An Improper Use of Terms.
By W. H. Littlejohn
Men in all ages have attached more or less importance to names. Some have even seemed to think that the appellation given to a place, an individual, or a class, has much to do in determining its history. Without falling in with this view altogether, we believe that there is a propriety in these things, the regarding of which can produce no evil, and, naturally result in good. So far as our own denomination is concerned, the designation which it shall bear through its coming history is one of those things which has been decided in the past. Nor have we any fault to find with the selection which has been made. Some may object that the title is not a scriptural one. This fact, however, to our mind, does not present a serious difficulty. To cling to the term Christian, disciple, saint, &c., &c., with the tenacity which leads some who bear them to be continually resting an argument for their orthodoxy upon the fact that they are thus designated, at times presents an appearance of exclusiveness which lays them liable to the charge of claiming as their own not only the name, but also a monopoly, of the saintly virtues. It would be an undertaking of no small magnitude to find for the more than the six hundred and sixty-six different sects in Christendom Bible appellations; and yet it is not unfrequently necessary to be able to discriminate between them. In order that this can be done in the clearest and shortest manner possible, they have generally fixed upon some designation peculiar to themselves. The more perfectly descriptive, therefore, of the various points of faith held by these different denominations, the more proper and significant are the titles by which they are known. Judging from this standpoint, we, as a people, should be well pleased with the name, Seventh-day Adventists, since it presents the prominent parts of our faith in a manner too clear to allow of our being confounded by an individual of intelligence with any other body of Christians. 1. It sets forth the fact that we are Adventists; or believe in the near coming of the Lord. 2. As a consequence, we are Christians. 3. That we are commandment-keeping Christians; since we observe the seventh day. 4. That in this last particular we differ from the mass of first-day Adventists, who in common with the Christian world, observe Sunday. Having said thus much respecting the name which we find ourselves providentially wearing, and about which there are clustering in the past too many pleasant reminiscences to admit for a moment of the thought of change, I wish to call attention here to an improper use of terms which seems to have become nearly universal with those in the world who speak of us, and which is encouraged, to a very large extent, by the practice of our own people. It is this: Very many of our brethren and sisters are in the habit of styling themselves Seventh-day “Advents,” from which fact this custom has become general with those who do not belong to us. A moment’s reflection will satisfy any one acquainted with the laws of language, that this form of expression is not correct. We are not Seventh-day “Advents,” but Seventh-day “Adventists.” If you would feel the force of this criticism, turn to Webster’s dictionary, and under the word “Advent,” you will find the following definitions, viz., 1. “A coming; approach; visitation. Specifically, the first or second coming of Christ.” Now we can in no sense represent the coming of Christ; but we are firm believers in its near approach, and are therefore properly styled “Adventists,” which signifies not the event itself, as does the word “Advent,” but those who believe the personal coming of Christ to be near at hand. Let us, therefore, who have been guilty of encouraging the error in question, manifest that teachable spirit which is always ready to improve in everything that relates to the cause of God, and thereby afford good evidence of that humility of heart which must ever attend the name, in order to constitute us genuine Adventists.