THE SUNDAY QUESTION by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 1, 1859

"THE SUNDAY QUESTION."

By James White

BRO. SMITH: I have seen several newspaper notices of the Anti-Sunday demonstration in Philadelphia. To-day I am able to send you a paper containing a full report of the proceedings. Pennsylvania has very stringent Sunday laws, and it will be seen that a determination exists with many of her citizens to have them modified. Will they succeed? is an interesting question.

The speech of Mr. O'Byrne, though not given at length, possesses much interest as setting forth facts which the other speakers entirely overlooked, though a part of the speech of Mr. De Wolfe, an Israelite, was pointed and truthful.

The remarks of the Quincy, Ills., Herald speak the opinions, and doubtless shadow forth the hopes, of a very large class in all parts of the country. The determination is openly avowed on both sides to make this a leading political question, and it would seem by the expressions of the Philadelphia Mass-meeting that they think the "Pharisees" of the age will tremble in view of such an issue. To me it looks entirely different. For this they have been striving for many years. Knowing well that they have no scripture ground to rest on, their only hope is to throw it in the arena of politics. Here they will readily unite: Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, Presbyterians, Disciples, Episcopalians, and so on to the end of the family. Indeed, they are already uniting, wherever the Message is preached, and the question—the only question that will be asked by the candidates for political honors will be, Where is the balance of power? If the churches can carry enough with them to maintain their popularity, of course politicians will seek their favor.

Another class, both powerful and assuming, stand ready to interfere whenever expediency calls for their exertions, to wit, the Spiritualists. Bible truth has already driven many prejudiced professors to sympathize with the Spiritualists, and a compromise for the sake of power would be easy to effect between the two parties. Indeed, a compromise would scarcely be necessary, for neither party would have much to compromise to fellowship the other; and Spiritualists have as little sympathy for commandment-keepers as Presbyterians, Disciples or Catholics.

This movement, like the war in Europe, may temporarily assume various and perplexing phases, but the ultimate issue is certain. But before that issue comes, this strife and commotion among the theological and political elements of the land will prepare and open the way for a thorough investigation of the relative claims of the Sabbath and first day of the week. The work opens before us. We must gird on the armor.

Different papers throughout the country have had more or less discussion on the subject of the Sabbath for some time past; but the churches are strenuous to maintain and exercise their power. A member of Dr. Cheever's church, in New York, was recently expelled for denying that there was divine authority for keeping Sunday! (Dr. C. is an earnest advocate of civil and religious liberty.) He was not permitted to defend himself, and others denounced the action as an outrage. "Lord, send out thy light and thy truth." J. H. W.

We give below the speeches referred to in the above, and the remarks from the Quincy, (Ills.,) Herald. ED.