The American Sentinel 14
June 22, 1899
“Front Page” American Sentinel 14, 25, p. 385.
THE Sabbath is in the world to save men; not men to save the Sabbath. AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.1
THE Sabbath, to be kept at all, must be kept holy, and as no human law can command holiness, no such law can promote or protect Sabbath-keeping. Hence, even were Sunday the Sabbath, a Sunday law could be no barrier to Sabbath-breaking. AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.2
SUNDAY laws overlook the fact that a man must be good on other days than the Sabbath in order to keep it. People who are not good on week days are very apt to be bad on the Sabbath, and certainly do not come up to the seventh day in any condition to remember it to keep it holy. AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.3
THE Sunday-closing people want everybody and everything, good and bad—the irreligious, the atheistic, the saloon, the theater and the gambling house—to keep the Sabbath. God wants nobody to try to keep the Sabbath before he is converted; and wants no evil thing to pretend to do homage to his day. There is no call for such places to be closed on the seventh day. AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.4
IT is the proper business of the Christian clergy to proclaim to the people, not condemnation, but reconciliation; not the power of human law for the punishment of the guilty, but the power of God for their salvation. AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.5
THE nation has an Independence day, but this does not matter nearly so much to you as the answer to the question whether you have one or not. Are you independent, and do you govern yourself? AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.6
THE Christian life is lived not by depending upon the world, but by overcoming it. Christianity seeks no aid from any worldly source. AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.7
ABRAHAM of old was obliged to leave “his country,” and from the modern standpoint would not have ranked very high as a patriot. But he forsook his country that he might not forsake the right. And people who profess to be children of Abraham can be consistent only by doing as he did. They can be citizens of no country which has forsaken the right. They must be content to accept the name “pilgrim” in the place of “patriot.” AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.8
“Why Celebrate the Fourth?” American Sentinel 14, 25, pp. 385, 386.
THE “glorious Fourth” is celebrated as the anniversary of the day on which this country became independent of Great Britain. AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.1
Independence was desired not because the seat of British government was the British Isles; it was desired not to secure a difference location of the government, but a different government. The aim was not to establish a government on separate territory, but upon separate principles. AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.2
Now that these separate principles have been abandoned, what real propriety will there be in a celebration of Independence Day? Now that it is no longer held that all men are created equal, or that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, why should we celebrate the anniversary of the day when those principles were announced to the world? But for the fact that Americans of that time held those principles, the Declaration of Independence would not have been written, and independence would not have been attempted. Why celebrate a day which stands for that which is not held to by Americans of to-day? AMS June 22, 1899, page 385.3
The government of Great Britain was imperial; and being such, it was oppressive. That oppression was felt by the people of the American colonies. Now that Americans are again under an imperial government, why should not the Fourth of July pass as it did priot to 1776? AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.1
Independence Day was not designed to celebrate the transfer of imperial government from the shores of England to those of America; and unless something far more than that remains to-day for the benefit of the people, there remains no point in the observance of the Fourth. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.2
“Sunday Enforcement is Ruinous” American Sentinel 14, 25, p. 386.
THE leaders in the Sunday movement make one of the foundation claims of their work “the preservation of society, the State, the nation.” It is for this that they insist upon the enactment of Sunday laws. Accordingly they are always calling for more Sunday laws. It matters not what far-reaching Sunday laws may be already on the statute books, they call for still more Sunday laws, and the more vigorous enforcement of them all round. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.1
Yet this whole thing is one of the most pernicious of fallacies. It is not only such pernicious fallacy in principle; but it has been abundantly demonstrated to be such in practice. Every point advocated by the Sunday-law workers to-day has been weighed in the balances of practice and of experience; and has been found utterly wanting. The whole thing has been tested on the world-theater, and has been found absolutely vain and ruinous. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.2
The greatest example of national ruin, the most complete destruction of the State, the most thorough annihilation of society, that has ever been seen on this earth, occurred where there were the most and the most far-reaching Sunday laws. That was in the Western Empire of Rome. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.3
In A.D. 313 the Western Empire became “Christian.” In 314 the first State favor was shown for Sunday. In 321 the first direct Sunday law was enacted. And so it went on with one Sunday law after another, till by 425 every kind of secular work or amusement was strictly forbidden on Sunday. By that time, too, wickedness and corruption of every sort had multiplied in this “Christian” empire to such an extent that the judgment of God in destruction had already begun to fall unchecked. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.4
In 351 the Franks and Alemanni swept like a sire, a space of one hundred and twenty miles from the source to the mouth of the Rhine. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.5
In 400-403 the Visigoths carried destruction and devastation through Roumania and into Italy as far as to Milan. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.6
In 405-29 a mighty host of Suevi, Vandals, and Burgundians ravaged Italy as far as to Florence, the greater part of Gaul, all of Spain and all of Africa to Carthage. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.7
In 408-419 the Visigoths overflowed the whole of Italy, all southwestern Gaul and all of Spain. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.8
In 449 the Angles and Saxons entered Britain and never rested until “the arts and religion, the laws and language, which the Romans had so carefully planted in Britain, were extirpated;” nor until “the practice and even the remembrance of Christianity were abolished.” AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.9
In 451-453 the Huns under Attila carried fire and slaughter, from the Danube to Chalons, and to Milan. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.10
In 453 the Ostrogoths took possession of the province of Pannonia, and the Lombards of Noricum. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.11
In 476 Odeaur and his barbarian followers to possession of Italy and abolished the office of the emperor of the West: and the Western empire of Rome—the State, and even society—had been swept away by ruin upon ruin. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.12
And that was the “Christian” empire of Rome. That was the empire that had exhausted the subject of Sunday laws and enforced Sunday observance. That was the State that had done all this on behalf of the kingdom of God, and for the preservation and even the salvation of the State. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.13
There is not a method of Sunday enforcement either mild or cruel that has not been in that “Christian” Roman Empire. There is not a phase of Sunday laws that has not been employed by the clerical managers of affairs of that “Christian” Roman State. There is nothing on that subject left by those, for the Sunday-law clergy of to-day to discover. And the Sunday-law clergy of to-day must hide their eyes not only from the principles, but also from the practical effects of Sunday legislation of every kind, before they can go on in their pernicious Sunday-law course. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.14
For, pernicious that course is even to the ruin of the greatest nation and state in the world. This has been thoroughly demonstrated to the last detail. And in the demonstration it has been made plain that enforced Sunday observance is the worst thing that can ever be put upon a nation or practiced in society. AMS June 22, 1899, page 386.15
A. T. J.
“Prophetic History” American Sentinel 14, 25, pp. 388, 389.
It has been a proverb, that “history repeats itself.” And in that lies the truth that history is in itself prophecy which conveys to the careful and wise student instruction and admonitions concerning important movements in his own day and nation. AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.1
Of all the nations that have existed, whose history has been completed, Rome was the greatest and had most of the elements of instruction and admonition to future peoples. And of all people, the people of the United States are the ones to whom the history of Rome speaks most personally. AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.2
Rome was a republic. The United States has been a republic. These only are the two great republics of history. AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.3
The republic of Rome was the professed and acknowledged exemplar of liberty among the ancient nations. The republic of the United States has been the professed and acknowledged exemplar of liberty among the modern nations. AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.4
The republic of Rome assumed that it devolved upon her to extend by her power the blessing of liberty to foreign peoples. The republic of the United States has assumed that it devolved upon her to extend by her power the blessing of liberty to foreign peoples. AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.5
In order to do this the republic of Rome sent over the seas her fleets and armies, sacrificed treasure and the lives of Roman citizens, fought battles, gained victories, and established peace, for other peoples in order that those other peoples might have the privilege of enjoying assured liberty. For the same purpose the republic of the United States has done the like things precisely. AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.6
So far, the course of the modern great republic has been exactly that of the ancient great republic. So much of the history of the ancient great republic, therefore, has been prophetic of that of the modern great republic. The history of the ancient republic did not cease at that point. Did the history of that republic, which up to that point was prophetic of that of this great republic, cease at that point to be prophetic when the history itself did not cease at that point? AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.7
When the republic of Rome had by her power secured to foreign peoples freedom from other masters, she asserted over them her own mastery. And whereas formerly for those peoples there had been some hope of freedom, because of the weakness of those kings who designed to rule over them; now that Rome had gained a position to claim and assert mastery over them, their prospect of liberty was rendered absolutely hopeless by reason of the strength of the new master. AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.8
In this, open despotism was established and practiced abroad by that ancient great republic. And this practice of despotism abroad soon reacted and brought about the practice of despotism at home. First it was a despotism of the majority, next it was a despotism of a few, then a despotism of three, and at last a despotism of one. And from a republic, a government of the people, and the exemplar of liberty, she was become a minority, a government of one, and the extreme of despotism. AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.9
Nor did the history of the ancient great republic stop at that point. After reigning in the extreme of despotism for a season and a time, a union was formed between this monarchy and an apostate church. And the multiplied evils of increased despotism and every and of every other sort speedily brought irretrievable ruin of government and even of society itself. AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.10
Such was the course, and such is the history, of that ancient great republic from the point unto which that history is plainly prophetic of the course of this modern great republic. And, viewing conditions and procedure as they actually are to-day, what single indication is there that from this point to the full end, the history of the ancient great republic is anything else than prophetic of the course and destiny of the modern republic? AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.11
It may be asked, Where could be found new peoples, whence could they come, to sweep away in ruin the modern great republic at its culmination according to the prophetic course of the ancient great republic?—The answer is, that they cannot be found on the earth. But they are found, and they are appointed unto that very work. And here they are, also whence they come, and the work that is before them:— AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.12
“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: and the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” Joel 2:1-11. AMS June 22, 1899, page 388.13
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” Revelation 19:11-21. 8. AMS June 22, 1899, page 389.1
A. T. J.
“Back Page” American Sentinel 14, 25, p. 400.
THE Declaration of Independence was the basis not of a struggle for freedom from bad men, but from bad principles. The men who were oppressing the colonies would soon have passed away, but so long as these were bound by the principle of taxation without representation,—by the principle, to use a more modern phrase, that government derives its just powers from “the consent of some of the governed”—they would have known no real freedom. “Some of the governed,” as applied by the king and parliament, did not include the American colonies, and the colonies fought through seven long years to throw off that principle. Later, their descendants fought each other for five terrible years to throw out of American government what was left of that principle. And now, lo! it is established again as firmly as ever, by the new policy of imperialism. The poison is back again in the system, and must either be thrown off by another convulsion or prove fatal. AMS June 22, 1899, page 400.1
WHILE legislatures and governments are setting aside the principle of religious freedom, it becomes all the more the duty of the individual to preserve these principles for all in himself. Whatever is done by the powers that be, no one need ... these principles out of his own heart and life; and that is where they will do most good to the individual. AMS June 22, 1899, page 400.2