The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-08
SABBATH LAWS

To the Editor of The Age-Herald;
 From one point of view it seems a pity to again revert to the recently so much discussed question of Sabbath legisla- ton. But I find some of my friends laboring under unhappiness because they think that I have done no reverence to the Old Testament Sabbath. Their trouble seems to be that apparently l repudiate the entire decalogue. If the Sabbath law is abrogated, why not the othersE II IL is no longer necessary to keep the Sab bath, why is it necessary to obey the law, '~rhou shalt not commit adultery or "Thou shalt do no murder
 May I be permitted a little space in which to state my view of this difficulty! It consists in the confusion of moral law with statutory legislation.
 l. The decalogue is convenient sum- mary of the fundamental law of the Hebrew people. It is not and never was fundamental law for anyone else-Ger- mans, Egyptians, Americans or Greeks. Some ancient nations had in their sys- ten, of law provision for Sabbath. some what like that of the Hebrews, and others lacked such provision. but all alike in- cluded laws against adultery, theft, mur- der. But the old Hebrew statutes also included the "lex talionis,' an "eye for ar eye and a tooth for tooth claim ing for it precisely the same divine au- thority as for the decalogue itself. But we know that the "lex talionis'' is now outgrown.
 It would seem to follow that for us the question whether any other Hebrew law should be part of the American system must be settled quite apart from any sup posed authority in the decalogue. The real question to be decided is whether the American people need such a law, and how far it should resemble the rigorous meas ures attributed to Moses.
 2. This view is strengthened by con- sideration of the fact that the deca- logue consists largely of uncomfortable laws laws of the heart and mind as well as of outward acts. Who can enforce the very first: Thou shalt have no other gods before me-? Would my friends clap in Jail, for instance, the numerous persons who very frankly worship themselves; or those, as numerous, who Hove pleasure rather than God'? or those who believe in Kaiser Wilhelms tribal God? or those who bend the knee to fashion? or those whose God bears on a metallic front the pathetic legend, Tn God We Trust ? Would they clap into Jail the Greeks and the Roman Catholics, not to say the Hindus and the Persians, the Buddhist, Japanese or the Chinese. prostrate before the shrine of Confucius? Manifestly that law strikes at what we call religious liberty" and not even would Dr. Whit ten enforce it-or at least not in every case.
 Or take the law. alsu of the decalogue. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor' s wife nor anything that is thy neighbor's": This certainly meant that the Hebrew must not desire to enrich brew, but it did not protect the Egyp- tians, nor the Jebusites, Hivtes, Periz- zites and others who We're. unfortunately for themselves, in the way of Hebrew "expansion." Does anyone suppose such law could be enforced in America, as between capital and labor, or between the rebelliously poor and the insolently rich? An! not yet.
 Take another example: Does anyone see a way of adopting into our common law the great mmandment with promise, Honor thy father and thy mother?
 But if none of these are susceptible of permanent addition to our political struc- ture, why should we make an exception of the Sabbath and insist that it must be held as a permanent legal means of securing a hearing and place flor the gospel to run and be glorified'
 Does 1t not begin to seem probable that there is something very wrong-headed in the attempt to perpetuate the Jewish law under the forms of american statutes and to claim divine authority for so do- ing? And is it not absurd to create non- L1 |, H.. II are ideal?
 3. As a matter of fact, we must gently dissuade our friends from overmuch rev erence for Old Testament law. In so doing we are in line with the founder and captain of our faith, the Prince and Pioneer of life Himself. The law of the Old Testament was both divine and tenn porary. It is stupid heresy to suppose that because it was divine therefore it was permanent. Into that error Jews and Christians have alike often fallen. There are clements of Hebrew law that still abide. but they do not abide be- cause they were held of old by the Hebrews. They abide because society still needs them. The law, Thou shalt not steal.' still holds good because pri- vate property is still a fact in our polit- ical life. Thou shalt not kill'' Is. alas, only partially available. 1t does not ap- ply to the men who can do it whole sale.
 The point is that each epoch must write it's own laws, finding Gods win for it. self
 And. in conclusion, undoubtedly Dr. Whitten is right when he so voluminously quotes from all sorts Of authorities in favor of a day of rest for modern men. Let us at least work together and get and keep such day of rest. Let us do it in spirit as broad and generous as possible, with care For the health and welfare of all the people and the severest check on rapacity which would rob men of their right. But do not let us take away from any man the right to decide how he shall rest. Let us still believe that old constitutional principle concern ing the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
 And while we talk of rights. do not let