The Seventh-day Adventist Church is distinctive, not only because of the doctrinal pillars reflected in its name but because of its sense of mission. It is completely committed to the task of preparing a people to meet their soon-coming Lord—a people made up of all races, from all continents, high and low, rich and poor, who have chosen to be faithful to God’s way of life, regardless of earthly consequences.WEWMM 9.3

No other group on earth, whether political, social, or religious, has united such diversity. Perhaps no other worldwide organization has begun so small, and gone so far, in such breadth of human interest in the past one hundred years.WEWMM 9.4

The Seventh-day Adventist Church operates the largest Protestant educational system in the world; more than 300 medical institutions circle the world and are probably the first contact that most people make with Seventh-day Adventists. Adventist community programs in health education, featuring stop-smoking and alcohol-prevention clinics, are pacesetters on most continents. And the list goes on.WEWMM 9.5

What, under God, is one of the greatest single factors behind this oft-acknowledged religious phenomenon? The answer is simple: the life and writings of a humble woman, Ellen G. White. Her counsel along all lines of human concern, whether it be education in the home and school, health education and medical care, community welfare services, spiritual awareness and nourishment, theological expositions or personal relationships, was many times years ahead of advanced scientific discoveries and affirmations.WEWMM 9.6

The years have passed—many of the opinions of her contemporaries have been updated if not forgotten—but the passing years have only vindicated the foresight and wisdom of her counsel. Nothing has had to be deleted or adjusted to conform to incontrovertible facts of the twentieth century.WEWMM 9.7

For Seventh-day Adventists, Ellen G. White is more than a tradition. For those who have read her works, tested her counsel, trusted her judgments, she has been the messenger of the Lord for these modern times. No excuses are made for her contributions, not only to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but to the world in general. Her writings have been an invaluable asset to Seventh-day Adventists. Much of the success the Adventist Church has experienced on its worldwide program, whatever advance perception it has enjoyed in such fields as education and medicine, the open secret is usually found in her writings.WEWMM 9.8

I speak these words after nearly forty years of denominational service; most of this time in administrative responsibilities. Wherever my mind ranges over this period, whether during those gratifying years as a pastor and evangelist, or as a missionary in India or the Caribbean, or when president of a local or union conference, the Southern Asia or Trans-Africa divisions, and lately in my present responsibility, the part that Ellen White played in my ministry has been indispensable. Her writings have provided insight for my duties, courage in the face of difficult problems, inspiration in developing Biblical subjects, clear vision as I faced the future, and above all else, the surest evidence that God was speaking through her to His children.WEWMM 9.9

I speak to young and old, those within and without the Adventist Church. What you will read in this volume is perhaps like nothing else you have ever read. These contributors are not giving theological lectures; out of personal experience and conviction they are speaking the truth about a rarely discussed subject—the tender experiences of listening to God speak to them through the writings of Ellen White. They have all walked different paths but they have heard the same voice—the voice of their Lord through her. I stand with them and with a simple, urgent plea join them in inviting each reader to “taste and see” for himself. No man can go it alone. To know that God has spoken in the Bible and in the writings of Ellen G. White is reassuring indeed.WEWMM 9.10

Loma Linda, California
November 3, 1972

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