Notes by S. B. H.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1912

Notes

By S. B. H.

THE people of Toronto are being treated to a great agitation, brought about by the Lord’s Day Alliance, which is seeking to curtail the liberties of the people of Toronto and vicinity on Sunday. The press reports many meetings being held in opposition to the restrictions the alliance wishes to place on the conduct of people during Sunday.

IT is stated that the Catholics in Belgium fear an early catastrophe in that country similar to that which has occurred in Portugal. It seems that the Vatican proposes to excommunicate all who compel Catholic priests to appear before civil tribunals without the permission of the Roman Catholic Church. It is said by those informed that unless Rome recedes from this position, there will result the complete separation of church and state in Belgium, as has already happened in France and Portugal.

THE Evangelical Alliance, of Canada, received nearly three hundred thousand petitions against the Ne Temere decree of the Pope. These petitions came from representatives from all Protestant denominations, and a digest of these will be sent to the federal government as a plea for action.

THE Baltimore church on February 24 passed a memorial, addressed to the governor and legislature and the mayor of the city of Baltimore, regarding the principles of religious liberty. The documents were presented the following day to the above-mentioned officials by a committee composed of R. T. Baer, C. B. Haynes, and S. B. Horton.

THE commissioner of the Indian Bureau recently issued an order regarding the Indian schools, prohibiting the members of any denomination wearing distinct garb or the insignia of their denomination while engaged at lay duties as government employees; and gave notice of dismissal after certain date if the order was not obeyed. The President was appealed to by the director of the Catholic Indian Bureau, and as a consequence, the order of the commissioner was rescinded, pending “such time as will permit a full hearing to be given to all parties interested,” and a conclusion to be reached in respect to the matter after full deliberation.

ON March 20, the Maine Legislature will be convened in extra session for the purpose of considering the matter of again submitting to the people, for their approval or disapproval, the prohibition article of the constitution. It will be remembered that last September the people decided, by less than one thousand majority, to retain the prohibitory article in the constitution; but the saloon element prevailed upon the governor to call a session of the Maine Legislature and again present the matter to the people. We trust a much larger majority will witness for the present constitution, should the legislature again submit the matter for a vote of the people.

IN Toronto recently, a deputation representing the Lord’s Day Alliance and the Ministerial Association called upon the public authorities to prohibit the use of toboggan-slides in the public parks on Sunday, contending that the practise tended toward the secularization of the Sabbath. Another deputation, equally numerous, favored the continuance of the slides, asserting that they did no harm to any one, and held that to deprive the working classes of this privilege of enjoying the fresh air and sunshine was nothing short of tyranny. These maintained that personal liberty was of greater value than Sabbath observance. The ministers were sharply criticized for the spirit of intolerance exhibited. The officials appealed to decided to refer the matter to the city solicitor, who advised that in his opinion the city could take no action in regard to tobogganing in the various parks of the city. S. B. H.