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A Call to Prayer

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 10, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 10.

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A Call to Prayer

By K. C. R.

THE Union Signal of February 24, the organ of the W. C. T. U., contains “a strong appeal to Christian people in Europe and America to observe April 3-10 as ‘Lord’s day week.’” The appeal is in part as follows:—
“That the Christian forces of each community may federate for kind, persistent work, (1) to educate all, especially non-churchgoers, by public meetings, use of the press, and frequent distribution of leaflets in every home, as to the purpose and value of Sunday laws; (2) to induce every citizen to obey Sunday laws, and the proper civic officers to see that they are obeyed.”
The object of this appeal is in direct opposition to the two fundamental principles of Protestantism,—the Bible and the Bible only, and the rejection of thecivil power in all matters of religion.
Seeking to exalt the Sunday institution and to interpose the power of the state in enforcing the observance of the child of the Papacy by civil legislation, are as verily matters of tradition as was the enforcement of various dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church in the time of the Reformation.
Praying to God for those things which are in flagrant contradiction to his Word would be petitioning the Lord in vain. Sunday observance and Sunday legislation are both contrary to God’s Word, and for him to answer such prayers would be a denial of himself. Again, we are instructed to pray according to his will, and prayers that are contrary to it have no assurance of an answer. Sunday observance is certainly not in accordance with God’s will, for his Word plainly teaches that the seventh day of the week, instead of the first, is the Sabbath. Neither is the question of religious legislation in harmony with his will, but in direct opposition to it; for Christ said, “Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Should not God’s people earnestly pray at this time for the Lord to hold in check the forces that are seeking with such increasing zeal to exalt the papal institution and secure its enforcement upon all by civil enactment? May every Seventh-day Adventist be aroused to renewed consecration and earnestness in seeking for the power of the Holy Spirit to enlighten those who are in darkness concerning the truth for this time.
K. C. R.