Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1922-02-03

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!, FACING A CRISIS. O
. By Mrs. Clara R. Winterton. 81
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The world is in the melting pot.
In America, as in other lands. great
changes are taking place. 1t is to-
be regretted that IN this great COM
monwealth, strong influences arc at
work undermining fundamental prin-
ciples, the very principles which
made it possible, for it to achieve its
present greatness. The idea Of church.
and-state union is again being i'll
sidiously woven into the fabric Of
our state and national governments.
Since 1868 an organized influence
has been at work, constantly in
creasing in power, which proposes to
turn the nation back to the Blue
Laws which dominated the Massa-
chusettes, Connecticut and Virginia
colonies. They were all established
upon a theocratic basis-the magis-
trate ruling supposedly in Gods stead.
and the observance Of the established
church being made obligatory upon
all persons dwelling within the realm.
This was carried to such an extent
that even the mere holding Of opin-
ions was penalized, if those opinions
did not harmonic with the creed OF
the established church. It mattered
not how clearly those opinions could
be proved from the word Of God'
if they were contrary to the creed,
they were dangerous heresies, and
the more easily they were proved,
the more dangerous they became to
the established church.
Now, several strong so-called re-
form organizations and more than q
score of so-called Christian churches
are clamoring for religious legisla.
ton. 1--WE must enact laws to reform
people from their lax views of NOR.
atty" 1--WE must establish civic right.
eousness." 1--WE must put under the
ban of the law all those things that
would tend to lead men from relig
lious thoughts, so that they can bt
made righteous" These and othel
similar expressions are being uttered
from pulpits in every part Of tn
United States to-day.
The idea of reforming men by law
is contradictory to the teachings o.
the Bible, for, says Paul in Galatian'
1921. "If there had been q law eiver
which could have given life, veril!
righteousness should have been b!
the law" Those who profess to teacl
that Word should govern their logic
by that Word. Yet We quote from .,
eminent divine, "This republic, u
endure, must be a normal republic. I
can only be SO through compellin;
the citizens to be Religious" Shade
of the Dark Ages! Echoes Of tn
torture chambers! Where and wien
NAV we ask, have men ever becom
religious by being compelled? Mel
can be persuaded and convinced b.
friendly discussion and by education
but persuasion and compulsion d.
not 90 together. Jesus said: II, II
be lifted up, will draw all men unit
Il me-" And this method Of making mel
religious we would recommend to tn
!. blue-law advocates. The PIE acheS VIII
has lost his power with Cod and M
influence with his people, no lonee
able to fill his pews ana therefor
} appealing to the arm Of the law TO
: aid, should read from the Word h
processes to expound: "Cursed be tn
man that trusteth in man, and max
eth flesh his arm" Jer IT'S.
i Religious laws, such a. are sough
by the would-be reformers, put tn
three Hebrews into the fiery furnace
| cast Daniel into a den of lions, naile'
] Jesus of Nazareth to the cross o
j Calvary, cut off Pauvs head, burne'
Il John Huss at the stake, fed the fire
lof Smithfield, established the Spanis
Inquisition, and ordered the massa
ere of the Waldenses ard Hugue
lnots. Are we Americans ready TO
i. such a course?
j Do we realize that these reform
| ers (?) have succeeded in establish
J ing Sunday laws in all but two state
Of the union? Are we aware OF thei
financial and numerical strength, an
] their determination 20 make al
these laws more drastic? to establish
a drastic Sunday law in the Distric
of Columbia and tia states and othe
territory where "a yet they have
none?
Il We have been. surprised to lear
from newspaper reports that Willia'
Jennings Bryan has agreed to co
d operate with the national Sunday
law forces. In the past, the column
Of Mr.. Bryan's own paper have beel
] given to the condemnation Of Sun
day laws; we are therefore sorry t.
see such . strong platform worke
II ILL, h;,cao1f IN that which we ar