Religious Freedom in British Columbia by F. H. CONWAY.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 2, 1908

Religious Freedom in British Columbia

By F. H. CONWAY.

THE provincial government of British Columbia is opposed to the Dominion Lord’s Day act. When the bill was being discussed in the Dominion Parliament, some of the strongest opposition against the measure was from British Columbia.

A provision was incorporated in the act, leaving it with the attorney-general of each province to prosecute violators of the act, or not to prosecute, just as the sentiment of the respective provinces should demand. The prevailing sentiment in this province being against the act, it has not been enforced. Our people have greatly appreciated the religious liberty granted them, and also the stand that the province has taken in the matter. At our last provincial conference a resolution of appreciation was passed, and has been presented to the government through the attorney-general. It reads as follows:—

“We have noted with pleasure the fearless, broad-minded position taken by our government and especially by the attorney-general, in reference to enforcing the Lord’s Day act, notwithstanding the great pressure and earnest pleas of the religious organization known as the Lord’s Day Alliance; and inasmuch as this denomination known as Seventh-day Adventists are lovers of true religious liberty and equal rights for all; therefore, we recommend that this conference assembled do express to our government, and to the attorney-general in particular, our sincere appreciation of, and our profound respect for, their noble stand for religious liberty in refusing to enforce the Lord’s Day act.”

During the last days of February a municipalities convention, consisting of delegates from all municipalities of British Columbia, met at Nanaimo, and on the closing day of the convention, February 27, passed a resolution asking the attorney-general to introduce legislation into the provincial Parliament that would enforce the Lord’s Day act. The convention also sent a delegation to lobby Parliament. They worked diligently for several days. In the meantime religious liberty literature was distributed among the members, with a short letter calling their attention to religious liberty principles. Some courteous replies were sent to me by the chief government officials.

The matter was not brought up in Parliament, but the experience has brought me to a better realization of the attitude of religious persecutors toward those who honor the Sabbath of Jehovah.

F. H. CONWAY.