"It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. We should endeavor to disarm prejudice by placing ourselves in a proper light before the people. We should bring before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against measures to restrict liberty of conscience. We should search the Scriptures, and be able to give the reason for our faith. Says the prophet, “The wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”
The following articles affirm that a crisis is coming relating to laws being enacted seeking to enforce the dictates of conscience by the state relative to a day of rest, as well as calling for God's people to have a close relationship with Jesus and personal knowledge of the Scriptures, the courage to share the message of God's Seventh-day Sabbath with others, praying and interceding on behalf of those working and for those hearing the message, as well as choosing to live economically to support the work of those actively doing the work.
Review and Herald, December 11, 1888
"Can we not assist in lifting the standard, and in calling to the front those who have a regard for their religious rights and privileges? God calls us to awake; for the end is near. The prophecies that show us the closing scenes of earth’s history, are fast fulfilling. The time is fast approaching when we shall be made to feel the hand of oppression, because we demand our religious rights. Shall we then dishonor God by keeping silent, when his holy commandments are being trampled under foot?" Review and Herald, December 11, 1888, Art. C, par. 16}
Letter 137, 1896 to Dr. and Mrs. Kellogg
I dreamed I was visiting those who believed the truth; and I saw in their houses trinkets and ornaments. And while I felt like weeping as a little child over the future prospects—on account of lack of means—in regard to advancing the cause of present truth, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and I said, “In this house are many idols. If these things that can do your souls no good were sold, and the money put into the Lord’s treasury, there would not be the deprivation of any of their comforts, and the means would help advance the work of God.” I went from house to house, and pointed out the needless things that the Lord’s money, entrusted to His stewards, had bought. That very means could have been a great blessing to help build our school buildings on this land, and also our meeting houses that, as churches are raised up, we must have. There are many camp meetings to be held in new places, and how to obtain the means is a problem. {Lt 137, 1896, par. 14}
Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 5, starting on page 711.
There are many, even of those engaged in this movement for Sunday enforcement, who are blinded to the results which will follow this action. They do not see that they are striking directly against religious liberty. There are many who have never understood the claims of the Bible Sabbath and the false foundation upon which the Sunday institution rests. Any movement in favor of religious legislation is really an act of concession to the papacy, which for so many ages has steadily warred against liberty of conscience. Sunday observance owes its existence as a so-called Christian institution to “the mystery of iniquity;” and its enforcement will be a virtual recognition of the principles which are the very cornerstone of Romanism. When our nation shall so abjure the principles of its government as to enact a Sunday law, Protestantism will in this act join hands with popery; it will be nothing else than giving life to the tyranny which has long been eagerly watching its opportunity to spring again into active despotism. {5T 711.4}