Forces at Work by C. E. Holmes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 23, 1913

Forces at Work

By C. E. Holmes

C. E. HOLMES

AMONG the many organizations seeking Sunday legislation is the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. This body is composed of about thirty religious denominations, and claims to have a constituency of eighteen million church-members.

In a statement recently sent out to the public press, we find the following:—

“Two years ago the Federal Council Commission on the Church and Social Service started a national campaign for one day in seven for industrial workers.

“The commission appointed a committee, distributed among the various States, numbering in all about six hundred church leaders and social leaders, and entered into arrangements with the American Association for Labor Legislation by which that organization was to prepare legislative measures for the various States, the Committee of the Social Service Commission caring for the moral aspects of the campaign, but the legislative aspects being left to the Association for Labor Legislation.

“The Commission on the Church and Social Service is now sending out an appeal to the manufacturers and commercial organizations, urging that they bring about the needed reform by voluntary action, although the legislative campaign will be prosecuted earnestly during the next year.”

While the Federal Council and the American Association for Labor Legislation keep in the front the idea that it is only a one-day rest in seven they wish, it is plainly to be seen that Sunday observance is the pivotal point. The “moral aspects” of the campaign which the Social Service Commission is caring for are in reference to the sacredness of the first day of the week.

This is indicated in some questions proposed for discussion at ministerial meetings, when considering the labor question:—

“What is the law in this State with respect to Sunday observance?

“What is the effect of Sunday work on church attendance?

“What do the men who have Saturday half-holiday do with it? Has it any effect on their Sunday church attendance?

“Have any steps been taken in your State to provide for one day of rest out of every seven in those industries where Sunday work is necessary?

“What sort of activities are commonly proceeded against under your Sunday laws? Saloons? Ball games? Candy shops? Manufacturing plants?”

The forces that are to take part in the last great drama are fast coming into line. To fill her place in this conflict the church must pray and work. The woman, or church, is no match alone for the dragon, or powers of earth. It is to be noted in the prophetic picture of the revelator, that in every move of the dragon against the woman, she was especially protected. First, her child was caught up to heaven; second, God prepared a place for her in the wilderness, and gave her wings to fly to the place of refuge; third, the earth swallowed up the flood meant for her destruction; and now, in the last attack of the powers of this world, the woman, or true church, must still trust to the God of heaven for protection while warning the world of its doom.

Takoma Park, D. C.