The editor has requested me to write for the Review some incidents in connection with the experience of my parents, James and Ellen Gould White. They are known to the world as being among the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. In attempting to place on record some of the outstanding incidents in their lives, and a story of their battles and victories in the early days, it is my hope that many, especially the young people and those newly added to the church, may be strengthened in the "good fight of faith," in these days when the conflict is drawing near its close.
To write with any degree of completeness the story of the lives of James and Ellen White is impossible in a few brief articles. We must of necessity, therefore, touch upon only a few of the high points in their experience.
In attempting to enter upon the work of writing these sketches, I find that my memory of important events is clear. I find also that we have in the vault at the "Elmshaven" office a wealth of published reports in the early volumes of denominational publications and in correspondence that has been providentially preserved. I am fortunate in having the assistance of Elder Dores E. Robinson, who has rendered assistance in bringing to my attention much source material that has made possible the verification of my memory regarding incidents of long ago, also in helping to place the articles in form for publication.
In order that the reader may interpret correctly the significance of the incidents which we shall relate, it will be necessary to give as a background a brief picture of the times, the message, and the work with which my parents were connected before I was born.
William C. White