Two Great Compromises

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 23, 1883

Two Great Compromises.

THE AMERICAN COMPROMISE.—CONCLUDED.

Having noticed the main points in this movement to amend the Constitution of the United States, as set forth in the prophecy, we will again notice the agencies by which it may be brought about. And it will not be without a struggle. Compromises are not made in times of quiet and peace. In studying the prophecies we foresaw years ago that interests naturally averse to each other must combine to carry into effect that which John in the Revelation saw would be accomplished, and, therefore, a compromise of these interests must be effected. But a compromise is the fruit of an emergency.

We also said years ago that the test would be on a religious question, and, therefore, it would affect, not merely States, but neighborhoods. No geographical lines would mark the boundaries of the trouble. Every school district would feel its influence, and strife and contention and ill-will would abound throughout the land. Our charity was so great that we have often said that if the abettors of the scheme could get a glimpse of the result of their efforts they would pause and shrink from the responsibility of carrying their work further. Of course when we gave this as our view of the future of their course they mocked at us as foolish alarmists; as being frightened for nothing. They said no such state of things would be produced.

But now behold the change! The Christian Statesman quotes from the Chicago Journal, which says: "The Sabbath question with its religious aspects, will in all probability be carried to the ballot-box for final settlement in the future." People used to laugh at such a statement made twenty years ago; now they do not. Yet it is difficult to convince some even now that we understood this from the prophecy.

The Statesman regards the coming conflict as one in which "all the baser elements of Society will be arrayed against the friends of pure morals and religion." With such statements continually given to the world, it would seem that they who so strongly assert that "Sunday in politics" is not and will not be a religious question ought to confess their mistake. But the particular point to which we wish to call attention is in these words of the Statesman:—

"The battle will be serious. It will divide neighborhoods and separate very near friends. It may involve perils and require sacrifices of which few are dreaming to-day. But we welcome the prospect as the only pathway to the purity and order and peace of the better days which are beyond."

Thus step by step our opposers concede all that we have ever claimed, and that which they have so strenuously denied.

To show how minds are affected when in perplexity, and how easily Spiritualism may become the motor in troublous times, we copy the following from an exchange:—

"When the Czar was in some perplexity respecting the measures to be taken for the safe conduct of the coronation ceremonies, it was suggested to him that he should 'ask counsel of the spirits,' at the hands of a lady medium, who had been practicing for some years in London. The lady (who is an American) was accordingly sent for to St. Petersburg, and gave a 'sitting' to the Czar. The result of the seance was so satisfactory that the preparations for the coronation were hurried forward with greater energy than before, haste being recommended with much emphasis. Everything having passed off extremely well in Moscow, the Czar has come to think that 'there may be something in Spiritualism after all;' and the lady, on her part, is said to be extremely well satisfied with the results of her visit to the Russian autocrat."

That Spiritualism claims to be a religion the evidence is every day increasing. Thus we find in the Banner of Light a notice of the "Church of the New Spiritual Dispensation," in Brooklyn. A speaker at a camp-meeting said: "We strengthen the religious sentiment in man. Our great work is the proof which we offer of immortality." Another speaker said: "The difference between us and the church is that they believe and we know whereof we affirm." This was said concerning the emigration of their friends to another sphere.

The principal phenomena in Spiritualism at present are found in "materializations." In former years a number of spirits would attend and speak to their friends; now they materialize, that is, appear in sight of their friends. As many as twenty-five are reported as appearing in one evening. Of course this is more convincing, and appeals more strongly to the feelings of those present. By such means it is making great progress. An American writing from England says: "Spiritualism seems to be making good progress. The growth is steady and often silent, and, therefore, from an external point of view, it may seem scarcely so large as it really is. Opposition to Spiritualism is manifestly greatly on the decline."

The decline of opposition to Spiritualism—we might say the general cessation of that opposition—opens the way for the union of the parties necessary to the formation of the image; to the union of the Church and the State for the enforcement of the Sunday. The religion of Spiritualism is popular religion. But in this it is not far removed from the position of the Churches. It announced as its mission, as early as 1849, the proving of the immortality of the soul. Recently we saw a notice of a Spiritualist lecturer giving a lecture in the city of New York in favor of the civil Sunday law. There is nothing whatever to hinder the Spiritualists in a body taking that position. Especially, if in case of emergency, they be accepted generally as the true exponents of the received doctrine of the immortality of the soul, and mediumship, clairvoyance, and materialization be accepted as the power of God to demonstrate the truth of that doctrine. Spiritualism will get the chief glory of the movement, and what more can they ask?

And when shall we look for a party who will withstand the popular current? The great majority of the churches are already in line, demanding Governmental action to accomplish this very object. They do not hesitate because of the fact that there is no Bible proof in favor of the Sunday; this fact makes them rather more clamorous for a law which shall remedy this omission of the Scriptures. Sunday they will have, and a law they must have to enforce it. The Baptists professedly stand aloof from those denominations which accept doctrines which have no higher authority than Catholic traditions, but they, too, must have Sunday; a day for which they have only tradition and the authority of the Catholic Church. Politicians are already watching the horizon for the breeze which shall waft them into office through the action of the allied forces of the churches. And old party issues are dying out; therefore this will the more readily be seized upon. And the time will come when the strife between the National parties will be as to which is best entitled to this as their own issue. The common classes, the workingmen, are assured that the success of this movement is the only means of securing to them the right of one day in each week for "rest and recreation." This, of course, is a fallacy, but it is a popular one, and well answers the purpose. And as an effective means of cementing the whole, we are assured that the multiplicity of accidents, the tornadoes, and the pestilence, are evidences of the displeasure of Heaven upon the land because we do not acknowledge God in our National Constitution! Thus the superstitious feelings of the people are played upon to accomplish that which cannot be accomplished by preaching the word of God. And with the whole the letter of the decalogue becomes a dead letter. Indeed, learned men of nearly all denominations are already either preaching openly that the decalogue was a Jewish law which has been abolished, or else taking positions which lead to that result. The Methodist Church was built up on opposition to antinomianism, yet antinomian teachings have received high indorsement in that body when put forth against the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.

There is one body of Christians to which we think we can point with confidence as standing aloof from all efforts to unite Church and State. It is the Seventh-day Adventists. We have great confidence also that many of the Seventh-day Baptists will be found steadfast in the same position. But we know of many among them who think we make too much of the Sabbath and Sabbath reform, and who deny that it is a subject of prophecy in Rev. 14. As these things press upon them we feel assured that they will become converted to a greater devotion to the Sabbath, and accept the faith of the prophecy of the Third Angel's Message of Rev. 14:9–12, or else accept the popular demand for a Sunday law, under the specious pretense that it will be politic to keep two days and thus obey the law of the land.

The prophecy points out two parties, and no more. One which worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark. The other, which keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

And now, if any yet think we make too much of this matter, we request them to read in a prayerful spirit the words of the Most High on which our faith is based. We here repeat "the message" of Rev. 14:9–12:—

"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

If the commandment of God says the first day is the Sabbath, then keep it; for on the commandments he will bring every work into Judgment. Eccl. 12:13, 14. But if it says "the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God," and you be found keeping the first day, because tradition and human law indorses it, you will surely be found against those who obey God. The wrath of God is terrible; what can this world offer to compensate those who fall under the denunciations quoted above from God's word? Do not put off a consideration of this matter till you see more of its fulfillment. It is a work of faith, without which you cannot please God.