VALPARAISO.—On the evening of Sunday, December 31, I took nearly three hundred copies of the Señales de los Tiempos to the meeting of our little church here. I proposed that if we were willing to do something to advance the Lord's work, we should begin right then, so that the new year might be started well. All faces were bright, anxious to know how to do something. Then I pointed to the papers, and said, “There are seeds to sow; who will help to sell them, that the truth may come before the people?” We prayed, asking the Lord for his blessing, and then nearly every one took a bundle, and went out to dispose of it. One brother said, “I have never sold any. I will go with Brother — to see how he does.” He soon learned how to offer the papers, and in three hours he sold sixty-six copies. In January he sold over eighty Señales and one hundred and forty tracts. So he continued, and is very enthusiastic. We hope he will develop into a good worker.
The others who went out to sell on that night also did well. One sold twenty-six papers, another twenty-nine, and another more than eighty. Altogether, we sold over two hundred copies that night, after our meeting.
As far as I can see, none of our believers have been discouraged by the fire that on November 10 destroyed our office and printing plant, but I see clearly that many have taken a new interest in the cause; so we are sure that the fire, as well as everything else, will prove to be for the good of those that love the Lord. Rom. 8:28.
Now is the time of our yearly meetings. The one in the north has already begun, and the others—in central and north Chile—will be held in February and the first part of March.
To-day (January 24) we received a cablegram announcing Elder Spicer's starting from Washington for Argentina. We are glad of this, and hope his help will be very profitable in our South American union meeting, in March. Brethren, pray for South America. The Lord will reward you plentifully for all you do to advance his holy cause.
E. W. THOMANN
Ottawa
By W. H. Thurston
A SUNDAY observance bill was introduced in the Dominion Parliament by Mr. Fitzpatrick, minister of justice, March 12, and had its first reading. It is a bill with an exemption clause. The bill provides that no sales or business can be done on the Lord's day (Sunday), but in the province of Quebec sales at church doors of country parishes are permitted.
What are regarded as works of necessity and mercy are defined, and are not prohibited. Games and performances where admission fee is charged are prohibited, as well as excursions by conveyance where a fee is charged. Shooting at targets is prohibited.
The penalties for the infraction of the act provide that for each offense the offender is liable to a fine of not less than one dollar and not exceeding forty dollars, together with the cost of the prosecution.
This bill is a modification of what was asked for by the promoters of Sunday laws, but it is religious legislation, and should be treated as such.
The Lord's Day Alliance claims to have one hundred thousand signatures to petitions favoring a Sunday law.
On March 14 our petitions protesting against religious legislation were presented by Hon. N. A. Belcourt, M. P. of Ottawa. In handing in the petitions I submitted the following statement, which was presented with the petitions: "Petitions protesting against the government passing any bill concerning the Lord's day, or any other religious rite, ceremony, or observance, which would in any way interfere with the right of religious freedom of any of His Majesty's subjects. These petitions contain 13,832 signatures of persons twenty-one years of age or more, as follows: British Columbia, 1,200; Alberta and Saskatchewan, 884; Manitoba, 1,508; Ontario, 7,136; Quebec, 1,547; New Brunswick, 551; Nova Scotia, 1,006; total, 13,832. Respectfully submitted by the Seventh-day Adventist denomination."
The next day the Ottawa papers gave very good reports of the proceedings, stating the reasons of the protest against the Sunday bill.
On March 15 a strong deputation of leading Hebrews from Montreal, Toronto, and Hamilton, representing17probably fifty thousand persons, appeared before the prime minister and the minister of justice and entered a protest against religious legislation and Sunday laws. It is reported that the prime minister admitted that their argument was a strong one, and that he practically promised to see that something was done to protect them.
I have had personal interviews with several of the members of Parliament, and have written letters to others, and have supplied the House quite well with reading-matter on the subject at issue. Thus the truth is being brought before men in authority, and the public press is reporting the progress of the work. In this movement the people of Canada are having their attention called to the advent message. Further development of the work at the Dominion capital will be reported from time to time.
W. H. THURSTON.
Straits Settlements
By E. H. Gates
SINGAPORE.—On my way to this place from Manila, I spent a few days in Canton, China. The time has fully come to begin work in Manila, and I hope we shall have a good man there soon. I wish we could have a good doctor there, too.
The work in Singapore is going along splendidly, in spite of the bitter opposition it has to meet. I have never seen much worse opposition. But Brother and Sister Jones are working faithfully, and their work is bearing fruit. I shall stay here a few months, and help them in every way possible.
E. H. GATES.
Canal Zone
By I. G. Knight
CRISTOBAL.—I left Bocas for this place soon after my wife took her departure for the States, pitched the tent, and we are now in the third week. Five were baptized last Sunday, and there are three more awaiting the rite. We have stirred up quite an interest, but the congregation changes so much that it is very difficult to accomplish a permanent work for many. I expect to close next week, as I am quite worn, having but little help in speaking. Brother Connor is here, doing all he can to assist. I will return to Bocas, after which I expect to make a trip to St. Andrews on the first boat leaving for that island. I failed in my plan some months ago to get there. I must urge the necessity of having some one to connect with me, as the work is so scattered that I can not attend to it as it should be. Some things must be neglected, or left so long, that in spite of the fact that we do all we can, some feel somewhat neglected.
I. G. KNIGHT.
China
By J. N. Anderson
According to previous arrangement, our Bible institute was held at Canton, December 15-30, and it was a very busy and profitable season for us. Every day was fully taken up in Bible study and devotional meetings. Our attendance was not all we could have desired, nor was it what we had hoped for; but all things considered, it was a very good season for us all. All the instruction fell to Brother Wilbur, Dr. Law Keem, and myself; and with our present attainments in the language, it made rather heavy work. All the leading points of our faith were dealt with.
The last Sabbath was full of good things. Two were baptized (both from Amoy), and we all took part in the Lord's supper in the afternoon. Elder Gates was with us on that occasion, he and Brother Caldwell having reached Canton the day before.
I am now on my way to Honan. I hope to reach there about January 23. It is a long and expensive trip. I plan to be back in Canton not later than March 14, and I may reach there February 28. In the latter case, I may meet my brother, at Shanghai, on his way to Hongkong. J. N. ANDERSON.
The New Zealand Camp-Meeting
By George Teasdale
The annual camp-meeting this year was held from January 12-28, in Wellington, the capital city. It is the second held here, and the eleventh held in the colony. A beautiful site was obtained in the suburb of Island Bay, about four miles from the center of the city, with which it is connected by electric trams. The time and place were well chosen for the convenience of our people. About two hundred and fifty were in regular attendance at the meetings, two hundred and fifteen of whom, counting the children, were encamped on the grounds. Fifty-one tents were pitched, including the pavilion and other public tents. It was the largest camp-meeting ever held in New Zealand by our people. The outside attendance at the evening meetings was not so good as we had hoped it would be, there being but little interest manifested outside of the immediate neighborhood.
CAMP-GROUND, ISLAND BAY, WELLINGTON
Wellington is noted for its strong winds, even in summer-time, and many people thought that tent life would be well nigh impossible in this exposed suburb. God has a care for his people, and in answer to their prayers beautiful weather prevailed all through the sixteen days of the meeting. People resident here noticed this.
The annual conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting, delegates from all the churches but two being present. Pastors O. A. Olsen and W. A. Hennig, of the Australasian Union Conference, and Dr. D. H. Kress, of the Sydney Sanitarium, were with us, also all the local laborers.
Twelve years ago a camp-meeting was held in this city. At that time also we had the pleasure of Brother Olsen's company, also that of Sister White and W. C. White. Frequent reference was made to lessons learned at that gathering. During the meetings many publicly announced their intention to serve the Lord, and twenty-five were baptized. Others who had left their first love renewed their vows, and expressed their determination to serve the Lord more faithfully than heretofore; and all were richly blessed. There was no discordant note nor word of discouragement heard throughout the meetings.
From 10:45 A. M. to 1 P. M. each day was devoted to the business of the conference. One by one the different departments of the work were considered, and plans arranged for the ensuing year. One of the most important decisions of the conference was that the time had fully come for New Zealand to have a local school where its youth might be prepared for the work. Seven hundred pounds in cash donations and pledges was given for this purpose, and a committee was appointed to select and secure a location. The Maori work was also freely discussed, and it was decided that the time had now fully come when the conference should take up this work in earnest. Brother W. J. Smith has responded to an invitation to make that his special work, and he will soon be engaged in giving to the Maoris the everlasting gospel.
Brother N. D. Faulkhead, who for many years was connected with the Echo Publishing Company, has come to this colony on the recommendation of the union conference, and is now engaged as conference secretary and bookkeeper. There are four ordained ministers laboring in the conference,—the president, S. M. Cobb, late of New South Wales, F. E. Lyndon, C. A. Paap, and the writer,—also two licensed preachers.
After camp-meeting three tent efforts were begun, two in the South Island and one in Wellington. There are also twenty canvassers in the field, each of whom is selling as many books as at any time in the past, although the population is small, and the territory has all been canvassed well many times.
GEO. TEASDALE.
Among the Workers of India
By W. W. Miller
Last December I left Calcutta for a visit among the workers of India, Burma, and Ceylon. Traveling in India is somewhat different from traveling in the States; but there is one advantage, it costs but little if one is content to travel third class. The trip from Calcutta to Bombay, a distance of twelve hundred and twenty-one miles, is made in forty-four hours and twenty-seven minutes, and the fare is rupees fifteen annas ten (five dollars). With plenty of bedding to cushion the board benches, I made myself comfortable, and enjoyed a very pleasant journey.
Elder C. A. Hansen, who had but recently arrived from western Michigan, met me at the station, and took me to his home, where I was well entertained. Sisters D. Ella Smith and Frieda Hae-gart were stopping with Elder Hansen and his wife while canvassing Bombay. All seemed to be enjoying their new field of labor. The next day after my arrival we were glad to welcome Brother and Sister Burgess back to India. They were full of courage, looking well, and anxious to get to work.
Sabbath morning I walked out in search of a village where Brother or Sister Burgess could speak to the natives. On my journey, which proved to be fruitless as far as the village was concerned, I found a road leading to a leper asylum. When I came to the gate, the derwan invited me to enter. Next the mali (gardener) met me, and I inquired who conducted the meetings in their church. He told me that a Catholic priest came every Thursday to say mass. The mali then directed me to the superintendent, who received me cordially. I told him that I was trying to do a little good in the world, and would like permission to bring some young people to sing and talk to the lepers. He answered, “Come along, and you will be welcome.”
In the afternoon we went, and Brother Burgess spoke to them in Hindi, which they seemed to understand quite well, though most of them speak Mahrati. We conversed with some of them, and one old lady to whom Sister Haegart spoke, showed her appreciation of the love of God by saying, “If it were not for the love of God, I should have no place to stay.” As she said this, her eyes filled with tears. I was so impressed with her statements that I exclaimed, “What a victory for the Lord to have one in her awful condition acknowledge him in such a public way!” We all felt that still the lepers give God glory. They seemed to enjoy our visit and the singing very much, and invited us to come again; but such looking creatures of humanity I never saw before. There are three hundred lepers in this18asylum, and it would be a hard heart that would not go out in sympathy for these poor souls. Where are the workers who are willing to go among these people and tell them of the One who cleansed the lepers?
We asked some Parsee gentlemen how we would be treated if we went among them to tell them of our faith, and they replied that we would be welcomed and treated kindly, but they thought we would not make many converts, as they knew of only one Parsee in Bombay who had embraced Christianity. The Parsees number about one hundred thousand, and Bombay contains a larger per cent of them than any other place. They are thrifty business men, and it is said that the question with them is not, Is it right? but, Will it pay? Joseph Wolf preached the first advent to them, and now we must give them the third angel’s message as well. If they listened to him, they will doubtless listen to us, and in the near future we shall plan to reach them.
Bangalore was my next stopping place, six hundred and ninety-two miles from Bombay. Here Brother H. B. Myers met me, and entertained me at his home. The families with whom Sisters Meyers and Orr had been holding readings were deeply interested. While visiting these we prayed with them whenever the way opened, and I do not remember that I had ever prayed audibly so many times in a day as I did there.
At one place where we gave a reading on the twelfth of Revelation, an old lady said, “This reminds me of Philip and the eunuch. I have often read that chapter, but never understood it; but now you have guided me, and I understand.” This was a native family, but they spoke English. Each child had a Bible and looked on attentively.
Sister Orr had been invited to take charge of the Methodist prayer-meeting during the absence of the minister, and, of course, took the opportunity to weave in some of the truth. The people became deeply interested, and her meetings were kept up after the minister returned. The house would hardly hold those who came. I had the privilege of speaking to them on the seventh trumpet. All gave the best of attention, and at the close of the meeting showed their friendliness by a hearty handshake. One of the leaders remarked that an interest had been awakened which some one should look after. In the last letter I received from Sister Orr, she said that they would soon need to get larger quarters for their meetings, and asked that a public effort be made in Bangalore. Of course we would be glad to do this, but the answer had to be the same old story, “No one to send.”
Leaving Bangalore, I started for Tuticorin, where I intended to take a steamer for Columbo. This trip was four hundred and eighty-one miles. At the last station before reaching Tuticorin, the door of our compartment was locked, and a doctor examined us to see if we were free from plague, and asked if we could give a good account of ourselves. The results of his investigation were telegraphed on to Tuticorin. All who travel third class come under the strictest regulations, so, when we went to purchase our tickets for Columbo, we were asked if we had been fumigated. As we had not, they informed us that it would be necessary to have it attended to before tickets would be issued. One man began to argue the question, but I thought best to submit, and hurried off at once. My clothing was removed, and together with the bedding was put into a boiler. It came back minus the starch, and I had to put it on damp as I had no time to lose. It did not take long to get my ticket this time, and I was soon off for the boat, happy that I fared as well as I did. Truly the Lord cared for me all the way, and I found every one with whom I had to deal very kind and considerate. My visit to Columbo will be reported later. W. W. MILLER.
The Death of Prof. August Kunze
By C. C. Lewis
The readers of the REVIEW were shocked to read in a recent issue of the sudden death of Prof. August Kunze, and they have doubtless waited anxiously for the promised particulars.
Our brother had not been usually strong during the year. Some indications of failing health had been observed, and students had been concerned about the matter, and had suggested that he take a few days’ vacation. Finally he consented to do so, and left College View, Sunday, February 18, for a short visit with his brother, Charles Kunze, of Elida, N. M., his students taking charge of his classes while he was away. He remained at his brother’s about one week, and was not very well while there. Especially during the last day or two he complained of pain in his lungs, for which they gave him treatment. His brother was loath to have him start on his homeward journey. He reached Kansas City all right; for there Elder E. T. Russell met him in the union depot, and did not become aware of his serious illness, only noticing that he did not seem very strong.
When he reached home, however, the next morning, February 27, he was thoroughly sick, his mind wandering part of the time. He still thought he was on the train. After a day or two, however, he improved in this respect, and was able to recall the fact that before reaching Lincoln he began to feel very ill, and with difficulty found his way to the street-car after getting off the train. He improved for a few days, and a serious termination was not expected. It was thought that long-continued study and sedentary habits had brought on nervous prostration, from which he would recover by taking rest and tonic treatments. For this purpose he was taken to the sanitarium daily in a wheel-chair, and was able to walk about the house, and sit in the sunshine on the porch. As late as Friday, March 9, on returning from treatment, he got out of the chair, and walked up the steps and into the house alone.
By this time a difficulty of breathing, like a choking sensation, had developed. A medical council was held, and careful examination revealed grave valvular trouble of the heart. From this time his condition grew alarmingly worse. He was obliged to sit up constantly to breathe. But his mind grew clearer. He knew everything and everybody. Seasons of prayer were held for him, and on Tuesday the elders of the church were called in, and the directions of the apostle James were followed. But it was not the Father’s will that he should recover.
Wednesday afternoon it was thought the end was at hand. His friends were permitted to see him. He had messages for them all, and invoked blessings upon them separately. For hours he quoted Scripture and prayed incessantly, although every word had to be spoken by itself after a gasp for breath. In this manner he prayed for his friends, for his classes, for the school, and that the Lord would choose his successor. Contrary to expectations, he lived twenty-four hours longer, passing to rest at 8:30 P. M., March 15.
His last hours were more quiet, and his end peaceful. Perhaps not more than two hours before his death, he opened his eyes, and, recognizing his fellow teacher in the German department, said, “God bless Brother Grauer.” After death all trace of pain passed away, and in his casket he looked indeed as if he had but wrapped the drapery of his couch about him, and had lain down to pleasant dreams.
An obituary containing the facts concerning his life will be furnished by Professor Grauer.
Personal Reminiscences
I first became acquainted with Professor Kunze in the fall of 1886, when I returned, after a year’s absence, to finish my studies at Battle Creek College. He had recently embraced the truth, and had been employed as one of the teachers. We roomed and boarded together at the home of Professor Brownsberger, the first president of the college. I was in Professor Kunze’s class in Hebrew that winter, with Elders Uriah Smith and L. R. Conradi, and two or three others whom I do not now recall. We became fast friends and bosom companions.
After this our paths diverged until we met again at Keene Academy in 1896. He had been teaching there a year. We labored together for five years. He remained at Keene a year after I went to Walla Walla, and then spent a year on the farm in Michigan. Then two years ago, we were both called to Union College, where I had hoped we might labor together for several years. Thus I have been closely associated with him for eight years, sustaining to him successively the relationship of roommate, pupil, and fellow teacher. This intimacy ought to qualify me to give a just estimate of his character and work. I shall mention only prominent characteristics.
Professor Kunze was a diligent student and profound scholar. He delighted to be in his study surrounded by his books. His library is comprehensive and valuable, embracing chiefly reference works and works on literature, language, and theology. He was especially gifted in language, being a teacher of Hebrew, Greek, Latin, German, and English, and having a working knowledge of French and Spanish.
He was a thorough teacher, informing and inspiring his pupils with his store of knowledge ready for every lesson. He insisted upon their doing thorough work. He was not satisfied to have them go along in a careless way. He believed they were in school to study and learn, and not to spend time. And he always set them an example of diligence in study.19
He was a careful critic, editor, and translator. He edited our German paper in this country and in the Old World. He translated into German several of our standard denominational books, such as “Great Controversy,” “Steps to Christ,” and “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.”
He was a strict disciplinarian for himself as well as for his pupils. Nevertheless he was a generous and warm-hearted companion. His most intimate friends know how genial and hospitable he was as an entertainer at his own home.
Above all, he was a praying and faith-exercising Christian. He loved the Lord and waited for his appearing. His mind was stored with Scripture, so that for hours while waiting for his release, he quoted word by word between the paroxysms of his labored breathing, but with unfailing accuracy, the precious promises of God.
In the light of these qualities, and before the work of this useful life, how insignificant seem his human frailties. He now rests from his labors, but his works do follow him.
It is difficult to estimate the loss which Union College sustains, and it will be hard to fill the place made vacant by his death. Let us join in one of his dying petitions that the Lord would choose his successor.
Personally I feel that I have lost a strong supporter and a faithful friend,—one of a company associated together in former days, but now scattered afar or fast passing to their rest. I shall miss thee, dear friend,—miss thy glance of sympathy and approval, and thy words of cheer; miss thy strenuous embrace and hearty salutation after separation; miss the sustaining power of thy prayers of faith. But not for long! The battle will soon be over and the victory won. Then we shall meet, no more to part. Rest in peace! Thou hast fought a good fight. Thou hast finished thy course. Thou hast kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give thee at that day: and not to thee only, but unto all them, also, that love his appearing.
C. C. LEWIS.
Field Notes
Elder D. U. Hale reports the baptism of five persons near Grady, I. T.
A church of sixteen members was recently organized at North Branch, Mich.
A church of twenty members has recently been organized in the Agricultural and Normal School at Madison, Tenn.
Brother Charles F. Ulrich reports that three persons have accepted the Sabbath truth at Hill, N. H., and many others are interested.
A Korean brother, who spent several months in Tokyo, Japan, has recently completed setting the type for a tract which he translated from Japanese into Korean.
Brother R. E. Harter reports opposition to his meetings at Willow Lake, S. D., but states that the opposing preacher did more for the truth in one night “than we could have done in a month,” the result being that “some of those who were halting took their stand for the truth.”
Eighteen persons were received into the Wilmington, Del., church, March 10, all by baptism, except two who came from the Baptist church. Others who are keeping the Sabbath expect to be baptized soon.
Among recent converts to the truth in Boston, Mass., is a gentleman who publishes a paper, and has been a trustee of the People’s Temple (Methodist) church. Elder F. C. Gilbert has begun services in the Jewish mission in that city.
Brother C. A. Hansen writes from Bombay, India, that he expects to give a series of studies on Daniel, at the Methodist Episcopal church. They are getting the local language nicely. The number of their English-speaking readers is growing every day.
The Atlantic Union Gleaner states: “March 14 Elder Hersum wrote from Richmond, Maine: ‘The Lord is at work in this conference. Twenty-five have accepted the truth since our last camp-meeting. Some of these are persons who had given up the truth and had been reclaimed.’”
A Hindustani man has lately begun the observance of the Sabbath in India. He is a Bible student of no mean ability. He has given up his tobacco, and is with Brother Barlow at the Simultala Mission. Brother W. W. Miller writes: “The work is bound to advance in India, as well as in other places, but perhaps not so fast.”
Elder E. E. Franke has begun a course of meetings in Philadelphia, which city has been considerably stirred by the Torrey-Alexander revival effort. Dr. Torrey, who has a wide reputation as an evangelist, is a strong opponent of the Sabbath truth and other views of Seventh-day Adventists, and it is believed the course of meetings by Elder Franke will be timely.
Guy Dail writes: “It may be of interest to you to know that the work is onward in the German East African Mission. We are now to open another—a third—station there, in the near future. God is blessing our workers in that land. They have their share of hardship and trouble, and sickness; but we are sure that all who give of their means to spread the message abroad will receive a rich reward in the near future.”
Brother Geo. L. Budd writes that in company with Brother Skadsheim, of the Ponsford, Minn., church, whose place was later taken by Brother Chapman, he began meetings in a hall at that place, which have now continued about two and one-half months, the result being that ten persons have accepted the truth, and others are on the point of making a decision. Among those who have taken their stand are a merchant and his wife, who are very influential people in the community.
We take the following from a letter by Brother S. A. Lockwood, of Kobe, Japan: “Several are awaiting baptism in Heroshuna, where Dr. Tatsuguchi and his wife are located. There are also some near Nagasaki, awaiting Brother Kuniya’s coming, for baptism. With the addition of Dr. Kawasaki’s family in the south, we hope the day is not far distant when the Nagasaki and Heroshuna churches will be established.”
Sister Lulu Wightman reports from Bath, N. Y., where meetings have been in progress for several months: “For the work that has been put upon this special field there has been a good return. On an average, twenty-two persons have been attending the Sabbath meetings for some weeks past, and I can safely say that at least half this number are observing the day in a spiritual sense; I mean that they are obeying in both the letter and the spirit.”
Brother F. A. Allum, of Australia, writes that he expects to sail for China, to join Dr. Miller, April 24. Speaking of his experience in canvassing to obtain his transportation, he says: “I have had a rich experience in the canvassing field. I have taken, with the Lord’s help—and to him I give all the praise and glory—in eight weeks three hundred and eighty orders for ‘Coming King,’ valued at £190. I shall canvass until March, and will then have funds sufficient.” This was written before he knew that the young people of the States were raising a fund to place him and his wife in China.
Workers in Texas are located in the following-named places: Elders W. M. Cubley and T. W. Field at Pecan Grove; Brethren C. W. Miller and H. Schmidt at Henrietta, where two have accepted the truth; Elder D. U. Hale will visit Houston and points in northeastern Texas; Brother J. I. Taylor is at Attoyac; Brethren N. V. Willess and W. L. Beardon are at Lufkin; Elder E. B. Hopkins is in northeast Texas; Elder W. A. McCutchen is at Dallas; Brother E. L. Neff is at San Antonio; Elder W. W. Eastman has the oversight of the canvassing work, and reports an encouraging prospect.
Sister Annie Higgins, the secretary of the New South Wales, Australia, Tract Society, has organized children’s divisions of the tract and missionary society of the churches all over that State. The object is to educate the children in working for foreign missions. She has prepared lessons on several of our island missions; these begin with something about the geography, customs, etc., and then take up the beginning of gospel work in the islands, and from this to the present time our own work. Many of the children can give a history of the work in the missions, telling the names of the missionaries, when they first went, where they first landed, how they started their work, and much more. The parents too are interested, and always attend the meetings. Many say that they have learned more about our missions since these children’s meetings started than they had known before. Such a plan would be helpful in any church.
Recent Experiences in New Orleans
By S. B. Horton
SUNDAY law agitation has found its way to New Orleans, and from now until the meeting of the legislature in May a campaign in behalf of more stringent Sunday enactments will be prosecuted in this city especially.
On Sunday, March 4, a mass-meeting of barbers was held in New Orleans in behalf of laying plans for forcing all barber shops to close on Sunday. Some of the barbers desire a day off, but fearing that other shops might secure their trade, they desire a law to force all to close.
A Baptist minister was present at this meeting, and made the principal speech. Among other things he said: “I am here to help your cause, as it is a righteous cause. As to Sunday rest, I am an American, and we have an American sabbath. Sunday rest is so ingrained in our American sabbath that for any to oppose its observance is to invite anarchy. Our chief executive, legislators, and other officials lay aside their labors and observe the day. And why not accord this privilege to the barbers? We want to claim our rights in this government. The nation and State have the right to rest, and why should not this right permeate even the barber shops? Shaving on Sunday is not an act of mercy or necessity. On the contrary, it is merciless to demand a shave on Sunday. And when one barber would like to close on Sunday, he sees the possibility of his competitors securing his trade; this is merciless, and so we should have a law to compel all to close to conserve equal rights. There are those who would like to go to the house of God on Sunday, but they can not do this under present conditions. My appeal to you is to contend for your rights on this day. You have the right as an American citizen to do so. I shall help you all I can.”
A lawyer, who will probably represent the barbers before the legislature, in his address advised that great care be used in “tinkering” with the present Sunday law. Several barbers spoke. One said that he had not enjoyed a Sunday rest for sixteen years, except when he had the typhoid fever, and that he had not been inside of a church for the three years of his married life. He thought that a law should be passed to help along that line.
On the same day the president of the Anti-Saloon League in Louisiana spoke in two of the churches, giving expression to thoughts which are to serve as texts for the pulpits from this time onward. In one of his discourses, he said: “Our heritage is truth; and shall we let the liquor power and the Sunday law-breaker join in an iniquitous force, and opposing with their concentrated might all that stands for good, take the torch of our civilization from us? Shall the blessed sabbath day disappear forever—the day our fathers bled for? Here are some of the truths we may lose. The Lord’s day—go through the city, everywhere the hum of wheels strikes your ear, and the open door of the barroom insults your gaze. . . . The afternoon comes, and the baseball park is crowded; and when evening grows into night, the theaters throw open their doors as a lure, and where is the sabbath?
“The saloon must depart from our civilization; it has no part in the scheme. The churches are lined up against it, and either the one or the other must go down. The saloon or the church—which shall it be? for the struggle is to the death, even if the sacred institution of worship must perish before the arch-enemy of God.”
These incidents and expressions are indicative of the stirring times which are before us in this section, and we must be aroused, and must rise to the opportunities afforded us in giving this message to the people of our country.
