The Chicago Religious Liberty Convention by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 13, 1913

The Chicago Religious Liberty Convention

By K. C. Russell

In accordance with the decision of the Northern Illinois Conference at its recent session, a religious liberty convention was held February 14-17, in the Baptist church, corner Ashland Boulevard and Monroe Street, Chicago, Ill. Among those in attendance were Elders Wm. Covert, of Aurora, Ill.; J. H. Schilling, of Brooklyn, N. Y.; S. B. Horton, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; and J. A. Applegate, of Aurora, Ill. At nearly every service, there was an excellent attendance of both our own people and others.

The first meeting of the convention was held Friday evening, February 14, and consisted of a symposium in which the speakers showed the necessity of a religious convention. Among the many reasons presented for the holding of such conventions were, first, the forces which are being arrayed against the principles of religious liberty are rapidly increasing; second, the masses are asleep to the dangers that threaten them.

Sabbath forenoon, February 15, Elder Horton spoke on the interesting theme “Mordecai in the Gate.” The speaker showed that the experiences through which God’s remnant people are to pass before the Lord comes are very similar to those through which God’s people passed in the days of Esther. In proof of the foregoing, the following from “Testimony for the Church,” No. 32, page 206, was quoted:—

“The decree which is to go forth against the people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews in the time of Esther. The Persian edict sprang from malice of Haman toward Mordecai. Not that Mordecai had done him harm, but he had refused to show him reverence which belongs only to God. The king’s decision against the Jews was secured under false pretenses, through misrepresentation of that peculiar people. Satan instigated the scheme in order to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God. But his plots were defeated by a counter-power that reigns among the children of men. Angels that excel in strength were commissioned to protect the people of God, and the plots of their adversaries returned upon their own heads.

“The Protestant world see in the little company keeping the Sabbath a Mordecai in the gate. His character and conduct expressing reverence for the law of God are a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling upon his Sabbath; the unwelcome intruder must by some means be put out of the way.”

In the afternoon a union service of all the Seventh-day Adventist churches in Chicago was held, and a sermon was preached on the subject of “Soul Liberty.” It was emphasized that no one is in possession of genuine soul liberty while he is held as a captive by any evil propensity or habit of the carnal nature.

One of the most interesting features of the convention was an address given by Elder Schilling regarding the question of religious liberty in Europe. His recital of God’s providence in overruling circumstances so as to give signal victories to the cause of present truth where it appeared the enemy would surely triumph, were most interesting and impressive. He further showed the wisdom of exercising caution in not defying earthly governments where no principle is involved.

Sunday, February 16, Elder C. T. Everson spoke on the interesting theme “Clasping Hands With Rome, or the Healing of the Deadly Wound.” He plainly showed that many nations are catering to Rome because they fear that without her influence and support they can not succeed.

Resolutions were adopted by the convention strongly protesting against the passage of the Johnston Sunday Bill, and pledging that they would do all in their power in warning the people against the evils of religious legislation by the distribution of literature, and in every other way to make known the truth of this great question.

The closing service of the convention was a lecture on the “Image of the Beast.”

We are convinced that such conventions are a source of great blessing in arousing our own people and awakening the general public regarding this feature of the everlasting gospel. K. C. RUSSELL.