A Religious Liberty Campaign
By W. F. Martin
AFTER a few days at the office I went to southern Idaho to spend a short time in that conference. Elder C. S. Longacre returned to California, so I was alone in this last effort. The first meeting was in Boise, the capital of the State. Elder F. D. Wagner has been holding a series of meetings in this city, with a good attendance. It was my privilege to speak here three times. Good audiences were present at each meeting. At the Sunday evening service, the building was crowded to its limit. A good amount of literature was distributed, and there was a deep interest manifested. The Spirit of the Lord was present, and hearts were touched. We could not but feel the audience went away with higher ideas of the rights of their fellow men, and with greater love for liberty. When asked how many present were determined to stand for liberty when the crisis should come, a large number held up their hands. Besides in Boise, we had meetings in Parma, Caldwell, Nampa, and Eagle in Idaho, and in Ontario, Baker, and Union in Oregon, these places all being situated in the Southern Idaho Conference. In Parma, Nampa, and Baker, good halls were secured for the meetings. In Ontario the speaking was done in the opera-house; we had a large audience, and much interest was manifested. At Parma and Nampa the audiences were not large, but a number of persons were interested. At Eagle and Caldwell we had good audiences, the larger number not Adventists. Excellent attention and interest were manifested. In Baker City the church had secured the Elks' hall, counted the best assembly hall in the city. A good audience greeted us each evening. Much interest was manifested in the thoughts presented, and also in the literature. A number of cards were signed asking for more reading-matter on the subject. It was very gratifying to see the people eagerly drinking in the great truths of the message. It is to be expected that soon some of them will take a firm stand for the truth. Many of them, at the close of427the meeting, said that they were in harmony with what was presented. From Baker City we went to Union. The meetings at Union were held in the church. It was my privilege to speak three times there,—Friday evening, Sabbath to our own people, and again the evening after the Sabbath. A fine congregation was present at every meeting. A goodly number of people from the town came to the evening services. A deep interest was manifested, and we feel that good was done. Taking a retrospective view of this last campaign, we can not but feel that it was profitable, and that good seed was sown. It is left to God to cause it to spring into life and produce fruit. Now, in this time of peace, the minds of men and women can be called to the message. They can be told of the dangers of religious legislation. When they are brought face to face with its reality, they will remember what they have heard. Some of them will obey the truth.