The Northern Union Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists will convene in the city of Des Moines, Iowa, at the Seventh-day Adventist church, on the corner of West Eighth and Washington streets, Feb. 24, 1910, at 11:15 A. M., for the election of seven trustees and the transaction of such other business as may come before its members.
R. A. UNDERWOOD,
Pres. Board of Trustees.
NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS
Making History
By K. C. Russell
To Seventh-day Adventists the past two weeks have been historical ones in Congress, as may be seen by reading elsewhere in this paper the account of the steps that led up to the passage of the Johnston Sunday bill by the United States Senate, the highest legislative body in the United States. These things should cause us to pause and consider what all this means to those who know the third angel’s message.
The passage of any Sunday bill, even though it is apparently weak, is nevertheless dangerous, and means the tightening of the cords of religious legislation that are soon to bind the consciences of men. This should be another danger-signal to every lover of religious freedom, and ought to arouse all to greater earnestness and activity.
The following are some of the references which the Washington press have made concerning the passage of the Johnston Sunday bill by the Senate:— “The bill was passed after material amendments.” The bill passed “with amendments which practically make it negative so far as its expressed object is concerned.” “If the bill should pass the House and be signed by the President, it is pointed out that it would fail of its original purpose.” “At the last moment Senator Smoot incorporated a joker in the measure that makes its provision futile.” “So many amendments were added to the bill and various clauses inserted to relieve certain classes from observing Sunday as a day of rest, that various members believe the measure fails to achieve the results intended by its author.” “It was the general opinion expressed at the capitol yesterday [the day the bill passed the Senate] that the measure will not receive very strong consideration in the House.”
The expression of doubt by the public press regarding the final outcome of the bill should be a source of encouragement to its opponents. However, we should not rest secure, for the possibility of defeat may only spur on the promoters of the bill to a more determined effort to secure its passage or the passage of some similar measure before Congress closes.
With this bill now before the House of Representatives, there are four dangerous measures pending before that body, as follows:—
House Joint Resolution No. 17: “Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States so that it shall contain a recognition of God, and shall begin with the words ‘In the name of God,’” introduced March 18, 1909.
Senate Bill No. 404: “An act for the proper observance of Sunday as a day of rest in the District of Columbia,” introduced in the Senate March 22, 1909, reintroduced Jan. 17, 1910, passed the Senate January 27, and introduced in the House January 28.
House Resolution 14619: “A bill prohibiting labor on buildings, and so forth, in the District of Columbia on the sabbath day,” introduced Dec. 10, 1909.
House Resolution No. 13876: “A bill requiring certain places of business in the District of Columbia to be closed on Sunday,” introduced Dec. 10, 1909.
Now is our opportunity to unite in a most determined effort to enlighten Congress and all others by the generous distribution of religious liberty literature, the circulation of the petitions, and the distribution of a leaflet, which will soon be placed in your hands, explaining these bills. Do not neglect to write letters to United States congressmen from your districts, and ask others to do the same, urging these men to oppose these bills.
With the struggle becoming more intense, both here in Congress and throughout the States, it needs a greater outlay of means to do the work that must yet be done to enlighten the people. We are confident that Sunday legislation in Congress would have been far in advance of where it now is, had not continued and persistent efforts been put forth to enlighten these men. Make your offering to this department of the work larger this year than you have ever done before, that the cause of religious freedom may not be hampered.
K. C. Russell,
Secretary Religious Liberty Assn.
E. G. White Articles Resume Next Week
By Editor
We regret the break in the articles from the pen of Sister E. G. White. These will be resumed next week.
Percy C. Poley to Engage in India Book Work
A YOUNG man in England, Percy C. Poley, selected for India to engage in the 'book work, writes that he will leave for his chosen field February 18.
February Life and Health Magazine
By Editor
OUR Life and Health workers will find few homes that can not be interested in the February number of this magazine, for the principal part of its contents deals with especially vital issues directly affecting the life, happiness, and prosperity of infants, boys and girls, and men and women of every home. It will be a good-selling number, and one that will be a blessing to every home it enters. It will be an excellent number for our mothers to present to their neighbors.
Votaws Return to Burma
Elder H. H. Votaw and wife leave New York this week, February 1, for Burma. Mrs. Votaw preceded her husband a few months prior to his coming to attend the General Conference, spending the time among relatives in Ohio, regaining health and strength. Brother Votaw has labored at camp-meetings, and in other ways helping, during the past summer, and now both return to their chosen field with renewed vigor to gain further victories for the message in the land of the Judsons. The prayers of God’s people will follow them to that needy field.
Some Misconceptions
By W. A. Colcord
THE following quotations from the Washington Post and Washington Times of January 27, reveal some of the misconceptions regarding the issues involved in the proposed Sunday law for the District of Columbia: “It was asserted in the debate that the national capital is the only considerable territory in the United States in which the fourth commandment has been ignored. The bill was largely opposed because it exempts from its operation Jews and Seventh-day Adventists, who observe another day as the Sabbath.” “As the statutes now stand, the capital is the only American jurisdiction which does not protect its citizens in a day of rest.” The Times of January 28, styles the District Sunday bill as “a comparatively unimportant measure so far as national affairs are concerned.”
W. A. COLCORD.
Brother Kaltenhäuser Sent to Eritrea
The first missionary sent out from Europe this year is Brother Kaltenhäuser, a young man from Friedensau school, who is being sent to Eritrea, on the border of Abyssinia, to connect with the mission at Asmara. He sailed from Marseilles, January 22, and should reach his field about February 10. Let us remember him in our prayers.
