p. 206 | MAKING US A NAME

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 17, 1860

MAKING US A NAME.

BRO. SMITH: The discussion that is going on through the Review under the above head, of "Making us a Name," to me is painful, and I think that it is not very happifying in its tendency generally; and I fear that it is engendering strife, over which the enemy will exult. If I could see all my brethren together, I would delight to hear them talk the matter over, and perhaps talk with them; but as it is, I would have my words few and well chosen. I knew a man once who, in his ultra zeal for the abolition of slavery, declared that he never would buy another pound of Southern sugar, nor a yard of cotton clothing, because it was the product of slave labor, and was trying to form a society pledging themselves to make their own sugar, and raise flax and make linen cloth to use instead of buying cotton, while at the same time his wife and daughters were clothed in cotton and silk goods, and himself had on a cotton cravat. Strange inconsistency.

If there was a place on this earth, not claimed by any of the powers that be, and consequently no laws existing there, then it might be well for Adventists to go there and possess the land without name or title, and not be driven to the unhappy example of the bankrupt, who holds his property in another person's name. Let us try and be consistent in all things, and not be singular in anything. Let us strive to pursue the medium between two extremes. Let us heed the example of our Saviour and the apostles by conforming to the laws of the land, unless they conflict with God's law. Matt. xvii, 24; xvi, 22; Rom. xiii, 1, 17; Titus iii, 1, until the trial of our faith comes, and we refuse the mark of the beast, but have the seal of God. I hope that every church, in person or by delegate instructed, will attend the next conference at Battle Creek, and act promptly in this matter, and thereby relieve individuals and the church of God (Acts xvii, 28; 1 Cor. x, 32; xi, 16, 22; xiv, 33) at Battle Creek of an unequal burden and an unnecessary responsibility. Gal. vi, 2.

Lapeer, Mich.