Eternal Vigilance

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 7, 1913

Eternal Vigilance

Recently there was held at New Rochelle, N. Y., a celebration of the landing of the Huguenots. On that occasion Mr. W. Bourke Cockran, lawyer, ex-congressman, and a representative Catholic, delivered an eloquent address. He declared that "the American spirit of today is the edict of Nantes with its toleration in actual operation, or rather with its spirit in effect," and that "every one recognizes that the basis of all laws should be the sermon on the mount, and that it is not the function of the state to support the church, but it is the function of the church to support the state." The Christian Herald of July 16, commenting upon this, justly questions whether Mr. Cockran spoke with authority as a representative of the church, and says of the watchfulness which should be exercised regarding the designs and purposes of the Catholic Church:—

The true attitude of Americans of all religious denominations, and especially of American Protestants, should be one of eternal vigilance. Every Protestant publication should be a watch-tower and every pastor a sentinel on the heights, vigilant and alert against any encroachment from whatever source, by any religion, upon the independence of the state.