No Federal Interference
By Editor
"No Federal Interference."—We are pleased to lay before our readers the article in our Outlook department, "No Federal Interference for Religion," from the Christian Advocate. Individual rights are infringed by polygamy, but not by the free exercise of religion. There is one sentence which may be misunderstood, namely, "But Federal interference, never, unless the people violate the law." This we understand, in consonance with the rest of the article, to refer solely to civil legislation. The Federal government, or any other government, has no right to make a law guarding, promoting, or protecting religious institutions or dogmas; and the transgression of such a law may be conscientiously, religiously, and Christianly the highest duty. No true Christian will ask the aid of civil power. The Advocate well says, "It is 'pleading the baby act' for any religion in this country to ask for Federal interference in its own behalf or against another." This should be remembered when demands for Sunday laws are made.