WE are glad to learn that people are beginning to see that there is another side to the Sunday question, than that maintained by those who would enforce its observance. The writer of the following article, which we clip from the Oakland Evening Tribune, shows that he has fully grasped the facts in the case, and we are encouraged to think that many others appreciate the situation as well. The Sunday Law advocates have a hard task set before them,—that of proving to the satisfaction of the people that the Sunday has any foundation in the Bible. Now is an excellent opportunity for them to come to the front and stop all controversy by an overwhelming array of Scripture argument. Silence at this time will tell against their cause. But we apprehend that the time for moral arguments in favor of Sunday is nearly past. If any existed, a civil law would not be so eagerly clamored for. The question will have to be decided before long, and people must be able to decide one way or the other intelligently. They must either do right understandingly, or do wrong willfully. Therefore we are glad to see the question agitated.
"EDITOR TRIBUNE: While looking over your paper of the 21st inst., I read an article headed, 'How Shall We Vote?'—a very important question to all who have the good of society at heart, and one that demands the attention of all good citizens. While agreeing with the writer that all candidates for office should have the proper intellectual and moral qualifications to insure a wise and just enforcement of the laws, and that all their acts should be regulated by the moral law of God, and, furthermore, that the voters are in a great measure responsible for the acts of their rulers; still, I cannot see the propriety of voting for one who has pledged to enforce the Sunday Law, on the ground of its being a divine institution, or a part of the moral law of God.
"If 'Lex' had taken pains to inform himself, he would have ascertained that society is divided upon the question whether Sunday keeping is a part of the moral law of God, or not; and that many intelligent and thinking men are taking the position that the sanctity of the Sabbath of the Lord never was transferred to Sunday, and that the law of God does not require that the first day of the week should be kept holy, and, so far as Bible truth is concerned, they seem to have the best possible grounds for their belief, in the fact that the Sabbath commandment, as it reads, declares that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.
"Now, cannot 'Lex' see that by bringing this question into the election there will be but one effect, and that is to array one class of Christians against another, and when that is done, there will not be wanting those who will promise anything to secure the largest number of votes to promote them to power? Then comes religious intolerance, and we have not far to look back in the history of the world to see what that means. Do we want such a state of things here? It would seem that all right-minded men would do all in their power to avert an issue of this kind. It would seem that the wisest course to pursue is to leave it where it belongs—between men's consciences and their God.
"So far as temperance is concerned, all Christian men and women should unite together to advance the cause, and to prevent the spread of intemperance by all lawful means, but the Sunday Law and the temperance question are not in any way connected—they are entirely separate issues. I fail to see how it is any worse to sell liquor on Sunday than it is on Monday, or any other day of the week. The fact is apparent to all who will take the time and thought to examine the matter that the Sunday Law is a sectarian measure, and that it is separate and distinct from any other question. If any one doubts this statement, he has only to attend the meetings of those who are taking the lead in this matter, and he will be convinced of the truth of the assertion.
"Oakland, February 24. JUSTICE."
Mrs. E. G. White’s Address
By Editor
The Post-office address of Mrs. E. G. White is Healdsburg, Sonoma Co., Cal.
Sunday Law Tract Reprinted
By Editor
The first edition of the Sunday Law tract is exhausted, but we shall print another immediately, and shall be ready to fill all orders within a week.
Prospective San Francisco Tent-Meeting
WHILE we would not unduly raise the expectations of any, we are looking with strong hope for a tent-meeting in San Francisco the coming season. We invite the brethren and sisters in that city to "Work, watch, and pray."
Meetings in Woodland
ELDER ISRAEL reports a good interest in the meetings which Elder Van Horn and himself are holding in Woodland. It is a hopeful feature of the times, that the truth is taking a deeper hold upon our own people and all who attend the meetings now being held among our churches.
The New Sunday Tract.
By W C White
THERE is nothing we have ever published upon the Sabbath question so well adapted to secure the candid consideration of business men, as Eld. Waggoner's new tract upon the Sunday Law. It is doing good work wherever circulated.
We know that our brethren in the Eastern States want it. We therefore offer it by mail, post-paid, for $2.50 per hundred. W C WHITE.
Oakland.
LAST Sabbath was another good day for this church. Sister White arrived in Oakland on Friday on her way to assist in the meetings in Woodland. But Sabbath morning found her prostrated with sickness, and suffering much pain. She had passed a restless night. We were surprised as well as pleased with her expressed determination to speak that day, for, to human sight, it appeared to be an impossibility. But the Lord blessed in prayer, and she came at the hour of meeting, though very weak and showing plainly the evidences of her affliction. But soon all this passed away; her strength returned, and she was enabled to give a timely and powerful discourse. Her subject was the fifth chapter of James. Not only the clear and strong presentation of the truth, but the manifest blessing of God in raising her above her infirmities, made this meeting a great blessing to the church. The weak were strengthened, and all were revived.
Such opportunities increase the responsibilities of this people. The Lord does not bless us in vain, or for our own gratification, but for his own glory and the advancement of his cause. Let us gird on the armor anew, and work while the day lasts, for “Soon will the Master come.”
The Opening.
By S. Brownsberger
THE Trustees desire that the school should be opened right away, but as there can be no school without scholars, they will not venture any appointment for the opening, without first ascertaining the number that can come very soon.
The time, then, of opening our school depends upon the readiness of our brethren to send their children.
To determine this, it has been decided to issue blanks to send to the various churches and scattered families whose addresses we can obtain.
The teachers are ready for their work, and the school might begin the 1st of April, if a sufficient number could be in attendance to warrant the opening so soon.
The blanks will no doubt reach you in a few days, and we trust all will report promptly.
We want to hear from all; whether you can come very soon or not.
Please report your coming, whether you receive a blank or not.
S. BROWNSBERGER.
Mistaken, Very Much.
THE Alameda Encinal, in a notice of our tract on the "Sunday Law," says:—
"In his introduction the editor of the tract says that the agitation of the Sunday Law question will eventually result in a religious amendment to the Constitution of the United States, declaring the seventh day the universal day of rest. Perhaps so; but that does not seem likely to occur during this day and generation."
We should be surprised to find this in any paper, and more so to find it in the Encinal, the editor of which is one of California's best. How he has fallen into this mistake we cannot imagine. We have never once thought of any law, national or State, for the enforcement of the seventh day. Those who keep the seventh day have never once thought of asking for such a law.
But it is well known that there is a popular movement, of commanding influence, to procure such an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States as shall enable its friends to enforce Sunday as the "Christian Sabbath." To this and to this only our tract refers. The civil law of California, or that of any other State, will never accomplish the design of the advocates of the "day of the sun." There are too many exceptions in it, and too many impossibilities connected with it. The great corporations are too extensive and too powerful to be controlled by the State. A general law, based on the Constitution of the United States, is their only hope. This was foreseen and acknowledged almost a score of years ago when the "Amendment Party" or Association was formed. This is a National Association, and is growing in influence in the Eastern States. When the people of California become convinced of the inefficiency of their law, or it is nullified or repealed, they will unite with that Association for an amendment to the National Constitution. We expect that this will give an impetus to that movement and hasten the union of church and State in America.
Will the Encinal please state our position on the question?
Appointments.
Oakland and San Francisco.
OAKLAND.—Church N. E. corner Clay and 13th Streets. Meeting every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A. M. Preaching every second and fourth Sunday evening of each month. Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening. Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Pastor. Sabbath-school at 9:30 A. M. W. C. White, Superintendent. Seats always free.
SAN FRANCISCO.—Church on Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Meeting every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A. M. Prayer-meeting Wednesday evening. M. C. Israel, Elder. No regular preaching. Sabbath-school at 9:45 A. M. E. A. Stockton, Superintendent. Street-cars of the Hayes Valley Line, and Central and Lone Mountain Line, pass close to the meeting-house.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
Missionary Society of Seventh-day Adventists.
A twelve-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel, with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, The Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, . . . . . . . . . . $2.00
In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, . . . . . . . 1.50
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
—OR—
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Michigan.
MISS ELIZA THAYER, Sec. N. E. Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass.
ELD. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England.
W. L. RAYMOND, Gaston, Oregon.
Our Publications in England.
By Editor
ANY of the books, pamphlets, and tracts issued at this Office may be obtained of Eld. John Norton Loughborough, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England, who will furnish Catalogues, and give prices in English money. He will also receive subscriptions for our periodicals.