SUNDAY LAWS
Some of the pious people ask for more laws and more coercion to increase religion. They evince ignorance of the first principle of human nature. The law of force, as a means of increasing sincere religion, has been greatly over-rated; it may make men hypocrites , but it can never make them sincerely religious. Enforcing religious observances is more likely to increase rather than to lessen crime. It is stated that there is more intemperance and licentiousness on Sunday than on any other day of the week. This is the natural effect of idleness; the laws of nature are violated. When men are forbidden innocent and rational recreations, the result, in many cases is, that they seek amusements which are demoralizing in their tendency.
The observance of the Sabbath should be placed on the voluntary principle —t he same as Christmas. ……..’The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.’ – Boston Investigator.
(Liberator, June 6, 1849, pg 4)
