Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-06-26
the Wisconsin co1porteurs in 1912

the Wisconsin cOIpOTteurS IN 1912
was 13, ,3S1. 80
Pastor H. W. Reed gave a very in
teresting report OF the religious IL
berty work in the state during the
year, giving the history from the time
Of their reception by the legislature
for consideration up TO the time OF
their disposal, of the following bills:
bill No. 1880 A; No. 976 A; 1890 A;
107 s.; and II s.; all of which bills
treat on Sunday legislation. Mr. Reed
gave in twenty-four points his oppo-
sitiOn to these bills as follows:
To the Chairman and others mem
bers of the Committeefon Public AT
fairs:
ALLOW me to say that I am opposed
to bill No. 1890 A. for the following
reasons:
1. Because to enact such a law
would be religious legislation, and
| would therefore be unconstitutional.
2 Because to enact such a law
would involve a legislative decision
on a religious question which is not
within the province of the state.
8. Because to enact such a law
would sanction majority rule in reii-
gious matters.
would bea step in uniting church
and state
s. Because to enact such a law
would violate the principles taught
by the founders of this country
Washington, Madison, Frank, lin, and
others, on the limits of civil authori-
ty.
6. To enact such a law would be
to establish precedent for the en-
actment of other laws of a religious
character.
Z. Because such legislation has
been a bane to every government
which has consented to it,
8. Because to enact such a law
the Legislature must define which da.
of the week is the true Sabbath,
and thus assume the right to be an
interpreter of the Bible.
8. Because to enact such a law
would be to practically impose a tax
of one+seNenth part of the time for
the support of a religious institution
To- Because to enact such Law
would create a hypocritical form of
SABBATH observance, and thus bring
religion in disrepute.
II. Because to enact such law
would be a species of class legisla-
ton, in that t is in the interest of
certain class OF citizens at the ex'
penge of others.
u. Because to enact such a law
would encourage citizens to act as
spies upon their neighbors who do
not agree with them in matters of
religion.
13. Because to enact such a law
would interfere with the religious
freedom even of those who regard
Sunday as a day of rest.
IA Because to enact such a law
would destroy the peace and domes-
tic tranquility of citizens by invad
ing the rights of conscience ON the
question of SABBATH observance.
10. Because to enact such a law
would protect certain day of the
week, instead of the citizens.
16. Because to enact such a law
would be a state prop in support OF
the Sunday institution, which is de
void of divine authority.
II. Because to enact such a law
would deprive the citizens of the
right of choice in the matter of Sab
bath observance.
IS. Because to enact such a law
would tend to produce religious mono
ply
49, Because to enact such a law
would make an act criminal ON Sun
day that IS perfectly proper on other
days of the week
"a Because Sabbath observance
is to be rendered to God, and not to
civil government, according to Christ
words. Render to Caesar the things
that are Caesars and to God the
things that are Gods.
AT the afternoon preaching hour
Pastor Moon chose for his text, t'And
I, If I be Lifted Up, VIII Draw All
Iy Christ's being lifted up on the
cross but the exaltatio on of the Son as
the revelation Of God the Father Tht
sermon was a study of this revela
ton of Christ as to power and the
various other forms of His greatness
The steropticon lecture Monday ev-
ening by Pastor F. B. Armitage, on
his missionary work in South Afri-
would promote hypocricy by making
persons appear to be religious thru
compulsory rest on Sunday.
81. Because Sunday laws are a
prolific source of religious persecu-
ton, as lis evidenced by the fact that
from 1885 to 1896 as a result of their
enforcement over one hundred Sew
enth-Day Adventists in the United
States We're prosecuted in fifteen
states for quiet work performed on
the first day of the week, resulting
in fines and costs amounting to ST.
269.69 and imprisonments totaling
LABS days and 455 days served in
chain gangs.
%. Because to enact such a law
would be a violation of the Golden