p. 6 | Untitled article by S. D. Heady

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 8, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 32.

OPEN LETTER. No. 2.

By S. D. Heady

ALBUQUERQUE, N. M., June 19, 1900. TO THE READERS OF THE "SIGNS OF THE TIMES," OAKLAND, CAL., AND ALL CHRISTIANS EVERYWHERE—Friends: Since writing the "Open Letter" published in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, I have been the recipient of many letters, a few of which are from the clergy. Those from the clergy, in all cases, have been against the position that I took in the "Open Letter," and in nearly all cases, those from other than the clergy have been in favor of the position taken in the "Open Letter." From the reading of some of the letters I should judge the writers to be anything but Christian, and many others most certainly are Christian in every sense of the word as far as I can judge from letters. To the non-Christian I will say: I am truly gratified if your eyes are open as mine are; and I exhort you to be particular to keep your eyes on religious legislation. We as a nation do not need any religious legislation, as it enables those who would to apply the legal birch to the backs of those who differ in opinion with so-called Christians. What we want is an entire separation of Church and State forever, entire religious and political freedom. Vote as you deem best; worship as you deem best; regard and keep any day, all days, or no day, as you like; worship God according to the dictates of your own conscience. In the end God will be the Judge as to who has done right and who has done wrong, God, not man, is our Judge in all matters pertaining to religion.

I would that all men everywhere keep their business eye on religious legislation, remembering that the honest do not mind being watched, all others need it; and when I, or any other person, seek to compel any one to yield to our religious or political opinions, it is time that a stop was put to us, the other man will take care of himself.—"Equal and exact justice to all," regardless of all or any religious belief; for religion is weighed only by God Himself, and of a necessity can not be weighed by man. We must be willing to grant to the other fellow the same privilege that we want him to grant to us, and in so doing, we will have no trouble, and harmony will prevail.

To those of my correspondents who are Christians indeed, I will say: Go on as you are doing, believing nothing that you can not see a "Thus saith the Lord" for, and when the Lord speaks obey Him, just as you profess to do. Let your light so shine that others seeing your good works may glorify your Father which is in Heaven. Never get into that popular rut of formalism; be Christians indeed. If any of you lack light, ask of your Father in heaven, and I know He will give you abundantly. Light and much light has been given me by asking and study, and if God will give the sinner like myself light and reveal Bible truths so plainly to me, how much more abundantly will He give it to you who are of the flock? In conclusion I will say, Read Phil. 4:4-9, and let your every action accord fully to what the apostle tells you in the Scripture.

And now a word to the popular clergy. With due respect to all I will say: In the name of common sense quit trying to control the sinner by legislation. You rob yourselves of the good that might come of your preaching, by trying to have laws passed, making things a crime on Sunday that are not a crime on any other day. Attend to your flocks; preach the Gospel in all of its purity; teach only those things that Christ told His followers to teach,—"All things whatsoever I have commanded you,"—and do not try to tell us anything for doctrine that is not in the Bible.

As many persons like myself are making those things a study, they can see that your doctrine is defective; that it won't stand the test, and thereby they conclude that you ought to know better; and that if you do not then you ought not to be a teacher; and if you do know better, then they conclude, and rightly too, that those who teach such things and know better, are deceivers, and consequently worthy of no confidence. You will certainly agree with me that any one who tells us something for a Bible doctrine that is not contained within the lids of the Bible is either himself mistaken or else he is trying to deceive his hearers; and in either case he is in the wrong position. I am a railroad conductor, and my company would accept no excuse for me making a mistake, and it would not be right if they did. Why, then, should the world excuse those who daily and weekly preach error and know it themselves.

Now, ministers all over the world, I ask you in all kindness, to consider well, weigh well, all things you teach your flocks. If you are the watchmen set on the walls of Zion, be sure to give good account of your watchmanship. Let your sermon be fraught with a "Thus saith the Lord." The signature of the Lord is what every honest person wants to all doctrine, and without a "Thus saith the Lord," no man's word is worthy of consideration in the things of eternity. At all times remember that "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God," and that God will in the end judge the world in righteousness.

With due respect to all, I am yours for truth, justice, and equality. S. D. HEADY.