Evening journal., 1911-07-25
Peoples Column
ENFORCEMENT OF
SUNDAY OBSERVANCE

OO4NA1 OOOLN ' AlNNL
Editor THE EVENING JOURNAL:
"A widespread movement is on loot
at the present time for the enforce
ment OF Sunday observance. In nearly
all the states laws are being demand
ed which Will make crime oil any
secular labor performed on Sunday
In this connection, l desire to submit
the following reasons why such legis-
lauon is outside the proper sphere OF
legislative bodies:
Because. sunday is an institution of
the church, and is therefore religious.
Because, legislation in reference to
a religious institution is religious leg
islation, and the passing OF such laws
is a long step toward the u ion OF
church and state.
Because, as James Madison says;
There is not a shadow OF right in the
general government to intermeddle
with religion. It's least interference
with It would be a most fragrant usur-
patton"
Because, as expressed in the pro-
test which gave rise to Protest
ism. in matters of conscience the ma
iority has no power"
Because Sunday laws mean enforc-
ed idleness, and idleness fosters in
temperance, vice, and all other crimes.
Because, while frequently urged as
temperance and other reform mea-
sures, their real and ultimate object
is the compulsory ob--~vance Of the
day.
Because, although professedly in the
interest Of the laboring man, such
laws really enslave labor. The as
sumption Of the right to forbid hon
est labor on one day in the week in
wolves the right to forbid It on any
or all days of the week.
Because, their whole tendency is to
make men hypocrites instead Of
Christians
Because, as stated in the Memorial
of the Presbytery of Hanover to the
Virginia General Assembly, in 1776,
"the duty which we owe to our Crea-
tor and the manner of discharging 1t
can be directed only by reason and
conviction, and is nowhere cogniza-
BILE but at the tribunal of the
Universal Judge"
Because they are a violation of
that just inhibition of our national
Constitution against the passage OF
any law establishing religion or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
Because, they deprive a consider
able and respectable portion of the
Christian community-the observers
Of the Seventh day-of one-sixth OF
their rightful working time.
Because, they make criminal on
Sunday acts which on any other day
of the week are considered perfectly
lawful and right. Honest toll and In
nocent recreation and amusement,
while not consistent with proper Sab
bath observance, are not crimes on
any day. Crimes are not determined by
the day of the week upon which they
are committed.
Because, they withhold from one
class of citizens what they freely per-
NIT to another-the right to six
days work-simply because of a diff
! ference in religious belief
Because, the power that makes a law
is the only power authorized to COM
pei its enforcement. One state or one
nation never enforces the laws of an
other state or nation. Should It at.
! tempt to do so, the act would be Z
plain implication that the other pow
er was unable to enforce its owl
laws, and therefore was not ex
istent as a governing institution
When, therefore, a demand is made
that the state enforce the law o.
God, II is a plain implication that the
Ruler of the Universe is unable tC
enforce His laws, and that His govern
ment is non-existent This attemp
Of human government to strengthen
defend, and enforce the DEGREES oi
divine government is not merely the
most ridiculous of absurdities, but Il
positively blasphemous when its i'm
port is fully understood.
Because, as stated in the Sunda!
Mail Reports adopted by Congress II
1929 and 1880, they are an attemp
to settle a religious controversy-th'
question of which day is the Sabbath
by law.
Because, they are convenient tool
for the inquisitor, and are persecut
ing in character. They not only i'm
l.ply that certain men have a right t
interpret Gods law for their fellow
men. but to execute vengeance upol
those whom they pronounce trans
gressors Of that law. The Sunda.
Mail Reports adopted by Congress II
1929 and 1880 spoke correctly agains
such laws when they said: "Amon
all the religious prosecutions wit
which almost every page Of moderl
history is stained, no victim ever suf
fered but for the violation of wha
government denominated the law G
God" "If a solemn act of Legislation
shall. in one point. define the law G
God, or point out to the citizens on
religious duty, II may, with equa
propriety, proceed to define every par
Of divine revelation, and enforce ever
religious obligation even to the form
and ceremonies Of worship, the en-
dowment Of the church, and the sur
port of the clergy"
Respectfully
Frederick Colt