CHURCH AND STATE | AdventAI

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, June 10, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 24

CHURCH AND STATE.

The following, from the Philadelphia Record of June 2, 1880, shows the position which the Reformed Presbyterian church has taken on the proposed religious amendment to the Constitution. By the action of their Synod, June 1, it seems they have wheeled into line with the friends of this movement, and will henceforward tender it their sympathy and aid. But not the least significant feature, perhaps, of this movement is the facility with which they fall into the wake of the Christian Statesman, and predict sore judgments to fall upon this land on account of its sins in this respect. There is a growing disposition to attribute all calamities by fire and flood, drouth and disease, cyclones and accidents, to this cause, setting them forth as manifestations of God's displeasure against this government because it does not acknowledge God in the Constitution, and provide a Sunday law. This will have great influence with some minds, and there will doubtless be no lack of material to work upon in this direction:—

“A committee of the Reformed Presbyterian Synod presented to that body yesterday at its morning session a lengthy report on the subject of national reform. In this document they say that a great mistake was made at the organization of the government. Those who framed the Constitution were nearly all tinged with infidelity, and consequently God and his law were disregarded. The Constitution to its framers was infidel and godless. No religious or moral qualifications were required of candidates for office. All this has been carried out through an ignorant and false patriotism. The consciences of Christian men were seared so that there is a deep-rooted prejudice against righteousness in national affairs. Experience, however, shows the necessity of amendment. The supreme regal authority of Jesus Christ as Lord over nations, as well as individuals, is admitted by nearly all professed Christians throughout the land. The relations between Church and State are now being more closely studied. This appears in conventional discussions. While Church and State are essentially distinct and independent, they have a divinely established and permanent relation, involving their mutual obligations. The question of qualification for office is now pressing itself more and more upon the people. By legal and Congressional toleration for more than fifty years, the Sabbath has been desecrated by carrying the United States mails. Thousands have been sworn to violate the Sabbath.

“The report then referred to the National Association against all secret oath-bound societies, holding that oath-bound secretists and Sabbath-breakers should be reformed. As in the anti-slavery reform, truth and regard to human rights made progress amid darkness and trial, and while some hoped for a peaceful solution of the difficulties, yet the dark storm-cloud of judgment was secretly gathering to burst in fearful fury and destruction on a guilty nation; not to shatter and destroy the anti-slavery cause, but to accomplish its great ends and establish its righteous and everlasting principles, and to vindicate the authority and government of Jehovah. In conclusion the report stated that most likely the claims of God and his law, of Jesus, the Mediator and Supreme Lord of all, shall be vindicated, and perhaps in a still more fearful manner. The report was adopted.”