Opposing Sunday Legislation

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 27, 1913

Opposing Sunday Legislation

THERE appeared in the Hartford Courant of February 26, a column and a half report of a hearing before the judiciary committee on various Sunday bills which have been introduced into the Connecticut Legislature. The time of this hearing was occupied by those who were opposed to the existing Sunday laws, and who either desired their repeal or their modification. Among the speakers was Dr. Willard C. Fisher, formerly professor in Wesleyan University of Middletown, Conn., who was recently requested to resign by the president of the university because of his utterances concerning a more liberal Sunday.

Two of our brethren spoke at this hearing, and we quote from the report the paragraphs relating to their remarks:—

“Rev. C. H. Edwards, appearing for the Seventh-day Adventists of the State, protested against the present law rather than in favor of the proposed changes, contending that it is against the bill of rights to enact Sunday laws, which, he said, are simply religious legislation. The present act, he said, is a survival of the old church and state times, and its whole idea is to make people observe Sunday as a religious day who really do not want to. He said he did not think ‘Brother MacIntyre’ (of the Lord’s Day League) really believed in the whole act himself. The pending bills, he said, would make matters more of a muddle than they are.”

“J. E. Jayne, appearing for the Religious Liberty Association, said he favored House Bill 331, which would permit the sale of anything, except liquor, which is lawfully sold on other days of the week. His opinion was that the churches ought to keep out of politics and stick to the business of saving souls.”