The Apocrypha in Ellen White’s Early Writings

By Kevin L. Morgan, MA

Since the Apocrypha is no longer used by most Protestants, it is a curiosity that we would find parallels to it in Ellen White’s early
writings.1 We might never have noticed these parallels, however, had James White not footnoted them in “A Word to the ‘Little Flock.’ ”
No doubt Ellen White saw some value in the Apocrypha, though she distinguished its
authority from that of the Bible: “I saw that the Apocrypha was the hidden book, and that
the wise of these last days should understand it. I saw that the Bible was the standard book,
that will judge us at the last day.”2 She also described the Apocrypha as being “cast out,” and
she never quoted directly from it.3 When she did allude to, the instances are almost
exclusively from 2 Esdras, a book used by other Adventists.4 Vision numbers are noted in the
left column. Entries not referenced by James White are marked by a gray background.
“A Word to the ‘Little Flock.’ ” Apocrypha
1. We all entered the cloud together, 43 And in the midst of them there was a young man of a high stature, taller than all the rest, and upon
V1. and were seven days ascending to every one of their heads he sets crowns, and more exalted which I marvelled greatly. . . .46 Then said I
the sea of glass, when Jesus to the angel, What the young person is it that crowneth them, and giveth them palms in their hands?
47 So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have confessed in the world. (2
brought along the crowns and with
his own right hand placed them on Esdras 2:43, 46, 47)
our heads. (v) {WLF 15; 2 Esdras 2:43
is footnoted}
Whether Ellen White drew from 2 Esdras is made less certain when we note that Jesus promised that he will give the faithful a crown:
“Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10), and a crown is worn on the “head” (Rev. 4:4). Paul also referred
to receiving a “crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:8).
2. Mount Zion was just before us, and on the Mount sat a glorious And as many fountains flowing with milk and honey, and seven mighty
V16. temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew mountains, whereupon there grow roses and lilies, whereby I will fill
roses and lilies,(ll) and I saw the little ones climb, or if they chose, use thy children with joy. (2 Esdras 2:19)
their little wings and fly to the top of the mountains, and pluck the
never fading flowers. {WLF 17; 2 Esdras 2:19 is footnoted}
Comment Ellen White described these seven mountains as being in addition to Mount Zion. Though Esdras mentions children, Ellen White describes seeing the
little ones climbing or flying and plucking flowers.
3. And he said, You must go back to the earth then the angel said unto me, Go thy way, and tell my people what manner of things, and
V16. again, and relate to others what I have revealed how great wonders of the Lord thy God, thou hast seen.” (2 Esdras 2:42)
to you. {WLF 17; not in the footnotes}
Comment The difference in the command to go and tell is that the instructor in Ellen White’s vision is Jesus while, in 2 Esdras, it is an angel.
4. And I saw the 5 Behold, saith the Lord, l will bring plagues upon the world; the sword, famine, death, and destruction. 6 For wickedness hath
V44. sword, famine, exceedingly polluted the whole earth, and their hurtful works are fulfilled. 7 Therefore saith the Lord, 8 I will hold my tongue no more
pestilence, and as touching their wickedness, which they profanely commit, neither will I suffer them in those things in which they wickedly exercise
great confusion themselves: behold, the innocent and righteous blood crieth unto me, and the souls of the just complain continually. 9 And therefore,
in the land.(m) saith the Lord, I will surely avenge them, and receive unto me all the innocent blood from among them. 10 Behold, my people is led
{WLF 19} as a flock to the slaughter: I will not suffer them now to dwell in the land of Egypt: 11 But I will bring them with a mighty hand and a
stretched out arm, and smite Egypt with plagues, as before, and will destroy all the land thereof. 12 Egypt shall mourn, and the
foundation of it shall be smitten with the plague and punishment that God shall bring upon it. 13 They that till the ground shall mourn:
for their seeds shall fail through the blasting and hail, and with a fearful constellation. 14 Wo to the world, and them that dwell therein!
15 For the sword and their destruction draweth nigh, and one people shall stand up to fight against another, and swords in their hands.
16 For there shall be sedition among men, and invading one another; they shalt not regard their kings nor princes, and the course of

their actions shall stand in their power. 17 A man shall desire to go into a city, and shall not be able. 18 For because of their pride the
cities shall be troubled, the houses shall be destroyed, and men shall be afraid. 19 A man shall have no pity upon his neighbour, but
shall destroy their houses with the sword, and spoil their goods, because of the lack of bread, and for great tribulation. 20 Behold,
saith God, I will call together all the kings of the earth to reverence me, which are from the rising of the sun, from the south, from the

1 Though one may judge his conclusions as exceeding the evidence, Matthew J. Korpman’s study of Ellen White’s use of the Apocrypha is the most exhaustive available. See

“Forgotten Scriptures: Allusions and Quotations by Ellen White to the Apocrypha,” Spes Christiana 31.2 (2020), pp. 109–146, at
https://www.academia.edu/41558577/Forgotten_Scriptures_Allusions_and_Quotations_by_Ellen_White_to_the_Apocrypha_Spes_Christia na_31_2_2020_109_146). His
work follows that of Ronald D. Graybill, “Under the Triple Eagle: Early Adventist Use of the Apocrypha,” in Adventist Heritage, Winter 1987 (12:1), 25–32, and Denis Fortin,
“Ellen G. White and the Apocrypha,” June 1998, at https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=theology-christian-philosophy-pubs. See
Denford Ntini’s rebuttal at https://www.academia.edu/67801859/Article_on_Ellen_White_Adventism_and_the_Apocrypha.
2 Ms. 4, 1850, emphasis added.
3 Ms. 5, 1849, emphasis added.
4 We notice that Otis Nichols also referred to 2 Esdras in his letter to William Miller, April 20, 1846. The Day-Star, March 4, 1845, p. 10. To Delia Gove (Kendall) Needham, née

Prescott, second wife of Norman Gardner Needham, the editors of the Review and Herald responded: “Concerning the Apocrypha, we regard portions of it as containing much light and
instruction. If we were asked to specify, we should mention 2 Esdras, Wisdom of Solomon, and 1 Maccabees. . . .” (“To Correspondents OLD STYLE AND NEW,” RH, Aug. 5, 1858, p. 96).
Joseph Bates wrote: “The 2nd book of Esdras, contains very important truths” (A Seal of the Living God, 1849, p. 66). There are references to 2 Esdras in his article in The Day-Star, Sept. 6,
1845. Regarding the historical value of the Apocrypha, see G. W. Morse, “Scripture Questions,” RH, Feb. 2, 1886, p. 75.
 east, and Libanus; to turn themselves one against another, and repay the things that they have done to them. 21 Like as they do yet
this day unto my chosen, so will I do also, and recompense in their bosom. Thus saith the Lord God, 22 My right hand shall not spare
the sinners, and my sword shall not cease over them that shed innocent blood upon the earth. 23 The fire is gone forth from his wrath,
and hath consumed the foundations of the earth, and the sinners, like the straw that is kindled. 24 Wo to them that sin, and keep not
my commandments! saith the Lord: 25 I will not spare them: go your way, ye children, from the power, defile not my sanctuary. 26 For
the Lord knoweth all them that sin against him, and therefore delivereth he them unto death and destruction. 27 For now are the
plagues come upon the whole earth, and ye shall remain in them: for God shall not deliver you, because ye have sinned against him.
(2 Esdras 15:5–27)
Comment The connection between Ellen White’s statement and this passage is less sure when we see that “famine” and “sword” are commonly used together
in the Old Testament. For example, see Job 5:20; Isa. 51:19; Jer. 29:18; and Ezek. 7:10–19.
5. The wicked thought that 68 For behold, the burning wrath of a great multitude is kindled over you, and they shall take away certain of you, and feed

V44. we had brought the you, being idle, with things offered unto idols. 69 And they that consent unto them shall be had in derision and in reproach,
judgments down on and trodden under foot. 70 For there shall be in every place, and in the next cities, a great insurrection upon those that fear
them. They rose up and the Lord. 71 They shall be like mad men, sparing none, but still spoiling and destroying those that fear the Lord. 72 For they
took counsel to rid the shall waste and take away their goods, and cast them out of their houses. 73 Then shall they be known who are my chosen;
earth of us, thinking that and they shall he tried as the gold in the fire. 74 Hear, O ye my beloved, saith the Lord: behold, the days of trouble are at hand,
then the evil would be but I will deliver you from the same. 75 Be ye not afraid, neither doubt; for God is your guide, (2 Esdras 16:68–75)
stayed.(n) {WLF 19}
Comment Though referenced by James White, there are no verbatim words linking the passages, and they do not run very closely in parallel.
Moreover, 2 Esdras does not describe the motivation for destroying those that fear the Lord.
6. The streams ceased to At that time shall friends fight one against another like enemies, and the earth shall stand in fear with those that
V44. flow.(t) {WLF19} dwell therein, the springs of the fountains shall stand still, and in three hours they shall not run. (2 Esdras 6:24)
Comment In this example, there is a similar description of the stopping of the flowing of water but no verbatim parallels.
7. 34
Dark heavy clouds came Behold clouds from the east and from the north unto the south, and they are very horrible to look upon, full of wrath
V44. up, and clashed against and storm. 35 They shall smite one upon another, and they shall smite down a great multitude of stars upon the earth,
each other.(u) {WLF 19} even their own star; and blood shall be from the sword unto the belly, (2 Esdras 15:34, 35)
Comment Here there is a similar description of angry clouds in collision (with “clouds” being the only verbatim word). Second Esdras asserts that the clouds will
“smite down” stars (often a symbol, in Bible prophecy, for angels or saints), while Ellen White describes the delivery of God’s people by the voice from the
cloud, which takes place under the last plague.
8. Jesus raised his mighty glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate So he answered and said unto me, It is the Son of God, whom they have
V1. and swung it back on its glittering hinges, and said to us, You have confessed in the world. Then began I greatly to commend them that stood
washed your robes in my blood, stood stifly [sic] for my truth, so stiffly for the name of the Lord. (2 Esdras 2:47)
enter in. (y) {WLF 15; Isaiah 26:2 is referenced, not 2 Esdras 2:47}
Comment Like Ellen White, other Adventists used “stood stiffly for” with the “truth.” Phebe Harp, of Troy, New York, also linked the phrase
with 2 Esdras: “We mean to be of that company that Esdras saw who stood stiffly for the truth.”5 Alexander Allen Marks, of Saline,
Michigan, linked it with coming out of the world: “Oh, where will the sinner be then, and even those also who
have professed the truth, but have coveted the friendship, of the ungodly, and have not come out from the
world and stood stiffly for the truth!”6 Isaac Sanborn, of Monroe, Wisconsin, linked it with making a covenant
by sacrifice: “But I am satisfied that with proper care and labor there will be a large company raised up here
around Monroe, who will make a covenant with God by sacrifice, and stand stiffly for the truth.”7 Joseph
Harvey Waggoner linked it with those “who have kept the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,
despite the rage of the Beast and False Prophet.”8 Harriet Maria Grant, of Three Rivers’ Point (Clay), New York,
linked it with the help of the Lord against the mighty: “I am determined to stand stiffly for the truth, and to come up to the help of
the Lord against the mighty.”9
1
9. Their countenances were lighted Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no
V44. up with the glory of God; and account of his labours. 2 When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the
they shone with the glory as strangeness of his salvation, so far beyond all that they looked for. 3 And they repenting and groaning for anguish
Moses’ face did when he came of spirit shall say within themselves, This was he, whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach:
4 We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honour. 5 How is he numbered among the
down from Sinai. The wicked
could not look on them, for the children of God, and his lot is among the saints! (Wisdom of Solomon 5:1–5)
glory. (bb) {WLF 20}
Comment The most similar part of this comparison is verse 2: “When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear.” However, 2 Esdras does not
mention the glory of God in the face of “the righteous man” as does Ellen White.
10. I saw some who were not standing Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly for the name of the Lord. (2 Esdras 2:47)
V70. stiffly for present truth. {ExV 26.2}

5 RH, April 24, 1856, p. 15, referencing 2 Esdras 2:47.

6 RH, Aug. 21, 1856, p. 126, referencing 1 Cor. 5:10: “for then must ye needs go out of the world.”
7 RH, March 31, 1859, p. 148, referencing Ps. 50:5: “those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
8 RH, Feb. 23, 1860, p. 106, referencing Rev. 4:12; 16:13.
9 RH, April 22, 1862, p. 167, referencing Judges 5:23: “. . . because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.”
 11. Those who profess the truth, and before they have learned its first Then began I greatly to commend them that stood so stiffly
V137. principles, think they know it all, and are forward to take the place of for the name of the Lord. (2 Esdras 2:47)
teachers, and reprove those who for years have stood stiffly for the
truth, plainly show that they have no understanding of the truth, and
know none of its effects; for if they knew any of its sanctifying power,
they would yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness, and be humbled
under its sweet, powerful influence. {ExV54 39.3}
Comment These two instances apply the “stiffly” to standing “stiffly for the truth” and not “stiffly for the name of the Lord.”

Observations on the Adventists’ Adaptation of Wording from the Apocrypha

In the comparison above, we have identified, in Ellen White’s earliest books, ten parallels to 2 Esdras and one parallel to the
Wisdom of Solomon. In none of these instances does Ellen White use more than a few words of verbatim wording from either. The
three instances in which she uses the verbatim phrase “stood stiffly for” were not linked by James White to 2 Esdras. In analyzing the
usage of “stood stiffly for,” we see that, while the usage of 2 Esdras was about standing “stiffly for the name of the Lord,” the early
Adventists adapted the phrase to express their unflinching commitment to the truth under pressure to abandon it. During this same
period, Ellen White wrote: “If we had not stood stiffly then, we should have made shipwreck of our faith. Some said we were
stubborn; but we were obliged to set our faces as a flint, and turn not to the right hand nor to the left.”10 Thus, while the frequently
used phrase likely originated in 2 Esdras, the early Adventists adapted it for their own usage.

“Fear God, and give to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him
that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. . . . Here is the patience of the saints: here are they
that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”11

10 2SG 74.1.
11 Rev. 14:7, 12.
Academia.edu formulated the following key claims from this paper:

Key Claims

Here are the key claims, findings, or conclusions identified from the text:

1. Ellen White made some allusions and references to the Apocrypha, particularly 2 Esdras, in
her early writings. However, she distinguished the authority of the Apocrypha from that of the
Bible.

2. Early Adventists like James White, Joseph Bates, and others also occasionally referenced the
Apocrypha, especially 2 Esdras. They seemed to find some value in portions of it.

3. In the examples analyzed, Ellen White does not quote directly from the Apocrypha. When she
does allude to it, she adapts the wording to her own purposes rather than quoting verbatim.

4. One phrase—“stood stiffly for”—which originates in 2 Esdras, was adapted by Ellen White and
other Adventists to refer to standing firmly for the truth rather than what 2 Esdras originally said
about standing for “the name of the Lord.”

5. So while Ellen White and early Adventists occasionally referenced the Apocrypha, especially 2
Esdras, they adapted the wording to fit their own theological perspectives rather than directly
quoting or fully endorsing it as authoritative. Their view was that the Bible alone was the
standard by which all other writings should be judged.