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Minister to Legislatures
ministers and may have turned in their names thus to the Yearbook, afterward being
discouraged by church leadership from continuing Mrs. Wightman in that status.
As their ministry progressed, the Wightmans became much concerned about the religious liberty thrust of the Adventist movement. Back at Angola around 1898, Lulu
Wightman had preached to a receptive audience on the subject of “Church and State in
the United States.” As she studied and developed her presentations, she was a soughtafter speaker on religious liberty issues.
On February 28, 1909, Lulu Wightman addressed a capacity crowd in a public auditorium in Lincoln, Nebraska, on the subject of religious liberty. Many congressmen and
government officials were present. Since the Wightmans had recently accepted invitations to minister in the Central Union Conference, this meeting was in their territory.
Sunday baseball was the ho t issue that gave religious liberty leaders an entrée just then.
Both Lulu Wightman and her brother, Elder E. T. Russell, made powerful presentations. The Nebraska State Journal carried an article of more than 20 column inches
reporting the event.
Mrs. Wightman stressed principles characterizing the government of the United
States. She cited cases in which courts had reversed decrees that the church had set up
for control of Sunday entertainments. Religious legislation, she pointed out, “is not
allowable in our state and national legislatures” by virtue of well established practice in
this nation. She wrapped things up with an illustration and a patriotic appeal.
Ours is a civil and not a religious government. It is the world’s greatest
government since time began. A gentleman giving a toast at a grand
diplomatic dinner in Paris said: “Here’s to the United States of
America. Bounded on the north by the aurora borealis, on the south
by the procession of the equinoxes, on the east by primeval chaos,
and on the west by the day of judgment.” Nothing short of the day of
judgment can produce a better and a grander government. Let us take
no new steps. Let there be no innovation upon our splendid system
wherein all men are free.
—”Religious Liberty Meeting,” Nebraska State Journal, March 1, 1909,
p, 3. (See appendix A, 3.7.)
Later in 1909, the House of Representatives for the state of Missouri invited Lulu
Wightman to address them in their chamber on the topic, “The Rise of Religious Liberty
in the United States.” John Wightman wrote, “I believe this action upon the part of the
Missouri legislature is unprecedented in the history of our people.”( From John S.
Wightman, “Sunday Legislation Defeated,” Missouri Workers’ Record. April 28, 1909).
Clearly Lulu Wightman possessed extraordinary ability to address large crowds; both
she and her husband could reach officials of high status and responsibility.
Along with the increasing religious liberty emphasis, Mrs. Wightman did not slight
her customary evangelistic work. In Kansas City, Missouri, she conducted a successful

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