Religious Liberty by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 2, 1901

Religious Liberty

By G.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY is a live issue, and the more it is trampled underfoot the louder its blood cries from the ground. The most alarming spectacle now presented to the people of the United States is the manner in which the principle of liberty of conscience is being ignored by the very class of people who were wont to uphold it in former days. Prominent politicians were once its staunch defenders, but to-day they are too easily influenced by the fear of losing the support of a class whose heads are turned the other way. And Protestant clergymen who a few years ago stood firmly for freedom of conscience in all things, are to-day advocating measures that are hazardous to the liberties of the masses. Moreover, the people are being told by both clergymen and politicians that the country has outgrown the expediency of the fundamental principles thru which both civil and religious liberty were made possible in the younger days of the republic. The people are being dazzled by the glowing pictures of greatness that are held up before their eyes, and are being led to believe that a simple Protestant-republican government is too narrow to enfold the great possibilities that lie before the nation. “When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.” The departure from primitive principles, upon which the nation so greatly prospered in the past, must surely bring disaster to the happiness and prosperity of the people. It would be well for the people of the United States to remember the history of Israel, and the consequences when they sought greatness by other than legitimate means. G.