Note and Comment by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 28, 1912

Note and Comment

By Editor

An Unchristian Slogan

During a stormy session of the Central Labor Union held in Washington, D. C., on March 11, this slogan was adopted: “Help our friends; beat our enemies.” Of course, this is a far departure from what might be termed one of the slogans of the gospel: “Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you.” Matt. 5:44. The verse preceding this reads: “Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.” These last-quoted words our Saviour condemns by substituting for them the motto above given. The one is Christian; the other is utterly opposed to the spirit of Christianity. The one flows from a heart of love; the other is dictated by the natural man, unconverted and unreconciled. In spite of this, however, there are certain religious organizations which have deliberately joined forces with the organization working under that slogan to bring about the compulsory observance of a religious ordinance, the Sunday sabbath. With such a yoking together of believers and unbelievers, which is itself condemned by our Saviour, we may expect to see more or less of the spirit of that slogan actuating the united forces when they bring pressure to bear upon all who oppose the unchristian purpose which they have in view. “Help our friends; beat our enemies,” is a slogan that stands for selfishness on the one hand and violence on the other; and yet the spirit manifested in the two clauses is very much in keeping with some of the stock utterances of the organization that is doing most to bring in again the enforcement of religious ordinances by law, and persecution for those who conscientiously oppose its program, and stand for the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.