THERE IS A REASON

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 19, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 25.

THERE IS A REASON.

In speaking of the arguments for the relaxing or repeal of Sunday laws before the Massachusetts Legislature, the Congregationalist of Boston remarks that—

“The listener to the debates doubtless noticed that the greater aggressiveness in argument, the most push and energy, were with the minority [those for repeal], while the action of the majority did not reveal the desire, familiarity with fundamental principle and force of personal conviction which are imperative for permanent triumph, but seemed to rest to be rather upon an inherited training, upon conservatism, and upon a supposed indorsement by their constituents. If this diagnosis is correct, the Sunday issue is not settled yet, and those who support the present restrictive laws need to make themselves more familiar with their own ground, and to instruct their children and neighbors.”

And Sunday laws and Sunday sacredness rest largely on “inherited training.” There is reason why there is no personal conviction. True personal conviction rests on the truth of Scripture, and innate, equal justice to all; but Sunday sacredness and Sunday laws have behind them neither the Scripture nor justice. The Sunday issue “is not settled yet,” nor will it be till men yield to God, or the great Judge of all rises up and pronounces sentence against the counterfeit which has deceived so many, and the tyrannous means by which it has sought establishment. There it will be settled, and the Sunday will not be; but thruout eternity, “from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the Lord;” not compelled to come save by love.