To Correspondents

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 9, 1875

To Correspondents.

Lately I heard a person of intelligence and information argue that false forms of religion are sometimes a benefit to mankind. As I am a reader of the REVIEW would you please give a few pointed thoughts in your valuable paper. H. E. H.

There may be a choice between different forms of false religion; some may be productive of less evil than others. But the idea that false forms of religion are under any circumstances preferable to the true, is too absurd to be argued for a moment.

Do you consider it a violation of the fourth commandment for a Sabbath-keeper to let out, by contract, a house to be built by those who do not regard the Sabbath, when the owner does not live upon the premises where the house is to be built? Any light on the above will be acceptable to many. INQUIRER.

Ans. We do not see how it could be so considered. The land upon which the contractor is at work putting up the building, is, for the time being, under his control the same as if sold or rented. And as for the work performed upon the house, the same principle which would forbid our allowing the contractor to work on the Sabbath, would forbid our sending a letter by mail to be out over the Sabbath, or contracting for work to be done in any branch of business or manufacture, except it was to be performed by a Sabbath-keeper, which would manifestly be unreasonable. U. S.