A Constitutional Amendment

TimeWatch Editorial
March 03, 2016

In the book Testimonies for the Church vol 5, the following statement is made regarding the law enforcing Sunday Worship in the United States.

“By the decree of enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near.”--Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 451.

The quote in Testimonies for the Church volume 5 refers to the final and ultimate establishment of Sunday Legislation, but this was first attempted many years ago in 1888. Senate Bill, No. 2983, known as the "Sunday-Rest Bill," was introduced it into the Senate, May 21, 1888:

The Sunday Rest Bill contained five more sections that restricted any and all labor on the first day of the week. Professor Alonzo T. Jones, of Battle Creek College, Michigan stepped forward in defense of religious freedom and liberty of conscience. Here was his opening statement:

“Mr. Chairman, I represent the people known as Seventh-day Adventists. It is true; we have been entirely ignored by the other side. The very small "sect," as they stated it, of Seventh-day Baptists has been recognized, but we are more than three times their number, and many times their power in the real force of our work. We have organizations in every State and Territory in the Union. We have the largest printing-house in Michigan; the largest printing-house on the Pacific Coast; the largest Sanitarium in the world; a college in California and one in Michigan; an academy in Massachusetts; a printing establishment in Basel, Switzerland; one in Christiana, Norway; and one in Melbourne, Australia. Our mission work has enlarged until, besides embracing the greater part of Europe, it has also extended nearly around the world; and we desire a hearing, with the consent of the Committee.” Argument Of Alonzo T. Jones Before The Senate.

Jones then proceeded to deliver his argument in calm, reasonable and Biblical terms.

“The principle upon which we stand is that civil government is civil, and has nothing to do in the matter of legislation, with religious observances in any way. The basis of this is found in the words of Jesus Christ in Matt. 22:21. When the Pharisees asked whether it was lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not, he replied: "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." Argument Of Alonzo T. Jones Before The Senate.

His sound arguments carried the day. The legislation failed. But the effort was not abandoned. Organizations like the American Sabbath Union were begun in 1888 that to this day are committed to establishing legislation regarding the Sunday Sabbath. The prophecy will yet be fulfilled.

"The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments. Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance. Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer be respected. In the soon-coming conflict we shall see exemplified the prophet's words: "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17.” E. G. White; Great Controversy, p. 592

CameronA. Bowen