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    Chapter 13—Ellen G. White Was Not A Plagiarist

    Approached from a legal standpoint, courts tend to categorize a plagiarist as one who was legally guilty of piracy. In other words, courts generally have defined the elements of piracy, and if the appropriator of a book fit the perimeters of illegal piracy, he was labeled a plagiarist. Therefore, the legal showing must be such “that the person accused of plagiarism has in fact copied or imitated another’s work, and that he or she has done so in some substantial degree.” 1Simms v. Stanton et al., 75F. 6, 13-16 C.O. Bull. 2406, 2414 (1896).RRPCI 15.3

    More, however, seems evident from the case law as to what may or may not be an act of plagiarism. If that which was taken was not the “material and important parts” 2Reed v. Carusi, 20F. Cas. 431 (No. 11642) 13-16 C.O. Bull. 2146, 2148 (1845). of a book, but the resultant book instead reflects “the effort of his (taker’s) own mind,” such is not plagiarism. 3Ibid.RRPCI 15.4

    One of the most important factors from a legal standpoint between the legal crime of piracy/copyright infringement and the act of plagiarism is the “intention with which such appropriation is made.” 4Farmer v. Elstner, 33F. 494, 13-16 C.O. Bull. 970 (1888). A plagiarist, therefore, takes from another and utilizes that which is taken with the intent that the appropriated material be viewed as originating with the appropriator and not the originator. Therefore, Paull was eminently correct in concluding from a literary viewpoint that the “plagiarist always hopes that he will not be found out” and though more might be added from a legal viewpoint, the intent of the taker is of a paramount importance. 5Literary Ethics, p. 45.RRPCI 15.5

    The major key to the plagiarism issue is the intent of Ellen G. White, and critics and advocates alike appear decidedly in agreement on this point, as evidenced by the following:RRPCI 16.1

    “I rather think that Mrs. White was sincere in what she believed and what she wrote and that she believed she was inspired in fact, indeed, she believed it was a revelation.” 6White Lies, transcript, p. 35.

    “But I am unwilling to believe that Ellen White either consciously or unconsciously was dishonest.... the main tenor of her life was wonderfully good and helpful; she stood for principles that were straight and right.” 7Ellen G. White And The Protestant Historians: The Evidence From An Unpublished Manuscript On John Huss by Donald R. McAdams, March 7, 1974, October 1977, p. 231.

    One could hardly impugn the good intentions of Mrs. White when she, herself, seemingly made no effort to hide her sources and indeed acknowledged their value, as follows:RRPCI 16.2

    “The Life of St. Paul by Conybeare and Howson, I regard as a book of great merit, and one of rare usefulness to the earnest student of the New Testament history.” 8Ellen G. White and Her Critics, p. 423.

    The best evidence of the intention of Mrs. White rests in what has been characterized as the grand central theme of her writings, “God’s original purpose for the world,” “the rise of the great controversy” between God and Satan, and “the work of redemption.” 9The Literary Relationship between the Desire of Ages by Ellen G. White and the Life of Christ by William Hanna, Part II, Chapter 6, Walter F. Specht.RRPCI 16.3

    One certainly perceives from Mrs. White’s writings that she was motivated by “the influence of the Holy Ghost” 10Selected Messages 1:21. which itself belies wrongful intent, and proceeding with but the highest of motivations and intentions she in fact legally modified, exalted and improved much which others may have thought and expressed. It is impossible to imagine that the intention of Ellen G. White, as reflected in her writings and the unquestionably prodigious efforts involved therein, was anything other than a sincerely motivated and unselfish effort to place the understandings of Biblical truths in a coherent form for all to see and comprehend. Most certainly, the nature and content of her writings had but one hope and intent, namely, the furthering of mankind’s understanding of the word of God.RRPCI 16.4

    Considering all factors necessary in reaching a just conclusion on this issue, it is submitted that the writings of Ellen G. White were conclusively unplagiaristic.RRPCI 17.1

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