Golden Age, May 6, 1936
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The Golden Age
A JOURNAL OF FACT HOPE AND COURAGE
in this issue
FLAG SALUTING
IN THEORY AND PRACTICE
IN A FLORIDA COURTHOUSE
THE DISGRACE
OF BROWNSVILLE, PA.
OBEDIENCE
DISOBEDIENCE
REVERSES CREATIVE PROCESS
every other
WEDNESDAY
five cents a copy
one dollar a year
Canada & Foreign 1.25
Vol. XVII - No. 434
May 6, 1936 CONTENTS
LABOR AND ECONOMICS
German Co-operatives Forced to Buy Guns 504
Nazi Robbery of the Jews 505
12,500,000 on Relief in Germany 505
SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL
FLAG SALUTING IN THEORY AND PRACTICE 483
PROTEST 483
LEGAL LIGHT ON THE NEW JERSEY FLAG SALUTING BILLS 491
FLAG SALUTING IN A FLORIDA COURTHOUSE 493
THE DISGRACE OF BROWNSVILLE, PA. 495
OBEDIENCE 497
JUDGE RUTHERFORD HEARD IN ALBANIA 498
BELATED REPORTS OF THE GREAT BROADCAST 499
Jehovah’s Care over Australasian Broadcast 499
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES SMILE AT THEIR CRITICS 500
Hamilton Herald Bites the Dust 502
Riches Hit the Spot 502
DISOBEDIENCE REVERSES THE CREATIVE PROCESS 507
Massachusetts Supreme Court Ruling 509
POLITICAL—DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
Floggers and Murderers Get $50 Each 494
An Extraordinary Coincidence in Tampa 496
The Bill to “Get” The Golden Age 502
Smells from Secaucus 503
Jehovah’s witnesses in German Concentration Camps 503
The Bishops and the Nazis 504
The World Tinderbox 505
SCIENCE AND INVENTION
Synthetic Rubber in Germany 505
Diesel-Motored German Plane 505
HOME AND HEALTH
IDIOSYNCRASY TO ALUMINUM? 506
21st Radium-Poisoning Victim 506
Automobile Door Handle Driven into Brain 506
TRAVEL AND MISCELLANY
Rhodesian Suicide Not a Jehovah’s witness 501
Germany’s New Marriage Licenses 504
Twice as Many Bibles Sold 504
Commemorating the Birthday of Augustus 509
EXCITEMENT IN A RESTAURANT 510
RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Legionnaires at Griffin 496
Birthday Celebrations 499
A Fine Time at St. Augustine 502
Heretic Carries the Pocketbook 504
Tortures of Quakers 509
What Catholics Do Not [?] Believe 511
Published every other Wednesday by
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The Golden Age
Volume XVII Brooklyn, N.Y., Wednesday, May 6, 1936 Number 434
Flag Saluting in Theory and Practice
(Consisting, first, of a protest filed with the New Jersey legislature against Fascist legislation proposed by Assemblyman McAlevy, and, second, of a highly illuminating example of flag saluting in a Florida courthouse)
PROTEST
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE:
The undersigned, citizens of New Jersey, in behalf of themselves and of other citizens of the State of New Jersey, protest against the enactment of Assembly Bills Nos. A30, A31 and A32, and as reasons therefor assign the following:
Terms of the Bills
Bill No. A30 requires teachers in charge of each school in the State to lead pupils in salute to the flag of the United States at all general assemblages and/or during the first hour of the first school day of each week, and makes it a misdemeanor to refuse or neglect to lead in the flag salute.
Bill No. A31 requires all pupils in schools, public or private, to salute at the general assemblages of said schools, and/or during the first hour of the first school day of each week, and provides penalties for the refusal to participate in such salute.
Bill No. A32 makes it a misdemeanor for any person, corporation, society or organization to attempt to influence any school pupil in this State against the salute to the flag of the United States by instruction printed or otherwise.
Purpose of the Bills
The ANNOUNCED purpose of the bills is to require principals and teachers to lead in such flag salute; to foster respect for the flag, and prevent the schools from being used for propagation of subversive doctrines; and to provide punishment for individuals, corporations or organizations whose purpose it is to influence pupils against the salute to the flag of the United States.
The ACTUAL purpose of these bills is far different from the ANNOUNCED purpose. The actual purpose is to set a trap, and to find occasion to do injury to a small group of people, who are residents of this State. The purpose is to convict these people of crime and to put them behind the bars. The bills are designed to squelch and suppress the activities of these people, and incarcerate them in prison.
Who are the people that have legislation aimed at them in this pointed fashion? The answer is that Jehovah’s witnesses are the ones made subject of this attack. The bills are aimed at them, and might just as well have their names printed across the front.
By way of information to the legislature, we assert that this is the second time bills have been introduced the primary purpose of which is to punish Jehovah’s witnesses. A year ago Assembly Bill No. 257, commonly called the “Anti-Nazi Bill”, was made a law through action of this legislature and endorsement by the governor. It was charged at the time that the bill was aimed at Jehovah’s witnesses. This was denied, but it is very significant that the only prosecution ever brought under that law was against one of Jehovah’s witnesses.
As evidence of the evil purpose of the present bills we quote the following from the public press of the State:
The Jersey City Journal of January 13 states that the bills are “obviously aimed at activities such as those sponsored by the Jehovah’s witness sect, which has been much in the public eye of late. . . .”
The Sunday Call of Newark, in its issue of February 9, states:
“At the bottom of these bills [ones here referred to] lies hostility toward a religious organization, which forbids salutes to the flag or veneration for any earthly object. This hostility is contrary to American principles of religious freedom, . . ."
The Newark Evening News of January 14 states:
"The three bills, outgrowths of recent refusal of pupils in Secaucus and elsewhere to salute the flag, etc., . . ."
It is true that Jehovah's witnesses conscientiously object and refuse to salute or offer reverence and honor to anything made by a human creature. A few of the children of Jehovah's witnesses have been expelled from the public schools because of their conscientious objection to flag saluting. There has been much publicity about it. The newspapers have made much ado. Patriotic organizations, so called, have raised a great furore. The parents of children have been arrested and haled into court. Boycotts have been instituted and bodily violence threatened against them.
The enemies of Jehovah's witnesses are the ones who desire to see these bills passed. They would make criminals of all of Jehovah's witnesses. They would make delinquents of the little children and have them taken from their homes. They would imprison parents and heavily punish anyone who stood by his conscientious convictions. For a number of years they have waged an unholy campaign against these Christian people. Over a thousand have been arrested throughout New Jersey, and charged with various crimes. Now these vindictive enemies come to the New Jersey legislature and ask it to frame a law which will enable them to put the criminal label on every true Christian in this State. They ask you to make it a crime to be one of Jehovah's witnesses in this State. They ask you to put them in a position where they can dominate, browbeat, and force men, women and children to offer honor and reverence to that which is made by man.
In order that you may be informed as to who are Jehovah's witnesses, and what is their work, we insert and make a part of this protest a document entitled "JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES PRESENT THEIR CASE". This pamphlet has been circulated in various communities, and states as follows:
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES PRESENT THEIR CASE
During the past three years many of Jehovah's witnesses have been arrested in New Jersey cities, brought to trial, and sentenced to pay fines or serve terms in prison. At many of the trials they have been denied opportunity to present their defense. The courts would not permit them to present any evidence showing that the local ordinances do not apply to their work.
It is evident that the officials of these cities intend to arrest and heavily penalize every one of Jehovah's witnesses who engage in the worship of Jehovah God in their domains. You, residents and taxpayers, hire and pay these officials. You are entitled to know about their arbitrary and oppressive acts. Therefore Jehovah's witnesses present their case. The witness who presents this to you may be arrested and imprisoned for allegedly violating the law. This is our defense.
Who Are Jehovah's witnesses?
Jehovah's witnesses are earnest and sincere Christians, who do the will of Almighty God as that is written in the Bible. Each and every one of them has entered into an agreement or covenant with Jehovah God wherein they have consecrated themselves to do His will, and to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. By virtue of this covenant it is obligatory upon them to obey the law of God, which is found in His Word, the Bible.
They are ordained ministers of the gospel, and are sent forth by Almighty God under the direction of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society to call upon the people at their homes and teach them the truth of and concerning God's word as contained in the Bible.
The Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society is a corporation organized under the laws of Pennsylvania, its chartered purpose being as follows, to wit:
"The purpose for which the corporation is formed is the dissemination of Bible truths in various languages by means of the publication of tracts, pamphlets, papers and other religious documents, and by the use of all other lawful means which its Board of Directors, duly constituted, shall deem expedient for the furtherance of the purpose stated."
What Is Their Mission?
It is the mission of Jehovah's witnesses to preach and teach the gospel of God's kingdom. They are not hired to do the work. It is done voluntarily and without financial reward. Their method of so preaching and worshiping Jehovah is to call on the people and tell them about the kingdom of Jehovah. They display to the people books and booklets containing the gospel message of God's Word and give them opportunity to secure this printed message if they so desire. They also offer the people invitations to hear the gospel message over the radio.
Why Do They Engage in This Work?
Jehovah God has commanded His people to preach the gospel message of the Kingdom in all the world for a witness. Because of their covenant to do the will of God, Jehovah's witnesses are in duty bound to obey the mandate to preach the gospel. These commands to preach and teach the gospel are found in God’s Word, the Bible, and are as follows:
“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he; before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
“I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
“I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.” —Isaiah 43:10-12.
“The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted; to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
“To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” —Isaiah 61:1-3.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”—Matthew 24:14.
“And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
“And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.”—Luke 10:5, 6.
“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house.”—Acts 20:20.
“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you.
“And it shall come to pass that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.”—Acts 3:22, 23.
“. . . Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. . . .”—John 18:37.
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”—1 Peter 2:21.
If they failed or neglected to obey these commandments severe punishment, to wit, eternal destruction, would come upon them. The time is now here when all followers of Christ must obey His commandments, or be destroyed. This is shown in Acts 3:22, 23, cited above.
What Message Do Jehovah’s witnesses Bring to the People?
Briefly summarized, the gospel of the Kingdom is as follows:
THAT JEHOVAH is the only true God, is from everlasting to everlasting, the Maker of heaven and earth, and the Giver of life to His creatures; that the Logos was the beginning of His creation, and His active agent in the creation of all things; that the Logos is now the Lord Jesus Christ in glory, clothed with all power in heaven and earth, and the Chief Executive Officer of Jehovah.
THAT GOD created the earth for man, created perfect man for the earth and placed him upon it; that man willfully disobeyed God’s law and was sentenced to death; that by reason of Adam’s wrong act all men are born sinners and without the right to life.
THAT JESUS was made human, and the man Jesus suffered death in order to produce the ransom or redemptive price for all mankind; that God raised up Jesus divine and exalted Him to heaven, above every creature and above every name, and clothed Him with all power and authority.
THAT JEHOVAH’S ORGANIZATION is called Zion, and that Christ Jesus is the Chief Officer thereof and is the rightful King of the world; that the anointed and faithful followers of Christ Jesus are children of Zion, members of Jehovah’s organization, and are His witnesses whose duty and privilege it is to testify to the supremacy of JEHOVAH, declare His purposes toward mankind as expressed in the Bible, and to bear the fruits of the Kingdom before all who will hear.
THAT THE WORLD has ended, and that the Lord Jesus Christ has been placed by Jehovah upon His throne of authority, has ousted Satan from heaven, and is proceeding to the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.
THAT THE RELIEF and blessings of the peoples of earth can come only by and through Jehovah’s kingdom under Christ, which has now begun; that the Lord’s next great act is the destruction of Satan’s organization and the establishment of righteousness in the earth, and that under the Kingdom all those who will obey its righteous laws shall live on earth for ever.
Worship of Almighty God Prohibited in New Jersey
The acts for which Jehovah’s witnesses have been arrested, jailed and fined were acts of worship of Almighty God.
Christians are commanded to worship God in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23, 24) To worship doesn’t mean to put on a pious front or look sanctimonious. It doesn’t mean to go to church or go through some religious ceremony. It does mean to revere and serve Almighty God. The one who because of unselfish love to Jehovah goes from door to door to inform people of the gospel message is engaged in the actual worship of his Creator.
In days of old three faithful Hebrews were cast into a fiery furnace because they worshiped Almighty God in violation of the decree of Nebuchadnezzar. The prophet Daniel worshiped Jehovah in accordance with the dictates of his own conscience. He violated the law of Darius in so doing. The early Christians suffered martyrdom at the hands of Nero because they worshiped God in spirit and in truth. Jehovah’s witnesses of today are threatened with arrest and imprisonment in New Jersey cities if they obey God and worship Him.
Why Not Get a Permit?
Jehovah’s witnesses are sent by Almighty God to do His work. His law is supreme and above every human law. To apply for a permit to do His work would be an act of disobedience to His commandment. It would be an insult to the Most High God, and would in time result in the eternal destruction of the one so disobeying. See Acts 3:22, 23, cited above; also Acts 4:19, Acts 5:34-39, and Luke 20:25. They have no disposition to violate any law, but must obey God rather than man, and in this way they worship Him as commanded.
“RENDER TO CÆSAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CÆSAR’S, AND TO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD’S.”—Mark 12:17.
The Supreme Court of New Jersey has quoted the above passage and decided that Jehovah’s witnesses should comply with its terms. This they gladly do. In obeying the commandment to preach the gospel, they are rendering unto Jehovah God the strict obedience required by His law. They have done all within their power to render unto the municipalities the things which the Lord Jesus Christ commands shall be rendered by those who follow Him, in that they have furnished to the police departments of all of the New Jersey municipalities their names and addresses and information that they are people of good repute.
When the apostle Peter and others were brought before the High Court of Jewry charged with preaching the gospel without permission, Peter boldly answered: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” We submit that the statement is just as true today as then. Jehovah’s witnesses, and all people, should obey God rather than men.
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES.
Who Is Sponsoring These Measures?
We assert most emphatically that these bills are not sponsored by those who sincerely love their country and are devoted to its interests. The ulterior purpose of the measures is so clearly shown that it becomes imperative for the members of the legislature to inquire who are back of them.
The ones who would like to see all of Jehovah’s witnesses placed in the criminal class are religionists in general and the Roman Catholic Hierarchy in particular. The attitude of the Catholic Hierarchy is well stated in the Catholic Transcript of December 12, 1935, from which we quote:
“Catholics in various localities succeeded in persuading their home stations to suppress this menace to good will. [Referring to the broadcasts of Jehovah’s witnesses] More recently, Rutherford’s followers, under the name of Jehovah’s witnesses, have got into the news for refusing to allow children to salute the flag. Catholics have always held that this man should not be tolerated. [Italics ours]
That powerful religio-political organization would like well to establish a Jesuit-Fascist régime in the United States, and its connection with this legislation should be investigated.
Why a True Follower of Jesus Christ Cannot Salute a Flag
(A) The flag is an image, and flag saluting is a religion.
The United States flag is the emblem of national sovereignty and authority. Men speak of it in highly laudatory terms, and the very attributes of deity are ascribed to it. We cite the following from The Encyclopedia Americana, Volume 11, page 316:
“The flag, like the cross, is sacred. Many people employ the words or term ‘Etiquette of the Flag’. This expression is too weak, too superficial, and smacks of drawing-room politeness. The rules and regulations relative to human attitude toward national standards use strong, expressive words, as, ‘Service to the Flag,’ ‘Respect for the Flag,’ ‘Reverence for the Flag,’ ‘Devotion to the Flag,’ ‘Behavior Towards the Flag.’”
Also the following as to the meaning of colors in the flag:
“White signifies Purity and Innocence; Red, Hardiness and Valor; Blue signifies Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.”
The Manual of Information for prospective citizens published by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution states:
“America was settled by lovers of liberty. America expects those who come here to love and revere and defend the flag which protects them. It is the emblem of a free people.”
Religion consists of the observance and practice of any ceremony or outward forms by which men attribute to some superior power, object or thing, protection or salvation.
There is but one Christianity, or true worship of Almighty God. But there are many religions.
Flag saluting, as shown herein, and as practiced throughout the world, constitutes a religion. Its chief ceremony is the act of homage and obeisance shown with the motion of the hand and the repeating of the pledge of allegiance. Its distinctive doctrine is that respect, honor, devotion, reverence, and love must be offered to this symbol of the government. It affirms that the flag is sacred, pure, innocent, vigilant, just and valiant. It proclaims to all and sundry that salvation and protection come from the flag.
These statements and acts make the flag a superior object. They give to the flag powers and attributes which are above human power. They constitute a deification of the flag and an offering of obeisance and worship to it.
(B) To salute the flag would be a violation of the divine commandment stated in Exodus 20: 3-5, to wit:
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them . . ."
The United States flag is the image, or emblem, of the American nation.
Every true follower of Jesus Christ must obey the commandment above stated. He cannot, and will not bow down, render obeisance, or commit any act of worship, reverence, or honor, to the image of the government. To do so would in due time mean his eternal destruction.—Acts 3: 22, 23.
(C) The salute to the flag means in effect that the person saluting ascribes protection and salvation to the flag, whereas such comes only from Jehovah God.
The citation given from the Manual of Information for prospective citizens designates the flag as the protector of the people. The adulatory expressions ascribing to the flag sacredness, purity, justice, innocence, hardiness, valor, vigilance and perseverance further establish its deification and exaltation as the savior of the people.
A true Christian rejoices in the salvation and protection of Almighty God (Psalm 20: 5) and will not insult the Creator by ascribing salvation to man, or to anything made by man.
The situation is similar to that of Pagan Rome. Caesar was the emperor. He was deified and salvation was ascribed to him. He, or his statue, was saluted in manner similar to the salute to the flag. He was exalted, honored, and saluted, and the flag today is exalted, honored and saluted in similar manner.
A true witness of Jehovah will salute no god but Jehovah, and will ascribe salvation and protection to no one but Almighty God.
(D) Flag saluting is part of the creed of a false religion, and from such all true Christians are commanded to turn aside.
Concerning relationship to false religions the law of God prescribes as follows:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
"And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."—2 Corinthians 6: 14-17.
In the days of Pagan Rome the authorities demanded obeisance and a pledge of allegiance to the deified emperor. This was given by the sprinkling of some incense on a fire before a statue—an image of the emperor. It was demanded of everyone. But the early Christians refused to give the salute. They would not bow down, salute, or render obeisance to Caesar. They separated themselves and would have no part or parcel with the religio-patriotic cult of that day.
This present attempt to force Christian people to join in the services of a patriotic cult is an attempt to force a religion on them in opposition to their conscientious beliefs. This is revolting to a civilized mind, and is directly contrary to the constitutional guarantees of freedom of worship of Almighty God. It is an endeavor to coerce people, especially the school children, to worship in accordance with a ritual of ceremonial patriotism. It is contrary to common sense, common decency, and the well established principles of freedom of worship, freedom of conscience, and freedom of speech.
The bills should be denied passage for the following reasons: I. Because of their obvious malicious purpose.
II. Because even though enacted into law they will not foster respect for the flag.
III. Because they are unconstitutional.
The Malicious Purpose
Freedom of worship, freedom of conscience, and freedom of speech are recognized as fundamental rights in these United States. Jehovah's witnesses are permitted to call on the people with the gospel message without interference, in most of the states. But New Jersey is different. A violent campaign has been waged against them in this State during recent years. Over a thousand of Jehovah's witnesses have been arrested and thrust into prison. Hundreds have been convicted, without competent evidence. Fair trials have been denied them. Many have been thrown into jail for the sole and only reason that they were Jehovah's witnesses. The record to date is a shame and a disgrace to this State.
During recent months a number of the children of Jehovah's witnesses have been expelled from the public schools because they conscientiously refused to salute the flag. After expelling them from school, the school authorities have haled the parents into courts under truancy laws, charging them with failure to send their children to school. It has been necessary for Jehovah's witnesses to establish private schools where these children could be educated without having a patriotic ritualistic religion thrust upon them. And now the sponsors of these bills would increase the infamy and dishonor of this commonwealth by framing class legislation to further persecute, harass, ill-treat and oppress these Christian people. They desire the legislature to furnish them with new weapons to wreak their malice upon the innocent. They would hound them in their private educational institutions, and bludgeon them into the worship of their handmade god.
They would go further than that. It is well known that Jehovah's witnesses have published and distributed a pamphlet entitled "Saluting a Flag", giving the Scriptural reasons why a Christian cannot salute a flag. It is undoubtedly the purpose of the advocates of this legislation to arrest and imprison every one of Jehovah's witnesses found distributing such literature. And every parent who teaches his child the truth about flag saluting will also be subject to arrest and imprisonment.
The evil purpose of these bills is so glaringly manifest that no legislator should sully his reputation by casting a vote for them. They should be rejected unanimously.
Patriotism Cannot Be Taught by Law
This nation recently went through the "noble experiment" of endeavoring to teach temperance by law. It didn't work. Now it is proposed to teach patriotism and devotion to the flag by force of the law. The mandate to teachers and pupils will be: Salute or go to jail. Be patriotic or get punished. The flag then becomes the symbol of force; the emblem of the iron hand; the image of dictatorial rule.
Does anyone for one moment imagine that such methods will foster love and respect for the flag?
Permit us to quote from the Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer:
"To pass a law requiring that little children must formally salute the flag under penalty of ostracism from the public schools, is to make a pompous mockery of the natural patriotism of American children. It is to put love of country into the category of such things good for children as castor oil and neck washing. It is to make the flag not a thing of the American child's natural reverence and adoration, not a symbol of enthusiasm, but a symbol of force. It is to make the flag not a banner to which the love of the child goes up, but a standard from which force may come down hard upon the child. In a perverse world, children are entitled to their share of perversity, and it is to dare that perversity to say to the child: You'll love this flag or get your breeches burned. And if children, being human, don't love that which they are ordered to love under penalty of punishment, then not the communists, but the pompous, foolish patrioteers, who would make the flag as ridiculous as themselves, will be to blame."
This kind of legislation will not be instrumental in the instilling of patriotism and love of country. It will teach parrot patriotism, deceit, and cringing hypocrisy. It will foster and foment a blaze of persecution of the people of Jehovah God, which will not furnish good advertising for the State of New Jersey.
Unconstitutionality
These bills, if enacted into law, will be unconstitutional in at least three particulars, to wit:
1. Christians will be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshiping Almighty God in accordance with the dictates of conscience, as guaranteed under the provisions of Article I, Section 3, of the Constitution of New Jersey, and of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.
2. The civil rights of liberty and freedom of conscience as guaranteed under Article I, Section 4, of the Constitution of New Jersey, will be denied through the forcing of a state religion on the people.
3. Freedom of speech as guaranteed by Article I, Section 5, of the Constitution of New Jersey will be denied in that said legislation will make it a crime to teach or attempt to teach any school child the commandments of Jehovah God concerning saluting a flag.
Freedom of Worship
To worship God does not mean to kowtow, attend church, look holy, or go through some religious ceremony. It does mean to obey and serve Jehovah God because of love and devotion to Him. One cannot worship God if he disobeys His commands.
God commands His people not to render honor or obeisance to any image, or symbol, or representation of anything. This applies to the flag as the symbol—the image, if you please—of the nation. These bills, if enacted into law, will require teachers and pupils to disobey the commandments of God, and to join in the religious ceremonies of the flag-saluting cult. The laws would create a state religion. Any Christian thus violating the law of God, by rendering obeisance to the flag, could not worship (serve) Jehovah in spirit and in truth. The State through this form of legislation comes in between the individual and his Creator and prevents or attempts to prevent proper worship and devotion to Him. This would be a flagrant interference with the inherent right to worship God in accordance with the dictates of conscience.
Freedom of Conscience
We have heretofore shown (pages 3, 4) that the ceremony of flag saluting comes clearly within the definition of a religion.
Our forefathers came to this country to escape participation in religious ceremonies contrary to their conscientious beliefs. They incorporated the principles of freedom of conscience into the fundamental law of the land.
Why should New Jersey attempt to turn the laws back to the intolerant practices of the Dark Ages? Why attempt to bludgeon school children and school teachers into stultification of conscience under this form of bigotry?
The pages of history reek with the accounts of the unholy attempts of tyrants to force their beliefs on others. Christians have suffered the rack and the pinion rather than disobey the commandments of God. A pinch of incense on the fire before the emblem of Caesar would have satisfied the demands of the patriotic cult of Pagan Rome. But, rather than render obeisance to that image, the early Christians suffered themselves to be thrown to the lions.
Today Jehovah’s witnesses do not court persecution, but they will not permit themselves to be forced into a state religion, or submit to a smothering of conscience.
They should not be asked to. The legislature of the State of New Jersey should have enough consideration for the fundamental principles of freedom of conscience to promptly reject these measures and refuse them passage.
Freedom of Speech
Should not the right of the father and mother to teach their children the commandments of the Creator be fully protected by this legislature? If the legislature passes these bills and parents teach their children the truth concerning the commandments of God as stated in Exodus 20:3-5, what will happen? They will have committed a misdemeanor and will be subject to fine and imprisonment. You will have taken from parents that most sacred of rights: the right to teach their own children the truth of God’s Word, the Bible.
Under this wrong-headed and purblind legislation no teacher in a public school, private school, day school or Sunday school will be permitted to teach to the pupils the commandments of God as stated in the Bible.
No preacher will be permitted to expound the Bible in its entirety from the pulpit, if there are any pupils of school age in the audience.
Magazines, newspapers and other publications will be permitted to publish only one side of the flag-saluting issue.
Where is liberty of speech under that kind of despotism?
What courts will sustain such shortsighted legislation?
If Jehovah’s witnesses can be made the subject of special legislation, and prohibited from teaching their children the truths of the Bible, who will next be deprived of their liberty to speak and teach?
This country went through many struggles to establish the principles of freedom of worship, freedom of conscience, and freedom of speech. Is it wise to jeopardize them to satisfy the malicious purposes of religionists, patrioteers, and the Roman Catholic Hierarchy against Jehovah's witnesses?
Insure No Interference with Freedom of Worship
If it be contended that the purpose of these bills is not to interfere with freedom of worship of Almighty God as taught in the Bible, then let a proviso like the following be made a part of each one of such bills, to wit:
PROVIDED that the provisions of this act shall not apply to any person who conscientiously believes in Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, and who conscientiously holds and believes that the saluting of any flag, object or image or thing is and would be a violation of God's holy law, as set forth in the Bible, and such person shall not be compelled to comply therewith.
Christians Will Obey God Rather than Men
Many years ago Blackstone, the leading exponent of the common law, stated with precision and clarity the relation of the statute law to the higher law of the Creator. He said:
"... if any human law should enjoin or allow us to commit it [an act forbidden by the divine law] we are bound to transgress the human law, or else we must offend both the natural and the divine."
—Blackstone's Commentaries, Chase 3rd Ed. 7.
These bills, as now written, are attempting to enjoin upon the people of New Jersey an act forbidden by the DIVINE law: A compulsory rendering of honor, devotion, and obeisance to a man-made image of the nation.
In view of the fact that the sponsors of this proposed legislation have had the temerity to single out Jehovah's witnesses as their object of attack, we hereby serve notice that, as Christians who have entered into a binding covenant to obey the commands of Almighty God at all times, we will not obey or comply with the provisions of such laws. We must transgress them in order that we may not offend the DIVINE law. We must obey God rather than men.
A Public Hearing Demanded
We remind the members of the legislature that the "Anti-Nazi Bill", so called, which was also specifically directed at Jehovah's witnesses, was passed at a night session and signed immediately by the governor without opportunity for protest.
AS CITIZENS OF THIS STATE we now demand a public hearing on each one of these bills, with the full privilege and opportunity to produce and offer evidence tending to show that the foregoing bills are inspired and sponsored by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and their religious allies in a studied attempt to seize and completely control the American people, and rule them in a manner similar to the rule that is now employed in Italy and in Germany, and that the bills and the sponsors thereof are against the public interest of the American people, and particularly the State of New Jersey. This legislature is now called upon to determine whether America shall continue to enjoy freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, and freedom of worship, as it has in the past 150 years, or that the foreign power of Rome shall change the American policy and rule the American people with an iron hand.
(Signed by)
GEORGE W. ROSSIER,
51 Hadley Ave., Clifton, N. J.
JAMES A. DOUGHAEN,
270 Broadway, Paterson, N. J.
BENJAMIN COHEN,
46 Dodd St., East Orange, N. J.
DANIEL BARNES,
136 Barclay St., Newark, N. J.
LEROY B. WHEELER,
1045 Arlington Ave., Plainfield, N. J.
LESTER PULLEN,
31 Wardell Pl., Wanamassa, N. J.
HARRY L. PIATT,
RFD 2, Westfield, N. J.
GEORGE S. O'DOWD,
1119 Avenue C, Bayonne, N. J.
MIKE DUMNICK,
378 Madeline Ave., Garfield, N. J.
FRED STEINLE,
272 Broad Ave., Fairview, N. J.
GEORGE C. VILLIAGE,
19 New St., Montclair, N. J.
JOHN A. WEBER,
598 S. Orange Ave., Newark, N. J.
BESSIE A. BROWN,
281 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, N. J.
Legal Light on the New Jersey Flag Saluting Bills
EVEN New Jersey, that dark and benighted area, where Christians are jailed for the offense of walking in the footsteps of Jesus, is not yet ready to don all the garments of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. There are still men and women therein who endeavor to keep conditions where some measure of truth and justice may glimmer through the murky haze of Papal control. This was demonstrated March 17 last, in the assembly chambers of the State House at Trenton.
Hudson county, New Jersey, is undoubtedly the place for a blind man's holiday. Out of its Stygian gloom and Erebian darkness came forth the muddiest, dimmest and dirtiest piece of legislation presented to any legislative body this season. Heralded by its astigmatic sponsors as measures scintillating with patriotic beams, these proposed laws proved to be instruments to darken, obscure and extinguish freedom of worship, speech and conscience in the state.
Assemblyman Robert F. McAlevy is the author of what are called the flag saluting bills. Mr. McAlevy is from Hoboken, of Hudson county, New Jersey. Hoboken is the place where they "sock" Christians ninety days in jail for preaching the gospel from door to door. These bills make it obligatory for teachers and pupils in all schools, public and private, to salute the flag. If enacted into law no parent could teach his child what the Bible says about image worship. No newspaper could publish an editorial against compulsory flag saluting. That is the kind of caliginous [dark] legislation incubated in the sombrous depths of Hudson county for the benefit (?) of the people of New Jersey. Undoubtedly the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, visible representative of the prince of darkness, is back of the bills. They fit in with the program of that organization to extinguish all rays of liberty in the land.
The bills were placed in charge of the Assembly Committee on Education, of which Mrs. Olive C. Sandford is the chairman. They looked pretty dark to the Committee, which retained them and did not report for passage. Assemblyman McAlevy demanded of the Committee that the measures be reported to the Assembly for action. The New Jersey Division of Jehovah's witnesses appeared on the scene and demanded a public hearing on the bills so that all the facts might be shown. A public hearing was called. Proponents and opponents assembled at Trenton to tell what they thought of this kind of legislation.
In favor of the bills came representatives of the Sons of America, Daughters of America, Daughters of Liberty, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Odd Fellows. Their arguments are summarized as follows:
1. The United States must be protected. And, of course, if all the school kids salute the flag the nation will be safe.
2. Subversive organizations must be fought. Sure. Make the youngsters salute. That's the way to fight subversivism.
3. We must prevent alien propaganda from wrecking the public school system. And if the children have the jail door staring them in the face if they do not salute, that will, of course, shut off all alien propaganda.
4. The children must be taught to be patriotic citizens. And, of course, the compulsory flag salute will be just as good as castor oil for that purpose.
5. Children must be compelled to be reverent to the flag. 'Nuf said. Worship the flag or go to jail, is what they teach in Hoboken.
6. Jehovah's witnesses must be wiped out. There is the real reason for the measures. Most of the proponents studiously avoided any reference to Jehovah's witnesses. But Joseph W. Leher, speaking for the Cape May Veterans of Foreign Wars, asserted that it was because of Jehovah's witnesses that it was necessary to adopt the bills. "Jehovah's witnesses were not heard of ten years ago, and will not be heard of ten years from now, if the Veterans of Foreign Wars have anything to say about it," was his treble clef anathema.
In opposition to the bills came Jehovah's witnesses, Newark Teachers Association, Mercer County Teachers Union, State Teachers Committee, Society of Friends, Federation of Women's Clubs, League of Women's Voters, Civil Liberties Union, Business and Professional Women's Club of Orange, and Civil Liberties Committee. Their representatives turned the rays of light and truth on these medieval pieces of legislation, which pierced through the Cimmerian* gloom and exposed them to all as a monumental piece of framing mischief by law. Objections to the bills as presented by the opponents were as follows:
* Without any light.
1. True patriotism cannot be created by legislation.
2. Respect for the flag cannot be forced.
3. You cannot teach love of country with a club.
4. The bills will defeat true patriotism and teach hypocrisy.
5. Respect for the country should be taught through educational processes.
6. The bills are not necessary. There is no evil existing which they would cure.
7. They will not eliminate disloyalty. The dishonest and disloyal will salute just the same.
8. The bills are unconstitutional.
9. Passage of the bills should at least be delayed until the present case on the flag saluting question is decided.
10. The laws would be impossible to enforce.
11. The laws are an opening wedge for Fascism and a regimented state.
12. They are designed to make criminals and imprison all of Jehovah's witnesses in the state.
13. They will suppress freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience.
14. They set up machinery which can be used to persecute innocent people.
And other points too numerous to mention. Fact upon fact and line upon line of lambent truths were cast upon this nocturnal, Hoboken type of legislation to show it forth in its true colors. And what was thus revealed? Intolerance, malice and prejudice working together to insult everything for which the flag has stood. A cog in the program of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy to Hitlerize and swastikaize America.
Hundreds of letters, telegrams and documents were presented to the Committee in opposition to the measures, and at the conclusion of the hearing the chairman announced they would all be given careful consideration.
The bills appear to be checked for the present. But lovers of liberty in New Jersey need to be on guard. They should keep their eyes open. And don't forget Hudson county, would-be eclipse headquarters.
The Truly Patriotic Press
By advice of counsel there is appended to the foregoing the statement made by C. J. Woodworth, editor of The Golden Age, in opposition to the passage of these foolish bills:
The Watchtower
Birmingham Age-Herald
Birmingham News
Denver Post
Waterbury Republican
Washington Star
Boise Valley Herald
Evansville Journal
The American Freeman
Louisville Times
Shreveport Journal
Baltimore Evening Sun
Boston Herald
Boston Post
Boston Transcript
Boston Traveler
Brockton Enterprise
Ann Arbor News
Detroit Times
Minneapolis Tribune
Willmar Daily Tribune
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
The Montana Standard
Great Falls Tribune
Omaha World-Herald
Asbury Park Evening Press
Bayonne Times
Camden Courier Post
Kearny Leader and Bergen Ledger
Trenton State Gazette
Auburn Citizen-Advertiser
Buffalo Courier Express
Buffalo Evening News
The Literary Digest
The Nation
New York Daily News
New York Post
New York Times
New York World-Telegram
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Rochester Times Union
Raleigh News and Observer
Bismarck Tribune
Akron Beacon Journal
Akron Times Press
Bellaire Daily Leader
Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Post
Cleveland News
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Cleveland Press
Columbus Citizen
Steubenville Herald-Star
Toledo Blade
Youngstown Telegram
Frederick Press
Oklahoma News
Portland Oregon Journal
Easton Herald
Kittanning Leader-Times
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin
Philadelphia Public Ledger
Philadelphia Sunday Transcript
Pittsburgh Courier
Washington Observer
Providence Journal
Westerly Sun
Nashville Tennessean
Dallas Dispatch
Dallas News
Seattle Star
Wheeling Intelligencer
The Golden Age
may not enter or circulate freely in the state of New Jersey if this proposed legislation for the restriction of freedom of the press is enacted. All of these journals are on record as opposed to:
Placing any country above Jehovah God;
Acts of enforced patriotism;
Legal oppression of children;
Pretended fright at dangers of Communism;
Using the flag to cloak activities of scoundrels;
Suppression of private liberties;
Invasion of the rights of religious liberty and freedom of speech;
Parading Fascism and regimentation as the salvation of the country;
Putting America down to the base level of Germany, Italy and Russia;
Humorless and stupid attempts at uniformity;
Coercion of conscience;
Pretended rights to regulate even the minds of others;
Adulation of the military powers and emblems;
Assuming that love of country or parents can be obtained by force;
Making it so easy for crooks, profiteers and traitors to make it appear that they are patriots;
The breaking down of the American school system;
A drum-beating and goose-stepping America;
A denial of learning to those who wish to learn;
(Continued at foot of next column) Flag Saluting in a Florida Courthouse
FLORIDA, heretofore known as the land of sunshine and flowers, is now advertising itself as the land of brutality and savagery. Some officials of that well-favored state are bent on making it a place of lawlessness and savagery.
Boynton, Florida, is a small town on the east coast between Palm Beach and Miami. On March 17, Roy D. Goodrich, one of Jehovah's witnesses, called on business places and homes for the purpose of presenting to the people the gospel message. While so doing he was accosted by a so-called "peace officer", who ordered him to cease his work. The mayor of the city assisted and ordered him out of town. A few minutes later a county motorcycle officer also told him to get out of town. Not getting out of town fast enough to suit these "gentlemen", Goodrich was arrested, and placed in jail without any specific charge being leveled against him.
After remaining behind the bars for a couple of hours, the county officer came and entertained him by resorting to the lowest sort of abusive language, breathing out threats, mingled with berating and false accusations. In the evening a hearing was held. This was not completed, but adjourned until the next evening at eight o'clock.
Scene in West Palm Beach (Fla.) Courthouse
(Continued from page 492)
Making hypocrites of children;
Glorifying blatant breast-beaters and flag-wavers;
Turning the glorious U. S. flag into a matador's scarf;
Implying that the Republic is tottering and needs enforced loyalty;
Riding the life out of Jehovah's witnesses, the Quakers, and others with consciences;
Attempting to override constitutional rights;
Grossly insulting everything for which the flag stands;
Tyranny and Jesuitism.
This witness for Jehovah remained in the city jail for the night, but did he go to trial the next evening? No. Why not? At about six o'clock—two hours before the time for trial—officers of Boynton, with a Palm Beach county officer, came to the jail. Goodrich was searched, and all his possessions, including his handkerchief and auto keys, were taken from him. He was forced to enter an automobile which was manned by the chief of police of Boynton and the chief deputy of Palm Beach county. On arrival at the Palm Beach county courthouse the officers took their bantam-weight prisoner to the sheriff's office. He was placed in the custody of a large, heavy-set man in county uniform. Presently several motorcycle officers came in and the Palm Beach inquisition commenced. Volleys of profane, obscene and abusive language with profuse cursings were poured upon the prisoner. Over and over again he was told that he deserved to be beaten, torn to pieces, or sent to Russia. Not satisfied with defaming the prisoner, the inquisitors proceeded to dishonor the American flag. A large one was unfurled, partly on the floor, and held with their filthy fingers, with the demand that the prisoner should salute it. To this he replied, "I salute JEHOVAH GOD only."
Goodrich was then treated to a hard blow on the face. When he sought to cover the injured part with his hand and with his elbow resting on the arm of the chair, his moaning was mocked by the officers, and his elbow bumped off the arm of the chair. His feet were cruelly kicked out before him, thus causing him to occupy a sprawling position even while seated in the chair. Other blows were then inflicted by these thugs in uniform. A blow on top of the head caused him to fall to the floor. How long he remained on the floor he does not know, his first recollection being that he was being lifted to his feet and that his lifeblood was streaming from his nose. The next that he recalled distinctly was that a door was opening in a car in which he was seated, and that he was to go to cell Number 6 in the Palm Beach county jail. His clothes, soaked with blood clear to the skin, were removed. There was one thing about this Hitleristic piece of business that was efficient, and that was the laundry service of the Palm Beach county jail. All the bloody evidence of manhandling and torture was removed, and Goodrich’s clothes were returned to him the next morning without spot and nicely pressed.
J. P. Montz, a businessman of Miami, hearing of this medieval persecution of his friend, drove to West Palm Beach to inquire. If Montz had any idea that the Palm Beach county peace (?) officials were civilized he was quickly disillusioned. These officials denied having any knowledge of Goodrich or his whereabouts. Montz went out, but, not being satisfied, returned later to inquire further. On this call he was privileged to be treated to some of Florida’s up-to-date methods of iron rule. He was escorted into a private office. He was cursed and threatened with lynching. He was divested of all his personal possessions, including his money. They placed the brand of a burning cigar against his hand. He was then taken to a private room. His belongings were thrown into a box with trash in it. At the end of this room was a pool of blood, evidently that of his friend Goodrich. There were blood stains upon the clothing of some of the officers. Both officers gave evidence by their breath and conduct of having indulged freely in something stronger than coffee. Just for the offense of having inquired as to the whereabouts of one of Jehovah’s witnesses, Mr. Montz was treated as a desperate criminal.
Dr. Rollin Jones, of Lakeland, Florida, being informed of the outrages, went to the jail at West Palm Beach to inquire. He also received an education in the bullying methods of Palm Beach county officers. He was not permitted to see Goodrich, and was subjected to a specimen of third-degree questioning, as though he also had committed a crime in inquiring about the prisoner. Jones consulted counsel and finally secured the release of Mr. Goodrich after filing a $500 bond.
And now, fellow citizens of this land of the free and the brave, here is the climax of the story. For what purpose was Goodrich arrested? Why was he held in jail for several days and treated worse than is lawful for a desperate criminal to be treated? What charges were filed against him?
On his release he inquired at the office of the prosecuting attorney of the criminal court of records and found that his case was not even on record. He found that no charge had been offered against him. His lawyer then investigated and was informed that it was not the intention of the county or the state to have his case heard at any time, or in any court.
Roy Goodrich was not arrested and tortured for violating any law of the United States or of the State of Florida. He was arrested because he was engaged in the work of preaching the gospel of Almighty God to the people of Florida. There is only one organization on earth mean enough and cruel enough to resurrect the Inquisition and start it going in Florida or any other part of the United States. That organization is the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. Back of this particular incident you will find that organization prosecuting its program to Hitlerize and swastikaize America. Residents of Florida, wake up, and protect your liberties before they are completely gone.
Floggers and Murderers Get $50 Each
MURDER is no longer popular in Tampa, since combinations of the employing interests, the KKK, the police and the underworld, brought about the terrible death of Mr. Shoemaker. Two of the witnesses of the Shoemaker fatal flogging have died suddenly. Whether they suicided or were murdered is not known.
According to newspaper stories the floggers and murderers of Joseph A. Shoemaker, at Tampa, did not do their ghastly butchery of their fellow man entirely as a labor of love for the lodge of which they were members, but were paid $50 each. The NRA went out of business before it had time to make up a regular scale of prices for this industry. Tampa prices are understood to be much higher than in Chicago or New York, but it is understood that some of the money went to grafters in between. However, in view of the fact that the murderers and floggers went out under the protection, advice and counsel of the mayor and the chief of police, they got enough.
For Proclaiming the Truth at Brownsville, Pa. By T. A. McKnight
WHILE preaching the good news of God’s incoming glorious kingdom to the people of Brownsville, Pa., on Sunday morning, March 15, two women, two men and I were stopped and manhandled into the rear seat of an automobile and headed for the police station.
We were quite a sight to the people as we passed by, with the five of us in the rear and two policemen in front and one standing on the running board. I have often seen patrol wagons on their way to jail with occupants of disorderly houses caught in raids, and thought of the similarity of the situation, except that in this case the occupants of the “patrol”, instead of being disreputable characters, were God’s own “little ones”, whose sole purpose in coming to the town of Brownsville, at their own expense, was to “bind up the brokenhearted” and to “comfort them that mourn”.
Arriving at the station house we were so wedged together that when I stepped out of the car my ribs crackled as I took an ordinary breath of air. We were ordered into the station house, and I asked permission to call our counsel, but was refused. Again I asked, and again the officer refused. Some moments passed and at last the officer said we would have to pay a forfeit or be placed in a cell. On our informing him that we wanted to retain counsel first, he then permitted me to call, and immediately thereafter we were lodged in a cell.
None of us had any fear of a cell, but, could we have envisioned the filth and vermin-laden condition of these cells into which we were thrown, none could have helped but shudder a bit.
We had some anticipation of what mental torture we would be called upon to bear, because we knew from the loud, boisterous and filthy language coming from the cell block that quite a few inmates were quartered there.
Pennsylvania less civilized than Florida
Presently the officer said, “Come along.” We filed through the door into the cell block, and there before us was a sight that could be better described by comparing it with the hold of a Chinese pirate ship. There were three cells. In one were three inmates, and the center one held five, leaving the third one vacant for some of our party. One man and I were placed in the first one, already occupied by three, making five in all. The other man and the two women were placed together in the vacant cell. The cell size was approximately six by five feet.
We were cramped terribly, as there was room enough on the bunk for only four to sit squeezed together; the other one had to stand up. In one corner of the cell more of the precious room was occupied by what appeared to be a cuspidor elevated on a pedestal, but upon inspection turned out to be a sink to wash in. I asked one of the inmates how one attracted the officer’s attention when one needed toilet facilities; and he pointed under the bunk, and there it was. To use it would necessitate that the other four rise and huddle as closely together as possible to permit the raising of the bunk, thereby exposing to view the dirtiest, most filthy contraption one could imagine. That was enough for us. We would wait as long as possible.
The other inmates kept up a steady chatter of loud and sometimes very filthy talk. The realization that our own female friends were in an adjacent cell and that at any moment a new volume of immoral jibes would be let loose was very trying to us, and the more embarrassing to the women and the man who occupied the same cell. It must have been mental torture to them.
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