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Christian Liberty

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 22, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 8.

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Christian Liberty

By W. H. Thurston

Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience

Experiences at Ottawa, Canada

It has been officially stated that the Lord's Day Alliance represents all the churches, Protestants and Catholics, and that both Protestants and Catholics want a Sunday-observance bill.
In the Telegraph of St. Martins, New Brunswick, a brief article appeared January 15, from which we quote as follows: “In the Catholic church of this diocese yesterday was read a pastoral letter by Bishop Casey, in which the people were urged to sign a petition asking the Canadian Parliament for legislation according to the views expressed by Catholic bishops of Canada in their recent communication to the minister of justice concerning the proper observance of a Christian Sunday.”
From an article which appeared in the Ottawa Evening Journal, February 5, entitled “For Sunday Observance,” we quote the following: “It is understood that the minister of justice will introduce next session of Parliament a Sunday-observance bill. The legislation will be on the lines of the draft bill presented to the government by the executive of the Lord's Day Alliance, and indorsed by all the churches, Roman Catholics and Protestants, as well as by the labor bodies of the Dominion.”
This shows clearly that Protestantism in Canada has stretched her hand across the gulf, and has grasped the hand of the Roman power. We are doing what we can in a proper way to oppose the proposed Dominion Sunday law, and to enlighten the people upon this matter of religious liberty. We have in our office at Ottawa over six thousand signatures to the petitions opposing the bill, and more are being received from all parts of the Dominion.
By invitation I spoke last Sunday to an audience of men in the Jewish synagogue, on the subject of religious legislation. After carefully considering the matter, they agreed that the principles upon which we stood were correct. They are signing petitions opposing the Sunday bill.
It has been announced that Parliament will open the eighth of March. We have the assurance that God will work in behalf of his people if they will call upon him in faith. Let all unite in earnest prayer that God will restrain the forces of darkness, and that the warning may soon be given, not only to Canada, but to all the world.
W. H. THURSTON.