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

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THAT GOOD CHARACTER ELD. BUTLER GAVE HIM

We refer to a brief extract which Eld. Canright has quoted over and over again, from an article by the writer in REVIEW of March 22, 1887. The quotation is as follows: “In leaving us he has taken a much more manly and commendable course than most of those who have withdrawn from us, coming voluntarily to our leading brethren and frankly stating the condition of mind he was in. He did this before his own church in our presence, and so far as we know has taken no unfair, underhanded means to injure us in any way. He goes from our midst with no immoral stain upon his character, and chooses associations more pleasant to himself. This is every man’s personal privilege if he chooses to take it.” RCASDA 105.3

The Elder evidently finds much satisfaction in this simple statement, quoting it, as he does, so often. He evidently thinks the writer’s indorsement to the extent given, very valuable. We suppose he feels his need of something of the kind, or he would not make so much of it. We greatly fear, however, that he has forfeited by his course since even as much of a character for fairness, justice, or righteousness as this would seem to give him. RCASDA 105.4

We wrote that statement in the interests of peace and good will, and in view of the oft-repeated promises of the Elder that he would do nothing whatever to tear down our work. When he wrote to us that he was receiving letters from private persons censuring him and imputing evil motives, hurting his feelings, etc., we wrote the article containing the above, hoping to allay all feelings of hostility among our people. This was but a few weeks after he left us. He had not then commenced his bitter raid upon us through the pulpit and press. We truly desired, on our part, to have nothing done to stir up strife. We wished to give him the best chance possible to carry out his oft-repeated statement that he should confine himself wholly to revival and church work, and seek alone to save souls. Had he done so, this pamphlet would never have seen the light of day. We should not have disturbed him or hindered him. RCASDA 105.5

The writing of the article containing this extract is one of the strongest possible evidences that his oft-repeated statement that S.D. Adventists will never permit one to leave them in peace is untrue. Why should the writer, holding the position he does in this cause, pen such an article in our leading paper, speaking in this kindly manner of Eld. Canright after he had fully left us and joined another church, urging our people to give him kind treatment and not impugn his motives of stir him up in any way, unless we had sincerely desired to treat him well? We thus showed our desire to let him depart in peace is untrue. He alone is responsible for the controversy which has ensued. Of course he knows full well that his use of this good-character extract in the way he has used it, and under the changed circumstances of the case, is a perversion of its original intent; that in justice he has no right to it since he has been doing as he has, utterly contrary to the circumstances under which it was given. But the Elder never lets such considerations stop him in any cherished purpose. He fails to manifest that fine sense of honor which we should expect to see in some men. On the whole, we do not regret that we cultivated peaceable relations with him when he left us. This fact only makes his own course seem the more reprehensible. G.I.B. RCASDA 106.1