Earlier text: A Visit to the Transcaucasus***NEW ORLEANS.—The work for the colored people which was begun in this city last summer by Elder Horton, is progressing. Nearly all the members seem to realize that the time is near when no man can work save he that has the “mark of the beast in his forehead or in his hand.” There is a decided missionary spirit among them, with the result that some dear souls are in the “valley of decision,” while others are earnestly inquiring for more light. We confidently expect that our numbers will be increased. We have also started a school. It began with one student, but now numbers nine, and others are expected to join. We are encouraging students to sell our periodicals to defray school expenses, thus relieving their parents of the cost of tuition, and teaching the pupils the practise of self-help. Our hearts are full of praise to God for his many blessings. UNSEIN.—Recently we held our first baptismal service here. The weather was perfect, the lake just suited our needs, and God’s Holy Spirit was present richly. A solemnity rested upon all; a solemn awe took hold of even the unconverted, and as we went forward in the ordinance, tears of holy joy and tears of conviction and repentance flowed freely. A lady of more than ordinary intelligence and pleasing personality, in whom we have been deeply interested ever since coming here, and for whom Brother and Sister Meyers had labored very faithfully before our arrival, came to me after the service and said: “That was a beautiful service. I never saw any one immersed before. I could scarcely refrain from stepping down and asking to be received myself.” Such is the power of exact obedience to God’s commands. Whoever heard of hearts being touched by the abuse of this ordinance, as it is practised in so many churches to-day? In the next month we hope to go to Maulmain. An interest is there among the Burmese which must be developed. For a long time they have been calling for us to come. Brother Maung Maung will go as interpreter, I think. A call has lately come from Pegu. We are being pressed hard for time. Ere this reaches you, we will have begun our second year off of American soil. It is not until January that we complete our first year, however. We are well, and hope to keep so. God has blessed us richly. One of the English soldiers who keeps the Sabbath, finishes his service in a few months, and is planning to begin canvassing then. JAS. T. MATHEWS
By Jas. T. Mathews
LODI.—The German and English-speaking brethren of this place united to build a church, which was dedicated Jan. 6, 1906, free from debt. Elder W. T. Knox, president of the California-Nevada Conference, delivered the sermon, and Elder H. Shultz offered the prayer. Elder Shultz also spoke in German to the German brethren and friends. South Africa
By I. J. Hankins
ORANGE RIVER COLONY.—There is but one Seventh-day Adventist church in this colony. Its members are widely scattered, some of them living sixty or seventy miles from “Heisterbach” (the name of a farm), the place of meeting. Only three families live near enough to attend the regular Sabbath meetings. On quarterly meeting occasions they have a general gathering. It was my privilege to meet with this church in December, and spend a few days with them. Brother Louwrens met me with his cart at the Kroonstad station, seventy miles from his home. We drove over fifty miles the first day, and stayed all night with a brother who has been keeping the Sabbath about six months. His seven children, four of them young men, observe the Sabbath with their parents. During the war this brother lost all his stock, his house and orchard were destroyed, wagons and farm machinery were broken to pieces and strewn about the premises. This is a common thing all over the Orange River Colony. The little town of Lindley, through which we passed, was totally destroyed, not one house being left. Wire fences were torn to pieces and strewn over the veldt. Graveyards here and there mark the resting-place of men who had fallen in battle or as victims of disease. We outspanned at the foot of the hill, where about four hundred of the English yeomanry, after three days’ fighting, were taken prisoners. Eighty-four were buried at this place. Truly the spirit of war is the spirit of the destroyer. Most of the Heisterbach church have accepted the truth since the war, and all suffered heavy losses. Some who were Adventists had all their property confiscated. Some of these are still hoping for small compensation. The church numbers thirty-seven, twenty-five of whom have embraced the truth the past year. Elder Freeman, who has been laboring in this field for more than a year, was with us at this meeting. He speaks the Dutch very well. I spoke through an interpreter. Four native Zulus were received into the church, and for the first time took part in the ordinances. They speak the Zulu, Basuto, and the Dutch. It was refreshing to hear their earnest testimonies. They have had a Christian experience in other churches, but are now rejoicing in the new-found light. One of these natives is servant of the brother with whom I stayed all night, and received the truth from him, and then gave the light to the others. These men are all anxious to give the message to their people, and are visiting neighboring kraals for this purpose. The work in the Orange River Colony has been mostly among the farmers, who wholly compose the Heisterbach church. Their tithe amounts to about two hundred and fifty dollars a quarter. These brethren are zealous in the work, scattering literature and talking with the people. Brother de Lange is in the employ of the conference, and travels from farm to farm as a colporteur, with a cart and a span of mules. The Dutch Reformed ministers bitterly oppose our work, warning the people against our books, and taking them from those who will give them up. But the Lord has lighted a fire which must spread over the entire Colony, yes, over the entire “Dark Continent.” The services at Heisterbach are held in a room fourteen by thirty-three feet, which was built for a dwelling-house. A church-school has been conducted there during the past year, and the brethren are much pleased with the progress of the students, and with the good influence in the school. As the families are so widely scattered, and all are poor,—just recovering from the effects of the war,—the education of their children is a perplexing question. Government schools are free, and education is compulsory. Our brethren do not wish to send their children to the government schools, but what can they do? The Lord greatly blessed us during this meeting, as we considered his Word and work. The testimonies of the brethren showed a degree of love and earnestness which was most encouraging. Two persons were baptized, and several were taken into the church. All returned to their homes full of courage, taking a good supply of literature, and determined to do what they could to advance the message. Baptism in San Geronimo, S. A
By Arthur Fulton
SAN GERONIMO is a station on the Central Argentine Railway in the province of Santa Fe. Two years ago there was not a single person there who knew of the precious truths that we all hold so dear; but our faithful canvassers and Bible workers came that way, and one man, with his family, began to keep the Sabbath. A year and a half ago the annual conference was held there. From the first, the rougher element did all they could to oppose the work; but the truth triumphed, and this family went forward in baptism. As the man had been a strong drinker, and otherwise rough, the good work was prophesied of short duration by the scoffers. The truth has worked a wonderful change, and even the most prejudiced must admit its transforming power. Little by little, others have stepped out to obey. During the past year, this brother has maintained a church-school in his home, with good success and influence. Sabbath, November 25, was a happy day for the church. Five sisters were received by baptism into its membership. Dr. Habenicht administered the rite. At the morning service it was decided to leave the village at two o'clock, for the river, a distance of seven or eight miles. It was a beautiful day. Some in coaches and carts, others on horseback, started out for the river. At first we passed between fields of corn, that here and there showed a tassel. Next we passed ripening fields of wheat or pasture lands. But soon we entered the large gates of an estancia, as a stock-farm is called. This one consists of forty-eight thousand acres. Like the rest of the province, it is a beautiful inclined plain, stretching away in the distance as level as a thrashing-floor. In its many pastures are more than one hundred thousand head of cattle and horses, and about eighty thousand sheep, the greater part mestizos—the common stock crossed with thoroughbred. Nearing the river, we went by the cheese factory of the estancia, a large building. Until late years, the estanciero, or the man who runs the estancia, thought it beneath his dignity to make use of the by-products. Now, however, all is changed, and the greater number of these men have their stock divided among different persons, who live here and there over the estate, each one milking from fifty to one hundred cows. This is no mean source of profit to the owner. It is pleasant to drive past the contented herds, quietly feeding in their alfalfa and clover pastures. But suddenly we are at the river. There are no trees on its bank to tell us we are nearing it, but on the other side the seemingly endless plain stretches on as before. The beautiful baptismal service over, we return the way we came, our hearts rejoicing that the truth has made an advance move, and that the accompanying angels have rejoiced to see the work of God prosper in this dark land. San Geronimo, Santa Fe, Argentina. THE fourth annual session of the Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at 32 Text Lane, Kingston, Jamaica, Dec. 31, 1905, to Jan. 4, 1906. This conference covers an area of 4,193 square miles, and has a population of about 780,000, with Grand Cayman and the Turk Islands as mission fields. The meetings were well attended by brethren, sisters, and the delegates from the different churches and companies. For some time before this conference we had been praying that the Lord’s blessing would rest upon it, and it was indeed the best meeting we have had. The Lord came very near to his people. A marked feature of the conference was the harmony, love, and unity that prevailed19throughout. All the business was attended to with dispatch. We had business sessions and preaching daily at the church. And each night at the town hall the leading features of our faith were presented to the public by Elder J. A. Strickland. The attendance ranged from five hundred to six hundred. A good, and I trust lasting, impression was made on the minds of the people through the latter meetings. More than twenty took their stand for the first time to walk in obedience to the commandments of God. One said to me, “I have been much stirred by the meetings at the town hall. I am led to take down my dusty Bible which I laid away for years, and am now studying it. I realize that I can not lightly treat eternal life. I will not let my business continue to cause me to break God’s holy Sabbath.” Praise God for the power of his word, and for his saving grace. The reports from the different parts of the field were filled with hope and courage. Progress has been made all along the line; and this conference will greatly advance the interests of the work. Quite an impetus was given to the Sabbath-school work by a Sabbath-school convention, which was held the first day of the conference. The island has been districted, according to the three counties of Cornwall, Middlesex, and Surrey, each having an ordained minister as superintendent. This will relieve the president of many long and fatiguing rides from one end of the island to the other, and will establish a more satisfactory and systematic working in the conference. At present we have five ordained ministers (two Americans and three natives) and five licentiates. We missed the help and counsel of Elder W. J. Tanner and Brother Frank Hall, the former being called by the General Conference to the island of Hayti, and the latter sent by our conference to the Cayman mission field. The following-named officers were elected for the ensuing year: President and Treasurer, J. B. Beckner; Vice-President and Assistant Treasurer, J. A. Strickland; Secretary, Norman Johnston; Sabbath-school Association Secretary, Mrs. M. A. Beckner; Executive Committee, J. B. Beckner, J. A. Strickland, Norman Johnston, W. Burkley, Brother Renolds; Editorial Contributor to Caribbean Watchman, J. A. Strickland. This was the largest gathering of our people ever held on the island; and all returned to their homes and fields of labor full of zeal and courage for the year to come. West Virginia.
By T. H. Painter
THIS report covers the time since November 22. November 23 I visited a sister at White Sulphur; she was of good courage. From there I went to Hinton to see several Sabbath-keepers. As the week of prayer was drawing near, and I could not remain long with them, I read the readings to those who gathered in Sister Day’s parlor, and the Lord blessed us. I also gave some Bible readings on the Sabbath truth. Two or three were deeply interested, and one has since begun to keep the Sabbath. At Charleston I remained four days during the week of prayer, and helped them all I could. I spent the rest of the week with the little company at Culloden. While gathered in Brother Raykill’s house on Sabbath, we all enjoyed a blessed season. Brother Raykill is an invalid, but I never saw a man more joyous than he. The offerings at the last two places amounted to about twenty-five dollars, I believe. I then returned to Charleston, and began to take steps to secure means for a church building. Between five and six hundred dollars has been pledged, and others promise to help when we get ready. I visited the Parkersburg and Kanawha churches during the general meetings, January 4-10. I then went to Chester to hold quarterly meeting, and remained there ten days. The members of this church are seeking to walk on higher ground. I preached in a schoolhouse twice, and the people are anxious for meetings as soon as the weather will permit. Several at this place are interested, and if they can hear the truth for this time, I believe they will obey. I also visited Wellsville, Ohio, as three members of the Chester church are in that place. I preached three times, once in a sick lady’s house. As this woman listened to the truth, much of her prejudice was removed, and she asked me to come again. I then visited Moundsville, W. Va., and spoke one evening to a company whom Brother Syphers invited to his house. Learning of a sister who was keeping the Sabbath at Glendale, two miles away, I went to see her. By her efforts, she has led one other lady to keep the Sabbath; and so the good work is going on. I am now at Charleston, looking after the church building again. West Virginia Conference Meeting
By E. W. FARNSWORTH.
A GENERAL meeting for the workers of the West Virginia Conference was held at Parkersburg, Jan. 4-11, 1906. On Sabbath and Sunday the services were transferred to Kanawha, ten miles distant from Parkersburg, where one of the strongest churches in the State is located. This conference has been struggling with a heavy load of debt for several years; but now the brethren are rejoicing because nearly all their obligations have been met, and this will leave them free to engage in aggressive missionary work. Parkersburg is a beautiful, thriving city. It affords an excellent opportunity for reaching the people through our health principles, and treatment rooms have recently been started, which are in charge of efficient nurses, and we trust their efforts may be eminently successful. Elder W. J. Fitzgerald and the writer greatly enjoyed meeting the workers and members of churches who were present at this meeting. We were glad to see and converse with a large number of young people. These should be trained for service in God’s cause, and some are planning to attend school where they will receive such training. There was some outside interest manifested, and the brethren expect that meetings will be held both at Kanawha and at Parkersburg, and it is hoped that these efforts will result in adding members to both churches. Plans for work with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and “Ministry of Healing” were presented, and the brethren and sisters expressed their willingness to assist in circulating these valuable books. We hope to see many in this conference devoting their entire time to the circulation of our literature. There was a spirit of harmony and union in all the discussions of plans for work. It was decided to hold the next camp-meeting in Charleston, and that more labor be put forth in the southern part of the State. This is territory which has not been entered, and we feel sure the brethren will see of the salvation of God as they engage in this forward movement. We heard several express their determination to study the truth more earnestly, that they might be able to carry the light to others. We appreciated the privilege of attending this meeting in West Virginia. We look for growth and progress if the brethren and sisters will be loyal to the truth, and if they will work with energy to give to others the light which has come to them. West Michigan Annual Conference
By George W. Morse; George W. Amadon
THE fourth annual session of the West Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at Otsego, Mich., Jan. 18-22, 1906. Of the seventy-five churches and five thousand believers that compose the conference, forty-six of the churches were represented by delegates, the total number of delegates in attendance being two hundred and forty. Very prominent among the circumstances that gave an auspicious opening to the conference was the cordial hospitality and hearty welcome given the delegates by the citizens of the place, irrespective of creed or denomination. All united with the people of our own faith residing there in freely and bountifully caring for those in attendance. The congregations being larger than could be accommodated in our own church, the other churches—Congregational, Baptist, and Methodist—were freely offered. Nearly all the services were held in the Congregational church. On Friday evening they were held in the Baptist church, and on Sunday evening—the last of the conference—in the Methodist church, that being the largest church edifice in the place. At all preaching services, also many of the business sessions, the attendance was nearly equal to the seating capacity of the churches. On the first evening of the conference an address of welcome in behalf of the citizens of the place was given by Dr. Milton Chase, a prominent resident. This was responded to by Elder G. C. Tenney. On Sunday evening the pastor of the Methodist church, Rev. H. D. Skinner, gave an address of welcome in behalf of the churches of the city, which was responded to by Elder M. N. Campbell. In his opening address the president of the conference, Elder A. G. Haughey, gave, among others, the following items of interest:— Total number of employees of the conference for 1905, ninety-eight; namely, fifteen ordained ministers, seven licensed ministers, nineteen missionary workers, twenty workers without license, twenty-seven teachers, ten colporteurs. Two general meetings were held during the year—the spring council of workers and20the conference camp-meeting. Thirteen series of tent-meetings were held in the conference. There were eighty-three Sabbath-schools, twenty-two church-schools, and ten Young People's Societies during the past year. Total enrolment in church-schools, four hundred and fifty-eight. There are fourteen church-school buildings and forty-eight church buildings in the conference. During the year the evangelical workers held upward of seven thousand public meetings, and visited fourteen thousand seven hundred and four families. Total tithes received by the treasurer during the year, $32,729.31, which is $5,000 more than was received the previous year. The missionary offerings amounted to $3,649.92. The tithes per capita for 1904 were $5.85, and for 1905, $7.47. The book sales for 1905 showed an increase of sixty per cent over those of 1904. Two new churches were admitted to the conference, namely, Sturgis and Bloomingdale. A company of Holland believers was raised up at Olive Center. The Medical Department of the conference work has made good progress, maintaining two physicians and four nurses at the close of the year. The business sessions passed off very expeditiously, and with a marked degree of unanimity. A Religious Liberty Department was created, and measures were adopted for active and efficient work. In all other departments—evangelical, educational, medical, colportage, and Young People's Societies—measures were adopted for the extension of the work to the best advantage possible. Among the recommendations of a general nature that were adopted may be mentioned the following: A cash donation of twenty-five hundred dollars to the Mission Board of the General Conference; an appropriation of five hundred dollars to the work in India, of one hundred dollars to support native workers in Central Africa, and of one thousand dollars to the General Conference, with the request that it supply pastoral help for the Battle Creek church to that extent; that we continue to support Miss Elizabeth McHugh in South Carolina for the year 1906; that our aged ministers locate at convenient points in the several districts of the conference where they can have comfortable homes, and take supervision of the church work in those districts; that the headquarters of the conference be moved from Otsego to Berrien Springs; and for placing the Cedar Lake school in a more advantageous position for doing increased and effective service. All sessions of the conference were marked by deep spiritual earnestness and devotion. The public discourses were given by Elders A. G. Haughey, N. W. Kauble, and W. D. Parkhurst, and were in every sense of the word practical and appropriate to the occasion. The newly elected officers of the conference are as follows: President, A. G. Haughey; Vice-President, M. N. Campbell; Secretary and Treasurer, E. A. Merriam; Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, Miss Jennie Nelson; Educational Secretary, Clifford Russell; Sabbath-school Secretary, Miss Margaret Haughey; Missionary Secretary, E. A. Merriam; Field Secretary, George Mattson; Religious Liberty Secretary, S. D. Hartwell; Auditor, W. H. Edwards; Superintendent of Medical Department, L. J. Otis, M. D.; Executive Committee, A. G. Haughey, M. N. Campbell, S. M. Butler, W. H. Heckman, B. F. Kneeland. Elder W. D. Parkhurst, who has been an acceptable laborer in this conference for several years, has been called to the presidency of the Southern Illinois Conference. Credentials were renewed to eleven ordained ministers, and three young ministers were ordained and given credentials; six were granted ministerial license, and twenty-three missionary license. The closing session of the conference was held on Monday morning, and after adjournment the workers held a council to consider the distribution of labor and arrangements for the work. The outlook for the future in this conference is very encouraging, and there is abundant reason for expecting a material and satisfactory advance in the work in all departments for the current year. G. W. MORSE, G. W. AMADON. Christian Liberty
By W. H. Thurston
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience
Meeting the Premier and Minister of Justice of Canada
ABOUT four weeks ago a deputation representing the Lord’s Day Alliance waited upon the premier and minister of justice of Canada, and asked for the enactment of a Sunday observance bill at the next session of Parliament. The premier said that it was a very important matter, and that he could not give any definite answer, but that it would be referred to the cabinet. The Lord’s Day Alliance then started a petition through the land, soliciting signatures favoring such a bill. After considering the matter carefully, I wrote to the premier as follows:— “Sir Wilfried Laurier, Premier of Canada, R’t Hon. and Dear Sir: In view of the fact that you have been interviewed recently by a party asking for a Sunday observance bill, or in other words, a Dominion Sunday law, permit me to say that I represent the people, scattered all through the provinces, known as Seventh-day Adventists, and many other people not of our faith, who protest against the government’s legislating upon religious questions and passing Sunday laws. The principle upon which we stand is that civil government is civil, and has nothing to do in the matter of legislation with religious observance in any way. The basis of this is found in the words of Jesus Christ in Matt. 22:21: ‘Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.’ In this the Saviour certainly separated that which pertains to Cæsar—civil government—from that which pertains to God; we are not to render to Cæsar that which pertains to God; we are not to render to God by Cæsar that which is God’s.” “The gentlemen referred to, ask for legislation regarding the Lord’s day. If Sunday is the Lord’s day, we are to render it to the Lord, not to Cæsar. It is well understood that Sunday is a religious institution. This being true, Sunday legislation, wherever found, is religious legislation. Being therefore, as it is, religious legislation, it is antichristian.” “In view of the demand being made upon the government by the Lord’s Day Alliance for a Dominion Sunday law, there are thousands of people in Canada signing petitions asking Parliament not to pass any bill concerning the Lord’s day, or any other religious rite, ceremony, or observance which would in any way interfere with the rights of religious freedom of any of His Majesty’s subjects.” “I hope to be allowed the privilege of presenting these petitions at the proper time. We very respectfully ask the privilege of an interview with you in regard to this very important matter. “Yours very truly.” A prompt reply to this letter was received, saying that all due consideration would be given to the matter, and the request for an interview was granted. The interview was arranged for Thursday, January 18. Elders H. E. Rickard,21A. O. Burrill, and Eugene Leland came to Ottawa, according to arrangements, and we appeared before the premier and minister of justice according to appointment, and set before them our principles, and gave them a brief history of our people and our work throughout the world. We then made clear the real object of desiring an interview with them, read our petition to them, and entered a protest against religious legislation and Sunday laws. Elder Leland then presented an argument in writing in the form of a “Brief,” taking up the proposed bill, and showing from every standpoint that it was religious legislation, and that it was not intended to restrain or prevent crime, but to restrain and prevent what is considered to be irreligious. He maintained that this was evident from the language in which the petition asking for it was couched; namely, “We respectfully pray that such legislation be enacted as will adequately protect every one in the enjoyment of the Lord’s day, commonly called Sunday, etc.” He showed clearly that the Lord’s day is a religious institution, and the observance of the day a religious duty, not a civil duty. He also pointed out the fact that the offenses are spiritual, and that the government is a civil government, and therefore has no jurisdiction over spiritual offenses, such as Sabbath-breaking. The paper was a clear-cut argument, and was convincing from start to finish. Elder Rickard also presented a paper stating clearly that the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, the Lord’s day, and that we as a people observe this day, and that the Lord’s day needs no civil protection. He also called attention to the principle underlying the whole movement, and showed that it would result in religious persecution, as all Sunday laws had in the past. He informed the honorable gentlemen that we were an incorporated body in the province of Quebec, and are recognized by the legislature and given all the rights of a body of Protestant Christians; but if the proposed bill should become law, it would compel those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord to be criminals in the sight of the world, or sinners in the sight of God. His argument was logical all the way through, and we believe good will result from this interview. This meeting was reported to all the papers of the associated press, and the whole matter is before the public. Thousands of people not of our faith are signing our petitions, and we have about five thousand signatures on file in my office now, and hundreds are coming in every day. We believe this effort will spread the knowledge of the truth and help to enlighten the people of Canada as nothing else would. Our own people are taking a more active part in the work than in the past, and we hope for a great awakening in this field from now on, and that the message may go with rapidity to all the people of Canada. Parliament will probably convene about the first of March, when the proposed Sunday bill will be considered, and passed or defeated. We believe it will be defeated, and that we shall have a little time yet of religious freedom in which to press the battle to the gates, and give all in this land an opportunity to hear the last message of mercy. A Home Study Course
By William Ambrose Spicer
QUITE a number of young people in the West, I found, are following the home study course which Prof. M. E. Kern, of Union College, is outlining in the Educational Messenger, their little college paper. Besides the course in Old Testament history, this home study plan includes systematic reading of missionary books. The book now being studied is the life of John G. Paton, the veteran of the New Hebrides Island missions. No more inspiring missionary record has been written outside of the book of Acts. I believe this Home Improvement Course conducted by Brother Kern will be found most helpful for young people, who often require a well-defined plan to work to, in order to read and study by themselves to the best advantage. FIFTEEN persons were added to the church at Kalamazoo, Mich., January 6. The membership at Kalamazoo is now eighty-three. A COLORED church of fourteen members was organized in Memphis, Tenn., last November. A Sabbath-school of twenty-four members is connected with it. BROTHER H. S. PARKER reports that two families at Elm, Ark., have begun to observe the Sabbath since the close of his meetings there last summer, and that a church building is being planned for. ELDER C. B. RULE reports from Newport News, Va., under date of January 21: “I am here holding meetings, and have a good interest. Seven came forward for baptism on Sabbath, and I look for others to follow.” IN a recent report from Ketchum, I. T., Elder V. B. Watts says: “I have presented some of the straight, cutting truths for this time, but the attendance increases all the time. Saturday and Sunday nights the house was crowded. Some have taken their stand for the truth, and many more are in the valley of decision.” The question of church federation seems to be breaking out everywhere. Word has just been received that in the Dominion of Canada the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational Churches are to agree on matters of doctrine, and unify the three bodies into one, to be called the “United Church of Canada.” The bill introduced into the House of Representatives by Mr. Stevens, of Texas, which shuts off absolutely the giving of Indian trust funds to the support of denominational schools, is being warmly opposed before the committee on Indian affairs. It is not surprising that such a bill should be opposed by those who are seeking for governmental funds for the support of sectarian institutions, and their opposition is but another effort to secure the union of church and state in this country. The following from the Minneapolis Journal of Jan. 12, 1906, is another illustration of the absurdity of the exemption-clause idea: “Section 6514 G. S., 1894, which provides: ‘It is a sufficient defense to a prosecution for servile labor on the first day of the week that the defendant uniformly keeps another day of the week as holy time and does not labor upon that day,’ has no application to a proprietor publicly selling groceries on Sunday.” It came about as the result of a Supreme Court decision of the State of Minnesota in the case of a Jew who kept his store open on Sunday. Elder C. H. Edwards, president of the Greater New York Conference, informed us that a religious liberty convention was to be held January 28 in his conference, in which the following list of subjects was to be considered: “Religious Liberty, Its Origin and History;” “Relation of the Church to the State;” “Difference Between a Republic and a Theocracy;” “Object and Outcome of Church Federation;” “Has a Christian a Moral Right to Hold an Office Under a Civil Government?” “How Shall We Meet the Many Issues Now Before Us as a People?” We hope to give a full report of this meeting. The Rochester Democrat of January 21 announces another meeting to be held in the interests of church union or federation, as follows: “One of the most important meetings of the present year, considered from the standpoint of present ecclesiastical tendencies, will be the first meeting of the General Council of the United Churches, by which name is known the organization provided for in the union plans of the Congregational, Methodist Protestant, and United Brethren Churches. The general council meeting is to be held at Dayton, Ohio, February 7-9. Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden will give an address on the ‘History of Church Union.’ One of the objects of this union is ‘to prevent unnecessary multiplication of churches, to unite weak churches, and to encourage affiliation with other Christian bodies.’” A brother who resides at Horton, Pa., a miner, was requested by a committee who waited upon him, to unite with the United Mine Workers’ Union. This he declined to do, giving as his reason that to do so would be contrary to what he understood to be the principles of liberty, and that the labor unions were being used as an instrument in the hands of the Roman power to accomplish certain ends. Unaccustomed to hearing such grounds assigned for refusing to unite with labor organizations, the committee requested him to meet the local miners’ union in their lodge room Sunday, December 31, and state to them more fully his reason why he thinks it wrong to unite with labor organizations. Another Sunday Bill Before Congress
By G. B. Thompson
DEC. 5, 1905, Hon. Joseph C. Sibley, of Pennsylvania, introduced into the House of Representatives a bill known as H. R. 3022, which reads as follows:— “A BILL TO PREVENT SUNDAY BANKING IN POST-OFFICES IN THE HANDLING OF MONEY-ORDERS AND REGISTERED LETTERS.
“Be it enacted” by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the issuing and paying of money-orders and the registering of letters and delivery of registered mail on Sundays is hereby prohibited in the mail service of the United States.”
This is not the first time Congress has been asked to legislate concerning the mail service of the United States on Sunday. As early as 1811, petitions were received against post-offices being kept open and mail being carried on this day. Again in 1812 and 1815 Sunday petitions were received from the synod of Pittsburg, Pa., and citizens of other Christian denominations in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Ohio, asking Congress to prohibit the transportation and opening of mail on Sunday. In each case the request of the petitioners was denied. In 1829 similar petitions were received on the same subject. The question having become of national importance, Senator Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, who afterward became vice-president of the United States, presented a report for the committee to which the petitions were referred, refusing to grant the request of the petitioners. This report was concurred in by the Senate. The year following, 1830, memorials were received from citizens in various parts of the United States, praying for a repeal of so much of the post-office law as authorizes the mail to be transported and opened on Sunday. Counter memorials from other citizens were received, which opposed the interference of Congress, upon the ground that it would be legislating upon a religious subject, and therefore unconstitutional. Colonel Johnson was then a member of the House, instead of the Senate, and again, as chairman, presented the report of the Committee on Post-offices and Post-roads, to whom the memorials had been referred. This report was likewise adverse, and was concurred in by the House of Representatives. Thus both branches of Congress have given attention to the matter of legislation regarding the handling of mail on Sunday, and by adopting these reports, refused to commit the government of the United States to a course of religious legislation, according to the dictates of, or to accede to its being run by, ecclesiastical power. These reports are among the ablest and best-prepared documents in the records of our government.