D. M. Canright and Seventh-Day Adventists

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 12, 1914

D. M. Canright and Seventh-Day Adventists

The following article we copy entire from the Christian Standard (Cincinnati) of March 7, 1914. The report that D. M. Canright had returned to the faith of Seventh-day Adventists had not yet reached this office, hence the statement that such a report is in circulation was a surprise to us. If any of our readers have heard of this report, the following statement will very fully settle the question in their minds:—

“A False Report Corrected”

“At the request of the veteran D. M. Canright, we publish the following statement from him, in correction of a false report that has been going the rounds:—

“Of late I am constantly receiving letters from many quarters, saying that my Advent brethren report that I have recently recanted what I wrote in my book, and have applied to be taken back with them. I judge that this report is quite generally believed among them the world over; at least, that is the way it was reported to me.

“I have to say that there is absolutely no truth in it. I have never had one regret for leaving that doctrine—never had the least desire to go back to it. Twenty-seven years of careful investigation has only confirmed my belief that that doctrine is a mistake. I believe the arguments against it in my book are truthful and unanswerable; at least, they are still perfectly satisfactory to me. I see no reason to change them.

“Years ago Adventists were very severe in their denunciation of all other churches. I learned that way of answering those who opposed us, and in return answered them very severely in my book. In later years I have learned that this is not a good Christian spirit, and have freely said that I regret any harsh statements I have made, either in my book, tracts, or otherwise. Their leading men have freely confessed to me that they themselves are dropping this old, harsh way of doing. In this we both agree. I have learned that candor and kindness of spirit are very rare qualities in religious discussions. I desire to cultivate those qualities more in the future.

“From this my Advent brethren have inferred that I was becoming favorable to their doctrinal theories. This is an entire mistake, which I wish to correct as widely as possible. While I love my Advent brethren, and know that they are sincere people, I cannot possibly indorse their theories.

“D. M. CANRIGHT. “Grand Rapids, Mich.”