Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 26, 1904

AN English view of the uselessness and harmfulness of Sunday legislation is expressed in the following from a London exchange:—

One strong plea made on behalf of Sunday laws is that, without these, the workers would be deprived of their day of rest. But it is a grave question whether this religious legislation does not do more harm than good. Major-General Sir Reginald Hart, commanding the Thames District, says in the Daily Telegraph “that there is more drunkenness, debauchery, and immorality generally on the first day of the week than on any other of the seven, that the younger soldiers loaf about on Sunday for want of something to do till the public houses are open, and then spend their time there till with fuddled brains they are turned out to engage in even less edifying pursuits.” It is hopeless to think of circumventing the devil with carnal weapons, such as human laws. Legislation concerning matters of religion is always evil, and the Christian can have nothing to do with it. He does not trust in the arm of flesh.