Ellen White

1. Ellen White The Social Reformer Denis Fortin Writings of Ellen G. White

2. The Social Reformer • Perhaps one of the aspects of Ellen White’s writings that has been neglected the most is her thought on various social evils and issues of her day. • For her contemporaries, Ellen White was not only a spiritual woman, she was also a social reformer.

3. Thought on Social Reform • Social reform starts with the conversion of the individual and a deep-felt repentance. • Changed and converted people, dedicated to do the will of God, make a difference in society.

4. Slavery: a brief history • 1619 – First African Blacks arrive at Jamestown, Virginia, as Dutch slave trader exchange his human cargo for food. • Native Americans were also slaves.

5. Slavery: a brief history • 1671 – Black slaves represent less than 5% of population in Virginia • 1715 – Black slaves comprise 24% of Virginia. • 1756 – 40% of Virginia population are slaves. • 1790 – (first census) – 757,000 blacks in U.S. or 19% of the total population; 9% of blacks (60,000) are free.  Total population is about 4 million • 1830 – More than 2 million slaves in U.S.

6. Abolitionism • American Anti-Slavery Society – 1833 • While abolitionist societies worked for the emancipation of Blacks in Southern states and considered slavery a social sin, most societies did not allow Blacks to join. • William Lloyd Garrison was often criticized because he associated socially with Blacks.

7. Millerism and Abolitionism • Many Millerites were ardent supporters of abolitionism. • Joshua V. Himes • George Storrs • Charles Fitch • Joseph Bates

8. Fugitive Slave Act - 1850 • The Fugitive Slave Act imposed heavy penalties on those who refused to help government slave catchers or who obstructed the recapture of a fugitive slave  (a fine of up to $1000 and imprisonment of up to six months). • Northerners were held directly responsible for helping recapture slaves who fled to the north.

9. Emancipation Proclamation • Signed by Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862 • "That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free. . . ."

10. Post-Civil War Gains • Three constitutional amendments between 1865 and 1870 guaranteed the civil rights of the former slaves.

11. Thirteenth Amendment • 1865 – Abolition of slavery • "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.“ • Proposed by Congress Jan. 31, 1865; ratified Dec. 6, 1865.

12. Fourteenth Amendment • 1868 – Citizenship extended to Blacks. • "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.“ • Ratified on July 21, 1868.

13. Fifteenth Amendment • 1870 – Right to vote granted to Blacks. • "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.“ • Ratified on March 30, 1870.

14. Further Rights Granted • Two civil rights acts passed by Congress in 1866 and 1875. • Establishment of the Freedman's Bureau in 1865 to help freed slaves. By 1900, Blacks in the Southern states had managed to send 15 Representatives and 2 Senators to Congress.

15. Loss of Civil Rights • After 1877 and the end of Reconstruction period.  • 1883 – Supreme Court nullified a section of the 1875 Civil Rights Acts that prevented discrimination in public places and on public carriers.

16. Loss of Civil Rights • 1890s – Disenfranchisement of Black voters in Southern states • Through a poll tax, literacy test, and "grandfather clause" (Jan. 1, 1860). • Louisiana: • 130,344 Black registered voters in 1896; • 1,342 in 1904 • Alabama: • 181,471 Black registered voters in 1896; • 3,000 in 1900

17. Loss of Civil Rights • 1896 – "separate but equal" doctrine adopted by Supreme Court • 1910 – Racial segregation mandated in federal office buildings in Washington.

18. Ellen White’s Position • Ellen White stood firmly against slavery and saw it as a moral evil. • She believed in the equality of all races. • Spoke against slavery. • Spoke in favor of restitution.

19. Equality of All Races • “The religion of the Bible recognizes no caste or color. It ignores rank, wealth, worldly honor. God estimates men as men. With Him, character decides their worth. And we are to recognize the Spirit of Christ in whomsoever it is revealed. No one need be ashamed to speak with an honest black man in any place or to shake him by the hand. He who is living in the atmosphere in which Christ lives will be taught of God and will learn to put His estimate on men” (9T 223).

20. Civil Disobedience • “I was shown that we have men placed over us for rulers, and laws to govern the people. Were it not for these laws, the world would be in a worse condition than it is now. Some of these laws are good, and some bad. The bad have been increasing, and we are yet to be brought into straight places. But God will sustain his people in being firm, and living up to the principles of his word.” (cont’d)

21. Civil Disobedience • “Where the laws of men conflict with God's word and law, we are to obey the word and law of God, whatever the consequences may be. The laws of our land requiring us to deliver a slave to his master [i.e. Fugitive Slave Act of 1850], we are not to obey, and we must abide the consequences of the violation of this law. This slave is not the property of any man. God is his rightful Master, and man has no right to take God's workmanship into his hands, and claim his as his own.” (1T 201-202)

22. Slavery and the Civil War • “God is punishing this nation for the high crime of slavery. He has the destiny of the nation in His hands. He will punish the South for the sin of slavery, and the North for so long suffering its overreaching and overbearing influence.” (1T 264)  

23. Healing of Racial Prejudice • “Walls of separation have been built up between the whites and the blacks. These walls of prejudice will tumble down of themselves, as did the walls of Jericho, when Christians obey the Word of God, which enjoins on them supreme love to their Maker and impartial love to their neighbors. . . . Let every church whose members claim to believe the truth for this time, look at this neglected, downtrodden race, that as a result of slavery have been deprived of the privilege of thinking and acting for themselves.” (Review and Herald, Dec. 17, 1895, also in Christian Service, 217-218).

24. Restitution Needed • “The law of God contained in the Ten Commandments reveals to man his duty to love God supremely and his neighbor as himself. The American nation owes a debt of love to the colored race, and God has ordained that they should make restitution for the wrong they have done them in the past. Those who have taken no active part in enforcing slavery upon the colored people are not relieved from the responsibility of making special efforts to remove, as far as possible, the sure result of their enslavement.” (The Southern Work, 54)

25. Working for Blacks • “Most decided efforts should be made to educate and train colored men and women to labor as missionaries in the Southern States of America. Christian colored students should be preparing to give the truth to their own race. Those who make the fear of the Lord the beginning of their wisdom and give heed to the counsel of men of experience can be a great blessing to the Negro race by carrying to their own people the light of present truth” (9T 199).

26. A. G. Daniells’ Tribute • Perhaps none other than A.G. Daniells, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists from 1901-1922, summarized better Ellen G. White's thoughts on social issues at her funeral in Battle Creek on July 24, 1915.  (Life Sketches, p. 473)

27. Ellen White’s Legacy • “Through the light and counsel given her, Mrs. White held and advocated broad, progressive views regarding vital questions that affect the betterment and uplift of the human family, from the moral, intellectual, physical, and social standpoint as well as the spiritual. Her writings are full of instruction, clear and positive, in behalf of a broad, practical, Christian education for every young man and young woman. In response to her earnest counsels, the denomination with which she was associated now maintains a system of education for all its children and young people.” (cont’d)

28. Ellen White’s Legacy • “Her writings present most comprehensive views regarding temperance reform, the laws of life and health, and the use of rational, effective remedies for the treatment of disease. The adoption of these principles has placed the people with whom she worked, in the front ranks with others who are advocating sane temperance reforms and working for the physical improvement of mankind.” (cont’d)

29. Ellen White’s Legacy • “Nor is the social status of the human family lost sight of. Slavery, the caste system, unjust racial prejudices, the oppression of the poor, the neglect of the unfortunate,– these all are set forth as unchristian and a serious menace to the well-being of the human race, and as evils which the church of Christ is appointed by her Lord to overthrow.” (Life Sketches, 473)