p. 7 | Back to Colonial Days

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 25, 1909

Back to Colonial Days

AN incident of recent occurrence in the State of New Jersey harks back to the days of the colonial church establishments, when men were compelled by law to contribute to the expenses of the church. We quote from the United Presbyterian:—

A New Jersey judge has decided that pew rent may be collected from tardy or unwilling church-members by deducting the amount due from a bill for work done for the church. A member of a Roman Catholic parish had done work for the congregation, and when it came to payment for it, the priest deducted a sum due for a church sitting. The parishioner appealed to court, and the court decided against him.

If there was ever an instance in which a man's means was taken from him without “due process of law,” this is one, and is but a foretaste of what we may expect to see in days to come, when the Roman Church has gained the influence and power she seeks.