Religious Liberty by W. F. Martin

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 31, 1914

Religious Liberty

By W. F. Martin

MANY times we are led to wonder if all the work we are doing to enlighten men and women is accomplishing what we hope to see accomplished. For some time it has been the custom of the conferences in the North Pacific Union to send the magazine Liberty to all the lawyers in its territory. It was not known how much interest was taken in the magazine nor how many were even reading it, so a different plan was decided upon this year. A letter was prepared to be sent out from the conference headquarters. Accompanying this letter was sent a copy of Liberty, and inclosed in the letter a small slip to be signed and returned, provided the receiver wished to read Liberty the coming year. If the slip should be returned with the signature of the lawyer, his name would be placed on the mailing list. If there was not sufficient interest to return the slip, it would be a question as to the advisability of sending the magazine.

The Upper Columbia Conference was the first to put the plan in operation. With considerable interest we awaited the outcome. Soon the mails began to bring in returns. While not nearly all to whom blanks and sample copies were sent have replied, yet a goodly number have done so. Many simply returned the slips signed with name and address. Others wrote excellent letters of appreciation. Thinking some of these letters may be of interest, two are herewith given. A United States Senator writes:—

“I have yours of recent date, stating that you forwarded me a copy of the magazine Liberty. I shall take pleasure in receiving and reading it, as you state, as it stands for those ideals of civil and religious freedom which have been among the chief of our blessings.”

A leading attorney writes:—

“I am in receipt of your magazine Liberty, which I esteem very highly and believe it is one of the greatest magazines published in the United States to-day, for the reason that it stands for the greatest cause of humanity, liberty, and is a magazine that is greatly needed throughout this country. This is a subject that I have been advocating single-handed for twenty years, and have brought upon myself the oppression of those churches that have failed in their own cause and have blended with the state to enforce the morals which they failed to bring about in their church. If your magazine could be put before the people as nonsectarian, it perhaps would be read by thousands of persons belonging to other churches who would not read it if they knew that it was published by the Seventh-day Adventists. As for myself, I belong to no church, and the articles produced in your magazine have taken deep root with me, and I herewith inclose you a check for one dollar, and send in the names of several of my friends and acquaintances whom I desire to have read your magazine.”

Such testimonials as these should be an encouragement to us all to press on and do what we can to spread the light on the great principles of the message. Who knows but that when the crisis comes, some of these splendid men may take a bold stand for the message?

W. F. MARTIN.