The Place of the Religious Liberty Work in the Message
By K. C. RUSSELL
ALL will agree that the religious liberty work is a branch or department of the third angel's message. But there seems to exist in the minds of some a question as to its place in the message. There would be no hesitation on the part of any of our people in defining the relation of the health reform work to this message; for its position as the “right arm of the body” has been indicated so clearly by the testimony of the spirit of prophecy that it is a familiar expression to nearly every Seventh-day Adventist. Now, since every branch of the work is an important part of the great whole, why should not the religious liberty department be as clearly defined as any other? From our attitude toward this work during the past few years it might be regarded as the tail to the message, if indeed it be recognized as a part of it. But we are glad to say that definite instruction has been given us that this line of work should be “kept to the front.” If there ever was a time when we should take heed to this instruction, it is now, at this advanced stage of the message; for there never was a time when the enemy was organizing his forces more persistently to hasten on a crisis, and abridge the liberties of God's people, than at the present time. Upon our vigorous efforts to stem the on-coming tide of religious legislation depends our freedom in carrying on our other departments of gospel work untrammeled by oppressive laws restricting our religious and civil rights which we now enjoy. Thus will be seen again the importance of heeding the counsel to keep this work to the front. Not only should it be kept to the front, that our liberties may be preserved, but chiefly that the gospel of liberty—for that is, indeed, the only gospel—may be brought to the attention of all men and women. There never was a time when people talked more of liberty and patriotism than now, and never a time when they knew so little of either. How important, then, that we hold up the torch of true liberty, that all men may clearly distinguish between true and false principles. If any ask whether our efforts in opposing religious measures in national or State legislature, are in the past, our answer is most decidedly, No. By this very means the light of truth will be brought to many, and thus bring them into the full light of the liberty of the gospel. There is, therefore, occasion for the circulation of petitions against religious legislation; for it is another most effective way of proclaiming the gospel liberty to those who may sign them, as it is also to those who are petitioned. For we find that these legislators are not only ignorant of the principles of Christian liberty, but some do not even know that any Sunday bills have been introduced in Congress. It may not be generally understood that those who are working to promote these religious measures in Congress are doing it in a quiet way without any blowing of trumpets, and hence it requires great vigilance on our part, in order that these bills may not be passed before a thorough warning is given to all concerned.