RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN MARYLAND.
By Editor
BROTHER A. J. HOWARD, under date of October 8, gives to the Union Record the following graphic account of his last ministerial visit to Shady Side, Anne Arundel County:— My trip to Shady Side this time reminded me much of the record regarding the days of Lot. We held services Sabbath, and Saturday and Sunday evenings. A part of the time it was very hard for the listeners to hear, on account of the pelting of stones, bricks, and oyster shells, and hideous noises going on outside. Our house was considerably damaged, one window being broken, and the inch-thick siding split in a number of places or mashed in by the heavy blows. The building looks as if it had passed through a severe hailstorm. The brethren remained inside till Sunday night, when it was thought advisable to station sentinels outside, as many threats came to our ears of greater damage being done, and personal injury to certain individuals, if our meeting did not cease. They tried to insult me several times, striking me twice and warning me while visiting at a sister’s house if I did not leave instantly I would get a rope around my neck and be dragged out. I remained, however, till four o’clock, the time appointed for me to depart, in harmony with our plans previously laid. They were bold Sunday night, several coming into the church to disturb us. Brother J. Wesley Smith was badly treated, bruised, and dragged through the dust in the street, with no serious injury, however. Our sisters are real brave, although a little nervous. As we were leaving the church Sunday night, we were treated to a shower of eggs, somewhat stale, judging from the odor produced as they broke. Several were hit. They have determined that the truth must not grow in Shady Side soil. It was reported, and fully expected, that when the minister was withdrawn Adventism would soon die out, but they are beginning to believe that the truth of God makes men and women “stand like the brave.”