The Sixtieth Congress by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 28, 1908

The Sixtieth Congress

By K. C. Russell

THE closing days of the first session of the Sixtieth Congress are of unusual interest to those who are watching the trend of events in this government in the light of the prophecies. Within two days after the opening of the present Congress, there were three Sunday bills introduced, and this number has been increased to the unprecedented number of ten Sunday bills for this session of Congress. Two hearings on these bills have been held, one before the District Commissioners, and another before the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, at which we had an opportunity to present arguments in opposition to the bill.

The Johnston Sunday bill for the District of Columbia, known as Senate Bill No. 3940, is the only one which has received any consideration. It has appeared that the champions of Sunday legislation have focused every effort possible to secure the passage of this bill. We learned that the District Sunday bills which have twice passed the House of Representatives in preceding sessions, were held up in the Senate, and thus failed to pass, because of the opposition which was exerted by senators who were not in favor of Sunday legislation. It appears, however, that during this session, the pressure from the champions of Sunday legislation has been so strong that the Senate finally yielded to the demands of those who have been so persistent in their efforts to secure a District Sunday law.

Members of the Senate would not consent, however, to the passage of this bill until after it had been loaded down with no less than twenty-seven exemptions. With these exemptions attached, it was thought by some of the senators it would meet the approval of seventh-day observers. Indeed, the exemption provided for those who observe another day than Sunday was so broad that Mr. Crafts hastened to Congress before the passage of the measure, to see its author, Senator Johnston, with a hope of having the bill so amended as to change the exemption clause; but this he was unable to do, for there were senators who would not consent to its passage under any other conditions. Of course those who are opposing these Sunday bills from the standpoint of principle are well aware that a Sunday law with such an exemption clause commits Congress to the question of Sunday legislation, as verily as if the bill was free from any exemption.

At this writing it is a question whether the Johnston bill will pass the House of Representatives this year or not, owing to the pressing business in Congress and the limited time before its adjournment. This Sunday bill has much prestige, in view of the fact that a similar bill has once, twice passed the House, as previously stated, besides the fact of its having passed the Senate. In view of these

facts, it would make it more possible for such a bill to pass the House again.

Whatever the outcome may be, these things should be a signal to every loyal Seventh-day Adventist to put forth most earnest and vigorous efforts in enlightening the people concerning the principles of the third angel's message.

K. C. RUSSELL.