p. 106 | The Coming Issue by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 12, 1885

The Coming Issue.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

It is now about thirty years since the position was taken by those looking for Christ to come the second time to this earth that the prophecy of Rev. 13, respecting the two-horned beast, applies to the United States. At that time there was but little outward evidence that this country, established by those who fled from the persecutions of a State religion, would ever be brought to enforce religious dogmas by law. The people said, We want a nation without a king; we want a church without a pope; we want a land of freedom, where all can worship God according to the dictates of their consciences. This was their sentiment, as it is to-day the sentiment of every person who loves gospel liberty.

Our Saviour said that his kingdom was not of this world, but the truths and principles which he taught were to so change the heart and transform the person that, so far as they were received, the spirit of enforcing laws to bind men's consciences, would not exist. But as the churches lose the Spirit of Christ, the same road that other nations have traveled in instituting laws to destroy religious liberty, is being followed by this Government, through political and other agencies.

A work published by R. L. Fletcher, entitled, “The Great Temperance Controversy,” gives no uncertain sound upon this question. The author seems to think that could this nation engraft religion into its Constitution, it would thus become elevated and ennobled, even to the standard of the Christian religion itself. On page 42 he says:—

“I recognize that temperance legislation is Christian legislation, that it is a master stroke of policy for the advancement of Christ's kingdom. And when that is done, what may we not expect will follow? We may then expect a constitutional amendment for the protection of the holy Sabbath day. And then, following closely upon the heels of that, a constitutional amendment recognizing the Christian religion. And when these things come to pass, we will have practically and essentially a union of church and State.”

Again, on page 89, he says: “Commonly, intelligent men have said, Keep temperance out of politics, and they shrink with a devout horror from the thought that the Sunday law is going to be made a political issue, and that this mooted question is going to be settled at the polls and by the ballot in the hands of free voters.” “It is but a question of another decade when we will have an enforced statute and constitutional law protecting the sanctity of our Sabbath and shielding the sacredness of our holy religion.” “A State religion is not only admissible, but it is right, and will be an inevitable achievement of the near future. Mark my prediction. You cannot keep temperance, you cannot keep the Sunday question, you cannot keep religion out of politics.”

In speaking of the character of a government into which religion has been engrafted, he says that it will be “at least an infinitely better, purer, and nobler standard of human government than the one in which we are governed in this day and century. And if the truer and loftier conception of the civilian and statesman in that age demands a changed, an improved, or even a new Constitution for our National Government, they will get what they demand, even though it should be purchased by the blood of patriots.”

These are the views of those who are contending so strongly on the temperance question. The Sunday question and the temperance question are inseparably connected. If this movement succeeds, it can readily be seen how it will affect those who claim the privilege of keeping God's commandments as he spoke them on Mount Sinai.

There are certain principles which underlie all practical reforms, and were these principles adhered to they would work a reform in the heart without compulsion. Our Saviour did not compel men to worship him. “Whosoever will, let him come.” But as men lose the grace of God, they feel the necessity of appealing to some other power to make men religious; and when recourse is had to law, liberty of conscience is taken away. Toward this condition we as a nation are fast drifting. It is before us; and if we are prepared for it, it will be because we have placed our feet in the path of God's commandments, and have kept the faith of Jesus.

S. N. HASKELL.