p. 7 | Principles and Practise

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 23, 1908

Principles and Practise

A READER of some of the literature which we have recently been putting out on the subject of religious liberty thinks that if we had opportunity, we would follow in the footsteps of all the other persecutors of dissenters. He expresses his opinion thus:—

I am in hearty agreement with you in the stand you take for religious freedom and the entire separation of church and state, and I am much pleased with the strong, clear argument you put forth in support of same. I must believe, however, that if you were in full control of this government, you would enforce the observance of the Sabbath as others have done and are doing.

We have repeatedly stated that we believe in liberty for the other man, in liberty not to believe and not to worship, and that we not only do not ask for any legal enactment which would enforce our own tenets, but that we should oppose any effort to secure legislation requiring any one to act in harmony with our belief. This is the only true platform of religious liberty, and upon this platform we stand. We know that the temptations of irresponsible power are very great, but we hope we should have sufficient grace not to repudiate all our sound principles at the first opportunity to oppress our neighbor.