The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-01-28

This law declares that the seventh
day Of the week is Gods appointed
rest day. To enforce by law the OBJ
servance of Sunday, or any other day
of the week as a day of rest. involves
| an Interpretation of the law of God,
and the deciding of a religious con-
troversy. But defining the laws of
God. and determining what dogma or
religion is true, or what is false, Isl
not the legitimate province of Con-
gress. Such legislation is a step to-
ward the union of the church and the
state, and however distant it may be
from the inquisition of other times,
! it prepares the way for the exercise
OF religious bigotry and intolerance.
! It was the following of this wrong
principle that darkened the world for
more than millennium
Sunday legislation is a returning to
Colonial days when the religious dog
mas of few were enforced by law,
and so-called witches were burned,
Quakers whipped and hanged, their
property confiscated, and the prisons
checked with thoseswho dared to wor-
ship according to the dictates of con-
science. Others were banished, the
suntutored Red Man of the forest be-
coming the conservator of religious
freedom. AS our Constitution reeog-
nizes that every person has right
to choose his own religion, or to have
no religion, and be free from police
molestation. we are therefore oppos-
ed to any legislation compelling day
| of rest, knowing that it is in prin-
ciple a union of the church and the
state. and lays the foundation for a
desolating scourge similar to the dark
ages.
Sunday laws resulb in persecution
as the past clearly shows. In num-
Der of states where these iniQuit0us
laws are on the statute books. devot-
ed. God-fearing persons have been
tspied upon, meddled with imprisoned
rand even worked in chain gangs for
/ no other reason than exercising their
God-given and Constitutional right to
work six days, and rest on the seven
Ffh day of the week as the Lord COM
manded.
Crx,rar;oc <f uvorCb;naro ord otIo,.
peaceable gatherings are protected by
law every day in the week. No
special legislation is therefore neces-
sary to afford civil protection to citi-
zens on Sunday more than on other
days of the week. That which is civil
on other days is civil on Sunday. Hon
Il est labor is no more uncivil on Sun
day than on Monday. 1t is only reli-
gious prejudices which are disturbed
by labor on this day more than on
other days Religious services are
held every day in the week. Funerals
are held daily in churches while work
is continued as usual, and no special
legislation is necessary. Then why
thought necessary for Sunday? For
no other reason, it would appear, than
ito protect day which the majority
regard as holy. But bolstering of
some particular theological dogma,
and protecting the religious prejudic-
es Of citizens is not the business Of
Congress.
We believe in Sabbath-Keeping and
that it is the legitimate work of min-
listers and all the religious element of
the nation to bring all the moral per-
suasion possible upon young and old,
believers and unbelievers. to keep
holy the day of rest which they be-
Ilieve to be divinely appointed We are
doing this as denomination. But
moral suason is the only weapon of
i force the church can legitimately use.
/ All are not even agreed as to which
day is the Sabbath. and we are oppos-
led to the national legislature entering
the field Of religion. and deciding a
religious controversy. and establishing
q precedent which. If followed to its
legitimate end, will lead our fair land
into career Of intolerance and fan
Into flame the smouldering embers
Iof religious oppression. The keeping
LOT Sabbath is a religious duty. and
like All ro1iei0uS dufice il rendered
not to the state, but to God.
Its observance is therefore not de-
Unable BY Congress, Should Congress-
pass law enforcing the religious dog
ma q Sabbath, this win not be the
end. Other religious legislation viii
follow and where the end would be
70 Aoman foresight can foretell