The Better Way

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 28, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 21.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” —Holy Scriptures.

“Secular power has proved a satanic gift to the church, and ecclesiastical power has proved an engine of tyranny in the hands of the State.” —Dr. Philip Schaff.

The Better Way

IF the Almighty has set apart the first day of the week as a time which man is bound to keep holy, and devote exclusively to His worship, would it not be more congenial to the precepts of Christians to appeal exclusively to the great Lawgiver of the universe to aid them in making men better—in correcting their practises—by purifying their hearts? Government will protect them in their efforts. When they shall have so instructed the public mind, and awakened the consciences of individuals, as to make them believe that it is a violation of God’s law to carry the mail, open post-offices, or receive letters, on Sunday, the evil of which they complain will cease of itself, without any exertion of the strong arm of civil power. When man undertakes to become God’s avenger, he becomes a demon. Driven by the frenzy of a religious zeal, he loses every gentle feeling, forgets the most sacred precepts of his creed, and becomes ferocious and unrelenting.—Report of House of Representatives, 1830.

Religious Liberty Series, No. 2