National Religion

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 5, 1911

National Religion

THE World's Christian Citizenship Conference recently held in Philadelphia comes in for no little criticism in journals outside of those directly committed to the principles held by Seventh-day Adventists. The Lutheran Witness of December 8, quoting the declaration of principles made by the conference regarding Christ as a moral governor, and his law as a part of the fundamental law of the land, thus establishing in fact a national religion, says:—

Obedience to the law of Christ is not determined by outward works, but by the state of heart in him who does the works. The proper state of heart, however, can not be produced by any means at the command of a government. It is a matter between the individual and his God, and lies outside the province of a government. A nation can not “accept the grace of Christ” by act of Congress. Or does the conference, perhaps, think only of the will of God as revealed in the ten commandments? Should we not be able to declare the ten commandments the law of the land? If we proclaim ourselves a Christian nation, and make the ten commandments the law of the land, what shall we do to those who break the first commandment of the law of the land by worshiping false gods? Shall we fine them? Shall we imprison them? Shall we roast them a little over a slow fire?