A PLAIN TALK TO THE MURMURERS by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 7, 1877

A PLAIN TALK TO THE MURMURERS.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Some Facts for Those Who Are not in Harmony with the Body.

(Continued.)

Who started that work in the West? Snook and Brinkerhoof. Where are they now? Apostates from the faith, both of them. What has become of Goodenough, who was once the leading spirit in that work? Where is Fuller? And so we might go back. What has become of the Cranmer party? What has become of the Messenger party? Where are Hicks, Armstrong, and Lonsdale? Gone, long ago. Who are the hands running it now? Only men who have lately come up, to try their hands at the job which has failed a half dozen times before. Brethren, does this bear the stamp of God’s work? Has the great God of Heaven been leading in such miserable work as that? I should fear to insult Heaven by any such supposition. No. This party and their work from beginning to end have been a striking fulfillment of the words of Gamaliel:—

“Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to naught. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him; he also perished: and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught.” Acts 5:35–38.

These few verses are an epitome of the history of these rebel parties who have gone off from us. Not only a Theudas and a Judas, but a half dozen more have risen up, and drawn off followers after them, and they have all come to naught; and that will sooner or later be the end of this also. It is a forlorn hope—God’s hand is against it.

But what is the real object of this party? What does it exist for? Simply and solely for the purpose of opposing and hindering the work of Seventh-day Adventists. This is the only thing that gives it life. They may deny this as stoutly as they choose, but this is their real motive. They may whitewash it over, and put on a pious face as long as that of a Pharisee, and yet they cannot hide their spirit. We know them. I have known them all along the line from Maine to California, from Minnesota to Kansas, and their object everywhere and all the time is the same. They have just enough of present truth to make them excellent tools of the devil. You will find them, one here, or two or three there, on the borders of some of our churches, zealously sowing discord, creating doubts, and warring upon weak brethren. They keep their eyes open for any halting ones, or doubting ones, or persons in trial. If any church trials or doubts come up among us, they are on hand like buzzards after carrion. They have a keen scent for these things. They never miss a chance. They furnish argument and ammunition for our opponents with which to oppose our work, and tear down even the Sabbath itself.

Hear the confession of one who has been engaged in that work for many years, and has gone back to it again. The following from his pen was published in the REVIEW of July 7, 1868:—

A CONFESSION.

“With deep humility would I confess to the readers of the REVIEW my errors and mistakes in opposing what I now regard as the work of God. For more than two years I have been engaged in open warfare against certain positions held by our Seventh-day brethren. My object has been to tear down, to dishearten, discourage, and cause doubt and unbelief everywhere (so far as my influence extends) among this people. I have also put forth my best efforts to prejudice and influence first-day Adventists against this people and their views. I now see my mistake and deeply feel my wrong course in so doing. Nothing but Satan himself could induce me to engage in such an unholy warfare. I have been blinded by his dark influence, and controlled by his Satanic power, while warring against this people of God. All this I frankly and humbly confess. I am guilty before God of a great sin, in uniting my influence and talents with the rebel hosts in opposing God’s chosen people, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. I humbly ask the forgiveness of God and my brethren for the wrongs I have committed while engaged in this rebellious work.

“Especially do I feel the wrong done Bro. and Sr. White, and would again ask their forgiveness. I shall ever hold them in grateful remembrance for their plain, cutting, and faithful testimonies to me, during their visit to our place last winter. They were instrumental, by the blessing of God, in rescuing me from the snare of the devil. I bless God for sending his faithful servants this way, and for his Spirit which attended their faithful labors. The Lord worked with them in power, not only in reclaiming the erring and backslidden, but in the conversion of sinners to God. A great and good work commenced under their faithful labors, and is still going forward. To God be all the praise.

“As it regards the testimonies of Sr. White, I became partially convinced, during their visit to our place, that they were from God. Since then my conviction has been widening and deepening, until I can truthfully say that I believe Sr. White is a humble, devoted, godly woman; and that her testimonies are from Heaven. I cannot, yea, I will not doubt, for darkness is sure to follow. It is the united testimony of all who have had any experience in the matter, that the more confidence they have in Sr. White and her testimonies, the more they enjoy the blessing of God. This has been my own experience. Now why is this? Does the Lord bless people more for believing error than truth? If so, the more confidence and faith we can get in the doctrine of modern spiritualism, or any other Satanic delusion, the more of the blessing of Heaven we shall enjoy. What an idea!”

“Who are the most humble, devoted, self-sacrificing, godly persons to be found among Sabbath-keepers? Do they comprise that class who are doubting, halting, questioning, disbelieving, and fighting the visions? Certainly not. This class are noted for their selfishness, their worldly-mindedness, and their lack of consecration to God and his cause. They are the lukewarm, the half-hearted, the backslidden class, among Sabbath-keepers. This fact alone should teach us that God is in this work, and no weapon raised against it can prosper. My own sad experience has taught me that it is spiritual death to doubt or oppose any part of this work. God’s hand is set to the work, and it is destined to triumph, although men and devils may oppose.”

“I feel very unworthy of a place or name among this people. My life, during the past two years, has been both an injury and a disgrace to the cause of God. I would, in view of my wrongs, deeply humble myself before God, and seek forgiveness for all my sins, while Jesus pleads the merits of his own precious blood in my behalf. I desire, as far as possible, to counteract my wrong influence, and shall labor to this end. My faith, sympathies, and interests are now with this people; and I hope never again to turn traitor, but find some humble place among them, where what little influence I may have shall not be to tear down, but to build up. I feel an earnest desire to enlist all my energies in righting my wrongs. And I hope, dear brethren and sisters, not only to obtain your forgiveness, but to have your prayers, that I may be kept from the deceptive power of Satan in these last days.”

“From your erring brother,

“W. H. BALL.

“Washington, N. H.”

This confession states just what is true of the aim and work of that whole party. While professedly loving the Sabbath, they are really throwing their whole weight right against it. Where they bring one to its observance, their opposition to our work turns ten from it.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

(To be Continued.)