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The Publishing Ministry
Royalties Invested in the Work [
After her death in 1915, royal-
ties on the Ellen White books were used to reimburse the General
Conference for having liquidated all debts against her estate. By ar-
rangement between the White Estate and the General Conference,
royalties on her many books today are the property of the General
Conference. The General Conference in turn allocates an annual bud-
get to the White Estate, which always exceeds in dollars the income
from royalties. No member of the White family benefits so much as a
dime from the fact that Ellen White was an author.
]—There seems to
be a constant drawing upon me for money, while but very little comes
in. Yet notwithstanding my great necessities, I would be unwilling
to make any move that might appear to be unfair to our publishing
houses.
I have, as you well know, invested means largely in the building of
meeting houses, and in starting various enterprises in Australia. I have
also given thousands of dollars of my royalty on books to help the
work in Europe and have then, at times, borrowed money with which
[235]
to pay my own helpers.
At one time I received word that it was difficult to get means for
the translation of some of my books in the European languages. I
said, “I will give my royalties on these foreign books for this purpose.”
At another time a brother in Europe wrote to me, “I have a thousand
dollars that is due you on the sale of your books. Could not you let us
have a portion of this to help in the education of young men and fitting
them to engage in missionary work?”
In reply I wrote, “Keep it all, if you can only train young men to
go out and labor as missionaries. I will continue to pay interest on
money in order that I may give this to you as a donation.” This is how
Sister White is becoming rich. I have been laying up my treasure in
heaven, and ... I will not draw back.—
Letter 106, 1908
.
I must use the income from my books to the best advantage for
advancing the work here [Australia]. I see so many things that must be
done in order to make even a beginning, to raise the standard in these
new fields. From every direction I hear the Macedonian cry for help,
“Come over and help us.” I also have calls to assist young people to
attend school, and also to open primary schools in different localities
where the children may be educated. This is work that must be done.