Publication of Books by Ellen G. White
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books to make as high a show as possible in gathering means into
the office. The Lord brought me into your council meetings. I was
bidden to mark the influences at work to repress Great Controversy
that resulted in its falling nearly dead from the press, as was the case
also with Patriarchs and Prophets.
The most solemn promises were made to me by Brother N that
if I would reduce the royalty on Great Controversy to ten cents, the
Pacific Press would push the book with all their power. Yet in spite
of these promises, Bible Readings was brought in, and, being sold
cheap, hindered the sale of the books that God had commanded to be
written, that the light of truth might be given to the world to prepare a
people for the great day of God. Every appeal was made that I could
make, but without effect. Stoutly and strangely was this unjust work
carried forward. Brother N thought he did not do the right thing by
me, but he must follow the lead of Battle Creek. At the conference at
Minneapolis, in the autumn of 1888, M faithfully promised me that he
would take hold of these works and push them the next spring. Did he
do it? No, they were kept back decidedly, determinedly, and your voice
did much to accomplish this; you discouraged their sale and exalted
Bible Readings, and the influence of M was united with yours....
The Pacific Press violated their solemn promise to me that if I
would take ten cents’ royalty, they would give wide sale to the book
[The Great Controversy]. They would have reduced the royalty still
more, but warnings were given me that I was encouraging a spirit of
injustice, and that it was my duty to guard not only my individual
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rights but the rights of others....
What excuse did Brother N give for not keeping his word? He
told me that it would not answer to push The Great Controversy and
Patriarchs and Prophets while the men in the Review office stood
in the position they did in reference to the matter, for they would be
jealous of the Pacific Press. I said, “Judgment is turned away backward,
and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity
cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh
himself a prey.”—
Letter 15, 1895
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Refusal to Embarrass Publishing Houses—On making inquiries
regarding the publication of Early Writings, I learn that our offices at
Mountain View and at Washington have just brought out and have in
stock a large edition of this book, and that they are selling a paper-