p. 23 | Religious Liberty in America

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 23, 1916

Religious Liberty in America

A HISTORY of religious liberty from the days of religious intolerance preceding the discovery of America, to the present time. It relates the acts of persecution which encouraged emigration to the New World; and traces the spirit of intolerance transplanted in the colonies, the gradual development of the idea of religious liberty and separation of church and state, and finally the retrogression and the drifting toward Rome so apparent at the present time.

As an example of the hundreds of incidents related, we give the following outline of an account taken from the chapter “Conflicts and Triumphs in New York:”—

In 1707 Francis Mackemie, a minister, was imprisoned for preaching Presbyterianism in New York City. After stormy debates and a spectacular hearing, he was acquitted by a jury instructed to convict him. His release after weeks of illegal imprisonment was due to his impassioned address to the jury, and the efforts of three noted lawyers. This case caused much comment in England and America, and brought to an end such persecution in the New York colony. The author is not content with merely relating principles, but has made a large collection of such incidents as illustrate the principles advocated, and furnishes a fund of invaluable information on the subject. Every purchaser of this book is sure to be pleased with its contents. 448 pages. Cloth, $1.00.