The Sabbath and the Military Service by Louis Richard Conradi

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 26, 1907

The Sabbath and the Military Service

By Louis Richard Conradi

L. R. CONRADI

God, in his infinite wisdom, has manifold ways for carrying out his purpose to bring the last warning message not only to every kindred, tongue, and people, but also to the kings and great ones of earth. When God once sets his hand to it, he can accomplish a very great work quickly. This is plainly shown from a recent experience in the German empire.

Since the third angel’s message has taken a firm foothold in Germany, some of our best young men have felt constrained by the Spirit of God to do no military service on the Sabbath day. They took this step of their own accord; and we were glad that they had done this, for in the hour of trial they had to stand alone—with God. At that time those who were leading out in the work in this country were called before the military authorities, for the court was trying in some way to get hold of them by establishing the fact that these young men were acting under the influence of their spiritual advisers rather than being actuated by the love of God. Indeed, letters were written to this end. The authorities were unsuccessful in this, and several of our brethren finally gained the victory, and were treated quite leniently. But the more the truth spread, of course the greater was the number of cases of this nature that had to be dealt with, until the matter was finally referred to the army headquarters, and the minister of war was called upon to decide the question on principle. The War Department resolved on the strict enforcement of the law, hoping that the severity of the punishment might bring these young men to terms.

Now, even in the former cases when some of these brethren were put in prison, we felt that it would not be wise for our German papers to make any comments about it, for here we have to act much more guardedly than do our people in the States. Were any such issue before our friends in America, they would be free to circulate literature everywhere, bringing out the right principles, and seeking to educate public opinion,—and that is right there,—but ways and methods must differ. We must become a Greek to the Greek, and a Jew to the Jew: so we knew that the better way for us would be to keep silent, for steps had already been taken to prohibit the circulation of our literature.

There was the socialistic press, which now and then made reference to these cases of imprisonment, naturally viewing it from the standpoint of the infidel and unbeliever; but we did not care to have our case brought into prominence from that quarter.

Our Work Set Before the Nation

So when the minister of war decided on such stringent measures, one of our young men in Hamburg-Altona, who was serving his time in the army and felt that he could not serve on the Sabbath, was cast into prison, and was visited by the army chaplain of that brigade. This gentleman became convinced of the genuine Christianity of the young man, and came to our publishing house in Hamburg, seeking for information, and secured some of our literature. The result of all this is that he has written a lengthy article, which has appeared on the first page of the leading Conservative newspaper circulated among the highest nobility, and especially the adherents of the Lutheran State Church, the Neue Preussische Zeitung, of Berlin, June 27, a paper that has for its motto, “Forward with God, for King and Fatherland.” This periodical appears twice daily, and the article written by Army Chaplain Schettler covers the whole of the first page, over four columns.

Thus, although we have kept silent, a voice has been raised, stating things about us, as will be seen from the article, that we could never have fittingly stated about ourselves. Of course there are statements to which we would have to take exceptions, and yet we can see the good hand of God in it all. Believing that the readers of the REVIEW will be interested in this article, I give the following free translation:—

The Army Chaplain States the Case

“A short time ago, Musketeer Muegge, of the second company of the infantry stationed in Altona, was sentenced by a court-martial to five months’ imprisonment because he refused to do service on Saturday. For similar offense, Muegge had previously been under fourteen days’ strict arrest, and for a second transgression, he had served two months’ imprisonment. Muegge is a member of the sect of Seventh-day Adventists. It is expected that such cases will be more frequent in the future, as the sect is making rapid progress in Germany. At the present time, a number of cases are pending against the Adventists before the court-martial.

A Good Recommendation

“No one will learn of such condemnations without a feeling of sorrow. The religious earnestness and the strict moral conduct of the sect deserve all sympathy. Without exception, Adventist soldiers receive from their officers a splendid testimony as to their behavior. Their objections to rendering service on the Sabbath—for so they call the day—are given in the most modest manner. They quietly answer for themselves before the court, always appealing to the Bible. A comparison between them and the conflict of the first Christian churches with the Roman authorities, as portrayed by Harnack in his Militia Christi, would not be much amiss. That in the Seventh-day Adventist Church the most genuine Spirit of Christ is at work, appears to me without doubt, so far as my personal impressions are concerned. How hard, says one, that a man must be punished for his religious convictions, while the drunkard and the prostitute escape unpunished.

Recommendations for Relief Considered

“It is therefore easy to understand why recommendations should be made that would help the Adventists out of their dilemma: they should be employed in the hospital or in the kitchen, or they should be reckoned as Jews. But he who would offer this advice overlooks two things: first, that each official allowance granting special privileges to the sect creates a precedent which may be used by other sects clamoring for similar exceptions; here, principiis obsta is undoubtedly applicable; further, that henceforth, as a natural consequence of this, all shirks in the army would be greatly tempted to play Adventists; upon that we would not care to place any premium. Against the latter suggestion, that the Adventists be treated as Jews (for they do hold to Jewish opinions), it is especially worthy of note that they themselves absolutely contend that they are not Jews. They say that the Sabbath command is not Jewish, but divine; the Sabbath was kept before there were any Jews: God rested on the seventh day. These suggestions do not help us out of the dilemma.

“Either the state or the sect must give way; and it is clear that the state can not give way, for the very foundation of its existence—its defense—is at stake. It may have been possible for Adventist soldiers, here and there, to have slipped through their military service with very little punishment, because their superior officers, in consideration of their religious motives and otherwise good conduct, shut their eyes. In view of such respite, the Adventists hope that in time there may be established a practise favorable to them. But that which was possible so long as it concerned only isolated cases is now excluded through the growth of the sect and the ever-increasing number of Adventist recruits in the army, so that the matter must be considered as one of much importance. It appears to me, nevertheless, that the moral right does not altogether lie on the Adventist side.

Origin and Growth

“The Adventists are of American origin. They developed from the Baptist Church. Their first founder was Farmer Miller, who foretold that the coming of Christ would take place Oct. 22, 1844. Notwithstanding the disappointment that his followers experienced then, they still continued to hope for his soon coming in the sense in which they expect it to-day; that the Lord will come after the fulfilment of the signs of the times in Matthew 24. . . . There is to-day a church numbering about fifteen thousand scattered all through the German empire, with its headquarters at Hamburg, where there is carried on the production of a practical and devotional literature (translated mostly from the English), issuing from an active publishing house. The chief organ of the sect, Herold der Wahrheit, appears in several languages, and has an edition of about fifty thousand. There is also a child’s paper for the ‘Sabbath-schools,’ with an edition of about thirteen thousand. These few figures demonstrate with what a well-led and carefully disciplined movement we have to do.

He States Our Belief

“As for the teaching of the sect, the chief points appear in its name—expecting the speedy and immediate return of Christ, and sacredly observing the seventh day of the week. The Adventists entertain the simple belief that from the creation of the world (which took place in six times twenty-four hours), the weeks have followed each other in regular, unbroken succession, so that every Saturday may be traced back in direct line to the seventh day of the creation week. The interchange of sun and moon years in ancient Israel, the change of the eras, the calendar reforms of Julius Cesar and Pope Gregory XIII, disturb them not, for they, as is befitting their standard of education, know nothing of these things. From the Baptists they have baptism of adults by immersion; they discard all creeds; only the Bible is of authority; they abolish all church officialism, having simply elders, who are granted ministerial licenses. They practise anointing the sick; feet washing in connection with the celebration of the Lord’s supper; and they give the tenth of all they have. In addition to these religious teachings, there is also a health reform movement, requiring total abstinence from spirituous liquors, tea, coffee, and tobacco. The sect conducts missions all over the earth, and their periodicals contain reports from every land concerning the progress of ‘the work.’ It is less praiseworthy that they also seek to gain a foothold in territory where the evangelistic mission itself has earnestly to contend against their strength. In addition to their belief that these missionary operations will hasten the coming of the Lord, they are also urged on to great exertions in order that they may appear as a great church, whose branches reach out to all parts of the globe.

“There can be no doubt concerning the perversity of their doctrines. It is a return to Judaism not only in substance, but in principle as well. That Jesus abolished this whole system of legal piety, that the Christian, by virtue of his position as a child of God, is entirely freed from obedience to the letter of the law, is hidden from the Adventist. Their scripture interpretation is as fanciful and arbitrary as possible, speculating in a fantastical explanation of the books of Daniel and the Revelation. That their position is untenable, goes without saying.

A Tragic Conflict

“There can be no question, however, that for the individual Adventist who enters the military service, confronted by the question of Sabbath service, there arises a very tragic conflict. In spirit, place yourself in his place. In his eyes it is not alone a question of transgressing a direct command of God; he has also been taught that by keeping Sunday he would place himself upon the side of Antichrist; he has been taught that Christ will come again in this generation: how shall he stand before the Lord, who may come at any time? He has had impressed upon him as his shibboleth the so-called third angel’s message, and Rev. 14:12 exhorts him to constancy. The members of the sect have intercourse one with another on terms of intimacy, calling each other brethren and sisters. Nothing is known detrimental to their morals. In their personal intercourse they impress one with their genuine, heartfelt piety; they possess the peace of the convent, which comes with a once-for-all renunciation of the world that saves all further struggle. To this spirit of the church shall the young man now become a traitor? He knows that he is observed, and according to his conduct will be his standing in the church.

“The following is a typical report, which was published in one of the papers of the sect, and it shows the spirit in which the Adventist performs his military service:—

“‘Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.’ ‘Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.’ Ps. 124:7; 28:6, 7.

“‘Nine years ago I looked with anxiety upon the test of my faith which I saw would come to me in the military service, but at last I could view it with a comforted and assured heart, leaning on the promise of the Lord: “Lo, I am with you always.” “As thy day, so shall thy strength be.” “I am able to do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.” To-day, are not only the years of military service behind me, but also the four years of practise I had to fulfil. It is said of the Lord, “wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.” Isa. 28:29. In thankful review of the help which God rendered, I can say, with Paul, “I have kept the faith,” and establish my Ebenezer—“hitherto hath the Lord helped.”’

“‘If the patience of the saints was necessary to enable me to overcome, during my regular service, it was also true that I had a little conflict each time we came up to the annual military practise, for each time I came near getting into prison. The lighter punishment accorded various brethren in their military service of late years would lead one to think that we may have a more easy victory in the future; but the opposite may just as well

take place. To the point is my experience a few weeks since.

“‘As I sought to get free during the two Sabbaths of my term, the following conversation took place before the commander and several officers:—

“‘Officer: “Chr., we have had a former acquaintance; do you still refuse service on this day?” Chr.: “Your Honor, it is a question of nothing less than obeying the holy ten commandments of God. My present attitude to these commandments is one to which I have been true not only to-day or yesterday, but for many years.” Officer: “As unwilling as I do it, still I must punish you, if you are unable to carry out the orders of your superiors.” Chr.: “Your Honor, for this day I have the command of One higher.” Officer: “Severe punishment, which could easily be dispensed, I shall seek to avoid, but punish you I must; I must enforce the law.” (We have a law, and by our law, he must be condemned. John 19:7; 1 John 4:17.) As I handed the higher officer “The Origin of Sunday,” other questions arose, and I was granted many opportunities to witness for the truth by distributing our publications, and by word and deed. May it not be a witness that will work condemnation, but a “savor of life unto life.” 2 Cor. 2:14-16.

“‘Both Sabbaths I was imprisoned, but I was not alone, for the Lord was with me. He always so arranged it that the Sabbath would be the greatest blessing to me. Rom. 8:28. The punishment was this time lighter than in any of the cases that occurred earlier.

“‘After this punishment, the minister of war was asked as to what they should do with me. He gave an answer which was made known to me, and there was one sentence somewhat like this: “The members of this sect are not to be used as nurses or anything like that, but they are to be energetically punished, to check the insubordinate bearing of this sect before the military authorities.” Every soldier of Christ, who will accept the challenge and remain true to the law and to the testimony, should accept this: Put on the whole armor of the gospel: Eph. 6:10-17; Rev. 12:17. But the Captain of our salvation advances, going forth “conquering and to conquer.” Rev. 6:2.

“‘Who was seen with the Lamb on Mount Zion? Rev. 14:1-5; 15:2-4. Consider the “remnant” (Eph. 6:18-20 and Acts 13:5), for then will many more become victors through the power of Christ, by faith, and carry away the palm of victory as true witnesses for the truth. Rom. 8:31-39 remains ever true. Soon those who have been faithful will be crowned, and with joy shall enter the gates that are open to those that have “overcome through the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony.” God help us to this end. J. CHR.’

“‘In this report two things are prominent: the fidelity of the man to his faith, which should receive full credit, and also his ingenious arrogance. This last term of reproach applies to the entire sect. The Adventists regard themselves as an international association, whose discipline is above the changing laws of states, and whoever takes this stand must suffer the consequences arising from a conflict with the state laws. It is not proper to enjoy the privileges of a body politic and to escape even a part of the duties one owes to the state as a whole. A certain amount of disloyalty to the home country is shown by the Adventists by entering a church that took its rise on a foreign soil. The devotional language, the Bible interpretation, the entire realm of the thought of this sect is American; this foreign aspect may be an attractive power. It is but logical that the strict Adventist should feel himself bound by the Sabbath commandment in case of war; that is, if the Adventist soldier would not fire a gun after six o’clock Friday evening, could he logically fire a gun in battle at all? If the third [evidently referring to the fourth] commandment is so absolutely binding, why not, then, the fifth [intended to have said the sixth], ‘Thou shalt not kill’? This sect does not understand that the soldier owes his life to the fatherland. The state is (to him) only the world-territory of sin, and set in opposition to it is the maxim, We ought to obey God rather than man.

“The Sect Must Surrender”

“In view of these statements, it seems to me that it is impossible for the state to surrender to the claims of the Adventist so far as military service on the Sabbath is concerned. The sect must surrender. It does not alter the case that the leaders throw the responsibility upon each individual man. That is the position the leaders have heretofore taken before the court. They say: We do not influence the man either positively or negatively; he must act as his conscience leads him. However, there is still moral pressure brought to bear. At one time during the trial of Musketeer Muegge, referred to above, he was almost ready to give in and serve on the Sabbath when he was again turned right about by a letter he received from his church. If martyrs are made in this way, who is to blame? Is it the state which can not surrender, but must compel obedience, or is it the leaders of the sect, who look out for their own personal safety? The sect must give in, and the sect can give in, too. Indeed, the Mennonites, who for a long time refused all military service, enlist to-day without hesitation. Such sects are unstable, and America has furnished enough examples of how the dogmatic view-point of a sect may be changed within a few decades. There arise new prophets, with new visions and revelations, and the masses run after them. It is not probable that so purely formal a command as is that of Sabbath-keeping will prove permanent in the church organization. One would expect that it would be put into the background as compared to the expectation of His second coming. It might be remarked in passing that the early church, to which the Adventists delight to refer, brought to the Roman, the heathen, authority a new conception of God, a new estimation of soul, and, therefore, true progress for humanity. What do the Adventists represent?—An external—the Jewish sabbath—a very great difference.

“But in spite of all this, it is impossible inwardly to justify the present punishments that the Adventists must endure. There is a great lack. To punish a man because of his religion is contrary to our feelings. For the man himself, this means a torture without end; for if he remains true to his convictions, he may be kept in prison until he is actually unfit for service. In this way martyrs would be created, which would be another recommendation for the sect. Upon the state, which otherwise stands as the protector of religion, falls the odium of opposing religion with brutal force, if religion be vigorously expressed. The special case has to do with a poor, ignorant human being, who, by yielding on account of the punishment, has, in a certain sense, broken his moral backbone.

The Chaplain’s Solution

“These are reasons enough to lead us to wish that, in the place of the present practise, there might be another found, which, while not in the least compromising the sovereignty of the state, would still be free from the fatal difficulties just mentioned. In my opinion the first step toward the realization of such a practise might be taken if the soldier who is willing to dedicate himself to the service of the fatherland only conditionally (and that is what every conscientious Adventist does), should have no claim to be regarded as a full-fledged member of the army. He might serve his time as a common laborer, naturally enough without the cockade, and have the Sabbath free; and he could serve on Sunday instead of his Christian comrades: this, let it be understood, only in times of peace. This would offer no temptation to others in the army to declare themselves Adventists, and the Adventists would prefer this solution to imprisonment. But if the Adventists would desire full military honors during their time of service, then they would be compelled to give in, as far as Sabbath observance is concerned. Above all, it is the duty of the responsible leaders of the sect to consider this.”

We think this will be read with interest by all our people, for it sets forth some of the trials as well as the victories that the cause of God in various parts of the earth may expect. There are several things we would like you to note:—

1. This article must call the attention of every honest soul to us, and enlist his sympathy for our cause. First of all is his statement that from his own personal contact with us the writer has found that Seventh-day Adventists show forth not only the genuine Spirit of Christ, but the “most” genuine Spirit of Christ. Any system of truth that will beget this in the hearts of its adherents, must be from above. Thus the divine origin of this message is witnessed to by this man, perhaps unconsciously.

2. He states that our young men testify before their superiors in a “modest manner,” and that they “always” appeal to the Bible as the ground of their hope.

3. He himself even alludes to the possibility of drawing a comparison between the early Christians of the apostolic church in their struggle with the Roman government and the experiences through which our own people have now been passing.

4. He gives our young men who have thus far entered the army the best testimonial as to their service during the six working days of the week, so that they have demonstrated that they are no shirks to duty, nor strangers to obedience, and that they do not lack the genuine love for the fatherland, as he would insinuate in some of his utterances.

5. The author admits that this is a well-organized movement, which is advancing with power—a power with which the government must reckon.

6. Although he says that we shall have to give in, or ought to give in, yet before he finishes, he gives a hint to the state, by means of which he shows how our young men might be free from service on the Sabbath, without having to suffer punishment; and statements that he has dropped now and then show that he feels the awkward position of the state that would punish men in whom is “the most genuine Spirit of Christ” because they obey God rather than man, but who, where man’s dictates are not contrary to God’s commands, are perfectly willing to yield obedience to them.

After this article had appeared in the Berlin paper, quite a number of important papers and a good many of the smaller country periodicals made extracts from it, so that within a few days this testimony for the truth was carried by the German press to all parts of the empire, reaching both the nobility and the common people.

We feel grateful to God for the wonderful way in which he has thus brought his truth and his people into prominence, and yet we feel that we should earnestly pray him to help each one of his children to be indeed filled with “the most genuine Spirit of Christ,” that they may in all modesty give a reason for the hope that is within them, and stand steadfast under the severest trials. Our prayers ascend continually for the young men, a number of whom are to-day suffering in behalf of the precious truth of God, which we love. Let our brethren remember in prayer those that are in bonds throughout the wide world. We feel sure God will hear and answer every prayer that is offered up to him in true faith.

Hamburg, Germany.