[9]
In the year 1889 D. M. Canright, who had some months before
resigned the pastorate of the Baptist church at Otsego, Michigan, and who at
one time had been a Seventh-day Adventist preacher, published a book entitled
Seventh-day Adventism Renounced. Since that time a number of editions of
the book have been issued, and these, together with two other volumes and
numerous tracts by the same author, dealing with the same subject, have been
widely circulated.
After Mr. Canright renounced the Seventh-day Adventist faith
he became a great opposer of their teachings, spending much of his time
following their evangelists from town to town and publicly denouncing them. He
held their teaching of the imminence of the second coming of Christ up to
ridicule. He loudly challenged their belief that the Ten Commandments, known as
the Decalogue, were still binding upon Christians. He made sport of their
interpretation of Bible prophecy and declared that there was no evidence
proving that Christ's Second Advent was near at hand.
So strenuous was Mr. Canright's opposition to the faith and
teachings of Seventh-day Adventists that leaders of various religious
organizations who felt the need of assistance in refuting Adventist doctrines
turned to him for help. He became recognized as the “champion”
opposer of the Adventists.
[10]
The introduction to Seventh-day Adventism Renounced
was written by Rev. Theodore Nelson, pastor of the First Baptist Church,
Saginaw, Michigan. The Michigan Christian Advocate (Methodist)
pronounced it a “dumfounder to the Adventists,” and clergymen of
various evangelical churches have given it their hearty endorsement and have
aided in its circulation.
We grant that Mr. Canright was the most logical of all the
various opposers of the teachings of Seventh-day Adventists. Before his day no
one had attempted to refute many of their doctrines; since his death no new
arguments have been presented by more modern opponents. Practically every
succeeding book, pamphlet, or tract that has been published against Adventist
doctrines has constituted merely a restatement of the arguments thought out and
first published by Mr. Canright. If, therefore, Mr. Canright's arguments can be
successfully disproved, the arguments of all those who have made use of his
teachings will likewise be refuted.
Mr. Canright died May 12, 1919. During his lifetime a number
of brief replies to his lectures and works were published by representatives of
the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, none of which are now in print. It was
not expected that any further notice would need to be taken of the matter.
However, since Mr. Canright's death certain religious organizations have become
especially zealous in republishing and circulating his writings. In effect,
this means that Mr. Canright's influence still lives and is active through his
publications.
In view of this zeal on the part of those who have assumed
the responsibility of circulating Mr. Canright's writings, resulting in
confusing the minds of some as
[11]
to the character and work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church,
we have felt it proper to prepare this additional “reply” to Mr.
Canright's views, publishing our defense in book form so that it may be
permanently available to all who may desire it.
Though the work Seventh-day Adventism Renounced
constitutes an attack on the doctrines taught by Seventh-day Adventists, it is
at the same time a challenge to the whole Protestant world, for in this work
Mr. Canright renounces not only Seventh-day Adventism but also the fundamental
teachings of the great Protestant churches concerning the law of God. It seems
more than passing strange that certain religious leaders should give their
endorsement—as many have done, and as some are still doing—to a book
which not only attacks Seventh-day Adventism but also presents arguments which,
if they were sound, would overthrow some of the historic foundation principles
of their own church creeds.
Says the greatest evangelist of all modern times: “The
law that was given at Sinai has lost none of its solemnity. Time cannot wear
out its authority or the fact of its authorship…. I have never met an
honest man that found fault with the ten commandments.”—D. L. Moody,
Weighed and Wanting, p. 11.
In defense of fundamental Bible truths, and especially of the
moral law, spoken by the Creator in awful majesty from Mount Sinai, and honored,
magnified, and obeyed by our Lord Jesus Christ, this present volume is sent
forth to honest-hearted readers everywhere.