Names and Names by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 4, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 14.

Names and Names.

By Editor

There are Christians and "Christians;" there are republicans and "Republicans;" there are democrats and "Democrats." As an almost universal thing when the SIGNS OF THE TIMES speaks of Christians, it refers to those who are truly Christ's, or those who profess His name, regardless of denomination. When it speaks of the denomination by that name, it indicates it by the connection. The term "republican principles" is used in Mr. Longacre's article not as referring to the Republican party, but to the vital principles connected with a republican government. A republican is one who believes in the principles of a republic; a democrat is one who believes in the principles of democracy. But it is possible for men to be called Republicans or Democrats who believe in the principles of imperialism. Their words and life reveal more than the name. The true republican will rejoice in republican principles wherever found, and repudiate the contrary. So, also, as respects the true democrat and democratic principles. Likewise the true Christian, by whatever name he may be called, will appreciate and follow Christian principles wherever found. In other words, he will follow Christ. It is well to discriminate between a mere name and the real thing. There is such a thing as having a name to live, and yet be dead.