Partnership in Sin

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 8, 1885

Partnership in Sin.

Boys at school do wrong in company, which no one of them would commit if alone responsible for the act. Young men at college sin as they would not at home, simply because "all the fellows do." Churches make the house of prayer a house of merchandise and play, because "all the churches do." Christians gamble because the church approves of it.

Politicians buy votes and slander their opponents because "all the rest do." The followers of him who said: "Swear not at all," multiply horrid oaths in secret lodge, because "we have all taken the same obligation." So-called Christian nations break every command in the decalogue and no person in particular feels guilty. The robbery of Mexico enlarges our republic; the killing of Indians opens the land for white settlers; negro slavery made cheap sugar and cotton; forcing opium upon the unwilling Chinese fills English coffers; plundering Chinese and Madagascar villages adds to the prestige of France; and so justice falls in the street, and a false show of patriotism hides the blush of shame. It is for our readers to do right as individuals, and not to think the consent of a church or a lodge can annul the moral law. "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shall thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment." Ex. 23:2.—Cynosure.