AN AID TO RELIGIOUS DESPOTISM.
By N. G. Wells
It has been a question in the minds of many persons as to how Sunday observance could be enforced, and a union of Church and State made operative in this country, as set forth in Rev. 13: 11-17. The whole tendency of both Church and State in general is toward the consummation in this prophecy set forth. More than this, the same tendency is found in organizations not supposed to be either religious or secular. An instance of this is found in that order called the Modern Woodmen of America, which claims to represent five million of the strongest and best young men of America. I was employed by a member of this order to build a hotel, and he refused to let me work Sundays, but afterward gave his consent, and I did work Sundays. As the Society of Friends did much threatening (a thing not to be looked for in that quarter) at that time, I thought the man feared a boycott. I have since found out the reason. I was handed a copy of the By Laws of this order. It is the revised edition of 1899. On page 78, sec. 300, chapter 47, I read— The Head Consul shall have authority in a summary manner to receive charges against local camps for failing to prosecute their members when guilty of the offense of holding Sunday picnics under the auspices of the society or of any local camp thereof. Sec. 301: If the Head Consul deems the charges thus preferred sufficient to justify an investigation, he shall refer such charges to the Executive Council. It shall thereupon give notice to the camp,9and direct such charges to be heard in such manner as said Executive Council may determine. And it shall have the power to fine, suspend, or dissolve said camp, if in the judgment of the members of said Executive Council such punishment should be inflicted. And thus we see in these secret combinations religious Liberty bound in fetters mightier than an army with banners. In this action by this large society in June, 1899, another footprint has been made upon the sands of time that only marks too sadly the apostasy of this liberty-loving people. Words can not express how painfully true it is that the whole world has become intoxicated with the cup of fornication that mother Babylon has held out to them. And we may know that according to the prophecy we have reached the time for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is not far off. May Almighty God inspire in the hearts of His believing children to make a greater effort than ever before to rescue these perishing souls, who are being carried away with strong delusion. Harlan, Kans. N. G. WELLS.