“December 19: Mother kept quite well last summer and through the fall. Just now she is not so strong, but we are praying that her life may be prolonged, and her strength sustained that she may direct us in the work of preparing her manuscripts for the printers.”—WCW to SNH, December 19, 1913.

Then on the last day of the year, he wrote to Elder Daniells:EWLFB 12.5

“December 31: Some lines of our work are moving forward well. Sister Bree is making steady progress in the preparation of copy for Gospel Workers. Mother is reading this article by article, and enjoys it very much.”—WCW to AGD, December 31, 1913.

In 1914 W. C. White was at home more of the time working with the staff during the first part of the year. Since Clarence Crisler was not reporting to him almost daily, there is a paucity of detailed records of the kind that has made this series of Review articles possible. Work on the books was pushed forward earnestly.EWLFB 12.6

In May, 1914, James Edson White went west to visit his mother and spent about a month at Elmshaven. Mother and son had an enjoyable time. Then she had an experience which W. C. White later explained to his brother Edson:EWLFB 12.7

“Shortly after your visit, she had trouble with her right hand for two weeks, and with her right foot for a week, and with her whole right side for a day or two. We called Dr. Klingerman, and he gave her a very faithful examination. He said she had had a very light stroke, and that its effect would be only temporary. Then he told May Walling and Sara what to add to the regular treatment, and said he thought he need not call again.

“After four or five days, Mother was riding out every day as before, but it was nearly four weeks before she cared to read the Review or anything in the books and manuscripts with which she is surrounded. When we had manuscripts that needed her attention, we waited until she was feeling well, and of good courage.”—WCW to JEW, December 15, 1914.

Ellen White commented that she sensed continually the uplifting presence of the Spirit of God.

Allowing a few weeks for recovery, Ellen White was able again to give attention to the book work. As chapters were brought to her, her son reported that she read some, or asked others to read them to her, and she would comment on them. Her principal contribution to literary work in this her eighty-seventh year was toward her books as she read and approved chapters and at times added a bit here or there. Through June it seemed to those about her that she was somewhat less steady on her feet, and her endurance was waning.EWLFB 13.1

Though she did have lapses of memory and at times lost her orientation, members of her office staff noted one remarkable phenomenon—her grasp of spiritual subjects never faltered. On October 4, W. C. White left home for an extended trip to the South and the East. While his absence slowed the work in the office and left considerable loneliness, it had its benefits in the frequent reports by letter from Crisler. His almost daily reports furnish a very detailed account of Ellen White’s activities and state of health. On Thursday evening, October 8, Crisler, who was working in his office not far from the Elmshaven home, wrote:EWLFB 13.2

“I can hear Sister White praying as I write. She is holding evening worship with the girls. She seems of good cheer today.”—CCC to WCW, October 8. 1914.

Later in the month, Crisler reported that as he called at the home, he found Ellen White had been reading in The Great Controversy, and she rejoiced over the “plain revelations” of truth set forth in the book. Her mind was remarkably clear—a blessing which caused her to rejoice (CCC to WCW, October 28, 1914).EWLFB 13.3

Through the earlier months of 1914, there had been hastening of the work on the Old Testament history, fearful that if there was delay the manuscript could not receive Ellen White’s careful attention and her counsel and approval. Now the task was well along, and Clarence Crisler went back to some of the chapters that came short in richness of the standard set by the rest of the manuscript. With Ellen White’s counsel and help, he was rounding out some of these chapters. This is why the manuscript that earlier had been spoken of as about completed was still in preparation. Crisler wrote:EWLFB 13.4

“As we find new material from the file and add to the chapters that have already been prepared and passed upon, and reread these amplified portions to her, she seems to enjoy going over them anew. This perfecting of the manuscript is slow work, but very interesting; and we are hopeful of the outcome.”—CCC to WCW, January 1, 1915.

On Sunday, November 1, she and C.C. Crisler went over eight pages of manuscript on Old Testament history. He was struggling with the task of finding adequate material to fill out the six remaining chapters. They talked about the forthcoming book and discussed some of Jeremiah’s prophecies. The chapter they had gone over was one of six still unfinished. It was Crisler’s hope that the next evening she would be able to hear and approve another chapter on Jeremiah. That would leave only four to be completed—“one more on Jeremiah, one on the Restoration, one on Malachi, and one of Messianic prophecy.”EWLFB 13.5

And so it went from day to day. On Friday, November 20, Crisler read to Mrs. White a few pages of manuscript for the Old Testament book, then again on Sunday he read a half dozen pages (CCC to WCW, November 22, 1914). He wrote to W. C. White of what never ceased to amaze him as well as others close to Ellen White:EWLFB 13.6

“When we touch spiritual topics, the mind seems to be lifted above confusion. When a Scripture is partially quoted, she very often finishes it. I have tried this over and over again, especially when repeating the promises. And the Jeremiah and other Old Testament Scriptures seem very familiar to her, and she catches them up and comments on them, and goes forward with the quotations, as of old. I regard this as a special providence in our favor just now.”—Ibid.

Two weeks later, Crisler reported that Ellen White’s mind seemed quite clear, and they worked together on Old Testament history chapters from day to day. On Wednesday, she became reminiscent—something which was now quite unusual. Crisler reported:EWLFB 14.1

“She tried to recall the name of some brother of long ago who expressed discouragement over the prospect of a very large work that would need to be done before the world had been warned; and she says another brother, one of large faith, turned to him, and his face went white, and with strong emotion, he said, ‘My brother, would you permit such a prospect to bring discouragement? Do you not know that God would have us press the battle to the gate! Do you not know He would have us labor on, and on, and on, knowing that victory lies ahead!’”—CCC to WCW, December, 1914.

Then she commented on the fact that she sensed continually the uplifting presence of the Spirit of God. He added:EWLFB 14.2

“She said she would not speak discouragingly, and yet she would not wish to convey the impression that no disappointments come to her. We are to expect the enemy to bring us disappointments, but these need never bring discouragement. When disappointed, we are to labor on until triumph comes; and this is working by faith.”—Ibid.

It was a good week for book preparation, and the two were spending some time each day working together. She made frequent comments and some helpful suggestions (CCC to WCW, November 30 and December 2, 1914).EWLFB 14.3

Part 3—The Story of Prophets and Kings

“Advance! Advance!”