p. 96 | The Spirit of It

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Feb 23, 1882

The Spirit of It.

THE Sunday-enforcement agitation is doing just what has been pointed out in our publications—it is stirring up the "bad blood" of both parties in the controversy; that is, of those who are favoring the enforcement, and of those who are resisting it. It is stated in one of the Oakland papers that the disagreement of the jury in the recent trial was largely owing to the impression that the movement originated in the First Congregational Church! This may not be a very good reason; but it must be remembered that the pastor of that church advised his people not to deal with those who violated the Sunday. If all non-believers should combine and resolve not to deal with any member of the Congregational Church, it would not be pleasing to the D. D., but it would only be carrying out the spirit of his own action and advice.

In the trial in question, the lawyers had a warm time—in fact the Judge could not control them so as to keep order, except by threatening to commit both parties for contempt. The jury had a sharp contention, and some on the outside, who overheard some of it, thought it would end in a fight. And these things are but the beginning of troubles. It is destined to bring more trouble upon the nation than any political question which has ever yet been agitated in the United States.