178
The Publishing Ministry
Avoid Injustices in Publishing Books—The dealing in regard to
The Gospel Primer was unjust. Another book, His Glorious Appearing,
was crowded in to kill the sale of the Primer. The way in which The
Gospel Primer was handled has left a record on the books of heaven
which those concerned in the matter will not be pleased to meet in
the judgment. The young men who were handling the books did not
understand the diplomacy and scheming, but some knowingly took
part in these wrong practices, diverting from the Southern field a book
specially prepared for that field. The profits from this book should
have gone into that field. Not a penny should have been charged for
the publication of the book for that field. This donation would have
been small enough for the [Review] office to make to the Southern
field....
Had the very book God appointed to stand in its lot and place
[The Great Controversy] been handled as earnestly as Bible Readings
men would have cooperated with the angels. of God to make the very
impression essential for that time. [
The Gospel Primer was written by
Edson White, self-supporting missionary to the Southern states. Book
sales were meant to provide means for advancing the work among the
blacks, but another book, His Glorious Appearing, was crowded in
and the sale of Gospel Primer suffered. A similar situation existed
when The Great Controversy lay helpless on the shelves of the Review
and Herald publishing house while Bible Readings was promoted in
the field. Ellen White protested this narrow and shortsighted policy.
]....
The light given was that Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation, Great
Controversy, and Patriarchs and Prophets would make their way. They
contained the very message the people must have, the special light God
had given His people. The angels of God would prepare the way for
[207]
these books in the hearts of the people.—
Letter 43, 1899
. (
Selections
from the Testimonies Setting forth Important Principles Relating to
Our Work in General, 211-214
;
Special Instruction Regarding Royal-
ties, 6-9
.)
Blocking Publication of The Great Controversy—When you in-
sisted that you were doing all in your power to bring Great Controversy
[1888] and Patriarchs and Prophets [1890] before the people, I knew
your statements to be untrue. M and you confederated together to
uphold and sustain each other, and worked according to your blindness
of mind in using your influence to control the management of the