A Sunday Law Convention
By K. C. Russell
The State convention of the American Sabbath Association was held in the Central Presbyterian church at Columbus, Ohio, May 1 and 2. Sister Ida M. Walters has furnished us the following report of the convention:— “The keynote of the convention from the beginning to its close, was the enforcement of the law for the protection of the American sabbath. One significant feature in the meeting, which showed unmistakably that the spirit was that of a union of church and state, was the presence of prominent State officials, and the active part taken by them in this religio-political gathering. “Hon. Louis B. Houck, secretary of Governor Pattison, addressed the convention in the governor’s absence. He called attention to the governor’s strong position regarding the enforcement of Sunday laws in his inaugural address of Jan. 5, 1906, and stated that his position was unchanged, and that as soon as his health would permit him to return to his duties, he would join heart and hand in the work of the convention, the object of which is the enforcement of Sunday laws throughout the State of Ohio.21 “The work of the Religious Liberty Bureau was mentioned by the last speaker of the convention, Joel B. Slocum, D. D., pastor of the Baptist Temple of Columbus, Ohio. An extract was quoted from some of our religious liberty literature, which he had recently received, showing that religious legislation was a menace to the liberties of the people, Russia and the introduction of a new religion being cited as an example. He made light of the same, and endeavored to refute the argument by saying that these Religious Liberty Bureau people would, no doubt, object to blue signs in the city, which interfered with their liberty to spit on the pavement. He argued for Sunday sacredness, and asked that these hair-splitting arguments be put away, and that all unite in this great movement for Sunday enforcement. “The methods of the Pennsylvania Sabbath Association were set forth by the secretary, T. T. Muchler, of Philadelphia. He exhibited a book in which a record was kept of the position of every representative in that State on Sunday enforcement, and those who will not harken to their demands, are to be defeated at the polls. “Ohio at present has an organization after the order of the Pennsylvania association, for the enforcement of Sunday laws in every city, county, and township in the State.” The Columbus convention and organization undoubtedly marked a great onward movement in the fulfilment of prophecy, for which we have long been looking. Surely these signs should awaken us all to more determined activity in the third angel’s message.