WHAT HAS A CIVIL GOVERNMENT TO DO WITH IT?
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
THERE is held in connection with the Paris Exposition, October 9 to 12, the "International Sunday Rest Congress," originated and fostered by believers in the religious Sunday, for the purpose of obtaining a world-wide Sunday law. Some of the European governments have sent delegates to this Congress in the past, we believe, but it has never been held as an official government matter so broadly as this year. It is held under the auspices of the French Ministers of Commerce, Industry, Post-office, and Telegraphs. Among the topics for discussion are "The Sunday Rest in France," and "Sunday Rest throughout the World." The senior secretary of the New York sabbath [Sunday] committee, Dr. W. W. Attebury, who is now in Paris, has been appointed by United States Commissioner-General Peck as an official delegate of the United States to this congress. Many of our readers well know that Dr. Attebury is a most ardent advocate of Sunday laws. It is said that this congress is not for religious discussions, but to consider "the rest day as essential to the well-being of society on physical, moral, and humanitarian grounds." But it is a fact that it is the religious Sunday that is so pressed, and no other day will do. In fact, a gathering is held in Paris at this very time to discuss the obstacles to Sunday's religious observance. And Dr. Attebury and other religious workers will present papers here. "The Rev. E. G. Thurber, D.D.," the Examiner (Baptist) tells us, "of the American chapel in Paris, has also been appointed by Commissioner Peck as an official delegate to this congress, and has been authorized to act for the New York sabbath committee, if occasion arises." But what has the United States Government to do with this question of religious days, or Sunday laws? -She has none of right. All this is but another step in the fearful path of a union of Church and State, the first of which was taken in the closing of the World's Fair at Chicago on Sunday. The beast and his image and the mark of the beast will receive world-wide recognition, and this congress marks an advance step in the proceedings. Would that men could see that in all this many-times-well-meant work they are opposing God! He has given but one day as a Sabbath, namely, the seventh day, and He designed that its observance should be voluntary between the loyal soul and Himself. EXPRESSED SENTIMENTS AND REAL FACTS.
MANY of the sentiments that are so strongly expressed at the present time by a large number of individuals, lack the foundation of fact. We are told of the great progress of the world, and of the bright outlook that is before us. Our attention is frequently called to the claim that the nineteenth century has led the world higher and higher, and that a millennium of peace is just before us. But any one who is an observer of the present conditions knows that all of this talk is mere sentimentalism. Politics never were so corrupt. Each State and county has its political boss and political machine. The nation has political bosses and political machines, and the result is corruption. Political corruption has become so general that it is a byword everywhere. The world is filled with violence and crime, and is in a turmoil of strife and rioting. These facts suggest to the mind the intense absurdity of saying that the world is becoming better, and that the outlook, from a human standpoint, is reassuring and bright. The Lord has told us in His Word that His coming shall be immediately preceded by "signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Luke 21:25, 26. We are standing in the immediate presence of the great events that are fulfilling this prophecy, and, regardless of all of the talk to the contrary, we see men's hearts beginning to fail them for fear as they look upon the situation in the world to-day. And what we have seen up to the present time is as nothing compared with that which is coming. But there is a gloriously bright side to all of this. That which looks so dark from the human standpoint, that which is filling the minds of so many with perplexity and fear, is simply a part of the evidence that the coming of the Lord is right at hand. And He comes not merely as King of kings and Lord of lords, but as the Prince of Peace. He comes as the tender Shepherd and loving Saviour, to receive every one who is ready to receive Him. He is a destroyer to those only who refuse to be separated from their sin. The necessity of destroying sin makes it necessary for Him to destroy the unrepentant sinner. But He is seeking through every entreaty that love can make, and by the persuasion of His tender mercy, to draw every one of us away from our sins. We should not delay to be separated from our sins; for the time is right at hand when sin, and, consequently, every unrepentant sinner, must be destroyed. The glad morning of the resurrection, and the beginning of the realization of all the delights of eternity, are soon to be given to all the redeemed children of God. These facts are solemn in their import, yet they are gloriously and joyously grand to every one who has learned to know the Lord Jesus Christ.