Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Canright Testifies for Her

We will now let her chief critic, D. M. Canright, who left the Seventh-day Adventist ministry in 1887, testify concerning the amazing quality of her testimonies. We quote from an article he published in 1868, when he could speak from immediate experience, and without the handicap of long memory, or darkening hostilities: EGWC 512.5

“I am acquainted with many individuals for whom she has had testimonies. Many of them have been very striking indeed. I have been in this section [New Vineyard, Maine] some time, and have become pretty well acquainted with individuals and things. When sister White came she had testimonies for different individuals. She bore these testimonies without asking questions of any one, whether the things she was about to say were correct or not. She has invariably told facts in the case plainer than any one else who was familiar with the person and circumstances could have told them. This has not been once or twice. She has repeatedly had testimonies and delivered them to persons in public meetings the first time she ever saw them, and even before she knew their names.... EGWC 513.1

“Think of it a moment. She has had visions for twenty years, or more, and has borne her testimonies in public and in private, by word and by writing to hundreds and even to thousands of individuals, all through the Northern States. She has reproved public sins and secret sins. She has had these testimonies for friends and foes; yet in all these times and numberless testimonies no one has ever convicted her of making a wrong statement. We must suppose her to be a wonderful person indeed, to do all this without the help of the Lord.”—The Review and Herald, February 25, 1868, p. 167. EGWC 513.2