Covenanter Witness Vol. 53 - Rparchives.org

citizens."nation."71, is missed from his place at church,at his business, and at home since hisdeath August 7. The church was crowdedwith relatives and friends for his funeral.Mrs. J. M. Milligan, 89years, wasthe second funeral in the congregationin a week.She passed to her rewardAugust 11. She was very much interestedin the Mission at Selma, Ala., havingworked there twenty-three years.HISTORIC HEARINGSNever before in the historyof theUnited States have there been better attended and more enthusiastic hearings insupport of moral legislation than thoseheld in both Senate and House in supportof the Bryson Bill, H.R. 1227 designed toprohibit the transportation of publications carrying liquor advertising in Interstate Commerce from a wet state into orthrough a dry state, where such manufacture, transportation, or sale, is prohibited by statutory or constitutionallaw.This is the so-called Bryson Bill in theHouse and in the Senate, that enlivenedthe closing weeks of the 83rd Congress,recently adjourned. We have never beforein our experience of more than a half centuryin various official Federation capacities heard more conclusive and convincing arguments presented before aCongressional Committee, or a moralproposal more capablypowerful conviction.presented underWe wish there was room in the September Progress to reprint the 100 pagesof testimony presented before both Houseand Senate Committees which requiredfour days in hearing witnesses on bothsides, pro and against, which broughtfrom the Senate Committee hearings atleast a favorable recommendation, to thefirst session of the 84th session of Congress to convene in January 1955.We feel that progress has been madeand that we are all set for a good drystart when the 84th Session of Congressconvenes, with at least a sympatheticpresident in the White House.The testimony of Dr. R. H. Martinbefore the Senate Committee was one ofthe most forceful and convincing wehave ever heard in support of proposeddry legislation in the half century of ouractivityagainst the liquor traffic.Progress, September 1954SENATOR LANGER REPORTSSinceON STATUS OF C. A. BILLit has been quite widely rumored that the Senate Judiciary Committee acted unfavorablyupon theChristian Amendment bill, we are gladto pass on to the readers of The Covenanter Witness the official information onthis subject which has been receivedSeptember 29, 1954from Senator Langer. His letter is asfollows :United States SenateCommittee on the JudiciaryAugust 27, 1954Rev. T. C. McKnight, PresidentChristian Amendment Movement804 Penn AvenuePittsburgh 21, Penna.Dear Mr. McKnight:Thank you for your letter dated August24, 1954, concerning the status of S.J.Res. 87, the so-called Christian Amendment.S. J. Res. 87 was still pending beforethe Committee on the Judiciary whenCongress adjourned. Consequently, itmust be reintroduced in order that itmay be considered in the next Congress.With kindest regards, I am,(signed)Sincerely,William LangerChairmanTESTIMONY OF DR. R. H. MARTINPresident of theNational Reform AssociationIn support of the Joint Resolution 87on behalf of the Christian Amendment to the Constitution of the UnitedStates.To the members of the JudiciaryCommittee of the Senate :I submit the following testimonyhalf of this proposed Amendment:I.on beInasmuch as this Amendment would include in our Fundamental Law, the Constitution of the United States, a recognition of the authority and law of JesusChrist, the question naturally arises whereshall we go to find what that authorityand law is. The answer is, to the Bible.I submit the following testimony fromoutstanding American statesmen of thecontribution which the Bible has madeto our American civilization and nation:"The Bible is the Rock on which thisRepublicson.rests."President Andrew Jack"The Bible is the source of liberty. Ihave always said, and I always will say,that the studious perusal of the sacredvolume will make betterPresident Thomas Jefferson."To this Book we are indebted for theprogress made in our civilization and tothis Book we must look as our guide inthe future."President U. S. Grant."The more profoundly we study thiswonderful Book and the more closelywe observe its divine precepts, the bettercitizens we will become and the higherwill be the destiny of ourPresident William McKinley."The Bible has been the Magna Chartaof the poor and the oppressed . . . Nowhere is the fundamental truth that thewelfare of the state depends on therighteousness of its citizens so stronglylaid down. The Bible is the most democratic book in theTheodore Roosevelt.world."President"There are great problems before theAmerican people. I would be afraid togo forward if I did not believe that therelay at the foundation of all our schoolingand all our thought the incomparable andunimpeachableWord ofdent Woodrow Wilson.God.""The foundations of societyPresiand government rest so much on the teachings ofthe Bible that it would be difficult tosupport them if faith in these teachingsshould cease to be practically universal inthiscountry."President Calvin Coolidge.Also from our two greatest Presidents:"It is impossible to govern the worldwithout the Bible."George Washington."In regard to the Great Book, I haveonly to say it is the best gift God hasgiven to men .... But for it we wouldnot know right fromLincoln.wrong."AbrahamProgress, September 1954REPORT OF CORRESPONDINGSECRETARY1953-1954Reports from ninety-four societies,grouped inshow a total of 1,617classifications. This isnine presbyterial societies,members of allninety-two lessthan last year. One new society, the NewAlexandria Alva Jack,was organized thisyear. Two Canadian societies, Almonteand Lochiel, joined the New York Presbyterial in May.Average attendance at meetings is 56%of total membership. This is a two-pointimprovement over last year. Worthy ofspecial mention are: Kansas City, Cambridge Missionary Guild, Santa AnaKing's Daughters and Eastvale, whose active membership and average attendanceare the same.Total money receipts were $36,091,$2,473 in excess of last year. Boxes weighing 14,233 pounds were sent on their errands of mercy. A balance of $3,694 stillremained in local treasuries on March 31.Twenty-three letters, fifty-three cardsplus the mailingof report blanks andstatistical material comprise the twoyears of correspondence. The statisticalmaterial has been prepared for the Minutes of Synod each year. This year's reports were especially good in their completeness and promptness, enabling theSecretary to send this material to Synod'sclerk on time. Special thanks are due tolocal and presbyterial secretaries for this.May this poem challenge you to greaterendeavors.Respectfully SubmittedMrs. Wylie Daugherty207