Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Appendix O: Canright Condemns Himself

Appendix A presents a historical sketch of Canright’s connection with the Seventh-day Adventist Church up to the time of his final departure in February, 1887; also a reminiscence by an old friend who related certain incidents in Canright’s life both before and after 1887, which indicate that the cause of his spiritual instability and his ultimate departure from the Advent Movement was an excessive vanity, pride, and conceit. EGWC 663.2

On page 81 of this work is found a quotation from an article that Canright wrote in the Review and Herald in 1877. The article was one of a series that carried the general title: “A Plain Talk to the Murmurers,” and subtitled “Some Facts for Those Who Are not in Harmony With the Body.” In this particular article he gave a word picture of Mrs. White, reminding his readers that he was well qualified to write because he had “been acquainted with Sr. White for eighteen years,” and had often lived in her home. In that article he said in part: “I know Sr. White to be an unassuming, modest, kind-hearted, noble woman. These traits in her character are not simply put on and cultivated, but they spring gracefully and easily from her natural disposition.” EGWC 663.3

On page 82 of this work is a quotation from an article that Canright wrote in 1884, shortly after the end of a two years’ lapse into doubt, critical questioning, and withdrawal from the ministry. In that article he frankly recounts his experience, and explains that central to his trouble was a refusal to accept certain strong testimonies that had come to him from Mrs. White. Then he tells of having had a new spiritual experience, with the following result: “All my hard feelings toward Sr. White vanished in a moment, and I felt a tender love towards her. Everything looked different.” He follows this with a confession that he had “lacked in spirituality, humility,” and observes: “I think that my disbelief of the testimonies and other truths has come by opening my heart to doubts, cherishing them and magnifying them.” EGWC 663.4

Then for the The Review and Herald, February 10, 1885 (pages 84-86), Canright wrote an article entitled “To Those in Doubting Castle,” which is reproduced in the appendix immediately following. In that article he observes that “it is always easier to doubt than to believe,” and that many have found plausible reasons for doubting the Bible. “The fact is that God has never at any time given so much light and evidence that man had to believe whether he wanted to or not.” He adds that “when men become proud and self-sufficient, then the Lord leaves them to be filled with their own ways.” He gives Scriptural illustrations of how pride prevented acceptance of truth. He observes also that the accepted rule in the affairs of life, where uncertainties and doubts are always arising, is to decide a question “by the balance, or preponderance, of evidence.” EGWC 664.1

In the setting of these general principles, he declares: “But I wish more especially to apply this to the testimonies.” Then, as will be seen from reading his long article, he presents most reasonable grounds for accepting the writings of Mrs. White as being inspired by God. Toward the close he makes the sweeping statement: “I am profoundly convinced in the depths of my soul, after an experience of twenty-five years, that the same thing is true of the testimonies,” as of the Bible; namely, the honesthearted read and believe, while the Tom Paines and Ingersolls, read only to disbelieve. His closing line returns to the factor of pride as a deterrent to belief: “The real trouble lies close at home, in a proud, unconverted heart, a lack of real humility, an unwillingness to submit to God’s way of finding the truth.” EGWC 664.2

A few months after he wrote this last article Mrs. White sailed to Europe. Before she returned in August, 1887, he had left the denomination and was writing against it! With no opportunity to study further her life, he quite suddenly and completely reversed his conclusions regarding her—conclusions based on long years of intimate acquaintance. And the farther in time he moved from the vivid incidents of his years of fellowship, the more libelous his writing became! EGWC 664.3

We think these facts are sufficient in themselves to invalidate all the shallow, scurrilous charges that he brought against her through the long years following 1887. We believe that the evidence in this book, and the amazing admissions by Canright himself, while still with us, make transparently clear that the trouble was not with Mrs. White but with his own “proud and self-sufficient” heart—“I think that my disbelief of the testimonies and other truths has come by opening my heart to doubts, cherishing them and magnifying them.” And it is on Canright that almost all later critics of Mrs. White have depended for ammunition! EGWC 664.4

Following is his 1885 article, including title and author as they appeared at the head of that article. EGWC 665.1