The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-01-27
Barometer of Public Opinion


mornings issue IL not "A matter 10 be lightly
passed over. This is not made In an effort to
take care OF tho legislator who proposes the
laws you mention. Those people may take care
Of Themselves speak from another view
point.
The editorial fails to take into considerable
ia" purpose OF law. II proceeds upon the pre-
sumption that the church IL engaged in an
'ttoft 10 save the souls Of men through legisa-
uOn. Law aims To protect society by restrain
ing lawcss people from certain imposl,ions upon
the rights OF society. one OF the fundamental
principles OF the religion Of Christ is constraint
as opposed to restraints of law
Even divine law did not reform mankind
tclsc human laws were unnecessary. Those
laws were given because the people were trans
crossing There was given and held by divine
authority to be in force a blue" law which
appointed certain day to be kept holy. And
this law was a fundamental law of the nation
To which It was given,
The proposal to have congressional enact
mont making 1t unlawful even Is cynical. If
such action were taken some folks would insist
On going to the devil for the simple pleasure OF
overriding IN" law. II a man Insists on going
to tn" dcVil hc has right to do so. But society
has some rights alongside his right. II is ncces-
sary therefore FOR the protection Of socicty that
those who Insist goipE to The devil shall be
society
Az to stultifying Christ and doing Christianity
an injury. | suppose the World" would charge
that God aid tn" same evils when he called at
tcntion 90 the day OF rest and required It 10 be
Kept molly. tgh ideals Of life never do Chris
tiauity an injury. however much they may con-
tradct the IDEAS opinions and desires Of men.
As to the church becoming despotic." "au-
tucratig' ana hateful" | should say IL has al
ways been So in the eyes OF certain classes Of
individuals, jesus said they would mock and
prosecute ana siy an manner Of evil against his
church. In the world yc shah have tribula-
u"u.' III the world haioh YOU yo know that
world hltcth YOU" All OF this he said would
come not because of dcspotism and autocracy
but because OF faithful devotion TO the princi-
Piles OF righteousness and truth.
The Bluc-law sabbath" may not advance the
kingdom fof Christ This tx not the object
aimed TO be reached by such law. one Of
the sores on our social fabric is the fragrant
violation OF the dIy ot rest ana worship The
aim of such legislation nv blue sunday laws pro
hibiton. etc s to protect society. All lovers
OF the Christian religion recognize the value of
such laws but do not claim FOR them the power
dcrtako to disorcdit the Christian religion he
cause legislators pass laws which afford pro
tccuon TO society even though Christian men
favor the passage OF such laws.
The separation OF church and state is a FUN
damcuial principle of our national constitution,
But this principle does not hinder church peu-
pie from exercising their inherent rights as cti-
2ons But rather that Night Is guaranteed to all
alike. II Is u thing uuheard uf that church peo-
pie are disqualified from exercising the rights
ana privileges OF citizenship along with the
other classes of citizens. 10 seek 10 have laws
passed which prutrc, society in the matter OF
day OF rest is not an effort to put the forms
of mammon behind the cause of Christ The
defiance aud the challenge which the world
issues ON TINS point may sound lN' music to
those who like the position you take hut some
folks prefer th" facts which establish the
charge, Tho people OF this country who stand
for good government and for social conditions
which are conducive to tho highest good OF
tho whole people are no wcakl!ngs ana do not
propose To- cover in the face OF such a charge
The closing paragraphs Of the editorial pleads
that we shall l"lNr legislation alone and since
laws do NOT save people We should have done
Nt'h the matter of 'wmakiug and give our
selves tn spiritual things. Now. the editor must
knI" that IL nus suggestions were followed
fully aud completely. one of TWO things should
lucNliNAy result We should either have mo-