESTIMONIES SPEAK NOT ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD, REJECT THEM. CHRIST AND BELIAL CANNOT BE UNITED. For Christ’s sake do not confuse the minds of the people with human sophistry and skepticism, and make of none effect the work that the Lord would do. Do not, by your lack of spiritual discernment, make of this agency of God a rock of offense whereby many shall be caused to stumble and fall, “and be snared, and be taken.” {5T 691.2}

“I have my work to do, TO MEET THE MISCONCEPTIONS OF THOSE WHO SUPPOSE THEMSELVES ABLE TO SAY WAHT IS TESTIMONY FROM GOD AND WHAT IS HUMAN PRODUCTION. If those who have done this work continue in this course, satanic agencies will choose for them.” {Lt28-1906}

“One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan’s banner WILL FIRST GIVE UP THEIR FAITH IN THE WARNINGS AND REPROOFS CONTAINED IN THE TESTIMONIES OF GOD’S SPIRIT. (Letter 156, 1903)

“Satan is . . . constantly pressing in the spurious–to lead away from the truth. THE VERY LAST DECEPTION OF SATAN WILL BE TO MAKE OF NONE EFFECT THE TESTIMONY OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18). SATAN WILL WORK INGENIOUSLY, IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND THROUGH DIFFERENT AGENCIES, TO UNSETTLE THE CONFIDENCE OF GOD’S REMNANT PEOPLE IN THE TRUE TESTIMONY. .(Letter 12, 189)

“What a battle I am obliged to fight! MY BRETHREN SEEM TO JUDGE ME AS TAKING POSITIONS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARY. THEY DO NOT SEE THAT GOD IN HIS OWN WISDOM HAS MADE REVELATIONS TO ME WHICH CANNOT BE SUCCESSFULLY CONTRADICTED OR DISPUTED. Nothing can rub out that which has been presented to me and imprinted on the tablets of my soul. All the oppositions or gainsaying TO MAKE MY TESTIMONY OF NONE EFFECT ONLY COMPELS FROM ME, BY THE URGENCY OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD, A MORE DECIDED REPETITION, and to stand on the light revealed with all the force of the strength God has given me.– Manuscript 25, 1890, p. 1 (Untitled Manuscript, January 7, 1890.)

“SATAN HAS ABILITY TO SUGGEST DOUBTS AND TO DEVISE OBJECTIONS TO THE POINTED TESTIMONY THAT GOD SENDS, AND MANY THINK IT A VIRTUE, A MARK OF INTELLIGENCE IN THEM, TO BE UNBELIEVING AND TO QUESTION AND QUIBBLE. Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of evidence.” [Testimonies for the Church 3:255 (1873).

“SOME EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS THAT THE TESTIMONY OF SISTER WHITE CANNOT BE RELIABLE. This is all that many unconsecrated ones want. The testimonies of reproof have checked their vanity and pride; but if they dared, they would go to almost any length in fashion and pride. God will give all such an opportunity to prove themselves and to develop their true characters.” [Testimonies for the Church 3:313 (1873).]

“IT IS SATAN’S PLAN TO WEAKEN THE FAITH OF GOD’S POEPLE IN THE TESTIMONIES. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction. {4T 211.2}

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Related articles

Statements from the Spirit of Prophecy that refer to the HolySpirit as ‘it ’— compiled by Terry Hill

Additional resource:

GUIDELINES FOR EDITING ELLEN G. WHITE MATERIAL RELEASED BY THE WHITE ESTATE (DF 826) https://ellenwhite.org/media/document/7440

Some Principles for Correctly Interpreting the Writings of Ellen G. White provided by the White Estate: https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issues-herm-pri-html