The later and much fuller Spirit of prophecy writings on early Bible
history and on health have been widely distributed not only to the
Seventh-day Adventist Church but to the general public in Patriarchs
and Prophets (1890) and Ministry of Healing (1905). In these later
books the subjects treated so tersely in the initial accounts as given
for the church in Spiritual Gifts, have been greatly amplified as many
repeated visions opened before the author more detailed information.
However, as the reading groups greatly broadened to include many
who were not acquainted with the source of her information, the author,
in keeping with her responsibility, omitted in these later works intended
now for the general reader, a few points dealt with in the little volumes
that were penned for the church alone. An instance of this is the
statement that Adam as created was “more than twice as tall as men
now living upon the earth.” (Volume III, p. 34.) This statement is of
interest and in full harmony with the declaration of Gen. 6:4 that “there
were giants in the earth in those days.” Being, however, so specific in
its detail, the author, to avoid unnecessarily prejudicing the reader not
informed with regard to her call and work, dropped out of the later
account this point not vital to a reception of the general statement of
truth presented.
In this facsimile edition of Spiritual Gifts, Volumes III and IV are
bound in one book, as was often the case with the first printing, and
the original cover stamp reproduced to make this facsimile volume an
exact copy of the much treasured original issue.
Trustees of the
Ellen G. White Publications
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