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Who
Wrote Steps to Christ?
By Robert K. Sanders
I wrote a letter to the White Estate, January 8, 1997 to Mr. Tim Poirier Associate Director/Archivist asking: "Why did Fanny Bolton claim to have written, "Steps to Christ"? Would you send me a copy of a page from Steps to Christ hand written by Ellen G. White?"
Mr. Poirier responded in a letter dated January 20, 1997, saying; "Fannie Bolton's claim re Steps to Christ: Fannie Bolton never made that claim, so far as I have ever seen. It was made by others after her death. Nor did Ellen White write the book by hand--so I cannot send you a handwritten page. It was compiled by her editorial assistants from her earlier writings. I've sent an example for your comparison, showing the source for the paragraphs on page 83. (Fannie first met Ellen White in 1887.)"
Facts:
- Fannie went to work for Mrs. White in 1888. "Steps to Christ" was published in 1892.
- The comparison sent to me by Mr. Poirier is from Steps to Christ p. 83. "The humblest and poorest of the disciples of Jesus can be a blessing to others. They may not know they are doing any special good, but by their unconscious influence they may start waves of blessings that will widen and deepen, and the blessed results they may never know until the day of final reward." This is to be compared with, Testimonies Volume 3, p. 246 published in 1872. "The humblest and poorest of the disciples of Jesus can be a blessing to others. They may not realize they are doing any special good, but by their unconscious influence they may start waves of blessings that will widen and deepen, and the happy results of their words and consistent deportment they may never know until the day of final distribution of rewards."
- Because of the similarity of the wording of an earlier statement in 1872 found in "Testimonies" when compared to "Steps to Christ" 1892, Mr. Poirier would lead us to believe Fannie could not have written Steps to Christ.
- Mr. Poirier, states, "Nor did Ellen White write the book by hand--so I cannot send you a handwritten page. It was compiled by her editorial assistants from her earlier writings." These editorial assistants would have to include Fannie Bolton. We also know Steps to Christ was not written by hand by Ellen G. White but by her editorial assistants.
- Fannie did claim to have written "Steps to Christ" to Edward S. Ballenger and witnessed by Charles D. Willis.
- Ellen G. White did not write this book admits the White Estate, and they also admit her assistants compiled it. Where did the material come from that the assistants used? The White Estate tells us it was from Ellen's earlier writings. Is this totally true?
- We now know that "Steps to Christ" was plagiarized from uninspired authors by Ellen's assistants? This was Fannie's habit in writing for Ellen.
- In Fannie's letter to Ballenger she says, "Mrs. White had taken the MSS and had published them under her own name." See Fannies confessions: also Kellogg to Ballenger.
- From the evidence we have
uncovered, it is easy to understand why Fannie claimed to have authored
"Steps to Christ."
- Here are examples of plagiarism from "The White Lie," by Walter Rae, pp. 378,379, 388.
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Steps to Christ E. G. White 1892 [96] If we take counsel with our doubts and
fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly,
before we have faith, perplexities will only
increase and deepen…But if we
come to God…and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants
to Him…who governs everything with his will and His word, He can and
will attend our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts. Through
sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the
Infinite. We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of
our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even
so. We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and
pitying tenderness. Steps to Christ E. G. White 1892 [96] Another element of prevailing prayer
is faith. "He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He
is a rewarder of them that diligently gently seek Him." Hebrews
11:6.... But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire is presumption. |
Night Scenes in the Bible Daniel March 1868-1870 [336] While we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve the problem of the universe in the cabinets and laboratories of science, or to explore the depths of eternity with the feeble taper of human reason, we shall only increase our perplexity and deepen our disappointment… [339] But let them go up to the mount of God…in humble, trusting prayer…that the supreme power governing the universe,,, and look only to him who sees everything at one view and governs everything with a word…Let them believe that…he will hear their voice and attend to their wants. And then the darkness and perplexity will vanish from their minds… In every act of sincere prayer the soul
comes into living contact with the infinite Mind. We see no face vending
over us with looks of compassion. No voice answers to our humble cry. No
hand is let down for us to grasp…as the child seeks the parents
supporting hand.
God's Will Known and Done Almon Underwood 1860 [291] Another requisite of prevailing prayer is faith. He that cometh unto God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him." Heb. 11:6…You are not to expect it to come in a particular way, nor necessarily at just such a time. |