Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-18
SUNDAY OBSERVATION
Seventh Day Adventist Opposes It's
Enforceme,k by Law.

Should Sunday observance DO enforced
by law, or should persons be permitted to
observe any day they choose as the Sab
bath? This question twas made the sub
1ect of an address, last evening by Mr. w.
A. Colcord at the Seventh Day Adventist
tent Rhode Island aSenue and 30 street.
The speaker commenced upon the EFFORTS
being made toward fthe enforcement OF
Sunday observance and characterized 1t as
wicked, unchristian thing" After CIV
ing a brief history Of Sunday legislation,
beginning with the Beign Of Constantine,
the Roman emperor. 1Er. Colcord said:
AT the insistence of church leaders. and
those they are succeeding in uniting with
the movement. laws are being demanded
everywhere to stop, not only labor, but also
all shows, games and amusement on 6un-
day, and this in order that tho people may
attend church and be religious Church
and state are again being united through
Sunday legislation and the enforcement OF
Sunday observance
+ From the union OF church and state IN
the fourth and fifth centuries. he said. de-
veloped that system Of spiritual despotism
and intolerance which ended IN the awfui
tribunals of the inquisition.
Human nature has not changed he
continued. THAT course which resulted IN
evil In the past will, II pursued now, re-
suit IN evil again. SO long as a church
remains pure it does not seek the power
Of the state for tho furtherance Of its ends,
but with the word in hand appeals only to
the hearts and condolences of men. 30 long
as It holds only to Bible truth 1t asks for
no laws enforcing its faith and practice.
What right have men to legislate for
God. to change His law, and command men
to keep that which He has never COM
manded? What right have they to require
the observance of q religious institution I'M
rave the majority. or those IN power. a
right to rule by force in religious things?
What does such a theory imply?
religious legislation is out Of place in
civil government. A man may keep Sun
day. or any other day he may choose, as
the Sabbath, butt he has no right to at
tempt to compel another man to keep it.
The sabbath is the Sabbath Of the Lord,
thy God. To God. therefore, it should be
rendered, and not to Caesar.
Men need Sabbath, 1t is true; but
they need Gods Sabbath. They ought to
Keep 1t. too; but they ought to keep 1t
than blessing. Mere cessation from work
means idleness. and idleness is the devils
workshop Law also Is needed for Sab
pain observance. but not human law. God
requires the observance of the seventh
day, not the first
When legislators here yield to the de-
mand for Sunday laws. and these laws are
po. 1i'o execution, this country Will re-
pudiate its high, noble and Christian prin-
clpies OF government. and become a perse-
cutting power. Instead of peaceful, lamb-lke
principles OF civil and religious liberty, will
De heard the voice of the dragon. Con-
scientious obedience to the commandments
OF God will be treated as rebellion. and
those who disregard the Sunday Saba III
Will be denounced as enemies Of law and
order, and treated as the worst Of crini-
nais. They will be boycotted, lined end
imprisoned, and, like Christ, accused of
disturbing the peace. and finally FRO
nounced worthy of death"