p. 18 | State and Church by William Warren Prescott

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jul 25, 1912

State and Church

By William Warren Prescott

Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of Religious Freedom, and the Campaign "to Make America Catholic."

Conducted by the Religious Liberty Association.

W. W. Prescott . . . . . Secretary

The American Doctrine

Under the department heading "News and Views," Tobias Schanfarber contributes regularly to the Chicago Israelite. In the issue of that paper for July 13, 1912, we find the following paragraphs, which we reprint entire:—

"It is not often that a Christian clergyman comes out in clear and bold statement against an alliance between church and state. We are accustomed to hearing the church call upon the state for assistance; therefore it does our heart good whenever we hear or read of a Christian minister lifting his voice in favor of a divorcement between the church and state forces. Without giving the matter the thought due it, the church, in season and out of season, has frantically declared that this is a Christian country, and in this declaration has intimated that God and Jesus should be recognized in the Constitution, and that the Bible should be taught in the public schools. Every exception taken by ministers of the gospel to this stand should be given all the publicity that lovers of this country can give it. Such an instance came to our attention recently. The Rev. Dr. Shelton, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Pa., took a decided stand, in his Fourth of July sermon, against an alliance between church and state. We will quote a portion of the sermon: 'When Jesus commanded, "Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's," he laid down a broad principle, fundamental for every age and people. He taught that we have duties both of a spiritual and of a civic nature, and he forever severed church and state, each independent and coordinate and supreme in its own sphere. There are three ideas concerning the relationship of church and state: First, that the church should dominate the state; second, that the state should dominate the church; third, that the church and state should be entirely separate. The first is the Romish idea; the second the Russian and English; the third, the American. In order that we may dwell together in peace and Christian unity, let it be clearly understood that the church, whatever its name, shall give itself to spiritual concerns, with its hands clean and clear of civic activity in its own behalf. In America no church shall dominate the state; and none shall be hindered in its spiritual activity. In this declaration men of every creed, imbued with the spirit of their fathers, are united.'

"This statement is clear-cut, as clear-cut as that of the most radical secularist; and yet this minister could not avoid dragging 'Christian unity' into his remarks. If this is not a Christian nation, the peace that we crave and the unity that we look for is not 'Christian,' but American. If church and state are to remain separate, the name of no religion shall be given precedence over any other. Religion shall have nothing to do with the state; the state shall have nothing to do with religion. Of course religion should religionize the state through its work in the church. In so far it shall exercise force over the state, but in no other way. The state is neutral on the question of religion. No unholy hand should seek to turn the state in favor of any particular religion. 'American unity' should be the national shibboleth, not 'Christian unity.' Let the Christian preachers keep this fact constantly before them."