How Shall I Vote? by R. F. COTTRELL

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 18, 1871

How Shall I Vote?

By R. F. COTTRELL

The question of a religious amendment of the Constitution will soon be before the people, and we shall have the privilege of giving our votes for or against. The call for this amendment is virtually a call for the formation of the image, as prophesied of in Rev. 13:14. How shall I vote?

1. I cannot vote for an image of the papacy—an establishment to enforce the worship and mark of that power, and to persecute those who refuse, because they feel bound in duty to keep the commandments of God.

2. But if I vote against the measure, it will be claimed, with much plausibility, that I array myself against Christianity, and take sides with infidelity, irreligion, intemperance, and every evil work. One party will be considered the Christian party, the other, of course, the Anti-Christian. Shall I encourage unnecessary prejudice against myself, in a fruitless effort to stay the fulfillment of prophecy?

I am not aware that there is any moral wrong in voting, where I have the undisputed privilege. Neither do I see it to be wrong to vote against a measure that will lead to the persecution of the people of God; because that God has foreseen and foretold that it will carry. It was doubtless right for Joseph of Arimathea, in the Jewish council that condemned Christ, to withhold his vote or even vote against the measure, though Christ was to die for the sins of the world. Luke 23:51. Yet doubtless he prudently forbore unnecessarily to provoke their rage.

All can see the dilemma. Who can help me out of it? R. F. COTTRELL.