Religious Liberty Notes
By K. C. Russell
THE Philadelphia North American of Sunday, April 22, contained an article nearly two columns in length protesting against the Sunday bills now before Congress. This article was contributed by Brother George W. Spies, of Harrisburg, Pa., the religious liberty secretary of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The publication of this article in this influential paper is another evidence demonstrating the possibility of what can be done in utilizing the public press in the dissemination of the third angel’s message. The Buffalo Courier of April 3 contained a report from Fredonia, N. Y., which shows how that town is lining up on the Sunday-closing question, as follows: “The Fredonia Business Men’s Association has decided to take action against the Sunday opening of the smaller stores of the village, and against the continued trimming of shade trees by the Bell and local telephone companies without permission from authorities or owners. The board of trustees has been requested to investigate and act in both matters.” The following paragraph concerning recreation on Sunday appeared in the Brockton (Mass.) Enterprise: “It is the belief of the Lowell Courier-Citizen that the public demands some entertainment on Sunday. There can be no argument over that remark. All one has to do is to look at the trolley-cars carrying people through every city by tens of thousands every pleasant summer Sunday, and by hundreds in winter even, to realize the restless, amusement-hunting nature of the American people. Whether it is Sunday or any other day that they have to themselves, a large percentage of the people are unhappy if they have little to do but rest. Rest would no doubt often be the best thing for the average person. Peace and quiet on one day of the week would help build up tired and nervous folks without question. But many tired and worried people prefer a jaunt in some direction, something new or alleged to be new to gaze upon and think upon, and some attempt, however cheap or pitiful, at entertainment.” A good word for Liberty comes from the president of the Northern Illinois Conference, Elder William Covert, as follows: “Your circular of April 19 was placed on my desk this morning. We are certainly very anxious to co-operate with our people in giving this new paper a wide circulation. I am much pleased with the matter and form of the paper, and certainly it is high time that this matter receive attention from our people. The paper is having a very hearty welcome, and many orders have already gone to the publishers. We will try to keep the cause of this department in mind, and do what we can to co-operate with the publishers in every reasonable way. I have requested our secretary, Elder L. D. Santee, of Dixon, Ill., to see that all our churches take clubs and gather subscriptions for this paper. We greatly desire to have it sent to all members of Congress in this State, and also the members of the State senate and house of representatives. In fact, it ought to go into the hands of all teachers, ministers, and city and county officers in the whole country.” In a recent issue of the Boston American we note the following:— “The outrages in Russia—outrages which were begun by the brutal Russian Church, with the czar for its ‘divine’ head—emphasize what must inevitably happen when churches mix up in government, and religion is allowed to play a part in the material governing affairs of men.” “Just as soon as any religion exercises government functions, there comes inevitably rebellion on the part of the people.” “The founders of this government, writing the Constitution and establishing the nation in days when church interference was a menace in many places, wisely determined to keep the people’s government free from all religious interference.” A Sunday law observance convention was announced to be held in Columbus, Ohio, May 1 and 2. Following are a few statements from an article one column and a quarter in length in the issue of a Columbus paper of Sunday, April 29: “Beginning with a mass-meeting Tuesday evening, continuing through a program of addresses and discussion Wednesday, and closing with another mass-meeting Wednesday evening, advocates of Sunday law enforcement will hold a State convention at the Central Presbyterian church this week. At the first mass-meeting Lieutenant-Governor Andrew L. Harris, a Republican, will preside. At the second mass-meeting Hon. Louis B. Houck, a Democrat, and secretary to Governor Pattison, will preside. Four State senators, Sylvester Lamb of Toledo, Oran F. Hypes of Springfield, Frank M. Patterson of Ashland, and W. L. Atwell of Johnstown, Licking County, will deliver addresses.” It will be seen from the above that this convention will be likely to wield a tremendous influence in the interests of Sunday legislation in the State of Ohio.