Resolutions Adopted

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 21, 1912

Resolutions Adopted

THE religious liberty work was considered at the recent annual session of the Massachusetts Conference, and action was taken as follows:—

“Whereas, We believe the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and the Federated Churches of North America and their allied interdenominational organizations, relative to the relations that should exist between religion and the state, are subversive of the fundamental principles of the gospel; therefore,—

“Resolved, (1) That it is our urgent duty and Christian privilege to present in such contrast the teachings of the gospel with those of these churches and organizations that the danger may be apparent, and that all men may be admonished to sustain the right and turn to God with all their hearts; and,—

“That we request our laborers to carefully note the current events wherein these principles are involved, and be prepared to make use of the printed page, the public rostrum, the public press, and such other agencies as may be available; and,—

“(3) In order that our laborers may receive assistance, and their effectual cooperation be assured, the conference religious liberty secretary shall devote whatever time is necessary, directly, to coordinating, studying, and leading out in this work in the Massachusetts Conference; and,—

“(4) That we advise the liberal use of the magazines Liberty and Protestant, both by our magazine workers and by the members of our churches; and,—

“(5) That we concur with the recommendation of the last General Conference Council relative to placing ‘American State Papers’ in public libraries and in the hands of State officials, legislators, attorneys, and public men; and,—

“(6) That our conference religious liberty secretary may be kept informed relative to all matters of interest to his department, we approve an arrangement whereby each portion of our conference territory shall be assigned to some individual who will be responsible to watch the public press and report all items of importance involving the principles of religious liberty.”

The brethren of the Chesapeake Conference in their recent annual session at Baltimore did not overlook the present situation and the action demanded by it. Among other resolutions, these were adopted:—

“Resolved, That we recognize in the present aggressiveness of the Roman Catholic Church and in her persistent efforts to use the government to gain her ends, a call to emphasize, with even greater earnestness than in the past, the great principles of religious liberty upon which this government is founded, and the entire separation of the church and the state.

“Resolved, That we recommend and encourage a large circulation of the Protestant Magazine as one of the best means of placing before the people the true principles of Protestantism and a return to the original truth of the gospel.”

At a meeting of the Ohio Conference Committee, held October 29 and 30, this recommendation was adopted:—

“Owing to the rapid advancement of the Papacy and its influence in governmental affairs, and recognizing the need of having these encroachments brought to the attention of the Protestants of our State,—

“We recommend that all the workers in this conference make an effort to place the Protestant Magazine in the hands of the ministers of all Protestant churches.”