The Signs of the Times, vol. 8

November 2, 1882

“Why Not?” The Signs of the Times, 8, 41.

E. J. Waggoner

We are constantly told by the adherents to Sunday observance that the main idea of the fourth commandment is rest; that the particular day on which men should rest is of minor importance; that the Lord saw that rest would be a necessity to mankind, and wisely provided for it, but left it for men to determine which day would best suit their convenience. People can worship God just as well on Sunday as on Saturday; and since this is so, it is evident that the day which is most convenient for the majority, is the day which the Lord intended should be kept. SITI November 2, 1882, page 488.1

Thus they argue. Now for a practical application. The President of the United States has appointed Thursday, November 30, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. Any individual can plainly see by reading the proclamation, that the greatest stress is laid on the giving of thanks, and that but very little is said in regard to the day on which thanksgiving services should be held. If people are only properly thankful it can certainly make no difference to the President on what day they express their thanks, since there is nothing in the day itself. SITI November 2, 1882, page 488.2

Now, it is a fact that to stop work, and shut up stores on Thursday, Nov. 30, as many good people will feel under obligation to do, will be a great inconvenience. Not only will it be an inconvenience to those who thus rest, but it will seriously interfere with the business of many who do not intend to pay any attention to the President’s proclamation. And since the giving of thanks, and not the observance of any specified day, is the real point of the proclamation, it is evident that its requirements will be fully met if the people meet in their respective churches on Sunday, December 3. That day will be the most convenient for the great majority of the people, and hence it seems clear that the President really designed that the thanksgiving services should take place on that day. SITI November 2, 1882, page 488.3

And further, there may be some eccentric people who will imagine that the President really meant what he said, and will keep the identical day mentioned in the proclamation, thus showing that they are bound by the form, and cannot grasp the spirit of the proclamation. But since such fanatical persons will form only a small minority of the inhabitants of any State, it will be highly proper, and absolutely necessary, that the majority should pass a law compelling all to keep thanksgiving on the third day of December. This will insure uniformity. SITI November 2, 1882, page 488.4

It is true that uniformity of practice might be gained by all uniting to celebrate the day which the President appointed, but since, on account of the inconvenience, all will not do this, it is manifestly better to choose some day upon which nearly all can agree, than to have many people observing no day of thanksgiving whatever. SITI November 2, 1882, page 488.5

And now we ask our Sunday friends if such a course would be obeying the President’s proclamation. Would it be showing proper respect to the Chief Magistrate of the United States? Would it not be putting the will of the governed above that of the ruler? No one will hesitate to say that such a course would be, to say the least, highly disrespectful. And now the question arises, Is not the great Jehovah, the creator of the universe, entitled to be treated with as much respect as the President of the United States? If not, why not? E. J. W. SITI November 2, 1882, page 488.6