Give It a Wide Circulation
By W. A. Colcord
We are exceedingly anxious that our new magazine, Liberty, shall have a wide circulation. We are years behind in our work, and the people are greatly in need of the light which this magazine gives, and of a knowledge of the principles which it sets forth. Rapidly we are nearing the great crisis for which we have so long looked. There are evidences of this on every hand. As we approach this crisis, and the people are called to take their stand for or against the truth, they must be enlightened as to the great principles involved in their action and decision, in order that they may take their stand intelligently. National Reform principles are rapidly gaining ground. To-day we find not a few men in official positions who are not only friends of these principles, but who are openly and actively championing them, and, as far as is in their power, are putting them into practise. Under the heading, “Some of Our Present Governors,” the Christian Statesman for March, 1906, says:— “It is not chance which has placed in the gubernatorial chair of so many of our States men of the type of Hanly, of Indiana; Pattison, of Ohio; and Polk, of Missouri. They are the outcome of forces which have been ‘making for righteousness’ for a quarter of a century or more.”
As is well known, these men have lately inaugurated regular Sunday enforcement campaigns in their States, calling upon the officers of the law to enforce the Sunday laws. In his inaugural address, Gov. John M. Pattison said:— “While the disobeying of any law is demoralizing and degrading to a citizen or community, the disobeying of Sunday laws is doubly so. Hence the so-called Sunday laws should be obeyed and enforced, not only in the country and in the small villages, but in the large towns and cities as well. The village, county, community, city, State, or people that disobeys the divine law of the Sabbath which makes it a day of rest and worship, fails to realize the teachings and commands of the Almighty. It was this sentiment of Sabbath observance that made our forefathers strong and mighty, and it is found in the warp and woof of every constitution of the original States. If America is to maintain her position as the nation peculiarly favored by God, and the one of all others that is to have a great destiny, we must forever maintain our respect and reverence for his holy day.”
Almost constantly efforts are being made to secure more stringent Sunday laws in the States, and no less than five Sunday bills have been introduced into the present Congress. All this is the result of the dissemination of National Reform principles. The people of this country are being led to believe that religious legislation is right and necessary. In view of this, is there not a duty devolving upon us to do what we can to show the people the evils of such legislation? A wide circulation of Liberty will be one excellent and inexpensive means of doing this. At present it is to be issued as a quarterly at twenty-five cents a year, or at the rate of only fifteen cents a copy annually in orders of five or more to different addresses. Now, first of all, we wish every legislator in the country, both State and national, supplied with it. If there is any class of men who should understand the principles of religious liberty and the evils of religious legislation, it is that class who make our laws. The Religious Liberty Bureau will see that all the members of Congress, about five hundred in number, are supplied regularly with this journal; and we have asked the conferences in the different States to see that every legislator in their respective legislatures is likewise furnished with it. Following the example thus set by the Religious Liberty Bureau and the State conferences, we wish to urge our brethren and sisters everywhere to take up at once in their missionary meeting the question of the circulation of this magazine, and see that mayors, city and town councils, judges, lawyers, school-teachers, and business men are furnished with it. In this way a great and grand work can be done, and the rising spirit of intolerance and oppression be held in check until the message is more fully given, and God's time for the closing scenes in the final struggle between truth and error has come. As far as possible, let all these classes be supplied with this magazine from the very first number. Will you not, brethren and sisters, give this matter prompt attention, and without delay take whatever steps are necessary to put this plan into operation? Though you may not find it possible at present to supply all the classes named, do something, and do it now. Make a beginning. Remember that it will cost only fifteen cents to supply a mayor, a lawyer, a judge, or a school-teacher with this publication, sent post-paid from the office of publication, for a year. We trust that we shall have your immediate and hearty co-operation in this matter. This work will help to bring new life and interest into the missionary meeting. In addition to what is here suggested, we wish to urge that every church be canvassed for subscriptions for Liberty, and we hope that many in our churches will take up the work of canvassing their friends and neighbors for subscriptions for it. Many churches will, no doubt, desire to take regular clubs of the magazine to distribute in their neighborhoods, and, when special issues arise from efforts to enforce Sunday laws, will wish to order quite large supplies for more general circulation. Here is a work for church elders, church librarians, Young People's Societies, and live missionary workers to look after. We urge that it be given immediate attention.