The "American Sentinel."
By C. H. Jones
JANUARY, 1886, the first number of the American Sentinel was issued. It entered a field which had not been occupied by any other publication in the United States before, and was looked upon by many as rather a hazardous enterprise, but the experience of the past year has demonstrated the wisdom of the movement, and the necessity of having just such a paper as this. As stated in the prospectus, the object of the American Sentinel is to "defend American institutions, preserve the Constitution as it is, maintain human rights, and uncompromisingly oppose everything tending to a union of Church and State." It is a well-known fact that there is a large and influential body known as the "National Reform Association," that is trying to secure such an amendment to the Constitution of the United States as shall "place all Christian laws, institutions, and usages on an undeniable legal basis in the fundamental laws of the land," and if carried out, what would this be but a "union of Church and State"? We see danger ahead, and it is this very thing to which the American Sentinel is opposed, and it will speak boldly and fearlessly, and give "no uncertain sound." Already the strong hand of the law has been laid upon those who dared to work on the first day of the week, or "Christian Sabbath," as it is called, even though they had conscientiously observed the seventh day, according to the commandment. And this, too, in more than one State. In proof of this we would refer to what has taken place in Arkansas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and even in Massachusetts, where good, law-abiding citizens have been arrested, fined, and imprisoned for laboring on the first day of the week, after having conscientiously observed the seventh day, which the commandment of God enjoins. This certainly is religious persecution, for it does not allow persons to "worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences." January, 1887, the Sentinel enters upon its second volume with a large subscription list, and the publishers desire the hearty co-operation of all lovers of liberty and justice, in giving it a still wider circulation. From the very first issue it has been gaining in favor with the public, and many letters of encouragement have been received from prominent persons in different parts of the country. Now is the time to subscribe for yourself and friends. For terms, etc., see publishers' department on preceding page. C. H. JONES.