Ohio by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 4, 1912

Ohio

By K. C. Russell

COLUMBUS.—Reference has already been made to the constitutional convention that is now in session at Columbus, Ohio. Anticipating that the advocates of religious legislation would be in attendance on such occasions for the purpose of urging their views upon the convention, the officers of the Ohio Conference, the Columbia Union Conference, and the General Religious Liberty Department were on the ground in advance of the meeting, planning to meet any efforts that might be put forth by these advocates of religious legislation. We felt that God's people should improve opportunities like this, and defeat, if possible, any unchristian measures that might be introduced into the convention, and above all, seek to enlighten the citizens of Ohio regarding the true principles of religious liberty.

We had not long to wait for some un-American and unchristian measures to be urged on the convention. Two of the most drastic measures which are pending in the convention are Proposals No. 121 and No. 65. Proposal No. 121 is as follows:—

“We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for liberty, acknowledge him to be our supreme ruler, and his law to be fundamental; and declaring this to be a Christian State, in order to establish justice, and the blessings of liberty for the whole people, do establish this constitution.”

It is not difficult for those who understand the principles of religious liberty to discern the evil principle in this proposal. Should the constitution declare Ohio to be a Christian State, the only legislation that would be in keeping with such a provision would be Christian—so-called. All can see that such a program would entail endless trouble and strife. It would be necessary for the State to determine what a Christian standard is, and with so many standards of Christianity held by the various religious denominations, the standard would

naturally be that of the largest denomination.

Proposal No. 65 reads thus:—

“The General Assembly shall at all times protect the moral and religious and spiritual nature and Christian character of the divine institution of the Sabbath (commonly called Sunday) as the day of rest, worship, and spiritual uplift. The only exception of labor on the Sabbath should be that of urgent necessity.”

Certainly after reading this proposal, no one could ever maintain that a civil sabbath is what is desired. Notice the religious phraseology of this proposal. It would seem that the framer of the proposal sought to group together all the religious words possible in framing the proposal. Observe the religious terms,—moral, religious, spiritual, Christian, divine, Sabbath, Sunday, worship, spiritual uplift.

Earnest efforts are being made to point out the evils contained in these proposals. Elder J. F. Olmsted, the religious liberty secretary of the Ohio Conference, and Brother H. A. Weaver, religious secretary of the East Michigan Conference, have been interviewing the delegates of the convention and judiciously placing in their hands the newly revised edition of “American State Papers.” Articles pointing out the mistaken ideas of the promoters of these measures are being furnished the public press of Columbus, and also the press of other cities of Ohio. Our people throughout the State are distributing literature treating upon this question. They are also circulating petitions against these measures, and writing letters of protest against them.

Sunday afternoon, February 25, a mass-meeting was held in the Chamber of Commerce, in Columbus, Ohio, for the purpose of vigorously protesting against the proposals already mentioned in this report. Those who took part in the meeting were Elders E. K. Slade and J. F. Olmsted, Brother H. A. Weaver, and the writer. The reports of the meeting were published in the Columbus papers. We believe that this mass-meeting will have its effect in enlightening the citizens of Columbus regarding the principles of religious liberty, which are threatened by the evil measures pending in the convention.

The evening following the mass-meeting, the writer spoke in our church in Columbus, on “The Perils of Roman Catholicism.” There was an excellent attendance, and a good interest was manifested. Our people in the Ohio Conference should make the most of the opportunities which these unchristian and un-American proposals in this convention are affording them in warning the people of that great State against the evil principle of a union of church and state, which lies at the foundation of these measures.

K. C. RUSSELL.