God Will Care for His Work

The question of a successor to Mrs. White naturally became even more acute upon her death in 1915. It was a matter of interest not only to the church, but also to the world. What would her death mean to her writings? Would someone else favored with the prophetic gift follow as a successor? On the day of her funeral at Battle Creek, Michigan, her son, W. C. White, was interviewed by a reporter from the Battle Creek Enquirer. We quote from the issue of July 25, 1915, under the bold-type heading: “Mrs. White Had No Idea of Successor.”ASM 3.1

“William C. White, of St. Helena, son of the late Mrs. Ellen G. White, who for the last 34 years has been the manager of her business affairs, and who for a quarter of a century has been a member of the general or world conference committee of the Seventh-day Adventists, was interviewed yesterday as to the probable effect of Mrs. White’s death upon the denomination with which she was so closely connected. To the question, ‘Has Mrs. White chosen anyone to be her successor?’ he replied:

“‘No, she has never considered that that was a matter over which she had any control, and has never expressed herself with reference to any individual as a probable candidate for this work.’

“‘Did she know who her successor would be?’ he was asked.

“‘That is a question that has been asked her many times,’ continued Mr. White, ‘and she always has stated that it is a matter that has never been revealed to her, and that she had no knowledge and no information upon the subject to impart.’

“‘Does she know another person will be chosen to take up the work she lays down?’

“‘That is another question that has been asked her many times, and she always has said she did not know. At the same time she expressed full confidence that God would care for His work, and that there was no need for

her or others to be anxious about this matter.’ASM 4.1

“‘Will the leading men of the denomination select a person to take up the work she has carried?’ was the next question asked him.

“‘No. It is their belief that God will choose His messengers, and that it would be presumption for men to undertake to choose the persons through whom the Spirit of Prophecy should be manifested.’”—The Battle Creek Enquirer, July 25, 1915.

The understanding of W. C. White on this matter was in harmony with that of other of the contemporary workers. J. N. Loughborough was asked if Mrs. White knew who her successor would be. In reply he referred to an answer given by S. N. Haskell, who had reported a late conversation with Mrs. White in which she told him that it was her conviction that the denomination already had received instruction sufficient to guide them all the way through if they would follow it.ASM 4.2

F. M. Wilcox, in an editorial in the Review and Herald shortly after Mrs. White’s death, dealt with this question of general interest, which was in the minds of so many, stating:ASM 4.3

“This is a question which only the Lord Himself can answer, and so far as we know He has never given to anyone any intimation of His will in the matter.”—The Review and Herald, August 19, 1915.

It is clear, then, that neither Mrs. White nor her contemporaries had any light as to just what the future might hold. The question was one which was left open. God might or might not choose to speak again as He had through Mrs. White. We are no nearer to an answer to this question today than we were on July 16, 1915.ASM 4.4

It is true that since then, as before, several have arisen claiming the prophetic office, but their work has not stood the test. We cannot give credence to just anyone who may present himself, claiming to have had visions or revelations from God. On this point we have been specifically warned and admonished:ASM 4.5

“There will be those who will claim to have visions. When God gives you clear evidence that the vision is from Him, you may accept it, but do not accept it on any other evidence, for people are going to be led more and more astray in foreign countries and in America. The Lord wants His people to act like men and women of sense.”—The Review and Herald, May 25, 1905 (Evangelism, 610).