THE ACTION OF THE CONFERENCE.
By John Byington
DEAR BRO. SMITH: I had felt a degree of satisfaction in view of attending the late conference, as there I should hear for myself from brethren from abroad, and learn their views and spirit on important subjects there to be investigated and settled; and also to meet with some brethren whom the Lord has raised up as recent laborers, and hear the truth from their lips. But being taken sick with the ague and fever on my way there, I was deprived of the privilege anticipated, and probably shall never meet some of those dear brethren, unless I am so happy as to meet them in the first resurrection. I am glad to learn that the Conference saw eye to eye in forming a legal association so that there may be order in the temporal matters of the church. If it is right for a brother to give or take a deed of a house, in my mind it is equally so for an association to so arrange that they can legally hold a meeting-house or printing establishment. God is a God of order in temporal as well as spiritual matters, pertaining to his church on earth. As to a name I have sometimes thought the plain scriptural term, "Church of God," was all that is necessary. But in reflecting more on this subject, I see that God has given to his people and to individuals names suitable to the time and circumstances under which they were placed. The Lord said Jacob should be called Israel, and though in many places in the inspired book after this we read the name Jacob, yet Israel was the significant name for he had power with God and with men and prevailed. Gen. xxxii, 28. The first followers of our Saviour were called disciples, as a disciple is a learner. Christ was their teacher in person, and when about to leave them, he says, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts xi, 26. I know not whether by friends or enemies, or both; but I do know that the name Christian at that time was very significant, as Christ was very dear to his saints, but by the mass he was called an impostor. I would say to my brethren scattered abroad I cannot see a reasonable or scriptural objection to the name Seventh-day Adventists, as it is significant of the position the church of God must occupy in the time of the end.