The Religious Liberty Department
By K. C. Russell
The Chairman’s Review of the Work
WE are cheered at this time with the thought that this work occupies an equal place in the hearts of our people with all other departments of the great system of truth which is comprehended in the third angel’s message. Our assurance of your lively interest in this line of work has been repeatedly demonstrated and confirmed in the hearty and universal response to the different calls which have been made from time to time during the past few months. We can not but contrast in our minds the present interest in this branch of the work with the cold indifference which has characterized it during the past few years. Significance of the Third Angel’s Message
We are constrained to ask the question, What would the third angel’s message mean to us if the great truth warning us against the beast, its image and mark, in which all other lines of truth find their focal point, were to be excluded? We must confess that there were some elements of truth in the following , which was recently said concerning the work of Seventh-day Adventists by one of the champions of the National Reform Movement:— “The key to this riddle [of our not uniting with the National Reformers and other organizations in the popular so-called reforms of the day] is not so much their estimate of Saturday as in their interpretation of Rev. 13: 11-17, which is really the center from which all their activities radiate. They are taught from this passage, by their leaders, that the United States government is the ‘third beast’ of Revelation . . . that is to keep up the persecution begun by pagan Rome, and continued in former ages by the papacy.”
We are free to confess that the third angel’s message is the center from which all our activities radiate, and it is this message which distinguishes this work in a marked contrast—from all other reforms of modern times. It would be interesting in this connection, if time would permit, to quote at length from a pamphlet which was written by our people fifty-two years ago, in which was given an exposition of Revelation 13. Suffice it to say that the fundamental principles that were then given by the Lord to the pioneers in this work, are still maintained, and the truthfulness of the positions then taken are being proved by present experiences to be in harmony with that which the sure word of prophecy has so clearly outlined. A Growing Demand for Sunday Legislation
We find that much has been lost in failing to teach these principles to the world, and also to our own people. It can truly be said, While men slept, the enemy came and sowed tares. It might be of interest on this point to note that there is a growing sentiment in favor of Sunday legislation, as was found during the last winter by some who circulated the petition against the proposed Sunday legislation in the District of Columbia. I herewith append some of the letters written by those who circulated the petition. From Wyoming, we quote the following, written by a brother:— “It seems to me that people are not so liberal in signing these petitions as they were years ago.”
From Illinois a brother writes:— “I find, on going out, that some of the people are most ready for the bill to pass.”
In a letter from Nebraska a brother writes:— “I was astonished to find so many who would not sign the petition which I send you. I verily believe that if this question of Sunday enforcement were submitted to a popular vote, it would become a law at once. The time is surely ripe for very decisive movements on the part of God’s people.”
From North Dakota we quote the following:— “From the experience I have already had with the petitions, I am alarmed at the ignorance of the principles of liberty, even among officials. These things ought to stir our hearts to their greatest depths, and cause us to sense the fact that the crisis is just before us.”
Many Need Further Instruction
It will be evident to all that those who have embraced the truth during this time have not received the instruction on this subject that those did who accepted the truth when this question was a living issue. Our denominational statistics show that our membership has greatly increased during the last decade. We also find that some, even among those who have been longest in the truth, and their numbers are not confined to the laity only, should, to say the least, compare notes and get their bearings. I call attention to these conditions that all may understand that it is high time for us to arouse ourselves, and also others, to the importance of these things. We discovered, in our recent campaign in Washington, that it was impossible to find any one outside of our own people with whom we could fully unite in our protest against the religio-educational measure. While some seemed to be straight in some particulars, yet in others they would compromise the principles involved. We have been gratified to observe how the clear-cut principles of truth concerning the limits of civil government have commanded the attention of even those who are opposed to the position held by us. I would venture the opinion that the experiences of our brethren who have labored in the State legislatures have also been unsatisfactory in finding those with whom they could affiliate in defending the principles of true liberty. The Work Made Denominational
Another feature which is especially gratifying is the fact that the idea is obtaining among us that simply a theory of religious and civil liberty, which can be indorsed by agnostics, infidels, and other classes who have no sympathy with the Christian religion, is not sufficient for these times. The elevating of this work upon a higher spiritual plane will necessarily place it where only those who are spiritual will affiliate with us and champion our cause. In our campaign this winter we have in no way attempted to cover up the fact of our denominational identity, but, on the other hand, have placed it in the forefront in both our private and public efforts; and the public press, in referring to our positions in the different issues which have arisen, has, I think, without an exception, used our denominational name. Why This Department Should Be in Washington
The wisdom of locating this department of our work here in Washington has been demonstrated in a most signal manner from the very first. In every effort which has been put forth in firmly establishing the truth at our nation’s capital, the Lord has wonderfully wrought. Note the message that was sent by the Lord’s servant concerning the work in Washington. After quoting Acts 1:13, 14, and 2:1-11, a parallel is drawn between9Jerusalem and Washington as a center of influence, in these words:— “In the days of the apostles, Jerusalem was a great center of influence, and in this place, light from heaven was to shine in its most powerful rays upon the Lord’s witnesses who were to bear the gospel message.”
“Read the whole of the second chapter of Acts, and see if you are not convinced that there has been a decided failure to understand that one of our first duties is to make at the nation’s capital a special presentation of the truth for this time.”
Surely Washington is a center of influence which will play an important part in the closing events of the world’s history. It should be remembered that in view of the fact that the United States is now one of the leading world powers, and in close touch with all the powers, any particular phase of the message could be sent to all parts of the world very quickly. A leading newspaper of Washington, speaking of the removal of our headquarters to this city, expressed more than the editor comprehended when he said, “In the breadth of its scope and in its possibilities of future growth, this coming of the Adventists to Washington is one of the most important events of the year.” The wide-spread agitation throughout the country for Sunday closing presents a large field for this department. The question of religious teaching in the public schools presents another line of work that should be prosecuted with vigor both in the States and in Canada. The Bureau should extend its line of operation into the foreign fields, where there is also a growing agitation in favor of religious legislation. It will be evident to you that if this work is carried on successfully, we should have secretaries in the various conferences and mission fields throughout the world who can devote the required attention to this phase of the work. This plan would enable the officers of the department to keep in constant touch with these fields, which would be an advantage to both the department officers and secretaries. K. C. RUSSELL,
Chairman Religious Liberty Bureau.