p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 17. (4/24/1913)

Earlier text: Lutherans and Church-Schools

Another Johnston Sunday Bill

By William W. Prescott

THE perseverance shown by Senator Johnston, of Alabama, in his efforts to secure the enactment of a Sunday law for the District of Columbia is certainly worthy of a better cause. Five years ago he introduced his first bill in the Sixtieth Congress, which was passed by the Senate, but was not reported to the House of Representatives by the Committee on the District of Columbia, to which it was referred. Within a few days after the meeting of the special session called in April, 1911, Senator Johnston introduced substantially the same bill, which was reported favorably to the Senate by the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, but was opposed by several senators and did not come to a vote.

The Sixty-third Congress met in special session April 7, and April 12 Senator Johnston introduced “A bill for the proper observance of Sunday as a day of rest in the District of Columbia.” Having failed to secure the passage of the bill which he had drafted himself, after an effort covering a period of five years, Senator Johnston has now introduced the bill prepared by the legislative committee of the Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States—the identical bill which the secretary of the alliance, Dr. George W. Grannis, sought to have substituted for the Johnston bill during the last Congress. The measure reads as follows:—

“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this act it shall be unlawful in the District of Columbia for any person to labor or to employ any person to labor or to pursue any trade or worldly business on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, except in works of necessity or charity, and except also newspaper publishers and their employees, and except also public service corporations and their employees, in the necessary supplying of service to the people of the District. In works of necessity or charity is included whatever is needed for the good order and health of the community. It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or municipality, or any of their agents, directors, or officers, to require or permit any employees to work on the said day, excepting in household service, unless within the next succeeding six days during a period of twenty-four consecutive hours he or it shall neither require nor permit such employee to work in his or its employ.”

“Any person who shall violate the provisions of this act shall on conviction thereof be punished by a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $50 for the first offense, and for each subsequent offense by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100, and by imprisonment in the jail of the District of Columbia for a period of not less than one month nor more than three months in the discretion of the court.”

“SECTION 2.—That all prosecutions for violations of this act shall be in the police court of the District of Columbia and in the name of the District of Columbia.”

We shall not discuss this bill at the present time, further than to note that it contains no exemption clause in favor of those who observe another day, and that while it makes Sunday work possible on the part of an employee of “any person, partnership, firm, corporation, or municipality, or any of their agents,” it yet prohibits an individual from doing the very same kind of work for himself.

Application has already been made to the chairman of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia for a hearing upon this bill, and further report will be made as the matter develops.

W. W. PRESCOTT.

The Gospel to Every Nation

Two articles in the Field Work department this week will be found of special interest; namely, “The Message for the Blind,” by Elder S. N. Haskell, and “Progress of the Work Among the Jews,” by Elder F. C. Gilbert. It is interesting to note in these days of the rapid advancement of this movement the manner in which the gospel of the kingdom is being carried to all classes of people. The prophecy predicts that the message shall go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and we see the fulfilment of this word taking place before our eyes to-day. Soon the work of God will have been accomplished, and those who have been true and faithful will be gathered home. How small then will appear the sacrifice that is now required of us in the prosecution of this movement. Like the man in the parable, we may give our all for the purchase of the field, but we shall find the treasure so exceeding great that all which we may give will be counted as of little moment. What are a few years of toil compared with an eternity of bliss? What is the sacrifice required in the salvation of some soul compared with the satisfaction of seeing that soul saved to all eternity? We shall feel that heaven is cheap enough, and that no comparison can be drawn between the sacrifice we shall make in obtaining it and the infinite and inestimable blessing that God bestows in return.

Social Purity and the Press

SPEAKING of nude art and of the efforts which are being made for social purity, the Advance of April 3 aptly says:—

“At the very time the press is clamoring for higher wages in the interests of virtue, the papers, art critics, and book reviewers of Chicago are doing all they can by pictures, plays, and vulgar novels to disseminate the very vice they profess their anxiety to suppress. They don’t wish to suppress it. They are doing more to scatter it over the city than the white-slavers themselves.”

We believe in the suppression of the white slave traffic and in the punishment of the white-slavers, but we believe that if the reports of scandals and records of crime which are published in the newspapers were omitted, it would be going a long way in the prevention of an education that prepares the minds of men and women for the white slave traffic. A reform in purity that is effective will not only take hold of the outward activities of mankind, but must extend to the home and to the private lives of individuals. Many to-day need to pray the prayer of David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

Missionaries Bound for India

Last week Brother F. H. and Mrs. Loasby, of the Foreign Mission Seminary, sailed for England en route to India, under appointment of the Mission Board.

India and Burma at General Conference

India and Burma will be represented at the General Conference by J. L. Shaw, J. S. and Mrs. James, L. J. and Mrs. Burgess, R. A. and Mrs. Beckner, Miss Della Burroway, and several who are in this country on furlough.

Early Arrivals for the General Conference

AMONG early arrivals for the General Conference are Elder and Mrs. D. C. Babcock, of West Africa, who spent a few days in Washington last week. They will visit friends in Virginia and Ohio before the Conference.

Mission Field Representation

THERE are few mission fields now under direct General Conference supervision, that is, not included in some union organization. These fields will have representation at the General Conference, delegates and visitors, as follows: Mexico, G. W. and Mrs. Caviness, J. A. P. Green; Bahama Islands, W. A. and Mrs. Sweany; West Africa, D. C. and Mrs. Babcock; Hawaiian Islands, C. D. M. and Mrs. Williams.

Remember to Order

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE DAILY BULLETIN

Price, 50 cts. With Review 1 yr., $2.25