Letter to EGW Estate -- Question about Last Day Events, page 213, par. 4
July 23, 2021
Dear EGW Estate Board of Trustees:
I have studied the writings of Ellen G. White for many years and I currently host a discussion group that is studying Last Day Events using the compilation published in 1992 “Last Day Events” as the study guide. The discussion panel connects via a conference call twice a week which is broadcast on internet radio. The current audience is about 150,000 listeners worldwide.
In May we started, Chapter 14, “The Loud Cry” and found a quotation on page 213 paragraph 4 which revealed a valid question, and I am hoping that you have previously received questions about this paragraph and can easily resolve the issue. I want to pass your answer on to inquiring minds in our audience.
Here is the quote in question:More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications.—Evangelism, 693 (1885). { LDE 213.4 }
Below is what appears in Evangelism, page 693
God will soon do great things for us, if we lie humble and believing at His feet.... More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications.—The Review and Herald, November 10, 1885. { Ev 693.3}
The words in bold were printed in LDE page 213. When I searched the complete writings of EGW for these words I found they appear in five other books ( beside LDE Chapter 14 ).
Second quote: God will soon do great things for us, if we lie humble and believing at His feet.... More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications. — The Review and Herald, November 10, 1885. { CW – Counsels to Writers and Editors, page 181.2} published in 1946
Third quote: A Thousand in One Day—God will soon do great things for us if we lie humble and believing at His feet.... More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications. — The Review and Herald, November 10, 1885. { CM – Colporteur Ministry, page 151.3 } published in 1953
Fourth quote: God will soon do great things for us if we lie humble and believing at His feet.... More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications. — The Review and Herald, November 10, 1885. { WM – Welfare Ministry, page 101.1} published in 1952
Evangelism was published in 1946 and all five books are compilations of the writings of EGW. The quote is also found in an extensive biography of EGW written by Arthur L. White and published in Volume 3 in 1984. This quote is found in Chapter 24 about the Lonely Years ( 1876 to 1891 ). Here is the quote on page 302
God will soon do great things for us if we lie humble and believing at His feet.... More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications.—The Review and Herald, November 10, 1885 (in D. T. Bourdeau report). { 3BIO 302.2 }
The error I found is that the words quoted in LDE and these five other books cannot be found in Review and Herald, Nov. 10, 1885 (at least the article that appears in the CD ROM titled “Complete published writings” which was copywrited in 2008 or in the article that currently appears on EGW Estate website - -
I could not find the quote anywhere in the article, however, I was blessed by the reading and decided to bring it to the panel. We agreed to read the entire article and discuss all 24 paragraphs which took four sessions ( over two weeks ) and the time was well spent, however the question remains; where is the quote that appears in the six books listed above, and all six refer to the original quotation in RH Nov. 10, 1885.
I do not know the 150,000 listeners personally and although the audience continues to grow there may be some listeners who question if Ellen White was inspired and if the publication of her writings are accurate. Here we have six books: CM, CW, Evangelism, LDE, WM and 3BIO (Vol.3) that give a quotation that cannot be found where it is supposed to be, and this could raise some doubt if she really did write what these six books claim she wrote.
I also point out that all the quotations have ". . ." between ‘at his feet’ and ‘more than one thousand’ which implies there is more content in the original quotation that was removed by the editors of the published compilations. These dots imply there is another quotation which is complete and I think that many in audience would be interested in the complete quotation.
As I said, I am sure there is an explanation, and I sure hope this is not the first time this question has been asked, considering that CW, CM, Evangelism and WM were all published about 70 years ago.
I hope you have the answer ready from some previous inquiry, so it will be easy for you to answer and for me to share your answer with the 150,000 listeners who are aware of this issue and probably interested in your response. Especially since we were so blessed by the study of RH Nov. 10, 1885 and if there is more to the article that did not get on the CD-ROM, please tell me where to find it or send it to me because not only me, but thousands of people worldwide heard us discuss the inspired article titled, “An Address to the Workers” which I will described as a manual of how to prepare to proclaim the Loud Cry.
While waiting for your answer, we will continue the study of 'Last Day Events' using the book as a study guide, and next topic is Chapter 15 titled “The Seal or God and the Mark of the Beast” and I invite you to listen in.
Of course, I will send you a URL so you can hear a recording of the reading of your reply and the discussion that follows. If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
In God We Trust
Mario Petrovalle, Jr.
The Quotation on page 213 par. 4 cannot be found in RH, Nov. 10, 1885( Read entire Article )
