BRETHREN-L Archives

From: "Wayne Webb" <>
Subject: [BRE] Interesting reading from April 1888
Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:17:21 -0500

Evening Fellow List Members,



This evening I came across something and thought to myself, "This makes for
interesting reading and might be of interest to others." So to that end I
hope you enjoy it.



WHAT SHALL IT BE?

by P. S. Myers



THERE have been a number of forms given for the church name, but we think
the proper or appropriate name has not yet been given.

The impropriety of German Baptists has been clearly set forth, yet, in the
face of all this objection, why still incorporate it, even in parentheses?

The term Dunker, or Dunkards, is only a mixture of German and English, and
was introduced derisively, and is not intelligent because both terms require
an explanation to set it fairly before the inquirer. Now why not adopt a
name that is suggestive and explains itself? Here are two forms that fill
the bill: "Primitive Baptist Brethren," or "Triune Baptist Brethren."

Now Baptist is a settled fact, and Brethren is a settled fact, and, as a
distinction from other Baptist societies, add, "Primitive." If our church
paper (as it did at one time) bore the title, Primitive Christian, in
vindication of the practice of the church in its primitive simplicity, why
not apply the name to the society in general? If we are Primitive
Christians, we are also Primitive Baptist Brethren. By using that term, it
sets us before the world just where we claim to be, and it does not need any
explanation.

The order, practice and doctrine themselves suggest the name, as we claim
what it took to constitute or make a Christian in the apostolic times, it
takes now, and while the world has gone wild in its progress, the church
still claims to carry out the primitive order and means of grace. Then the
name "Primitive Baptist Brethren," is in harmony with the Scripture, in
harmony with the practice, and in harmony with good sense.

The following is a proof of the effect the term German has on the people:
Brethren who have labored in this City can testify that it had a bad effect.
Strangers who saw the notice, " German Baptists," said, " Oh, they are
Germans; we can not understand," and so pass on.

Now, to remove that evil, we used the term Primitive Baptist Brethren in the
notice in the papers and on our distributing card. The result was, an
interest was effected at sight, and persons from a distance, visiting the
city, with others in the City, wore attracted by the suggestiveness and
depth of meaning. They sought us out and said they were Baptists, and were
anxious to share the advantages of Primitive Christianity. After a pleasant
conversation on the subject, several took out their pocket-books and gave to
the cause with a "God bless Primitive Christianity."

I hope the Brotherhood is too wise to impose a name, simply because of its
being a time-honored name, without meaning or significance, but will decide
to use one which, for its suggestiveness and practical utility, may always
express just what the name expresses, "Primitive Baptist Brethren."



A. Wayne Webb

Past Editor: Brethren Roots

Historian: German Baptist Church

This thread:

• [BRE] Interesting reading from April 1888 by "Wayne Webb" <>