THAT is the character of the campaign which is beginning in California. At its head locally is the Rev. G. L. Tufts. Behind him nationally is Dr. Wilbur F. Crafts.
Of course, we would not be understood as charging that this is the purpose of these men. They doubtless believe that their effort if successful will result in good, will be of great benefit to the state and its various communities, in fact, will be the salvation of the state.
There are some things in Mr. Crafts's reform bureau which are worthy objects to work for; namely, temperance, anti-gambling, reform in divorce laws. But another feature which he is putting forth special effort to secure is a legal sabbath in California.
In a recent meeting in San Francisco — July 10, 1910 — Mr. Crafts declared that the two things that helped San Francisco in her efforts to secure the Panama exposition was the prohibition of the prize-fight and of the fight pictures; and now two more things he deems necessary,— liquor must be forbidden on the exposition grounds, and the grounds must be kept closed on Sunday. Mr. Crafts and his associates will labor to this end. No appropriations will be voted by the Federal Congress, if Mr. Crafts can help it, unless with the gift goes the promise that the exposition is to be closed Sunday, the working man's day for seeing.
The California State Capitol at Sacramento
We do not mean by this that state authorities should seek to control or enforce the labor on Sunday of those employees upon the grounds who conscientiously can not work that day; yet we believe that thousands of workmen would spend Sunday to better advantage upon the exposition grounds, limited tho the exhibits might be, than they would elsewhere in drink, in carousing, in senseless, aimless wandering. The fair would at least be educational.
But a Sunday law, as demonstrated by all past history, is a regular Pandora's box of evils if active. However mild its blossoming, it forms a stock on which can be grafted all the evils of church and state. However beneficent may be its authors, it becomes a weapon which bigots and the intolerant-minded will use as an instrument of tyranny against those whom they oppose.
Why Christians, those who believe in Christ, in His power to save and keep from sin, who believe in the Spirit's power to change or restrain the human heart, should turn from these infinite potencies and seek the aid of the state to enforce religious dogmas and institutions, is beyond comprehension. Does it mean that they do not believe in Christ Jesus after all?
Then, too, no service is acceptable to God unless it is willing service. No man is won by compelling him to act contrary to his convictions. No one is made better by compelling him to be a hypocrite. And there are a hundred other inconsistencies.
