Religious Liberty Work in Kansas and Missouri by J. S. Wightman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 26, 1909

Religious Liberty Work in Kansas and Missouri

By J. S. Wightman

IN the early part of June, Prosecuting-Attorney Coon, of Jasper County, Missouri, promised a general law-enforcement crusade, including the enforcement of Sunday laws.

By invitation, the writer, accompanied by Mrs. Wightman, began a general religious liberty crusade. Our first meeting at Joplin was held Tuesday, July 13.

A summary of this work is as follows:

Nine days in all were put in covering

Joplin, Carthage, Carterville, Webb City, and Galena (Kan.). The services were all open-air meetings, and were attended, in the aggregate, by between three thousand and three thousand five hundred people. The interest shown was remarkable. Great street audiences listened as quietly and respectfully as if in a church. The weather was ideal, though exceedingly warm. Indoor audiences would have been out of the question. Mrs. Wightman addressed the people on “The Object of Civil Government” and “The Danger that Threatens Our Republic.” Sixth Street in Joplin was crowded full about the float from which the speaker addressed the people.

Newspapers took particular notice of the work, ten articles, in all, appearing, reaching an aggregate of one hundred seventy thousand readers.

Nine lectures were given, the last in a religious liberty convention held in our Joplin church, on Sunday night, July 18. One thousand copies of the special July Signs of the Times and twenty-five thousand pages of religious liberty leaflets were ordered for this campaign.

Altogether, the effort was most satisfactory, and we believe has helped to mold public opinion. The Joplin and Carthage churches rendered strong financial aid. J. S. WIGHTMAN.