Sketches & Melvill

8/10/2019 Sketches & Melvill

1/16

Csars Household by Ellen G. White: Sentence by Sentence Analysis

Color Scheme:

Red for verbatim words

Blue for paraphrased words

Green for Scripture

I stopped working on this because it presents the text of EGW in isolation from Melvill.

Doing this leads one to believe that she was far more dependent on him than it is in reality.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

The gospel has ever achieved its greatest success among the humbler classes.

"Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are

called." [1 Cor. 1:26]

It could not be expected that Paul, a poor and friendless prisoner, would beable to gain the attention of the wealthy and titled classes of Roman citizens.

Their whole life--physical, mental, and moral--was on a different plane from

his.

To them vice presented all its glittering allurements, and held them willing

captives.

But from the toil-worn, want-stricken victims of their oppression, even from

the poor slaves, ignorant and degraded as they were, many gladly listened to

the words of Paul, and found in the faith of Christ a hope and peace whichcheered them under the hardships of their lot.

Yet while the apostle's work began with the humble and lowly, its influence

extended, until it reached the very palace of the emperor.

Rome was at this time the metropolis of the world. The haughty Caesars were

giving laws to nearly every nation upon the earth.

King and courtier were either wholly ignorant of the humble Nazarene, or

they regarded him with hatred and derision.

And yet in less than two years the gospel found its way from the prisoner's

lowly home into the imperial halls.

Paul is in bonds as an evil-doer; but "the word of God is not bound." [2 Tim.

2:9]

Original

Bible

Original

Original

Original

Original

Original

Original

.

Page -1-


2/16

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

Among the saints who send greetings to the Philippian church, the apostle

mentions chiefly them that are of Caesar's household.

Nowhere could there exist an atmosphere more uncongenial to Christianity

than in the Roman court under such a monster of wickedness as then stood at

its head.

Nero seemed to have obliterated from his soul the last trace of the Divine,

and even of the human, and to bear only the impress of the Satanic.

His attendants and courtiers were in general of the same character as himself,

fierce, debased, and corrupt.

To all appearance it would be impossible for Christianity to gain a foot-hold

in the court and palace of Nero.

But no such opportunities were now granted the apostle, confined as he was

to his own dwelling, and able to proclaim the truth only to those who sought

him there.

He had not, like Moses and Aaron, a divine command to go before the

profligate king with the rod of God, and demand his attention, and in the

name of the great I AM rebuke his cruelty and oppression.

Yet it was at this very time, when its chief advocate was apparently cut off

from public labour, that this great victory was won for the truth, and members

were gained to the church from the very household of the king.

In his Epistle to the Philippians, Paul ascribes to his own imprisonment his

success in bringing converts to the faith from Nero's household.

He expresses himself as fearful lest the Philippians have thought that his

afflictions have impeded the progress of the gospel.

He assures them that the contrary effect has been produced: "I would ye

should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have

fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ

are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places." [Phil. 1:12-13]

It was not by the sermons of Paul, but by his bonds, that the attention of the

court had been attracted to Christianity. It was as a captive that he had

conquered rulers.

Original

Original

Original

Bible

Page -2-


3/16

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

It was with his chain that he had broken from so many souls the bonds that

held them in the slavery of sin.

Nor was this all.

He declares: "And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by mybonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." [Phil. 1:14]

The patience and meekness with which he submitted to a long and unjust

imprisonment drew the attention of the public, and forced the conviction

upon many minds that where there was such a willingness to suffer, there

must be an unwavering faith in the doctrines advocated.

His cheerfulness under affliction and imprisonment was so unlike the spirit of

the unfortunate and afflicted of the world, that they could but see that a power

higher than any earthly influence was ever abiding with him.

His courage and faith were a continual sermon.

And by his example, other Christians were nerved to greater energy.

They felt that they would not be losers in becoming the advocates of truth and

pushing forward the work from which Paul was temporarily withdrawn. In

these ways were the apostle's bonds influential, so that when to all

appearance he could do the least, when his power and usefulness seemed cut

off, then it was that he was gathering sheaves for Christ, in fields from which

he seemed wholly excluded.

When a servant of God is withdrawn from active duty, when his voice is no

longer heard in encouragement and reproof, we, in our short-sighted

judgment, often conclude that his usefulness is at an end. But the Lord does

not so regard it.

The mysterious providences over which we so often lament, are designed of

God to accomplish a work which otherwise might never have been done.

The Christian who manifests patience and cheerfulness under bereavement

and suffering, who meets death with the peace and calmness of anunwavering faith, may accomplish far more toward overcoming the

opposition of the enemies of the gospel than he could have effected had he

laboured with his utmost energy day and night to bring them to repentance.

When the servants of Christ move actively through the land to contend

Original

Bible

Original

Original

Page -3-


4/16

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

against prevailing errors and superstitions, they are doing the work which the

Lord has given them, standing in defence of the gospel.

But when through Satan's malice, they are persecuted, their active labour

hindered, and they cast into prison, as was Paul, and finally dragged to the

scaffold or the stake, it is then that truth gains a greater triumph.

Those who before doubted, are convinced of their sincerity, as they thus seal

their faith with their blood.

From the martyr's ashes springs an abundant harvest for the garner of God.

Let no one feel that because he is no longer able to labour openly and actively

for God and his truth, he has no service to render, no reward to secure.

A true Christian is never laid aside. God will use him effectually in health

and in sickness, in life and in death.

It is in the darkness of affliction, bereavement, trial, and persecution, that the

light of Christian faith shines brightest, and the Lord's promises are found

most precious.

And when the grave receives the child of God, he being dead yet speaketh.

[Heb. 11:4]

His works do follow him.

The memory of his words of admonition and encouragement, of his steadfast

adherence to the truth under all circumstances, speaks more powerfully than

even his living example.

Patience as well as courage has its victories. Converts may be made by

meekness in trial, no less than by boldness in enterprise.

If Christians would be reconciled to the apparent suspension of their

usefulness, and would cheerfully rest from the strife, and lay off the burden

of labour, they would learn sweet lessons at the feet of Jesus, and would see

that their Master is using them as effectively when they seem to bewithdrawn from employment, as when in more active labour.

When the Christian churches first learned that Paul contemplated a visit to

Rome, they looked forward to a signal triumph of the gospel.

Original

Original

Original

Original

Original

Page -4-


5/16

49

50

51

52

53

Paul had borne the truth to many lands; he had proclaimed it in great cities.

Might not this champion of the faith succeed in winning souls to Christ, even

in the court of Nero?

But their anticipations were crushed by the tidings that Paul had gone toRome as a prisoner.

They had confidently hoped to see the gospel, once established at this great

centre, extend rapidly to all nations, until it should become a prevailing

power in the earth. How great their disappointment!

Human calculations had failed, but not the purpose of God.

Paul could not labour as he had hoped, yet before the close of that two years'

imprisonment he was able to say, "My bonds in Christ are manifest in all the

palace, and in all other places;" and among those who send greetings to the

Philippians, he mentions chiefly them that are of Caesar's household. [Phil.

4:13, 22]

Original

Original

Original

The zeal and fidelity of Paul and his fellow-workers, no less than the faith and obedience of those

converts to Christianity, under circumstances so forbidding, should be a rebuke to slothfulness

and unbelief in the followers of Christ. Never let us, by our human, short-sighted judgment, limit

the plans and work of God. Never let us excuse ourselves from efforts to win souls to Christ,

even in the most unpromising fields. The apostle and his subordinate ministers might have

argued that the servants of Nero were subjected to the fiercest temptations, sur-rounded by the

most formidable hindrances, exposed to the most bitter opposition, and that under such

circumstances it would be in vain to call them to repentance and to faith in Christ. Should they be

convinced of the truth, how could they render obedience? But the gospel was presented to those

souls, and there were some among them who decided to obey it at any cost. Notwithstanding theobstacles and dangers, they would walk in the light, trusting in God for opportunity to let their

light shine forth to others.

Who is placed in circumstances more unfavourable to a religious life, or required to make greater

sacrifices, to encounter greater dangers, or to bring upon himself fiercer op-position, than would

Page -5-


6/16

follow the exchange of heathenism for Christianity by those who were in office in the court of

Caesar? No man can be so situated that he cannot obey God. There is too little faith with

Christians of to-day. They are willing to work for Christ and his cause only when they

themselves can see a prospect of favourable results. Divine grace will aid the efforts of every true

believer. That grace is sufficient for us under all circumstances. The Spirit of Christ will exert its

renewing, perfecting power upon the character of all who will be obedient and faithful.

God is the great I AM, the source of being, the centre of authority and power. Whatever the

condition or situation of his creatures, they can have no sufficient excuse for refusing to answer

the claims of God. The Lord holds us responsible for the light shining upon our pathway. We

may be surrounded by difficulties that appear formidable to us, and because of these we may

excuse ourselves for not obeying the truth as it is in Jesus; but there can be no excuse that will

bear investigation. Could there be an excuse for disobedience, it would prove our heavenly

Father unjust, in that he had given us conditions of salvation with which we could not comply.

Servants employed in an irreligious family are placed in circumstances somewhat similar to those

of the members of Caesar's household. Such are deserving of sympathy; for if they seek to live areligious life, their situation is often one of great trial. A bad example is constantly before them,--

an example of Sabbath-breaking and of neglect of religion. Few religious privileges are granted

them; and should they manifest an interest in religion, they might lose the favour of their

employer, and bring upon themselves the ridicule of their companions. He who is thus situated

has more than a common battle to fight, if he stands forth as a witness for Christ, a candidate for

Heaven. But there can be nothing in his surroundings to excuse him for neglecting the claims of

God. Whatever the difficulties in his path, they will be powerless to hinder him if he is

determined to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. [Matt. 6:33a]

The Christian should not array before his imagination all the trials which may occur before the

end of the race. He has but to begin to serve God, and each day live and labour for the glory ofGod that day, and obstacles which appeared insurmountable will gradually grow less and less; or,

should he encounter all that he has feared, the grace of Christ will be imparted to him according

to his need. Strength increases with the difficulties met and overcome.

Daniel, the Hebrew captive, the prime minister of a royal realm, encountered great obstacles to a

life of fidelity to God. But at the very beginning of his career, he determined that whatever might

oppose, he would make the law of God his rule of action. As he maintained his {page 298} stead-

fastness amid the lesser trials which he daily met in the court of a heathen king, his faith,

courage, and firmness grew stronger; and when the royal decree went forth forbidding him to

offer supplication to his God, he was able, with the den of lions open before him, to stand true to

principle and to God.

He whose heart is fixed to serve God, will find opportunity to serve him. He will pray, he will

read the word of God, he will seek virtue and forsake vice. He can brave contempt and derision

while looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who endured the contradiction of

Page -6-


7/16

sinners against himself. Help and grace are promised by Him whose words are truth. God will not

fail to fulfill his promise to all who trust in him.

Are any tempted to make their circum-stances an excuse for neglecting the religion of Christ? Let

them remember that Satan can frame one difficulty after another to bar the way of those who will

permit themselves to be thus hindered. Let them consider the situation of the disciples in Caesar'shouse-hold, the fierce depravity of the emperor, the profligacy of the court. It was like rushing

into the fire to accept of Christ under such circumstances. If those Christian converts could

maintain their fidelity amid all the difficulties and dangers of such surroundings, no one can offer

a sufficient reason for neglecting the claims of duty. There is no such thing as an impossibility to

obey God.

There is another fact concerning those disciples which is worthy of our attention. Not only were

converts won to the truth in Csar's household, but they remained in that household after their

conversion. They did not feel at liberty to abandon their post of duty. The truth had found them

where they were, and there they would remain, and by their life and character testify of its

transforming power. The example of those Christians has great weight, from the fact that theyhad direct intercourse with Paul, and therefore enjoyed the benefit of his instruction and counsel.

It teaches that believers are not always to withdraw from positions of difficulty and trial, and

place themselves where there would be less temptation or opposition.

No one who is seeking to save his soul should without good reason place himself in an

uncongenial atmosphere, or where he will be surrounded by hindrances to a religious life; but if

in such a position he has received the truth, he should diligently inquire if God has not there a

work for him to do for the saving of other souls. That one Christian in the midst of unbelievers,

may, in the providence of God, be like the piece of leaven "hid in three measures of meal,"

[Matt. 13:33; Luke 13:21] that is to do its work until the whole mass is leavened. A consistent

Christian life will accomplish more good than could be accomplished by many sermons.Whatever the Christian's station, be it exalted or humble, he will manifest the power of true

religion by the faithful performance of the duties of that station.

Page -7-


8/16

We have great pleasure in contemplating the

moral power with which God has invested the

meanest of his people. It is too common to

judge power by station, and to compute the

influence which a man may exert over others,

by the temporal advantages which fall to his

lot. But there is a power in religion, irrespec-

tive altogether of worldly station: a power

which may indeed be used more extensively,

if its possessor have command of other forces

besides, but which may work the very finest

results, supposing him to have nothing else to

wield. We refer chiefly to the power of a con-

sistent example; and we should confidently

say to the religious servant in the irreligious

family, that it is hardly possible to over-rate

the service which he, or she, may render to

the cause of christianity. We are not suppos-

ing the servant to travel beyond the immed-iate duties of his station, for it is no recom-

mendation of religion when persons put

themselves forward, and assume offices to

which they have never been called. We only

suppose the servant to carry his christianity in

all his occupations, and this will be sure to

make him the most respectful, faithful, and

diligent in the domestic establishment. He

will be quickly distinguished from others by

closer attention to his master's interests, by

greater care of his master's property, by astricter adherence to truth, and by a more

obliging and submissive deportment. It is

nothing to tell us that, often, where there is a

religious profession, there are few or none of

these characteristics; this is only telling us

Page -8-


9/16

that hypocrisy is confined to no class of life,

but may flourish equally in the kitchen and

parlor. Let there be real religion, and what-

ever a man's station, it will show itself in the

performance of the duties of that station. The

rule admits no exceptions, for religion seatsitself in the heart, and thence influences all

the actions. Therefore, if there be one, in a

mass of irreligious domestics, whom the

Spirit of God has brought to repentance and

faith, that one will rapidly distinguish himself

from the rest by superior civility, diligence

and honesty.

And it is just because true religion will thus

necessarily display itself in the practice, thatwe ascribe to it a power, in every rank of life,

of acting silently upon others, and assim-

ilating them to itself. Let the irreligious

master perceive that there is no one in his

household so trust professed disciple of

Christ, no one on whose word be can place

such dependence, no one who serves him

with equal industry and alacrity; and it can

hardly fail but that this master will gradually

receive an impression favorable to religion,

whatever may have been hitherto his opposi-tion and prejudice. There is something might-

ily ennobling in this; for the meanest in a

household, whose days are consumed in the

lowest drudgeries of life, is thus represented

as invested with a high power of winning

triumphs for christianity, and turning many to

righteousness. There may be families to

which the preacher of the Gospel can gain no

access; they will not come to listen to him on

the Sabbath, and would scowl on him as an

intruder in the week. And what instrument-

ality is there, through which to act on such

families, barred up, as they are, against both

the public and the private ministrations of the

word? Nothing would be so hopeful as the

Page -9-


10/16

instrumentality of pious domestics; and,

therefore, God forbid that such domestics

should hastily withdraw themselves from the

households. We look to the pious servant to

do what the minister of the Gospel has no

opportunities of doing, to publish and recom-mend the doctrine of Christ, not by officious

interference, and unbecoming reproof, and

unasked-for advice; but by blamelessness of

conduct, by devotedness to duty, by fidelity,

by humility, by obligingness. We send that

servant as our missionary into the very midst

of the inaccessible family; not to deliver

messages with his lip, but to deliver them

through his life; and we can almost venture to

predict, that if he do indeed, according to St.

Paul's direction to servants, "adorn the doc-

trine of God the Savior in all things," it will

gradually come to pass that religion concil-

iates some measure of respect, that those

above him, and around him, inquire into his

motives, and perhaps even seek for them-

selves what works so beautifully in another.

But if we may fairly contend that such an

influence as this is wielded by a righteous

domestic in an unrighteous family, we canfeel no surprise, that, when God had won to

himself servants from amongst the servants of

Nero, he permitted, and perhaps even

commanded, remaining in the service of the

profligate emperor. Who knows whether there

may not, at first, have been a solitary convert,

one who held but a mean place in the imperial

household, and who may have desired to es-

cape at once from a scene where there seemed

to be so many by whom he might be injured,

so few to whom he could do good? But hemay have been admonished to remain; and by

the mere force of a consistent deportment, he

may have borne down much of the opposition

to christianity, till at last, though he prevailed

not to the bringing over the bloody emperor

Page -10-


11/16

himself, he was surrounded by a goodly com-

pany of believers, and a church of the

Redeemer rose in the very midst of the palace

of the Csars. And whether or not it were

thus, through the influence of a solitary

convert, that the religion of Jesus establisheditself in the most unpromising scene, the great

truth remains beyond controversy, that a post

is not to be forsaken because it cannot be

occupied without peril to personal piety. Let,

therefore, any amongst yourselves, who may

be disposed to abandon the station in which

God has placed them, because of its dangers

and trials, consider whether they may not

have been thus circumstanced for the very

purpose of being useful to others; and

whether, then, it does not become them to

persist in hope, rather than to desert it in fear.

For very difficult would it be to show that any

can have more cause to seek a change of

service, than men converted from amongst the

courtiers and domestics of Nero; and,

nevertheless, these christians, with an apostle

for their immediate instructor, adhered

steadfastly to the employments in which

conversion had found them; so that they were

to be known by the striking description, "Thesaints that are of Csar's household."

But we have not yet exhausted the instructive

truths which seem fairly deducible from the

simple statement of our text. We felt, as we

insisted on the last lesson--the lesson as to the

duty of remaining in a perilous position--that

some might feel as though we required them

to injure themselves for the benefit of others;

and when it is the soul which is at stake, there

may be doubts whether a sacrifice such as thiscan be lawful. We maintained it to be right

that Csar's household should not be deserted

by the saints, because those saints, by

remaining there, might be instrumental to the

conversion of others to christianity. But,

Page -11-


12/16

surely, it is a christian's first duty to give heed

to his own growth in grace; how then can it

be right that, with the vague hope of

benefiting [sic] others, he should continue

amongst hinderances to his own spiritual

advancement?

Brethren, of this we may be certain, that,

wheresoever God makes it a man's duty, there

will he make it his interest to remain. If he

employ one of his servants in turning others

from sin, he will cause the employment to

conduce to that servant's holiness. Is there no

indication of this in the words of our text? We

lay the emphasis now upon "chiefly," "chiefly

they that are of Csar's household." Of all the

Roman christians, the foremost in that love,

which is the prime fruit of the Spirit, were

those who were found amongst the courtiers

and attendants of Nero, and who probably

remained in his service for the express

purpose of endeavoring to promote the cause

of the Gospel. Then it is very evident that

these christians sustained no personal injury,

but rather outstripped, in all which should

characterize believers, others who might have

seemed more advantageously placed.

Neither do we feel any surprise at this: it is

just the result for which we might have

naturally looked. Is it the absence of tempta-

tion, is it the want of trial, which is most

favorable to the growth of vital christianity?

is it, when there is least to harass a christian,

to put him on his guard, or keep him on the

alert, that he is most likely to become spirit-

ually great? If so, then men were right in for-

mer times, who fancied it most for the interestof the soul that they should absolutely seclude

themselves from the world, and, withdrawing

to some lonely hermitage, hold communion

with no being but God. But this we believe to

have been an error. The anchorite, who never

Page -12-


13/16

mixed with his fellow-men, and who was

never exposed to the temptations resulting

from direct contact with the world, might

easily persuade himself of his superior sanc-

tity, and as easily deceive himself. He might

suppose his evil passion subdued, his corruptpropensities eradicated, whereas, the real state

of the case might be, that the evil passions

were only quiet because not solicited, and that

the propensities were not urged because there

was nothing to excite them. Had he been

brought away from his hermitage, and again

exposed to temptation, it is far from improb-

able that he, who had won to himself a ven-

erated name by his austerities, and who was

presumed to have quite mastered the appetites

and desires of an unruly nature, would have

yielded to the solicitations with which he

found himself beset, and given melancholy

proof that the strength of his virtue lay in its

not being tried. And, at all events, there is

good ground for reckoning it an erroneous

supposition, that piety must flourish best

where least exposed to injury. The household

of Csar may be a far better place for the

growth of personal religion than the cell of a

monk: in the one, the christian has his gracesput continually to the proof, and this tends

both to the discovering and the strengthening

them; in the other, there is comparatively

nothing to exercise virtue, and therefore may

its very existence be only a delusion.

Why then is the courtier to think, that, by

making it his duty to remain in the dangerous

atmosphere of a court, we require him to

sacrifice himself for the benefit of others? or

the servant, that, by bidding him stay in the

irreligious family, we doom him to the being

hindered in the spiritual race? Far enough

from this. Let the remaining be matter of

conscience, and the advantageousness shall be

It is not the absence of temptation or trial that

is most favourable for the development of

Christian character. Where there are fewest

difficulties to meet, the Christian is in the

greatest danger of spiritual slothfulness. The

God of all grace has promised that his people

shall not be tempted above that which they

are able to bear, but that with the temptation

he will make a way of escape. [1 Pet. 5:10; 1

Page -13-


14/16

matter of experience. "The God of all grace,"

who has promised that his people shall not be

tempted above that they are able, will bestow

assistance proportioned to the wants. The

constant exposure to danger will induce

constant watchfulness: multipled [sic]difficulties will teach the need of frequent

prayer: the beheld wickedness of others will

keep alive an earnest desire, that the earth

may be "full of the knowledge of the Lord, as

the waters cover the sea."

Cor. 10:13] Constant exposure to rebuffs and

opposition, will lead the Christian to greater

watchfulness and more earnest prayer to the

mighty Helper. Extraordinary trials, endured

through the grace of God, will give him a

deeper experience and greater spiritualstrength, as vigilance, patience, and fortitude

are called into exercise.

The followers of Christ should expect to be

regarded by the world with no more favour

than was their Master. But he who has God

for his friend and helper can afford to spend along winter of chilling neglect, abuse, and

persecution. By the grace which Christ

imparts, he can maintain his faith and trust in

God under the sorest trials. He recalls the

Saviour's example, and he feels that he can

endure affliction and persecution if he may

thus gain simplicity of character, lowliness of

heart, and an abiding trust in Jesus. The

triumph of Christian faith is to suffer, and be

strong; to submit, and thus conquer; to be

killed all the day long, and yet to live; to bearthe cross, and thus win the crown of immortal

glory.

And why, then, should not personal piety

flourish 'why should it be stunted'. why,

rather, should it not be more than commonly

vigorous? Oh, let no man think that he cannot

be expected to make great progress in relig-

ion, because he is obliged to be much in con-

tact with wickedness, because his calling inlife is one of great moral danger, keeping him

associated with those who hate good, and

employed on what tends to increase worldly-

mindedness? It will probably be from situa-

tions such as this, that God shall gather into

Page -14-


15/16

the kingdom of heaven the most eminent of

his servants. It may not be from cloistered

solitudes, where piety had but little to contend

with, that the distinguished ones shall ad-

vance when Christ distributes the prizes of

eternity--it may rather be from the court,where worldliness reigned; from the ex-

change, where gold was the idol; and from the

family, where godliness was held in derision.

Not that there may not be exalted piety where

there has not been extraordinary trial. But the

extraordinary trial, met in God's strength,

which is always sufficient, will be almost sure

to issue in such prayerfulness, such faith, such

vigilance, such devotedness, as can hardly be

looked for where there is but little to rouse, to

alarm, and to harass. Therefore, let those be

of good cheer, who, if pious at all, must be

pious in spite of a thousand hinderances and

disadvantages. Let these hinderances and

disadvantages only make them earnest in

prayer and diligent in labor, and they will

prove their best helps in working out salva-

tion. Witness the "chiefly" of our text. There

were none in Rome, in whom the flame of

christian love was so bright, as in those con-

fined to the most polluted of atmospheres.God appointed them their station: they sub-

mitted in obedience to his will: and the result

was, that the lamp, which you would have

thought must have gone out in so pestilential

an air, burnt stronger and clearer than in any

other scene.

Look, then, upon your enemies as your

auxiliaries, upon your dangers as your

guardians, upon your difficulties as your

helps. Christian men, and christian women, yeof whom God asks most in asking you to be

his servants, for you he reserves most, if,

indeed, ye be "faithful unto death." The

"chiefly" of the text may be again heard; they

who have been first in godliness shall be first

Page -15-


16/16

in glory: and when Christ is saying, "Come,

ye blessed of my Father," it may be with this

addition, "chiefly they that were of Csar's

household."

Conclusion

The evidence quite obviously shows that Rea grossly erred in claiming that chapter 27 was

taken entirely from Melvills sermon. Of the 3,203 words in the chapter we have 531 words

(+81) that are exact or similar--this does not mean that they were copied (at least, not that we can

prove (16-18 words in a continuous string)--all we can do is talk about degrees of probability.1

This amounts to 19.107%. Given that there is not even a single complete sentence that was

copied, none of the leading writers of the day would have accused Ellen G. White of plagiarism.2

He also erred in claiming in the next paragraph that there wasnt a single substantive pointin the entire chapter that had not already come to Melvill before her. Given the above factual

error this is highly unlikely. Secondly, the claim seems to imply that if God had inspired Ellen

White then He, God, couldnt, wouldnt, or shouldnt have used the same wording that some

other author had already used (compare that with Isaiah 37with 2 Kings 19 and Jeremiah 52 with

2 Kings 25). This also contradicts our knowledge of Johns use of material from the book of

Enoch. Likewise, if God had inspired both writers then the claim becomes one that is saying:

that God couldnt or wouldnt use the same wording twice is contradicted our knowledge of what

happened in the Synoptic Gospels (90%, not 19%, of Mark can be found in Matthew and Luke.)

Comparing where there is a high degree of literary similarity it is obvious that Ellen G.

White has interacted with what Melvill said so that she could put her own emphasis on theimplications that could be drawn from the story. This makes her an original writer in that day

and age.

Notable exceptions:1

a) page 292: by his bonds, that the attention of the court had been attracted to Christianity. It

was as a captive that he had 22 words.

b) page 293: was temporarily withdrawn. In these ways were the apostle's bonds influential, so

that when to all appearance. 17 words.

For support see the study by Robert Macfarlanes Original Copy: Plagiarism and2

Originality in Nineteenth-Century Literature. (Oxford University Press, 2007).

Page -16-

Documents

Sketches & Melvill