Hearing Before the Sunday Observance Bill Committee
By W. H. Thurston
Hearing Before the Sunday Observance Bill Committee
The special committee on Bill No. 12 respecting the better observance of Sunday held their meeting April 19, as appointed, and we appeared before the committee according to arrangements, and presented our views relative to the bill. Elder H. E. Rickard, of Quebec, Elders Burrill and Leland, of Ontario, and Brother Folinsbee, of Ontario, came to Ottawa on Wednesday, April 18, and we had a good time for counsel and prayer, and had our plans well formulated, subject to the Lord’s will. When the meeting opened, there were a goodly number present to oppose the bill, and they all seemed anxious to be first, or to have a definite time set when they could be heard, and there was considerable noise and confusion for an hour. In the meantime I informed the chairman that we had early filed an application to be heard at this meeting, but we did not desire to urge the matter. My application for a hearing was read by the secretary of the committee, and all understood that we were there to be heard. Railroad companies, smelting companies, transportation companies, and corporations of various kinds were there represented in opposition to the bill, and all were urgent. We patiently waited, believing that the Lord would direct in it all, and about noon things quieted down, and we were allowed to present our protest. We saw that only one would be allowed to present the argument, and Brother Folinsbee was introduced and occupied a half-hour in laying before the committee our position and the result of the bill if passed. His argument seemed to make a favorable impression upon the committee, and we felt that the Lord directed in it all. The truth was made clear to them, and we hope for the best. Brother Folinsbee is a lawyer, the mayor of Strathroy, Ontario, and has been keeping the Sabbath ten years. He is an earnest Christian and a man of influence. Mr. Shearer, the secretary of the Lord’s Day Alliance, was present, and at the close of Brother Folinsbee’s talk he stated that he would like the privilege of replying to the Adventists; he was granted the privilege of doing so at the next sitting of the committee, which will be April 24. After he is through, we shall have the privilege of replying to him, and I will report to the REVIEW further as matters develop.