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MAKING OF HYPOCRITES

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 12, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 2.

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MAKING OF HYPOCRITES

By G. B. Thompson

EDITOR POST: I read with much satisfaction your able editorial in reference to the proposed desecration of the Lord’s prayer by making its recital compulsory upon certain offenders. Surely all will agree with you that the compulsory use of this beautiful prayer, which has been a help and inspiration to millions of hearts when repeated voluntarily, would, indeed, be an “egregious blunder.” Such a law would make that which, when done voluntarily, is a holy and righteous act, a sacrilegious farce.
Permit me to mention in this connection that a parallel of this wicked thing is found in the efforts now being made to make the observance of the so-called Lord’s day compulsory. Compulsory praying is no more hypocritical or sacrilegious than compulsory Sabbath-keeping. Why enforce by law the Lord’s day any more than the Lord’s prayer? Why seek to enjoin the one and neglect the other? Both acts are voluntary—a thing of the heart, a duty wholly between the individual and his Creator. No law enacted by man can change the heart, and any law enacted demanding recognition of a religious precept can do no more than make a man act as though he was religious when he is not, or, in other words, such legislation is simply a machine for manufacturing hypocrites, as all must clearly see.
The words of the immortal U. S. Grant—to “keep the church and the state forever separate”—are especially applicable at this time. It is devoutly to be hoped that the promoters of Sabbath legislation will take seriously to heart the lesson on religious liberty read them by your most able editorial.
G. B. THOMPSON.
At no time in the past has the question of the true Sabbath and the real nature and logical result of Sunday laws been so prominently placed before the people of Washington, and we can but believe that it will result in bringing some honest souls to a full knowledge of the truth for this time. We invite all our people to unite with the workers here in earnest prayer that God may greatly bless the work in this city, and that the seed sown may bear fruit to his glory.