AND

RELIGION,

OR

CHRISTIANITY AND THE AMERICAN

CONSTITUTION.

BY ALONZO T. JONES.

INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ASSOCIATION,

BATTLE CREEK, MICH.

Address PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

Or any one of the Offices named on the first page of cover.

PREFACE.

THIS little work is the outgrowth of several lectures upon
the relationship between religion and the civil power, delivered
in Minneapolis, Minn., in October, 1888. The interest man-
ifested in the subject, and numerous requests for the publi-
cation of the main points of the arguments presented, have led
to the issuing of this pamphlet. It is not intended to be exhaust-
ive in its discussion of any point upon which it treats, but
only suggestive in all. The subject is always interesting and im-
portant, and as there is now a persistent demand being made for
religious legislation, especially in relation to Sunday-keeping,
this subject has become worthy of more careful study than it
has ever received in this country since the adoption of the
national Constitution. The quotations and references pre-
sented, with connecting arguments, are designed simply to
furnish the reader a ready reference, and directions to further
study of the subject. It is hoped that the facts presented will
awaken more interest in the study of the Constitution of the
United States, and may lead to a better understanding of men's
rights and liberties under it, than is commonly shown; and also
to a closer study of the relation that should exist between civil
government and religion, according to the words of Christ and
the American Constitution.

A. T. J.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

CHRISTIANITY AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE. The Gospel of Liberty - The

Roman Religion exalted the Power of the State-The Rites of the

Roman Worship— Martyrs to Roman Power

CHAPTER II.

WHAT IS DUE TO GOD, AND WHAT TO CÆSAR ? ·

-

- Moral Law and Civi!

-

Law Compared - Sin and Crime Defined-God the only Moral Gov-

ernor - The Principle expressed by Christ is the Principle embodied

in the American Constitution

14-27

-

CHAPTER III.

THE POWERS THAT BE. - An Exposition of Romans 13: 1 by Examples

from Holy Writ - How earthly Governments are ordained of God -

The power of Rulers limited by the Will of the People

CHAPTER IV.

28-43

THE RELIGIOUS ATTACK UPON THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION,

AND THOSE WHO ARE MAKING IT. — Proposed Amendment to the

Constitution, respecting the Establishments of Religion and Free Pub-

lic Schools - Its Fallacy Exposed - Quotations from National Re-

formers What they want to see in our Government

CHAPTER V.

43-67

RELIGIOUS LEGISLATION.-The Proposed National Sunday Law - The

Bill Arraigned-The Bill Unconstitutional and anti-Christian

CHAPTER VI.

-

-

68-83

THE SUNDAY-LAW MOVEMENT IN THE FOURTH CENTURY, AND ITS PAR-

ALLEL IN THE NINETEENTH. -The Development of the Papacy ·

The Papacy a false Theocracy - Constantine's Sunday Law - The

Church secures the Aid of the State to enforce It - Resulted in the

Inquisition - The Present Demand for a Theocracy - The Power of

the State sought for the Support of Religion - What will be sacrified

to secure It

CHAPTER VII.

84-116

THE WORKINGS OF A SUNDAY LAW.-The Arkansas Cases - The Su-

preme Court Decision-Repeal of the Law Some Facts worthy of

Notice in the Arkansas Indictments

APPENDIXES A, B, C, D

CIVIL GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION.

CHAPTER I.

CHRISTIANITY AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

JESUS CHRIST came into the world to set men free, and to plant in their souls the genuine principle of liberty,— liberty actuated by love, liberty too honorable to allow itself to be used as an occasion to the flesh, or for a cloak of maliciousness, liberty led by a conscience enlightened by the Spirit of God, — liberty in which man may be free from all men, yet made so gentle by love that he would willingly become the servant of all, in order to bring them to the enjoyment of this same liberty. This is freedom indeed. This is the freedom which Christ gave to man; for whom the Son makes free, is free indeed. In giving to men this freedom, such an infinite gift could have no other result than that which Christ intended; namely, to bind them in everlasting, unquestioning, unswerving allegiance to him as the royal benefactor of the race. He thus reveals himself to men as the highest good, and brings them to himself as the manifestation of that highest good, and to obedience to his will as the perfection of conduct. Jesus Christ was God manifest in the flesh. Thus God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, that they might know him, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he sent. He gathered to himself disciples, instructed them in his heavenly doctrine, endued them with power from on high, sent them forth into all the world to preach this gospel of freedom to every creature, and to teach them