Evening star., 1917-05-02
ATTITUDE OF ADVENTISTS
IN THE MATTER OF WAR
An Explanation and Criticism of
the Stand Taken by the
Church.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
The announcement in The Star of Fri
day, April %. to the effect that the
religion Of the Seventh-day Adventists
will not allow them to participate in
the war between the United States and
Germany" does not do our church JUS
tice. We would thank you to publish
our declaration concerning the war. so
that our views on this subject will not
be misconstrued by the general public.
The whole declaration should be given
in full, as follows:
We believe that civil government is
ordained of God. and that in the exer-
else of its legitimate functions it should
receive the SUPPORT of its citizens.
we believe in the principles upon
which this government was founded
We are loyal TO it's Constitution.
which is based upon the principles of
democracy, and guarantees civil and
religious liberty to all its citizens.
I'VE deplore that our nation has been
drawn into the horrors of war, and
shall continually pray that the God
Of heaven may speedily bring peace to
our country.
I'VE have been non-combatants
throughout our history. During the
civil war our people officially declared:
That we recognize civil govern
ment as ordained of God: that order,
justice and quiet may be maintained
In the land. and that the people of God
may lead quiet and peaceable lives in
all godliness and honesty.
In accordance with this fact. we
acknowledge the justice of rendering
tribute. custom, honor and reverence
to the civil power, as enjoined in the
New Testament. While We thus cheer
fully render to Caesar the things which
the Scriptures show to be his. we are
compelled to decline all participation
in acts of war and bloodshed, as being
inconsistent with the duties enjoined
upon US by our Divine Master toward
our enemies and toward all mankind
I'VE hereby reaffirm the foregoing
declaration.
I'VE petition that our religious con-
victions be recognized by those in au-
thority, and that we be required to
serve our country only in such ca
pacity as will not violate our conscien-
tfous obedience TO the law of God as
contained in the decalogue. interpreted
in the teachings of Christ. and exem-
phhed In His life
President of the North American Di-
vision Conference of Seventh day
Adventists.
To the Editor OF The Star:
Under date OF April 81 1 read in The
Evening Star the most astounding dec
laration of sect known as the Seventh
day Adventists. The text of their dec
laration seems to be as follows: al
though believing in the principles upon
which this government is founded and
acknowledging that it should receive the
support of its citizens, the Adventists are
compelled to decline all participation in
acts of war and bloodshed. as being in
consistent with the duties enjoned upon
US by the Divine Master toward our enc
mics and toward all mankind
VIII some one endowed with the sixth
sense undertake to tell us just what they
mean by this most remarkable declara-
tion?
They believe IN the principles upon
which this government is founded and
that they should receive the support OF
the citizens. What citizens? Evidently
all other citizens than themselves; or
would they have us believe that they. in
this hour of the nations emergency, are
not citizens and therefore immune from
duty's call.
Is 1t possible that these people would
have the world understand that they de-
sire to sit idly by, consuming the sub
stance of the nation, enjoying the pro-
lection and privileges of its government,
while men shed their blood and offer up
their lives as the supreme sacrifice on
the altar of devotion to the principles in
which these people express belief. but
skulking behind the cloak of their re-
hgion. are too cowardiy TO defend.
Do these people realize that the right
TO practice their principles of religion un-
molested-their guarantee of religious
freedom-was established by the sword