Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-16
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
DISCUSSED BY THE SEVENTH DAY
ADvENTIsTs.

This Is Religious Liberty Day" with the
Seventh Day Adventfsts, who are in SEES
sion at Takoma Park. After the usual
opening exercises this morning at o'clock
the report of Secretary w. A. Colcord of
the religious liberty bureau was presented
end was the important topic discussed at
the conference.
In speaking Of the revival of the work
Mr.. Colcord said that after several years
of inactivity the matter has again been
taken up with energy by the Adventists.
The proclamation of truth. blameless de-
pertinent and an answering faith are con-
tinual reproofs which disturb the peace Of
the ranks Of sin and rebellion.
This work. he continued, has been made
an integral part Of the general conference
and the department has been firmly estab-
lished. All the reports of the work which
has been done of late have represented the
work as done by the Seventh Day Advent
lists. While the UNCONVENTIONAL work. he
said, has not been Haunted, no attempt has
been made to disguise or conceal the fact
that this people are the ones who are do
ing the work and championing the prin-
ciples set forth. Those in charge of the
department believe that the name Seventh
Day Adventist carries the true features of
their faith in front
The speaker said that an earnest endeavor
had been made to place the work. as far az
possible, on the right foundation In every
respect, to profit by mistakes which have
been made in the past and the instructions
the Lord has given IN regard to these and
the work in general to avoid extremes ana
to get hold of the principles which should
guide US in all our work.
In referring to the headquarters in WASH
1ngton he remarked that recent develop
ments have shown the wisdom of having
the headquarters of the Adventists located
In this city, and doubted not but that fu-
ture developments would still further con-
hrm this. 1T is evident" he said. that
this line of work has not been resumed any
too soon. The headquarters of the general
conference had hardly been located at
Washington before two Sunday bills affect
Ing the District of Columbia were intro
were aware of it one of these bills had
passed the House and had been sent to the
Senate, but its further progress was pre-
vented until Congress had adjourned for
the session. In this connection 1t was
mentioned that Sunday work, which had
been going on in the capital in connection
with the new depot and filtration plant was
used as an argument for pressing again for
a District Sunday law.
Mr.. Colcord said that in a number of
states during the past winter efforts had
been made to secure additional Sunday leg
lsiatlon, and In two states. Pennsylvania
and Indiana, and in Hawaii, attempts had
been made to repeal amend Sunday laws
already in existence.
Religious Instruction in Schools.
In speaking of the question of religious
instruction in the public schools Secretary
Colcord said:
In Washington, Cincinnati, New Orleans
and other places in the United States, and
In England, Canada, Victoria and New
Zealand controversies have been going on
over this question. The agitation for Sum
day enforcement is becoming more general
and insistent, and the alleged necessity for
religious instruction in the public schools
In the interest of morals and of good cti-
Zenship and as matter of self-preservation
to the nation Is being urged more and more
FARTHER and farther the people are drifting
from the principles of civil and religious
liberty which have characterized the epoch
now closing. All of these things indicate
that the time has come for to work and
to work with great earnestness tact and
zeal. Wherever either of these questions
come up there Is an opportunity for us to
do a special work proclaiming the truth and
in setting forth the fundamental principles
of the gospel message for this time
He called attention to the fact that the
religious liberty work had existed as a de-
partment of the general conference since
the conference held in Battle Creek four
years ago, but had commenced active work
within the past six months, when Elder K.
c. Russell of Boston was made chairman Of
the department and the headquarters re-
moved to Takoma Park. He recited the i'm
inaugurated last winter for better Sunday
observance in the District of Columbia and
OF the petitions and literature distributed
by the department all over the United
States.
In commenting on the space accorded by
the Washington papers during the last four
months to the discussion of the questions
of the Sabbath and the introduction of re-
legious instruction into the public Schools
he said that there had been printed over
100 columns of reading matter, including IL
editorials in 100 issues. He considered this
a remarkable showing, especially in the
capital city of the nation and complimented
them upon the space which had been grant
ed for the discussion of these matters
The Afternoon Session.
Mr.. Colcord was followed at the afternoon
session by Elder K. c. Russell, president Of
the religious liberty bureau. who presented
a lengthy report on Sunday Legislation"
which also proved an interesting paper to
the vast audience and delegates present
At the session held last evening at 7:45