BATTLE CREEK, MICH., 
AUGUST, 
1889. 
NOTICE. 
— We would suggest that those receiving more than 
one copy of this extra should hand or send them to such 
persons 
as would be suitable ones to engage in the religious 
liberty 
work. 
Where an insufficient number has been sent, more can be obtained 
by addressing 
your 
State secretary, 
or where there is none, the 
International 
Society, Battle Creek, Mich. 
THE 
NATIONAL 
RELIGIOUS 
LIBERTY 
ASSOCIATION. 
ON Sunday evening, July 14, 1889, at a large and 
enthusiastic meeting in the Tabernacle, at Battle 
Creek, Mich., the National Religious Liberty Asso-
ciation was organized, and the following Declaration 
of Principles and Constitution were adopted : — 
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES. 
Wo believe in the religion taught by Jesus Christ. 
We believe in temperance, and favor a total suppres 
sion of the liquor traffic. 
We believe in supporting the civil government, 
and submitting to its authority. 
We deny the right of any civil government to legis-
late on religious questions. 
We believe it is the right, and should be the privi-
lege, of every man to worship according to the dic-
tates of his own conscience. 
We also believe it to be our duty to use every 
lawful and 
honorable means to prevent religious 
legislation by the civil government, that we and our 
fellow citizens may enjoy the inestimable blessings of 
both religious and civil liberty. 
CONSTITUTION. 
ARTICLE I. — 
NAME. 
THIS Society shall be called the NATIONAL 
RELIG-
IOUS LIBERTY ASSOCIATION. 
ARTICLE II. — OBJECT. 
The object of this Association shall be to protect 
the rights of conscience ; to maintain a total separa-
tion between religion and the civil government; and 
by means of the platform and the press to educate 
the public mind on the relations that should exist be-
tween the church and the state. 
ARTICLE III. — 
MEMBERS. 
All persons approving these objects and who will 
subscribe to the Declaration of Principles, as above 
set forth, may be members of the Association by the 
payment of one dollar and an annual due thereafter 
of one dollar. 
ARTICLE IV. — OFFICERS. 
SECTION 1. 
The officers of this Association shall be 
a President, First Vice-President, Secretary, Assistant 
Secretary, Treasurer, an Editorial Committee of five, 
and an Executive Committee of seven, of which the 
President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Assistant 
Secretary shall be members. 
SEC. 2. 
The 
Executive 
Committee 
shall 
have 
power to appoint a Vice-President, a District Secre-
tary, and a Press Agent in each State and Territory, 
who shall work under the direction of the Executive 
Committee. 
SEC. 3. 
The officers of this Association shall be 
elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Asso-
ciation, notice of which shall be published at least 
th ree weeks before such meeting is held, and the 
members present shall constitute a quorum. 
ARTICLE V. — FUNDS. 
SECTION 1. 
All funds arising from membership fees 
and annual dues shall be used according to the dis-
cretion of the Executive Committee in the defense of 
members who may be prosecuted in consequence of re-
ligious intolerance and unjust and oppressive legisla-
2 
THE HOME 
MISSION A RY. — EXTRA. 
tion, and for the publication and distribution of 
literature upon the principles of the Association, and 
for the support of lecturers in the field. 
SEC 2. 
The Executive Committee may call for 
contributions, and accept donations for special enter-
prises and emergencies that may arise, as funds are 
needed. 
ARTICLE 
VI.—AMENDMENTS. 
This Constitution may be amended by a three-
fourths' vote of those present at any regular meeting ; 
provided notice of the proposed change has been 
published at least three weeks before such meeting 
convenes. 
The officers elected were: 
President, 
Clement 
Eldridge ; First 
Vice-President, D. T. Jones ; Secre-
tary, W. H. Mc Kee ; Assistant Secretary, A. F. Bal-
lenger. 
The necessity for an organization of this character 
is so well understood by the readers of the HOME 
MISSIONARY, that lengthy remarks will not be neces-
sary upon this point. 
This Association is a most wel-
come re-enforcement, in the battle which the mem-
bers of the International Tract Society have been 
waging for the past twelve months, against the en-
croachments of the National Reform Association, the 
American Sabbath Union, and their numerous allies. 
It is a matter of the greatest satisfaction that the 
members of the International Tract Society were 
ready upon such short notice to engage so heartily 
in the contest for freedom of conscience, and that 
they were enabled in a few weeks to secure about one 
quarter of a million signatures to the petitions oppos-
ing all religious legislation, which number since their 
presentation has been swelled to about four hundred 
thousand. 
They have also placed in the field about 
twenty thousand of the new pamphlets, and several 
hundred thousand copies of the Sentinel tracts, and a 
million copies of the American Sentinel. 
This good work should be continued without abate-
ment. 
Our Society is a strong one, and capable of 
doing much more than it is accomplishing at present. 
When the next Congress convenes, we ought to have 
the signatures of more than a million petitioners ; 
and during this intervening time, we should place a 
hundred thousand copies of the "National Sunday 
Law," " Civil Government and Religion," and other 
pamphlets of this character that are being issued as 
numbers of the "Sentinel library," in the hands of 
those who are becoming interested in the question at 
issue. 
We shall gladly welcome the National Religious 
Liberty Association as an ally in this noble work, 
and we should give it our unqualified support in the 
prosecution of its special work of defending persons 
persecuted for conscience' sake, placing lecturers in 
the field, and of securing a wide dissemination of its 
principles through the press. 
THE 
PRESENT 
WORK 
OF 
THE 
NATIONAL 
RE-
FORM 
ASSOCIATION 
AND THE AMERICAN 
SABBATH 
UNION. 
THERE is no question with regard to the swift 
progress now being made by the National Reform 
Association, strengthened as it is by the united la-
bors of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union 
organization and the various Sabbath unions. 
This 
National Reform movement is making itself felt all 
over our land. 
As we see how fast it is making 
its encroachments, and watch the newly organized 
forces wheeling into line in our various States and 
Territories, we can but feel as one writer in the 
Sentinel expresses it, "They are on the eve of a 
fearful success." 
But are we ready to have our liberties thus in-
terfered with? Is our work done? Has the warn-
ing message accomplished its work? We quote from 
Sister White : " We do not believe the time has fully 
come when God would have our liberties restricted." 
VALUE AND NECESSITY OF PETITIONS. 
Believing that religious liberty is our God-given 
right, and that any movement is antichristian which 
would deprive one single individual of this " inaliena-
ble right," it is not only our privilege, but our duty, 
to protest against an enforced Christianity. 
Although the bills presented to the last Congress 
are dead, the movement for the Sunday law and the 
religious amendment are by no means dead ; far from 
it, as we well know. 
As they propose to swell their 
number of petitions at the next session of Congress 
in behalf of a Sunday bill, so our counter-petitions 
should speak forth an earnest protest from every 
loyal, liberty-loving heart. 
Let us be diligent in 
the circulation of the petitions and the spread of 
the truth which makes known the principles of 
righteousness and liberty. 
We quote from Eld. Corliss in HOME 
MISSIONARY, 
respecting the next Congress : — 
" Many of the leading politicians of the country 
are of the opinion that a special session of Congress 
will be called next November. 
This is one month 
earlier than it usually meets." 
We know not how limited may be our time for un-
interrupted labor. 
Therefore, as the Lord in mercy 
has given us this little time of assured peace and lib-
erty, it becomes us to show our gratitude by conse-
crating our hearts and our lives anew to his service. 
THE 
HOME 
MISSIONARY. — EXTRA. 
6 
WHAT 
SHOULD 
BE 
DONE AT 
ONCE. 
ALL who will study the progress of the National 
Reform, movement, can readily see that the enforce-
ment of Sunday observance, and the opposition to 
this from those who regard it as an encroachment 
upon their civil and religious rights, are fast becoming 
topics of absorbing interest, with both religious and 
political leaders. 
Those who have carefully watched the growth of 
this movement, and understand from the study of the 
prophecies what its influence upon the nation will be, 
realize to some extent their individual responsibility 
to point out to others the alarming result which will 
follow these efforts to secure the enforcement of the 
tenets of the church by the authority of the State. 
They are ready to improve every available opportu-
nity to call the attention of others to the gravity of 
this question, and to the duty of all who love liberty 
to stand firmly in opposition to the encroachments of 
the Sunday institution, as it is pressed into promi-
nence by popular church leaders. 
During the last session of Congress, while a power-
ful effort was being made to secure the passage of the 
Blair Sunday bill, there was considerable activity 
among those who opposed it; but since Congress 
has adjourned and that particular bill is dead, many 
have seemed to feel that there was less necessity for 
earnest and untiring opposition to National Reform 
principles. 
But this is not the case. 
The advocates 
of National Reform are working untiringly to influ-
ence public opinion. 
State and county Sabbath (Sun-
day) Unions ai-e being organized in each State, with 
branches in towns and villages. 
Petitions in favor of 
a national Sunday law are being gathered by the 
hundreds of thousands. 
Pastors are instructing their 
congregations to regard these measures, which we 
believe will result in the union of church and state, 
as most beneficial to the welfare of both church and 
uation. 
And in view of all this, what are we doing? 
— Almost nothing. 
And why are we doing so little ? 
Let each one answer for himself. 
There is a work to be done just now that can be done 
better at the present than at any future time; and 
this work requires the co-operation of every class of 
laborers engaged in the proclamation of the third an-
gel's message. 
1. The officers of each Conference should select a 
minister to devote his entire time to working in the 
interests of religious liberty, by lecturing in the coun-
ty-seats, and the important cities of the State. 
They 
should also be selecting those whom they can encour-
. ao-e to attend a short course of instruction to be given 
in Battle Creek during November and December, on 
the principles of civil government, and the proper re-
lation of civil government and religion. 
From such 
persons the Religious Liberty Association can select 
Vice-Presidents, Secretaries, and Press Agents, that 
will do honor to the cause they represent. 
2. Each minister who is interested in the defense 
of religious liberty should present to his congrega-
tion, not only the facts relative to the movements now 
in progress both for and against the enforcement of 
Sunday laws, but also the dangerous principles which 
underlie these movements. They should be presented 
in so clear and careful a manner that all may discern 
which party in this conflict is promulgating the prin-
ciples laid down by our Lord Jesus Christ. 
It will 
be a great mistake for any one to say, " As 1 have 
not given this subject as much study as Bro. A., 1 
will not speak upon it, but will request him to come 
and present it to my congregation." It will be vastly 
more to the advantage of your congregation for you 
to present the matter simply, clearly, and in connec-
tion with other kindred truths, than to leave it for 
another to present who may be with you only a few 
days. 
3. The directors of State tract societies have a 
grave responsibility resting upon them, in connection 
with this work. 
Each one should be carefully study-
ing the work and the workers in his district, and 
should be ready to assist the leading members in each 
local society in selecting those who may bear special 
responsibility in the woi*k to be done in their village 
or town, and its vicinity. 
4. Each librarian should see that the society is 
furnished with a liberal supply of petitions, Sentinel 
tracts, copies of the Sentinel, and the new pamphlets 
which treat upon this issue. The librarian should also 
study diligently to be familiar with the situation iu his 
locality, and be prepared to assist the director in the 
selection and instruction of persons needed to do 
special work. 
5. The present crisis demands that every member 
shall be prepared to do earnest, intelligent work for 
the Master. 
To this end familiarity with the prin-
ciples of National Reform are needful. 
Consecrated 
individuality is demanded now 
as never before. 
Each member should study the plans recommended 
by the leaders of the Society, that he may act in 
harmony with his fellow laborers. 
And in addition 
to this, he must study the opportunities and demands 
of the cause in his own neighborhood, as no other 
one can study it for him. 
There is earnest work to 
be done this summer, that our friends and neighbors 
may be prepared to understand the issues that will 
4 
THE HOME 
MISSION A RY. — EXTRA. 
arise during the coining Congress. 
If we neglect our 
present duty, we can expect but limited success in 
the coming crisis. 
This is the time when we should 
be placing the Sentinel, the Sentinel tracts, and other 
literature of this character, in the hands of neighbors 
and fellow-citizens. 
This is the time when our 
prayers should follow our labors, and our weakness 
give place to strength. 
PLANS FOR THE CANVASS. 
OUK Tract Society has a great work before it. 
Its membership is nearly fifteen thousand, of whom 
perhaps one-fifth can be depended upon as active 
laborers in the work of distributing religious liberty 
literature, and in securing numerous signers to the 
petitions opposing Sunday legislation. A much larger 
number will help occasionally as they have special 
opportunity, but we ought, during the present sea-
son, to be able to depend upon five thousand of 
our members for regular systematic work. 
To these 
we will say that the first requisite to success is an 
appreciation of the importance ot the work, which 
will necessarily lead to a desire for a — 
SPECIAL 
PREPARATION. 
Those who labor should feel their dependence upon 
divine wisdom, and should seek to be closely con-
nected with him who has said, " Without me ye can 
do nothing." Earnest study should also be given the 
publications to be used, that there may be a familiar-
ity with the vital truths which they contain, thus 
enabling' those who go forth, to labor intelligently 
for others in the cause of religious liberty and other 
kindred truths of God. 
It is of great importance that we have a consistent 
and well-defined plan. 
This is necessary that the 
efforts of various workers may harmonize; so that 
each step in the work will prepare the way for the 
one which is to follow. 
The following recommendations are not intended 
to preclude individual planning, and the adoption of 
other methods which may be better suited to indi-
vidual circumstances; but they are given with the 
hope that they may be helpful to all, and especially 
to thosu whose opportunity of study and experience 
111 this line of work may be limited. 
DIVISION OF LABOR. 
Wherever there are several persons to engage in 
the work, there should be a careful division of labor, 
giving to each one that part which he is best fitted 
to perform. 
For instance, in a village of three or 
four thousand inhabitants, there may be three or 
four persons whom the Society would select as being 
qualified for the work. 
One of these might be chose , 
to work especially with the officials, the editors, law-
yers, and professional men of the town. 
Another 
might be chosen to work with the business men. 
To the other two could be assigned the house-to-
house canvass of the place. 
Where a number are 
to work together, it might be well for one to be ap-
pointed leader, as is done in other., canvassing 
companies. 
PLAN FOR WORK WITH BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL J1EN. 
Secure a sufficient number of American Sentinels so 
that one may be placed in the hands of each of the 
men whom you will afterward call upon, to solicit 
their subscription. 
Distribute these a few days be-
fore you intend to call upon them with the petition 
and to secure the subscription. 
Let each Sentinel be 
accompanied by a circular, setting forth in a brief 
and pointed manner the objects of the Sentinel, the 
facts relative to the efforts being made in behalf 
of a national Sunday law, with a brief history of 
the " fourteen-million petition," and of our counter-
petition, with a statement that you will call in a few 
days to request their signature to our petition, and 
that you would then be pleased to receive their sub-
scription to the American Sentinel for a year, or if 
they choose, for six months, on trial. 
If the Sentinel 
used has a good notice of the pamphlet "Civil Gov-
ernment and Religion," with a combined offer for it 
and the Sentinel for six months or a year, it will be 
helpful. 
When the canvass is begun, secure if possible not 
only the signature to the petition, but the subscrip-
tion for both the Sentinel and the pamphlet, of the 
most prominent men of the place. 
Conduct the can-
vass in such a way that all can see that your desire 
to obtain subscribers is secondary to, and the result 
of, your desire that they shall understand the gravity 
of the controversy, and the animus of the Sunday 
movement. 
Leave with each one who will not sub-
scribe, a few of the Sentinel tracts, with such pas-
sages marked as you think will specially interest him 
THE 
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE 
CANVASS. 
As in many eases we shall meet at their homes the 
wives and daughters of the business men to whom we 
have presented the Sentinel with " Civil Government 
and Religion," we recommend for the house-to house 
canvass an entirely different plan. For this we propose 
that the worker take the petition, the Sentinel tracts, 
and the "National Sunday Law." The petition should 
be introduced first, and while it is being signed, the 
worker can decide whether to present next the 
pamphlet or the Sentinel tracts, 
in cases where 
5 THE 
HOME 
MISSION A RY. — EXTRA. 
there is great indifference or poverty, it may be best 
to introduce the tracts only. 
In all other cases, make 
an earnest effort to sell the pamphlet, or the pamphlet 
and the tracts together ; and wherever it seems ad-
visable, introduce the Sentinel, and solicit a subscrip-
tion for it also. 
In this work, leave no just cause for 
any one to think that your chief anxiety is for the 
money you receive from the pamphlets and tracts. 
In cases where you sell nothing, leave at least one 
good tract with some passages marked, and always 
be hearty in expressing your thanks for their signa-
ture to the petition, and your appreciation for the 
courtesy shown in listening to the presentation of 
this subject which you consider of such vital im-
portance. 
We must never show annoyance at in-
difference, impatience, or rudeness. 
Few understand 
the importance of the issue, and for this reason few 
will understand our earnestness in this work. 
THE following letter from Eld. Gates, of Pueblo, 
Colo., to Eld. W. C. White, gives the practical work-
ings of a special canvass in the interests of National 
Reform, recently carried forward in that State : — 
" DEAR 
BROTHER : In regard to using the ' Civil 
Government and Religion,' and the 'National Sunday 
Law,' we were quite successful in disposing of them, 
especially in Denver. 
When I heard that Dr. Crafts 
was coming, I decided that he should have a warm 
reception. 
So I ordered several thousand copies of 
the special edition of the Sentinel and a quantity of 
the ' National Sunday Law,' and called a meeting of 
the church to devise plans to get this reading before 
the people. 
The brethren responded readily, and in 
a few minutes raised about $75. 
I then asked the 
sisters and others who could, to go out and sell the 
pamphlets. 
The first day, nearly one hundred books 
were sold; and in a few days nearly six hundred 
had been disposed of. 
I also sent to the other 
places where Crafts was to speak, asking our peo-
ple to do as we had done in Denver, and ordered a 
large number of Sentinels for them. 
All took hold 
of it heartily. 
We disposed of nearly eight hundred 
of the books. 
At Pueblo, one thousand papers were 
put out, and Mr. Crafts's attendance was very small. 
Bills of his speech were posted up all over town, but 
only a few attended. 
So instead of going to Fort 
Collins, where he was advertised to speak, he left 
the State. 
At Colorado Springs, he had but two 
hundred in attendance, and that is the place where 
he got out his article in the paper. 
At Denver our 
work hurt him badly, and he was disappointed in 
the attendance. 
We put the books in the hands of 
the city officers, and some of the leading lawyers, 
judges, ministers, and editors. 
And I know that our 
work affected some of the leading men for good. 
" You see, an effort had been made to get the city 
council to enforce the State Sunday law on every one. 
The Board of Supervisors had passed an ordinance 
against all Sunday work, and the preachers were 
asking the Board of Aldermen to give it their votes ; 
but we got the reading matter into their hands, and 
while I attended Crafts's meeting, Elder Pegg was 
making them a speech at the city hall. 
He showed 
them that it would be working a hardship to Sev-
enth-day Adventists, as well as being a violation of 
the State bill of rights. 
Most of the Board promised 
to vote against such an ordinance, and did so. 
" Our leading Denver paper, the Rocky Mountain 
News, had been favoring Sunday closing for several 
months ; but by getting the editor of the News down 
on him, Dr. Crafts's speeohes were hardly noticed. 
The way that it came about was this : The husband 
of one of our sisters, and by the way, a man of some 
ability and influence in the city, is connected with 
the News Office, and believes that we have the truth. 
He took a lot of Sentinels to the office, and gave them 
out to his friends. 
Crafts heard of it, and went in 
and asked for a copy. 
Seeing on what it treated, 
he went back and demanded to see the proprietor. 
The boy in attendance said that it was probably 
Mr. A. that he wanted to see. 
Mr. A. came in, 
and Mr. Crafts gave him some pretty rough talk. 
One of the proprietors, hearing the loud talking, 
came in, and took Mr. Crafts into his office to talk 
over the matter. 
Mr. Crafts said he had supposed 
that the News was favoring Sunday legislation, and 
that he should hold the office responsible for allow-
ing the Sentinel to be distributed by its employees. 
He was so arrogant in his manner, that the pro-
prietor gave him to understand that he was run-
ning that paper, and that he would thank Mr. Crafts 
to attend to his own business. 
" Mr. A. had given the editor a copy of the Sen-
tinel and a copy of 'Sunday law,' which had par-
tially set him straight. 
And although he is still in 
favor of shutting up saloons on Sunday, he does not 
favor taking away our liberties, or trying to make 
a Sunday law on a religious basis. 
" Learning this, I went to him, and asked if he 
would let me answer some of Crafts's misrepresenta-
tions of us. 
He was glad to let me have space, and 
freely expressed his opinion of Mr. Crafts's methods. 
So 1 wrote out a column, which was inserted ; and 
in the same issue was also inserted an editorial, say-
ing that my criticism was just, and expressed the 
truth in regard to Mr. Crafts's work. 
"A day or two later, the same paper contained 
an editorial, in which was given an extract from 
tho words of Mr. Gray at the Sedalia, Mo., Sabbath 
Association. 
This was inserted to show that the 
object of the National Reformers was to secure re-
ligious legislation. 
This was quoted from the Sen-
tinel, which we are furnishing to him. 
" I speak of these things to show that our papers 
and books are having an influence. 
Since Mr. Crafts 
left, we have heard nothing more about closing up 
everything on Sunday, but only about the closing of 
saloons. 
The preachers see that their methods are 
exposed, and so they are dropping back to begin anew. 
" I met an editor last Sunday, living in La Junta, 
who has been reading the Sentinel furnished to him 
by one of our brethren. 
This man had read the 
special Sentinel, and was highly pleased with it. 
He 
6 
THE HOME MISSION A RY. — EXTRA. 
said that a good many in his place had expressed 
themselves in favor of the Sunday enforcement 
(they were members of the Brotherhood of Loco-
motive Engineers), until he had shown them the 
design of the advocates of the measure, and this was 
the means of changing their minds. 
A special friend 
of Chief Arthur, of the Brotherhood of Locomotive 
Engineers, had called at his office; and through 
reading the Sentinel loaned him by this editor, said 
he was certain that, if Arthur could understand the 
matter, he would withdi*aw his indorsement of the 
Blair Sunday bill. 
" I am certain that our books are having an in-
fluence to open the eyes of thinking men. 
I have 
written to our churches all over the State to get be-
fore the people as large a number of the ' National 
Sunday Law' as possible before the next Congress, 
and we are placing it and the Sentinel in the hands 
of editors, judges, lawyers, etc., all over the State. 
I feel anxious that more of this kind of work shall 
be done before the next Congress. 
" There is no doubt but that the articles by Mr. 
Crafts in the Colorado Springs Republic have had 
some effect to turn some people against us; but as 
the paper has a limited circulation, I do not think 
many have seen it. 
I feel anxious that it should be 
answered by Elders Jones and Waggoner, and will 
see that their articles have as wide a circulation as 
this one has had. 
1 am certain that we have more 
friends among leading men than ever before, and 
that the agitation will result in good. 
" Yours in hope, 
" E. H. 
GATES." 
THE SENTINEL TRACTS, AND HOW TO USE THEM. 
IN the small package of Sentinel tracts, we have 
a collection of the very best and most pointed arti-
cles which appeared in the first two volumes of the' 
American Sentinel. 
It is hard to imagine how any 
one can read these little tracts without being con-
vinced that the theories of the National Reformers 
are unsound, and that the putting of them in prac-
tice would lead to a bitter persecution. 
These tracts 
should be showered down upon the people like the 
falling leaves in autumn. 
But some will say, Only one out of twenty will 
read them. 
That may be so in some localities, if 
the tracts are given away in an indifferent and me-
chanical manner. 
But if the persons selling or dis-
tributing these tracts have studied them carefully, so 
that they are familiar with the contents of each one, 
and can turn without a moment's hesitation to the 
very paragraph which may be needed in an argu-
ment, I think we may expect that fifty out of each 
one hundred that are distributed will be read. 
The Sentinel tracts should play a very important 
part in the canvass which should be oi'ganized for 
every town, village, and city, where we have a local 
branch of the tract society. 
We would suggest to all 
the canvassers, working either among the business 
men or from house to house, that wherever they fail 
to secure an order for the Sentinel, " Civil Government 
and Religion," or the "National Sunday Law," before 
leaving, they make a selection of one of the Sentinel 
tracts which will be most likely to interest and ben-
efit those whom they have been canvassing. 
Sug-
gest that here is something that certainly will be of 
interest; then turning over the leaves, calling the 
attention to one or two points of special value in the 
tract, mark them with a pencil, and leave the tract. 
This will do much to remove any feeling of annoy-
ance on the part of the people, and will show that 
the canvasser is not disappointed or provoked be-
cause he has not secured an order. 
And last but 
not least, it will be placing in the persons' hands 
something that they will be very apt to read, and 
which, if read, will surely benefit them, and prepare 
the way for them to receive and read other matter, 
which the canvasser may introduce at a future visit. 
In the house-to-house canvass we believe that 
many complete packages of the Sentinel tracts may 
be sold. 
In this case, the agent would not care to 
open the package to mark the tracts. 
But on the 
list which is printed on the wrapper, he could make 
a mark by the side of those tracts which he thinks 
would be most likely to secure an interest. 
The importance of being able to select promptly 
the tracts best suited to interest an individual, and 
to increase the value of a tract when marked, was 
illustrated by the experience of one of our brethren. 
While on a jouruey, he offered to give copies of these 
tracts to several of his fellow-passengers. 
In every 
case they refused. 
Afterward he opened conver-
sation with the one nearest him, and after direct-
ing the conversation to our right to religious lib-
erty, took out one of 
the tracts which bad been 
refused, and read two or three lines on one page, a 
paragraph on an other, then told in a few words 
what followed, and read a few lines at the close, 
marking with his pencil each of the passages which 
he had read, and then offered it again; and it was 
thankfully received, accompanied with a request for 
other similar tracts, if he had them to spare. 
This 
was repeated with each one of those who had refused 
the tracts at first, and with the same success. 
• It is our opinion that one dollar's worth of tracts, 
carefully selected and marked, will receive more at-
tention and accomplish more good, than five dollars' 
worth of tracts, handed out in the indifferent man-
ner so commonly followed. 
W. C. WHITE. 
7 THE HOME MISSION A RY. — EXTRA. 
SUGGESTIONS 
TO 
CANVASSERS 
FOR 
OUR 
RELIGIOUS 
LIBERTY 
LITERATURE. 
IT is better to use the Sentinel tracts to answer 
questions, than to engage in lengthy conversations. 
The tracts will present the facts better than you 
can, and will not show resentment if the reader is 
unreasonable. 
Study the tracts well, so as to be 
familiar with their contents, and be able quickly to 
select the right one to use in each case, and to mark 
the paragraphs or passages that treat on the point 
at issue. 
Be earnest, vigilant, and prayerful, and follow the 
work systematically. 
The opposition opens the way for the truth to go. 
Let us fill every opening. 
SUGGESTIVE OUTLINE FOR CANVASSERS FOR THE 
"AMERICAN 
SENTINEL." 
In canvassing for the American Sentinel, always 
carry a neat, clean copy of the paper, folded but 
once, from bottom to top, with the title on the in-
side, so that it may be presented properly when 
opened. 
Before beginning the canvass, study each article in 
the number you carry. 
Study again the Sentinel 
tracts. 
They contain the pith of the first volume of 
the American 
Sentinel, and will give you a good 
understanding of the subject, so that you can talk 
with intelligence on this all-absorbing topic of Na-
tional Reform. 
You must be full of the subject, and 
have a deep interest in this work of opposing the so-
called " National Reform " movement, or you cannot 
interest others in it enough to lead them to subscribe 
for the paper. 
You must be enthusiastic yourself 
before you can enthuse others. 
You must as early 
as possible get a clear and comprehensive under-
standing of what the National Reform party is doing, 
what it has done, and what it will do. 
Then, on the 
other hand, be able to show that the American Senti-
nel is, and ever will be, uncompromisingly opposed to 
anything tending toward a union of church and statej 
either in name or in fact. Read the American Sentinel 
each week. 
OUTLINE FOR 
CANVASS. 
INTRODUCTION. 
(At the door, say) Good evening! 
This is Mr. Jones, I believe. 
Morrison is my name. 
(In the house, say) Believing that you are deeply in-
terested in all live topics of the day, and especially 
those affecting all civil and religious institutions, I 
have called to invite your attention for a few mo-
ments to the American Sentinel (produce copy and 
show title), a paper which is devoted to the defense 
of American institutions, the preservation of the 
United States Constitution as it is, so far as regards 
religion or religious tests, and the maintenance of 
human rights, both civil and religious. The National 
Reform Association proposes to make changes in our 
National Constitution, and to insert clauses therein 
which must ultimately destroy the religious liberty 
which we have so long enjoyed in this country, and 
of which we are so justly proud. 
Its leading organs 
are the Christian Statesman, of Philadelphia, and the 
Christian Nation, of New York. 
Article II. of their Constitution, says (repeat 
slowly) : — 
"The object of this Society shall be to maintain 
existing Christian features in the American Govern-
ment ; to promote needed reforms in the action of 
the Government, touching the Sabbath, the institution 
of the family, the religious element in education, the 
oath, and public morality as affected by the liquor 
traffic and other kindred evils; and to secure such 
an amendment to the Constitution of the United 
States as will declare the nation's allegiance to Jesus 
Christ and its acceptance of the moral laws of the 
Christian religion, and so indicate that this is a 
Christian nation, and place all the Christian laws, 
institutions, and usages of our government on an 
undeniable legal basis in the fundamental law of the 
land." 
In harmony with the above, Senator Blair intro-
duced into the United States Senate a "National 
Sunday bill; " also a joint resolution proposing an 
amendment to the Constitution of the United States, 
respecting establishments of religion and free schools. 
The first of Section 2 of their amendment to the 
Constitution reads as follows : — 
« Each State in this Union shall establish and main-
tain a system of free public schools adequate for the 
education of all the children living therein, between 
the ages of six and sixteen years, inclusive, in the 
common branches of knowledge, and in virtue, mo-
rality, and the principles of the Christian Religion." 
That is to say, every State in this Union shall 
make and maintain laws establishing the principles 
of the Christian religion. 
And to make assurance 
doubly sure, Section 3 declares that — 
" The United States shall guaranty to every State, 
and to the people of every State and of the United 
States, the support and maintenance of such a system 
of free public schools as is herein provided." 
The Christian Statesman of July 4, quotes approv-
ingly the words of Rev. W. D. Gray, before the Mis-
souri Sabbath convention : — 
" I do not believe that, as a political maxim, govern-
ments derive their just powers from the consent of the 
governed. 
And so the object of this movement is an 
effort to change that feature in our fundamental law." 
8 
THE HOME MISSION A RY. — EXTRA. 
On Sunday evening, Aug. 4, Col. Elliott F. Shep-
herd, President of the American Sabbath Union, 
before an immense audience at the Chautauqua As-
sembly, said: — 
" The power of the government is not derived from 
the consent of the governed." 
These words need no comment, for they show 
positively and clearly that the object of both the 
National Beform Association and of the American 
Sabbath Union is to subvert the very foundation 
principles of our Government, and establish a re-
ligious despotism upon the ruins of our free institu-
tions. 
The American Sentinel is a journal which is op-
posed to any such movement, and advocates the 
true principles of both civil and religious liberty. 
Containing, as it does, matter of much interest to 
every citizen, the friends of the Constitution as it 
is, aro desirous of giving the Sentinel a wide circula-
tion among our leading men. 
I feel sure that you will find the paper interesting, 
and shall be pleased to have you subscribe for it. 
It is an eight-page weekly, ably edited and neatly 
printed, and comes at only SI.00 per year. 
"CIVIL 
GOVERNMENT 
AND 
RELIGION." 
" Civil Government and Eeligion, or Christianity 
and the American Constitution," shows in a logical 
way the relation between religion and the civil 
power. 
The first chapter, " Christianity and the Eoman 
Empire," shows how Christ came to this world to 
set men free, and proclaim the gospel liberty, — "a 
liberty in which man may be free from all men, yet 
made so gentle by love that he would willingly be-
come the servant of all, in order to bring them to 
the enjoyment of the same liberty." 
This chapter 
further shows how the Eoman religion exalted the 
power of the State until finally a law was made 
which said (bottom of page 10), "Worship the gods 
in all respects according to the laws of your coun-
try, and compel all others to do the same." 
The 
State ruled in religious things, and as a result, thou-
sands of innocent persons perished as martyrs to the 
Eoman power. 
The second chapter shows " what is due to God, 
and what to Cassar." 
Here the author compares the 
moral and the civil law, defines sin and crime, proves 
that God is the only moral governor, and that the 
principle expressed by Christ, "Bender therefore 
unto Csesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto 
God the things that are God's," is the principle now 
embodied in the American Constitution. 
Chapter Three shows how it is that "the powers 
that be [earthly governments] are ordained of God." 
Chapter Four considers the proposed amendment 
to the Constitution of the United States respecting 
the establishment of religion and free public schools. 
Here the fallacy of this proposed amendment is ex-
posed, and quotations from its prime movers show 
what they want in the Constitution. 
In Chapter Five is the copy of a bill presented to 
the Fiftieth Congress, and known as the " BlairSun-
day-rest bill." 
The author arraigns this proposed 
Sunday law, and shows what would be the result of 
its becoming a law. 
He also proves the Sunday law 
unconstitutional and antichristian. 
Chapter Six shows how the papacy developed, in 
the fourth century, into a false theocracy, considers 
Constantino's Sunday law, points out how the aid of 
the State was invoked to enforce it, and that it re-
sulted in the Inquisition. 
The author then draws a 
parallel between the fourth century and the nine-
teenth century in the present demand for a theocracy 
where the power of the State is again sought for the 
support of religion, and shows to a certainty what 
will be sacrificed to secure it, and what must be the 
outcome of the movement. 
Chapter Seven presents the actual workings of a 
Sunday law. This chapter contains some facts which 
show what has been the effect in Arkansas of Sunday 
laws of the kind which these people demand. 
Several 
cases are presented, showing how unjust wras this 
Sunday law. 
" Appendix B " presents the " Blair Sunday-rest 
bill" with the changes desired by the "American 
Sabbath Union ;" and " Appendix D " contains the 
"Constitution of the United States," which we ear-
nestly hope will be maintained as it is. 
This pamphlet of 192 pages is a logical and sensible 
presentation of the subject of Sunday legislation, and 
as such, cannot fail to interest you, even though you 
do not now agree with the position of the author. 
The price is only twenty-five cents. 
"THE 
NATIONAL 
SUNDAY 
LAW." 
" The National Sunday Law " is an enlargement of 
the argument presented by Alonzo T. Jones before 
the Senate Committee on Education and Labor, at 
Washington, in December, 1888. 
A national Sunday law is a question of national in-
terest; and notwithstanding the bill before the Fiftieth 
Congress did not become a law, plans are now being 
laid to have another Sunday bill introduced as soon 
as possible in the Fifty-first Congress. 
On page 5 is a copy of the Sunday-rest bill proposed 
9 THE HOME 
MISSION A RY. — 
EXTRA. 
by Senator Blair, and upon which this argument was 
made. 
During Mr. Jones's argument, as you will notice 
(page 11 and onward), Senator Blair asked many 
questions concerning Sunday legislation, and thus 
brought out every phase of the question. 
The argument throughout is based on Scripture, 
history, constitution, and law. 
It shows the limits 
of the civil power j gives an analysis of Sunday laws 
in the different States j compares the Sunday-law 
movement of the fourth century with the Sunday-law 
movement of the present century; shows how in-
dorsements to the petition for the Blair bill were 
secured, and presents in a graphic manner the work-
ings of such Sunday laws as are proposed for the 
United States. 
The fact that this subject is one in which senators 
and representatives are interested, shows it to be a 
question of no small importance; but in this day of 
rush and hurry, there is no time to read long treatises 
on any subject. 
In this little pamphlet the entire 
subject of Sunday laws and religious legislation is 
presented in a nutshell. 
The price is only twenty-five cents, and it cannot 
fail to interest you. 
A full description of this book cannot be given, 
from the peculiar way in which it is written ; but 
every canvasser should read it through so carefully 
that he can answer any objection or query which 
may be raised, and not only that, but be able to turn 
to it in the book and read it. 
You will find the 
whole Sunday-law question covered ; and if you will 
carefully read the book, you will be prepared to 
answer any objections which may be raised. 
Do n't 
argue. 
Present the contents of the book as brielly 
and clearly as possible, and do not make a long talk. 
An intelligent person will know in a very short time 
whether or not he wants it; and you must learn to 
make him want it. 
"GATHER 
UP 
THE 
FRAGMENTS 
THAT 
REMAIN, 
THAT 
NOTHING 
BE 
LOST." 
ences to assist us in it, — items of information, knowl-
edge of the circumstances, sentiments, and feelings of 
different people, so that with tact and skill we can 
approach them not only in an agreeable manner, 
but be able to give them just the assistance they 
need. 
To let any of these advantages remain un-
used would 
be the worst kind of 
wastefulness. 
Everything of this kind which can be turned to ac-
count in the work before us, should be valued in pro-
portion to the importance of the work in which we 
are engaged. 
The experience and information obtained last win 
ter by those who engaged in the work of soliciting 
signatures to petitions, is invaluable, and none of 
this number should ask release from having a part in 
the advance work now presented. 
"1 pray thee 
have me excused " is not the language for this time. 
Gather up the items of experience and informa-
tion that have come to you, fragmentary and discon-
nected though they may seem, and go forth to the 
work with fresh courage, a new consecration, and a 
heart full of love for those you meet. 
M. L. 
HUNTLEY. 
THE 
EXPENSE 
OF THE 
CANVASS. 
THESE words of our Saviour teach economy in 
a most forcible manner. 
They had reference to 
broken pieces of food, which had been more or less 
handled by a promiscuous multitude, — a fact which 
in the estimation of many at the present, day would 
render it unfit for use. 
But it is not to economy in 
temporal matters that I wish to call attention. 
This 
same principle applies in all enterprises having in 
view the spiritual welfare of our fellow-men. 
In this 
work the providence of God often gives UB experi-
How shall the expense of this special canvass 
with the Beligious Liberty literature be met? 
Wherever there is a local branch of our State 
tract societies, there should be no delay on account 
of expense. 
The blank petitions are furnished free 
by the International Society, on application. 
The 
sale of the pamphlets and tracts will be a source of 
profit, rather than expense, and if the Society has 
a good-sized club of the Sentinel, its numbers, re-
served for a few weeks, will go far toward furnish-
ing the sample copies needed. 
If there are any societies that have no clubs of 
Sentinels, they should consider the matter at the 
first opportunity, and supply themselves with a suf-
ficient number for their work. 
But what can be done for the large cities, and the 
many places where we have no societies?—A special 
fund should be raised by those interested in this 
work, for the purchase of Sentinels and Sentinel 
tracts, and to meet other expenses of the canvass. 
We know of one State society that distributed 
30,000 copies of the special October Sentinel, with-
out increasing its indebtedness one dollar. 
The 
State secretary sent out a circular letter, and a 
subscription 
blank to each 
church. 
The 
letter 
stated the plan of the work, and the great need 
10 
THE HOME 
MISSION A RY. — EXTRA. 
for action. 
The result will be seen from the follow-
ing quotation from another circular letter relative 
to the present canvass : — 
" You will remember last fall when the special 
edition was printed, and 30,000 copies circulated 
just prior to the election. 
Blanks were prepared, 
and sent out to all the churches to be tilled out with 
the name and amount in cash given by each indi-
vidual, and these were returned to us accompanied 
by the money. 
This effort met with a hearty re-
sponse, and these donations, with what was borne 
by some of the local tract societies, covered the ex-
pense. 
It is thought by our leading brethren that 
the same plan should be adopted to defray the ex-
pense of this canvass. 
By adopting this plan of 
giving, the burden will be equalized, and all will be 
granted the privilege of helping in this important 
move, while the work of the tract societies can go 
on as before, with no increase of debt. 
The em-
barrassed condition of the State society makes it 
necessary that the means be raised in cash." 
Inside of four weeks from the time this call was 
made, $350 was sent in by individuals and local so-
cieties, for the prosecution of the general work in 
the State. 
When all take hold to help, there is no 
lack of means. 
THE 
CIRCULATION 
OF 
HEALTH 
AND 
TEMPERANCE 
LITERATURE. 
WE have so often said that our work is rapidly 
increasing in magnitude and importance, that the 
statement begins to lose its force with us. 
But the 
truth of this was never more apparent than at the 
present moment. 
It may be a surprise to some that 
immediately after laying out such an extensive plan 
of labor in connection with our Religious Liberty 
Association, we should now propose another advance 
move which will call tor wise generalship and a 
large corps of workers. 
As a people, we have taken advance ground on 
questions of health and temperance, and from our 
presses are issued the best and the most widely 
circulated 
books, pamphlets, and tracts, and the 
most ably conducted and popular health journal in 
our country. 
The extent of the influence of these publications, 
and the degree to which their influence has prepared 
the way for the acceptance and exemplification of a 
purer Christianity, cannot easily be calculated. 
But 
we do know of hundreds who have been brought to 
love the Bible and its Author better, and to give 
more'perfect obedience to his commandments, who 
were first led to an understanding and partial obedi-
ence of the laws of health. 
About two years ago, the tract societies agreed to 
give considerable attention to the circulation of our 
health and temperance literature, and a great and 
good work was accomplished, without loss to any 
other branch of the work, but apparently to the 
benefit of all. 
For a time, it appeared that as a 
people, we believed " that health reform bears the 
same relation to the third angel's message that the 
right arm does to the body ;" but during the last 
year there has been a decided change, and now we 
are not doing one-tenth part of what we ought to do, 
and what we may do without loss to any other 
branch of our work, in the circulation of health and 
temperance literature. 
What is the reason of this 
change ? 
is it because we have any less confidence 
than heretofore in the principles underlying health 
and temperance reform? 
Is it because we were 
disappointed in the results of the effort made two 
years ago? or is it because there are less laborers 
in the field than heretofore? — No. 
The falling off of our efforts in behalf of the circu-
lation of our health and temperance literature, is the 
natural result of the* theories and methods adopted 
by those who engaged in the work. 
Many under-
took to canvass for the health and temperance litera 
ture, as a preparatory step to other work. 
Some 
intended that this canvass should give them an ex-
perience which would enable them to enter the field 
as canvassers for religious books. 
Some introduced 
the health publications with the view of forming an 
acquaintance which would open the way for the 
holding of Bible readings. 
A few engaged in this 
work because it was profitable ; and a few others 
because of their genuine love for the cause of the 
health and temperance reform. 
Each of these four 
classes has met with more than ordinary success; 
but those belonging to the first two classes, being 
largely in the majority, the very success which at-
tended their work has taken them out of the work. 
And now the question comes up for decision, Shall 
we call out a new army of workers on the old plan ? 
or shall we -organize this work upon a new plan ? 
Shall we labor to enlist two or three hundred can-
vassers to engage in the circulation of health publi-
cations as an " entering wedge," to be followed im-
mediately with denominational works? or shall we 
endeavor to organize a corps of workers to engage in 
the circulation of our health publications who will 
have both an understanding and a love for the prin-
ciples of health reform, and who will continue in the 
health work all the year round, putting forth their 
very best efforts for the thorough enlightenment and 
the permanent improvement healthwise of those tor 
11 THE HOME MISSION A RY. — EXTRA. 
whom they labor? 
We believe the latter is the 
better plan. 
Not that we would discourage the 
health missionary from making efforts to benefit his 
friends morally and spiritually as well as physically, 
nor would we discourage the religious teacher fi'om 
selecting those who have adopted the principles of 
health and temperance as the most promising listen-
ers ; but we do believe that it is a loss both to the 
cause of health reform and religion, to have a person 
who is just beginning to appreciate the necessities of 
a thorough health and temperance reform, so sud-
denly approached with propositions for religious re-
forms, that he will feel that the health and temper-
ance literature was introduced only as a means of 
providing a way to introduce the other. 
In this as 
in many other matters, the more haste the less 
speed. 
How, then, "shall our health and temperance work 
be advanced? how shall our literature upon these 
subjects be placed before the people? — By the or-
ganization of a separate corps of workers, who 
shall give their entire energies to the dissemination 
of knowledge upon health and temperance topics ; 
first, by the sale of books and periodicals ; sec-
ondly, bjT health talks illustrated by the use of 
charts and diagrams in family or neighborhood 
gatherings; thirdly, by lectures before temperance 
societies, and in churches and school-houses as the 
way may open. 
With the last two methods, the 
health and temperance societies have to do ; but 
the management and success of the circulation of 
the literature, and the sale of books and journals, 
rests Avith the tract societies. 
But some one will say that our tract society 
officers have now all that they can attend to, and 
that all of the available agents are now employed 
in the sale of religious books. 
In each of these 
statements there is a grievous error. 
In many of 
our tract societies the business passing through the 
hands of the State secretary could be doubled twenty 
per cent without adding to the expenses of the office. 
An increase of business means an increase of revenue, 
and the increase of revenue would make possible the 
employment of an assistant secretary or an addi-
tional clerk. 
This would make possible the division 
of the work of the State office into several depart-
ments, which division would add greatly to the 
efficiency and success of the work. 
As regards the work of securing agents, we shall 
accomplish much or little according to our expecta-
tions and labors. 
Not many years ago, it was the 
generally accepted opinion that there were among 
Seventh-dav Adventists only a very few persons who 
could ever make successful book canvassers ; but an 
earnest, persevering effort has called out and put 
into the field a corps of competent and successful 
agents that cannot be rivaled. 
Do we believe that 
all the available talent is now in the field ? — No ; 
not one-tenth part of it. 
There are many persons 
in our churches who are anxious to do something 
for the benefit of their fellow-men, who feel that 
they are not qualified to handle religious works, 
but who could do excellent service with our health 
and temperance literature. 
But in the selection of agents for this work, we 
are not limited to the members of our denomina-
tion. 
Any one of good moral character who has 
an understanding of the principles of health and 
temperance, and a love for them, whether he be 
Methodist, Baptist, Congregationalist, or Presbyte-
rian, can become as successful and acceptable an 
agent for our temperance publications 
and our 
health books and journals, as though he were a 
Seventh-day Adventist. 
It should be a matter of 
surprise to us that with such a line of undenomina-
tional literature to be placed before the whole world, 
we have depended almost wholly upon the members 
of our own church for its circulation. 
Why should 
not each one of our State tract societies employ a 
general agent to give his entire energies to the select-
ing and training of agents for the sale of health 
and temperance books? 
Half or two-thirds of these 
agents might be selected from members of other de-
nominations, persons who could not be employed in 
the sale of our religious books. 
Could this branch of work be made to pay the 
tract society ? — Not during the first few months ; 
but it certainly would in the end. 
The Sanitarium, 
the Health Publishing Company, and the American 
Health and Temperance Association would all co-
operate to make this department of the work a 
financial success. 
Our tract societies have a broad field before them, 
and many lines of work to be carried on at the same 
time ; and we must coolly consider how we may 
carry forward the many branches without confusion 
and failure. 
Shall we give our entire energies to 
one line of work for a time, and then, dropping it, 
devote all our time to something else? 
Will it not 
be a wiser plan to divide our work into departments, 
and place a competent person in charge of each 
department? 
The blacksmith who had three or 
four irons in the fire, was always burning one, while 
he was hammering another ; but two or three smiths 
can heat their irons by'one fire without injury, and 
with great economy. 
And thus it is with our tract 
12 
THE HOME 
MISSION A RY. — 
EXTRA. 
society work. 
As the subscription book business has 
been coming into prominence, and the time and 
thought of the secretaries have been absorbed by it, 
the work to which the societies devoted their ener-
gies during the first years of their organization has 
been largely neglected. 
Now we must take up the 
religious liberty work. 
And this branch alone calls 
for more labor than all branches of our tract society 
work have heretofore received. 
Shall we, then, drop 
othe,r parts of the work, that this may be made a 
success, and in turn drop this that our health and 
temperance work may receive some attention ? 
Or 
shall we have in our larger societies several depart-
ments, and a competent person in charge of each ? 
Shall there be a religious liberty .department, and a 
health department, as well as a business department, 
and a department of correspondence with the local 
societies relative to their regular wo'rk ? 
Shall each 
of these departments be placed in the hands of a 
competent clerk or secretary, who shall give diligent 
study to the work assigned him, and labor to make 
it a success? 
In the smaller societies, two depart-
ments may be placed upon the same person, as a 
matter of necessity for the time being, until the 
society has strength to arrange otherwise. 
Let the work of selecting agents to take a leading 
part in this canvass for health and temperance liter-
ature, go forward without delay. 
The International 
Society has already appointed a secretary to take 
special charge of the department of health and tem-
perance literature. 
From the large class attending the school of hy-
giene and nursing at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, a 
score have been selected to take part in this special 
work, and are receiving daily instruction to prepare 
them for the field. Persons who may be selected by 
the officers of the State tract societies to act as 
general agents or company leaders, will be received 
into this special class, and trained for this work 
during a period of eight or ten weeks free of expense, 
other than such labor as they may put forth during 
a few hours of each day partially to compensate for 
their board. 
The first course of instruction intended 
to fit workers to engage in the holiday canvass is 
now in progress. 
Another course will be given dur-
ing September and October. 
For further particu-
lars, address the Secretary of the International Tract 
Society, Battle Creek, Mich. 
W. C. 
WHITE. 
"WE are to be as men waiting for their Lord, not 
in idle expectancy, but in earnest work, with un-
wavering faith." 
WHY should we not be as prompt, as energetic, as 
thorough, in circulating our petition, and getting 
publications relative to the Sunday movement into 
the hands of the masses, as were the people of God 
in circulating King Ahasuerus's decree? 
Bead Es-
ther 8: 8-17. 
IF persons have already signed a petition opposing 
enactments affecting religion, many would be much 
annoyed should they be approached with it again in 
the same manner as it would be introduced to one un-
acquainted with it. 
Any unpleasantness of this kind 
may be avoided, in cases where there is a possibility 
that the petition is not new, by some indirect ref-
erence to it, perhaps a pleasant inquiry as to whether 
they have had the pleasure of sending their names 
to Congress, in favor of our good Constitution's re-
maining as it is in regard to religious freedom. 
IN presenting the petition, do not base your appeal 
for signers on the supposition that the rights of 
Seventh-day Adventists only are endangered, but 
from the stand-point of an American citizen, show 
them that their liberties are thi'eatened as well as 
ours. 
IT is usually better to leave a person while he is 
interested to hear more, with the way open for an-
other interview. 
Better fall short than to overdo. 
Leave room for the Spirit of God to work. 
THERE is no objection to encouraging intelligent 
and worthy persons who are not Seventh-day Ad-
ventists, but who are interested in preserving the 
United States Constitution as it is, from soliciting 
signatures to our petitions, if they desire so to do. 
BUT above all, as you labor, be sure that you have 
a firm connection with God. 
Do not go forth in 
your own might and wisdom ; they alone are but 
weakness. 
But lay hold on His strength. 
Let Christ 
work in and through you ; then your efforts will 
surely be crowned with success. 
"AND ye shall be brought before rulers and kings 
for my sake, for a testimony against them." 
Mark 
13: 9. 
" AND shall not God avenge his own elect, which 
cry day and night unto him, though he bear long 
with them ? " 
Luke 18 : 7.