INTOLERANT LIBERALISM by L. A. S.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 27, 1901

INTOLERANT LIBERALISM.

By L. A. S.

READERS of this paper have often heard it said, and perhaps many of them have come to believe, that the age we live in is too liberal to tolerate religious persecution. We have been told that persecution belonged to the times of ignorance and superstition, when fanatics and religious bigots exercised a controlling influence in the affairs of State; and that we must surely be mistaken in the idea that in this enlightened and liberal age, the intolerance visited upon Christians in former times is to be repeated. But inspired prophecy says, nevertheless, that the “beast” with “two horns like a lamb” “spake as a dragon,” and decreed that all who would not receive the “mark” which he enforced should be put to death. On the strength of this prophecy of Rev. 13:11–18 Seventh-day Adventists have long asserted that persecution would be directed against keepers of the commandments of God, all appearances of the times to the contrary notwithstanding.

Truly we do live in a very “liberal” age. Men have become exceedingly liberal in regard to religious belief, but it is a liberality which means looseness. A church-member may believe almost anything and still be reckoned in good standing. Infidelity, only thinly disguised, has invaded the pulpit itself. The word of God has been liberally dispensed with, and error has been given abundant room to establish itself in the temple of Christian truth. And what is back of all this sort of liberality but the plotting of the arch-enemy of God and man, who is “a murderer from the beginning,” and the author of all the persecution from which the righteous have suffered since time began? Has he now become so liberal that he has outgrown his persecuting disposition?

We will let this liberal spirit of the age speak for itself. It is worth while to know just what its attitude is toward those whose religious convictions oblige them to differ in some essential points from the practice of the majority around them. Here is a recent utterance from a prominent Chicago paper which assumes to lead the way in the march of modern liberalism and progress. Under the heading “Sunday Is Useful—Not Merely Religious,” it says:—

“We learn from the Pittsburg Post that the Jewish merchants of Pittsburg have organized to secure modification of the Sunday law. They ask permission to continue mercantile pursuits on Sunday, alleging that they observe Saturday as their Sabbath, and should not be bound to observe a day of rest set apart by those of another religion. Their argument is logical FROM A RELIGIOUS STANDPOINT. The Constitution of the United States recognizes no religion whatever. It recognizes the existence of God, and forbids any law which shall establish, select, or prefer any particular religion. Therefore believers in the Jewish religion are justified abstractly in protesting against a custom which compels them to observe the first instead of the last day of the week as a day of rest.

“But the question involved in the observance of Sunday is not merely a religious question. It is CHIEFLY a useful question. Sunday is a necessity, physically as well as mentally. One day in the week all men and all animals should rest and enjoy themselves. This is absolutely necessary to health and to normal development. Some one day in the week must be chosen, and all men must abide by that day—not for religious reasons, but for practical reasons. Business would be in a state of utter confusion, and many would suffer if the adherents of different religions were to select different days of rest.

“On this matter of Sabbath observance, as in all others, the majority should rule. The majority in the United States at present believe Sunday the best day for resting; and the minority in this, as in all other matters of practical welfare, should abide by the decision of the majority.

“We believe that the Jewish people of Pittsburg are unwise, as they will certainly be unsuccessful, in their attempt to overrule the majority in a purely secular utilitarian matter. (Italics ours.)”

The same day that it voiced this “liberal” sentiment, this paper published an editorial on “The Crime of Credulity,” which, as embodying the essence of the modern liberalism which disbelieves everything that was “written aforetime” and believed by the godly men of old, is worthy of note. “It

is our duty to doubt,” declares this exponent of liberal thought. “Skepticism is the highest duty, and blind faith is the one unpardonable sin.” This last sentence it quoted from one of the “ablest minds” of the day, and also this: “It is a great mistake to suppose that the religious notions of modern civilized peoples are on a much higher level than the crude spirit-like faith of primitive savages.” Then, as further setting forth the great utility of doubt, it said this:—

“For ages the monkeys believed that they must always run on all fours. But one doubted. He tried to stand erect. And while he tottered feebly, as men totter mentally who try to think independently, that doubting monkey was the forerunner of those who now walk firmly erect, and look up to the stars for inspiration.”

These quotations show that this journal is wanting in nothing as an exponent of the “liberal” philosophy and theology of the day. And this organ of liberalism declares—and every Seventh-day Adventist in the land ought to know it and make a note of it—it declares that “on this matter of Sabbath observance, as in all others, the majority should rule;” that “some one day in the week must be chosen, and all men must abide by that day;” and “the majority in the United States at present believe Sunday the best day for resting; and the minority, in this, as in all other matters of practical welfare, should abide by the decision of the majority.”

This is plain enough, certainly. And now how much have you to expect from this liberal age in the way of protection for your rights of conscience? How much of a barrier will the boasted liberalism of to-day interpose against the enforcement of the “mark” of the “Beast,” and the infliction of that final persecution which the word of prophecy has led us to expect? How much more “liberal” will the age have to become before those very events will follow as a natural consequence of its liberalism?

It is perfectly plain that the liberalism of to-day is all ready to join hands with the forces of religious intolerance for the enforcement of the Sunday sabbath. The prophecy of Revelation 13 is surely to be fulfilled; and if you have thought that the movement toward religious intolerance has become a dead issue, it is high time that you awake from the sleep of false security. This issue is very much alive; and whether you perceive it or not, it will certainly not overlook you. Now is the time for preparation. Now is the time to work with all energy and zeal, realizing that soon the rising spirit of intolerance will close against us many avenues for work that are now open. “We as a people have not accomplished the work which God has committed to us. We are not ready for the issue to which the enforcement of the Sunday law will bring us. It is our duty, as we see the signs of approaching peril, to arouse to action. Let none sit in calm expectation of the evil, comforting themselves with the belief that this work must go on because prophecy has foretold it, and that the Lord will shelter His people. We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience. Fervent, effectual prayer should be ascending to heaven that this calamity may be deferred until we can accomplish the work which has so long been neglected. Let there be most earnest prayer; and then let us work in harmony with our prayers.”—Testimony for the Church, No. 33, pages 241, 242.

L. A. S.