Agents of Apostasy

The experience of Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6) confirmed that “it is virtually impossible to live without being an evangelist, either for God or for Satan.”23 This principle was dramatically illustrated in the life of Dudley M. Canright (1840–1919), a foremost Adventist preacher in the 1870s and 1880s.

Emotionally and spiritually unstable, he left the church and returned to it three times. Finally, at his own request, on February 17, 1887, his name was dropped from the church books in Otsego, Michigan, and he never returned.

As early as October 15, 1880, Ellen White wrote to him, I was made sad to hear of your decision, but I have had reason to expect it... But if you have decided to cut all connection with us as a people, I have one request to make...: keep away from our people... I beg of you to go entirely away from those who believe the truth; for if you have chosen the world and the friends of the world, go with those of your own choice. Do not poison the minds of others and make yourself Satan’s special agent to work the ruin of souls.24 Disregarding her request, Canright became one of the most bitter critics of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Ellen White. Criticism harms our own dispositions and destroys our faith. We must be extremely careful. Ellen White warns us, I saw that some are withering spiritually. They have lived some time watching to keep their brethren straight—watching for every fault to make trouble with them.

And while doing this, their minds are not on God, nor on heaven, nor on the truth; but just where Satan wants them —on someone else.

Their souls are neglected; they seldom see or feel their own faults, for they have had enough to do to watch the faults of others without so much as looking to their own souls or searching their own hearts... Unless they reform, there will be no place in heaven for them, for they would find fault with the Lord Himself.

Remember, faith and criticism cannot coexist.

So, let’s stop our criticism and build faith!