The Church-and-State Disease Germ
By Editor
THERE ARE SOME DISEASE GERMS which are found almost everywhere in civilized lands, like the bacteria of tuberculosis, for instance. They are quite harmless so long as people where the germs circulate are normally well. But let the people live below a health standard, with life force non-resistant, and they become a prey to the deadly bacteria. The church-and-state disease germ has been prevalent in this world since sin entered. At various times when spiritual life is at low ebb, the disease has become epidemic, thousands have died in consequence, and both church and state have been ruined. There are remedies for prevention and cure of most diseases; there are also for the church-and-state phobia. But the remedy must be applied early, thoroly, repeatedly, emphatically, drasticly, let the consequences be what they may. The most effectual remedy in California just now for the Sunday-law fever is to let it and its zealous promoters entirely alone. Let it die of inanition. It does not belong to the sphere of the legislator or statesman. Let him not seek to warm into life such a serpent.