General Conference Bulletin, vol. 4

GENERAL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Twenty-fifth Meeting, April 18, 3 P. M.

ALLEN MOON in the chair. Prayer by Elder I. D. Van Horn. GCB April 22, 1901, page 379.24

The Chair: The time this afternoon will be devoted to the consideration of what is known among us as the religious liberty work. I have not prepared an address to deliver at this time; but perhaps I may be permitted a few thoughts in introducing the work of the afternoon. GCB April 22, 1901, page 379.25

We have been told a great many times the last few years that we are living in the last days, and are near the end. If we are close students of the word of God, we can arrive at no other conclusion. We are told very emphatically through the Spirit of prophecy that the educational work must be done, that we shall not stand clear before God if we permit the world to come up to this momentous time unwarned, and also that we can not stand clear before God as his servants, if we leave anything undone to preserve liberty of conscience. GCB April 22, 1901, page 379.26

Several years ago this association was organized. Many of our people know of this work simply by the name, Religious Liberty Association. The Secretary’s report will give us an outline of the work of the association. If we are living in the last days, we are nearing the time when God will send deliverance to his people. God will have a people to stand upon the sea of glass, and sing the song of deliverance. That song is victory over the beast and his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name. Those who sing that song must have been in conflict with those powers. Then we have that statement in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation that, every one whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life shall at that time worship the beast and his image. That is an awfully solemn thing, but God will send deliverance to his people. GCB April 22, 1901, page 379.27

There was a time in the history of the world that resembled this time, and that was when God’s people were in bondage in Egypt. The time had nearly come for God to deliver his people. He had separated Moses from the court of Egypt by a train of circumstances, and brought him out where he had communion with God. While in this place, he received a sense of the greatness of God’s kingdom as compared with the kingdoms of earth. Having been brought up in the court of Egypt, he knew something about wordly kingdoms and earthly powers. But now the Lord appeared to him in a flaming bush, and talked with him, proposing to send him back to Egypt, to deliver the people. He therefore went before the court of Pharaoh, and said, “Let my people go, in the name of the Lord.” That was the message sent to the kingdoms of the earth. God knew that the hearts of the nation would be hardened, and especially the heart of the king, but God had a purpose in it all. He continued to deliver this message. “Let my people go.” As Pharaoh refused, God manifested his power. When the plagues fell, God’s people were separated from the Egyptians, so that the plagues did not fall upon them. The people were at least completely delivered; and when they left Egypt, they were accompanied by a mixed multitude. This was the effect of the double message, for the people to come out from among the Egyptians and to the king, “Let my people go.” God is now calling out a people, and that by a definite message. This is to go to all the world, to every kingdom, nation, tongue, and people. This message is to call out a people. God has a people in the world, and they must be called out, but God sends us with the message, “Let my people go.” GCB April 22, 1901, page 379.28

The tendency at this time is again to pass oppressive laws, by which to prevent God’s people from properly obeying God. The same thing was in the message given to Moses: “Let my people go,” that they may worship me. I presume that they had largely lost sight of the Sabbath in the midst of the bondage in Egypt. God again calls upon the nations of the earth to let his people go, that they may worship him. This is the message for to-day. Whether we have properly recognized this in the Religious Liberty Association is a question, yet it remains a fact that this is the message for this people to bear to the world. For the last few years, we have been having some experience in this country. I will only mention a few incidents which have occurred that your minds may be refreshed with reference to the work of this association. GCB April 22, 1901, page 380.1

A few years ago many people were intent on securing a national Sunday law. We began the work of education in the Congress of the United States by sending the American Sentinel to all its members. The Lord worked for us. It may not be generally known that the messengers who have charge of the mails of the members of Congress, destroy each year tons of what is called “crank mail.” Almost everybody who publishes a paper, especially if it is a religious one, have sent these to members of Congress. A committee looks over these publications, and if they find that they are not of the character desired, they are condemned as “crank matter,” and the messengers are told to destroy them. I introduced the Sentinel, I think in 1892 for the first time into Congress. A member introduced me to a messenger who looked over the paper, and recommended it for delivery. I have been been told that not a single individual member of Congress in either House or Senate, but has had the Sentinel delivered at this door. This, it seems to me, reveals the fact that God is in this work. I have, in my files, hundreds of letters from members of Congress, expressing appreciation of the views set forth in our publications. Men have gone to Congress pledged in favor of what is known as “national reform” views, and in the end they have completely changed their minds in the matter. GCB April 22, 1901, page 380.2

But before this work of education had been done to any extent, Congress came so near passing a Sunday law that it passed the House of Representatives; it went over to the Senate; it was referred to the committee, of which the senator from Michigan was chairman. His committee recommended this bill for passage. It was placed on the calendar, and in the meantime we followed up our work, sending literature to every member of the Senate, some of our literature bearing directly on the question of religious legislation. Elder Jones also prepared a memorial, which was printed in the form of a letter, and sent to each member. I received in a day or two a letter from a member of the Senate, saying that “if I live to the end of this session, I will defeat that bill.” He did defeat it. He lived to the end of the session, and every time that bill was reached on the calendar, he rose, and addressed the Senate, and said, “Mr. President, I object to the consideration of that bill to-day.” And it would go to the foot of the calendar. He watched that bill to the end of the session. We came that near having a Sunday law passed by the United States Congress. GCB April 22, 1901, page 380.3

But the educational work has been going on, and at one time there was a large majority of the members of the Senate and the House who were posted as to this class of legislation. During the last year or two a great many new members have been elected; and now we have had no one there to speak for our cause. Of course the Sentinel has been delivered. But Congress has passed a bill appropriating $5,000,000 for the St. Louis Exposition, on condition that the Exposition be closed on Sunday; and they would have done the same with reference to other expositions, had not the bills failed. So much for this question of education in the Congress of the United States. GCB April 22, 1901, page 380.4

A year ago last spring, one of our brethren in Georgia was arrested, brought before the court, and convicted for laboring on Sunday. He was sentenced to one hundred days in the chain gang, which meant that he would be compelled to labor on the Sabbath. Men said, “Now we shall see, sir, whether you will not rest on Sunday, and labor on Saturday.” A gentleman who had become intensely interested in the case volunteered his services to carry the case to the Supreme Court. That court affirmed the decision of the court below; and Brother Waters stood convicted, and sentenced to 100 days in the chain gang. Immediately I went to Atlanta, saw the governor, and talked over the matter. We talked over how Sunday laws affect the liberties of the people; and then, of course, he drew me out to talk of the Sabbath generally. He was deeply affected, and said, “I want to pardon that man. And if you will place it in my power to do so under the statute, I will pardon him. You go down to the country where Mr. Waters lives, secure signatures of reputable citizens, to a petition and bring them up here. I will then secure a pardon.” GCB April 22, 1901, page 380.5

So I went down to the county where Brother Waters lived, and saw the attorney that had volunteered his services to carry the case to the supreme court. I told him what the governor had said and he said, “All right, we will do that thing.” So we prepared four petitions. He introduced me to the sheriff of the county and some of the leading men These men took those papers, and I returned to my lodgings, and at the end of twenty-four hours they brought me the papers with over 400 signatures of the leading men of the county. The trial judge signed the petition, and also wrote a letter to the governor, saying that he believed it would be a righteous act to pardon this man. GCB April 22, 1901, page 380.6

I had another interview with the governor, and talked over the truth. He sent for the chairman of the board of pardons. In that State the governor can not pardon alone. There is what is called a board of pardons, of three men besides the governor. Brethren Ford and Lucas were with me, and the governor said to the members of this board, “These men are Seventh-day Adventists. I want you to give them a hearing in reference to a case that has just been tried before the supreme court. One of their brethren is sentenced to the chain gang for 100 days. You give them all the time they want. They set the time for us to come in the afternoon. We went before the board of pardons, and laid before them our views as Christians, with reference to the Sabbath. They asked questions, which drew out statements in reference to almost all points of truth, and we had a grand visit with those men. They seemed deeply touched when they realized that the Sunday law of the State of Georgia was bringing into bondage Christian citizens. A short time after the interview was over, the pardon was ordered. GCB April 22, 1901, page 381.1

I have had some of the most precious experiences of all my life in connection with some such cases as this, I believe. GCB April 22, 1901, page 381.2

At the present time the clergy in the State of Georgia are organizing an alliance for the enforcement of the Sunday law of that State, which is one of the most iniquitous ever upon the statute books. Under that law a court has power to sentence a man to one year in the chain gang for performing five-minutes’ work on Sunday. Not only that, but if the man should refuse to labor on the Sabbath in the chain gang, the man in charge of that chain gang could shoot him down, and never be called in question for it. That was what Brother Waters faced. GCB April 22, 1901, page 381.3

We have the message to carry to to governors, “Let my people go.” The clamor for religious legislation is becoming so great that this will not always be heeded as it was in the Georgia case; but God has sent us with a message just the same. GCB April 22, 1901, page 381.4

Over in Ontario a few years ago an association was organized, called The Lord’s-day Alliance. This alliance induced the provincial parliament to pass an act that was especially designed to reach Seventh-day Adventists. One of our brethren was arrested under that act, and convicted before the court,—one of the local courts in the province. The Lord’s-day Alliance people had announced that if the law convicted this man they would then proceed to arrest every Seventh-day Adventist found laboring on Sunday. They put it in such a form that it seemed absolutely necessary to appeal the case. So we asked permission to appeal it to the higher courts, the supreme court of the Province. But the Lord’s-day Alliance intervened, or came in and asked that a stated case should be heard in advance of this one; and so they were given permission. There were six counts in this stated case, and this has just been heard. Since this Conference was in session, it was tried before the supreme court of the Province of Ontario, and the liberty of our people to-day is depending on the decision of that court. That is the situation in that country. GCB April 22, 1901, page 381.5

The Lord’s-day Alliance have announced that if the court rules against the Provincial Act, they will go into the Dominion Parliament, and secure a Lord’s-day Act by the Dominion Parliament. They have a committee organized for the purpose of presenting this matter before the Dominion Parliament. This is the situation over there. And at the present time the information that comes to us is that those who have sought religions legislation are more completely organized at the present time than they have ever been at any time in the history of the movement in this country. The Young People’s societies, the W. C. T. U. people, and what is known as a Federation of Churches, are now completely united under one general association known as the Bureau of Reforms. They have a strong lobby in Washington, and the methods of that lobby are very much on the order of the Jesuits. Of course they are seeking to coerce congressmen. On the other hand, the work that has been done by the Religious Liberty Association appeals to the judgment of congressmen, to adhere to principle rather than to be governed by policy. Its work is the same in all the Legislatures in the hand. GCB April 22, 1901, page 381.6

I believe, brethren, that the time is near at hand when a great movement will be seen in this country to secure control of the governments of this country, both State and national, and this is approaching very rapidly. God’s people will be brought into bondage; but before that time arrives. I believe that we ought to clear our skirts by doing everything in our power to educate the people of this country, and lay before them these grand principles. It is immaterial about the machinery that is used; but this work must be accomplished by men of God,—men who know something of the power of God’s truth. GCB April 22, 1901, page 381.7

If we attempt to meet the work of the National Reform people with their own methods, we shall surely fail—just as surely as we attempt it; because they have shrewd men, who are not in the largest degree conscientious about their manner of work. We can not meet this power except by the Spirit of God. I am not in sympathy with the idea that laboring in this line of work tends to dwarf men spiritually. I don’t believe that; but I do believe that if men engage in this work who are weak spiritually, they will be swallowed up by the world. I know that if men attempt to labor among such men as are in Congress, and have not the Spirit of God, they themselves will surely be overcome and swallowed up by the spirit of the world. But I do believe, brethren, that God will fit men to carry forward this work. I believe that there is a work to be done among these men, but I believe that if we go about it in God’s way, he will give the strength that we need. There is no necessity for men being spiritually dwarfed, if they are laboring in God’s lines; so I am fully of the opinion that we must meet this great issue in the Spirit of God, because only the presence and Spirit of God can ever accomplish the work. GCB April 22, 1901, page 381.8

D. W. Reavis: It has been told us a number of times that if there is one work of more importance than another, it is the getting of our literature before the public, and that few of us have any appreciation of the great influence our literature is having on the public mind. I believe that with all my heart. I believed it a few years ago, when I sold my home, and moved out of this place, to circulate our literature. This has been the primary object of the International Religious Liberty Association from the time of its organization. We have also done something toward helping our brethren, who have been prosecuted for their belief. We have contributed money for the sustenance of their families. But the principal object of this association from its beginning has been the education of the public mind. The National Reform Association and all the auxiliary religious organization is associated with them learned the lesson from this International Religious Liberty Association, that it was best first, to educate the public mind before they attempted to enforce an unpopular law. They began a few years ago to enforce the Sunday laws, and to put our people in jail all over the country, for the violation of those Sunday laws. You well remember when this kind of work started, some of our people were put in the chain gang; I have visited forty-two cases of this kind. GCB April 22, 1901, page 381.9

At the present time, and for a few years in the past, we have been enjoying a degree of peace and quiet. This is the time when we ought to be educating the public mind on the principles involved. If we do not educate the people, those on the other side will strengthen their lines, and we will suffer all the more for our negligence. The International Religious Liberty Association has been circulating literature, but have not done as much in this line as it might have been done under more favorable conditions. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.1

Last winter the International Religious Liberty Association furnished me with copies of “Two Republics” for members of the Senate of the New York Legislature. I realized the necessity of getting our literature before these men, and as you all know, there has been a great strain placed upon the New York Legislature during the past session by the Reformers, who worked with all the zeal they had, and all the influence they could get, to close the coming Pan-American Exposition on Sunday. If it had not been for the influence of our literature, that bill would have been passed long ago, providing for the closing of that Exposition on Sunday. Now it has been decided that the Exposition shall be open on Sunday. These books were taken to the members of the Legislature in person, and being admitted on the floor, I took those books to the senators, and delivered them personally. These books presented have practically stopped all Sunday legislation in the State of New York. Had we a representative down at Washington, the late legislation there need not have passed concerning the closing of the St. Louis Exposition on Sunday. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.2

We have undertaken a great work for the attorneys of the State of New York, and especially for the attorneys in New York City. We have been circulating the “Legal Sunday,” a pamphlet written by James T. Ringgold. This has been bound, and put up in the neat form, and is being delivered in person to the lawyers in New York City. We have been to their offices with these books, calling attention to the principles involved in them. One attorney came into the office a short time ago, having seen one of these books, saying he wanted a dozen of them, because he had a dozen friends, whom he wanted to read the principles in that book. We are receiving letters from these attorneys, commenting on the principles taught. Every where I have been, these attorneys want to know what power, or what organization, or what association, or what body of people, is behind the distribution of all this literature, and when they are informed of the association that is delivering them, they always make some comment favorable to the association, contrasting it, usually, with some other religious association of which they have known. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.3

I would call attention in connection with this interest, to the necessity of our people distributing literature during the Pan-American Exposition. That will open the first of May and continue for six months. We can distribute the gospel all over America better on that occasion than under any other circumstances. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.4

The Chair: Perhaps Brother Thompson would like to say a word as to the direct effect of the literature distributed in Buffalo. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.5

Geo. B. Thompson: I think the solution of the present question is in the circulation of our literature; and the work of the Religious Liberty Association has demonstrated something of what can be done in that line. Reference has been made to the effort that was made in Buffalo. As I entered work there with Brother Reavis, I secured some of our Conference laborers to join him. Brethren and sisters in Buffalo, as far as they were able, went out to circulate the literature. When that was done, we had some of our literature in nearly every home in the city of Buffalo, with the result that it entirely revolutionized the people. The newspapers of the city molded their editorials after the style of the literature we circulated, and came out squarely for the opening of the Exposition upon Sunday. If we would take that as an object lesson, not only on the issue of religious liberty, but upon all points of the truth, we would soon warn the world of the coming of the Lord. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.6

I am glad for the work that the Religious Liberty Association has done in Buffalo, and I believe that whenever the same issue comes to the front, and religious liberty is imperiled, we should rush in with our literature to do as was done in Buffalo. In this way we could educate the people and save souls from ruin. I am glad that God has given us such good literature, and I hope we shall learn to appreciate and circulate it wherever we have an opportunity. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.7

The Chair: Brother Owen is here. He has had some experience down in Mississippi, not only in the courts, but in the distribution of literature. Perhaps we could hear a few words from him. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.8

Rodney S. Owen: The experiences we have had down in Mississippi have taught us some very precious lessons. One is the importance of teaching the people the principles of religious liberty. Many there are as sincere in believing that Sunday laws should be enforced, as we are in believing that they are wrong. We are glad to know that such men, when they see the light that has been shining upon our pathway, are glad to accept the light. Another lesson that we have learned from precious experience is that whatever trials God may permit us to pass through, if we will trust in him, he will sustain us. In our experience we had the sweet peace of God through it all, and felt no more fear or pain over the situation than at any other time. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.9

Another lesson that we learn is that those who are seeking by this means to oppose the truth, can do nothing against the truth but will turn to its progress in the end. My brethren and myself in the State of Mississippi, have always been very careful not to give occasion for offense to our neighbors and friends. Opposition to us there was not because any special occasion was given, but because there was a determined effort on the part of some, to put down the work of truth from making progress in that field. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.10

The first step was to close the school-house we were using in a time of a deep interest in religious meetings. The report was carried to the man who had control of the house, and at the close of the meeting the teacher of the school in which the meeting was held, was called to make an announcement. She arose with tears in her eyes, saying that it was her duty because this had been required of her, but she did not want to do it, and yet she must say that we were not to have the house any longer. GCB April 22, 1901, page 382.11

The circumstances were such that friends made offers, and we proceeded at once to take steps toward building a little meeting-house, which was erected very soon after this. The efforts of certain ones were continued against our work, and they watched. One man acknowledged that he had been back of one of the fields where our brethren had work to do, and hid behind a log, to see if he could not catch some of our brethren working on Sunday. Another neighbor was offered money to watch us. Other individuals were also watching to find some accusation against us. GCB April 22, 1901, page 383.1

Finally an opportunity afforded itself, and I was brought before the authorities for a little garden work done one Sunday morning. I had a very interesting experience. It afforded an opportunity to present the truth before the people of the county, and before a large number of the citizens of the State. It opened the eyes of many persons to receive the light of present truth. The Religious Liberty Association sent down a large quantity of literature, which our brethren circulated quite extensively over the county and in the adjoining country. This had its effect. One place where we were distributing the literature, I visited a man who expressed himself so clearly on the subject of religious liberty that I could not help but wish that that man could be on the jury when my case should come to trial. When the case came up, that man did not appear. The jury was chosen. I knew none of them; but I was impressed to use the privilege of challenging, which I did. The third one had been challenged, and this was my last opportunity to use this right. When they were looking about for the third juror, this man who had favorably impressed me as understanding the principles of religious liberty, appeared, and was chosen. GCB April 22, 1901, page 383.2

I had the opportunity before a large gathering of people of presenting the principles of religious liberty. I did not bring in technical points, but simply told the jury that we were not disposed to be disobedient to any constitutional law of the land. The Lord gave me the hearts and the convictions of the jury, and I was declared “not guilty.” At the close of the trial, the president of our association, who was also present, was invited to speak, and the large crowd heard him with deep interest for an hour. While this was going on, another of our brethren was being arrested by these same persons, and only the second day after his trial came off, which gave another opportunity to present the principles of truth. He was also acquitted. A deep interest has arisen in the community. The Lord has worked for us, and given us an opportunity to reach the ears of the people. To him be all the glory. GCB April 22, 1901, page 383.3

Some time ago, while working in the city of Boston I had the opportunity of going before the Massachusetts Legislature, and speaking several times in behalf of various bills on religious liberty, one of which was an amendment like the amendment to the national Constitution; namely, that there should be no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. But when we reached there, we found that there was still a little more added to it, and that there should be no public funds devoted to sectarian schools. We found that there were quite a number of members of the American Protective Association, and we found that the whole force of their argument was against the latter part of this amendment, and that is the appropriation of public funds for sectarian purposes, but as to the first part there was not one of them that said a word. GCB April 22, 1901, page 383.4

When the opportunity was given us to speak on the question, we spoke for twenty minutes or half an hour on the principle of what was involved in this question. When we were through,—there were several of the ministering brethren there,—one of the committee-men came to us and said, “To what church do you belong?” We told him. He said, “Are you people Christians?” We told him that we were. “Well,” he said, “I want to tell you people one thing, and that is that the talk that has been given here the last half hour has flabbergasted the whole committee. We never heard anything like that; there was so much in that speech.” GCB April 22, 1901, page 383.5

When we went before the judiciary committee to state the entire facts of the religious liberty question, we found that at the side of every member there was a copy of the Sentinel of Liberty. While the opposition were favoring this law and presenting their arguments, and discussing the questions, we noticed that the members were reading the Sentinel, and when there was any point that interested them, they argued the question, while it might be on the very point which they were reading at the time. As a result of the education that these men have been receiving from the Sentinel, and other religious liberty literature, it has in a large measure molded a sentiment in favor of the principles of truth. GCB April 22, 1901, page 383.6

Some of you, perhaps, know of the sentiment that has been growing in New England against the principles of religious liberty. A short time ago, while I was devoting my time to working among the Jews, there was one man who perhaps more than any other man in the United States, perhaps Wilbur Crafts excepted, opposed the principles of truth. This was Martin Leland. One day when we were to meet before the railroad committee, to speak in behalf of a bill that was coming up, I said to him, in speaking on the question of religious legislation, that what he and his colleagues were doing was actually hindering the work of the evangelization of the Jews, and he wanted to know why. I told him that the opposition that he and the others were holding was having a tendency to get the Jews to believe that instead of liberty being wrapped up in Christianity, it was simply the same spirit of bigotry that persecuted the Jews and many others for centuries. There were several people there discussing this question, and he said to me, “Mr. Gilbert, what would you suggest for a remedy for all of this?” I told him that I could see no other way than by the abolition of every Sunday law on the statute books of the State of Massachusetts, and upon every other statute book in every other State. He stood there several minutes, and I do not believe the man could have become more enraged if pierced by a + . With fierce vehemence and emotion, he said, “I want you to know that this is a Christian nation,” and he called for the Washington, or the Jefferson, or the Madison, or any other people in this world to know that Sunday is the day that this nation observes, and Sunday laws we have on our books, and Sunday laws we propose to enforce. And from that day to this that man and his society have been working as never before and within the last two or three years, the bitterness that has come up and the sentiment that has been created by those who favor Sunday laws and Sunday agitation has been prevented from putting laws on the statute books only by the good and faithful work that has been done by the literature that the GCB April 22, 1901, page 383.7

Religious Liberty Association has been distributing. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.1

I remember reading some time ago of what the Spirit of the Lord has said, and that was that many of these men in Congress and in the halls of our Legislatures are to receive these truths of the third angel’s message, and when the time of persecution comes, they will take their stand with the people of God and be saved. I have often wondered how they could be, for we know that we can not go to the doors of Congress or to the doors of the Legislatures, and knock there, and ask them for the privilege of preaching the peculiar doctrines of the third angel’s message; but there is one thing we do know, and that is, that as this literature advocating these blessed principles in a way that will attract these men that have been reading, they become impressed as they learn them, and the angels of God will be in their counsels; and as long as the work of God needs to progress in the world, many of these men will defend these principles, and by and by with the people of God, they will take a firm stand and go through to the kingdom. So, let us not only do what we have been doing, but a thousandfold more. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.2

The Secretary: The delegates will find our report on page 110 of the BULLETIN. I would, however, like to call attention to one or two points in the report. You will notice that in addition to the report we make reference to the original purposes for which the association was organized I think that we might emphasize this principle, because it will apply equally to the work as it may be conducted hereafter, even though it should be under the auspices of a department of the General Conference Committee. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.3

We have sought during the past few years in the work of the association to make the work constructive as far as possible, eliminating in some degree, if I may say it, the destructive features of the work. What I mean by that may perhaps best be illustrated. If a blind man were walking along upon the brink of a cliff, and he fell from the cliff, and should find himself at the bottom with broken limbs and a battered head, I suppose none of us would say that it was not a good deed to take that man as carefully as possible and place him in an ambulance, and carry him away to the hospital where he could receive medical attention. That would be a good work, and it would be well to do so; but you will all agree with me that if some friendly hand might be stretched out before he falls from this cliff, it would be better than to wait at the bottom of the cliff, and give him what comfort you could after he had fallen. The principle in this: In the educational work we have sought as far as possible to seek to turn into safe paths, these men that are in danger of being blinded by wrong principles, by calling attention to a certain end which will come to them if they follow the same way in which they have started. Accordingly, we have sought through the agencies and representatives in the field to do such work as Brother Reavis has set before you here to-day. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.4

We have sought also in our office in Chicago to secure lists of men of influence—lawyers, professional men—to communicate with them through the mails, giving them such literature as may well instruct them in these great principles. This, then, I hope will receive the earnest consideration of the delegates here to-day, so that when you go forth into your various fields, you will advocate this work as far as possible and carry it into the various local fields where you may be. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.5

Calling your attention just one moment to the circulation of our literature, I will ask you to note the fact that during the year 1900 we published 207,000 copies of the Religious Liberty Library and we actually put in circulation four million pages of the Library. This you will notice applies only to the year 1900. The report for the most part is intended to cover the whole biennial period, but these figures apply only to 1990. This is due to the fact that the Library was no connected with the association during the year 1899, and we complied these figures to represent the work during that time. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.6

I believe the whole amount of literature circulated in 1899 was somewhat in excess of that circulated during 1900. I may say that our legislative work has been done chiefly in the year 1900, which is what we might term a legislative year. During this winter there has been in session a large number of Legislatures, something like 38. And we have sought to do what we could in this line. You will find the actual figures given in the report. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.7

There has been a total of 51 cases of prosecution during the two years ending Dec. 31, 1900. Thirty of these cases occurred in Raratonga. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.8

I call attention also to the statement concerning those two great features of our work, which, as it appeared to us from our view point in connection with this work, should appeal to our people most strongly at this time: One is the growth of the spirit of intolerance, as voiced by such resolutions as those adopted by the Lord’s-day Alliance, of Canada, in which it is deliberately proposed to take from our people in the Province the right to appeal to the superior courts. This is a most significant step. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.9

Another noticeable feature in connection with this work is that these organizations are springing up in various parts of the land, and the people are coming to their support, and are doing all in their power to bring about virtually the same state of affairs as was sought to be brought upon us through the instrumentality of the National Reform Association. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.10

It seems to me, therefore, that these facts should appeal to us as they never have in the past. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.11

I am sure that the officers of the association, those who have been connected with it hitherto, will not soon forget the loyalty and the devotion of those members of the association who have so faithfully supported the work in the past. We shall be most happy indeed if the burden which these loyal-hearted souls have carried can be more equally distributed among all our people. I feel personally to say that the devotion and the self-sacrifice which many of these individuals have shown in their efforts to support our work hitherto, will always remain with me, I believe, as one of the most inspiring experiences which I have met or can hope to meet. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.12

If it is desirable, I will, without further delay, call attention to the Treasurer’s report, which you will find on page 344 of the BULLETIN. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.13

[The report was here read, and various features of it referred to.] GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.14

The report of the Auditor will be found also on page 344. With your consent I will forego the formality of reading these reports, inasmuch as you have a verbatim copy before you. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.15

The Chair: What is your pleasure with reference to the Auditor’s report? GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.16

It was voted that the Auditor’s report be accepted. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.17

The Chair: What is your pleasure with reference to the Treasurer’s report? GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.18

A. E. Place: I move that the report be accepted. GCB April 22, 1901, page 384.19

This motion was carried unanimously. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.1

The Chair: We have some resolutions now to be presented. Perhaps we might forego the formality of reading them, and call attention to the page where they are found, and then read them, and act on them one by one. They are found on page 312 of the BULLETIN. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.2

A. G. Haughey: I move that these resolutions be adopted by considering them item by item. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.3

This was seconded, and the question called. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.4

The Secretary [reading]: “Your committee appointed to consider the interests of the religious liberty work, would respectfully submit the following recommendations:— GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.5

“1. That in harmony with the plan of reorganization adopted by the General Conference, the International Religious Liberty Association place its work, property, funds, and obligations in the hands of the General Conference as soon as that body shall be prepared to assume these responsibilities.” GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.6

The question was called. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.7

The Secretary [reading]: “2. That for the present, or until the expiration of the lease upon the rooms at 324 Dearborn St., the headquarters of the religious liberty work, the publication of the Sentinel of Liberty, and of the Religious Liberty Library, be continued in Chicago.” GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.8

A. G. Daniells: I would like to inquire regarding the meaning of the reading here. “That for the present, or until the expiration of the lease.” Is that a qualifying term, to express what the “present” means, or is it— GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.9

The Chair: If I understood what is in the mind of the Committee, that is an expression to qualify or to express what the present means. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.10

C. P. Bollman: I would say that the intention of it is to explain that it would not be arbitrary as to time, but to give some idea of the length of the time, and also the reason for it. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.11

A. G. Daniells: Then does it mean to say that until the expiration of the lease upon the rooms the work be continued in it? GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.12

C. P. Bollman: Not necessarily. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.13

A. G. Daniells: Then it has some latitude, so that we may do as is thought best. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.14

The question was then called on this resolution, and at the request of the Chair, the Secretary read recommendation No. 3. The question was called on it, as soon as read. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.15

The Chair: The committee has one other resolution or recommendation that it had designed to present, but has not had time. So we present it now. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.16

C. P. Bollman [reading]: “Your committee appointed to consider the cause touching the distinctive religious liberty work, would recommend that a suitable general laborer be selected who shall give special attention to religious liberty work in Washington during the sessions of Congress.” GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.17

At this point a motion was made and seconded to adopt all the resolutions as read. The chair put the motion, and it was carried unanimously. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.18

L. S. Wheeler: I believe that God has been pleased with the sympathy and succor that has been extended to our brethren who have been victims of this Sunday legislation. I thank God from my heart for the blessings which he has made the religious liberty work to us, because I trust that in the event of this work being handed over to the General Conference, some provision shall be made for those sufferers in time to come. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.19

At this point it was moved and seconded to adjourn. The motion was put by the Chair and carried. GCB April 22, 1901, page 385.20

ALLEN MOON, President.
L. A. HOOPES, Secretary.