The prophetess of the movement is the late Mrs. Ellen G. White, whose husband, Elder White, was for long its leader. "The Visions of Mrs. E. G. White, a Manifestation of Spiritual Gifts according to the Scriptures," is the title of a book of 144 pages, published by the Adventists defending her inspiration. Of her own words she blasphemously writes:—"It is God, and not an erring mortal that has spoken." (Testimonies, Vol. III, p. 257).
Yet one who has been intimate with her for years testifies that he knows that her testimonies are far from being inspired. He says: " When writing them out she will often change what she has written, and write it very differently. I have seen her scratch out a whole
page, or a line or a sentence, and write it over differently." He further testifies that he has heard her read over her manuscript to her husband, who suggested many changes, which she would adopt, scratching out her own words, and putting in his. As she was ignorant of grammar, the same writer says: "Of late years she has employed an accomplished writer to take her manuscript and correct it, improve its wording, polish it up, and put it in popular style, so that her books will sell better. Thousands of words not her own are thus put in by other persons, some of whom are not even Christians." He further states: "She often copies her subject-matter without credit or sign of quotation from other authors. Indeed her last great book, ' The Great Controversy,' which they laud so highly as her greatest work, is largely [mainly in its historical parts] a compilation of Andrew's 'History of the Sabbath'; 'History of the Waldenses,' by Wylie; Life of Miller,' by White; Thoughts on Revelation,' by Smith, and other books." The Pastors' Union of Healdsburg, California, investigated the matter, and published many instances of her plagiarisms.
In the "Advent Review," July 2nd, 1889, we read: "Rule 1.-We will not neglect the study of the Bible and the 'Testimonies.'" The "Testimonies," Mrs. White's writings, are assigned a place of inspiration—a sort of Appendix to the Bible. The same writer says: " A text from her writings is an end of all the controversy in doctrine or discipline. It s common to hear them say that when they give up her visions they will give up the Bible too, and they generally do." This is the testimony of one, who for long had been one of their prominent preachers and writers.