Religious Liberty Notes by W. A. Colcord

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 23, 1906

Religious Liberty Notes

By W. A. Colcord

FRANCE has just passed a national Sunday-rest law.

A four days’ National Reform convention was appointed to be held at Winona, Ind., Aug. 15-18, at which the leading themes of National Reformism were to be discussed, especially with a view to a great forward movement.

The National Reformers are rejoicing over the Sunday-closing provision finally attached to the two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar appropriation which Congress made to the Jamestown Exposition the day before Congress adjourned.

As in the past, the papacy is still endeavoring to hold its old-time power and control over the people in Europe. Recently the Spanish government took action denying the right of the clergy to refuse burial in consecrated ground to those married civilly. But the papal nuncio protested against this action. It was decided the other day by the Spanish ministry, however, to maintain absolutely the rights of civil authorities.

There is some talk about the calling of a constitutional convention to consider the question of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing for the election of United States Senators by direct vote. “If such a convention is called,” says the Christian Statesman, “it can not be limited to the single purpose here spoken of. There are other questions of the greatest moment which it could not fail to consider.” In case such a convention is called, the National Reformers will doubtless be on hand to press their claims for a religious amendment to the Constitution.

Under the heading, “Creed Must Not Interfere,” the following appeared in the Washington Post of April 17, 1906: “Shall the government compel its employees who are of the Seventh-day Adventist faith to work on Saturday? This was the question Secretary Bonaparte was called upon to decide yesterday in the case of a charwoman who observes Saturday as the day of rest, and asked to be excused from work. Secretary Bonaparte directed that a reply be sent stating that the government can not take religious belief into account in arranging its week’s work, and is unable to excuse any employee from working on a day when the services of the employee are required.” Mr. Bonaparte is secretary of the navy.

W. A. COLCORD.