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

CONFESSION OF ELD. CANRIGHT

THE following article from Eld. Canright, referred to on page 92, was published in the Review of Oct. 7, 1884, under the heading, “To my Brethren, the S.D. Adventists:”— RCASDA 94.1

“Most of the readers of the REVIEW know the part which I have acted in the cause for many years, both in preaching and in writing. They also know that for two years past I have dropped out of the work. I wish here to state why this so. Some twelve years ago I received a testimony from Sr. White. I felt that it was too severe, and that some of it was not true. Instead of holding on to my faith in the work and to God, and waiting for him to make it clear, I became tried, and quit preaching a short time. But I soon got mostly over this, and went to work again, though I did not feel exactly right toward Sr. White, nor fully accept all the testimony. RCASDA 94.2

“Some five years since, I received another testimony while under great discouragement. This I did not receive at all well, but felt hard toward Sr. White, and soon quit the work entirely. But I found no comfort that way, and so, after a short time, went to preaching again, Still I was not heartily in sympathy with all parts of the work, especially the ‘Testimonies.’ I thought I would preach practical truth largely, and as much of the message as I liked; but this did not work, as the brethren were not satisfied, neither was I. So I went to farming, resolved to live a devoted life, and to do all I could that way. But I soon found my doubts and fears increasing, and my devotion decreasing, till, at length, I found myself largely swallowed up in my work, with little time, taste, or interest for religious work. I felt sure the ‘Testimonies’ were not reliable, and that other views held by our people were not correct. So it always is when a person lets go of one point of the truth,-he begins to drift, he knows not whither. RCASDA 94.3

“A short time since, I attended the Northern Michigan camp-meeting with Eld. Butler. Here we had a long time for consultation, prayer, and careful examination of my difficulties. I began to see that at least some of my objections were not tenable, and that I myself was not right and in the light. Coming to the Jackson camp-meeting, we continued the investigation, and carefully read over and examined my testimonies. I saw that I had put a wrong meaning on some things, and that other things were certainly true. If these were true, then I had certainly been wrong all the way through. Light came into my mind, and for the first time in years I could truly say I believed the ‘Testimonies.’ All my hard feelings toward Sr. White vanished in a moment, and I felt a tender love toward her. Everything looked different. Then I felt how wrong, sinful, and in the dark I had been. My sins came up before me as never before in all my life. Like Job I cried, ‘Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.’ RCASDA 94.4

“I deeply feel that in my past labors I have lacked in spirituality, humility, and a close walk with God. I have often been too hasty and harsh in my labors. I will never rest till all this is changed, and I become a tender-hearted, devoted shepherd of the flock. I will submit to any humiliation, shame, or cross that will fit me to win souls to Christ. I think that my disbelief to the ‘Testimonies’ and other truths has come by opening my heart to doubts, cherishing them and magnifying them. How many times I, like others, have solemnly professed my unbounded faith in the Third Angel’s Message! Is is not reasonable that God should try us in some way to see whether our faith is real and genuine? A faith that cannot stand under some difficulties, that cannot hold on to great facts and truths against some apparent objections, that cannot remember bright experiences, while going through dark places,-such a faith is not a reliable one. If God really has a great and special message to be given, is it not reasonable that the faith of his people, especially those who are chosen to bear that message, should be tried? Surely it is just what we might expect. RCASDA 95.1

“Looking back to similar movements in God’s work, we find that his people were always thus tested. When God led Israel out of Egypt, after he had given them marked proof of his presence among them, then he allowed adverse circumstances to come upon them to try their faith. Deuteronomy 8:1-3. How did they stand this test? Many of them immediately cried out, ‘Is God among us or not?’ Exodus 17:7. So Jesus, likewise, tested the faith of his early disciples. In the first part of John 6, Jesus wrought the miracle of feeding the five thousand. So profoundly impressed were they by this miracle that they rose up to make him king right there. On the next day, when Jesus taught them some very cutting truths, they said, ‘This is an hard saying; who can hear it?’ Verse 60. ‘From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.’ Verse 66. Though they had had so plain evidence that God was with him, yet when something was presented which looked very objectionable to them, their faith failed, and they backslid and left the party. RCASDA 95.2

“I am now thoroughly satisfied that the work of the Third Angel’s Message is no exception to this rule, but that our strong professions of faith in it will sooner or later be tested severely. How many times I have publicly and solemnly professed my unbounded confidence in this truth! How clear and connected, how marvelously beautiful, the whole system looked to me! How confident I felt that the Bible overwhelmingly sustained it, and that I would even die for it! But, like Peter, I did not know myself till God left me to be tried. I feel greatly humbled under the shameful failure I have made. RCASDA 96.1

“Friday, Sept. 26, while on the camp-ground at Jackson, Mich, I felt in my heart the most remarkable change that I ever experienced in all my life. It was a complete reversion of all my feelings. Light and faith came into my soul, and I felt that God had given me another heart. I never felt such a change before, not even when first converted, not when I embraced the message, nor at any other time. I believe it was directly from Heaven-the work of the Spirit of God. I now believe the message as firmly and more understandingly that ever before; and I want to say to all my friends everywhere, that now I not only accept, but believe, the ‘Testimonies’ to be from God. Knowing the opposition I have felt to them, this change in my feelings is more amazing to myself than it can be to others. RCASDA 96.2

“Such nearness to God, such earnest devotion, such solemn appeals to live a holy life can only be prompted by the Spirit of God. Where that is, there I want to be. I am fully satisfied that my own salvation and usefulness in saving others depend upon my being connected with this people and this work. And here I take my stand, to risk all I am, or have, or hope for, in this life to come, with this people and this work. D.M. CANRIGHT.” RCASDA 96.3