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Choosing A Name
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May 29  Choosing A Name

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A good name is better than precious ointment. Eccl. 7:1.

It is difficult to understand how a growing movement could exist for almost two decades without a name. But so it was for Sabbatarian Adventism. To choose a name, thought some, was to be like the other churches. Beyond that, where in the Bible did it tell churches to have a name at all?

That latter point is true enough, but what that Bible didn't command, the government did when a church holding property had to incorporate. The naming crisis resulted from the need to incorporate the Adventist publishing house in Battle Creek, Michigan. By early 1860 James White had come to the place at which he refused to continue to take personal responsibility for the financial aspects of the institution. The Sabbatarians needed to make arrangements to hold church peoperty in a "proper manner."

That  suggestion brought forth a vigorous reaction. Even though he recognized that a church could not incorporate unless it had a name, R. F Cottrell still worte that he believed that "it would be wrong to 'make us a name,' since that lies at the foundation of Babylon."

James went ballistic over Cottrell's suggestion that the Lord would take care of the church's property, declaring that "it is dangerous to leave with the Lord what he has left with us." And he again argued the crucial point that "every Christian duty is not given in the Scriptures."

In 1860 a conference of Sabbatarians voted to incorporate the publishing house, have local churches so "organize as to hold their church property," and select a denominational name.

Many favored "Church of God," but too many groups, the leadership decided, already used that one. Eventually David Hewitt suggested the name Seventh-day Adventists. His motion carried, many delegates recognizing that it was "expressive of our faith and [doctrinal] position."

Ellen White had remained silent during the debate, but she would later express her exuberant opinion. "The name Seventh-day Adventist," she declared after the meetings, "carries the true features of our faith in front. . . Like an arrow from the Lord's quiver, it will wound the transgressors of God's law, and will lead to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ"(1T 224).

Such is the value of g "good name."

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Love must be the principle of action. Love is the underlying principle of God's government in heaven and earth, and it must be the foundation of the Christian's character. This alone can make and keep him steadfast. This alone can enable him to withstand trial and temptation(COL 49).
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