MEMORIALIZE-COMMEMORATE by James White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 31, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 13.

MEMORIALIZE—COMMEMORATE.

By James White

Those who advocate the Sabbath will have occasion to often speak of it as a memorial; and some seem not to be aware that the word "memorial" has two significations: (1) An institution or thing which commemorates an event; (2) an address containing a petition. The word "memorialize" is derived from the latter, though some use it as if it were derived from the former. In keeping the Sabbath we do not memorialize creation—that cannot be done—but we commemorate it. The following sentence is strictly correct: "We will memorialize Congress to protect the memorial by which we commemorate the work of creation." We can scarcely imagine a more awkward method of expression than using the word memorialize in the place of commemorate. J. H. W.