An Exemption Clause That Does Not Exempt
By K. C. Russell
A CONNECTICUT judge has recently rendered a decision concerning the meaning of the exemption clause in the Sunday law of that State, which has been supposed to exempt those who conscientiously observe the seventh day. This decision will be seen to be of special importance to observers of the seventh day in the State of Connecticut. It was brought about as the result of the arrest of a Jew who recently kept his store open on Sunday. The judge maintained that the defendant could not be accorded the benefits of the exemption clause because21he ceased from his observance of the seventh day at sunset Saturday, instead of continuing until midnight. From this, it will be seen that Jews, Seventh-day Baptists, and Adventists (for they were all included by the judge), to enjoy the exemption from the penalty of the Connecticut Sunday law, must hereafter refrain from secular pursuits until midnight Saturday, instead of resuming labor at sunset according to the Bible method of reckoning time. In other words, they will be compelled to observe the first day of the week from sunset until midnight every Saturday each week in order to be exempt from the law the remaining hours of Sunday. The seventh-day observer who has been expecting to obtain relief from an exemption clause to Sunday laws will see from this that he is leaning upon a broken reed. The principle that underlies every exemption clause is that of religious legislation; for when it is admitted that the state has a right to exempt one from the penalties of the Sunday law, it carries with it the right to abolish the exemption clause and enforce the law. Imagine the presumption of a state's assuming the prerogative to exempt a person from obeying God! Think of the state exempting a person from keeping the command that forbids theft, or adultery, or murder! K. C. RUSSELL.