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(see
Testimonies for the Church 5:658, 659
). She was not given light for each
individual who might be in need of counsel.
In 1905, at the age of 77, as she was nearing the close of her lifetime
of heavy correspondence, she wrote, “I am endeavoring by the help of God
to write letters that will be a help, not merely to those to whom they are
addressed, but to many others who need them.”—
Letter 79, 1905
.
Such letters might be devoted entirely to an important message to the
person addressed, or, if to an acquaintance, might contain some newsy items,
as well as spiritual truths based on the many visions given to her through the
years. Selections from the thousands of such letters in the Ellen G. White
files make up much of this volume. Some are letters to presidents of the
General Conference, some were written to local conference executives. One
is a letter to a harassed mother. Others are letters to sanitarium managers, to
physicians, to individuals under heavy temptations, to young people, and to
saints in their golden years. There are letters to businessmen and to editors
of the
Review and Herald
. Some were written to her own sons, who, like
any Seventh-day Adventist, stood in need of counsel and encouragement. A
number of letters were to women workers and wives of workers
.
General manuscripts, penned to meet various situations, were drawn
upon in this collection, as were her extensive daily writings and diaries.
These abound in spiritual lessons, encouragement, and counsel. Hundreds
of sermons were reported stenographically and are on file as E. G. White
manuscripts. All of these manuscripts provide rich sources for the readings
in this volume
For variety, a few excerpts are taken from her periodical articles that
appeared in the weekly issues of the
Review and Herald
and
Signs of the
Times
over a period of more than sixty years
.
A source reference appears with each reading, giving its file reference
as well as the name, position, and location of the individual addressed. For
sermons and manuscripts, the title together with the year and date of writing
are provided
.
These credit lines provide the setting for the devotional message.
[8]
If the person addressed held different positions through the years, he is
identified by the one he held at the time Ellen White wrote to him
.
If a message chosen by Ellen White for publication was highly personal
or confidential, she was careful to protect the identity of the person addressed.
With her practice in mind, we have omitted a few names in this book. In all
other instances, however, we have included the names and places because they
contribute to a better understanding of the counsel given. This information
provides sidelights otherwise not known, and helps to make this devotional
volume a treasure of counsel for persons of all ages.