p. 8 | SWINGING BACKWARD by T.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 7, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 27.

SWINGING BACKWARD.

By T.

The Dark Ages were well named, because the period covered by this title was the blackest midnight of human woe. In those times even the most intelligent of all the people were full of superstition and bigotry of the worst type. Kings made laws that the people were obliged to slavishly obey, and priests defined tenets of faith that all were required to blindly profess. Under such a régime oppression and cruelty were the rule. The many were held in debasing bondage and superstitious fear, while the few could revel in their usurped and superficial superiority.

A false religion was at the foundation of all this evil. True, this religion was called Christianity; but it was no more like the Christianity of the Nazarene than midnight darkness is like the noonday light. It was only when the Reformation cast the light of the real Gospel into that wilderness of darkness that men began to get free and rise.

When one man allows another to regulate his faith and religious conduct, he submits to a human and fallible guide, and so can not tell into what pit of error, darkness, and superstition he is going to land. Therefore every one should persistently refuse any but the great Leader Himself and His trusted guide-book, the Bible.

It is often said that “history repeats itself,” and there is truth in it. So we may reasonably ask, Is there danger of the world swinging back again into the darkness of the Dark Ages? Think of the situation a moment and see.

No nation aside from the United States has swung right out and squarely taken her position against a union of Church and State. The Old World, with her State churches, has been watching the procedure and questioning how it would come out. There can be no question as to the outcome if this country only would stand by her principles. She would simply lead the world because of the correct stand she has taken.

But there is evidence of a backward movement. Any attempt, be it ever so small, to regulate religious days, ceremonies, or beliefs, by civil law is a step in the direction of a Church-and-State union. And this is being done to an alarming extent in this country.

Sunday is a day that is religiously observed by thousands. So long as they are left free to observe it or not as they choose, there is no danger. But when civil law is demanded to compel unwilling persons to rest on that day, it is a big step toward compelling the observance of any other religious belief or notion that men may have; for when it is admitted that the law can prescribe my day of rest, it must also be granted that it can say whether I be immersed or sprinkled, enjoin my homage to the Virgin, require me to attend church at stated times, etc., etc.

But you say, “This Church-and-State despotism can never come in free America.” Don’t be too sure. When once the principle is conceded on a single point, who can tell where it will end? Already the Christian Endeavors, the Epworth League, the W. C. T. U., the Prohibition party, the Law and Order Leagues, the “Sabbath” Unions, Christian Citizenship League, and numerous other lesser organizations have declared in favor of laws compelling the observance of Sunday. It will be seen that many of the churches of the land are quite fully represented by the above organizations. Hence there is a strong body already headed in this backward direction.

It is not enough to reply that all these people have good motives and represent the great moral force of the church. An individual with a good motive is often in the wrong. And the church element is always the one to take the initiative in leading down to a Church-and-State union.

We believe that thousands and thousands who are engaged in the movement to secure Sunday laws and their enforcement, are honest, and we honestly ask them to candidly consider before going farther. We should shun the evil by not taking the first step.