p. 19 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 27. (7/4/1899)

WHAT RELIGIOUS LEGISLATION MEANS.

It is incumbent on the authors of persecution previously to reflect whether they are determined to support it in the last extreme. They excite the flame which they strive to extinguish, and it soon becomes necessary to chastise the contumacy, as well as the crime, of the offender. The fine which he is unable or unwilling to discharge, exposes his person to the severities of the law, and his contempt of higher penalties suggests the use and propriety of capital punishment.—Gibbon, "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," chap. 37.

If the principle is once established that religion or religious observances shall be interwoven with our legislative acts, we must pursue it to its ultimatum.—U. S. Senate Report, 1829.

Religion Enforced by Persuasion

Our Constitution recognized no other power than that of persuasion for enforcing religious observances. Let the professors of Christianity recommend their religion by deeds of benevolence, by Christian meekness, by lives of temperance and holiness. Let them combine their efforts to instruct the ignorant, to relieve the widow and the orphan, to promulgate to the world the Gospel of their Saviour, recommending its precepts by their habitual example. . . . Their moral influence will then do infinitely more to advance the true interests of religion than any measure which they may call on Congress to enact.—United States Senate Report, 1829.

The Dangers of Religious Combinations

By United States Senate

Extensive religious combinations to effect a political object are, in the opinion of the committee, always dangerous. All religious despotism commences by combination and influence; and when that influence begins to operate upon the political institutions of a country, the civil power soon bends under it, and the catastrophe of other nations furnishes an awful warning of the consequence.—United States Senate Report, 1829.

Religion Governed by Conscience

By James Madison

We hold it for a fundamental and undeniable truth that religion, or the duty which we owe our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence. The religion, then, of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man, and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an undeniable right.—James Madison.

Battle Creek Bakery Company

Established 1881

MANUFACTURERS OF HEALTH FOOD CRACKERS, BISCUITS, AND CEREOLA STRICTLY HIGH GRADE GOODS AT REASONABLE VALUE

Below is our Confidential Circular of Facts and Prices

READ EVERYBODY You do read the daily news, and you do know from facts and statements there presented, the urgent necessity of Food Reform. Do you know that the crackers commonly sold for butter crackers are such in name only, they are lard shortened? Do you wish healthful crackers and biscuits that are both highly palatable and nutritious, and are received everywhere with favor and commendation? Do you wish a food supplied your tables the year round, made only of first-class material, and guaranteed to contain neither lard, cotton-seed compounds, imitation or inferior grades of butter? Do you wish a pure food cracker in the composition of which the products of slaughtered animals form no part? Do you want the best health food crackers and biscuits the market affords? Do you want a food that is prepared from a variety of the choicest cereals, thoroughly cooked and ready for immediate use? (Ce-re-o'la.) Is it a satisfaction to know that you can obtain foods that have not been aerated with the fumes of liquor and the smoke of tobacco? Do you know that the Battle Creek Bakery Co. is prepared to furnish you just the class of goods above described. Do you want graham flour that is made from the cream of wheat, and not a compound of bran and middlings? Do you want deliverance from all that troubles you in making good graham bread? Our Perfection Graham Flour is your remedy. It is a perfect flour.

Ce-re-o'la . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in bulk $.08 Ce-re-o'la . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in packages .10 Gem "Oatmeal Biscuit" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Lemon Biscuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Graham Biscuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Fruit Biscuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Whole Wheat Crackers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .08 "A" Graham Crackers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .08 "B" Graham Crackers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .08 New Era Butter Crackers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .08 Per bbl. Perfection Graham Flour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.50 Per lb. Perfection Graham Flour in less quantities $.03

Cereola is ready for immediate use by the addition of milk and cream or fruit juice, or may be eaten dry. It is a food for all, both great and small, sick and well. New Era Butter Crackers are especially suitable for soups, etc. "A" Graham are slightly sweetened. "B" Graham and Whole Wheat are unsweetened.

In ordering please remember that the freight on 100 lbs. costs no more than on any number of pounds less than 100. Save your money by ordering 100 lbs. or more. We offer a discount of 10 per cent. from the above prices on all orders of 100 lbs. or more. This does not apply to Perfection Graham Flour.

A sample box of the various Crackers, Biscuits, and Cereola will be sent prepaid by mail or express on receipt of 35c.

In making your selections be careful to state the number of pounds of each you wish, and enclose amount of purchase with order. Our Institution is well known to the publishers of this journal, and no doubt this will be a sufficient guarantee to the public of good faith on our part to do precisely what we have here agreed to do. To those who wish other references, we refer you to the City Bank of Battle Creek, Mich. Please send all remittances by Post-Office Order, Express Order, or Bank Draft, and make all Bills payable and address all communications to BATTLE CREEK BAKERY COMPANY Battle Creek, Mich.

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When you write, please mention the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Signs of the Times Subscription Offer

By Editor

To those who solicit subscriptions for the "SIGNS," Special inducements are offered at rates far below the regular fees.

For further particulars on this offer, write to "SIGNS OF THE TIMES," Oakland, Cal.

For further information concerning the School, address BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE, Battle Creek, Mich.

Nuts at Lowest Prices

By Joseph Lambert

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WE WISH YOU TO KNOW

By Editor

that we have arranged with BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE to give you a.......

Free Scholarship of one year, including board, room and tuition

Read the statement below

THE BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE

A Training School for Christian Workers Battle Creek, Mich.

"Come thou with us, and we will do thee good."

This institution is devoted exclusively to the spiritual, physical, mental and moral training of young men and women, that they may be prepared to go out to service for God. Practical courses are given in every line of study necessary for this work. Special attention is given to training for the ministry, missionary teaching, house-to-house Bible work, colporter work, and for foreign mission service. Students have abundant opportunity each day to put into practice what they have learned.

A prominent feature in the educational work of this College is the instruction and practice given in manual training, including farming, carpentry, broom making, shoe making, tailoring, dressmaking, cooking and nursing.

Board is offered in the College boarding hall on the European plan, which enables the student to control and greatly curtail his expense on this item.

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Our Cover Design.

By Editor

The artist is Mr. Ross, of San Francisco. He surely caught the inspiration of the deep things of the moment. In the background is a picture of the sea, upon which ships of war are sailing hither and thither. They represent our country's work, the subjugation of weaker peoples without their consent, for the extension of empire. The Stars and Stripes have hitherto covered their work; it has been supposed that all that was being done was for the extension, not of empire, not of "commerce," but for the freedom of oppressed races. But now the curtain has been drawn aside, the vail has been lifted, and the perversion of patriotism has been shown; and seeing it all, Liberty weeps. The words of Jefferson should be remembered now: "Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political."

The Only Hope of the World

By Editor

Our poems in this issue are partly voices from the past, utterances from men whose hearts beat responsive to the principles of liberty. Miss Coolbrith's and Mr. Morris' poems are in the same strain. All are powerful appeals for right judgment and true liberty. Mr. Edgerton's beautiful poem, "Hope On, Toil On," speaks hopefully, leaving you somewhat in doubt as to the ground of his hope. If that ground be some semi-social and political scheme, the hope will turn to despair. If "the rose-white dawn," "the yet unrisen day," "the better days," "the nearing goal," "the portals, open swinging," are of men's dreams in this present world, they will vanish as dreams; but if they are to be ushered in by Jesus Christ our Lord at His second coming, they are eternal.

"The hosts of toil" will arise; God has said it in His Word; but the selfish heart of toil will found no perfect State, no country free from want and wo, no more than we see at the present. Man may smite down wrong. Babylon may punish Egypt and Tyre, but she is Babylon still. The only hope of the world is our Lord Jesus Christ. He reigns now in individual hearts; He will people His eternal kingdom with such ones.

Notice About Unpaid Papers

By Editor

We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance.

When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the "Signs" are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.

Departments Crowded Out

By Editor

Of our departments, the Missions, Outlook, and Question Corner have been crowded out.

Articles and Advertised Contents

By Editor

Our articles are not all named as they were advertised, but we have given all we promised, and more.

Sunday-School Lessons Resumed Next Week

By Editor

Two Sunday-school lessons were printed in our last issue, therefore none appears in this. Both will be regularly resumed next week.

A Request to Our Readers

By Editor

Friend, to whom this paper may come, we make but one request. Read the whole paper and weigh candidly, fairly, honestly, between yourself and God, the facts set forth herein.

Illustrations and Principles of Liberty

By Editor

Our illustrations are not all new, but they are not less interesting. They recall "the time that tried men's souls." They should recall the principles of liberty which actuated the tried men of that time.

Further Study of These Questions

By Editor

Those who wish to pursue a constant study of the great questions treated in this issue (and who would not?) should read the American Sentinel, published at 39 Bond Street, New York, and the books advertised on our cover pages.

Church and State Articles

By Editor

Following this issue will be published a number of articles from the pen of Alonzo T. Jones on the "Separation of Church and State." These articles will trace the subject from the very beginning, and will show from the Word of God, as well as in the very nature of the case, the true attitude as respects each other of both Church and State. They will probably cover four months. There will also be five articles by Professor Magan on "Roger Williams, the Luther of America." These will be illustrated.

Can Government Enforce the Sabbath?

Human government can never enforce God's Word, or Law, or Sabbath; it can only enforce some man's conception of what God requires. Men of old, professing to be teachers of God, believed that Jesus Christ ought to die because He did not observe the Sabbath in the same way they observed it. There are religious teachers now who believe that men who keep the same Sabbath that Jesus did ought to die because they do not observe a day which Jesus never observed. Should such teachers ever be entrusted with the power of Cæsar?

THE CRISIS.

[THE fundamental doctrine of American Government is "that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men;" deriving their just powers from "the consent of the governed." Our country now holds as subjects about ten millions of people, who have for years waged war for freedom from oppression. These have been purchased for a price and are to be governed for gold, if greed is to have its way. Such a course perpetuates slavery in the Philippines, condones Spanish tyranny, and repudiates the basic principles of American justice and freedom. The following lines of Whittier are to the point.]

Is this, O countrymen of mine, a day for us to sow The soil of new-gained empire with slavery's seeds of wo? To feed with our fresh life-blood the Old World's castoff crime, Dropped, like some monstrous early birth, from the tired lap of Time? To run anew the evil race the old lost nations ran, And die like them of unbelief of God, and wrong of man? Great Heaven! Is this our mission? End in this the prayers and tears, The toil, the strife, the watchings of our younger, better years? Still as the Old World rolls in light, shall ours in shadow turn, A beamless chaos, cursed of God, through outer darkness borne? When the far nations looked for light, a blackness in the air? When for words of hope they listened, the long wail of despair? The crisis presses on us; face to face with us it stands With solemn lips of question, like the Sphinx in Egypt's sands! This day we fashion destiny, our web of fate we spin; This day for all hereafter, choose we holiness or sin; Even now from starry Gerizim, or Ebal's cloudy crown, We call the dews of blessing or the bolts of cursing down! By all for which the martyrs bore their agony and shame; By all the warning words of truth with which the prophets came; By the future which awaits us; by all the hopes that cast Their faint and trembling beams across the blackness of the past; And by the blessed thought of Him who for earth's freedom died, O my people! O my brothers! let us choose the righteous side.

Another Criminal Brought to Book

By Editor

Another Criminal brought to Book.—The State of Mississippi has just succeeded in arresting another criminal. He was, when arrested, conducting a Sabbath-school on the day that Jesus Christ observed. The officer stayed to the Sabbath-school, to the subsequent preaching service of the prisoner, and the social meeting that followed; and then went home to dinner with the criminal, who afterward accompanied him to jail. The crime was doing a little work on the first day of the week, a day used as a labor day by Jesus, the Carpenter of Nazareth, and by Paul, the tent-maker of Athens. The prisoner's name is Rodney S. Owen, a preacher of the Gospel. We know him personally as a Christian gentleman, but we are not so sorry for him as we are for those who instigated his arrest, through the means of a medieval law on the statute-books of Mississippi. We are sure that the major part of the people of the State do not believe in this thing.

The Purpose of Human Government

Human government is a device not to protect the many against the few, but to protect and secure the few against the many; not to protect the strong against the weak, but the weak against the strong. Religious tyranny always reverses this method.

TWO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

By Editor

"The Survival of the Fittest."

LAWS for the protection of human rights are necessary; but class institutions, among which are all religious days and dogmas, must depend for their existence and promotion on their intrinsic worth and the loyalty, devotion, and zeal of their adherents.

If these institutions are worthy to live, if they are of benefit to mankind, if there is back of them real intrinsic value, if they are founded in truth, their worth will be recognized, and they will be perpetuated in the hearts and lives of their constant and multiplying constituency. But if these institutions can not thus be maintained, they deserve to die.

Above all classes, Christians should recognize this fact and indorse this sentiment. Jesus Christ declared: "Every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." Matt. 15:13. A practical and vital question before the world to-day is the Sunday question, and the demand that the day shall be protected by legislation. But men may bolster up the Sunday by tradition and false teaching; they may put behind it all the combined power of civil government the world over; but if it is not of God, it will surely perish, and will include in its destruction all those who have to the end identified themselves with it. But if it be of God, let its religious friends look to God with the calm faith of an Elijah.

The Rock, and all builded upon it, will endure. All the storms of infidelity and opposition may beat and break upon it, but the waves and winds will prove to be but harmless spray, which will whiten, harden and polish its immovable strength.

We leave these queries with those of our readers who hold to the Sunday institution:—

Is not the appeal to civil law a tacit confession that they know that the Sunday is not of Christ, that it is not of God's planting?

Or, if they believe the Sunday to be of God, does not their appeal to civil law show that they have lost faith in the "all power" of the Gospel?

TOLERATION VERSUS LIBERTY.

The American View.

Toleration is an important step from State-churchism to free-churchism. But it is only a step. There is a great difference between toleration and liberty. Toleration is a concession which may be withdrawn. It implies a preference for the ruling form of faith and worship, and a practical disapproval of all other forms.

. . . In our country we ask no toleration for religion and its free exercise, but we claim it as an inalienable right.

What other nations call religious toleration, we call religious rights. They are not exercised in virtue of governmental indulgence, but as rights, of which governments can not deprive any portion of its citizens, however small. Despotic power may invade those rights, but justice still confirms them.

I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, disciples, or exercises.

Love, Not Force

Love, not Force.—True and intelligent Christians will never seek to control the religious or non-religious opinions of even a single man, save by the law of love and the method of persuasion and reason. They know in their own experience that Christ did not compel their allegiance by force; He won it by love. As did Christ toward them, so will they act toward others. And this is the Golden Rule.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

Poetry.

True Freedom, James Russell Lowell . . . . . 1 The True Man, Anon. . . . . . 2 A Plea for Peace, HENRY O. MORRIS . . . . . 12 The Present Crisis, James Russell Lowell . . . . . 12 Freedom, Ina D. Coolbrith . . . . . 13 Hope On, Toll On, J. A. EDGERTON . . . . . 13

General.

Basic Principles of True Americanism, W. N. GLENN . . . . . 2 Departure from Basic Principles, Etc., ALONZO T. JONES . . . . . 3 From Republic to Empire, John Clark Ridpath, L.L. D. . . . . . 4 America in the Light of Prophecy, PERCY T. MAGAN . . . . . 6 Religious Liberty through the Christian Era, C. M. SNOW . . . . . 7 Our Country—Its Dangers, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . 8

Editorial.

Liberty (notes)—The Individual vs. the Institution— . . . . . 1 Our Country, the Outlook . . . . . 10 An Ancient Prediction Concerning the United States . . . . . 10 Is This Christian? . . . . . 11 Time's Noblest Offspring . . . . . 9, 14

The Home.—The Spare-Built Man, HENRY F. CUNNINGHAM . . . . . 12

International Sabbath-school Lesson . . . . . 14

A Comprehensive Christian Work

of true Christian living.

It contains nearly 900 pages, over

Religious Liberty Library

By Editor

The object of this Library is to acquaint the reader with true principles and correct ideas with reference to religious liberty. It contains the writings of ministers, lawyers, editors, and scholars, and will be found not only readable but profitable as well. Please order by number.

Number	Price Each
1 Due Process of Law and the Divine Right of Dissent	15
Religious Intolerance in the Republic	1
3 Church and State	10
4 The National Sunday Law	25
5 Sunday Laws in the United States	1 1/4
6 The Captivity of the Republic	15
7 Appeal and Remonstrance	1 1/4
8 Appeal from the U. S. Supreme Court Decision Making this a "Christian Nation"	15
10 Religious Liberty and the Mormon Question	1 1/4
11 The "Civil Sabbath"; or Disguised Religious Legislation	3/4
12 The Columbian Year, and the Meaning of the Four Centuries	2 1/4
13 The Limits of Civil Authority	3/4
14 Christ and the Sabbath	2 1/4
15 Rome's Challenge: Why Do Protestants Keep Sunday?	2 1/4
16 Christ and the Pharisees; or Christ's Faithfulness in Sabbath-keeping	2 1/4
17 Protestantism, True and False	2
18 Congress on Sunday Legislation	3/4
19 The Legal Sunday: Its History and Character, paper	40
The same in cloth	70
20 The Sabbath Question in the Dominion Parliament	1/4
21 "The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary"	1
22 The Puritan Sabbath for "Physical Rest"	3/4
23 Religious Persecution, or the "Blue Laws" Revived	4
24 Papacy and Prophecy, or the "Sovereign Pontiff" and the Church of Rome	2
25 Papacy and Persecution, or, Did the Roman Catholic Church Ever Persecute?	1
26 The Duty to Obey Civil Rulers	1
27 The Rights of the People, or Civil Government and Religion, paper	40
Cloth	1 00
32 The Relation of the Church and State	1/2
34 How about Sunday Laws?	1
35 Is it Persecution?	1
36 Church and State	1/2
37 Our Answer Revised	1/2
38 Civil Grounds of Religious Intolerance	1/2
39 Congress on Sunday Legislation	3/4
41 Fighting Against God. Illustrated	1 1/2
42 How Shall We Reform Society?	1/2
46 Baptist Principles of Religious Liberty	3
50 Church and State Distinguished	1 1/2
51 Shall Christ and Caesar Yoke Together?	1/2
52 The Workingman's Rest	1
53 Moral Societies, by Alex. Campbell	1 1/2
54 The United States as a Christian Nation	1/2
55 What is Patriotism in the United States?	1 1/2
56 The Present Peril	2 1/2

The Rights of the People

The table of contents given below will give an idea of the scope and value of this excellent little work.

Part 1. Civil Government and Religion

Chap. 1 Christianity and the Roman Empire " 2 What is Due to God, and What to Caesar " 3 The Powers that Be

Part 2. The Rights of the People

Chap. 1 The Rights of the People " 2 How the United States Became a Nation " 3 What Is the Nation " 4 Who Made the Nation " 5 Religious Right in the United States " 6 Religious Right Invaded " 7 The People's Right of Appeal " 8 National Precedent on Right of Appeal " 9 The Buglers, Miners, and Sappers " 10 The Sunday Law Movement in the Fourth Century, and its Parallel in the Nineteenth " 11 Will the People Assert and Maintain Their Rights " 12 Religious Right in the States

Appendixes

Appendix A Declaration of Independence B The Constitution of the United States C The Dred Scott Decision D The "Christian Nation" Decision

It contains 379 pages and is illustrated. The price is 40c in paper and $1.00 in cloth.

Publications

upon the subjects treated in this paper

Political Speeches and Debates

Of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas

In the days of Lincoln there was an attack upon that clause in the Declaration of Independence which declares that "all men are created equal." Now there is an attack upon the clause which declares that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed." Then there was rendered a decision of the Supreme Court of the United States which perverted the Constitution in the interests of that attack. Now there is also a decision of the Supreme Court which perverts the Constitution in the interests of this attack.

The careful study of the history-making discussions on the first attack as found in the public speeches of Lincoln and Douglas, will prepare the people successfully and in the right way, to meet this latter attack as well as all others upon the immortal Declaration, and to correct any and all perversions of the Constitution.

This volume contains the public speeches of both men from 1854 to 1861, which besides being intensely interesting clearly define the principles being violated to-day. The book is carefully indexed, and the system of running titles makes it particularly valuable as a reference volume. Bound in cloth. Price $1.75 post-paid.

THE LEGAL SUNDAY. Its History and Character. By James T Ringgold, of the Baltimore Bar. Author of "Law of Sunday," etc. This work is an open challenge of the right of the legal Sunday even to exist and the position is maintained upon Christian, constitutional, and legal principles. Since the Sunday has obtained legal recognition as a factor in 'the salvation of the nation,' the subject personally concerns every one in the nation. 252 pages. Cloth, plain, 75c. Pamphlet, 40c.

Battle Hymn of the Kingdom

Such is a sample stanza from the soul-inspiring poem which forms the subject matter of this beautiful booklet.

"Happy souls who 'mid earth's battles rest in Christ-like peace and love, Where the war-mad spirit rages, they but feel the gentle dove; Angel arms shall bear them kindly to their fatherland above. When God comes marching on."

Its illustrations, consisting of 15 full-page half-tone engravings, are by a prominent New York artist and are very striking and appropriate.

An idea of the attractive bindings may be obtained from the accompanying cut of the cloth style, for both the 25c and 50c books have the same cover design. It is a very appropriate gift volume.

Art Vellum Cloth, gilt top, 50c. Leatherette (imitation white leather), 25c.

The Desire of Ages

By Mrs. E. G. White

This book illustrates the true principles concerning man's duty to civil government and his duty to God by setting forth the example of Christ while here upon earth.

It is not, however, confined to this subject, but is a use of the Christ-life as a great object lesson with which to illustrate the principles of true Christian living.

"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" From "Desire of Ages"

It contains nearly 900 pages, over 300 beautiful engravings, and is attractively bound in cloth with marbled edges, for $3.50. A descriptive circular giving the other styles of binding and reproducing the most of one chapter from the book will be sent free to applicants.

Rome and United States Compared

A Comparative History of Rome and the United States; showing the causes which led to the downfall of the former and which seriously threaten the latter

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