Sunday-Law Agitation in Virginia by H. J. Farman

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

Sunday-Law Agitation in Virginia

By H. J. Farman

DURING the legislative assembly just past, there were five Sunday bills proposed, four of which were killed or died a natural death. Three hearings were given before the House and Senate Committees on General Laws, two of which were impartial; the third, however, was quite different. Various reasons were given for these measures, some of which sought to conceal their religious character under the garb of a civil Sunday.

The bill which finally passed was an amended law increasing the fine from two to five dollars, and reads as follows: “Violation of the Sabbath; how punished. If a person on the Sabbath day be found laboring at any trade or calling, or employ his apprentices or servants in labor or other business, except in household or other work of necessity or charity, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than five dollars for each offense. Every day any person or servant or apprentice is so employed shall constitute a distinct offense.” It may readily be seen how this law can be made an engine of tyranny to work great hardship against those who keep the Sabbath of Jehovah.

H. J. FARMAN.