p. 303 | SUNDAY IN POLITICS by W. SUTLIFF

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 14, 1867

SUNDAY IN POLITICS.

By W. SUTLIFF

Since I first read the work entitled, “The Three Angels’ Messages and the Two-horned Beast,” I have watched with much interest the agitation of the Sabbath question in the United States. At first, I could not believe that our beloved country could be the one symbolized by the two-horned beast. But a close observation of transpiring events, soon convinced me that it was none other. And according to the present indications the Sabbath question is soon to become a political question.

Some time ago an article appeared in the Northwestern Christian Advocate calling upon the Legislature to protect the Christian Sabbath by law. The article wound up with the statement, that if they “were forced to make this a political question, they should meet it like Christian men.”

Since that time, an editorial came out in the same paper, on “beer gardens, sacred concerts,” &c., in which the author plead for a law to stop those things on the Sabbath. This was well enough; for the “sacred concert” which he described, would be disgraceful on any day of the week. But the student of prophecy will readily see a “sign of the times” in this.

I have before me a copy of the Missouri Republican (a purely political paper), in which there is an article headed, “Temperance and Radicalism,” from which I make the following extracts to show that the Sabbath question is already a political question in New York: “Mr. Schutz resigned his position as president, and even as member of the committee (N. Y. Central), because a majority had passed a resolution to oppose the election of any temperance candidate, or Sunday fanatic.” Again the author says, “Mr. Schutz has no objection to laws which force a peculiar observance of the Sabbath upon men of other religious views.” After treating at some length on the intolerance and fanaticism of some of his political opponents, the author goes on: “Now comes the enforcement of their peculiar religious and social views all over the country. Temperance and a Boston-like observance of Sunday, has now become a plank, and a strong plank in the radical platform. They insist that the law shall interfere with a man’s religious views.”

The author in closing the article, says, “To enforce sobriety, and the strict observance of the Sabbath by law is impossible. It is oppression under the mask of culture; it is fanaticism in the dress of progress.”

Some may think that because these extracts are from a paper of the most corrupt political party, that they have no force. But to me they are all the more significant, as it shows that the strongest party is going to take up on the Sunday side of the question, and will be enabled to act the part of the two-horned beast.

In view of these things, I feel that there is no time to lose. We should let go the world, and endeavor to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, so that when Jesus comes we shall be ready.

In hope of eternal life. W. SUTLIFF. Eau Clair Co., Wis.