Arrested for Selling the "Protestant Magazine"

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 8, 1913

Arrested for Selling the "Protestant Magazine"

THE field missionary secretary of one of our Western conferences, writing under date of April 10, reports an experience which will be of interest to all our people. We quote a portion of his letter:—

“I have been selling some of the March and April numbers of the Protestant Magazine, which contains an account of the ‘Convent Tragedy,’ and it so enraged the Catholic priest that he ordered a policeman, who is a Catholic, in company with the deputy sheriff, also a Catholic, to arrest me.”

“I was taken before a drunken city attorney of this town, and asked if I was guilty of the charge of selling the Protestant Magazine. I answered, ‘I am.’ Then they imposed a fine of $5 and costs ($12.50), but the mayor, being an A. P. A. man, remitted the fine. His manner and conversation plainly showed he feared to do anything contrary to the wishes of the priest, yet ventured to do so.”

In commenting upon this effort to interfere with the sale of our publications, Brother C. G. Bellah, the general agent of the Central Union Conference, writes:—

“I have been very much interested in the Protestant Magazine, and such experiences as this one ought to arouse every one of our people to do his duty. The Protestant ought to be circulated like the leaves of autumn, then the police, judges, and others would be more intelligent as to their duty when such things appear before them for decision.”

The Roman hierarchy claim the privilege of abusing Protestantism, both from their pulpits and through their publications; but when the simple truth is told about the Roman Catholic Church, they do not hesitate to make use of any measures to suppress it. This is a suggestion of what may be expected as Roman Catholic power in this country increases.