Ellen White's First Book

Even though the pamphlet contained only 64 pages, A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White, with more than 20 chapters, is considered the first Ellen G. White book. Most of the chapters were made up of her messages to the church, first published in broadsides or articles. The entire work was republished in 1882 and is the first section of Early Writings.WV 61.4

During its first five years the Review and Herald had not included even one vision given by God to Ellen White, and very little had been said about God's communicating through the visions to encourage, guard, and counsel His people.WV 61.5

True, in 1851 Ellen White's first little 64-page book, which presented many of the visions of the previous seven years, had been published and circulated. But with the intent of not offending the general public, the Review was silent on the visions, and its editor had done no more than maintain that visions in the last days are scriptural. Now, with the confessions of neglect and the determination to place the gift in its proper place in the church, the whole atmosphere changed. The minutes of the conference and the conference address were published December 4, 1855, in the first issue of the Review printed in Battle Creek. This issue carried Uriah Smith's name on the masthead as resident editor, and James White as one of the corresponding editors.WV 61.6

Immediately a change in policy became evident. In the issue of December 18, in a two-page editorial titled “The Testimony of Jesus,” James White defended the appearance of the Spirit of prophecy in the remnant church. Beginning with Revelation 12:17, he carried through the scriptural support for the continuing ministry of the gift of prophecy till earth's last days, and closed with the biblical tests of the true prophet.WV 61.7

The events and experiences at the conference of November 1855 may well be considered as marking a turning point in Seventh-day Adventist history. With the church accepting the responsibility for its publishing work, and the Spirit of Prophecy now given its rightful place, added blessing attended the labors of the ministers, the publishing enterprise prospered, and the work moved forward.WV 62.1