Preface
The story of the early Christian experience and public labors of Mrs.
Ellen G. White was first printed in the year 1860, in a little volume
of three hundred pages, entitled, “My Christian Experience, Views,
and Labors, in Connection With the Rise and Progress of the Third
Angel’s Message.”
This narrative of her life and labors to 1860, was amplified by her,
and was republished in 1880 as a part of a larger work, entitled, “Life
Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White.” This, as well as the
earlier autobiography, has long been out of print
.
In the present volume will be found, as told in her own language,
a brief story of her childhood days, her conversion, and her early
Christian experiences in connection with the great Second Advent
movement of 1840 to 1844. In a vivid way she tells of the sorrows and
joys of her youthful ministry in the years that followed. She pictures
the trials, the struggles, and the successes that attended the labors of
a few earnest souls from whose endeavors sprang the churches that
afterward united to form the Seventh-day Adventist denomination
.
The story of her more extended travels and labors in connection
with her husband, Elder James White, she briefly relates from the time
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of their marriage in 1846 to his death in 1881
.
With chapter forty-two, on page 255, her life-story is continued by
C. C. Crisler, who, with the assistance of her son, W. C. White, and
D. E. Robinson, has completed the sketch
.
In the closing chapters many interesting incidents regarding travels
and labors have been passed over briefly, in order that place might be
found for the quotation of some of her most inspiring and instructive
utterances regarding the development of Christian experience, and the
duty laid upon every follower of Christ to be a true disciple of Him
who gave His life for the salvation of the world. The final pages give
an account of her last sickness, and of the funeral services
.
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