p. 19 | A Good Report From California by W. A. C.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1909

A Good Report From California

By W. A. C.

A HEARING on the proposed Sunday-law constitutional amendment recently introduced in the California Legislature was held on January 21, before the Committee on Constitutional Amendments. Mr. Chauncey Dann, a Sacramento lawyer, appeared for the friends of the measure, and made a plea in its behalf, speaking for half an hour. Elders J. O. Corliss and W. M. Healey spoke in opposition to it, the hearing lasting, altogether, an hour and three quarters. The committee then went into executive session. Before our brethren left the capitol building, they had the pleasure of being informed that the committee had unanimously decided to return the amendment to the Assembly, reporting adversely upon it. Conveying this good news to us, Elder Corliss expresses the firm conviction that the Lord's hand was in the matter, and adds: 'I hope you people there will remember us, and thank the Lord on our behalf for what he is doing. Pray for us as we appear before the other committees on the straight [Sunday] bills now before the Senate and Assembly, at the hearing set for January 28 at three o'clock.'

Elder Corliss reports one rather amusing little incident which occurred in connection with the hearing already held. He says:— “When we came out of the committee room, one of the men on the other side asked Elder Healey the question, ‘Are you a Christian?’ Elder Healey's answer was, ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘Well, then,’ said the man, ‘I don't want any of your religion.’ ‘Very good,’ Brother Healey said, ‘I have a kind of religion you do not have to have unless you want it. Your religion is the kind that you wish to make others take whether they want it or not.’ Quite a crowd was standing round, who heard what Brother Healey said. All seemed to enjoy it, and understand the point.’ W. A. C.