The Sunday-Closing Crusade at Kansas City, Mo.
By K. C. R.
As the result of instructions given by Judge Wm. H. Wallace on September 30, to the grand jury and city officials of Kansas City, Mo., directing the enforcement of the State Sunday laws, a Sunday-closing crusade was begun in that city recently. The instructions of the judge were aimed particularly at Sunday theaters and the closing of grocery stores and the like after nine o'clock on Sunday mornings. This crusade was different in one particular from other crusades of this character, in that the clergy were not apparently as prominent in it as is generally the case. It was evident, however, that the churches were exerting their influence in favor of the crusade, as was seen by the sermons preached during its progress, and resolutions passed by different congregations in favor of the movement. Knowing the logical outcome of such movements, that they must end in persecution to God's people and ruin to the state, we proceeded to point out the results of such a course, as outlined in the history of the past. We further endeavored to show the limits of civil authority, and emphasized the fact that if the theaters and other places of amusement were proper on Monday and other days of the week, they were proper on Sunday also. We sought to take advantage of the opportunity to disseminate the principles of religious liberty and proclaim the third angel's message. The Kansas City church was awake to the issue, and contributed liberally toward a fund for carrying on a campaign to enlighten the people as to the real principles involved in the issue. Among other things we prepared an open letter covering over two and one-half newspaper columns, and one of the leading daily papers of the city published it without cost on the front page, with large display head-lines. A large number of the papers containing the letter were sent to different city and county officials. We also secured one of the best halls in the city, where we delivered three lectures, speaking upon different phases of the subject. The attendance was good, and the lectures were well reported in the daily papers. We feel thankful that the Lord helped us in getting these gospel principles on the subject of religious liberty before the people. At the closing lecture a number of resolutions setting forth our position on the question of religious liberty were submitted to the audience, and were unanimously adopted by a rising vote. These appeared the following morning in the first column of the front page of the Journal, one of the leading papers of the city. We learn that regardless of the vigorous protest made, the law is to be enforced. We feel to praise the Lord, nevertheless, that we were enabled to place the true principles of religious liberty before so many of the citizens of Kansas City. This campaign we believe has proved a blessing not only to those who were unacquainted with our views, but also to our own people in both Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kan., who joined in the effort. Elder D. U. Hale, the president of the Missouri Conference and chairman of the Religious Liberty Department of the conference; Elder J. W. Norwood, religious liberty secretary of the conference; Elder and Mrs. E. A. Merrell; Brother James Cochran; and others of the Missouri Conference workers were present, and rendered valuable assistance.