p. 87 | The American Sabbath by Wm. Penniman

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 22, 1883

“The American Sabbath.”

By Wm. Penniman

BY WM. PENNIMAN.

SUCH is the title of a tract published by the American Tract Society. It will be seen by the following quotation from this work that the American Sabbath means the enforcement of the civil Sunday—

“The State should protect the Sabbath from injury; the church must teach and incite men to spiritual improvement during its sacred hours. For the State is no less responsible to God for the right discharge of its civil duties, than is the church for its spiritual functions. This view of the Sabbath, as to its origin, perpetuity, binding obligations, and infinite value to morals and religion, is a characteristic of our national life. ‘It enters,’ says the judicious Dr. Philip Schaff, ‘into the bone and sinews of American character. It is entrenched in our national habits, embodied in our creeds, and guarded by our civil legislation. It is an essential part of American Christianity and morality, and one of the strongest common bonds which unite the different Protestant denominations.’ The venerable French scholar, Duponceau, after long familiarity with America, made the remark, that by all we claimed as characteristic, our observance of the Sabbath is the only one truly national and American trait, and he trusted it would never lose its hold on our affections and patriotism. Is it strange, then, if we plead for the preservation of the holy day both in its civil relations and in its sacred character and spiritual power? Is it undue zeal that leads us to deprecate its disregard by our own people, or by those who come to make their home among us, or by those who come as transient and welcome visitors? Ought we not to guard with holy jealousy that which is so essential to us as a people?”

It can be seen by the preceding that this society (which is large and influential) are in earnest in this work, which is widening out to its completion and to the fulfilment of the prophecy. Rev. 13: 11-17. In the Advance of Jan. 25, 1883, we notice the following:—

“The Chicago Sabbath Association has issued an address making an appeal for the enforcement of the laws protecting the sanctity of the day of rest. It is not a tame, whining appeal either. It goes back to the first American Constitution adopted in 1620; refers to the Declaration of Independence; quotes the statute laws of the State, and the ordinances of the city. Then as an attorney who has a clear case with law and evidence enforcing all the claims of his client, the Association makes a strong demand for that which the law allows and says we shall have. The law quoted in the address will undoubtedly be news to very many who read it in the daily papers, and will serve to show how far we are from having our laws enforced by the powers that be. Rev. W. C. Welling, the president of the Association, is showing great activity and ability in bringing this question before the people, and we understand that he has secured the co-operation of most of the ministerial associations in the city. A public meeting will in all probability be called at an early day, when the organization will undoubtedly be much enlarged, and more thoroughly organized for effective work.”

There is no doubt that this “organization will be much enlarged,” not only in Chicago, but throughout the land, until the final object, the image of the beast, is accomplished. Perhaps the progress of this work will be checked for a time in other States as it has been in California, but the image will be made, and God’s people should rejoice that their redemption draweth nigh.