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Ellen G. White's teaching on "Amalgamation"
This material regarding the writings of Ellen G. White is part of a Field Guide profile on Seventh-dayAdventism. Click here to go to the main page of the SDA profile.
In 1864, Ellen G White (EGW) wrote the following in one of her books (red highlighting added for emphasis of key points):
But if there was one sin above another which called for the destruction of the race by the flood, it was the base crime of amalgamation of man and beast which defaced the image of God, and caused confusion everywhere. Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 3, p. 64
Every species of animal which God had created were preserved in the ark. The confused species which God did not create, which were the result of amalgamation, were destroyed by the flood. Since the flood there has been amalgamation of man and beast, as may be seen in the almost endless varieties of species of animals, and in certain races of men. Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 3, p. 75
The obvious implication of these statements was that she believed there to be races of men on earth at the time she wrote that were descended from the interbreeding of humans and animals.
Even at the time, many criticized this as being scientifically ludicrous. In recent years, the SDA denomination has attempted to put a spin on her comments that would make them sound not so ludicrous. They have implied that she never intended the word "amalgamation" to refer to inter-species breeding, but merely procreation of two types within a species … and that specifically her comments about races referred not to breeding with animals, but to inter-racial procreation.
However, an examination of the history of this ludicrous issue shows that she had, indeed, at one time believed and taught that humans could breed with animals, and that certain human races were the results of such interbreeding.
Full documentation on many aspects of this sorry saga in SDA history can be seen at:
http://www.ellenwhite.org/critica.htm
Here are a few excerpts from this excellent examination of the issue, pointing out the most damning evidence of Ellen's original intent:
Stinging criticism of Ellen White in the 1860's forced church leaders to attempt to defend their prophet. In 1868, four years after the amalgamation statements first appeared in print, Adventist leader Uriah Smith (who at that time still professed belief in Ellen White as a prophet) published his defense of Ellen White. In that book he conjectured that the union of man with beast had created races such as the "wild Bushmen of Africa". (See The Visions of Mrs. E.G. White, p. 103. By the way, you will not find this book in any SDA bookstores today!) Smith's views reflect the popular notion of the day that crosses between men and animals created a nebulous zone of half-man, half-beasts, including such creatures as gorillas, chimpanzees, wild bushmen of Africa, and Hottentots.
James White "carefully" reviewed Smith's book prior to its publication, and then recommended it in glowing terms to the readers of the church's official magazine, the Review and Herald:
The Association has just published a pamphlet entitled, "The Visions of Mrs. E.G. White, A Manifestation of Spiritual Gifts According to the Scriptures." It is written by the editor of the Review. While carefully reading the manuscript, I felt grateful to God that our people could have this able defense of those views they so much love and prize, which others despise and oppose. (Review, Aug. 15, 1868)
Smith did not publish this book without careful review from the prophet's husband, James White. It is inconceivable that the statements about the Bushmen of Africa passed by James White without notice. His endorsement of the book indicates his approval of the explanation. In fact, because it established Mrs. White's claims, James and Ellen took 2,000 copies of Smith's book with them to peddle at camp meetings that year! By promoting and selling Smith's book the Whites placed their stamp of approval on his explanation of the amalgamation statement.
While Smith may have limited the amalgamation to the Bushmen, some SDA's have gone further. Sadly, as an SDA for 33 years, I know for a fact that behind closed doors in private conversations some white American SDA's believe this "inspired" statement applies to the entire black race.
The statements about amalgamation that had been published in the Spiritual Gifts book in 1864 were removed when the same material was republished under a new title as Patriarchs and Prophets in 1890. The above website continues:
Why were these "inspired" statements removed when the book was republished as Patriarchs and Prophets?
If the amalgamation statements were true, why not leave them in the book? Why remove them? If this sin caused the flood, don't you think people should be warned about it so that they don't repeat it? If the "bushmen of Africa" are the result of union between man and animals, don't people have a right to know about it? Shouldn't we be telling our scientists so that they can begin studying the bushmen? What precedence is there to deleting the writings of a prophet? None of the Biblical prophets had to go back and alter their writings to remove statements. Why should Mrs. White?
Unless otherwise noted, all original material on this Field Guide website
is © 2001-2006 by Pam Dewey.Careful effort has been made to give credit as clearly as possible to any specific material quoted or ideas extensively adapted from any one resource. Corrections and clarifications regarding citations for any source material are welcome, and will be promptly added to any sections which are found to be inadequately documented as to source.
Pam Dewey
Pam Dewey
Pam Dewey
