p. 18 | Eastern Pennsylvania by W. H. SMITH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1905

Eastern Pennsylvania

By W. H. SMITH

BROTHER CHARLES LOUGHHEAD and his wife, of Alba, Pa., were recently arrested twice for keeping their store open on Sunday. As I was present at the trial, I will endeavor to give some of the details of the case. They were first complained of by Mrs. M. L. Packard, who is the leader of the W. C. T. U. of that place; but by reason of a defect in the indictment, the first case was quashed. The second arrest was caused by Mrs. Packard's husband. The trial was held on Wednesday, September 27, in the town of Canton, Pa. At the very opening of the case it was plainly to be seen that the justice before whom the case was tried, was strongly in favor of the prosecuting party; after the trial he confessed to me that the case was settled in his mind two weeks before the trial.

The lawyer for the defense called only three witnesses, and then submitted the case to the court. In his plea he dwelt largely upon the spirit that had led to the arrest, showing that it was wholly one of spite. At the close of his remarks he stated to the court that the minister of the denomination to which the defendants belonged was present, and requested the court to grant me the privilege of stating before the court some of the principles of our faith, that the court might better understand the motive that led the defendants to work upon the first day of the week. This, to my great surprise, the court granted, giving me liberty to present as fully as I saw fit the foundation principles of our faith. Never in my life had I realized so fully the presence of my Saviour as at that hour. I can testify now, from an individual experience, that when we are brought before rulers and councils for our faith, it shall be given us in that hour what we shall say.

I dwelt quite fully upon the spirit of the Sunday movement, showing that it was the spirit of the Dark Ages. I then spoke upon the origin of Sunday-keeping, calling attention to the fact that the only ground its advocates have to stand upon is the teachings, practise, and mandates of the Catholic Church. The iniquitous Sunday laws now upon our statute-books, if enforced, would compel every Christian to turn his back upon his God, and honor the mandates of the Catholic Church. After quoting the Sabbath commandment as recorded in Ex. 20:8-11, I turned to the judge, and urged him to consider well the great responsibilities under which he was placed; that he had the power to pronounce sentence upon Brother and Sister Loughhead that would put them behind the prison bars for obeying their God, but that there was a higher tribunal before which he must appear, and that the standard of that judgment would not be the Sunday law of the land, but the sacred Word of God, which says the seventh day, not the first, is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.

The prosecuting lawyer then wanted to know if I would be free to answer some questions that he would like to ask for further light upon the principles presented. I replied affirmatively. Then he proceeded to ask several questions, which gave me an excellent opportunity to lay before those present the true relation of religion and the state.

Then, after making a few remarks to the court, the lawyer submitted the case. With a trembling voice the judge said that he would be only too glad to release both of the persons in question, but that he was sworn to enforce the law. He found no grounds for the charge against Sister Loughhead, but pronounced a fine of four dollars or six days' imprisonment upon Brother Loughhead.

Immediately at the close of the trial, the judge came to me and said that I ought to make that plea before Congress; he believed much good would result from it. The prosecuting lawyer accompanied me several squares from the place of trial, and urged me to call on him whenever I came to Canton.

Brother Loughhead plainly stated to the court that he would not pay his fine, but no hand was laid upon him; and after remaining in the town several hours, he went to his home unmolested, to await future developments.

We all felt to praise the Lord for the victory that had been won for his truth.

W. H. SMITH.