May 22, 1890

“Righteousness and the State” The American Sentinel 5, 21, pp. 161, 162.

ATJ

THE Christian Union of April 24, set forth a short catechism on the subject of religion and the public schools, with the purpose of getting the reader committed to the sanction of religious instruction by the State. The catechism was somewhat involved however, and to make its point clearer, in the issue for May 1, it put the case in the following form:—AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.1

Ought the State to inculcate righteousness in its public schools? For ourselves, we have no hesitation in saying that it has no right to maintain any public schools which do not inculcate righteousness.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.2

We suppose that the Christian Union means the right kind of righteousness. Let us see therefore what this is, and how it is obtained; then we will be better prepared to understand whether the State can make a success of inculcating righteousness. Jesus Christ directed all people to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” It is therefore, the righteousness of God, that men are to seek. This only is the right kind of righteousness. Any righteousness which comes short of that, is not genuine righteousness,—in short it is not righteousness at all. The State, therefore, in order to inculcate the right kind of righteousness, must inculcate the righteousness of God, and to do that there will have to be a State recognition of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, in other words, would be the State recognition, the State establishment, of Christianity. None but Christians could have any part in the Government; none but Christians could have any part as instructors in the public schools; Christians only would be qualified to have any part in the affairs of State, and such Christians only as possess the righteousness of God, in order that they might instruct the ungodly by every possible example, in the way of righteousness. That, it is seen at once, would be to turn the State into a Church; the Church and the State would be identical. But that did not work well when it was tried before, and it would work no better now. This single point shows plainly enough that it is impossible for the State to undertake the inculcation of righteousness. So much for the kind of righteousness which men must have.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.3

Now a few words as to how only that righteousness can be obtained. How is it made known to men? We read “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed.” This righteousness therefore is revealed in the gospel of Christ, and in that only. For the State therefore, to undertake to make known righteousness to the children in school, or to anybody anywhere else, it would necessarily have to take charge of the gospel of Christ, and expound that as such to the people. This it is seen again would at once turn the State into a Church, and Church and State would be identical.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.4

Having found what kind of righteousness it is that men must have, and how that righteousness is made known, next, how is it acquired by individuals when made known to them? How does it become their own? Again we read: “Now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe, for there is no difference.” And let us read Romans 1:16, 17, again: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed, from faith to faith: as it is written, the just [the righteous] shall live by faith.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.5

Once more we read, “As by the disobedience of one many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:19. It is by the obedience of Christ that men are made righteous, and not by their own obedience; it is by his righteousness that men are made righteous; for he it is “whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past.” Romans 3:25. Therefore “To him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousness; even as David describeth the blessedness of the man to whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” Romans 4:5, 6.AMS May 22, 1890, page 162.1

Thus it is manifest that it is only by faith in Christ that righteousness can be obtained. Therefore for the State to inculcate righteousness, it would necessarily have to inculcate faith in Jesus Christ. This again would be but to turn the State into a Church. But if the State is to do this, what shall the Church do? If the State becomes the Church, then where shall the Church itself appear?AMS May 22, 1890, page 162.2

More than this, when the gospel is preached to men and they receive it, there is another step to be taken. Christ said “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” And, again, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Thus, in order to be righteous, it is essential that a person shall have faith in Christ. In order to manifest acceptable faith in him, it is essential that that person should be baptized, and thus further it is seen that, in order to inculcate righteousness, the State must become the Church, but such a thing as that is impossible; the State cannot become the Church, and as certain as it is that the State cannot become the Church, so certain it is that the State can never inculcate righteousness.AMS May 22, 1890, page 162.3

The very few scriptures which we have here cited are sufficient to show the wild absurdity of the statement of the Christian Union. We might fill columns of this paper with scriptures to the same effect, but these are sufficient to show how utterly impossible it is for the State to inculcate righteousness, and it is most singular indeed how the Christian Union could ever seriously make such a suggestion. The State knows no such thing as righteousness; it never can know it; and never knowing it, it is certain that is never can teach it.AMS May 22, 1890, page 162.4

There is, indeed, another kind of righteousness that the Scriptures tell about, that is, self-righteousness, but it is hardly to be supposed that the Christian Union means that the State ought to inculcate self-righteousness upon the minds of the children. The only two kinds of righteousness that exist are God’s righteousness and self-righteousness. The State cannot inculcate God’s righteousness; it ought not to inculcate self-righteousness; therefore the State can never have any thing to do with the inculcation of righteousness.AMS May 22, 1890, page 162.5

A. T. J.

“‘Appropriate’ Sunday Reading” The American Sentinel 5, 21, pp. 161, 162.

ATJ

THE President of the American Sabbath Union, Mr. Elliott F. Shepard, is down on Sunday newspapers. More, to read a Sunday newspaper is desperately wicked, yet in the issue of his own paper, the Mail and Express, for April 12, he says:—AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.1

The advertising world will please take notice that Saturday’s Mail and Express has the largest circulation of the week. Those who do not like to buy a newspaper on Sunday, buy our Saturday issue, knowing that in it will be found some reading appropriate for Sunday.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.2

Indeed! Then it seems that it is not the fact that the paper is read on Sunday that constitutes the evil, but that it is bought on Sunday; because to buy the Mail and Express on Saturday, and read it on Sunday is commendable! Well, for that matter, there are very few of the Sunday papers that are actually bought on Sunday. Doubtless nine out of every ten of them are paid for by the week, or by the month, and are never paid for on Sunday; and it is certain that they are not printed on Sunday.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.3

And even the plea that the Sunday paper keeps people away from church is annihilated by Mr. Shepard’s statement; because the reading of a Saturday paper can keep people away from church just as well as the reading of a Sunday paper. It is true that the Mail and Express is not as large as the Sunday papers, yet the Saturday issue in which this statement is found, has eight large pages with much closely printed matter upon them and in small type, which makes about as much reading as a person could well get through with Sunday forenoon between breakfast and dinner time.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.4

Then, as to the quality of the Sunday reading. It is claimed that when people do read the Sunday paper and go to church, their minds are so illy prepared for the worship that it is almost imposssible for the preacher, with all his efforts, and all the services put together, to overcome the evil influence. Now is the Saturday’s Mail and Express of so altogether pious a character as to be a help to Sunday worship when read on Sunday? Let us see.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.5

On the first page, besides the general foreign and domestic political news, we find a report of the principal English horse race; a report of a suit for divorce; a report of a malicious prosecution; and two liquor advertisements.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.6

On the second page a letter from Rome occupies nearly a column; a half column of matter is given to the Grant Monument; then comes real estate gossip, “Social Chitchat,” quotations of bonds, railroad and bank stocks, etc.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.7

The third page has four columns of reading matter, three columns of which are devoted to horse races, base ball and such like; and the rest of these four columns is filled up with a story under the head of “A Crime at Sea.” The rest is advertisements.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.8

Then comes the editorial page, beginning with this scripture:—AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.9

“Forbearing one another and other, if any man have a quarrel a
as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.10

Then come the editorials, headed “Foolish Surrender to Chicago;” Bill;” “Let Them Join a Democratic Club;” “The Dummy Rapid Transit Commission;” “Another Important Saxton Bill;” “To Advertisers;” “Great Cry, Little Wool;” “The Jersey City Investigation;” “The Kara Flogging Case;” and “The Republic of Brazil.” In the editorial to advertisers is the recommendation that the people read the Mail and Express on Sunday. Then comes a letter from Senator Blair on the absurdity of the outcry about Religious Liberty, and kindred stuff. Then miscellaneous matter, poetry, and line items, closing up the page with seven advertisements, one of which is of whiskey, and another is of that brand of champagne which seems to be the favorite of the Mail and Express.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.11

The fifth page is devoted to miscellaneous matter about “Life in New York,” “Spring Fashions,” “Reminiscences,” “Ghosts,” etc., with nearly two columns of advertisements, amongst which is one of liquor.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.12

The sixth page has a column and a half interview with Patti upon “How to Train the Voice;” a two column interview with Dr. Depew on “The New South;” and something over two columns of miscellaneous matter about a certain humorist, tornadoes, hotels, etc. The rest of the page, a little over two columns, is devoted to advertisements, amongst which is another one of a certain brand of “good whiskey.”AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.13

The seventh page reading matter is devoted to “The Religious World.” Three columns are filled with a sermon; “A Typical Papist Prayer;” “News and Opinion;” then nearly two columns of church notices. The rest of the page, three and a half columns, is filled with advertisements, without any of liquor.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.14

The eighth and last page has the first column filled with an account of a strike, Moody’s Work, Base Ball Games, a Grand Ball, a Fair, and other items. The second column is filled with gossip about the theatres and opera. The third column is devoted to temperance, a boxing match, and a pugilistic challenge. The fourth column is devoted to the Social World, Dinners, Weddings, etc. The fifth column has an interview with a humorist, followed by three minor items of local matters. Then comes about a column and a half of general advertisements; and nearly a whole column of advertisements of theatres and shows.AMS May 22, 1890, page 161.15

And that is the kind of a paper that is to take the place of the Sunday paper! That is the kind of a paper that is appropriate for Sunday reading. But anybody who has ever read any of the great Sunday dailies, knows that in point of real worth, they are as far ahead of the Mail and Express as needs to be imagined. It is true that Mr. Shepard only says that in his paper there will be found some reading appropriate for Sunday; but that is just as true of any Sunday paper that was ever issued. And it is certain that in the average Sunday paper there is more reading that is appropriate for Sunday, and is easier found, than there is in Mr. Shepard’s paper. But whether there is or not, or whatever the reading is, our readers can now form an estimate of what kind of a paper it is that, according to the view of the President of the American Sabbath Union, can appropriately be read on Sunday. And by this they can form their own estimate of the cry that is made by the American Sabbath Union against the Sunday newspaper.AMS May 22, 1890, page 163.1

A. T. J.