Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

6. CHEISIIAN NATION. volume 18.T h e GhristiaD flatioD.A Joui-nal of Christian Civilization.WEDNESDAY, APEIL 26,1893.New To«k,T erms: 5 cents a copy ; $ 1 50 a year, in advanceJohn W. Pritchard, - Editob and Manager.Associate Editors :Eev. W. J. Coleman,Eev. O. D. Trumbull, D. D.,Prof. J. M. Coleman.Department Fditors :Deparimtni of Missions, "Rff^. F. M. Foster.Sabbath School Leston, Eev. T. P. Eobb.Primary S. S. Lesson, Grace Hamilton George.Prayermeeting Topic, Eev. T. H. Aoheson.Christian Endeavor, Eev. T. Holmes Walker.The Week in Beview, Prof. J. M. Littlejohn.Literary, Educational, Harriet S. Pritchard.Helpful Comer, Eev. Wm. Littlejohn.Children's Comer:Mrs. Eev. E. J. George, Mrs. M. S. Gibson,Beaver FalU, Pa.New Oaatle, Pa.THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS AND SAB­BATH.Beligious Liberty Library for March containsthe resolutions of the Seventh-day Conferenceanent the Sabbath. The preamblecontains a two-fold plea, that the SupremeCourt has declared this country a Christiannation, and Congress has legislated upon religionin the matter of the World's Fair Sabbath.Based upon these an appeal and protestis made against the introduction of the elementof Christianity. It is argued that every manhas a right to dissent from the religion ofJesus, that civil government has no right tointerfere, in religious matters, and that by theCoustitution every one is permitted the freeexercise of religion according to his own conscience.It is asserted that the only object ofcivil government is the protection and securityof the present state of existence. Then theyare pleased to make a wanton attack upon•Christianity as an established religion, a nationalfaith. It is said, " this establishment of& national religion is a serious departure fromihat generous disposition of this government,^hich offering an asylum to the persecuted andoppressed of every nation and religion, hasmade this nation the ^lory of the age, and theadmiration of the world." "Distant as thesemay be in their present form ffom the Inquisitionthey differ from it ouly in degree. Theyare in the firststep, the other in the last, inthe career of intolerance." " The equal rightsof every citizen to the free exercise of religionaccording to the dictates of the individual conficienceis held by the same tenure as all otherrights. If we recur to its origin, it is equallythe gift of nature. . . •" We do not acceptthe statement of principles contained in thisremonstrance. The argument is presented forabsolute individual liberty " iu the name of thenatural rights of mankind," a doctrine whichif logically carried out would dissolve societyand leave every man in what is falsely termed" the state of nature." Eminent political philosophersfrom the days of Aristotle, haveshown that man's natural condition is in soci.ety, and that man only fulfils the functions ofhis nature, not in individualism, but in the sociallife. Man as an individual, unconnectedwith others of his species, would be unable toattain the happiness his nature is capable of.It is therefore a law of his nature that heshould live in society, that he should join wilhothers in common interest so as to work forthe common good. Equal rights of every citizeniu all matters implies the reduction ofmanto a condition of self-help such as existed inthe state af uncivilized life when every atom oflife stood alone. We accept the decision ofthe Supreme Court that this is a Christiannation as the opinion of learned judges as tothe character this nation ought to have wereshe tTue to her traditions. But we placeagainst that the statement of the Executive ofthis nation as the Nation's mouthpiece, thatthis country is not a Christian Nation. Eeligion,the religion of Christianity, was at thefoundation of this great nation ; Christianityhas given to it some of the most stable and enduringprinciples upon which it rests. " Eeligiousinstitutions are the channels throughwhich ideas of order, obligation, humanity andjustice flow through all classes of citizens."Such is the language used by Partalis andSimeon. George Washington in his farewelladdress, in resigning the Presidency of thisgreat nation, asks, " Where is the security forproperty, for reputation, for life, if the sens«of religious obligation desert the authoritieswhich are the instruments of investigation inCourts of Justice? Let us with caution indulgethe supposition that morality can bemaintained without religion." One strangeexpression in the remonstrance is as follows :" We appeal on the ground of the divine rightwhich Jesus Christ has recognized and declared—theright of every man to dissent evenfrom the words and the religion of Chnst, inthe words : ' If any man hear my words andbelieve not, I judge him not; for I came notto judge the world, but to save the world.'"Job 12 : 47. This is a strange perversion ofChrist's gospel rejects it and prepares for himselfjudgment of death. Jesus says himself," He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not mywords, hath one that judgeth hijn ; the wordthat I have spoken, the same shall judge himin the last day." In reference to the SabbathiChrist himself speaks truly when he saysi" The Sabbath was made "—not for Christians,not for religious people, versus the irreli.gious—" for man " as man. There is only onegreat religion of humanity. It was firstrevealedin the moral nature of man, upon whichGod impresser' the Sabbatic idea, when herested on the seventh day. It was secondlyrevealed by the almighty voice amid the thunderingsof Sinai, in which revelation we haveall the essentials of a true religion of humanity,and nothing non-essential. In the verymidst of that humanitarian creed, there standsthe perpetual Sabbatr'sm, as the central pivotupon which, and around which, the whole religiousfaith aud life of man rests and revolves,For the last time in him who is " the finalityof law " was revealed to man the religion of 'humanity. The foundation of that religionwas, not a cross, not a death, but the granitepillar of the Eesnrrection ; and the firststonethat was laid upon the imperishable foundationWis the consecration of the first day ofthe week by the presence of Jesus ; back fromdeath into life, with his disciples, with thewomen, on the day of Pentecost, and all downthe ages till this very day. The Sabbatism isa moral, religious and civil institution forhumanity's sake. Is it true then that Congressestablished a religious sect in saying, " Youmust keep the Sabbath at the Fair?" By nomeans. The Sabbatic idea has driven itselfinto profane writings, heathen institutions,and into national character, despite the factthat that national character does not bear theimpress of Christianity. Congress has simplysaid what the Christian conscience, what theJewish conscience, and what the heathen consciencehas compelled it to acknowledge, thatthe Sabbath is an institution by no means sectarian,but universal, for and in the nature ofman.TheWeek.—Eev. Dr. Van Dyke has decided not to accept theurgent call to the Professorship in Hudson Seminary.His congregation unanimously urged him to remainthese words of Jesus. Jesus said to the Jews, with them, and oflfered him a holiday for rest." there is another that judgeth you, even —An enthusiastio meeting of Christian workers wasMoees." True, Jesus came to save the world held at the Y. M. C. A., 23d st., N. Y., this week forby making known a way of salvation. He puts the purpose of organizing the Open Air Workers Associationof America, which aims to encourage openit to every man in the present life who hearsair preaching.his gospel, " Dost thou believe on the Son of—More t'can twenty Universities and Colleges willGod?" The judgment is reserved for hereafter,when the Son of Man shall judge the complaints against the executors of the will of the latebe benefited by Judge Lawrence's dismissal of theworld, " because he is the Son of Man," every D. B. Fayerweather. He left several million dollarsone " according to the deeds done in the body."" He that believeth not, God hath made him ato various institutions all over the country.—The Court of Appeals has decided in the turf exchangein Virginia, in which the right to make booksliar," is sufiicient judgment from the Spirit ofChrist. Christ gives no man a divine right to and sell pools on racea that are run outside the State,dissent from his words ; nay, rather it is at thethat in suoh cases the bets are not made in Virginia,bnt where the races are run.peril of soul and body, that any one who hears—The judges of the election in the city ward in the