A FULL-FLEDGED NATIONAL REFORMER.
By Editor
ONLY a few years ago we were accused of being alarmists because we warned the people that such a condition as is indicated in the following official notice would yet be the result of Sunday-lawism in the United States. The same spirit has been manifested by higher officials, and in other states and territories, but none have as yet gone so far into the smaller details of intention. But it is the logical result of the growing effort to establish the "image of the beast" (Revelation 13) and to enforce its worship. It was a characteristic of medieval persecutions that officials of the loudest moral pretension were the most cruel and relentless in their bigotry. For the bitterest persecutions of the Dark Ages were only the execution of religious law. The worst feature of religious legislation (practical church and state union) is that it gives opportunity to would-be tyrants to display their power, or to unprincipled people to oppress those against whom they may have a grudge. This always has been the effect of enforcing religious dogma by means of human law. Note the animus of the following official warning, and remember that it is only a foretaste of that which is yet to become more common in this "land of the free," as the power and influence of state-churchism increases: As I am a peace officer of Benton County [Ark.], I think it my duty to notify the law-breakers of the county that I, for one, will prosecute every one that I see or hear of, that intentionally violates the law, both old and young. What is the use of having any law if it is not enforced. There are people who do not regard the law of God, neither do they regard the law of men. This class of people is what the law is made for. The Sunday is badly imposed upon and we want to be better men and women. I read in last week's paper what the writer of the Happy Hollow items wrote about some boys being fishing on Sunday. Now, Mr. "Crosstie," if I can find out who you are, you will be called before the grand jury this fall. I go to church, and very often I hear boys talking out-of-doors, and sometimes they talk and laugh and make fun in the house. Now, boys, if this isn't stopped you are going to get into trouble. When you go to Sunday-school or church, go in the house and stay there until services are over. Don't be running in and out of the house keeping up a general disturbance. When you drive up to a meeting-house hitch your horse, and don't trot by the house as fast as you can three or four times in an hour. Now if the ox falls in the ditch pull him out. Please don't push him in to get to pull him out. I understand there are some Seventh-day Adventists in the county, and I will say to them, Keep your Sabbath. The J. P., or the officers of the county are under obligations to prosecute the law-breakers, and if we do not do our duty we are subject to a fine and also removed from office. If you don't know the law, go to your J. P. and ask him to let you see the statute. Any of us will do this for you. There are people that, if their harness needs mending, or if they have a horse that needs a shoe on, or his shoes need mending, they will put it off till Sunday. Now this is a fineable offense, and I think I have said enough on this subject. Men and boys, if you have been violating the law through the week or on Sunday, you will do well to not do so any more. Yours truly,
Given under my hand this the fifteenth day of May, 1905. J. P.