Frances Cook
P. O. Box 419
Seffner, FL 33583
March 4, 1997

Mr. Walter Carson
Office of General Counsel
12501 Old Columbia Pike,
Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600

Dear Mr. Carson,

            I feel compelled to write after reading the letter to the Rogue Valley Historic S.D.A. Church in Oregon.

            I am very concerned about this matter. Don't you understand the scriptures? Don't you believe the Testimonies? The Word is God and the Word says No, No, taking a brother to court is not Christ-like. Did the General Conference give us the name Seventh Day Adventist? Medical Ministry, page 49 says, Christ was a Seventh Day Adventist to all intents and purposes. What conference gave Him the name? Paul was called an Adventist in The Life of Paul on page 83. My understanding is that a true Seventh Day Adventist is one known by a Christ-like life, one who represents the pure and holy company that will meet around the throne of God.

            I fear for you that in doing this court action, you have put your soul in great peril.

            Is this our commission? We do not belong to a conference, we belong to God. We're to follow peace with all men. Christ was always at peace, are you? Why do you feel the need to protect the name? Do we not have an all knowing God who can take care of such matter if it is deemed necessary? Are all the hungry fed? Are all the naked clothed? Are the widows and fatherless all provided for? This is our commission!!

            Isaiah 55:2 asks, "Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread?" Lawyers cost money, and I know that 80% of the church going S.D.A's do not even know a thing about the Trademark issue, because it was never presented to the people. Our precious Lord and Saviour is brought down to the level of toothpaste and cake mixes with this issue. There is a quote in Testimonies Vol. 6, page 81 that says, "We're not to conceal the fact that we are Seventh Day Adventists."

            Mr. Carson, we're to make a distinct difference between other churches and ours. How often was Christ wronged? The record says "He opened not His mouth." We're not to take brothers to court. In the S.D.A. commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, it says "For brother to go to law against brother brings dishonor to the church and belittles the power of God to guide and control His people in all affairs of their lives." In Acts of the Apostles, on page 306, it reads, "Law suits between brethren are a reproach to the cause of truth. Christians who go to law with one another expose the church to the ridicule of her enemies, and cause the powers of darkness to triumph. They are wounding Christ afresh and putting Him to open shame. By ignoring the authority of the church, they show contempt for God wo gave to the church its authority."

            Can we be a royal priesthood, the holy ones, and go to court against each other? Do we dare risk losing our salvation because in pride we reject the Word? There's a most urgent call going abroad. It says, "Come out of her my people." Rev. 18:4

Sincerely,

Frances Cook