An Interesting Letter

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1905

An Interesting Letter

THE editor of the REVIEW has received the following letter from a gentleman to whom he forwarded papers and documents relating to the recent controversy over the proposed introduction of religious instruction into the public schools of the District of Columbia:—

“W. W. Prescott, Esq., Washington, D. C.”

“DEAR SIR: Pardon my negligence in acknowledging receipt of your kind letter and papers in connection with the school matter. I have carefully read your argument, and heartily congratulate you upon the stand you have taken. Your argument is incontrovertible, and should be read by every true American and lover of liberty. Your church, and particularly some of its able leaders, deserve the thanks of the American people for the great fight you are making for religious liberty in this country, and especially the fight you are making against the fanatical Sunday laws which disgrace the statute-books of nearly every State in the Union. In framing these infamous laws the legislators pretend that it is for the physical benefit of the individual. This claim they know to be a fraud and a sham, and that were the religious motive underlying them removed, we should have no Sunday laws. There seems to be a concerted movement all over the country to introduce religion into the public schools, which movement should be bitterly opposed if we are to preserve our institutions.”

“We are carrying our case in this city to the higher courts, and I feel confident that if the courts decide in accordance with the Constitution, and not in accordance with public opinion, we shall win.”

By request the editor of the REVIEW has also forwarded papers and documents, dealing with the same controversy, to a Jewish rabbi in the State of Ohio, where the same issue is now pending. Thus the benefits arising from work done in behalf of religious liberty principles in this city are being reaped in other places.