| Author | Message | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 1125 Registered: 4-2000  |
A few minutes ago, I had a brief phone conversation with one of the pastors of the Berean Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Does this church somehow ring a bell for you? Well, you may find the following historical details interesting. This is the church that Elder Dudley Canright, Adventism's most notable heretic, pastored in the late nineteenth century. Elder Canright served on the General Conference Committee before leaving Adventism, and he was well acquainted with James and Ellen White. One time he accompanied them on their vacation to a Colorado cabin in the Rocky Mountains. They worked together very closely in Adventism for many years. This church has been continuously in operation ever since Elder Canright was the senior pastor there in 1892-93 and in 1895-96. One of the Berean Baptist pastors went into the foyer where a picture of Elder Canright reveals the years he served there as their senior pastor. About 480 people still worship there weekly. Regrettably, I still remember as a devout Adventist, I turned his book around on the shelf at a local Christian bookstore so that people wouldn't notice the title. By the way, it was Dudley Canright who helped bring tithing into the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the late 1870's. Before this, the SDA Church had a stewardship plan known as "Systematic Benevolence" for people ages 18-60 who owned property. Therefore, all the SDA ministers are greatly indebted to Canright for bringing in the Jewish tithing system (smile). Actually, the name "Canright" still remains a bad word in Adventist circles much like "Fordism" and "Calvinism" do. Contemporary SDA apologists have only negative things to say about Dudley Canright. Amazingly, Elder Canright left Adventism without any support group as we have today. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Reb Registered user Username: Reb Post Number: 202 Registered: 5-2007 |
Thanks, Dennis! Dudley Canright is one of my heroes. I read his book about EGW and also about Adventism after he left. Those books were written almost 100 yrs. ago but still ring true today! | ||
| Blessed Registered user Username: Blessed Post Number: 38 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thanks Dennis for this information. Canright's book was the first one that I read just after I left Adventism back in 1969. For me it was so wonderful to read of someone who had questioned "Adventist truth" and had the guts to leave when they realized it was false. I believe that I found the book in my local Christian bookstore. Apparently Adventists are telling their people that he recanted just before he died and came back to the "truth". Of course we know that this information is not correct. Blessed | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6155 Registered: 12-2003  |
Dennis, I had to chuckle when I read of your turning the Canright book around on the bookshelf of the store! Yes, Blessed, I was shocked to discover when I left Adventism that Canright had not recanted. So much new information! Colleen | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 1127 Registered: 4-2000 |
Blessed, Yes, the Adventists circulated many lies to keep the "faithful" enslaved. The most common lie was their repeatedly saying he was on the verge of coming back. Canright was a major blow to their pride. After all, Canright held high positions in Adventism. He was a star debater in their evangelism. His thoughts on Ellen White were impossible to dismiss--being he personally dealt with her repeatedly. His critics were not there when he talked with Ellen, so they lacked credibility to debunk his statements. Dennis Fischer | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 942 Registered: 9-2006  |
Dennis I have Canright's story somewhere on my computer and I need to get it read. Thanks for reminding me, I start to do something and sometimes it get buried. River | ||
| Reb Registered user Username: Reb Post Number: 205 Registered: 5-2007 |
And while the Adventists villified Canright, he had a loving attitude toward them up until the end of his life. Who showed real Christianity, Canright or the Adventists? I think y'all know the answer to that. | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 63 Registered: 5-2007  |
I heard storys about Canright, mostly SDA negative remarks, but until now I had not read what he had to say. I just did and it is well worth your time to read. It can be found at the following site: http://www.ex-sda.com/experience-DMC.htm Thanks Dennis for sharing what came afterwards. Phil | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 951 Registered: 9-2006 |
WHEN a prominent man leaves one church or party and joins an opposing one and gives his reasons for it he may expect that his old associates will reply to him. I expected no exception in my case when I renounced Adventism, so have not been disappointed. The great majority of my former brethren have been very friendly to me and treated me kindly. A few, a very few, have done otherwise. Their object has been to counteract my influence against what they regard as God's work. These few have started the report that I have been sorry I left Adventism, that I have said so, have tried to return to them, have confessed that my book was false, and some have said that I was very poor, a physical and mental wreck, with no hope of salvation, etc. These reports are accepted as facts by honest brethren and repeated till they are believed by many Adventists the world over. I have denied them in every possible way, but they are still believed and repeated, and doubtless always will be. I leave God to judge between us. (Quotes from D.M. Canright) I now and here for the hundredth time solemnly affirm before God that I renounced Adventism because I believed it to be an error. I have never once regretted that I did so, have never intimated to any one that I have had the least desire to go back to that people. It would be impossible for me to do such a thing and be an honest man. I am now (1915) well in body and mind, have a good home worth $10,000 or $12,000, and have four grown children, of whom any man would be proud. On leaving the Adventists I joined the Baptist church at Otsego, Mich., and became its pastor till it was built up into a prosperous church. They have been my ardent friends to this day. Twenty years ago I moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., took a new mission and built this up, organized it into a church which has become one of the strong churches of the city, having several hundred members with a fine edifice. Have twice been its pastor, always an active member. At present I teach a large adult Bible class every Lord's day and often preach for them. Have always been in perfect harmony with the church. They honor me as their father, consult me on all important matters, and hotly resent the foolish reports which some circulate concerning me. (quotes from D.M. Canright) Adventists sometimes say I left them four or five times. I withdrew from that church just once, no more, that was final. Their church records at Battle Creek and Otsego will show that. For years I was troubled with doubts about some of their doctrines and three times stopped preaching for a period, but remained a member in good standing. At a large campmeeting I was persuaded to swallow my doubts, take up the work again, confess that I had been in the dark, and go on again. I yielded judgment to the entreaties of my brethren and the love I had for old associates and said what I soon regretted. I found it a terrible struggle to break away from what had held me so long. (Quotes from D.M. Canright) This story of struggle to break away has been repeated over and over on this forum. All these things and many more I could relate, caused me to seek for further information, and in so doing, I found large rewards were offered up by other denominations, challenging SDA's to come upon the platform and defend their doctrines in public. Among the doctrines listed were the 2,300 days, the Sanctuary, the Investigative Judgment, and Mrs. White. (Quote from Monica Vowles) Would anyone know if any of the challenges with reward attached was ever met by anyone from SDA? Does anyone know how much the rewards were? Thanks for the link Phil. River | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 952 Registered: 9-2006 |
Monica Vowles statement on prominent men leaving SDA. I shall now give a list of men who have held prominent positions in the denomination and who have stepped out of the great web of false deceptions of the Seventh Day Adventists. (An asterisk denotes those who, like my husband, have been impressed with the duty of exposing their falseness.) ELDERS J. B. Cook - A pioneer who started with the Movement. B. F. SNOOK - Once very prominent. Moses HULL - One of the ablest speakers they ever had. SHORTRIDGE - A very talented minister. HALL - Very prominent in the work. STEVENSON - Very prominent in the work. J. B. FRISBY - A most efficient preacher for years. A. B. OGDEN - An editor and one of the main leaders. D. B. OVIATT - Conference President for many years. * J. F. BALLENGER - One of the SDA's best revivalists. * A. F. BALLENGER - Superintendent of Ireland, and a prominent minister for 50 years. * E. S. BALLENGER - Church School Superintendent, Secretary of Missionary Volunteers, Superintendent of Sabbath Schools, Member of Fernando School Board; Young People's Com., Sabbath School Com.; Pioneer of Paradise Valley Sanitarium, besides being a successful Evangelist, raising many churches, even asked to conduct tent efforts after having resigned. * L. R. CONRADI - "Father of Europe." * W. W. FLETCHER - Conference resident and Teacher. HIRAM EDSON - Noted Pioneer. S. W. RHODES - Noted Pioneer. * A. T. JONES - Their most prominent historian and editor. E. J. WAGGONER - Editor of the Review and Herald. M. E. KELLOGG - Editor of Youth's Instructor and Associate Editor of Review and Herald. JOHN KOLVOORD - Editor and Translator. L. C. CRISLER - Conference President. * W. A. COLCORD - Their most prominent writer. * W. H. LITTLEJOHN - Great defender of the Dayline question, now opposes them on this same theory. * D. M. CANRIGHT - One of the very highest and strongest of their teachers, being the best debter during the last fifteen years that he was with them; a great organizer and who held all the highest positions of the denomination including being one of a committee of three, for General Conference for many years. * F. E. BELDEN - Most famous amongst them. It was through his resignation that Christ in Song was discontinued, for he withdrew his copyrights. T. M. Premble, W. H. Brinkerhoff, C. B. Raynold, * H. C. Blanchard, T. J. Butler, L. L. Howard, H. F. Haynes, Nathan Fuller, * E. E. Franke, C. Ramrod, *J. C. Day, * H. W. Ball, *Goodenough, * Bunch, O. R. L. Crozier, M. B. Czechowski, H. F. Case, C. Ranmer, Philip Strong, Rosquist, Whitelaw, A. C. Russell, E. P. Daniels, R. S. Owen, *H. E. Carver,*J. W. Cassidy, *A. C. Long, *J. Brinkerhoff. PROFESSORS S. S. Brownsberger, A. Maclean, Vesey, C. C. Ramsay. DOCTORS *Lee, H. S. Ley, W. Russell, M. G. Kellogg, Sprague, Fairfield, Smith, J. H. Kellogg, C. Stewart. It doesn't appear that we are by ourselves, anyone happen to know any of these folk? River | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 66 Registered: 5-2007 |
First Albion Fox and then Edward S. Ballenger worked tirelessly up until the 1940s to expose the errors of SDA theology. It was at that point that my cousin, Donald E. Mote, took over and put out the "Gathering Call", which was their main medium for exposing the lies of the SDA church. Phil P.S. When I visited cousin Donald (he is in his mid-80s) a few years ago, he gave me a 140 year old family Bible that has a lot of our mutual family history in it. In some small way, I think he was "passing the tourch" on to me. Very humbling thought since I am only a simple person who has worked with my hands all my life. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6161 Registered: 12-2003 |
River, this is so interesting. Yes, many of those names I've heard over the years. L.C. Crisler was one of the two men (the other being Elder Washburn), according to the letter I received last week from which I quoted on this forum early in the week, whom Ellen asked to write a research paper about Jesus. These two men wrote their paper complete with footnotes. They were shocked later to discover their paper had been printed, had Ellen's name on it, and was called "The Desire of Ages" and had no footnotes. Ballanger was slandered by Ellen, his reputation ruined (at least within the church). I also find the name of Beldon to be very interesting. When I was a kid, my folks had a very old Christ In Song. It had been the "official" SDA hymnbook when they were youth. I remember my mom and others bemoaning the fact that the church had abandoned "Christ In Song" because it had some wonderful old songs. No one seemed to know why it had been dropped. Now I know. The name "Kellogg", of course, is familiar. J.H. Kellogg is the one who ran a health conditioning center from whom Ellen apparently got much of her "health message". Kellogg invented Corn Flakes, but it was one of his brothers who actually produced the cereal. Several of the above names are familiar. It is true that over the years many people have left Adventism, but in all honesty, most of this was kept from us. Before the internet a lot of information was kept submerged. Some of the above names were known to have left the church, but the reasons were "altered". Of course, some people knew of these things, but the average Adventist didn't know about the numbers of Adventists in high places who actually left. So interesting. And yes, Phil--I believe you're right about your cousing passing the torch to you. What a treasure. Colleen | ||
| Insearchof Registered user Username: Insearchof Post Number: 121 Registered: 8-2005 |
It is interesting to read the list that you posted, River. I recall when I first read DM Canright's book not so long ago. How different it was from what I had always believed as an Adventist! It was very strange to read his comments regarding his own life after leaving Adventism compare to what the standard line is within the church - he was a broken man who regretted leaving and wanted to come back, was never successful after he left the church, etc. I also read Ballenger's book 'Cast Out for the Cross of Christ' as well as some of the record of what happened from his own mouth. Quite different from what I had always believed as an Adventist. It was a shocker to me to read that when defending himself he asked that he be presented with scipture showing where his position regarding the Heavenly Sanctuary was in error rather than statements from EGW. The panel agreed and then immediately began again with statements from EGW... As one that grew up reading EGW, Haskell, Andrews, Smith and ML Andreason, it suprised me to finally ready the books by Canright and Ballenger. The SDA church would like it's members to believe that Des Ford was the originator of the idea that the SDA uderstanding of a Heavenly Sanctuary being cleansed is not correct. In reality, that doctrine has been at issue almost since the beginning, they just hide the facts and scare the faithful away from searching the truth because those beliefs (the 2300 days, sanctuary truth, prophetic gift of EGW) cannot stand exposure to the light of the Truth. Before I left the SDA church I met with the pastor and elders at the church I was attending (at their request). When I expressed that I no longer accepted 1844 or the idea of a Heavenly Sanctuary that had to be cleansed, one of the elders said 'They always leave over that'. How true! ISO | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3883 Registered: 3-2004  |
As an adventist the only person I remember hearing about was Kellogg. I NEVER heard of the rest of the the list River posted. WOW!!! I am so thankful for the internet. And to think that all non truths, deceit and deception were known from day one of the SDA church. Then SDAs do not understand why a person leaves and do not believe the reasons. Thank you God for taking each one of us out of it. You are so awesome. Diana | ||
| Godssonjp Registered user Username: Godssonjp Post Number: 36 Registered: 1-2007 |
During my time as an Adventist at the church I attended the pastor was doing a series on the history of the SDA church. He mentioned some of the names on the list. Kellogg was mentioned as someone wanting too much "shine". Des Ford was mentioned also. At the time I didn't know what I know now. He made it sound as if these people were decieved and trying to decieve others. Anyway, the pastor talked about Des Ford going around to SDA colleges and universities spreading these "false" claims. He talked of a conversation he had with a colleague of his at Andrews. Des was coming to show where the SDA church was in error about the IJ and the cleansing of the santuary. This pastor said that his colleague asked if he was going to attend the meeting. He said he wasn't going to listen to that man and his "foolishness" (His word) That anyone who talked against the "message" of the church wasn't getting any of his time. He proceeded to say that the SDA "message" is the most important thing to him. That he "would die for this message" (His words exactly) That no one could convince him otherwise. This was about 1 1/2 to 2 years before I started to actually find out for myself what the SDA church really beleived. This pastor's statements did not sit very well with me at all. The idea that he would "DIE for this message" really bothered me for some reason. (He was very adament about this) I didn't know why at the time. I just felt uneasy about that. Now, I know better. And the fact that he wouldn't even hear what Desmond Ford had to say let me know that he closed his mind, not only to man, but to the Holy Spirit also. He just refused to entertain the possibility that he and the church could be wrong. Having access to this information on the world wide web like the names River posted above, you'd think that more people would recognize them and look into them. But, if most are like my ex-pastor, they don't want to listen to any of that "foolishness" even if it's right in there face. What becomes of the SDA folk who claim Jesus but refuse to listen to anything other than the SDA "message"? I don't know. I'm rambling. | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 954 Registered: 9-2006 |
I am reading the other testimonies on the website furnished by Phil, the stories are not a lot different from the stories on the front of this website and within the pages of this forum, the story is told over and over again of the cognitive dissonance of these many people. How some sought answers from their respected elders and mentors with such poor results and prolonging their suffering and inner dissatisfaction with what they could not explain to themselves. Then when the sore of E.G White finally comes to a head, the boil of Adventism is lanced and the festering puss finally pores out of his/her feverish soul only to face castigation by their family and friends, the first question that comes out is “Why was I not told the truth?” This is a well trodden path, the ruts worn deep by solitary travelers, heads bowed low seeking relief from the cognitive dissonance that would not leave them alone. This is a wilderness path with many twists and turns and it is never traveled by groups, if you happen to come upon this rutted path you will only see a lone traveler who cannot see the open field of freedom and truth that lies ahead. Look down on it from the wings of eagles and you will see the long wilderness twisted path through a forest of doubt and confusion and from this high view see the path dotted by lone seekers all headed for the open spaces of freedom and a haven of rest for the foot sore and weary seeker of truth. These stories make up the one’s who have traveled that path. In one of the stories on the aforementioned website one of the writers mention’s the fact that a voice spoke to his mind that was not of the origins of himself that said something to this effect “Keep going, you are on the right path.” He recognized the Holy Spirit speaking to his mind. Having the Holy Spirit speak to me in such manner for many years he is easily recognizable by me, but, I believe not so easily recognizable by some simply because of the false words of E.G.White, they remain afraid of him I think, afraid they will again be fooled and I think sadly some may never become able to hear the voice of the comforter whom is the sent one for our edification and consolation for Jesus said “John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. The Holy Spirit not only guides our minds but speaks directly to us and sometimes through us and yet I get the feeling that many of the formers have trouble with that because of that “Spirit of prophecy” claimed by the false teachings of Adventism, and not only that but added to the problem is the fact that most land in churches and denominations that believe that these gifts of the spirit ended with the death of the last foundational apostle or explain it away as some natural ability to perform some particular function in life such as teaching, singing and so forth, not even stopping to think that there are many excellent teachers and singers and so forth who would not give God the time of day if he ask them for it. There is even one website where, by taking a simple test you can claim your own gifts. That is so ridicules as to be laughable if it wasn’t so sad. So here come these people finally breaking through the brush and finding rest to their weary soul only to land in among a people that wouldn’t know the Holy Spirits voice if he yelled at them through a fog horn simply because they are steeped in unbelief and tradition themselves, a people who have camped at the head of the same path the former finally breaks out of and the people camped there and have been camped there all their life says “This is it” and the former camps with the latter and says “Well, looks like we made it!” “We’ll just set up camp here with you” and that is as far as they go, to the edge of the field and here by the river and they lap with their faces to the water. Not a hint from the traditional campers that the river of the Holy Spirit is deep and wide and wonderful because the traditional campers by this river do not know it themselves, so they all camp there and remain satisfied by touching a toe into the water and never getting more that ankle deep or just coming to lap with their face to the water and behold their own reflection. So there you have it. Folk just sitting there just staring at the water. River | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 281 Registered: 4-2005  |
Dennis, I had to print your info on Dudley Canright having a part in bringing "tithing" into Adventism. I was not aware of that. Thanks for sharing that, Jess | ||
| Doug222 Registered user Username: Doug222 Post Number: 581 Registered: 3-2001 |
I'd be interested in a list of contemporary prominent Adventist leaders who have left. Does anyone know if such a list exists? Doug | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 406 Registered: 6-2005 |
Dennis and all, I am just so moved by all of this. I keep getting this picture, kinda the opposite of Ellen Whites vision of those traveling some narrow road, where she described the infamous "shut door". I dont know the reference for this, Im writing more out of emotion. Anyway, I picture these men (and I imagine women) from the 1800's on, walking this narrow path, alone--but AWAY from adventism, and TOWARD Jesus. This is no shut door! Its an open door, with an open-armed Jesus at the end. They just get bigger and bigger the closer they get to Jesus. This is important for me. It gives me a different heritage to follow. Instead of just being a third generation who was trapped by Adventism, I am a forth or fifth gerenation to LEAVE adventim by a narrow path...I have great spritual ancestors who left adventism as examples. Oh, that is rich, and it makes me proud. I feel inspired. I have the same Holy Spirit they did, and in addition I have you all here to encourage me. I hope everyone will keep adding to that list. What an aha moment! Thank you. Ramone, where is the picture of that! Lori | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6170 Registered: 12-2003 |
I'm with Lori. The picture of the lone travelers, River, walking the narrow path toward Jesus in spite of the opposition and loneliness and struggle...it's such a rich heritage! And there are many who walked this road before. We just weren't told. I believe, however, that more lay people are walking it today, perhaps, than ever before. Many pastors and confernece workers knew the problems, but many lay people were "protected" from the truth. Today the lay people are learning. Thank you for your vivid imagery, River. Colleen |
