Protestant Mass Meeting in Detroit by LEE S. WHEELER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 12, 1914

Protestant Mass Meeting in Detroit

By LEE S. WHEELER

ON the evening of February 12, the birthday of Lincoln, a patriotic mass meeting was held at the Armory, in Detroit, the aim of which was to enlighten the public upon the questions: “Is the State of Michigan doing its full duty toward the correction and care of our wayward boys and girls? Is it doing this duty right?”

The personnel of the committee in charge of the mass meeting was Lutheran, and the speakers were the Rev. C. H. Ruesskamp, of this city, and Dr. W. Schoenfeld, of New York, who spoke upon the separation of church and state. Dr. Schoenfeld may be remembered as one of the men who replied to President Roosevelt’s statement that he regarded with satisfaction the time when a Catholic statesman would be elected to fill the presidential office.

There was no demonstration of opposition against the mass meeting, such as has been manifested by the Catholics in many parts of the country, little publicity having been given to the announcement, and admission being by cards, which were distributed mostly in a private way. Yet the seating capacity of the building, which accommodates four thousand persons, was taxed by the citizens, mostly men, who responded to the invitation.

When we learned of the meeting, we communicated with the committee, most of whom are acquainted with our work through the Protestant Magazine, and were cordially given an opportunity to have the magazine placed on sale at the entrance of the hall. Our workers who waited upon the people with the magazine as they came out from the meeting, met a friendly reception and disposed of about one hundred and fifty copies, although no public announcement was made in behalf of the publication. Dr. Schoenfeld in his address, in referring to Roman Catholic opposition to civil marriage, held up before the audience in proof of his statements what appeared to be a page from the Protestant Magazine, Vol. IV, No. 2, showing a facsimile certificate of baptism which declared the offspring of such marriages illegitimate. The incident indicates the work which our literature is doing in enlightening the minds of great and good men, whose strong influence God will use to hold back the evil which threatens our country. This address by Dr. Schoenfeld was able and convincing, lacking neither the force of plain-spoken truth nor the finish of Christian culture and courtesy, and his statements were applauded again and again by the large and intelligent audience which listened to him.

Resolutions were passed at the mass meeting protesting against the juvenile courts of the city and county using private and sectarian institutions as places of penal imprisonment and servitude for the confinement of dependent, neglected, and delinquent children and youth.

Other resolutions relating to the organization of a State-wide campaign against the present confusion of church and state, and demanding a free press, were also passed.

The meeting was opened with the singing of “America,” and closed with a patriotic song entitled “Michigan, My Michigan,” sung to the air of “Maryland.” Thousands of strong and loyal voices united in the song of fidelity, the first stanza of which follows:—

“The call has brought us to thy side, Michigan, our Michigan. We have the charge, with loyal pride, Michigan, our Michigan. We gladly pledge our vows with thee Beneath the shadowing oak and pine That guard the glory of our shrine, Michigan, our Michigan.”

LEE S. WHEELER.