A Veritable Curiosity by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 1, 1874

“A Veritable Curiosity.”

By Uriah Smith

The Christian Statesman of Aug. 1, 1874, has the following among its “Editorial Notes”:— “There is a body of religionists in our country who are a veritable curiosity. The persistent faith with which, in spite of all consolatory indications, they cling to the doleful prospect of persecution, is a lesson for these degenerate times. To their enlightened vision, the beast with two horns like a lamb, in Rev. 13: 11–18, is a prophetic symbol of the United States. Its appearance as a lamb indicates the pacific character of the American government, and our comparative youth, while the fact that, unlike other beasts in prophecy, its horns have no crowns, indicates our republican character. After awhile, however, the lamb-like character disappears, and the beast becomes oppressive, and finally engages in persecuting the true people of God. This is to be fulfilled in the rigid enforcement of ‘Sunday laws,’ under terrible pains and penalties against the keepers of the seventh-day, one of whose organs (the Advent Review), has just published this profound interpretation. The rise of the Religious Amendment, and the formation of the ‘popular and influential National Reform Association’ are at once the means to bring about this dire consummation, and the sign that it is near at hand! What a ‘raw-head-and-bloody-bones’ we are, and what ‘Gorgons, hydras and chimeras dire,’ discerning eyes can see under our fair exterior! Like children frightened out of their wits, there is no reasoning with these people. Besides, there is the prophecy, and what enticing words of man’s wisdom can set that aside? We can only comfort ourselves with reflecting on their sheepish surprise when they find that the amendment has been adopted, and not a hair of their head is in the slightest danger of harm.”

We do not quote this for the purpose of offering anything by way of refutation; for “who can refute a sneer?” But we are glad the Statesman has called the attention of its readers to the prophecy of Rev. 13: 11–18, and set them upon the track of its interpretation, though it has only brushed at a few of the pinnacles of our faith without giving any idea of the broad and massive foundations upon which they rest. Nevertheless it may excite a spirit of inquiry, which will result in good. There may be those who have not thought so far upon this Religious Amendment movement, as to see that its logical result is religious intolerance and oppression; but they cannot have studied history without knowing that if the movement succeeds, it passes at once beyond the control of the few who would restrain it from evil.

But we are not at all disturbed at the prospect of its success. The little fling about our being frightened out of our wits, may go for what it is worth. We simply aim to show the people that a vital issue between truth and error is before them; that men will endeavor to enforce obedience to error by the severest human penalties, while God denounces upon them more terrible judgments if they yield; and we would have them understand that God has forewarned us in his word of these things so that we need not be taken by surprise by any of the strange movements of this strange time, but may prepare for the issue, and be on the right side when it comes.

That the loud professions of tolerance on the part of the movers of the Religious Amendment are a fraud and deceit, is well set forth in the following scathing remarks by the Sabbath Recorder. After quoting the paragraph which we have given above from the Statesman, the Recorder says:— “While we do not accept the interpretations of prophecy given by our Advent friends, we are far from resting in any assurances of protection from outrage and oppression given by the advocates of the Religious Amendment. The terms of the Constitution of the United States do now protect us, but in the State of Pennsylvania there is in operation a wicked and oppressive Sunday law, bearing on those who observe the seventh day; and yet those who under the amended constitution promise protection, will not with one of their fingers remove the burden now on us.”

We venture to predict that there will be occasion to refer to this paragraph again in a few years, when that very surprise which the Statesman now anticipates with such pleasure beholding upon our countenances, will be found upon the other side of the house. U. S.