The Washington herald., 1908-01-13

The Seventh-day Adventists object to
the attempt on the part of the churches
of Washington and other organizations
TO have laws passed by Congress to
create better observance OF Sunday"
In "a pamphlet issued by the Seventh
day Adventists # is stated that while
there is no objection on the part OF the
organization TO prohibition, and. in fact.
II favors such a movement, there is a
most decided opposition felt to any meas
ure which shall restrict the free enjoy
meut 0t personal liberty on Sunday OF
any other day.
The pamphlet calls upon the Constitu-
ton and upon other sources Of informa-
tion for backing IN the protests it sets
forth 1t declares that the enactment OF
such laws viii mean a union OF church
and state. and further says that ali
Pr0testants ought TO be opposed to sucn
a measure for this reason. if for no other
''One Of the methods, says the report,
by which "a better observance Of sun
day) it is proposed 70 accomplish this
result is by inducing Congress to pass
a Sunday law Tor the District of Colum-
bia- We grant the right of any body OF
men to seek by an proper means 10 in
fluence public opinion In favor of their
religious views. but when they attempt
to use the Iawmaking power to compel
others to act in harmony with their
religious views we enter an emphatic
protest
We recognize civil government as of
divine origin, but believe in the total
separation of church and state. as enun-
ciated by the author of Christianity in
these words Render. therefore unto
Caesar the things which are Caesars.
and unto God the things that are Gods q"
Twenty-four counts, or protests" are
used to display the reason why the Sew
enth-day Adventists do not believe that
such a better observance of Sunday
may be sought through the law.
Reason No 1 states. Such legislation
is religious legislation. and the passing of
such laws is a long step toward the union
of church and state Reason No. > says
that there is q protest because Madison
Is quoted dis saving that there is not
shadow OF right in the general govern
mont TO inteTmeddle with religion It's
least Interference with it would be the
most flagrant usurpation."
Majority Has 40 Power Here.
Reason No. states that Professionalism
was the outgrOwth of the feeling that
in matters Of conscience the majority
has no power" No. ( says that such
: would mean enforced idleness, and
entity intemperance, and all other
crimes and vices.
says that such laws would really
compulsory observance of the
To. G. that such laws, while pro-
10 be in the interest Of all labor
I really enslave such men. 1t
The assumption Of the right
honest labor on one day in
le right 10 forbid it on any or all
ne seventh reason says that such laws
attempt 20 enforce religion under the
plea for physical rest. Neander is next
called upon, in reason s. to show that
Sunday laws. instead of preserving the
Roman Empire, contributed largely to its
downfall
Other reasons protest against such laws,
because they are interfering even with
those who wish to regard Sunday as the
Lords day; because they are "un-Ameri-
can because duty can be directed only
by reason and conviction" because no
mans right is abridged by the institu
ti0ns Of civil society," because every mar.
under the Christian religion. has the
right 70 believe the Gospel OF not to be-
lieve It."
Again the pamphlet says that it pro-
tests because they (such Sunday laws
Sommit the law-making bodies to the
settlement Of religious controyersv.''
because Ringgold said that a church that
connives in the smallest degree at the
states intrusion upon her domain has
4 abandoned In toto her claim to be a
sCfristian church
All PrOtestants should Protest.
Every true Protestant" saws the
.zpamphlet, ought to protest because
sfSunday laws viii necessarily bring mat
@ters Of religious faith before the courts
Tor adjudication" President Madison IS
quoted again in the next protest. in the
words, ITO God. therefore, not to man
must an account be rendered"
Moderation and harmony" II IS Do
elared IN the next protest, viii be de-
stroyed by Sunday laws. The church and
state should be kept separate. savs the
next protest. The next protest saws tEat
Sunday laws degrade the whole idea of
Sabbath observance TO a mere outward /
ceremony"
The next protest says that Sunday laws
nave. as their primary purpose the pro /
lection of "a religious institution" FL |
naty, the protest says that, in behalf Of /
al men, 1t speaks against such laws
whose adoption viii mean '-the meIan- /
choly spectacle Of the abandonment of /
those principles which have distinguished
this country above the other nations of I
the earth"
The pamphlet closes by saying that the +
demand that Congress pass d District 1
Sunday law is not a mere local affair /
but is Of national significance. The idea. /
It states. is TO get Congress committed 4
10 Sunday legislation Il quotes he Con- /
stitutiOn: Congress shall make no law 1
respecting an establishment of religion ]
ef prohibiting the free exercise thereof. " 4
Action Would Affect World.
And SUCH" says the pamphlet. sis her I
influence, should America, the land of re- |
ligious liberty enter upon a course of |
forcing the conscience. every other coun /
try on the globe would be led to follow /
her example. In the interests OF peace. !
prosperity, pure religion, and good gov
ernment. therefore. we appeal To every /
lover of liberty to oppose this movement /
The report is signed by K c. Russell. /
chairman, and ". A. Colcord. secretary.
The Religious Liberty Bureau of the
General Conference Of Seventh-day Ad- /
Yentists"