The Perils and Demands of the Present Hour
The message committed to this people for the last days has warned us that the time would come when freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience would be taken away. While it has been impossible to outline definitely just how this would be brought about in every particular, nevertheless we are confident of the sure approach of this period of persecution. “A season of great trial is before us. It becomes us now to use all our capabilities and gifts in advancing the work of God. . . . The time is right upon us when persecution will come to those who proclaim the truth. The outlook is not flattering; but, notwithstanding this, let us not give up our efforts to save those ready to perish, for whose ransom the Prince of heaven offered up his precious life. . . . Soon there is to be trouble all over the world. It becomes every one to seek to know God. We have no time to delay. . . . “Satan and his angels determined to make Christ’s death as humiliating as possible. They filled the hearts of the Jewish leaders with feelings of bitter hatred against the Saviour. Controlled by the enemy, priests and rulers stirred the multitude to take part against the Son of God. Aside from Pilate’s declaration of his innocence, no one spoke a word in his favor. And even Pilate, knowing his innocence, gave him over to the abuse of men under the control of Satan. “Similar events will take place in the near future. Men will exalt and rigidly enforce laws that are in direct opposition to the law of God. Though zealous in enforcing their own commandments, they will turn away from a plain ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ Exalting a spurious rest day, they will seek to force men to dishonor the law of Jehovah, the transcript of his character. Though innocent of wrong-doing, the servants of God will be given over to suffer humiliation and hate at the hands of those who, inspired by Satan, are filled with envy and vicious bigotry. Religious powers, allied to heaven in profession, and claiming to have the characteristics of a lamb, will show by their acts that they have the heart of a dragon, and that they are instigated and controlled by Satan. The time is coming when God’s people will feel the hand of persecution because they keep holy the seventh day. . . . The man of sin, who thought to change times and laws, and who has always oppressed the people of God, will cause laws to be made enforcing the observance of the first day of the week. But God’s people are to stand firm for him, and the Lord will work in their behalf, showing plainly that he is the God of gods. . . . “Christ is our example. The determination of Antichrist to carry out the rebellion he began in heaven will continue to work in the children of disobedience. Their envy and hatred against those who obey the fourth commandment will wax more and more bitter. But the people of God are not to hide their banner. . . . “The night of trial is nearly spent. Satan is bringing in his masterly power because he knoweth that his time is short. The chastisement of God is upon the world to call all who know the truth to hide in the cleft of the Rock and view the glory of God. The truth must not be muffled now. Plain statements must be made. Unvarnished truth must be spoken in leaflets and pamphlets, and these must be scattered like the leaves of autumn. “The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects, he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. All will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who will be true to God and to duty will be betrayed ‘both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends.’ Luke 21: 16.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, pages 227-231. Perhaps one of the most significant of the events which indicate the speedy fulfilment of these predictions, and the reason for these admonitions, was the passing of the following resolution recently by the American Federation of Catholic Societies at its annual convention held in New Orleans, La.:— “Resolved, That the Congress of the United States be earnestly requested to amend Section No. 3893 of the revised statutes of the United States, relating to the mailing of ‘obscene, lewd, and lascivious’ literature, so that the same may include the mailing of books, papers, writings, and prints which outrage the religious convictions of our citizens, and contain scurrilous attacks upon Faith.”—Morning Star, Nov. 19, 1910, published at New Orleans, La., a Catholic weekly. It will not be difficult for one who knows the principles contained in the third angel’s message to see what is wrapped up in that resolution, should it ever be favorably considered by Congress. But whether or not the foes of religious liberty succeed in securing the passage of this proposed measure just at the present time, the bill points in a dangerous direction, and without doubt the purpose of its promoters will ultimately be attained. We can not fail to note the cunning on the part of the Roman Catholics in seeking to have the proposed measure enacted as an amendment to an existing statute, that nearly all would otherwise favor. I refer to that feature of the measure that forbids the transportation through the United States mail of obscene and immoral literature. No one could object to the present law prohibiting the transportation of such literature; but what a blow is aimed at free speech in the resolution, in seeking to prohibit the transportation of “books, papers, writings, and prints, which,” they claim, outrage “religious convictions, and contain scurrilous attacks upon Faith.” No one should be deceived by what is evidently meant by the term “Faith.” We certainly would not conclude it meant the “faith” of Methodists, Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, or any other Protestant denomination. No, indeed! the “Faith” to which they have reference is that of the Roman Catholic Church, and no other. The Catholic editor of the paper from which we quote, in urging the necessity of such an amendment to the postal law, said: “Another matter that the Federation should not fail to consider is the use of the United States mails, in defiance of the postal regulations, for the dissemination of vile and filthy matter against the Catholic Church and its holy priesthood and sisterhoods.” That was the inspiration for the action taken, and shows what “Faith” it was designed to promote. When this or any similar measure becomes a law, and is enforced, as it is very evident that it would be, there would scarcely be a publication issued by any Protestant body that would be permitted to pass through the United States mails. This would be especially true of the publications issued by Seventh-day Adventists; for they nearly all contain matter that in some way exposes the evil principles underlying that antichristian system of religion; and such literature they would regard as a slanderous attack upon the “Faith.” Such a move as this shows that both the spirit and the letter of the Constitution are being repudiated; for Article I of the Amendments to the United States Constitution says:— “Congress shall make no laws abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” What further evidence could one wish demonstrating that we are fast reaching a point where it will be with great difficulty that we can carry on our work. Some may say that the public press would never stand for such a statute as that passed by the American Federation of Catholic Societies; but all such persons should bear in mind that the public press is very largely manipulated by the Papacy in this country, as is evidenced by the fact that it is next to impossible to secure the publication of an article that has anything to say against the doctrines or the practises of the Catholic Church. This should be a strong evidence to every thoughtful person of the tremendous influence that church is exerting in the present time. The Catholics are conscious19of their influence, as will be seen from the words of the Catholic Truth Society:— “Is not the whole country stamped for a Catholic land? With the great doctor, St. Augustine, guarding the Atlantic coast, and the heroic missionary, San Francisco, the Pacific; with the indomitable apostle, St. Paul, kindling zeal and enthusiasm in the North, and the gentle San Antonio inspiring love and peace in the South; with the warrior king, St. Louis, in the center, and the great St. Joseph, and Notre Dame, the gracious queen of heaven, hard by,—with all these powerful intercessors pleading for her, can we, I say, expect anything less than a glorious triumph for Catholicity in America? . . . The nets of St. Peter will drag this continent from ocean to ocean, till they are filled to breaking with the souls of men that shall be saved.” The remarkable Romeward trend of the United States was further expressed by Cardinal Vincenzo Vannutelli, the Pope’s legate, in New York City, Oct. 7, 1910, as follows:— “The holy father is coming more and more to regard your wonderful United States as the favorite daughter of the church. Catholicism has here made more wonderful strides than anywhere else in the world. Your bishops, priests, and teachers have built up a magnificent church organization. Under your government and personal liberty the church and its individuals have prospered splendidly.” The Catholic Church is not alone in wishing to have Seventh-day Adventist literature excluded; for many professed Protestants would welcome a law to exclude from the mails the literature of Seventh-day Adventists as quickly as would the Roman Catholics, because of their contempt toward the law of God. As proof of this statement, I cite but one example, furnished by Rev. Dr. Hill, of the Quebec Lord’s Day Alliance, when paying his respects to those who were opposing the enforcement of Sunday upon the people. He said: “The people who are opposing us to-day are driving us to take severe measures with them. We must use the gentle methods, but if they fail, then we shall be obliged to use stern methods. The law of the land expresses the public opinion of the majority, and they [the majority] will give you such liberties as they desire; and if this is not agreeable, you will have to leave Canada. These people who protest by word and mouth, and who write against this movement, ought to be in the penitentiary.” The spirit that lies beneath Sunday legislation is further revealed by a prominent Methodist minister in Franklin, Manitoba, who, speaking of those who were opposing the enforcement of Sunday laws, declared: “It is high time they were either boycotted or crushed.” These are only a few of the multitudinous incidents and events which are daily occurring in this and other lands, showing beyond a doubt that what we do to instruct the people of this world concerning the awful crisis that awaits them must be done quickly. There are now before committees of Congress bills which, if enacted into laws, would completely change the fundamental principles of our government, and usher in that epoch of state-churchism and resultant oppression which we have long expected. There is still resting in the hands of the District Committee of the House the Johnston Sunday bill, which has passed the Senate, and on which the committee has given two hearings. This may be called up at any time, and put upon its passage. When that has been enacted into law, it is believed by both its friends and its enemies that a great impetus will be given to the enactment of State Sunday laws, and that fresh life will be infused into those already existing. In view of such an outlook, we believe that our people should write letters of earnest protest to their congressmen, urging them to oppose all such measures; also that they take up at once the circulation of petitions among their neighbors against the passage of these bills. There is no time now to be wasted. It is our duty to teach and warn the people, so that they may prepare for the final triumph of those who will stand firm to principle, and make a full and complete surrender of all. If we are to do this, it is essential that our people offer liberally of their means for this work to-day. What is received in this donation will help to warn the people in your local conference, your union, and in the general field. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ASSOCIATION.
Washington, D. C.