Ellen G. White and Her Critics

The Critic on the Witness Stand

Speaking of those who long knew Mrs. White intimately while they were leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the critic, Canright, from whom we have been quoting, is himself perhaps the outstanding exhibit. He could not speak as a medical man, but he could describe her as a person. Listen to his description and see whether it fits the personality picture of a nervously or mentally abnormal person. In 1877 he wrote a series of articles for the Review and Herald under the title “A Plain Talk to the Murmurers,” and subtitled “Some Facts for Those Who Are not in Harmony with the Body.” We quote: EGWC 81.1

“As to the Christian character of Sr. White, I beg leave to say that I think I know something about it. I have been acquainted with Sr. White for eighteen years, more than half the history of our people. I have been in their family time and again, sometimes weeks at a time. They have been in our house and family many times. I have traveled with them almost everywhere; have been with them in private and in public, in meeting and out of meeting, and have had the very best chances to know something of the life, character, and spirit of Bro. and Sr. White. As a minister, I have had to deal with all kinds of persons, and all kinds of character, till I think I can judge something of what a person is, at least after years of intimate acquaintance. EGWC 81.2

“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. She is not self-conceited, self-righteous, and self-important, as fanatics always are. I have frequently come in contact with fanatical persons, and I have always found them to be full of pretentions, full of pride, ready to give their opinion, boastful of their holiness, etc. But I have ever found Sr. White the reverse of all this. Any one, the poorest and the humblest, can go to her freely for advice and comfort without being repulsed. She is ever looking after the needy, the destitute, and the suffering, providing for them, and pleading their cause. I have never formed an acquaintance with any persons who so constantly have the fear of God before them.”—April 26, p. 132. EGWC 81.3

Canright did not have to write that glowing tribute to Mrs. White in 1877. The only compulsion was that of his own troubled heart. Not long before he wrote this he had for a time dropped out of active preaching, because he took exception to a testimony written to him by Mrs. White. Then not long after he wrote this tribute he dropped out again from active ministerial work, and for the same reason. All this he makes clear in an article he wrote in 1884, from which we quote: EGWC 81.4

“Most of the readers of the REVIEW know the part which I have acted in this 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 was 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. EGWC 82.1

“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 truths 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.... EGWC 82.2

“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.... Light came into my mind, and for the first time in years I could truly say that I believe the testimonies. All my hard feelings toward Sr. White vanished in a moment, and I felt a tender love towards her. Everything looked different.... EGWC 82.3

“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 of the testimonies and other truth has come by opening my heart to doubts, cherishing them and magnifying them.”—The Day-Star, October 7, 1884, pp. 633, 634. EGWC 82.4