THE ONTARIO SITUATION

Another case of special interest is that of Brother Benjamin Sherk, of Albuna, Ont., who was arrested May 7, 1899, tried on the 19th, and fined $5 and costs, a total of $10.02. The Provincial act under which he was convicted, being plainly in violation of the British North American act, his case was appealed to the Superior Court. Meantime the Lord’s Day Alliance, which had secured the passage of the Provincial law, entered a stated case, which has since been pending a final decision. It was argued in May, 1900, but the aged chief justice failed to render a decision before his resignation in the autumn, and a new hearing was appointed for January, 1901. The death of the queen, however, postponed this second hearing until the March term of court. The decision will doubtless prove of great moment to our people and our work in Ontario. A similar law for New Brunswick has recently been sustained by the supreme court of that Province. As an indication of the spirit animating the Lord’s Day Alliance of the Dominion of Canada, we cite the following resolutions,adopted at their last meeting in Toronto, Nov. 9, 1900:—GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.4

“Whereas, There is a sect of people coming over from the United States into this Dominion known as Seventh-day Adventists, whose sole object seems to be to unsettle the minds of the people in regard to the Lord’s Day; therefore, we—GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.5

Recommend, All ministers to warn the people in advance of their coming, so that they may be ready to meet their sophistry and not be misled by it. We also—GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.6

“Recommend, Ministers everywhere to become better posted in regard to the Scriptural and historical proofs of First-day observance. We also—GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.7

“Recommend. That a law be secured that will prevent persons who are convicted in the justice courts of violating the Sunday law from having the right to appeal to the Superior Court.”GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.8

Two great facts should appeal to us with a force hitherto unknown. One is that the movement for federation is actually being realized, and the forces devoted to the national reform idea are being tremendously augmented. Very recently it was officially announced that “130.000 persons are connected with the churches and moral reform associations connected with the Wisconsin Federation of Reforms.” This is one of the latest organizations in the land. Similar facts could be stated concerning young and growing organizations in other States.GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.9

The other fact is the growth of the desperate determination to realize their object at all hazards, as indicated by the foregoing resolutions. With tremendous forces thus federated, and animated by such a spirit, who can fail to see that external movements declare “the great day of the Lord is near? it is near, and hasteth greatly.” Shall there not be a mighty advance on the part of this people, that we may say, in deed as well as in word, “Even so come”?GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.10

In concluding, it is earnestly to be hoped that this body will take definite steps toward strengthening this organization for its gigantic task. Of the original membership only a small portion remains, and if the work is to be successfully followed, our membership must be increased, or some other means be instituted for the support of the work. It is, however, gratifying to note from the financial report that we enrolled 1,155 new members from Jan. 1, 1899, to Feb. 28, 1901, which is more than were entered during all the five years from 1894 to 1898 inclusive.GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.11

Finally, in the language of the admonition relating to the crisis confronting us, “Let there be most earnest prayer; and let us work in harmony with our prayers.”GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.12

H. E. Osborne, Sec.GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.13

The messenger upon God’s errand never goes alone.GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.14

We listen best when we listen with our whole mind. When we are hearing aught worth heeding, we should shut out from our interest everything but those words. Concentrated hearing counts.—Well Spring.GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.15

Give not thy tongue too great a liberty, lest it take thee prisoner. A word unspoken is like the sword in the scabbard, thine; if vented, thy sword is in another’s hand. If thou desire to be held wise, be so wise as to hold thy tongue.—Quarles.GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.16

Duty comes to us as something hard, and we shrink from it. No one is a large man if he does not feel that his duty is larger than himself.—Mc Kenzie.GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.17

The times that makes us weakest, and that force our weakness most upon us, and make us know how weak we are—those are our coronation days.—Phillips Brooks.GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.18

“As never before, resistance must be made against sin—against the powers of darkness.”GCB April 7, 1901, page 111.19