A Striking Situation by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 5, 1905

A Striking Situation

By K. C. Russell

It has been only a few weeks since the officers of the Religious Liberty Bureau organized for labor; and even since then we have been hindered in our work in various ways. But notwithstanding this, the Lord has blessed us in getting the good work started in various lines.

Seven thousand petition blanks have been printed, and sent to the various conferences in the United States, which are to be signed as a remonstrance against the passage of the two Sunday bills now pending in Congress. We have also had a large number of a four-page document printed, in which the text of the bills is given, together with an explanation and review of the same. The matter in this appeared in the last number of the Review, and is entitled, “Sunday Bills Now Before Congress.” These are also being sent out to the various conferences to accompany the petitions. The design is that each one circulating the petition shall have one of these.

Four new Religious Liberty leaflets have recently been written by the secretary, W. A. Colcord, to which reference has already been made. These are now ready for distribution.

In connection with Elder J. S. Washburn, who is also a member of the executive committee of the Religious Liberty Bureau, the chairman and secretary have spent as much time as their other duties would permit, in placing before representative men of our country, assembled in Congress, the principles of liberty and the dangers of religious legislation.

During the past two weeks our efforts have been directed chiefly toward improving an opportunity which has providentially presented itself for us to set forth the claims of the Bible Sabbath and the principles of religious liberty, as the result of a local issue which has risen in this city. December 12 seventy-five of Washington’s Protestant pastors met, and planned for an organized campaign for better Sunday observance in the city of Washington, which seems to be especially aimed at the government, because it “makes” certain of its employees work on Sunday. It was planned that each pastor should speak in his church on “Sabbath Observance” the first Sunday in the new year. Believing this to be another movement which would result in bringing pressure to bear on the national legislature for Sunday legislation in the District of Columbia, and blind the eyes of the people to the claims of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, we resolved to organize a counter-campaign, setting forth the gospel truth on the Sabbath and true liberty. Accordingly an open letter, containing a straight argument on the Sabbath question, was written and mailed to over one hundred Washington pastors concerning their proposed campaign. This letter was not only sent to the pastors, but it was published in the Washington Post of December 26, occupying over two columns of space. The other two dailies of Washington, which are evening papers, the same day gave extended articles, presenting the pith of the open letter which appeared in the Post. We estimate as the result of these newspaper articles that the truth was presented, in one day, to an audience of two or three hundred thousand. In addition to this effort we had a ten-thousand edition of this open letter printed in tract form and presented by our workers to the citizens of Washington. This tract was accompanied by an announcement of a public meeting to be held on Wednesday evening, December 28, to discuss the general subject of Sunday legislation and the true Sabbath.

Although it was a midweek meeting during the holidays, and a very cold night, there was a good audience in attendance, including our own people, who were well represented at the service.

There were six short but comprehensive addresses given by as many different speakers during the evening.

The writer presided at the meeting, and gave a brief introduction at its opening, setting forth the object of the same.

Prof. W. W. Prescott’s address was on the topic “History Repeating Itself in the United States.” He showed in a very comprehensive way the parallel between the history of the fourth and fifth centuries and that of our times on the question of Sunday legislation.

Prof. B. G. Wilkinson spoke on “The Sabbath on the Continent.” He has just returned from a four years’ sojourn in Paris, France, so could speak intelligently

upon the subject. He cited several illustrations showing how nations like France and Spain have no lack of religious laws, but, notwithstanding, the Sunday observance of these countries is most demoralizing.

Elder J. S. Washburn spoke on “Sunday Legislation in the District of Columbia,” giving a lucid explanation of the two Sunday bills now pending before Congress.

Elder W. A. Colcord spoke on “The Logic of Sabbath Legislation,” and made clear the inconsistencies and dangers which attend it.

Elder G. B. Thompson gave an interesting address on the “Candid Admissions of Eminent Men.” He emphasized the fact that many eminent men acknowledge that there is no Bible authority for Sunday-keeping.

Elder Luther Warren gave an address on “Christ and the Sabbath.” He forcibly illustrated the significance of the rival Sabbaths by reference to the flags of the North and the South, showing that it was not the material of which they were composed that led men to march under and to fight for them, but the principles they represented. So with the rival sabbaths; the Sabbath of the Bible is a sign of loyalty to God, and the Sunday is a sign of rebellion against the government of Heaven. Thus it does make a material difference which day we keep.

This service, with the newspaper reports of the same, we believe will be far-reaching in its influence.

Sunday evening services will be continued in the same hall by Elder Luther Warren and others.

K. C. RUSSELL.