Defending Religious Persecution
President Charles A. Blanchard, of Wheaton College, in an article in the Advance of August 2, defends the Puritans in driving out Roger Williams, on the ground that "he was sent out of Massachusetts because he was not, and would not, become a law-abiding citizen." In speaking of the whipping of Holmes, President Blanchard says that "it could have been entirely avoided had Holmes remained out of Massachusetts, where, since 1644, it had been unlawful for him to hold Baptist meetings." On the same ground the persecution of Daniel by Medo-Persia, and the apostles by the Jews, may be justified. Daniel disobeyed the law; but he need not have prayed with his windows open. The disciples disobeyed the law; but they need not have preached in the temple. They could have remained out of Jerusalem. By such arguments can the religious persecution of all past ages be justified.