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Christian Liberty

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 14, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 24.

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Christian Liberty

By K. C. RUSSELL

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

Religious Liberty Notes

WHILE recovering from a spell of sickness, a brother in Tennessee read a number of our religious liberty leaflets. Writing concerning the impressions these made upon his mind, he says: “I was glad to see the truth put before the people in so good and simple a way that they will have to see it if they read it.”
The Pathfinder, of Washington, D. C., bearing date of May 26, contains a most interesting item illustrating the extremes that people will go to attempt to prove that God’s judgments are visited upon those who disregard the Sunday institution, as the following will demonstrate: “A man who was playing ball at Detroit Sunday dropped dead just as he reached first base. Many people will say this was a visitation on him for playing ball on Sunday. But it happens that a minister in Washington was stricken in the same way on the same day, without any warning, while in the middle of his sermon.”
The Buffalo (N. Y.) Evening Times of May 28 contains the following regarding a Sunday closing crusade that has just broken out in Louisville, Ky.: “Louisville observed the Sabbath rigidly. All saloons were closed except the park kept by a Jew who observed Saturday as the Sabbath. He was arrested, but allowed to continue selling throughout the day, doing a lively business as the news spread. Besides the saloons, all barber shops, bowling-alleys, billiard halls, theaters, groceries, and in fact everything except hotels, drug-stores, and railroad and street-car lines, was closed. An attempt to play a ball game between Louisville and Toledo resulted in the arrest of the players, employees, and the presidents of both clubs.”
Cattaraugus County, N. Y., has the honor (?) of issuing through Sheriff Waite of that county one of the strictest Sunday laws that has been issued of late, as the following item in the Randolph (N. Y.) Register of May 25, will indicate: “The fiat has gone forth from the office of Sheriff Waite that no base-ball games will be tolerated in this county on Sunday. All deputy sheriffs have been notified to that effect, and they will be expected to see that the law is strictly enforced. It is said that the order is interpreted so strictly that the mere tossing of a ball to and fro is as much a violation of the order, and will subject the offender to the prescribed penalty the same as if a nine-inning game and a crowded grand stand were the features on record against the defendant. The sheriff’s office has received many complaints against Sunday ball this season, and Sheriff Waite has deemed it time that something be done.”
Recently Cardinal Gibbons held a confirmation at a place adjacent to Baltimore, and the occasion was made one of great display, as will be seen from a brief paragraph or two taken from an extended account in a recent issue of a Baltimore paper. One can but exclaim, as he reads of these frequent displays in all parts of the world, “And all the world wondered after the beast.” “Hours before the time appointed for the cardinal to arrive at the hotel, the cavalcade had assembled, and at intervals of two or three minutes the riders sent their steeds at full speed several miles toward the city, hoping to get the first glimpse of the guest. The riders formed an interesting spectacle. Every horse was elaborately decked in strings, ribbons, and cords of different colors and descriptions. Each bridle was hidden in many folds of red and white ribbon or bunting, while on each side of the horse’s head and in the center of his forehead there was a large rosette of the same colors. Long streamers were also tied to their tails, several of which were hidden beneath bow after bow of the red and white. A red and white blanket was thrown over each horse, which covered the greater part of his body. This was also fastened with ribbons.”
K. C. RUSSELL.