An Oklahoma Sunday Bill Defeated by I. A. Crane

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 17, 1913

An Oklahoma Sunday Bill Defeated

By I. A. Crane

The last of the five Sunday bills has been defeated. The history of these bills is about as follows:—

House Bill No. 59 and House Bill No. 208 were intended to amend the present law against Sabbath-breaking and to increase the penalty from one dollar to fifty dollars. Another bill to regulate roping contests had a Sunday proviso. A bill entitled “A Bill to Abolish the Office of Fish and Game Warden,” though innocent sounding, had a section prohibiting fishing or hunting on Sunday.

The bill, however, which gained the most notoriety was Senate Bill No. 329. This bill did not contain the word Sabbath. It prohibited shows, theaters, etc., on Sunday.

There was a very decided effort made on the part of ministers, churches, ministerial alliances, etc., to push it through during the regular session. It received favorable action by the senate committee on Sabbath, February 8. Many bills were ahead of it, but for some reason it was pushed to the front and passed the senate Sabbath, March 8. Not being present, I did not learn how the vote stood. Hardly expecting that it would be taken up before the special session which was expected to follow immediately after adjournment, we were rather surprised to find it rushed to the front and brought up for passage in the house on Monday, March 17, just before adjournment. Here it was killed by an amendment which made it inoperative in cities of over two thousand inhabitants. This secured its defeat upon final vote by a large majority.

It seems from to-day's paper (March 18) that other bills have Sunday clauses. In fact, it would seem that the eight-hour law, and perhaps many other laws, had been so worded as to exalt this rival of God's Sabbath. The governor and many other State officials and prominent men seem to be encouraging the ever-increasing popular move for the church to enter politics. This seemed to be the theme in the governor's address to-night to the State Sunday-school convention at this place, as well as at a mass-meeting here some days ago in celebration of the passage of the Webb bill by Congress. The church people are encouraged to expect anything they may demand.

One can hardly watch this feature of passing events and not see that the storm must soon burst for which we have long been warned to be prepared. The efforts of the Religious Liberty Department in Oklahoma have done much in this present agitation to place the truth before those whose minds have been awakened upon this subject.

Perhaps our efforts have considerable to do with keeping these bills from passing, but the lines are only becoming a little tighter drawn, and the enemy is becoming more determined. All who believe God's word must see that in Oklahoma as well as in other States, there needs but a concerted action at any time and liberty of conscience is gone. Only love of justice and right could induce one to espouse a cause so unpopular as ours. Men can not expect a return by way of votes from us, and few men in this day would desire thus to commit political suicide. Legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law. It is right upon us, and it is to be followed by the marvelous working of Satan. The end is near. Truly all things call upon us to seek a preparation to stand. May God keep us faithful to our trust.

I. A. CRANE.