'NATIONAL REFORM' FULFILLING PROPHECY.
The National Reform Association—which is the progenitor of the International Bureau of Reform, whose headquarters are at Washington, D. C., and whose chief does not hesitate to call it a 'Christian lobby'—is engaged in a determined battle for the full establishment of church and state union. Of course the association writers and speakers always deny this, but its constitution expressly announces the purpose 'to secure such an amendment to the Constitution of the United States as will declare the nation's allegiance to Jesus Christ and its acceptance of the moral laws of the Christian religion, and to indicate that this is a Christian nation, and place all the Christian laws, institutions, and usages of our government on an undeniably legal basis in the fundamental law of the land.' If such a consummation would not make a full-fledged church-and-state government, what would constitute such an institution? When 'Christian laws' become state laws, what power will enforce them? Will it not be the power of the state? Will it not be the police and the secular courts that will be called upon to see that people obey the dictates of that which the state will recognize as the Christian Church? That is all that church-and-state union ever was, or ever can be. Then there must inevitably follow the question as to what shall be the standard of 'Christian laws.' If the government, in its various phases, must enforce the laws, it must have some standard of recognition. Suppose it should undertake to enforce all the so-called Christian laws recognized by all the so-called Christians, would there not be a considerable clashing? There surely would, and the state would have to settle which 'Christian laws' should be recognized. And the party having the strongest political influence would be sure to win. Such has always been the case. When the emperor and senate of Rome decided to make Rome a 'Christian nation,' they put 'Christian' laws on 'an undeniably legal basis.' But there were factions in the professed Christian Church, and it was but a few years until the government was obliged to decide which it would recognize as the church, and the decision was made in favor of the Catholics. In Great Britain the same principle prevailed. At one time the Catholics were the stronger element, and the Catholic 'Christian laws' were placed on 'an undeniably legal basis.' Then the government was overturned, and the Covenanter 'Christian laws' were given 'an undeniably legal basis.' Again the tables were turned, and the Catholic 'Christian laws' were placed in the ascendant. And under either power the 'legal basis' of the church's laws were emphatically undeniable. Eventually the Church of England was established, and her 'Christian laws' obtained the 'legal basis.' And to-day the non-conformists are feeling the pressure of being taxed to support the schools of the state church, wherein are taught the 'Christian laws' that are antagonistic to the religion of those who are thus compelled to support them. But these 'Christian laws' are on 'an undeniably legal basis in the fundamental law of the land.' The men who are building the church-and-state structure in the United States imagine that they are wise enough to steer clear of the errors and corruption and persecution that attended the former efforts. But they are doomed to disappointment; for the 'sure word of prophecy' says that it will be an 'image' of the Roman 'beast.' It was Rome that first placed Sunday observance on 'an undeniably legal basis' in the law of the land, and it was the Roman Church that first anathematized those of her members who insisted on loyalty to the Sabbath of the Lord. And in imitation of this, we now have the proposition of a Kansas preacher, an advocate of state religion, to coerce the same class of people. He is authoritatively quoted as saying: 'If we [Sunday observers] would say we will not sell anything to them, we will not buy anything from them, we will not work for them, nor hire them to work for us, the thing could be wiped out, and all the world would keep the Christian Sabbath.' Thus we have the proposition to do just what the prophecy says will be done when the 'image of the beast' is fully established. See Rev. 13:11-17, and then turn to chapter 14:9-11, and there read the doom of those who yield to this coercing power. It is time to 'think on these things,' for the prophecy is fast fulfilling in this country.