Sunday Closing and Secret Societies by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1916

Sunday Closing and Secret Societies

By Editor

Elder E. H. Curtis, president of the Wyoming Conference, writes us that a Sunday-closing ordinance has just been passed by the city council of Cheyenne, the capital of that State. It provides a fine not exceeding $100 for any person who shall “offer for public sale, or shall sell, on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, any dry goods, groceries, clothes, shoes, hardware, and furniture.”

We have received from our readers a number of letters of appreciation of the excellent instruction from the pen of Sister White on the subject of secret societies. We believe that her words of admonition are worthy of the careful consideration of our brethren and sisters everywhere. When we give ourselves to God and identify ourselves with the Lord's work, he desires us to cut loose from every worldly affiliation. We cannot join with the world and maintain fellowship with God. We believe that the principles expressed by Sister White apply to all secret societies. Some may be better than others; and there may be in some of them much of real good; some of our brethren who belong to them may argue that they receive only good from them. This of course we cannot discuss in detail, but let these brethren consider the extent of their influence on others. It is as true today as in the days of the apostle Paul that “none of us liveth to himself.” However humble the station we occupy, our course of conduct has its influence on our fellows. And even admitting, which it is not at all probable, that our connection with some of these worldly organizations may not bring us injury, others weaker than we are, and less experienced, may take license from the liberty we accord ourselves, and go even farther than we go, bringing irreparable injury to their souls. Let us consider what relationship Christ would sustain to these worldly organizations if he were on earth today. Would he unite with secret societies? He is our example. As he would do in our place, so we are to seek to do in every relationship of life.