Most readers of this journal know that those who conduct it understood more than forty years ago from the "more sure word of prophecy" that there would be a world-wide agitation over the Sabbath question; that the truth concerning the Sabbath of the Lord would be proclaimed by voice and pen and type throughout the world; that not only would efforts be put forth to obtain world-wide Sunday laws, but that world-wide Sunday laws would be obtained. These views were received in silence, incredulity and derision at first, but now their truth is patent to thousands. In almost every state of the American Union exist Sunday laws, and in consequence of this in some states have been notable persecution. Even in heathen Japan Sunday is in the ascendancy, and China is tending that way.
It will be of interest to our readers to know the progress the Sunday cause is making in Europe. We gather the following from an article by W. W. Atterbury, D.D., in the Independent of September 24. The leading items we number:—
1. In all Europe, Dr. A. tells us, the Sunday-rest movement "is making quiet and rapid progress."
2. At Geneva, Switzerland, is the headquarters of the International Federation of all organizations of this kind. It has already received four national medals by way of recognition.
3. "In France the movement is meeting with surprising success." At the head of the Sunday league is M. Cochin, a Roman Catholic, and member of the Chamber of Deputies. "The league embraces men of all religious beliefs, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed, Wesleyans, and even Israelites." "The whole movement has the warm support of the leading Catholic bishops." "More and more it engages attention in public journals, and some even of the more radical organs do not hesitate to advocate it." In some cases where proprietors of stores would not close, "lists have been distributed and posted of the stores that are willing to grant the Sunday rest, and appeal has been made to the citizens to aid the movement by discriminating in favor of such." It might naturally be expected that that country which showed despite to the week and Sabbath of the Lord by a rest day every ten days would accept the false Sabbath, and indulge the boycott. "Jewish storekeepers have been among the foremost in granting the Sunday rest." Why not? They have rejected the Lord, why not the sign of his power?
4. At the head of the "active Sunday-Rest League" of Belgium is Baron Priss. This league "though composed chiefly of Catholics, embraces men of all faiths, including the Liberals. The state, in the railways it controls, and the post-office department, coöperates in the work. A commission has been appointed by the government to make thorough inquiry into the Sunday-labor question.
5. "In Germany, since 1891, numerous enactments restrict Sunday labor both in trade and manufactures." "Within the past year the Prussian Government has taken steps to relieve from all Sunday work 50,000 railway employees engaged in freight transportation. The Emperor William a few months since issued an order to the Prussian Minister of War for the purpose, as he says, of making known anew to his army his desire for the maintenance and progress of religion, in which it is directed that the soldiers shall have every possible facility and liberty for attending the services of religion." The army, he adds, "I know to be one with me in a living and joyous faith." The Bavarian Minister of War has issued similar orders.
6. In Baden, Sunday perishable freight trains have been suppressed, as also in Bavaria.
7. The Austrian Government proposes to adopt similar measures to those adopted in Bavaria on all railways under state control.
8. In Switzerland there is but one delivery of letters on Sunday in all cantons except Zurich, while freight trains were prohibited five years ago. Many stores are closed in Geneva, and many still remain open.
9. In Italy at Milan and Rome, Sunday-rest leagues exist, and the movement finds favor and coöperation on the part of many, among whom is the Minister of Posts and Telegraphs.
10. "In Norway the Secretary of State, M. Lehman, is president of a Sunday society, and advocates the cause in the public journal. Railway employees, bakers, confectioners, and other classes are making progress in their agitation for Sunday rest. The idea is that in order for one to have rest all must rest.
America is rapidly drifting toward the Dark Ages, and her influence is being greatly felt in the Old World. These Sunday-rest laws and leagues seem now to be harmless or positively good; they will ere long be made engines of tyranny and persecution. And yet so deceived will those be who advocate and support them, that the Sunday will be considered the sign and mark of Christianity, and the governments which adopt the laws advocated will be said to be governments of Christ; while on the other hand, those who will not bow to the deified pagan holiday will be considered enemies of the church, and traitors and conspirators against government, and worthy of death. This is the power of deception in this Sunday movement. May God by the truth of his word keep our readers from its baleful influence.
