Dear Brother ___________,
Thank you for contacting the Ellen G. White Estate. I can understand your distress, but I also think I can help you discover the truth about these matters.
First, as you have correctly observed, Early Writings differs from A Word to the Little Flock in certain places where they are dealing with the same material. However, Early Writings does not claim to reproduce A Word to the Little Flock (1847). Rather, it reproduces A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Mrs. E. G. White (1851), its 1854 Supplement, and Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1 (1858). There are some differences between the same material in A Word to the Little Flock and "Experience and Views." Apparently Mrs. White herself omitted some material in publishing the latter work, something an author is certainly entitled to do. Though she later addressed the contents of certain omissions (I'll refer to this near the close of this message), I am not aware of a statement from her which explains why the changes were made. It may have been something as mundane as space constraints in the later publication. Early Writings was published in 1882, under Mrs. White's supervision. The text of it today is unchanged from that edition.
Now let us turn to your concerns about the reprint edition of A Word to the Little Flock. Here I will make my comments after each of the paragraphs in your message which expresses your concern. I will distinguish my comments from yours by starting and ending mine with these marks: >>
Hello,
I became a Seventh-day Adventist about 3 years ago. I have purchased most of Sister White's books. During my journey in Adventism I was blessed to meet a second generation Adventist who happens to be 101 years old. His father joined the Adventist church in the 1860s. His father kept all Adventist publications and subsequently handed them down to his son. While visiting his house I saw he had original Day Star publications, Word to the Little Flock, etc... His Word to the Little Flock was horribly falling apart. He pointed to it and said, "That contains the truth." I said, "I know, I bought a copy of it at the ABC." He said, "No, they changed it. Read the modern version and the book Early Writings. There are things in this booklet (Word to the Little Flock) that aren't in there. I asked him to point these out to me. He did. They were: It was just as impossible for them to get on the path again and go to the City, as all the wicked world which God had rejected. They fell all the way along the path one after another. - This was on page 14 of Word to the Little Flock. It is not in my edition nor could I find it in Early Writings. Was this later reprinted in another book?
>>This is not in Early Writings, as we have noted, but it is in the reprint edition of A Word to the Little Flock. I found it in my copy, newly purchased at the ABC, on p. 14, about three quarters of the way down the page.
And as we were gazing at the glories of the place our eyes were attracted upwards to something that had the appearance of silver. I asked Jesus to let me see what was within there. In a moment we were winging our way upward, an entering in; here we saw good old father Abraham, Isaac Jacob, Noah, Daniel, and many like them. And I saw a vail with a heavy fringe of silver and gold, as a border on the bottom; it was very beautiful. I asked Jesus what was within the vail. He raised it with his own right arm. and bade me take heed. I saw there a glorious ark overlaid with pure gold. and it had a glorious border, resembling Jesus' crowns; and on it were two bright angels-their wings were spread over the ark, as they sat on each end, with their faces turned toward each other and looking downward. In the ark, beneath where the angels' wings were spread, was a golden pot of Manna with a golden cast; and I saw a rod, which Jesus said was Aaron's! ; I saw it bud, blossom and bear fruit. And I saw two long golden rods, on which hung silver wires, and on the wires most glorious grapes; one cluster was more than a man here could carry.. And I saw Jesus step up and the manna, almonds, grapes and pomegranates, and bear them down to the city, and place them on the supper table. I stepped up to see now much was taken away, and there was just as much left; and we shouted Hallelujah-Amen. This was on page 22 of Word to the Little Flock. Once again, it's not my copies of Word.. and EW. This is such a beautiful passage. Why was it removed?
>>In my reprint edition, this appears on p. 16, about a quarter of the way down the page. It is in the paragraph that begins at the top of the page with the words, "At first I thought I saw two trees."
And if one believed, and kept the Sabbath, and received the blessing attending it, and then gave it up, and broke the holy commandment, they would shut the gates of the Holy City against themselves, as sure as there was a God who rules in heaven above. page 19 of Word... not in my copies of Word... and EW. This seems to tell of a vital truth. Why was this removed? Was this passage reprinted somewhere else in another book?
>>In my edition, this appears on p. 19, seven lines from the top of the page.
I saw that all that "would not receive the mark of the Beast, and of his Image, in their foreheads or in their hands," could not buy or sell. I saw that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up; and that it was the beast that changed the Sabbath, and the Image Beast followed on after, and kept the Pope's Sabbath. And all we were required to do, was to give up God's Sabbath, and keep the Pope's, and then we should have the mark of the Beast, and of his Image. page 19 of Word to the Little Flock. And again not in my editions. This passage seems to back the Adventist understanding of the seal of God. Why has it been removed? Was this passage reprinted in some other publication?
>>This also is on p. 19 of my reprint edition. It is the first full paragraph that appears on that page.
I guess I am just confused why this brother's early edition differs from mine. I feel as though these passages contains truths, for they were penned by Sister White. I would appreciate any help in understanding this matter. The elder brother who possesses the early edition of Word to the Little Flock won't buy the newer editions of EG White material because he says it has been corrupted. I don't agree with him. I am sure there is a reason for the above passages being removed or replaced somewhere else. I would like to share the reasons with him. Thank you in advance for any light you can shed on this matter.
Your brother in Christ,
___________
Assuming that you have the same reprint edition that I have, let me refer you to some supplementary material in it that did not appear in the original publication. First, on the inside of the front cover, you will find a foreword that provides some helpful introductory comments. Then, starting on p. 25, is an "Appendix" which addresses, mostly in Mrs. White's own words, some issues surrounding A Word to the Little Flock in the light of Mrs. White's later publications. I think you will find these to be helpful. The extended material from Mrs. White in the Appendix now also appears in Selected Messages, book 1, beginning on p. 59.
I hope you will find these observations helpful. Let me know if I can be of further service to you. Thank you for writing, and God bless!
