Petition Work in New Mexico by Orno Follett

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 1, 1915

Petition Work in New Mexico

By Orno Follett

SANTA FE is a city of about six thousand inhabitants, more than eighty per cent of whom are Mexican and Spanish. Nearly all these are Roman Catholics. There is a Catholic college, convent, hospital, sanatorium, and one or two schools here, besides the archbishop's headquarters, etc. There are three Protestant churches in the city, with resident pastors.

Through the kindness of Brother W. L. Burgan and our State tract society, I received two copies of the petition form against the recent steps being taken to curtail the freedom of the press. I first called on the editor of our local daily, who expressed himself heartily in favor of our position, but for certain reasons would not sign the petition. Next I called on a business man who expressed himself in much the same way.

I then called on the three Protestant pastors, who gave me an altogether different reception. Each of these expressed himself heartily in sympathy with our position. Two of them had read of the dangers threatening our country, one of whom had already preached a sermon on the subject; the other pastor had been so pressed with duties that he had not noticed the subject, and thanked me for bringing it to his attention. They were so anxious to obtain our petition forms that I felt obliged to have extra copies typewritten, not having time to order more in time for their Sunday meetings. These men are using the petitions to good advantage, and each will write a good letter to the proper persons in Washington, to whom the petition will also be sent.

I am a lay member, residing on a ranch six miles from the city, and write this with the thought that it may be an encouragement to others of our isolated lay members. ORNO FOLLETT.