Sentenced to Practice Religion by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 31, 1914

Sentenced to Practice Religion

By Editor

It has frequently been declared by those who favor religious legislation in this country that there need be no fear that any one will be forced to attend church as people were in the early days. While there is not at present any law making church attendance obligatory, yet we have noted a number of instances where persons have been compelled to attend church. The latest that has come to our attention is reported from Wabash, Ind. The report reads:—

“Eleven days in jail or fifty-two Sundays in church,” said Police Judge Wilson after John Yeater had pleaded guilty to the charge of intoxication. The prisoner declared the church to be his preference. Then the court made inquiries and found that Yeater was not affiliated with any religious denomination. Consequently he was compelled to choose a church where he is to attend services for the next year. The pastor of this church has promised to report to the court the first Sunday that Yeater fails to show up.

The idea of turning the church into a penitentiary, a place of punishment for criminals, is wholly repugnant to the idea of religion, to the purpose of our Lord in establishing the church, and to the fundamental principle of the gospel. They who come to Christ must come of their own free will, by invitation and not by force. The only time when Jesus used force in connection with the services of his house was when he cleansed the temple of those who were defiling it. Then it was to drive men out of his temple and not into it. Such an order from a judge as that mentioned above is a travesty on law, on justice, and on religion. If the judicial branch of our government can do that, how long will it be before the legislative branch will follow the example?