Reference collections

Some topical collections of Ellen White’s writings are more encyclopedic in nature (reference-type collections), which were not designed to be read from front to back. They are valuable because they contain Ellen White’s most important material on a specific topic and may thus be used as a reference work. The encyclopedic nature of these compilations has limitations because the quoted statements are removed from their literary and historical contexts, making it more difficult for the reader to understand the complete meaning and the original purpose of a specific statement. However, all compilations produced by the Ellen G. White Estate contain references to the original sources, which allow the reader to examine a specific statement in its original literary and historical context. ^{27Knight, Reading Ellen White, 31, 32; Collins, “Compilations,” 6. The book Messages to Young People, comp. Missionary Volunteer Department, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (1930), is an exception because it does not contain source references and presents a flowing text.} Some of the topical collections during Ellen White’s lifetime were done by her or under her direction. ^{28EGW, Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene (1890); EGW, Gospel Workers (1892, 1915); EGW, Selections From the Testimonies Bearing on Sabbath School Work, comp. Executive Committee of the International Sabbath School Association (1900); EGW, Manual for Canvassers (1902); EGW, Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students (1913).} However, some compilations were done by other individuals. ^{29EGW, The Southern Work, comp. James Edson White (1898).} For example, in 1897, the physician David Paulson compiled and published the book Healthful Living, but it was allowed to go out of print after the publication of Ellen G. White’s The Ministry of Healing in 1905, a masterpiece on issues of health and lifestyle that basically replaced the need for the former compilation. ^{30EGW, Instruction Relating to the Principles of Healthful Living, comp. David Paulson (1897, 1898); EGW, The Ministry of Healing (1905). Initially Ellen White was concerned about Paulson’s compilation as she did not want her views of health reform to be presented in such a fragmentary way as the book presented them. However, she consented to the publication of the book when leading brethren convinced her that there was an urgent need of such a book and that the selection of statements had been done very carefully. See W. C. White to W. L. Brisbin, October 10, 1911; Knight, Reading Ellen White, 85-87; Merlin D. Burt, “Practical Hermeneutics: How to Correctly Study and Interpret Ellen White’s Writings” (class outline for GSEM 534—Issues in Ellen G. White Studies, Andrews University, 2012), 103, 104.} The majority of the encyclopedic-type compilations were done after 1915. ^{31EGW, Christian Service (1925); EGW, Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods, comp. Harold M. Walton (1926); EGW, Medical Ministry (1932); EGW, A Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Education (1933); EGW, Counsels on Diet and Foods (1938); EGW, Counsels on Sabbath School Work (1938); EGW, Counsels on Stewardship (1940); EGW, Counsels to Writers and Editors (1946); EGW, Country Living: An Aid to Moral and Social Security (1946); EGW, Evangelism (1946); EGW, Temperance (1949); EGW, The Adventist Home (1952); EGW, Welfare Ministry: Instruction in Christian Neighborhood Service (1952); EGW, Colporteur Ministry (1953); EGW, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, 7 vols. (1953-1957); EGW, Child Guidance (1954); EGW, Mind, Character, and Personality: Guidelines to Mental and Spiritual Health, 2 vols. (1977); EGW, Letters to Young Lovers (1983); EGW, Christian Leadership (1985); EGW, The Voice in Speech and Song (1988); EGW, Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce (1989); EGW, The Retirement Years (1990); EGW, Last Day Events: Facing Earths Final Crisis (1992); EGW, Pastoral Ministry (1995); EGW, Daughters of God: Messages Especially for Women (1998).}UEGW 123.1