Religious Liberty by Allen Moon

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 18, 1904

Religious Liberty

By Allen Moon

Special Effort Planned for March Fifth

In the last few years we have contributed very little toward the support of religious liberty work. Other important matters have absorbed in large measure the attention and means of our people during this time. The advocates of National Reform doctrine have, in the meantime, made steady strides in the direction of their aim; not so marked, perhaps, in the way of securing religious legislation, as in convincing the masses of the righteousness of their cause. No change has come as to the ultimate object to be attained, but merely a change of policy on the part of the party seeking to religionize the state and nation.

During recent months there has come a revival, in a measure, of the old method. A great many persons in Philadelphia and other localities have been subjected to arrests and fine and imprisonment. This movement still goes forward. A Sunday bill is introduced in Congress, a Lord’s Day Act in the Parliament of the Dominion of Canada, and other state and municipal measures, all indicating that the time is at hand for the final effort to have the state recognize religion by law. So far as the effect of this movement upon our people is concerned, it is of very little consequence; for we can serve the Lord quite as well in the prison cell as anywhere, if he so orders it. But it is clear to lovers of truth that there is an educational work called for on the part of God’s people to prepare the world for the events soon to occur. The very thing sought by the national religionists is a subject of prophecy; and a warning is given in God’s Word, and he has charged us to deliver the warning. “We can not stand clear before God if we leave the world to meet this momentous issue unwarned.” This work can not be accomplished in a short time by a little company of ministers, by means of preaching only. The printing-press must be employed. Writers that are alive to the issue are to be secured, and literature scattered over the land like the leaves of autumn. This will require money and labor and sacrifice, all of which God will enable his people to devote to this cause. He does not require impossibilities.

It is the purpose of the General Conference to set apart Sabbath, March 5, as the time for all the members of all the churches in the land to contribute of their means to the General Conference treasury for the purpose of inaugurating and carrying forward a strong and vigorous effort in behalf of religious liberty. At present we have very little literature suitable to meet present issues. The World’s Fair at St. Louis will open in the spring, and the friends of the cause are anxious to do an extensive work in the interest of religious liberty in connection with the fair; and so confident are they that the way will be opened, and the means provided, that preparations are already begun, and will be pushed forward to completion. Literature suitable to fill this place must be provided, and also to supply the demand coming from all parts of the country.

ALLEN MOON, Chairman Religious Liberty Department, Room 070 Monon Bldg., Chicago, Ill.