LEGISLATIVE WORK

During the present legislative period many of our Conferences have manifested a lively interest in this work, and we have found it impossible to meet the demands made upon us. We were, however, able to send the Sentinel to more than 4,000 lawmakers, State and national. Besides this work, Brother D. W. Reavis has placed with the members of the New York Legislature 200 copies of “Legal Sunday,” and 63 copies of “Two Republics,” representing more than 100,000 pages of excellent reading matter, that will find a permanent place in the libraries of these men.GCB April 7, 1901, page 110.7

Sunday laws have been introduced in several State Legislatures, but perhaps the most significant and influential legislation in behalf of Sunday was that enacted by Congress, when, just before the close of the recent session, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition bill was passed, with an amendment offered by Senator Teller, of Colorado, providing that “as a condition precedent to the payment of this appropriation [$5,000,000], the directors shall contract to close the gates to visitors on Sundays during the whole duration of the Fair.” Those who do not recognize any definite progress in religious legislation would do well to contrast the ease with which this legislation was secured with the strenuous opposition to similar action relative to the Columbian Exposition, seven years ago. It should also remind us of the importance of having a permanent representative in Washington.GCB April 7, 1901, page 110.8

Early in 1900 extensive plans were laid for educational work among the members of the W. C. T. U., owing to the fact that Sister Henry’s amendment relating to the Sabbath Observance Department was before that Organization. The effort involved numerous difficulties and large expense, but we received hearty support on the part of many who were deeply interested in the work that lay so near the heart of our lamented Sister Henry. Some “white ribboners” took a lively interest in the work, and assisted financially as well as by placing quantities of the tracts. Sister Henry’s appeal was placed with every officer, whether national, State, or local, and to lay members of the Union to the number of nearly 45,000 in all.GCB April 7, 1901, page 110.9

At the National Convention in Washington, D. C. (December, 1900), Sister Henry’s amendment was rejected by a vote of 315 to 12. The bravery of the twelve who publicly championed this unpopular measure before the influential representatives of national reform present on the occasion, is convincing proof that loyalty to liberty of conscience is still firmly intrenched in the hearts of some of these women. Our regret is that we were unable to do more; for we heartily believed that, as stated in an unpublished Testimony, “If far more earnest, devoted, determined efforts were made for such associations as the W. C. T. U., light would shine forth to souls who are honest as Cornelius. It was the Lord’s design that work should be done for the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, that those who are seeking light might be gathered out from those who are so bitterly opposed to the message God is giving to the world.”GCB April 7, 1901, page 110.10