George B. Wheeler • March 22, 1894 • American Sentinel, Vol. 9, No. 12
The effort to tone up our Massachusetts Sunday laws, because part of the community who think those whose views differ from them as to the sacred character of the day, are having altogether too much religious liberty, found expression in the following bill, a hearing on which was given, before the joint judiciary committee, Feb. 28:—
Whoever in any way manages, performs, or takes part in any entertainment, musicale, show or performance of any kind, nature, or description in any theater, museum or hall on the Lord's day, except sacred concerts under the auspices and for the benefit of any church or religious society, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $200.
The intolerant spirit back of this bill is worthy of the Dark Ages. Every one must be denied the privilege of any entertainment in any theater, hall or museum, upon Sunday, except such as are approved by the churches and are for their benefit. Such monstrous infringements upon the rights of others, in these times of gospel light, as this bill presented and advocated in the Massachusetts legislature is, is certainly a marked evidence of the decadence of the spirit of both civil and religious liberty. Elders R. C. Porter, Geo. E. Fifield, and others, remonstrated against the bill.
Geo. B. Wheeler.
"There is no saving truth connected with the character of God, or with the gospel of Christ, but what is best of all revealed and illustrated in the character and personality of Jesus Christ. Yielding the life into His keeping, allowing Him unhindered to live His life in us and to express His personality through us, this is the all of Christianity. "In Him is all the fulness of the God-head bodily." "In Him is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." And all our spiritual growth is just "Growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ." - From the Sermon Personality of Jesus
"Love and love only sacrifices; that is, gives itself freely, thinking not of any return; gives for the joy of giving because it is love." - George Fifield from the Sermon Christ our Sacrifice