Religious Liberty Notes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 1, 1906

Religious Liberty Notes

GEN. JAMES F. SMITH was recently inaugurated governor-general of the Philippines. The general is a Catholic, but if he lives up to the principles laid down in his inaugural address, he will permit no dictation from the church. However, the Catholics seem to be very much elated, and have lost no chance to make capital out of the situation. When Governor Wright was inaugurated, Archbishop Harty was invited to take part in the ceremonies, and accepted, but on learning that another clergyman was to take part who was not a Catholic, he withdrew. At the time of Governor Ide's inauguration he was invited, but declined unless he alone should be the man whom the authorities delighted to honor; but this time was his chance. What took place behind the scenes is not known, but this much is known: the archbishop was the only clergyman on the official program to take part. He was to offer prayer. The official party gathered in the governor-general's office and marched down a flight of stairs and into the hall where the ceremony took place. The archbishop in his purple, marched with them. Just before they started, the archbishop informed Governor Smith that the prayer would not be offered, but instead of withdrawing he took his seat with men all of whom were government officials. There is no doubt that this was all part of a carefully laid scheme on his part, for he had announced that there was to be a solemn high mass in the cathedral following the inaugurating ceremony (in behalf of the governor-general, of course), and he doubtless thought by omitting the prayer at the ceremony he could give the cathedral service a sort of official color. Governor Smith and a number of other officials attended the service. The rector of the Episcopal Church read a protest at his Sunday service against the un-American action of the archbishop.

The Randolph (N. Y.) Register of October 12 contained the following item of news: “Frank Terney, a bootblack, who is the sole support of his mother and her two younger children, was recently arrested in Sharon, Pa., for shining shoes on Sunday. For this serious offense he was sentenced to jail, but friends interested themselves in his behalf, and paid his fine. One of the prominent manufacturers of the town has written an indignant letter to the Sharon Telegraph, in which he says he will contribute half the sum necessary to defend the boy from further proceedings of this character and to aid him in his efforts to maintain his family. Another indignant citizen has written the same newspaper that this persecution is, in his opinion, a disgrace to a civilized community, and worthy of the ancient witch burners.”