The Washington herald., 1909-05-17

Interest al the general conference Of
Seventh-dsy Adventists at Takoma Park.
Nd. yesterday morning centered in the
meeting OF the religious liberty depart
ment in a tent set apart for that par-
pose
Sunday legislation was strongly con
demned by the speakers. J. 0. Corliss. Of
! California. who delivered the opening ad-
dress, saying:
Since civil government has become a
necessity on account Of sin, i is an
anomaly. and altogether out Of place. for
civil government to attempt 70 uphold
Gods government OF enforce religious
duties By force.
The meeting was largely attended, the
tent being filed to overlowing, many
persons being forced 10 listen 10 the ad-
dresses from seats on the ground near by
Topic of Discussion.
The fundamental principle Of reli-
Eious liberty was the special topic under
discussion. J. o. Coriiss was the first
speaker. Hs said
Since civil government became 9
necessity on account OF sin. Il is an
anomaly and altogether out Of place for
civl government TO attempt 70 uphold
Gods government or enforce religious
duties by force
confession VIII cleanse man from
all his transgressions Of Gods law But
not so with civil government To pardon
man under civil government upon mere
confession would utterly destroy f. Civil
government cannot be operated upon the
same principles which obtain in God 5
government"
Elder ". ". Healey. slso from Cali
fornia. said the same law that gives -
moral government gives rs civil govern
ment
Because man has q government which
csme into existence IN consequence OF
sin. ne said. this government Is not
necessarily sinful
For his protection man Instituted civil
government. and this government cannot
be founded upon anything better than
the law Of God. n so FAR as Il relates to
mans duties 10 MS feilow-mau But why
ELaDAlA NAAAA -VhNa ilAL4EAAA tAAElAlAL ~
an individual obedient 70 the government
OF God when il can give no reward for
such obedience2
Civil government can compel an out
ward observance 81 a Sabbath. but this
is not true Of Sabbath-keeping. The Sab
bath was not given n man for mere
physical rest II It we're. then we might
well abandon our contention for the 90
scTvance Of a particular day. for man can
get as much physical rest out of ore
day as another. The Sabbath IS a rsli-
gjous institution. ordained primarily for
mans spiritual refreshmeat and spiritual
well-being."
Spiritual Liberty.
Continuing the discussion. c. H. Ed
wards Of Hartford. Conn. called stten-
ton 20 the fact that true religious liberty
is spiritual liberty. The Sabbath is a
spiritual institution. and can be properly
observed only BY a spiritually minded
man.
J. s Washburn. OF Memphis. Tenn.
brought out the thought that true reIi-
gious liberty is something which man can
neither give nor take away
Allen Moon. OF South Bend. Ind. said
that the kingdom which Cod gave 70 man
In the beginning was usurped by Satan,
and became his kingdom. Civil govern
ment grew out OF the necessity sin
brought into the world.
IN closing the discussion Mr.. Coriiss
said the reason why they oppose Sunday
laws is not 20 prevent their enactment
but 10 promulgate and proclaim the ever
lasting principles OF the gospel
X c. Russell. the chairman. said the
object Of this department IS. ss he had
understood it all along. not simply 10
oppose Sunday legislation. but the saliva
tIon of men.
Before adjourning the chairman an
rouaced tho members OF the committee
on resolutions. as follows.
G. &. Sanders, c. S. Lsongscre. A c
Shannon. J. s Wightman. :. o. Corliss
j. : WashbuTn. " A Westworth. "
A Hennig 4 W Bartlett W s Ising
y. vueileumier, H. F. schUberth. and F.
". Field
Testimony Service.
The services OF the DAY began With &
praise and testimony meeting IN the pavil-
ion tent al o'clock From s to ? o'clock
the different departments OF the General
Conference held their regular sessions
At 2 o'clock Elder G. B. Thompson.
president OF the Columbian Union Confer
ence. gave an instructive discourse on
the need OF the Holy Spirit TO prepare the
disciples Of Christ for effective and fruit
ful work
A; 1879 o'clock the regular conference
session bersn with q Olsen az r-a
siding officer. Elder S. y. Haskell one
Of the foreign missionaries Of the denom-
ination offered prayer.
The chairman said the special order for
this meeting was the report OF the Rus
sian Union Conference. Elder j. 7
Boettcher gave an interesting report OF
the progress in the Russian Union Con
ference.
Elder H. K. Loebsack, president Of the
Caucasian Conference. submitted his re-
port. Not being acquainted with the
English language. he spoke in German.