An argument that is very freely used by ministers and others in favor of the Sunday Law is that without it there can be no day of rest for the workingman. Rev. Robert Mackenzie, of San Francisco, said in a sermon not long since: "What ignorance it is, what crime it is, to say that the issue turns upon the observance of the Sabbath, when every workingman knows it turns on the existence of the Sabbath. It is not, then, a question, In what way shall we spend the Sabbath? but, Shall we have a Sabbath to spend in any way? This statement is quoted approvingly by the Christian Statesman. We have heard the case stated even more strongly than this.
connection with the Bible.
Now let us see how much truth there is in this so-called argument. One of the reasons given by the National Reform Association, a party whose object is to so amend the Constitution of the United States that Sunday may be enforced upon all classes as a day of rest, is that this is a Christian country, and that they want this fact to be recognized in the "fundamental law of the land." Now if it is true that this is a Christian country, then the statement that the workingman can have no day of rest without a law to that effect, is false; for at least a majority of the citizens must be professing Christians before the country can be called Christian. Of course all Christians will rest on the Sabbath, or on the day which they suppose to be the Sabbath, whether there is any civil law enforcing rest or not. Therefore the workingman will have rest, unless we suppose that only the employees are Christians, while the employers are non-professors.
But we can judge of the truth of the statement by actual facts. For more than two hundred years the Seventh-day Baptists have had an organization in this country. The Seventh-day Adventists have had a denominational existence of more than thirty years. In both these bodies there are men of means, but the larger portion of the people are those who depend on their daily labor for their support. In all this time there has been no law in favor of the Seventh day, nothing forbidding the employer to exact full labor on that day, but rather to the contrary, and yet these people have lived and thrived. There is not more than the average amount of poverty among them. We know of no instance where a man has been compelled to break the Sabbath in order to gain a living. It is true that a few have thought it necessary, but the result has shown that they have not been gainers by such a step. Sabbath-keepers have never thought of asking for a law in their favor; they do not desire one. If Sabbath-keepers can live without a civil law for the Sabbath, why may not Sunday-keepers do as well? The truth is, that so-called argument in favor of the Sunday Law is only a pretense.
There is, however, a difference which we will mention, and it is in favor of those who keep the seventh day. They have the commandment of God as authority for their day of rest, while Sunday is only a human ordinance. Of course those who observe human laws must look to man for help; while those who obey God have the promise of his assistance. See Matt. 6:31-33; Ps. 37:3; 34:10. Those who keep God's commandments can trust him; they do not need to place their dependence wholly in man. Those who have no divine law to uphold them will naturally seek to get the best support that they can.
It is pitiful to see ministers of the gospel raising the question of convenience. They want a Sunday Law so that it will be convenient for men to keep Sunday. When religion becomes a matter of convenience, then piety departs from the church. He who really desires to serve God will not ask, Will it pay? but, Is it right?
"The entrance of Thy word giveth light."
Give Him a Pension.
FRANK JAMES, the Missouri desperado, has surrendered himself to the authorities, and pleads for mercy. He has grown tired of robbing and murdering, and desires now to retire from the business. He is willing to quit killing folks, and thinks that such magnanimity should win for him the esteem of all good men. He says that an outlaw has the thoughts and impulses of a man, and that he desires to return to the house of his parents, and there, with his family, to pass his days in peace. He thinks that his sufferings have already done penance for his acts. Poor man! It is true he has killed many innocent people, but he had to risk his life in so doing, for the officers were constantly on his track. To what inconvenience he must often have been put. Besides risking his life, he had to be out nights, and away from home. Ought he not to be rewarded?
A special from Jefferson City, Mo., says: "Frank was at the McCarthy House this evening, and many prominent citizens were there, seeking the honor of shaking hands with him." No doubt they were really honored. We are ashamed of humanity. Such exhibitions are a disgrace. What can we expect of the young, when the surest way for a man to become famous is to commit wholesale murder?
THOUGHTS ON REVELATION, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
By Eld. U. Smith.
This work presents every verse in the book of Revelation, with such remarks as serve to illustrate or explain the meaning of the text. It is a new and harmonious exposition of that important book, and is designed to create an interest in its study.
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BIBLE SANCTIFICATION:
A CONTRAST OF
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By Mrs. E. G. White.
This is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price 10 cts.
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THE SUNDAY LAW!
By Editor
ENFORCEMENT OF THE
"CHRISTIAN SABBATH."
A VINDICATION OF THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD, AND THE
POSITION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
This tract was written with special reference to the Sunday Law agitation in California, but is of universal interest as showing the tendency of Sunday legislation, and the relation of Seventh-day Adventists thereto. The comparative claims of both the Sabbath and the Sunday are presented, also the position which both occupies in prophecy. The candid reader of this tract cannot fail to be convinced that every attempt to enforce by law the observance of Sunday as a Christian ordinance, is a step toward the union of Church and State.
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WHO CHANGED THE SABBATH?
By Editor
This question very naturally arises when the evidence is presented that Sunday is not the original Sabbath of the Lord; and a complete and satisfactory answer to it is given in the tract with the above title. The following is the plan of the argument: 1. Scripture evidence is introduced to show that God regards his law as unchangeable. 2. The prophecy is quoted which clearly points out the Papacy as the power that should make the change. 3. Standard Catholic books are quoted from to show that the prophecy has been fulfilled. Every one who desires to know the truth in regard to the Sabbath should read this tract. 16 pp. Price, postpaid, 3 cents; $2.25 per hundred.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
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By Editor
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