The Lord's Day Act in British Columbia by B. L. Stewart

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 18, 1907

The Lord's Day Act in British Columbia

By B. L. Stewart

We have just passed through a great crisis in this province. The Lord's Day Alliance has been working with all its power, seeking the enforcement of the Dominion Sunday law. This Sunday law is enforced in the different provinces at their own pleasure; that is, each province can adopt or not adopt this law. Consequently, since the enactment of the law at Ottawa a few months ago, the Lord's Day Alliance is leaving nothing undone to secure its enforcement in all the provinces. As the time approached for a new Parliament to convene, they petitioned according to their usual methods, numbering the entire family, Sunday-school, and the various organizations, for a strict enforcement of the law; they also had a strong committee lobbying for it.

As soon as the election was through, we began a systematic canvass of the province for petitions against the law. It was the time when the public mind was greatly agitated, and the subject was discussed in all parts of the province pro and con. Our people had an excellent opportunity to let their light shine. The papers were ready to print what we had to say. We placed religious liberty literature in many homes, and in the hands of every member of Parliament, and gathered a goodly number of petitions against the Sunday law. The petitions against it were two or three to one for it. The result has been that it did not even come before the House for discussion, and we have liberty in this province for a time yet. Our Religious Liberty Secretary was asked to go to Victoria to oppose the bill. He did this, visiting and talking with the different members and men of influence. Elder Wilson also went to Victoria to oppose the bill. We are thankful for the great victory, but the bill will doubtless come up again in some future session. We hope the angels will hold back the winds, that our work may go forward in this province unhindered.

B. L. STEWART.