S. P. W. The state of the law is now such that there need be no difficulty in connection with the question whether the law of Christ allows his brethren to take oaths in a court of justice or elsewhere. If a brother has a doubt, he need not take the oath, the law now allowing of simple affirmation in case of conscientious scruple. On the general question itself, and also in answer to a question by J. R., on the meaning of the commandment not to take the name of the Lord in vain, we introduce to notice the following communication from brother Hayes, setting forth an article on the subject by the father of Dr. Thomas.
Torquay, Feb. 9th, 1872.
Dear Brother Roberts. The enclosed ms. on the subject of oaths is an exact copy of an article written more than twenty years ago by Dr. Thomas’ father, and sent to me with a letter of which I have also enclosed a copy. My refusal to take an oath in a court of justice on conscientious ground, was the occasion of its being written. It satisfied me that I had been in error on the point, and it has struck me that it is worthy of a place in The Christadelphian; and if you are, after perusing it, of the same opinion, you will perhaps find room for it in your next issue. It might be the means perchance of saving some from falling into the same dilemma that I did, and from which I escaped not without a reprimand and the loss of a fee.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One