Replies to Elder Canright’s Attacks on Seventh-day Adventists

BRIEF HISTORY OF ELD. CANRIGHT’S CONNECTION WITH THIS PEOPLE

ONE sentiment is very conspicuous in the utterances of Eld. Canright and his new friends; viz., that S.D. Adventists suffered an irreparable loss when he left their ranks. We should suppose from what is said, that the denomination would hardly be able to recover from it. And it has been intimated already, and doubtless with many the wish is father to the thought, that the crumbling process of disintegration has already commenced, now that we have lost our “leader”(?). To make this still more evident, we will quote a few utterances. Says the World’s Crisis, first-day Adventist paper, of Boston, Mass:— RCASDA 13.1

“This letter will be a pleasant surprise to those Crisis readers who have long known Eld. Canright to be an able, zealous, and remarkably successful advocate of seventh-day Adventism.” RCASDA 13.2

Says the Christian Oracle, Disciple paper, of Des Moines, Iowa:— RCASDA 13.3

“It is idle for Adventists to say that he is not the peer of any man they have ever had in their ranks.” RCASDA 13.4

A lengthy extract from the Kalamazoo Daily Telegraph, of May 20, has been extensively copied in other papers, and circulated in various directions. If the copy was not furnished by Eld. Canright himself, the main statements in it must have been; for the Telegraph could have obtained them directly or indirectly only from the Elder. We quote portions of this as follows:— RCASDA 13.5

“He was acknowledged among all as one among their ablest leading men.” “About 1,000 persons have embraced the seventh-day faith under his labors, and ten ministers are now preaching that faith who were his converts. Besides writing extensively for their papers, he is the author of twenty-two books, pamphlets, and tracts on that faith, which have been sold by tens of thousands, and scattered to the ends of the earth. The Elder has held many responsible positions among them. Last summer he was sent to ten different States to attend their great conventions.” “He was decidedly the ablest debater in the denomination, having held fourteen set debates with able ministers, from Maine to California.” RCASDA 13.6

He continues at length in this strain, showing his eminence in this body. The discerning reader will not fail to see that the Elder was the substantial author of these modest statements, as the matters mentioned are of such a character that none but himself would be likely to know them. For example, who would know the exact number of debates he had held but he himself? or who the exact number of pamphlets and eight-page tracts he had written but D.M.C.? Who would be able to state with such minuteness the number of converts he had made? The whole statement bears the evident ear-marks of the Elder himself. His accustomed modesty is here conspicuous — “decidedly the ablest debater in the denomination.” Whether he ever furnished the copy for these statements or not, he fully indorses them; for he incorporates them into his article in the Michigan Christian Advocate of July 16, 1887. After quoting these and many more of a similar kind, and the recommendation of good character which we gave him. he adds: “I give the above that the reader may know whether or not I am qualified to speak understandingly on this subject.” Thus these flattering views of himself he publishes to the world, and thus fully indorses them, and really makes them his own. The egotism of these and other statements will receive attention in another article. In these extracts Eld. Canright is made to appear a wonderful man. And it is therefore concluded that his loss to our people is great beyond expression. It is supposed, doubtless, by many that we shall mourn over this, and that our denomination will soon crumble to pieces because our “leader” is gone. RCASDA 14.1

To S.D.Adventists these ideas are simply amusing. We wonder how people can so easily be gulled and so readily fool themselves. We ask our orthodox friends how it happens that this great man, this leading minister, this “peer of any man they [S.D.Adventists] ever had in their cause,” as the Delphic“Oracle” of Des Moines says, this “ablest debater in the denomination,” who has converted 1,000 persons to the Sabbath, now that he has stepped down and out, and been with our enemies for many months, and poured out in the public prints so many articles against his former faith, has had no greater success. As far as we can ascertain, not a dozen out of nearly thirty thousand of our people have followed him. Is this not strange? How is it that in his own church at Otsego, Mich, where he has lived for years, not a single person outside of his own family, so far as we know, left our people when he apostatized? How does it happen that in the Michigan Conference, where he has lived and labored most of all, we know of scarcely a single apostasy caused by his departure? This very year our official reports showed an addition of nearly four hundred new converts and $8,000 in tithes, an increase of Conference funds of over thirty per cent. Do these things indicate that Adventism is going to pieces where Eld. Canright’s apostasy is best known? The fact is well understood among us, that there are but few ministers of any prominence among us who had less influence in the denomination than Eld. D.M. Canright. He has been known for years to be a shaky man. He has will known for a long time past that he was not trusted as a safe man. He intimated this plainly to several prominent brethren as he was about leaving us. He was “satisfied he could never gain the confidence of our people.” There are many among us who believe he would have been with us still but for this fact. RCASDA 14.2

But the inquirer will ask, Are not these statements above referred to true? and did he not occupy these positions of trust and responsibility, write these books, and hold these leading debates? We answer, These claims are partly true and partly untrue. We will now state the facts as we personally know them. RCASDA 15.1

Some twenty-eight years ago, D.M. Canright embraced the views of S.D.Adventists. For several years he labored to acquire some necessary education, and soon after commenced to preach their doctrines. He was blessed with a good degree of earnestness, with fair ability, and with ambition to succeed, and he had excellent success in his labors, and was considered for many years a growing man in the denomination. He had a strong taste for debates and controversy, and applied himself especially to them, and had good success in them. These qualities always attract attention, and they gave him quite a prominence. For a dozen years his labors were valuable to this cause, and he traveled extensively in different States and Conferences. He then had quite fully the confidence of our people. But from that point their confidence began to lessen, and it has continued to decrease ever since. We will briefly relate the causes. Eld. Canright’s good opinion of his own abilities had, during the meantime, become quite pronounced. He was never noted for patience, forbearance, or special regard for the opinions of others. He was a person who formed his conclusions remarkably quick, and was inclined to be rash; and though in the main a genial, pleasant, frank companion yet his desire to have his own way sometimes got him into trouble. He never could bear reproof with patience, or feel composed when his way was crossed. When he came to mingle in important matters with brethren in prominent positions, these and other traits naturally got him into trouble. S.D.Adventists believe in order, and that positions of responsibility should be respected. Eld. C. had little respect for any one’s opinion unless it coincided with his own. The reader can readily see that very naturally there would be friction. He always hated reproof, hence bore it like a fractious child. So he had some unpleasant experiences, as we well remember. RCASDA 15.2

On such occasions the Elder was immediately greatly troubled with doubts. When everything went pleasantly he could usually see things with clearness. When he was “abused,” as he always thought he was when things did not go to suit him, the evidences of our faith began immediately to grow dim. Dark clouds of unbelief floated over his mental sky, and he felt that everything was going by the board. Here was the Elder’s special weakness. He is a strong man in certain directions when all goes smoothly, but very weak in adversity. He failed to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” He was good in a fight, and appeared at best advantage when in a hot debate. This was his forte. But when things apparently were against him, he seemed to have no staying, recuperative qualities. RCASDA 16.1

These weaknesses began to manifest themselves as far back as 1870. In the last of December of that year he held a debate with Eld. Johnson, Presbyterian,in Monroe, Iowa. The writer was present. Eld.C. was not feeling in good spirits through the debate, though he presented his arguments quite clearly and met with success. The night following the debate I occupied a room with him. I was greatly astonished to find him under powerful temptations to give up religion and the Bible, and become an absolute infidel. I labored with him all night long; neither of us slept a wink. In the morning he seemed more calm, and a few weeks later he came to the General Conference at Battle Creek, Mich, made some confessions of his feelings, and went away in a much happier state of mind. He went on quite zealously for two or three years. RCASDA 16.2

In the summer of 1873, he went to Colorado with Eld. and Mrs. White, for his health. Some unpleasant circumstances arose. he received some reproof, felt very much aggrieved, and for several months ceased to preach. He went to California, and for a season he worked with his hands on a farm. He came very near giving up everything. But his brethren tried to help his mind and cheer him up all they could, till finally he commenced to preach again. He labored on for several years, held several important positions of trust in the work, and we all hoped he would show his weakness no more. RCASDA 17.1

But in October of 1880, he had another backset. He became discouraged — we never knew from what special cause — and ceased to preach. He had been studying elocution, and when he gave up preaching he began to lecture on elocution, and traveled considerably in Wisconsin and Michigan, holding classes. He told me himself that for a time he then ceased to observe the Sabbath, though he still believed it to be obligatory as the Bible Sabbath. He thought then quite seriously of preaching for the Methodists, and it is currently reported on what seems to be good authority, that he visited a Methodist presiding elder to make such arrangements; but this we do not personally know. But the Elder’s conscience troubled him greatly at times. He wrote me, desiring to see me and have a long talk. We met in Battle Creek the following January, and had some fifteen hours’ conversation. The poor man was in great distress of mind, and our sympathies were deeply enlisted for him. Suffice it to say that he took his stand once more and commenced to preach again. RCASDA 17.2

The fourth instance of his lapsing into doubt and darkness occurred in the fall of 1882, when he gave up preaching and went to farming at Otsego, Mich. He returned to us again the last of September, 1884. During this time he had little or no faith in the peculiar doctrines of S.D.Adventists; and in a letter before me, written to a friend in December, 1883, he says: “If I was situated differently, would just as soon join some other church.” And speaking of the work of our people, he says: “Hence, as you can see, my faith in the whole thing has been shaken.” So notorious was his apostasy at the time that without doubt the church stood where a little encouragement would have led them to withdraw the hand of fellowship from him. But some of us who felt a pity for him knowing his weakness, counseled delay, and commenced to labor earnestly to help him. After special efforts had been made by the writer and other friends, he came to our camp meeting in September, 1884, at Jackson, Mich. After some further talk with him, and explaining some things which he viewed in an exaggerated light, he came out and publicly took his stand with us once more, making a very affecting confession before a thousand people, which moved the whole congregation to tears. He confessed his great darkness of mind which he had felt for a long time, and said that now all was clear to him. Soon after this, in the issue of the REVIEW of Oct 7 1884, he made quite a full confession, which is given on another page. This was wholly voluntary on his part. RCASDA 17.3

Eld. Canright for some time after this seemed indeed like a changed man. He seemed more as he used to a dozen years ago and we had great hopes of him that he had now because a staunch, reliable man. He labored with us till last January, when he became somewhat cast down again, and has finally given up his experience for a quarter of a century, and has gone out from our ranks, and commenced a bitter raid upon us. RCASDA 18.1

In view of these undisputed, unquestionable facts, will the candid reader wonder why S D. Adventists do not consider Eld. Canright a strong, reliable man? why he has so small a following from our ranks? and why his influence is so small among our people? We have no desire to impute mean and mercenary motives to Eld. C. We leave his motives with God, who knows all. From our hearts we have pitied the poor man, and would have been glad to let him depart in peace, as we stated publicly in the REVIEW last spring. And had he lived up to his own solemn promises, we should have made him no trouble whatever. We personally had a warm, tender, friendly feeling for him. But when he attacks the work to which we have consecrated our life, and tries by every means possible to make that which we firmly believe to be the work of God odious in the eyes of our fellow-men, we are bound to speak out and state the facts. Can the candid reader blame us? RCASDA 18.2

But it will be asked. Was it not true that Eld. Canright held the highest positions among your people, and was he not considered one of your greatest writers? Did he not write your most important books? We reply, Eld, C. was for two years the third man on the General Conference Committee of three in 1876 and 1877. But it will be noticed that this was some ten years ago, before this vacillating course was so marked. He has held no very prominent positions of late years. At the last General Conference, though apparently in perfect union with us, he was elected to no important office whatever. He doubtless would have been had he not proved himself unreliable in so many instances. His ability would have justified it had he been considered a safe, judicious man. Our brethren felt friendly toward him, and kindly disposed. We would really have been glad to advance him. But the nominating committees could not be persuaded to present his name for high office, though some of us really desired to see him chosen. This was evidently why he said to several of us, as we stated before, that he was satisfied our people would never have confidence in him again. How far such thoughts influenced him in taking his departure from us, it is not for us to say. RCASDA 18.3

But was he not a voluminous writer? — He certainly was. He poured a constant stream through the paper, and wrote numerous eight-page tracts, a few pamphlets, and only two small books. He wrote some very good things, much that might have been improved, and considerable which never saw the light of day. Most of his writings which were published passed through other hands, who pruned and greatly benefited them. He was very far from being considered one of our ablest writers. Our standard works were never written by him. Had he written far less in quantity and bestowed much more thought upon the quality, his writings would have been far more valuable. Yet in his better days he did much good work, which has been appreciated. RCASDA 19.1

These are facts which can be substantiated by the testimony of all our leading men who have known him best. The whole fraternity of those who hate our people and our doctrines evidently feel greatly elated at the acquisition of this new champion, who withdraws from those he has professed to love so warmly for a score of years, and now joins hands with, and leads the opposition of, those who hate us most profoundly. He expresses great sorrow because he was forced to part with his old friends. He would have us believe he loved us all deeply. Perhaps he thought he did. However that may be, a man of fine feelings and with a true sense of honor would never treat his old friends as he has. Say what he may, this cause made him what he was. It took him when but a poor, beardless boy, with few friends, and needy of much counsel and training every way, and made a man of him; gave him influence and position, many friends, and generous remuneration, till he came to think he was a great man in the world. RCASDA 19.2

He is obliged to say, “I have been treated justly, liberally, and tenderly.” “Personally, I have not one word of fault to find either with the church where I live or with those with whom I have labored.” (REVIEW of March1, 1887.) Yet now, like the ungrateful youth who strikes his own mother, he can turn upon his old friends and the cause which fostered him, ridicule us through the papers and in the pulpit, make the utmost of our unpopularity, join with our bitterest enemies in opposition to our work, and class us among Mohammedans, Mormons, and other fanatics, and do his best to make it appear that we are a narrow, bigoted set of dupes, led blindly by a fanatical woman, we know not where. As poor a set as we are, we trust there are many men among us who have enough sense of gratitude and remembrance of past kindness and good fellowship, who, should they ever leave this work, would refuse to follow Eld. Canright’s example. They would retire in quiet, and not make war on their old friends. We could never have believed our old friend D.M. Canright would pursue such a course had we not well known his weakness and the nature of that spirit which often takes possession of those who give up this truth. We have seen some examples of this in the past, in a less degree, and, thank God! some honorable exceptions. We have never known a man in all our lives who could change his mind so suddenly and so radically as Eld. C. RCASDA 20.1

And now we congratulate the eminent editors and doctors of divinity who have such a poor opinion of the Adventists, on the great acquisition they have made. What a thrill of joy has passed through their hearts at the advent of this new champion! They fondly hope this poor sect will now disintegrate, and trouble their Israel no more. All around the earth the good news was heralded, “Eld. Canright has left the Adventists.” We have reports of it in Europe, in New Zealand, in Australia, and all over America. His articles are copied thus widely. How wonderful and satisfactory! But should it turn out in a few months, as we are sure it will, that Adventism is moving right along with accelerated velocity and momentum, while his apostasy has hardly caused a ripple in the stream; that its ranks are only closed a little closer and firmer; and that it is becoming more and more aggressive, will these eminent men feel as happy as before? — We presume not. For our part, we think they have made fools of themselves, and already some sensible men among them begin to see it. We assure them Eld. C.’s departure is no great loss to us. For ten years past his labors have really been no benefit to us. In the early days of his humility he was a valuable man. But his changing about, his sudden flops at any little discouragement, his general unreliability in an important emergency, has caused more care, unsettled more minds, and required watchfulness greater than the benefit of his labors has justified. We have clung to him for years for the sake of the poor man’s soul, and have, as he says, shed tears over him, and pleaded with him not to destroy himself, and done everything we knew to save him. We doubt not that in his egotism he thought this was because of our fears for our cause should he leave us. Never was a greater mistake; we have no fears on that score whatever. Even now, after all he has done, our heart goes out in pity for him. We bear him no hatred. We have long delayed to write these things, and would not now but that he has forced us to do it, to save honest souls whom he is doing his best to mislead. Meanwhile we trust the reverend gentlemen who have him in keeping will enjoy his assistance the best they can. In the end they will find how valuable he is. G. I. B. RCASDA 20.2