178 THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY,
the bill “To Suppress Polygamy in the Territories,”
the Instructor said:—
“When distinguished jurists are taking such positions
relating to questions of Christian morals, is It not time,
1s it not imperative, that the Christian people of this
nation should demand the religious amendment of the
Constitution? Many say, as they have been saying, ‘It
is best to let well enough alone.” Tt is becoming muni-
fest, however, that well enough cannot be left alone.
The silence of the Constitution is being interpreted and
used against the Christian institutions of the nation.
The Constitution must cease to be silent, and, by the
amendment, must unmistakably declare that this is a
Christian nation, and that its morality is the morality
of the revealed will of God. Only thus is it possible to
have our Christian institutions and usages permanently
preserved.”
Many have been waiting with no little interest to
hear Catholics speak on this question, querying
what position they would assume. An incident
which occurred in the summer of 1880, plainly fore-
shadowed their policy in this matter. At the time
referred to, S. V. Ryan, the Catholic Bishop of Buf-
falo, N. Y., issued a circular denouncing the profana-
tion of the first day of the week, and declaring that
none would be recognized as Catholics who would
not strictly observe the Lords day. He urged his
plea solely on the authority of the church, claiming,
truly, that the day was an institution of the church.
Notwithstanding this, the Christian World hastened
to welcome this new ally in the Sunday cause.
Publishing the remarkable document which appeals
to the «“ Blessed Mother” as witness to its truth, the
World urges the consideration and preservation of
the circular, and says: —
“It would certainly furnish great ground of gratitude
to every truly pious heart, if we might count upon the
NN THE END. 179
THE BEGINNING OF
ic ministers of religion as faithful allies in
Roman Catholic ministers of religion as faithfu
1
the struggle.
In reference to the Catholic claim that the Sun.
day institution rests wholly upon the authority o
the church, the World says: —
«The historical statement with regard to the position
of the Roman Catholic Church on the question of the
Lord's day is, unfortunately, far from correct.
And yet we prefer to waive an inquiry into § e fru or
falsity of Bishop Ryan's claims, and to congratn a 0 x
Roman Catholic citizens and ourselves on t e posits
which some, at least, of the prelates of this church in this
country are disposed to assume.
"his is a remarkable position for a religious | ournal,
rofening to be a Totonder of the truth, fo fae
Here is an assertion put forth bythe great Cat no
lic hierarchy—and Protestants are challenged fo mee
it—which, if true, nullifics every claim of the first- lay
Sabbath to divine support, making it simply a hn
man institution, not binding in any degree upon the
consciences of men. In the face of such an asser tion,
its truth is the first question to be settled. But | is
Protestant writer proposes to waive all inquix y mn 0
the matter, virtually saying, We care not w ot her
the claim is true or false, nor what the origin 0
institution is, nor upon what authority it rests, 1
only we can have your assistance m trying ho carry
our point, and enforce it upon the people. : an any
one suppose that the fear of God and the ove 0 the
truth for the truth’s sake, constitute the motive
se of action’
ith the. anti Sunday movements of the present
day, considering their associations, and the manicr
and object in and for which they are carrie for-
ward, we have no sympathy. They aim af. ut T
no-Sabbathism, freedom from all moral restrain