Ellen G. White: Biography, Publications, and Photos

25 January 2018 16 min read

Ellen G. White (1827-1915)

Ellen G. White: Biography, Publications, and Photos

Ellen Gould White was a religious writer, missionary and co-founder of the ‘Seventh-day Adventist Church’. Helen lived most of her life during the nineteenth century. – Ellen G. White: Biography, Publications, and Photos

She was well known for her visions and writing skills, she has written over 5000 articles and 40 books during her lifetime. Some of her well-known publications include, ‘The Desire of Ages’, ‘The Great Controversy’ and ‘Steps to Christ’. Her publications are revered today as many believe her works are direct revelations from god. Her works have been translated in over 140 languages across the world and her publications mostly threw light upon topics pertaining to theology, evangelism, education, creationism and agriculture.[AdSense-B]

Ellen G. White: Biography, Publications, and Photos – Credits: Bible.ca

As an advocate of vegetarianism, she stressed on the importance of treating animals with respect and believed that vegetarianism would help human beings grow spiritually. Some of her works on health and nutrition include ‘ Healthful Living’, ‘Important Facts Of Faith: Laws Of Health, And Testimonies’, ‘The Health Food Ministry’ and ‘Counsels on Diet and Foods’. She is believed to have been a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts whose religious efforts made an impact on millions of people around the world.

Childhood & Early Life

Ellen G. White was born to Robert Harmon, a farmer and Eunice Harmon, in the village of Gorham located in Cumberland Country, Maine.
Ellen and her twin sister Elizabeth were born on November 26, 1827. She lived with her family and seven siblings on a small farm near a village in Gorham and helped with the family, hat making business.

At the age of nine, Ellen was running towards home with her sister Elizabeth and another friend when an older classmate shouted some angry words and threw a stone that hit her in the face which severely disfigured her nose and left her in coma for several weeks, owing to serious head injuries. This occurred while she was living in Portland, Maine, and probably attending the Bracket Street School.

At the age of 12, she attended ‘The Methodist camp meeting’, a Protestant Christian organization and converted to a Protestant Christian on June 26, 1842, baptized by John Hobart.[AdSense-B]

Marriage and family

On August 30, 1846, she married James Springer White, the co-founder of the ‘Seventh-day Adventist Church’. The The Whites had four sons: Henry Nichols, James Edson (known as Edson), William Clarence (known as Willie or W. C.), and John Herbert.
Only Edson and William lived to adulthood. John Herbert died of erysipelas at the age of three months, and Henry died of pneumonia at the age of 16 in 1863.

She died at the age of 87 at her home in Elmshaven, California, now an Adventist Historical Site. She is interred at Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan.

Career

In 1844, she reported to have had her first ‘spiritual vision’, in which she supposedly saw ‘Advent people’ travelling towards the city of Jerusalem.
In 1845, she experienced her second and third ‘spiritual vision’, after which she gave testimonies of her experiences in public and private meetings at her home.
In 1846, an account of her first spiritual visions and experiences titled, ‘Letter From Sister Harmon’ was published in ‘Day Star’, a local Cincinnati newspaper.
In 1851, she authored ‘Christian Experience and Views’ and in 1858, her controversial book on Jesus and Satan titled, ‘The Great Controversy’ was published.
In 1863, she co-founded ‘Seventh-day Adventist Church’ along with her husband, James Springer White. This is a Protestant Christian organisation that still has innumerable followers from all over the world.
To promote vegetarianism, she authored ‘Important Facts Of Faith: Laws Of Health, And Testimonies’, a book on the do’s and don’ts of eating, in 1864.
In 1866, she set up the Western Health Reform Institute in Battle Creek, Michigan to provide health care services for the sick and the needy.
In 1892, she authored ‘Steps To Christ’, an evangelistic book, published by the Fleming H. Revell Company.
In 1896, her book ‘Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing’ was published. It was a book about Jesus Christ’s ‘sermon on the mount’.
She was a firm believer in a Christian education system and authored books on the same. Some of her publications in this category include ‘Christian Education’ and ‘Education’.
A health reform activist, she stressed on the importance of health reforms and inaugurated a ‘health educational program’ in church. For this cause she contributed an article for a 64 page pamphlet titled, ‘Health or How to Live’, which was circulated in church.
Published in 1905, her book, ‘The Ministry of Healing’, is a detailed account on the principles of healthy living.

Major Works

In 1863, she co-founded the ‘Seventh-day Adventist Church’, which as of 2007, was declared the 6th largest international protestant Christian organization that has successfully baptized 17.2 million people. It runs several schools, hospitals and publishing houses in over 200 countries across the world.
‘Steps To Christ’, published in 1892, is her most popular and widely read book which has been translated into 150 languages across the world. In 2008, over 18 million copies of this book were distributed across The United States.Major Works

Final years and death

White spent the final years of her life in Elmshaven, her home in Saint Helena, California after the death of her husband James White in 1881. During her final years she traveled less frequently as she concentrated upon writing her last works for the church.

She died on July 16, 1915, at her home in Elmshaven, which is now an Adventist Historical Site. After three funerals, she was buried with her husband James White in Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan.[AdSense-B]

Ellen G. White’s most popular and influential writings.

Conflict of the Ages (book series)

Patriarchs and Prophets – Reflections on the first half of the Old Testament
Prophets and Kings – Reflections on the second half of the Old Testament.
The Desire of Ages – Reflections on the life of Christ
The Acts of the Apostles – Reflections on the early New Testament church
The Great Controversy – Reflections on Christian history and prophecies about the end times

Others

Steps to Christ – an evangelistic book explaining how to have a living connection with Jesus Christ[6]
Christ’s Object Lessons – an exposition of the meaning of the parables of Jesus[7]
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing – an exposition of Jesus’ lessons in the Sermon on the Mount[8]
Testimonies for the Church, 9 vols. 1855–1909[9]
Early Writings
Selected Messages 1958, 1980
Education
The Ministry of Healing
A Word to the “Little Flock.” 1847. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1847. Facsimile reproduction. 30 pp.
A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White. 1851. Saratoga Springs, NY: James White. 1851. 64 pp.
Supplement to the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White. 1854. Rochester, NY: James White, 1854. 48 pp. [ExV54]
An Appeal to Mothers. 1864. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1864. 63 pp. [ApM]
An Appeal to the Youth. 1864. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1864. 95 pp. [AY]
A Solemn Appeal. 1870. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1870. 272 pp. [SA]
Life Sketches of James and Ellen White. 1880. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1880. 416 pp. [LS80]
Early Writings of Ellen G. White. 1882. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1945. 324 pp. [EW]
Sketches From the Life of Paul. 1883. Battle Creek, MI: Review and Herald, 1883, 1974 facsimile. 334 pp. [LP]
Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists. 1886. Basle: Imprimerie Polyglotte, 1886. 294 pp. [HS]
The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan. 1888. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1907. 722 pp. [GC88]
Life Sketches of James and Ellen White. 1888. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1888. 453 pp. [LS88]
The Sanctified Life. 1889. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1956. 110 pp. [SL]
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene. 1890. Battle Creek, MI: Good Health Publishing Co., 1890. 268 pp. [CTBH]
Patriarchs and Prophets. 1890. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1958. 805 pp. [PP]
Gospel Workers. 1892. Battle Creek, MI: Review and Herald Publishing Co., 1901. 480 pp. [GW92]
Steps to Christ. 1892. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1956. 134 pp. [SC] Steps to Christ – Read the 1892 version online Animated with streaming audio.
Christian Education. 1893. Battle Creek, MI: International Tract Society, 1894. 255 pp. [CE]
Story of Jesus. 1896, 1900. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1949. 190 pp. [SJ]
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing. 1896. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1955. 172 pp. [MB]
Healthful Living. 1897. Battle Creek, MI: Medical Missionary Board, 1898. 336 pp. [HL]
Special Testimonies on Education. c. 1897. no imprint. 240 pp. [SpTEd]
The Desire of Ages. 1898. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1940. 863 pp. [DA]
The Southern Work. 1898, 1901. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1966. 96 pp. [SW]
Christ’s Object Lessons. 1900. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1941. 436 pp. [COL]
Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work. 1900. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1900. 128 pp. [TSS][AdSense-B]

Manual for Canvassers. 1902. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1902. 78 pp. [MC]
Education. 1903. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1952. 324 pp. [Ed][10]
The Ministry of Healing. 1905. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1942. 540 pp. [MH][11]
The Acts of the Apostles. 1911. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911. 633 pp. [AA]
The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan. 1911. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1950. 719 pp. [GC]
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students. 1913. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1943. 575 pp. [CT]
Gospel Workers. 1915. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1948. 534 pp. [GW]
Life Sketches of Ellen G. White. 1915. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1943. 480 pp. [LS]
Prophets and Kings. 1917. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1943. 752 pp. [PK]
Colporteur Evangelist. 1920. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1920. 112 pp. [CEv]
Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White. 1922. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1940. 268 pp. [CET]
Counsels on Health. 1923. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1957. 687 pp. [CH]
Fundamentals of Christian Education. 1923. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1923. 576 pp. [FE]
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers. 1923. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1962. 566 pp. [TM]
Christian Service. 1925. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1947. 283 pp. [ChS]
Testimony Studies on Diet and Foods. 1926. Loma Linda, CA: College of Medical Evangelists, 1926. 199 pp. [TSDF]
Messages to Young People. 1930. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1930. 498 pp. [MYP]

Medical Ministry. 1932. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1963. 355 pp. [MM]
A Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Education. 1933. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1954. 47 pp. [CME]
Counsels on Diet and Foods. 1938. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1976. 511 pp. [CD]
Counsels on Sabbath School Work. 1938. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1938. 192 pp. [CSW]
Counsels on Stewardship. 1940. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1940. 372 pp. [CS]
Counsels to Writers and Editors. 1946. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1946. 192 pp. [CW]
Country Living. 1946. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946. 32 pp. [CL]
Evangelism. 1946. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970. 747 pp. [Ev]
Radiant Religion. 1946. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946. 271 pp. [RR]
The Story of Redemption. 1947. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980. 445 pp. [SR]
Temperance. 1949. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1949. 309 pp. [Te]
With God at Dawn. 1949. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1949. 367 pp. [??]
The Adventist Home. 1952. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980. 583 pp. [AH]
My Life Today. 1952. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1952. 377 pp. [ML]
Welfare Ministry. 1952. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1952. 349 pp. [WM]

Colporteur Ministry. 1953. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1953. 176 pp. [CM]
Child Guidance. 1954. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1954. 616 pp. [CG]
Sons and Daughters of God. 1955. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1955. 383 pp. [SD]
Counsels for the Church. 1957. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1991. 462 pp. [CCh]
Help in Daily Living. 1957. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2002. 64 pp. [HDL]
The Faith I Live By. 1958. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1973. 426 pp. [FLB]
Our High Calling. 1961. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1961. 380 pp. [OHC]
That I May Know Him. 1964. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1964. 382 pp. [TMK]
In Heavenly Places. 1967. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1967. 382 pp. [HP]
Conflict and Courage. 1970. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970. 381 pp. [CC]
Confrontation. 1970. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970. 93 pp. [Con]
The Health Food Ministry. 1970. Washington, D.C.: Ellen G. White Publications, 1970. 95 pp. [HFM]
A New Life. 1972 Washington, D. C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1972. 64 pp. [NL]
God’s Amazing Grace. 1973. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1973. 383 pp. [AG]
Christian Leadership. 1974. Washington, D.C.: Ellen G. White Estate, Inc., 1985. 77 pp. [ChL]
Maranatha; The Lord Is Coming. 1976. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1976. 383 pp. [Mar]
Mind, Character, and Personality. 2 vols. 1977. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1977. 882pp. [1MCP, 2MCP]
Testimonies to Southern Africa. 1977. Cape Town, South Africa: South African Union Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists, 1977. 98 pp. [TSA]
Faith and Works. 1979. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1979. 122 pp. [FW]
This Day With God. 1979. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1979. 384 pp. [TDG]
Peter’s Counsel to Parents. 1981. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1981. 63 pp. [PCP]
The Upward Look. 1982. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1982. 383 pp. [UL]
Letters to Young Lovers. 1983. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1983. 94 pp. [LYL]
The Publishing Ministry. 1983. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1983. 430 pp. [PM]
Reflecting Christ. 1985. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985. 382 pp. [RC]
Lift Him Up. 1988. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988. 382 pp. [LHU]
The Voice in Speech and Song. 1988. Boise, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1988. 480 pp. [VSS]
Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce. 1989. Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1989. 270 pp. [TSB][AdSense-A]

The Retirement Years. 1990. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1990. 24 pp. [RY]
Our Father Cares. 1991. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1991. 350 pp. [OFC]
Last Day Events. 1992. Boise, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1992. 330 pp. [LDE]
Pastoral Ministry. 1995 Silver Spring, MD: General Conference Ministerial Association, 1995. 287 pp. [PaM]
Ye Shall Receive Power. 1995. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1995. 382 pp. [YRP]
The Truth About Angels. 1996. Boise, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1996. 314 pp. [TA]
Darkness Before Dawn. 1997. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1997. 64 pp. [DD]
Daughters of God. 1998. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1998. 275 pp. [DG]
Christ Triumphant. 1999. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1999. 384 pp. [CTr]
A Call to Stand Apart. 2002. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2002. 120 pp. [CSA]
Prayer. 2002. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2002. 320 pp. [Pr]
Heaven. 2003. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2003. 192 pp. [Hvn]
To Be Like Jesus. 2004. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2004. 383 pp. [BLJ]
A Place Called Oakwood. 2007. Hagerstown, MD: 180 pp. Compiled by Benjamin J. Baker
From the Heart. 2010. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2010. 377 pp. [??]
Manuscript Releases. 21 vols. 1981, 1987, 1990, 1993. Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1981, 1987, 1990, 1993. [1MR, 2MR, etc.]
Selected Messages. 3 books. 1958, 1980. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1958, 1980. [1SM, 2SM, 3SM]
Sermons and Talks. 2 vols. 1990, 1994. Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1990, 1994. [1SAT, 2SAT]
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary: Ellen G. White Comments. 7 vols. plus supplement (vol. 7A). 1953–1957. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970. [1BC, 2BC, etc.]
The Spirit of Prophecy. 4 vols. 1870, 1877, 1878, 1884. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing
Association, 1969 facsimile. [1SP, 2SP, etc.]
Spiritual Gifts. 4 vols. 1858, 1860, 1864. Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1945 facsimile. [1SG, 2SG, 3SG, 4aSG, 4bSG]
Testimonies for the Church. 9 vols. 1855–1909. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1948. [1T, 2T, etc.])
Contemporary adaptations
Because many younger readers report finding the original language old-fashioned and hence challenging to read, several modern adaptations of White’s books have been produced which update and simplify the language. Editors have tried to preserve the original meaning.[12]

A Call to Stand Apart, an adaptation and compilation of various topics

Adaptations of the 5-volume “Conflict of the Ages” series have been commissioned by the General Conference to complement the Cornerstone Sabbath School lessons in 2007–2011. They are aimed at younger readers:

The Beginning of the End, an adaptation of Patriarchs and Prophets. Pacific Press; publisher’s page
Royalty and Ruin, an adaptation of Prophets and Kings. Pacific Press; publisher’s page
Humble Hero, an adaptation of The Desire of Ages. Pacific Press; publisher’s page
Unlikely Leaders, from The Acts of the Apostles. Pacific Press; publisher’s page
Love under Fire, from The Great Controversy. Pacific Press; distributor’s page

Daily devotional books

Radiant Religion. 1946. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946. 271 pp. [RR]
With God at Dawn. 1949. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1949. 367 pp. [??]
My Life Today. 1952. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1952. 377 pp. [ML]
Sons and Daughters of God. 1955. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1955. 383 pp. [SD]
The Faith I Live By. 1958. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1973. 426 pp. [FLB]
Our High Calling. 1961. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1961. 380 pp. [OHC]
That I May Know Him. 1964. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1964. 382 pp. [TMK]
In Heavenly Places. 1967. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1967. 382 pp. [HP]
Conflict and Courage. 1970. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970. 381 pp. [CC]
God’s Amazing Grace. 1973. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1973. 383 pp. [AG]
Maranatha, The Lord Is Coming. 1976. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1976. 383 pp. [Mar]
This Day With God. 1979. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1979. 384 pp. [TDG]
The Upward Look. 1982. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1982. 383 pp. [UL]
Reflecting Christ. 1985. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1985. 382 pp. [RC]
Lift Him Up. 1988. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988. 382 pp. [LHU]
Our Father Cares. 1991. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1991. 350 pp. [OFC]
Ye Shall Receive Power. 1995. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1995. 382 pp. [YRP]
Christ Triumphant. 1999. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1999. 384 pp. [CTr]
To Be Like Jesus. 2004. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2004. 383 pp. [BLJ]
From the Heart. 2010. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2010. 377 pp. [??]

Periodicals

These are some of the periodicals in which White’s articles are featured and the rest can be obtained from the Ellen G. White database:

Advocate January 1, 1902 Instruction to Teachers
Bible Echo February 1, 1893 The Privilege of Prayer.
Central Advance April 8, 1903 Tested and Tried
Educational Messenger March 19, 1909 Our School Work
Field Tidings June 8, 1910 Work in the South
Good Samaritan February 1, 1860 Pure Religion.
Health Reformer August 1, 1866 Duty to Know Ourselves.
Indiana Reporter September 16, 1903 Canvassing a Part of the Lord’s Work.
Lake Union Herald November 4, 1908 A Revival Needed.
Medical Missionary May 1, 1892 Labourers Together with God.
New York Indicators June 12, 1907 Be In Earnest
Oriental watchman December 1, 1909 A Friend to the Friendless
Pacific Health Journal July 1, 1897 Mind Disease.
Review and Herald July 21, 1851 To the Remnant Scattered Abroad.
Southern Watchman March 6, 1902 The Grace of Silence.
True Missionary February 1, 1874 The Work for this Time.
West India Messenger July 1, 1912 Be Not Troubled Over Minor Matters
Youth’s Instructor August 1, 1852 Communications.

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