National "Reform." by Ira J. Hankins

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 14, 1884

National "Reform."

By Ira J. Hankins

SEVERAL meetings under the auspices of the National Reform Association have been held in our State during the past year. The leaders of the party seem very hopeful in view of the rapid progress of their work. They are gradually molding the minds of the people in harmony with the principles contained in their platform. But the real, true interest of the effort is concealed by those who are sent out to instruct the people.

This is characteristic of the work of an enemy. Satan deceived our first parents, making them believe that the forbidden fruit would be an actual benefit to them, while his true object was to deprive them of freedom, and bring them in subjection to himself. So with this party—while they promise freedom of conscience, it can only be found in submitting to the principles they advocate. This all persons cannot conscientiously do, consequently their rights will be restricted. Of course they attempt to show that the principles they advocate will really benefit our nation, bringing happiness and prosperity to all our borders; and that God will therefore sanction and bless their adoption. As they present the matter, this looks plausible, but is it true? It is, so far as those principles are in harmony with the Bible. This point should be carefully and prayerfully considered by every party that starts out with a work of reform.

If it can be shown that the principles of this party are not founded on Scripture, it must be evident to every candid mind that the movement is not of God; and that the final results, if the effort should prove successful, instead of bringing happiness and prosperity, will produce anarchy and confusion. But I want to more than intimate that this movement is not of God. I want to show conclusively that such is the case. It was my privilege to attend one of their meetings recently held in Mt. Pleasant. The sentiments of the party were set forth by earnest speakers. Prominent among other things they asked the people to consider the matter of securing a better observance of the Sabbath (Sunday). One speaker remarked, with emphasis, that in his judgment it is unnecessary for a wheel to turn on the Sabbath; and that these railroad and steamboat corporations, in violating the law of the land, violate also the law of God. This is the point I question; viz., how can labor upon Sunday, the first day of the week, be a violation of the law of God? Where have we in the Bible any law requiring the observance of the Sunday as a Sabbath, or day of rest? Unless this so-called "reform party" can produce such requirement, they must admit that their effort is nothing more nor less than the enforcement of a man-made institution; and that it is in direct opposition to the plain command of God, which says, "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God."

But this, they say, is not a religious question. It is the observance of Sunday as a day of rest, simply, and not as a religious dogma; and therefore will not interfere with anybody's conscience. Not a religious question! and yet Sunday desecration is a violation of the law of God! How can this be explained? Suppose a man conscientiously observes the seventh day, and, having a family to support, cannot afford to rest on Sunday in harmony with the law of the land, what provision will be made for him? The answer would no doubt be the same as I heard given recently in reference to restriction of conscience among Liberals—"Are we to bring down the standard for them?" The party claims that there would be no justice nor equality in allowing a few to conduct business on the Sabbath, and prohibiting others from doing the same thing. In other words, all (without respect to their religious convictions) must submit to the majority, or abide the consequences. Such is the impression given by those who are the most zealous in the work of the party. Such is the deceptive nature of this so-called reform, that many will fail to discern its real object till they are awakened by a spirit of persecution, such as the offspring and image of the papacy alone can instigate.

While the people of God are endeavoring to lead men to a knowledge and observance of the true Sabbath of the fourth commandment, they are at the same time warning them against the claims of the "man of sin," and the reception of the mark of his power, which will consist in the observance of a counterfeit Sabbath (Sunday), instituted by the Catholic power, and enforced by the united efforts of Protestantism.

Glasgow, Iowa. IRA J. HANKINS.