INTRODUCTORY. WHY THIS SUPPLEMENT IS ISSUED

In undertaking the unpleasant work of replying to the attacks of Eld. D.M. Canright upon Seventh-day Adventists and their doctrines, we feel almost like offering an apology to the reading public. For months past his attacks have continued in various papers and upon many different points of our faith. He has held us up to ridicule, and tried to make it appear that our people are ignorant, narrow-minded, bigoted, and doing much harm in the Christian world, and that our doctrines are utterly unworthy of confidence. He has also been preaching from place, to place, making our work his constant theme of attack. We have, however, paid but slight attention to him, rarely referring to him in any way. We have preferred to attend to our work, and leave him to say what he chose, believing that a discerning public would understand the animus of his attacks, and not condemn us unheard. But at our recent camp-meeting at Grand Rapids, Mich, his efforts became so personal, vindictive, and unreasonable that we have come to believe that forbearance will be no longer a virtue. We are persuaded that he thinks we have given him the field, and dare not reply to his oft-repeated assertions and fallacious arguments. We are free to admit that much that he has said is too worthless to need a reply.RCASDA 3.1

But there are many honest people who have wondered why we have not replied to these attacks, and such are in danger of drawing wrong conclusions concerning our silence, and may attribute it to fear or inability to meet his arguments. Such conclusions certainly would miss the mark greatly. Our long delay has been occasioned mainly by our wish to avoid personal controversies of this kind, and an earnest desire to attend to our own specific work of proclaiming the important truths which we firmly believe God has committed to our hands. We greatly dislike to come down from this high plane of duty to engage in matters of this character. They are highly distasteful to us, and we will not enter upon them till really forced to do so to defend the truth or save honest souls from being misled.RCASDA 3.2

We know full well that Eld. Canright has made many statements in his public attacks upon us, implying that our motives and conduct are very different from this; that, in short, we pursue all persons of any prominence who leave our ranks, with a vindictive spirit, determined to ruin their reputation and blacken their characters;and, like the sleuth hound, we never let up the pursuit till we have accomplished such a purpose. In a handbill scattered broadcast through the city of Grand Rapids, Mich, he says: “Like the Mormons, they [S.D. Adventists] try to ruin the character of all who leave them.” “Every one is branded as a rebel and an infidel who dares doubt her [Mrs. White’s] inspirations.” He has made many statements of a similar character.RCASDA 4.1

The truthfulness of these declarations we positively deny. And to prove the correctness of our denial, we now propose, after having made these general statements, to present more specific evidence to substantiate them.RCASDA 4.2

In the month of January last, Eld D.M. Canright, who had been connected with our people for about twenty-eight years, took the position that he could be an S.D. Adventists no longer. Feb. 17, he gave his reasons in public before the Otsego church, of which he was a member. The writer was present. In his remarks concerning our people and the treatment he had received among us, he was very kind and conciliatory. He stated that he thought there was a larger percentage of true Christians among our people than among any other denomination with which he was acquainted. He expressed a high appreciation of, and confidence in, some of our leading men, believing them to be honest, devoted servants of Christ. He said he was perfectly satisfied with the treatment he had received among Seventh-day Adventists. He had no fault to find with them on that score, and felt that they had used him in all respects as well as Christians should.RCASDA 4.3

He expected to unite with the Methodists, Baptists, or some other evangelical denomination, and continue to labor in the ministry as long as he lived. He professed the most pacific intentions concerning us, that he should never pursue the course some others had who have left us, becoming bitter assailants of our people, but should give himself to revival and Christian work, which was the work of his choice. He was utterly sick of the debating and fighting spirit. He had formerly had some love for such things, but now his only desire was to labor for the salvation of souls. He expressed himself very strongly on this point, and said that he never could become a Campbellite, a first-day Adventist, or a Seventh-day Baptist. He was opposed to their fighting spirit, and expressed strong dislike for them.RCASDA 5.1

At the close of the meeting, at his earnest request his name was dropped quietly from the church roll, that we might separate as peaceably as possible. He came to the writer in a very friendly way, and expressed the wish that he might present a brief statement of his change of views through the columns of the REVIEW AND HERALD our church paper. We answered that he could send in such a statement, and if it was consistent we would publish the same. He did so, and it was published verbatim in the issue of March 1. In it he expresses great sorrow that he felt compelled to part company with us, and gives a few of his reasons for so doing. He also says: “Personally I have not one word of fault to find either with the church where I live or with those with whom I have labored. I have been treated justly, liberally and tenderly. There is not one hard feeling between us as far as I know. It will always give me pleasure to regard our people and speak of them as an honest and devout people.”RCASDA 5.2

In view of his pacific intentions so strongly expressed, though we had little idea he would in the end carry them out, knowing full well the spirit which usually takes possession of those who leave the work of God, — we determined to do nothing that would give him the slightest cause for complaint on our part.RCASDA 5.3

Accordingly, in publishing his statement in the REVIEW AND HERALD, we took occasion to speak of him as kindly as possible consistent with a true representation of his course. In private letters after this, he expressed himself as well pleased at our treatment of him; and we continued to correspond pleasantly as before.RCASDA 5.4

After the lapse of some weeks, we received letters from him complaining of the conduct of private persons among us who wrote to him in a bad spirit, imputing unworthy motives to him; but he gave no names. He also spoke of an article in the REVIEW AND HERALD which he supposed referred to him, though his name was not once mentioned in it. To still follow a pacific course, and make everything as pleasant as possible, and take away all just grounds of complaint concerning our treatment of him, the writer penned another article, for the REVIEW of March 22, headed, “A Few More Words Concerning Eld. Canright,” It begins as follows:—RCASDA 6.1

“We had not intended to say anything further concerning the subject of Eld. Canright’s withdrawal from our people, believing the better way to treat all such cases is to say as little as possible of that which will be likely to stir up personal feeling and bitterness. The separation of old friends and associates is painful enough at best. For our part, we much prefer to entertain no feelings worse than pity for those who have given up that which to us is the most glorious and precious of all things upon earth — the present truth.RCASDA 6.2

“The only exceptions we would make in these instances is where they attack and misrepresent that truth which we feel called upon ever to defend as the truth of God. Then we should feel it duty to speak out plainly, and show the difference between truth and error.”RCASDA 6.3

This has ever been our position. Then follow words of caution to our people, to avoid everything in this case calculated to stir up bitterness, imputing evil motives, etc, urging all to leave Eld. Canright to the righteous judgment of God, and not take the judgment-seat ourselves. Next follows a statement concerning his leaving us, presenting it in a light as favorable to him as the truth would possibly warrant. The reason why this was written, was to prevent our people as much as possible from doing anything to provoke him and give him any reasonable ground of complaint, and make them view him as favorably as they reasonably could. This statement, written in the interests of peace Eld. Canright has since published and republished extensively, to give himself as high a standard of character as possible before the world. This shows that he considered our testimony very valuable. He is welcome to it, as we are always glad to help those in need, if we can.RCASDA 6.4

In private letters Eld. Canright warmly thanked us for writing as we did. After a careful search through the columns of the REVIEW, the only other instances we can find where his name is mentioned till long after he had begun his public attacks upon us in various papers, and in many places in the pulpit, are to be found in the issue of April 12. These occur in the “Progress Department,” in the reports of W.W. Shepard, clerk of the church at Otsego, Mich, the local church which Eld. Canright left, and J. B. Buck, member of the same church. As the Elder has intimated that he has been treated with great injustice through the columns of the REVIEW, we will give verbatim what these brethren said. Bro. Shepard, in his report concerning the Otsego church, says: “Since the sad departure of Eld. Canright and family from the faith held so dear by our people, many inquiries have been made with reference to the condition of the church, in this place. To the readers of the REVIEW we would say in reply, that the interest never was better than at the present time.” He does not make another reference to him, but speaks only of the condition of the church.RCASDA 7.1

Bro. Buck’s report refers to the fact that he had been laboring with Eld. C. at Pine Grove and Almena just before he left our people. “This,” he says, “was Eld. Canright’s last work among us; and when the report of his apostasy was received, they were much shocked, but their confidence was not shaken in the present truth; for they remembered that in Christ’s time there was one who saw the miracles he did, and heard his preaching, and yet apostatized from the present truth of that time. And as the Scriptures plainly state that ‘in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,’ we see in this only another sign that we are in the last days,” Then, near the close of his report he speaks again of the Otsego. The report has gone out that this church is nearly torn to pieces by Eld. Canright’s change of faith. But we are happy to say this is not the case.” Then he speaks a few words concerning the prosperity of the church, and this is all. We have been particular to copy every word said which could be thought to reflect upon the Elder in these reports, and we are sure the candid reader will be surprised that there is so little that could be complained of when we consider that these words came from the very church which Eld. C. left to join those opposed us in faith — the very place where there would be likely to be deep feeling on that point, if anywhere. There is one word, “apostasy,” used which may seem to some objectionable. Eld. Canright tries to make it appear that our using this word concerning him is very uncharitable. Webster defines apostate as follows: “One who has forsaken the faith, principles or party to which he before adhered.” We know of no other word which would so exactly describe Eld. Canright”s course. What, then, is there uncharitable in its use? It expresses in his case the exact truth.RCASDA 7.2

These mentions of his name are the only ones we are able to find, after a careful search of the columns of the REVIEW, till long after he began a public war upon us, in pulpit and press. We have nearly a dozen other public journals engaged in disseminating our religious views, and to the very best of our knowledge not one of them has even mentioned his name since he left us. These reports to which I have referred were written by persons holding no positions of responsibility in the denomination, and what they say is mild indeed; while what he quotes from the writer with such satisfaction as an endorsement of his character, was written by one holding the highest offices in the denomination and was published in the editorial columns. Yet he claims to have been terribly abused. This claim is utterly without foundation. Never did a man leave former associates and go over to opposers of their faith, and receive, on the whole, kinder treatment than has Eld. Canright. He has, however, been constantly seeking some cause for provocation.RCASDA 8.1

If an article was written in the REVIEW, on general principles, never mentioning his name, condemning certain principles of conduct, he has been fain to take it to himself; believed it was written for his special benefit, and felt greatly abused by it. If an article appeared warning our people of the danger of losing their hold on Bible truth, he must have been the target. We have found it impossible to please him. This is the way he puts it in the handbill above mentioned, and in other public prints: “No less than eight articles appeared in their leading paper, the REVIEW. attacking me openly or covertly, calling me an apostate, traitor, unstable, unreliable; comparing me to Balaam, Judas, Demas, and other bad men; insinuating that I left them for money or popularity; that I must have been guilty of some secret sin, as adultery or the like.” For these causes he was obliged [so he would have the public believe] to commence a war upon us through the pulpit and the press.RCASDA 8.2

Many of these charges he cannot possibly substantiate. Most of these references are taken from articles of a general nature. For example, in one instance where Eld. Haskell wrote an article entitled “Warning to the Church,” he refers in it to Demas and Balaam, showing the course they pursued. Eld. Canright at once draws the conclusion that the whole is aimed at him, and that he is compared to Demas and Balaam. In speaking of them, Eld. H. stated that some secret sin was the primal cause of their downfall. Hence Eld. C. at once draws the conclusion that he has been charged with such conduct, though his name was not once mentioned. In the article referred to, the sin of sensual gratification was spoken of. Eld. C. at once fancies he is charged with adultery. He wrote a wrathful letter to Eld. Haskell for charging him with such a crime! Eld. H. positively denied having him in view when he wrote on that point. But Eld. Canright will have it, notwithstanding the denial, that such crimes were charged upon him; and so he is “abused,” and we are bound to “ruin his character.” It is hard to please a man in such a state of mind. If we utterly ignore his name or existence, and even when through the columns of our leading paper we caution and urge our brethren for the sake of peace to say nothing to provoke debate, yet we are charged with the worst kind of treatment. He feels bound to commence a work of retaliation. He must and will have redress.RCASDA 9.1

So he commences at once an “exposure of Adventism.” going from place to place to expose our “fanaticism,” at the price of two dollars per night, refusing, so we are informed, in one instance at least, to proceed with his discourse till the money was collected. We know not how many “exposures” he has favored the public with at this exceedingly moderate price, but we have learned of many. Perhaps the Elder compelled to do this to eke out his very moderate salary received from his Baptist friends, in order to “keep the wolf from the door.”RCASDA 9.2

He next commences his attacks through the public press. The religious papers of the Methodists, Disciples, and first-day Adventists, and of various other churches, are opened to him. They very much hanker, it appears, for something from this enraged and much abused [?] champion, to properly show up the poor deluded Adventists. The Methodist Michigan Christian Advocate opens its columns for a long series of articles, “copyrighted, and all rights reserved,” The Disciple Oracle, of Des Moines, Iowa, also favors the public with a large grist of the same. The World’s Crisis, of Boston, and the Bible Banner, first-day Adventist papers, stand meekly waiting to serve up a slice of the poor flayed S. D. Adventists, Eld. Canright has now gotten over his dislike for the two latter denominations, expressed so forcibly at Otsego last winter, so that he is willing to make them channels of communication to a waiting public. Indeed, he is glad to publish their praises of him and his doings to an admiring world. [See Michigan Christian Advocate of July 16.]RCASDA 9.3

Other papers of other denominations all along the line are greedy to show a dislike to the Adventists by occasionally serving up a nice tidbit, if it only hits them hard enough. Articles are copied from these papers and sent to Europe, and are translated into various languages, and published there. And reverend doctors of divinity with great glee congratulate themselves that now they have found something with which to check the onward progress of this deluded sect. The same is done for the islands of the Pacific. We have full knowledge of these things’ being copied and extensively circulated in Australia, New Zealand, and other countries on the other side of the world. They have evidently met a long-felt want in all parts of the earth where our doctrine is being propagated. These opposing sects can now make friends to oppose the work of God, just as Pilate and Herod could become friends to persecute the Son of God. A “fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind.”RCASDA 10.1

Not only has he opposed us in these general ways, but he has attacked us in a more special manner. In the latter part of September we had a large camp-meeting appointed in the city of Grand Rapids, Mich. We had a city mission there, and a tent meeting had been held last summer with a good interest. A little previous to the time of our camp-meeting, Eld. Canright came to the city and visited most of the newspaper offices, to obtain the privilege of inserting articles in the city papers against us. These articles began to appear as our meeting was about to convene, and were designed to prejudice the minds of the citizens against us, to destroy as far as possible their interest to attend. Handbills containing these articles were circulated broadcast over the city, and extensively among the crowds of people attending the “West Michigan Fair.” After seeing the determined spirit to wage war upon us in this personal manner, we deviated from our course hitherto pursued, and published a moderate statement concerning him and his course, in one of the city papers. This he followed up with a bitter personal attack upon Mrs. White and myself, which was circulated through the city in the form of a handbill, and thousands of copies were scattered on our camp-ground on his Sunday Lord’s day, a day which his church regards as sacred to religion. But we are happy to say these vindictive efforts did us but little harm, as many thousands of people came upon the ground and gave excellent attention for hours to Mrs. White and other speakers.RCASDA 10.2

These things have decided us to give Eld. Canright and his work some little attention in the form of this Supplement. Thus have our efforts for peace been met. For months past we have calmly pursued our way, paying little attention to these attacks, though we have well known that they were being circulated to the ends of the earth by those who hate us and our work. We have been troubled with fears for the success of our work. If it is of God, a storm occasionally will not damage it. It will only come out a little brighter for the friction it receives. God’s truth is hard to kill, so we have not been greatly anxious about the result, and we are not yet. But there are a few honest souls here and there whom we desire to save from being misled, and we write for their benefit. We firmly believe that the candid, discerning public — the only ones we are seeking to reach — will see through all such attacks as these of Eld. Canright. The animus of these efforts is too plain to deceive any but those who desire to believe them.RCASDA 11.1

Eld. Canright has made the statement, and would have us believe, that for a time after he left us he was pacifically inclined, doing nothing to disturb any of our people or lead them from their faith, till provoked by our “abuse” of him; that he wrote only to those who first wrote to him. This we could better believe if we did not personally know of instances to the contrary, where he wrote long letters to persons who not only did not write him first, but who had no desire for his letters, using all the arguments and persuasion possible to unsettle their faith. We can give him names of parties to whom he thus wrote, if he desires them. We know of one poor soul, now a Baptist minister, whom he at last persuaded sufficiently to face the terrible ordeal of abuse [?] from S. D. Adventists, and step out of our communion. To the best of our knowledge the poor man’s name has never since been so much as once mentioned in any paper published by S.D. Adventists, or any public notice taken of it by any organ of the denomination. We learn from one who personally knows, that about fifty letters passed between the parties before Eld. Canright could get his brother’s courage up to the sticking point.RCASDA 11.2

From these facts the public can see clearly that we are acting wholly on the defensive in publishing this Supplement in reply to Eld. C.’s attacks. We consider that he has utterly broken his word in taking the course he has in attacking us, and that all his professions of pacific intentions when he left us were mere idle words, which he did not mean, or at least did not keep. In his vindictive efforts to injure us, he has far exceeded any and every person who has left our communion, though he professed to despise the course and spirit of many who have never gone one half so far as he has. He tried to have us fondly believe when he left us, that he wished to labor wholly in church and revival work, for the salvation of souls. He did not love controversy, oh: no; he wanted to have love and harmony with all his old friends. But his principal stock in trade now is to show up the poor Adventists. To this end he writes, to this end he labors. His articles are “copyrighted, and all rights reserved.” He is going to get out a big book, and give Adventism a terrible blow. He seems to make this his principal means of livelihood. How little the poor man could realize the spirit of an apostate till he commenced to play the role! We have the charity to believe that he himself never realized the truth of the nature of the spirit which would possess him. From our very soul we pity the poor man who is taken possession of by the D.D.’s, the reverend gentlemen, the editors of religious papers, who await with such delight the utterances of a man who is led by such a spirit! So anxious are they to find something with which to put down Adventism, that they thus lower their sacred calling. What would they think of a man who would thus go out from the Methodists, Baptists, or any other “evangelical” denomination, and make the kind of a raid on them that Eld. Canright does upon us? He would be held up to public execration. Is such a course any better when against Adventists? We trow not. GEO. I. BUTLER.RCASDA 12.1