White, Ellen G(ould) [Harmon] (1827-1915)

Co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church

Ellen Harmon was born and reared in Gorham, Maine, in a devout Christian home. Her father was an exhorter in the Methodist Church, and her Christian experience was nurtured in Methodist class meetings. Having accepted the teaching of William Miller regarding the imminent return of the Lord, the family was forced out of the Methodist Church. In 1846 Ellen married James White, a fellow Millerite, and together they consolidated the group of Millerites that became the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Michigan in 1861. Although she was never ordained and did not hold formal administrative office, she was accepted as a messenger of the Lord and exerted powerful influence in the young church. Largely under her influence the church developed a worldwide view of its mission and particular ideals regarding education and health, using them and Christian literature to propagate the message. In due course these views gave a particular shape to the Adventist mission endeavor. Her residence and work in Europe (1885-1887) and Australia (1892-1901) did much to inspire Adventist missionary consciousness, and this, together with the reorganization of the church’s administrative structure in 1901-1903 in effect turned the General Conference into a church-wide missionary society. During the ensuing 30-year administrative tenure of A. G. Daniels and W. A. Spicer, the Adventist Church was planted virtually around the globe in fulfillment of the vision she had helped to generate. She wrote about missions as a generalist, providing vision, inspiring and encouraging faithfulness, and suggesting broad outlines, rather than as a specialist analyzing particular problems or giving specific directions. She wrote voluminously. At the time of her death, 24 of her books were in circulation and she had contributed some 4,600 articles to denominational periodicals.

Russell L. Staples, “White Ellen G(ould) (Harmon),” in Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions, ed. Gerald H. Anderson (New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 1998), 727.

This article is reprinted from Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions, Macmillan Reference USA, copyright © 1998 Gerald H. Anderson, by permission of Macmillan Reference USA, New York, NY. All rights reserved.

Bibliography

The bibliography is from the complete published Ellen G. White Writings on Compact Disc.

Primary

White, Ellen Gould Harmon . The Acts of the Apostles. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911.

_____. The Adventist Home. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980.

_____. An Appeal to Mothers. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1864.

_____. An Appeal to the Youth. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1864.

_____. A Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Education. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1954.

_____. A Call to Stand Apart. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2002.

_____. Child Guidance. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1954.

_____. Christ Triumphant. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1999.

_____. Christ’s Object Lessons. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1941.

_____. Christian Education. 1893. Battle Creek, MI: International Tract Society, 1894.

_____. Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1940.

_____. Christian Leadership. Washington, D.C.: Ellen G. White Estate, Inc., 1985.

_____. Christian Service. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1947.

_____. Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene. Battle Creek, MI: Good Health Publishing Co., 1890.

_____. Colporteur Evangelist. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1920.

_____. Colporteur Ministry. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1953.

_____. Confrontation. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970.

_____. Counsels for the Church. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1991.

_____. Counsels on Diet and Foods. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1976.

_____. Counsels on Health. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1957.

_____. Counsels on Sabbath School Work. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1938.

_____. Counsels on Stewardship. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1940.

_____. Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1943.

_____. Counsels to Writers and Editors. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1946.

_____. Country Living. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946.

_____. Darkness Before Dawn. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1997.

_____. Daughters of God. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1998.

_____. The Desire of Ages. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1940.

_____. Early Writings of Ellen G. White. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1945.

_____. Education. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1952.

_____. Evangelism. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970.

_____. Faith and Works. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1979.

_____. The Faith I Live By. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1973.

_____. From the Heart. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2010.

_____. Fundamentals of Christian Education. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1923.

_____. God’s Amazing Grace. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1973.

_____. Gospel Workers. Battle Creek, MI: Review and Herald Publishing Co., 1901.

_____. The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1907.

_____. The Health Food Ministry. Washington, D.C.: Ellen G. White Publications, 1970.

_____. Healthful Living. Battle Creek, MI: Medical Missionary Board, 1898.

_____. Heaven. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2003.

_____. Help in Daily Living. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2002.

_____. Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists. Basle: Imprimerie Polyglotte, 1886.

_____. In Heavenly Places. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1967. Conflict and Courage. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970.

_____. Last Day Events. Boise, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1992.

_____. Letters to Young Lovers. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1983.

_____. Life Sketches of James and Ellen White. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1880.

_____. Lift Him Up. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.

_____. Manual for Canvassers. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1902.

_____. Manuscript Releases. 21 vols. Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1981, 1987, 1990, 1993.

_____. Maranatha; The Lord Is Coming. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1976.

_____. Medical Ministry. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1963.

_____. Messages to Young People. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1930.

_____. Mind, Character, and Personality. 2 vols.. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1977.

_____. The Ministry of Healing. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1942.

_____. My Life Today. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1952.

_____. A New Life Washington, D. C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1972.

_____. Our Father Cares. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1991.

_____. Our High Calling. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1961.

_____. Pastoral Ministry. Silver Spring, MD: General Conference Ministerial Association, 1995.

_____. Patriarchs and Prophets. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1958.

_____. Peter’s Counsel to Parents. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1981.

_____. A Place Called Oakwood. Hagerstown, MD: 180 pp. Compiled by Benjamin J. Baker.

_____. Prayer. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2002.

_____. Prophets and Kings. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1943.

_____. The Publishing Ministry. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1983.

_____. Radiant Religion. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946.

_____. Reflecting Christ. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985.

_____. The Retirement Years. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1990.

_____. The Sanctified Life. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1956.

_____. Selected Messages. 3 books. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1958, 1980. Sermons and Talks. 2 vols. Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1990, 1994.

_____. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary: Ellen G. White Comments. 7 vols. plus supplement (vol. 7A). Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970.

_____. A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White. Saratoga Springs, NY: James White. 1851.

_____. Sketches From the Life of Paul. Battle Creek, MI: Review and Herald, 1883.

_____. A Solemn Appeal. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1870.

_____. Sons and Daughters of God. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1955.

_____. The Southern Work. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1966.

_____. Special Testimonies on Education. c.1897.

_____. The Spirit of Prophecy. 4 vols. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1969.

_____. Spiritual Gifts. 4 vols.  Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1945.

_____. Steps to Christ. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1956.

_____. Story of Jesus. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1949.

_____. The Story of Redemption. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980.

_____. Supplement to the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White. Rochester, NY: James White, 1854.

_____. Temperance. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1949.

_____. Testimonies for the Church. 9 vols. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1948.

_____. Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1900.

_____. Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce. Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1989.

_____. Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1962.

_____. Testimonies to Southern Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: South African Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1977.

_____. Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods. Loma Linda, CA: College of Medical Evangelists, 1926.

_____. That I May Know Him. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1964.

_____. This Day With God. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1979.

_____. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1955.

_____. To Be Like Jesus. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2004.

_____. The Truth About Angels. Boise, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1996.

_____. The Upward Look.  Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1982.

_____. The Voice in Speech and Song. Boise, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1988.

_____. Welfare Ministry. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1952.

_____. With God at Dawn. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1949.

_____. A Word to the “Little Flock.” Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1847.

_____. Ye Shall Receive Power. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1995.

Secondary

Graham, Roy E. Ellen G. White, Co-Founder of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. New York: P. Lang, 1985.

Numbers, Ronald L. Prophetess of Health: A Study of Ellen G. White. New York: Harper & Row, 1976.

Portrait

The photo is part of the public domain.