Note.—That is, all who refuse to receive this mark will be boycotted, or denied the rights and privileges of business and trade, or the ordinary means of gaining a livelihood. Already this spirit has begun to manifest itself in the movement to enforce Sunday observance. In a sermon [pg 278] preached in Burlington, Kans., Sunday, Jan. 31, 1904, Rev. Bascom Robins said:—
“In the Christian decalogue the first day was made the Sabbath by divine appointment. But there is a class of people who will not keep the Christian sabbath unless they are forced to do so. But that can be easily done. We have twenty million of men, besides women and children, in this country, who want this country to keep the Christian sabbath. If we would say we will not sell anything to them, we will not buy anything from them, we will not work for them, or hire them to work for us, the thing could be wiped out, and all the world would keep the Christian sabbath.”
20. By what authority was Sunday sabbath-keeping instituted?
By the authority of the Catholic Church. See page [439].
21. Why were the ancient Sunday laws demanded?
“That the day might be devoted with less interruption to the purposes of devotion.” “That the devotion of the faithful might be free from all disturbance.”—Neander's “Church History,” Vol. II, pages 297, 301.
Note.—In short, it was to secure the enforced observance of the day, and through this means church attendance, and control over the people in religious things.
22. Why are they demanded now?
“Give us good Sunday laws, well enforced by men in local authority, and our churches will be full of worshipers, and our young men and women will be attracted to the divine service. A mighty combination of the churches of the United States could win from Congress, the State legislatures, and municipal councils, all legislation essential to this splendid consummation.”—Rev. S. V. Leech, D. D., in Homiletic Review, November, 1892.
23. Who is responsible for the present State Sunday laws of the United States?