Operation of Sunday Laws in Newfoundland by C. H. Keslake

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 28, 1911

Operation of Sunday Laws in Newfoundland

By C. H. Keslake

THE first conviction for Sunday desecration (?) on this island took place on August 26. At Englee, on the northeast coast of the island, two of our brethren, fishermen, were tried and fined, with the alternative of fourteen days' imprisonment. The brethren could not conscientiously pay the fine, and appealed the case. Later when they learned that should the case again be decided against them, they would have to bear all the expenses of the suit, they determined to abandon the appeal, if possible, and go to prison. Whether the magistrate has granted their request, I have no means of knowing, and can not know until the mail-boat returns from the north, which will be in about two weeks.

The brethren were tried at the instigation of a minister of Englee. When upbraided for his conduct by one who is not a Christian, but a nominal member of his church, his reply was that as a minister it was his duty to "protect the Sabbath from being desecrated."

Brother Dower, one of the convicted brethren, writes quite cheeringly of the situation, and rejoices that he is accounted worthy to suffer for Christ. This brother was formerly a Roman Catholic. His wife was the first to accept the truth in Englee.

A very strong feeling exists on the part of many in favor of Sunday enforcement, the leaders in the movement being Methodists. To-day while I was conversing with two prominent merchants of St. John's, a Methodist and a Catholic, the former was quite intolerant in his expressions, advising all Seventh-day Adventists to get out from under the flag of Great Britain if they do not want to obey the law of the land. The Catholic, however, expressed the opinion that in the case referred to, it was clearly religious persecution. It must be said that at present the Catholics here are more tolerant toward religious liberty than many others.

When I heard that the case at Englee was impending, I went to see the minister of justice. He said that, having received complaints from Englee, he could but order the magistrate to proceed against the brethren; yet he expressed the opinion that if the case was appealed to the supreme court of Newfoundland, it would be quashed on the ground that fishermen are not tradesmen nor artificers within the meaning of the law. The act under which our brethren were arrested was that of Charles the Second, issued in 1607. Nobody seemed to know that it was in force in Newfoundland until quite recently.

We shall keep the readers of the REVIEW informed of further developments; and we ask all to remember the work here in their prayers.

C. H. KESLAKE.