WHY DO THEY DO IT?

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jan 2, 1907

WHY DO THEY DO IT?

To LIBERAL-HEARTED men this question arises again and again, Why do ministers of the Gospel of Christ labor so earnestly to secure a law enforcing religious institutions and dogmas upon the consciences of those who do not believe as they do? What satisfaction is there in it to compel some one unwillingly to act as if he believed a thing he does not believe?

Jesus Christ has given us the secret of the whole thing, in the sixteenth chapter of John, the first three verses. Having told His disciples that they would meet persecution, and to be faithful under that persecution, He continues: "These things have I spoken unto you that ye should not be caused to stumble. They shall put you out of the synagogs; yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God. And these things will they do, because they have not known the Father, nor Me." A knowledge of Jesus Christ and of Him who rules the entire universe would lead poor, puny men to be willing to submit all religious controversies and questions to His tribunal, instead of trying to settle them themselves.