Chapter 2—(1876) Writing on the Life of Christ

Probably Ellen White never had such an opportunity to write as she did in April and May of 1876. She had good literary help in Mary Clough, and the two worked together comfortably. The interests of the cause in the East that had called for James White to go to Battle Creek held him there; although Ellen missed James, home life became simple, and she did very little public work. She determined to make the most of this opportunity.3BIO 21.1

In 1870, The Spirit of Prophecy, volume 1, had been published, covering Old Testament history to the reign of Solomon. It was largely a reprint of volumes three and four of Spiritual Gifts,, with some amplification. It was put out in a neat volume of 414 medium-sized pages. Now she turned her mind to producing a volume similar in size, on Christ's life and work. This would be volume 2. Volume 3, the post-Biblical portion of the controversy story, would carry the reader to the second coming of Christ and the new earth. This was the plan. When the work was finally finished in 1884, there were four volumes—two on the life of Christ.3BIO 21.2