Religious Liberty Notes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 3, 1910

Religious Liberty Notes

SISTER ELLEN POWELSON, of Batavia, Iowa, has been one of the enthusiastic and reliable workers with petitions. A note just received from her indicates that the present campaign has enlisted her efforts no less than former ones. She has had a very encouraging note from her congressman, speaking of interest in the subject thus brought to his attention, and promising to give the matter his “most serious consideration.”

In Norristown, Pa., we learn from the Columbia Union Visitor, the school board some time ago required the discontinuance of religious exercises in the schools, and forthwith the scholars not liking the order went on a strike. They organized a procession and carried a banner through the streets, inscribed, “No Bible no school.” The striking young folks had the support of their parents, it is said, and there was talk of taking the matter to the governor.

In an article in the last number of the Indiana Reporter Elder Morris Lukens, president of the conference, calls the attention of the Sabbath-keepers of the State to the fact that the new mayor of Indianapolis is an ultrareformer who evidently intends to “make good” to his reform constituents by a rigid enforcement of State Sunday statutes and city ordinances. This, Elder Lukens thinks, should remind every lover of religious liberty of his duty for Sabbath, February 5—Religious Liberty Sabbath. It is a timely alarm-call.

In his answer to the Pharisees, Christ clearly enunciated the distinction which should be made between civil and religious matters. He says: “And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for that any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Cæsar’s. Then said he unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” He recognized in his reply that there are certain things which belong to the jurisdiction of Cæsar. These are the questions of civil life, of the civil relationship existing between men; but over and above every other consideration is the duty which man owes to his God. This has the prior claim. Into the personal relationship existing between man and his Maker the State has no right to intrude. When it does this, it usurps divine prerogatives, and steps upon holy ground.