Against Enforcing Sunday Observance
Those people in Plainfield who were trying to stop the ball game think that Sunday is the Sabbath, and hence they go forth to make war on those who would desecrate what they regard as a holy day. But what is the result of that minister's action? He places himself where he can have no possible influence for good over the large number in that community who think they have a right to play on Sunday if they so desire. He and the community are at war with each other in a way that is out of harmony with every principle of Gospel truth. The observance of Sunday is a religious dogma. Try to disguise it as you will, but the fact remains just the same. No matter whether it be the Sabbath that the Bible teaches, or not, it is always wrong to try to enforce it by civil law. It can do no possible good, and all the evils in the whole realm of intolerance and religious persecutions are bound to be the final result of such a procedure. Would that ministers of the Gospel would learn the simple truth of these clear and definite words of the Almighty: "'Tho we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds); casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full.'" 2 Cor. 10:3-6. T.