The age-herald., 1897-11-12
A NOTE OF WARNING.
Religious Bigoty Must March Slowly or Dan-
 ger Will Follow

To the Editor of The Age-H -Herald:
 This week a new organization starts fo1th on its career in Jefferson county. Its name and dtlclalred purpose appear good enough on the surface, but things are not always what they seem." which is true in this case.
 1t Is known as the Jefferson County Sabbath association and 1t is pledged to ths, "bettsG- preservation and rightful observance of the Sabbath day" Now tEle only "rigf.fun observance" of the Sabbath can be from those who r-cognize Gods claims upon them and willingly yield to His requiaeme nts. If the eff forts and work of this organization were restricted to personal work, and appeals to the individual conscience these lines would not bs written.
 Thls methods that will be used at7e a1- together wrong, anli ars menance to our religious liberties. Over and over again in th= meeting for organization, it was stated that the necessary thing was the enactment of strict laws for the ob servance of Sunday Therefore the re- lpgfous fcrc=s must combine and march upon the IegllsiSative bodies, and obtan their demands. Religious legislation Is what they are determined to have. But tqrs is always the road travs1ed, vixen freedom eff conscience is trampled upon. This was the course pursued in the early centuries of the Christian era, and it rssulIted in the formation of the pa- pacy. A complete separation of church and state is the only safeguard against intolerance ard religious bigotry. But the cflunch is now calling upon the state to compel all men to honor an instl tution that is religious only.
 Railroad trains furmac:s :s, etc, must be stopped so that the employees can go to chu.ch and serve God. If they love God with all their heart, they will do this without amy human law. While if they stop work simply because of civil law 1t Is not dona to the Lord, and in His sight the individual Is no better than if at work.
 Sunday newspapers must be abolished because they keep people from church, and compete with the Sunday sermon.
 Fruit stands and confectionaries must close up for they tempt the children to spend their pennies for luxuries, instead of putting them in ths collection.
 Are the people asleep, CT why do they not see the trend of this movement? It has om the garb of Christianity, but it is utterly unshristian. True Christianity win never use compulsory methods, nor ask help from the state to advance her interests. Christ and His apostles never did this, and Their lives are to be our pattern. They presented the gospel to the people, but left every one free to accept or reject. In the prayer of Jesus, before His crucifixion, He said, "As thou hast sent me into the world, even so send them into the world" John, 17:1S. Thy were to mako disciples among all nations, but by the work of preaching, attended by the power of the Spirit of God. That is what Is needed today. When the conscience is quicken:h :h by the Holy Sptrit, men will obey God without the aid cf any human law, and even when human laws are all against them. The very fact that tn churches are seek ing for worldly power Is a striking evil dence that they have lost their connec- tion with Divine power. And the farther they go in that dir: ction, the more they grleve the Holy Spirit of God, and a Spirit from beneath will control them. That is why religious Legislation leads to intolerance and persecution, as we s.e in all the history of the past.
 Infancy is the time to corset mistakes, ard get a right start. So TOW is the time fer this organization to know the outcoma of the way they are taking, and turn from their danger.
 But if they wlIl not, all others should know the true principles at stake, and fake their stand intelfgenly upon this
 
 the notes of warning wia be sounded louder and heralded fat and wide, "Eter- nal vigilance Is the prlce of liberty"
 P. D. HASKELL.
 Birmingham, Nov. II.