Reviews and Endorsements
-
[Endorsement]
- "I have been blessed in reading this fascinating and carefully researched account of Ellen White's time in Australia." - Dr Allen Lilndsay, church historian, Keepers of the Flame, Tell the World
-
[Endorsement]
- “While the leadership Ellen White gave the church in Australia was impressive, her attempt to emulate the loving actions of Jesus in her own life are as much a part of Stories from Sunnyside. It is no wonder that her neighbours, including those not of Ellen White’s religious faith, loved and respected her; likewise, those who knew Ellen White best and worked with her most closely during the years she lived half-way around the world from her home country. Getting to know more of the real Ellen White—who she was and what she was like on a daily basis—will enrich your reading of her writings.” – Elder Jim Nix, Director, Ellen G. White Estate, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
-
[ Bookshelf Review ]
- Having never been to Sunnyside Historic House, I was most excited to be able to go on a guided tour of Ellen White’s Australian home just a few weeks ago. As our large group was ushered into the various rooms, I was interested to not only see the room where she wrote a large proportion of her writings, including The Desire of Ages, but also items she had used in the everyday running of her household. Our guide managed to intersperse historical facts with interesting snippets and captivating anecdotes of everyday life.
It was not until the end of the tour that I realised my guide had been Marian de Berg, author of Stories From Sunnyside. I could not wait to get my hands on a copy to immerse myself in more of the great stories that Marian had shared with us throughout the tour.
At an age at which many people would be planning retirement, Ellen White came to Australia to continue the missionary work that had begun only six years earlier. She “saw no light in going to the South Pacific” but “knew that if God did not want her to go, He would close the door.” The struggles of establishing an Adventist community in such a distant part of the world during an economic downturn proved her a true missionary, managing to settle her family and establish an Adventist college, health retreat, printing press and health food factory.
Stories from Sunnyside also draws the reader into the human aspect of Ellen White through stories of her everyday life and extended family. Her dealing with the poor and needy shows a depth of understanding of what it means to live a “Christ-like life” and is one that we should all emulate. She opened her home to everyone and many times sacrificed her own comfort to help those who were struggling, resulting in many lives brought to know the Lord. Many of us have read her writings but this book helped me to know the person who was Ellen White, especially from an Australian perspective.
Sonia Knight - Resources Manager, Adventist Media Network