p. 1 | WHAT WILL THEY SAY? by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 11, 1893

WHAT WILL THEY SAY?

By Editor

Our esteemed contemporaries, the religious press, protest loudly and eloquently against Russian intolerance and persecution toward German Baptists and Lutherans, and Jews. And we say, Amen. But at this writing (December 1) there are lying in jail in the commonwealth of Maryland three citizens of this republic whose only crime is serving God according to their understanding of his word and the dictates of their conscience. Their general crime is "doing bodily labor on Sunday." Specifically, on Sunday one was found plowing in his own field, another setting out tomato plants in his own garden, and a third chopping wood at his own door. This work disturbed only those who purposely spied it out, and they only knew it because of their inquisition. These men are otherwise good citizens. They are made criminals wholly on account of their religion, which would harm no one. What will our contemporaries say? What will the followers of the once persecuted Luther, Wesley, and Roger Williams say? What will the Independent, the Examiner, the Christian Advocates, the Christian Enquirer, the New York Observer, the Lutheran papers, the Christian at Work, the Outlook, the Congregationalist, the Interior, the Advance, and many other great papers say? We will print their responses if they will send us marked copies. What do our readers of all denominations say? It is not a matter of denominational belief that is at stake, but the great principle of liberty of conscience. Speak, brethren. What have you to say, in the light of the Golden Rule?