The Watchman
One of the most potent factors which make for the temporal and eternal welfare of the members of every home, is to have the right kind of reading matter at hand — and read it. The papers and books selected should deal with truth, not fancy; facts are worth much more than theories. This will be found especially true in the great final judgment which is to be accorded to every man, and the one who is really receiving a training for life with God will be able to get along very well with his fellows.
Month by month the “ Watchman ” will present facts showing the relation which current events of social and national life sustain to the life to come. The pages of history and prophecy will be opened to explain the momentous happenings of the age. These things will be taken up in an interesting, cheerful manner, which will stimulate the best impulses and highest motives of all. Other important and timely truths and helpful suggestions along different lines will give variety of thought, make the magazine readable to all classes, and add to its worth to every home it enters.
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Corresponaence Solicitea.
The
Greaf CorUroversy^
Between Christ and Satan During the Christian Dispensation
This is one of the most interesting and instructive books ever written. It is also a comprehensive history of the gospel era. It covers in a wonderful manner the history of disregard for the rights of others, and the triumph of truth and right, as illustrated in the lives of Christian martyrs and reformers on the one hand, and wicked men and persecuting powers on the other.
It goes fully into the causes which have brought about in the world today, the awfully significant conditions described in the foregoing pages; it shows that the results of turning away from the true standard of a just law will be reaped in scenes and conflicts little thought of by those who have failed to see the importance of strictly dividing truth from error. Its closing chapters are a most vivid portrayal of the final struggle, and the ultimate and complete victory of those who intelligently choose the right.
The “ Great Controversy ” contains over 700 pages, 26 illustrations, and is beautifully printed; Each style of binding has marbled edges.
Cloth, ....................... $2.75
Library, ...................... 3.75
Full Morocco, ................. 4.75
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Our May Number
WTE begin in this issue of the Watchman the long-"" promised series of articles on the Eastern Question,—the question of which one of the powers of Europe is to gain possession of the strategic point where now lies the seat of the Ottoman government, when the Turk shall be driven from Europe. The author of these articles, Prof. P. T. Magan, has made a careful study of this subject, and is prepared to give a fascinating presentation of facts that are of the deepest interest and importance. Remember that this is no question of mere local or theoretic significance; it is a matter of the fulfilment of Bible prophecy and of the changing of the map of Europe. It is a question which, as Professor Magan will show, concerns every one of us. These articles will continue throughout the year.
Considerable space is devoted in this issue to the manifestations of the movement to commit Congress and the various State Legislatures to a policy of religious legislation. See pp. 183, 191. This is a very significant movement, and one that American citizens should understand and carefully watch. Religious liberty is by no means so secure in this republic as many of us have been led to suppose.
While the Bible was never so widely circulated as now, the ignorance of its contents, even on the part of those who are called well educated, is astonishing. Some interesting statements on this subject will be found on page 181.
In our department of Scripture Study, such questions are answered as that of the meaning of the words “ soul,” spirit,” etc.; the testimony of the Bible on the use of wine; and the meaning of the apostle John’s statement that the world would not be able to contain the books if all the things which Jesus did should be written.
Some interesting reports from China are in the Mission Field department. A report of a discussion between J. S. Washburn, Seventh-day Adventist, and J. S. Warlick of the Disciple Church, will be found in this department.
Did you know that opium is causing 500,000 suicides every year? See “Things Here and There” in this number.
Many other interesting features will be found as you look this number of the Watchman through.
tTbe Watchman
Vol. XVIII	MAY 1909	No. 6
Published by the Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tern.
Contents of this Number
Poetry —	Page
God’s Remnant Church, E. H. Morton..................... 178
The Outlook —
Catholics and Socialists—Legality of the Boycott—Germany Dominating Europe—The War on Opium—A New Religious Movement—Labor Union Government in France—A Notable Achievement—The Fort Worth Fire—The Peace of Europe— Turning Back the Clock—The Air-ship and the Tariff—Suicide on the Increase—-“An International Madness ”—Affairs in Constantinople—Prospects for a New Pope.............. 155-164
Editorials —
Too Much Zeal? or Too Little?—Presuming on Ignorance—
“ The Black Point,’’ P. T. M.—The Jews and Sunday Laws—
How Lent Is Observed in High Society.................... 165-177
General Articles —
The Philosophy of History, Mrs. E. G. White—Ruskin’s Analysis of Mud—Ignorance of the Bible in High Schools, J. G. Lamson—Religion in Sunday Legislation, No. 1, S. B. Horton —“Eye for Eye; Tooth for Tooth,” Albert Carey........... 178-184
Scripture Study —
“ Could Not Contain the Books,” F. D. Starr—“ Nephesh ” and Its Translations in Genesis, A. L. Manous—Does the Bible Sanction the Use of Intoxicating Drinks? H. E. A. Minchin 185-187
The Mission Field —
Some Aspects of Life in China, P. J. Laird—The Biennial Meeting of the China Mission, W. C. Hankins—Religious Liberty Campaign in New York State, A. J. Clark—Religious Discussion in Memphis, Tenn., S. B. Horton.............. 188-194
Things Here and There —
Five Hundred Thousand Opium Suicides a Year—Wood as Food—Old-Time Argument against Railroads—Oldest Toad is Dead—Cancer Is Increasing ............................. 195, 196
Our Scrap Book —
Papal Infallibility ........................................ 198
Manuscript should be addressed to the editor. Address all business and remittances to the Southern Publishing Assoc., Nashville, Tenn.
Date of Expiration.—Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date on address label.
Change of Address.—Notice should be sent one month before change desired, and both new and old address must be given.
How to Remit.—Remit by Draft on Nashville or New York, Express or Post-office Money-order, payable to the Southern Publishing Assoc., Nashville, Tenn. Cash should be sent in Registered Letter.
Catholics and Socialists
The: principles of the papacy are not those of Socialism, and the two systems cannot be harmonized with each other. This fact seems not to have been understood by some Socialists and Catholics of Wisconsin, who thought that a Catholic would be eligible for nomination for public office on the Socialist ticket. A circular letter has now been received from the pope, which is the basis for an announcement which has been or will be made by all the priests in that State, that Catholics affiliated with the Socialist party must choose between that party and the Catholic Church. They cannot remain in both.
* *
The Legality of the Boycott
The question of the legality of the boy-cott as conducted by labor federations in this country, has been carried to the national Supreme Court. First the Buck’s Stove and Range Company, which was boycotted and blacklisted by the American Federation of Labor, secured an injunction against the boycott as conducted through the publications of the American Federation of Labor, and for disregarding this injunction President Gompers, Vice-President John Mitchell, and Secretary Morrison of the Federation, were prosecuted and sentenced to terms in jail. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals later modified the injunction, against which modification the Buck’s Stove Company has protested, and has asked for a new trial. “ It is under-
stood,” says a Washington paper, that counsel for the labor men are massing all their forces for what will be one of the most interesting and memorable legal battles ever waged before the United States Supreme Court.”
* *
Germany Dominating Europe
European dispatches affirm that the German Kaiser has assumed the role of wielder of the “ big stick ” in European politics. It is positively asserted that Germany delivered an ultimatum to Russia on March 25, in the matter of the dispute between Servia and Austria, in the settlement of which Servia counted on Russian support. In England the people are wondering whether Germany will yet venture to send an ultimatum to Great Britain. The English do not relish ultimatums and say that if the Kaiser should send such a message to them it would mean war.
* *
The War on Opium
Since: April 1 last, it has been illegal to bring into the United States or any of its outlying possessions, save for strictly medicinal purposes, any opium or any mixture or compound containing that drug in any form. The law banishing opium from this countrty is a sweeping one, and the regulations for enforcing it are stringent. There is reason for believing that public sentiment in all countries, including China, against the traffic in opium, is on the increase, though the
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A SURVEY OF WORLD EVENTS
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CGurnesy °f the	The Leaders of the New Undenominational Religious Movement
Christian Herald.
effort to enforce the Chinese, regulations against its sale is meeting with many obstacles, one of the chief of these being the cost of carrying the law into effect. The attitude of the British government toward the traffic, from which it derives an annual income of $20,000,000 is still far from satisfactory.
* *
A New Religious Movement
It is announced that “ a new religious movement has been started in Philadelphia by ministers of various denominations, having for its avowed object the removal of creed and denominational barriers, and the establishment of a forum where men and women of all creeds can meet on common ground and discuss matters pertaining to religion without regard to church or denominational differences.,, What its method of procedure will be for the accomplishment of this end, we have not yet learned. The accompanying picture shows the men composing the executive committee of
the movement. In the top row, reading from left to right are shown: Mr. Spicer, Quaker; Rev. L. G. Batman, Disciple Church; Mr. Dawson, Quaker; Rev. Geo. H. Ferris, D.D., Baptist. In the lower row, Rev. Joseph Krauskop, Hebrew; Rev. Henry Wilbur, Quaker; and Rev. J. Clarence Lee, D.D.
« *
Labor Union Government in France
According to the following press statement it appears that the victory of the strikers in the late postal strike in France was a most significant event:—
Paris, March 27.— While it is admitted here on every hand — or perhaps it is better to say, while it is truthfully claimed here on every hand — that the result of the postal strike is a complete victory for the mutineers, there is little or no appreciation, either by the public press or in private conversation, of the immense scope and significance of the defeat which the government has suffered. What, in fact, has been going on in France for the last two weeks is a duel between the regularly appointed officials of the government and the labor union leaders.
The labor union leaders have won. They
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have won completely, humiliating the government at every point, and demonstrating that the regular officials are powerless against them. In its issue, the French postal strike of March, 1909, will go down in history as the most impressive revelation ever given in Europe of the solidarity of labor and the power of labor leaders.
The original and only demand of the strikers was the head of M. Simyan, under secretary of posts and telegraphs. They have got M. Simyan’s head, though his formal decapitation will not take place for a few days. The Frenchman is a polite duelist, and an unnecessary humiliation of the official was not desired. The strikers have had a week’s holiday devoted to joyous processions, proclamations, and forensics, and have resumed work victorious and unpenalized. The government, too, has indulged in more or less fervid oratory, declaring the impossibility of submitting to the demands of the strikers, but has been compelled to eat its words.
It is folly to refuse to see what this battle, this victory, may mean. If the strike has proved so effective a weapon in the hands of one class of government employees, it is certain that the members of every other branch of the public service will in the future present their demands in the same menacing form. There are in France 400,000 public functionaries. It is in their hands at any moment absolutely to paralyze the government. The right of civil service employees to organize has been legally undetermined hitherto. There have always been mutual associations among them, but their right to strike has never before been admitted. There is now no disputing it.
What France has witnessed is only the beginning of a gigantic struggle between representative government and government by labor union leaders.
* «
A Notable Achievement
Only one hundred and eleven miles from the pole, and the south pole at that, which was supposed to be guarded from the foot of puny man by impassible barriers of ice,— such is the record that goes to the credit of Lieutenant Shackle-ton of the British navy. Starting from England in July, 1907, in a small ship,
Lieutenant Shackleton and his party proceeded to New Zealand, which they left in their ship January 1, 1908, landing at McMurdo Bay, near Mt. Erebus, the most southern of the world’s active volcanoes. Siberian ponies were used to draw the sleds in the expedition which set out from this point for the pole. The exploring party covered a distance of 1,708 miles, returning at the end of 126 days. In their trip poleward they traversed a mountainous country, some of the
Lieutenant E. H. Shackleton
mountain ranges being 12,000 or more feet in height.
Crevice-covered glaciers, deep snow, and fierce blizzards obstructed their way almost constantly, and all the ponies were either lost or sacrificed for food. At the point where the expedition was finally compelled to turn back the ground was comparatively level, the altitude above sea-level being about 9,000 feet. “ The geographical south pole,” says Lieutenant Shackleton, “ is doubtless situated on a plateau from 10,000 to 15,000 feet above sea-level.” It seems clear that a vast continent, larger than the United States, surrounds the south pole, covered with snow and ice and utterly destitute
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Broadway Presbyterian Church—Two blocks from Our Branch Office, Fort Worth, Texas
The Fort Worth Fire
The; year 1909 is already memorable in the annals of conflagrations. The origin of the four-million-dollar fire at Fort Worth, April 3, is not definitely settled, but report states that it was caused by boys smoking cigarettes in a barn. A house and two bams were burning when the fire was first discovered. Almost no rain having fallen in Fort Worth since last November, all inflammable material was very dry; and a strong wind prevailing at the time, the flames were soon beyond control. Twenty blocks were swept clean by the devouring element, some of the finest residences in the city being in this dis-
of life. This record of 111 miles is the nearest approach that has been made to either of the earth's geographical poles.
trict. Almost in the heart of the burned area was located our branch office, which was of course entirely destroyed, though some of the most valuable of its contents were saved. It was located in a cement block building, but the building burned as if it had been made of wood.
This is by no means the first conflagration that is believed to have come from the use of the deadly weed. The great Baltimore fire, which caused a loss of $60,000,000, is thought to have been caused by a lighted cigar stub dropping through a broken deadlight in the sidewalk, into the basement of a clothing store. The terrible General Slocum disaster on the East River, near New York City, some years ago, in which nearly a thousand lives were lost, is believed to have been caused by smoking on the part of some of the undisciplined crew. And we need not speak
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Scene on Broadway, Showing Ruins of Two Churches
of the numberless smaller fires which are known to have originated from a like cause; so that the sign, “ No smoking allowed/’ is a necessity in many buildings. Tobacco is a foe of the human family in many ways, and a friend in none.
^ *
The Peace of Europe
To the average reader the newspaper announcement that a war-cloud is rising in the Balkans is not a startling piece of news. The Balkan States, like Mt. Stromboli, have long been sending up cloudy tokens of internal disturbance without getting apparently any nearer to an actual eruption. Only a close student of European politics is prepared to keep track of the kaleidoscopic changes which affect the equilibrium and constantly threaten the peace of Europe, and to understand what is of great and what
of small significance in the succession of events. In making note of the situation from time to time, we aim to point out the fulfilment of scripture prophecy concerning the national unrest that would prevail upon the earth in the latter days, rather than to point out the relation of one event to another. The present menace of war lies in the belligerent attitudes toward each other of Austria and Servia. It appears, however, that Austria has carried her point with the powers, and will be allowed to hold Bosnia and Herzegovina in spite of Servia’s protests and treaty obligations to the contrary. The following from the London Times shows how the situation is viewed in England :—
The situation with which Europe is confronted involves much more than the fate of Servia. We trust that it may not mean the permanent overthrow of the balance of power
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Texas & Pacific Roundhouse, Fort Worth, after the Fire
in Europe. But it certainly does mean that for the moment Germany has placed it in jeopardy by throwing the weight of her sword into the scales, not in any quarrel in which she is herself primarily interested, but in order to prove to the world in general and to Russia in particular, that with her consent and support treaties can be broken with impunity, and small States ground down to the dust, and that without her consent and support the peaceful diplomacy of other powers is doomed to sterile effort.
The course which she has chosen to adopt may for a moment produce the outward appearance of peace. But it cannot make for permanent peace, for no power which in the course of history has arrogated to itself the right to dominate Europe and to impose its own will by sheer force has ever insured or secured peace. Russia has been compelled for the moment by sheer necessity to submit to Germany’s dictation, and we are not prepared to question the wisdom of the heavy sacrifice which she has made and which she may yet be forced to make in order to avert bloodshed.
The following editorial comment by the Independent calls to mind the words of Scripture referring to this time, “And the nations were angry ” (Rev. n:
18):—
Europe submits to the dictation of Austria, backed by Germany, and allows Austria to tear up a solemn treaty and annex Bosnia and Herzegovina. To be sure, she occupied them under the treaty and administered them, but it was not final possession. Austria refused to submit the question to a conference of the powers, and the powers protested, but yielded to Germany’s threat. Russia felt unable to resist, and then Great Britain submitted also. The two provinces are incorporated, and the hopes of Servia and Montenegro are shattered. The nations are all angry and have a right to be angry, for what will treaties be worth? It would seem as if both Austria and Germany wished for war. Had Servia declared war and Russia joined her, then Germany would have backed Austria, and the result would probably have been Germany’s victory, her seizure of the German provinces
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Ruins of Texas and Pacific Railway Repair Shop, Ft. Worth
of Russia, while Austria would have absorbed Servia and gone to the Mediterranean. We regret the shattering of a hope for a great Balkan kingdom some time in the future.
* *
Turning Back the Clock
The British Parliament is considering the question whether or not it would be well to turn back the hands on all the clocks in Great Britain so as to make them mark time one hour behind the sun. The bill which embodies the proposition is called the “ daylight-saving bill.” The bill provides that on the third Sunday in April of each year the clocks shall be set back one hour, and set forward one hour on the third Sunday in September following, the philosophy of the plan being that the change will make the Englishman’s working-day coincide better with the hours of daylight, no change being made in the hours of beginning and end-
ing work as indicated by the clock. A press report states:—
The author of the daylight-saving bill, William Willett, believes that he can readjust the habits of an entire country over night without confusion, by the simple expedient of turning back the clock. The change would be made at midnight on a Sunday, and it is believed that millions of people would wake up the next morning to find the new order of things running smoothly without the least complication. And if London and all of England could so readily gain this advantage, it is argued, New York, and the United States for that matter, could gain the same advantage in the same way. The best friends of the new measure in England are the scientists, and the same will doubtless be the case if the measure be proposed in America. Dr. Harold Jacoby, professor of astronomy at Columbia University, who is a friend of William Willett, the originator of the scheme, is to-day doubtless the best authority on the subject in this country. He believes the plan is entirely practicable.
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The Air-ship and the Tariff
The; feasibility of the successful navigation of the air having been demonstrated, the question has arisen as to the effect which air navigation, when it shall have become a common thing, will have upon tariff laws. The question is discussed in the National Review, an English magazine, by Major F. B. Baden-Powell of the British army, who believes that as regards very many articles at least, we are near the time when custom-houses will be abolished. The following summary of his views is published in American papers :—
The writer thinks that in about four years we may reasonably expect to be able to say that flying is common. Most w e 11-t o-d o people will then have made a trip through the air, and many will own machines and make daily runs. Then, of course, smuggling will become the easiest thing in the world, for even supposing, the author says, that it were not practicable Mr. Cunninghame, who will to convey large car-guide the Roosevelt Hunt- -	.
ing Party in Africa	goes o f goods
and there is no good reason why this should not be done some day — still it would undoubtedly be possible to carry parcels of one hundred pounds or so.
Air-ships could be employed continually going to and fro over the frontier, and so transporting large quantities of dutiable goods. Frontier guards would be almost useless, even if they were posted at every few hundred yards along the entire frontier, which in itself would be an impracticable proposition in most European countries.
Altogether it would seem impossible to enforce any law as to machines being compelled
to descend at a frontier, and this, according to the writer, implies that customs in the main will have to be abolished.
* *
Suicide on the Increase
So says an article in the New York Times, speaking especially of suicides in the metropolis. “ The rate of suicides in this city,” says the Times, “has increased tenfold in the last fifty years, while the mortality rate has decreased. These were facts emphasized by Dr. Edward T. Devine, professor of social economy at Columbia University and general secretary of the Charity Organization Society, in the first of the three Kennedy lectures given for the New York School of Philanthrophy.
Whatever may be the cause of suicide, .the fact, Dr. Devine said, was an evidence of misery. The city at present has 1,000 suicides a year; last year’s record was 77 in excess of that for any previous season. Forty-three cases of attempted suicide were carefully investigated. Two were directly due to poverty, and four to unemployment. The remaining thirty-seven were laid to a variety of reasons, which led the investigators to the conclusion that poverty is not the greatest cause of suicide.
There are more kinds of misery in New York, Dr. Devine declared, than Milton imagined in his “ hell.”
Observant newspaper readers must be struck by the frequency of prominent headlines in their columns announcing the suicide of some man or woman of note, some one of social prominence. It is not poverty which causes such suicides. It is the result of conditions which prevail when a soul has lost its hold on God. Nobody ever hears of a suicide of one who has faith that “ all things work together for good to them that love God ” (Rom. 8:28), and who because of his hope in Christ, is “ exceeding joyful ” in all tribulation. 2 Cor.
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7: 4. The increase of suicide is another testimony to the world’s great need of Christianity.
* *
“An International Madness"
Did England make a bad mistake when she planned the first battle-ship of the Dreadnought class? It would seem so from present indications. Previous to that time her naval supremacy was unquestioned, and not a cloud was upon the horizon of its future. But with the launching of the first Dreadnought and
the contemplation of its superior prowess as a fighting machine, other nations took the cue from Great Britain, and Germany, Japan, the United States, and one or two of the lesser powers, have been building Dreadnoughts ever since. The danger which England apprehends is that the older ships of her navy will in a short time be obsolete and practically worthless for fighting purposes against the newer ships, if they are not so already, and that the question of naval supremacy will be only the question of which power has the most and the biggest Dreadnoughts; in which case Germany or the United States might very soon wrest from her the control of the sea, without which England and the British empire would be at the mercy of its enemies. The possibility of war between England and Germany, and the uncer-
tain but large number of Dreadnought ships which Germany is known to be building, has thrown England into a fever of apprehension; and the possibility of war between the United States and Japan for commercial supremacy in the Pacific, or between Germany and the United States over the Monroe Doctrine, is used as an argument for the construction of 26,000-ton battle-ships in this country, a single discharge from one of the big guns of which equals in cost a year’s salary of a college professor.
These three nations,
—	England, Germany, and the United States
—	are all facing huge deficits in their financial balances, due in great part to the inordinate outlay now called for yearly to maintain their navies. The Springfield Republican calls it “ international madness,” and in this view it is not alone among American journals. There is every sign, however, that it is to continue, until maybe one or the other of these powers shall conclude that war is the cheapest way to get relief from the financial strain, and so precipitate a long-looked-for . conflict. And all this tremendous outlay and strain comes because the “ Christian ” nations are not Christian in fact, but jealousy, mistrust, and love of pre-eminence and worldly gain bear sway in the hearts of their statesmen.
Affairs in Constantinople
According to the following from the Washington Post, all is not peace and harmony between the Sultan and representatives of the former autocratic government, and the Young Turk party
Messrs. Heller, Mearns, and Loring, who will accompany Ex-President Roosevelt in Africa as Field Naturalists
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now in power, which has established constitutional government in Turkey. Evidently the constitutional party do not trust the Sultan, and feel it necessary to keep a sharp watch upon his movements :—
Never before, in all the thirty-three years of Abdul Hamid’s reign, has Constantinople been such a nest of intrigue as at the present moment. Nobody feels himself safe from denunciation as sympathizing with the Sultan against the party now in power. That the cabinet of the day is inimical to the padishah is no secret.
Three men-of-war lie at anchor off the Yildiz Kiosque, with their guns trained on his palace, and the stories of appalling atrocities alleged to have been committed in his name by his agents and by his orders, which fill the newspapers of Stamboul without any interference by the government, are intended, it is said, to prepare public sentiment for a forcible ending of Abdul Hamid’s reign.
Later news is that a revolt against Abdul Hamid has broken out in the army, that the troops are marching on Constantinople, and the forcible termination of Abdul Hamid’s reign is at hand. Massacres of Armenians and Christians in Asiatic Turkey are reported in connection with this movement. The powers are watching the situation and intervention on their part may become necessary.
^ *
Prospects for a New Pope
That Pius X’s health is far more seriously impaired than is admitted by the official bulletins issued at Rome is known to the cabinets and diplomatic chancelleries of every capital of Europe, as well as at Washington, Rio, Buenos Ayres, and Santiago.
The gravity of this condition led to an extraordinary meeting of the members of the sacred college, which took place on the evening of the third of March, at the residence of Cardinal Rampolla, in
the rear of St. Peter’s. Sixteen cardinals were present; and while the proceedings were strictly secret, it is learned that at the conclusion of the conference long cipher dispatches were sent over the wires to absent members of the sacred college in other parts of Italy and abroad.
While it is impossible to speak with any degree of certitude as to the contents of these messages, there is every reason to believe that they refer to the imminence of a conclave and to the conviction that the days of Pius X are numbered.
Rampolla, who is one of the few Italian members of the sacred college who can boast of patrician blood in their veins, and who is a scion of one of the oldest princely houses of Sicily, is universally recognized by all of the cardinals of the curia as their leader, and enjoys to a very exceptional degree the respect and regard of the princes of the church abroad. Whether he himself will be chosen as the successor to Pius X remains to be seen.
It may be recalled that he would have been elected at the last conclave had it not been for the veto of Austria, exercised at the instance of Emperor William. Since then the right of veto formerly possessed by Austria and Spain has been abolished by a papal bull dated June 20, 1904, but only recently promulgated, and the members of the sacred college feel that they owe Rampolla reparation for having permitted themselves to be dominated by Austria at the last conclave; and, moreover, they realize the importance of having on the papal throne in these troublous times a statesman of the immense experience, of the sobriety and judgment, and of the transcendent ability of Rampolla, the trusted secretary of state and alter ego of Leo XIII.— Washington Post.
Too Much Zeal? Or Too Little?
HERE is “ one insuperable obstacle ” in the way of those who proclaim the nearness of Christ’s second coming, says the leading Methodist organ in New York, the Christian Advocate. What is it? This, says the Advocate: “ Nearly nineteen centuries have passed since Christ ascended.” If this is true, as it is, then instead of being an obstacle in the way of belief that Christ’s coming is near, should we not regard it as just the opposite? Christ is not to remain away forever; and the fact that nearly nineteen centuries have elapsed since Christ led his disciples out to Bethany and there ascended before their eyes, leaving with them the promise that he would so come in like manner, would naturally lead Christians to look for evidences of the nearness of his return, rather than to be less and less regardful of his promise as time passed on. When a person goes away promising to come back, the lapse of time naturally makes us more expectant of his return, rather than less expectant.
But, says the Advocate, people have been proclaiming the second coming of Christ through the whole career of Christianity, and they have been mistaken. That is probably true, we reply, and we are not surprised at the mistakes of men. We claim, however, that the Bible, in proclaiming this doctrine and pointing us to the signs of Christ’s coming, has made no mistake.
But Peter says, continues the Advocate, that “ one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day; ” and “ In stating that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day, the apostle overturns the view that under-
takes to determine whether he is coming soon or will long delay.” The Advocate omits, however, to refer to the language of Christ in reply to the question of his disciples, “ What shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world ? ” where he said, after naming certain signs, “ Now learn a parable of the fig tree. When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it [margin, he] is near, even at the doors” Matt. 24:32, 33. It will hardly do to say that the language of Peter overturns the language of Chirst.
The most solemn, warning admonitions are given by Christ against being overtaken by the day of God as by a thief. See Mark 13:32-37. While we cannot know the day nor the hour, nor even the year, we can and should know when his coming is “ near, even at the doors ” (v. 33) so that we will be watching and preparing for it.
Those who do not watch when the signs of Christ’s coming have been given, and are overtaken by the day of God as by a thief, will lose their souls. That is what Christ’s solemn admonition on this point means. See also 1 Thess. 5:1-5. “ Ye, brethren,” says the apostle Paul, “ are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” Those who are surprised by the day of God when it comes, will be in darkness; they will not be walking in the light, and for that reason will not find acceptance with God.
“As to the coming of Christ,” says the Advocate, “ the church should believe in that coming and in the winding up of the present dispensation; but as no one can tell zvhen it will come and as, according
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to the gospel, when a man dies his whole life is sealed up and he must sooner or later he judged according to the things done in the body, dying hears the same relation to his future that the coming of Christ would, as to his relations to God.”
It is very true that dying terminates a person’s earthly career and he has no further interest then in anything that transpires on the earth to the end of time. But this fact will not help those individuals who will be alive on the earth when Christ comes. What death does for a person will not concern them at all, for they will not be dead at that time, but living. Their problem is not merely that of being prepared for death, but of being prepared for the experiences through which the world is to pass just prior to Christ’s return. And that period of time, it hardly need be said, will be no ordinary one, and the experiences of that period will be more dangerous than any that God’s people will ever have encountered before.
The Scriptures give us warnings on this point. Paul in his Epistle to the Thessalonians, states that the coming of Christ will be after “ the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.” 2 Thess. 2: 9, 10. And the Saviour in his discourse recorded in Matthew 24 states that in the last days “ There shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” V. 24. It must be evident that the climax of the controversy between the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of Satan is reached in the days just prior to Christ’s coming, when human probation is about to end. When the devil knows that he has but a short time left, he has “ great wrath,” and
exerts his hellish energies to the utmost to ensnare and ruin as many souls as possible. See Rev. 12:12.
And this is one reason why the Lord wants his people to know when this period of time will be reached. The devil will know it and act accordingly; and why should not God’s people also know it? This is why various lines of prophecy are given, reaching down through the centuries to the end of time, when earthly kingdoms are to give place to the kingdom of Christ. For it is a fact that the prophecies which were uttered by the “ holy men of old ” were not written for the benefit of those men or the people of their times, but for those who should be living down in the latter days. History shows us the fulfilment of prophecy. And from history we know that at the time we have now reached, the prophecies of the Bible have all been fulfilled down to those things which are to occur almost in immediate connection with the second coming of Christ.
For example, in the second chapter of the prophecy of Daniel we have a line of prophecy reaching down from King Nebuchadnezzar’s day to the time when “ the God of heaven shall set up a kingdom.” In the seventh chapter we find another line, reaching down to the end, when “ the saints possessed the kingdom.” In the eighth chapter is another line, bringing us to the close of the long period of 2300 prophetic days, or literal years. In the eleventh chapter is still another line, bringing us to the time when “ Michael ” shall “ stand up ” and the “ time of trouble such as never was ” comes upon the earth, and God’s people are delivered; which must evidently be at the end of the world. In the Saviour’s discourse upon the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24) is given another line of prophecy reaching to his second com-
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ing in the clouds of heaven. In the book of Revelation other lines are given. But to-day, all the predictions in all the great lines of inspired prophecy are shown by history to have been fulfilled down to the last event in each, which is the second coming of Christ, or to events which are to occur in very close proximity to it. And by this we know that the end is at hand, as God who gave these lines of prophecy intended we should know it.
Note the following facts:—
1.	The Bible, and particularly the New Testament, is full of predictions concerning the second coming of Christ. Texts of this kind can be cited by the score. (Take your Bible and see for yourself how plentiful these texts are.)
2.	The Bible contains many solemn admonitions and warnings to Christians to “ watch ” and be ready for their Lord’s return.
3.	It gives also many warnings concerning the special perils of the last days of probation, just prior to Christ’s appearing.
4.	It contains numerous lines of prophecy, from the fulfilment of which we may know where we are in earth’s career, and when the end is at hand.
We believe these texts were not put in the Bible for nothing; they are not there to be ignored. The Advocate says that “ the Seventh-day Adventists are harping with undue zeal ” on this subject. But in view of the special prominence given this subject in the Bible-—the scores of texts calling our attention to it in various ways — we are moved to ask which is the truth — whether we are giving the subject of Christ’s coming too much attention, or more attention than the Bible gives it? or whether the Advocate and the church for whom it speaks are giving this subject too little attention? If it be true tliat the end is at
hand and our Lord’s return is imminent, while the world and even the churches are asleep, then do we not need ten times more zeal than we now have to accomplish the work of warning that devolves upon us?
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Presuming on Ignorance
On another page of this magazine will be found an article calling attention to the great ignorance of the Bible among high school pupils. And that similar ignorance of the Bible is to-day general among all classes of people, is a well-known fact. Presuming upon such ignorance among Protestants as well as Catholics, a writer in a Catholic paper, speaking of Protestant critics of Catholic doctrine, says:—
They deny that Peter could be head of the church because Christ reprimanded him on one occasion and St. Paul “withstood him to his face,” although on the very same pages they may read that Christ did lavish the most extraordinary powers on Peter; and Paul profusely acknowledges Peter’s supremacy, and actually boasts that he had the hardihood to rebuke Peter.
One who does not know what the Bible says, does not of course know that there is not a word of Scripture to support such assertions and is in danger of accepting them as the truth. A knowledge of God’s Word is the great safeguard against Catholicism, and that safeguard has now almost disappeared.
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“ To be a Christian is not to invent a little system of self-denials, which are often foolish and may be altogether selfish; not to carve out a little cross for ourselves, and wear it as much for ornament as for sacrifice; but to cut loose from self altogether, as a ship must lift her anchor before she can move with the tides.”
“The Black Point”
N the opening decades of the nineteenth century “ The Eastern Question,” i. e.y the question of the fate of the Turkish empire, became, as the late Prince Hohen-lobe would say, “ the black point ” among international problems, — and “ the black point ” it has remained ever since.
For one hundred years the ministries of Europe have fully realized that when the question of the Turk comes up for final settlement, there is the greatest danger that all the world will become involved in a conflict more bloody and calamitous than any that has heretofore afflicted the children of men.
This is the one fell international war-cloud of which it can be truly said that it has no silver lining. This is the one dark night on the ever-troubled seas of international affairs beyond which no statesman sees a dawning. Concerning most questions men feel that while darkness may enshroud their settlement, yet there is light beyond. Concerning this few men venture an opinion save of the deepest gloom. Thus the settlement of the Turkish question has become one which the statesmen of Europe have dreaded to broach.
That the Turkish question is fraught with world-wide danger has been most definitely expressed by great statesmen and other noted authorities on a number of different occasions.
During the war between Russia and Turkey in 1828 - 29, the Russian General Diebitsch marched his troops across the Balkans, and proceeded straight to Adrianople. Here he was only 125 miles from the Ottoman capital. At the same time Paskerditch, another Russian (168)
commander, took Erzerum in Asia, and, says a great authority: “ The two generals would doubtless have joined hands in Constantinople, but for the efforts of diplomacy, and the fear of a general conflagration. . . . Austria was ready to send her troops to the help of the Turks, and the English also seemed likely to declare for the vanquished. It was therefore necessary to come to a halt. Russia reflected that, after all, ‘ the Sultan was the least costly governor-general she could have at Constantinople/ and lent an ear to moderate conditions of peace.” *
Prince Bismarck, speaking in the German Parliament in 1888, declared that it was only the Congress of Berlin that prevented the Russo-Turkish war of 1877 - 78 “ from putting the whole of Europe in a blaze.”
In 1895, during the dark days of the Armenian massacres, the Emperor Franz Josef of Austria exclaimed, when a certain move was proposed, “ No! that would set fire to the powder.”
On Nov. 9, 1895, the late Marquis of Salisbury, then Premier of England, made a remarkable speech at the Mansion House in London. These Mansion House speeches by British prime ministers are always intended to give to the world the policy of the British government relative to questions of universal interest. The world had been on the tiptoe of expectancy for several days, watching eagerly for the summing up of the Eastern situation, and in the following remarkable language did the Prime Minister describe—
Turkey is in that remarkable condition that
* Vide “ Historian’s History of the World,” Vol. 17, PP- 544) 545-
CONSTANTINOPLE, Kara Kcvl Bridge and View of Pera
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it has now stood for half a century, mainly because the great powers of the world have resolved that for the peace of Christendom is it necessary that the Ottoman empire should stand. They came to that conclusion nearly half a century ago. I do not think they have altered it now. The danger, if the Ottoman empire fall, would not merely be the danger that would threaten the territories of which that empire consists, but that the fire there lighted would spread to other nations, and should involve all that is most powerful and civilised in Europe in a dangerous and calamitous contest. That yras a danger that was present to the minds of our fathers when they resolved to make the integrity and independence of the Ottoman empire a matter of European treaty, and that is a danger which has not passed away*
That all the moves which have been made to stay off the evil day are only temporary and artificial, is well known to the principal participants. This was made very clear by Lord Salisbury in a conversation with Chedo Mijatovich, one of Servian greatest statesmen. On this point he expressed the following opinion :—
The Berlin treaty is altogether artificial. It created artificial conditions which probably, as you say, cannot last very long. But what human work, and more especially what diplomatic work, is not artificial? Not only diplomacy, but history also, creates artificial conditions. The Berlin Congress had to deal principally with Turkey in Europe — not only an artificial, hut an unnatural creation in itself— complicated with the temporary results of the last war, and with the more permanent international jealousies. If you wish to know my personal opinion, I will tell you that the only natural, logical, and healthy Balkan policy for Great Britain would be that one formulated by Mr. Gladstone: “The: Turks OUGHT TO be: DRIVEN OUT OF EUROPE WITH ALE
their bag and baggage.” Unfortunately the Eastern Question is so complicated, and the European system so artificial, that I, as Her Majesty’s principal Secretary of Foreign Af-
* Published by the Armenian Information Bureau, London, 1895.
fairs, cannot apply the policy which I consider the only true and natural one.” *
The year 1907 has been big with important events in the Near East. On July 24 the unexpected happened. There was a revolution in Turkey. The Ha-midian regime was swept away and constitutional government was inaugurated in its place. This revolution is one of the most remarkable in all history. A greater despotism than France ever knew was swept away in a night. The most frightful tyranny of modern times was supplanted with only the loss of seven lives. The Young Turk party and the Committee of Union and Progress have demonstrated that they are masters of the situation.
The scenes and acts of the Turkish revolution have fairly staggered the most astute students of the Turkish question. Things which nobody ever dreamed could take place in Turkey have actually become accomplished facts. The following paragraphs, taken from an article by a noted writer in a leading political magazine, are indicative of the situation, and of the views of Europeans concerning it:—
Since the honeymoon of the new regime, the world has known nothing like the opening spirit of the Turkish revolution. The scenes which have been witnessed not only at Constantinople, but at Salonika, at Jerusalem, at Beirut, and in many other parts of the Ottoman empiree, both in Europe and Asia, have approached even more nearly than anything yet witnessed in the West the idealistic visions of Shelley’s political dreams. Who that has read the amazed descriptions from newspaper correspondents, and the enthusiastic letters from some of the oldest English residents in the East, has not been reminded of the wonderful passages at the end of the third act of Prometheus Unbound, the hour when “ all things had put their evil nature off.” . . .
* Vide Chedo Mijatovich in the Fortnightly Review, art., “ Salisbury the Peacemaker,” December, 1907.
Mosque of SuJtan Ahmed, Constantinople
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Ancient Greek Church, now Mosque of St. Sophia Constantinople
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An enormous tyranny was swept away. The Hamidian despotism disappeared in a night. Its tools were prisoners or fugitives. Yet only seven lives are believed to have been sacrificed to vindictive passion. Of those one was Fehim Pasha, torn to pieces at Brusa at the end of a career infamous and insolent compared with the worst known even in connection with palace politics in the East. In Macedonia Turkish soldiers make common cause with the insurgent bands. Albanians fraternize with Serbs. With more mental reserve, but yet with as much cordiality as could be expected even in these circumstances, Bul-gars and Greeks fall upon each other's necks. Salonika becomes a picturesque and jubilant Babel, filled not with discord, but with the harmony of the garden of Eden. Brigands of miscellaneous nationality weep for joy. All the fierce figures in romantic costumes, who seemed lately in their passions and their deeds to be the nearest political approach to limbs of hell, are seen in the streets of Salonika, as one observer puts it, “ laughing together, dancing together, drinking endless coffees together.” In Constantinople Turks have kissed the earth which covers the victims of the Armenian massacre, and the Armenians have suddenly acquired an interest second only to the Turks themselves in preserving the integrity of the Sultan’s dominions. . . .
And across the Bosphorus, in the Asiatic dominions of the Sultan, there were scenes even more powerful still, if that might be. Take the picture of what happened at Beirut when the new regime was inaugurated in the closing days of July. Only five years before the city had been given over to mob violence, the Christians fled for their lives, and only the presence by chance of three American war-vessels prevented massacres. “ Here the most impressive features of the present demonstration was the vehemency, the continued reiteration, of the sentiment of brotherhood of Moslem and Christian, who were to live together in peace in this new era. No such utterances were ever heard before in Turkish history. Any one predicting such a possibility a month ago would have been treated as a visionary. But here were a hundred turbaned Moslem speakers ringing the changes on this thing until we seemed like those standing in a dream.” Then is described a venerable sheik, with green turban and flowing robes, who told how before the Hamidian tyranny the Moslem
and Christian mothers used to nurse each other’s children, and the young men called each other brethren. And now “ again and again the Moslem speakers gave the salutation, Bs salaam alaikum ya akhwy (Peace be upon you, O brethren), which had been held from the Christians for so many years by all but the most liberal and enlightened Moslems.” Nor was this all. Many times during the day the people pushed Christian priests and turbaned Moslems into each other’s arms, and made them kiss each other. More still. The Mohammedans, with the commander of the troops, many officers, and the military band, attended the Armenian Church, and bewailed that wave of blood by comparison with which Saint Bartholomew itself was but a pin prick.*
A supplement to the newspapers of July 25 brought the welcome news of an amnesty to political prisoners. By July 28 it was realized that the press was free and the censorship abolished. The Constitution granted religious liberty, the right of petition, provided for a General Assembly, election by secret ballot, irremovable judges, taxation only by law, etc., etc. Accountants were hired from Europe to set the government books and finances in order. In short the greatest system of national house-cleaning that the world has ever seen was inaugurated.
And yet, in spite of this great revolution, in the face of these gigantic reforms, and notwithstanding the marvelous moderation of the Young Turk party, the Ottoman empire is still “ The Black Point ” of the international situation.
The Eastern Question has not been settled by this astounding and peaceful revolution with all its attendant benefits and blessings. There has been vastly more talk and more real danger of “ a general European war,” of “ setting Europe in a blaze,” of “ a general conflagration,” of “ involving all that is most
* Viator in the Fortnightly Review, September, 1908.
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Dolma Bagtche Palace, Constantinople
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powerful and civilized in Europe in a dangerous and calamitous contest," — there has been many times more talk and real danger of this since the eventful 24th of July, 1908, than for many years before.
During the last few months the peace of Europe has been seriously threatened. The annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria, both provinces being Turkish territory; the declaration of independence by Bulgaria; the anger of Servia over the action of Baron Aehren-thal and the Ballplatz,— all these things have taxed diplomacy almost to the breaking point. For three months, during the recent negotiations, the great powers were continually testing each other, for the purpose of seeing “ how far they could go without fighting." And it was only when the unmistakable choice between peace and war faced the powers that czars and kings, cabinets and chancelleries, trembling upon the very brink of the chasm, shrank once more from the bloody arbitrament of worldwide war. They shrank because none could see beyond, and because each is filled with a presentiment that while there may be ruin, there cannot be complete victory.
It will be the purpose of this series of articles to tell the story as prophesied in the Bible and fulfilled in the history of Turkey as “ The Black Point ." I will trace the great events which during the last one hundred years have led up to the world-crisis of to-day. I will show that the Scripture not only substantiates but prophesied that the Turkish question would be The; Black Point, and that beyond the great struggle over the settlement of the fate of the power which dwells upon the Bosphorus there is no dawning,— no light as far as this old world is concerned. I shall prove that
this which statesmen have dubbed The Black Point is God's great sign to all mankind that the sun of earth's history is about to set forever, and that the dread hour of Armageddon is upon us.
And in my endeavor to unravel the tangled tale, and exhibit it in the rays of Holy Writ, which will reveal hidden meanings as they really are, I shall have but one motive and one prayer,— that those who read may be led to make sure of salvation by the one and only means which God has given whereby we may escape the utter ruin and extinction which lurks in The; Black Point.
p. T. M.
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The Jews and Sunday Laws
Some; humorist is credited with the observation that “ we could all of us be honest if we had the money to be honest with." Similarly, it might be observed that a great many people would be Christians if it was n’t for the fact that Christianity costs something. We would all of us obey the dictates of conscience if we never had to make any sacrifice to do it.
There are some people who think (and argue) that it should .be the business of the state to make it easy for people to do right. This idea often crops up in arguments for Sunday legislation. Here is an illustration taken from a report of a recent hearing on a Sunday bill before the legislature of Massachusetts :—
The most striking feature of the hearing was the plea to bestow upon Hebrew shopkeepers the legal right to do business on Sunday. Many rabbis and Jewish citizens spoke in support of the measure. . . . One of the rabbis said that “ in order to meet competition and keep up with the struggle for existence, many Jewish storekeepers are forced to transgress the tenets of their own faith by remaining open for business on Saturday, when
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if they knew that they could remain open legally the following day, they would live up to their religious duty and stay closed.”
Now how much principle is there in obedience to God under such circumstances? and how much value has such worship in God's sight? We do not find any such preface to the ten commandments as, “ If convenient," thou shalt not, etc. God does not demand service from convenience, but service from principle, even though one should be required, as very many have been, to die at the stake for rendering such service. Any worship of God which is performed or omitted according as the consequences may be pleasant or otherwise, is not from principle at all, but from policy only. And now these people would have the state foster such offensive service to God, devoid of principle, by legislation providing him with a lot of worshipers in whose worship there is neither faith nor love,— worshipers who would transgress God's law if it cost them a little money to do otherwise. Verily the state can be in better business than that.
There are nearly 100,000 people in this country to-day, not Jews, who observe the seventh-day Sabbath of the decalogue by doing no business on that day, and they live and prosper and are not calling for any legislation to make it easier for them to serve God. This is certainly a demonstration of something.
The fact that a thing is commanded by the law of God, is proof to any Christian that the thing can be done. All the power in the world cannot prevent any soul from obeying God who chooses to obey God. This truth has been demonstrated numberless times in human history. The devil and all his hosts are laboring incessantly to prevent people from obeying God; but God has provided for
it all, and any one who looks to him in faith will be enabled to obey him even under the bitterest test. Legislation in the domain of religion can do nothing but harm. We want no bargain-counter Christianity.
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How Lent Is Observed in High Society
Some observations on this subject are made in the April issue of Success magazine, by Mrs. Isabel G. Curtis. It is only to be expected that the observance of an unbiblical institution should produce such results as Mrs. Curtis describes.
“ Year after year Lent, as it is observed by some people," she says, “ is an unmitigated farce. It conveys, to a certain class at least, as much of the feeling it is intended to express as the spirit of charity brings men and women together at a charity ball. I was a guest recently at a Lenten bridge party, rather small and somewhat exclusive of the sort of women who might carry the news of card-playing to an exceedingly strict rector. To a few of us Lent was a mystery. I asked one woman, who calls herself 'very High-church,' just what Lent stood for.
“ ‘ My dear,' she explained with a superior air, ' it is our commemoration of Christ's solitude in the wilderness.'
“ It was hard to associate in any way Christ's solitude in the wilderness with that affair, a babel of silly chatter and cruel backbiting, while women played for a valuable prize as desperately in earnest as the gambler who tosses his last chip into a jack-pot. When the prize was won there came the inevitable whisper of envy, of hard feeling, and hints at cheating that are almost inevitable at such an affair. Over a sumptuous
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luncheon that followed I listened to all sorts of stories of how idle women succeed in evading rigid Lenten laws and contrive to save themselves from utter ennui. They told of stolen visits to the theater, seated in remote parts of the house, where there was little chance of recognition by people in their set. There had been small dances in homes, where one was perfectly safe from gossip; card-playing morning, noon, and night, to fill in all sorts of wearisome chinks; shopping, concerts, and dress-making, for the gabble about Easter gowns and hats was an inexhaustible theme. Queer, indeed, was the commemoration of Christ’s forty days in the wilderness!
“ In one group the question came up of what was sanctioned and what proscribed in Lenten amusement. Our city was offering Lenten lectures and musi-cales in endless variety. I had attended one of them. It was all I desired in the shape of inane entertainment. Still these women were booked for entire courses of that sort of thing. They confessed to finding them so stupid they could hardly stay awake.
“ ‘ Why do you go, then ? ’ I asked of the ‘ High-church ’ lady.
“ ‘ It’s a case of have to/ she explained wearily. ‘ For one thing, I’m a patroness; besides, everybody goes, and, as it is for charity, I have to show up even if I am bored to death. Last week I wanted awfully to see “ The Servant in the House.” It has had such a run and everybody is talking about it. I ’phoned our rector — it is such a peculiarly churchy sort of play I hoped he might approve of it. He did n’t; he was horribly in earnest, too, when he forbade it. He said a play of any^ort was merely the entering wedge to general theatergoing during Lent, and he relied on me strongly to set others a good example.
Disappointed ? That does n’t express it. The Carys had invited me; they were having a box party — the j oiliest sort of a crowd. Instead, I took in a Hapgood lecture on Seventeenth Century Poetry — the frumpiest thing you can imagine. I sat through it with just one thought: what a blessed thing it will be to have Lent over; it seems to drag out longer and longer every year.’
“ Such is the commemoration of Christ’s solitude in the wilderness! If women dared to be out-and-out honest, it would almost seem better to have no religion than to assume a farce so grotesque, even sacrilegious, and not have the grace to conceal it.”
The Saviour never designed that his church should have a yearly commemoration of his forty days’ fast in the wilderness; he has instituted no such observance. Lent is wholly man-made. There are certain observances which God has instituted, to which people now pay little heed, such as the Sabbath of the decalogue and the ordinance of humility. We condemn every unbiblical observance as being not only unnecessary but as tending to usurp the place of those which are Biblical, crowding the latter into the background or even into complete obscurity. It is never safe to do less than God requires; it is equally unwise to attempt to do more.
“ Ecclesiastical circles in Germany are much exercised at the rapidly increasing desertions from the State Church,” says the London Daily Chronicle. “ It is computed that in Berlin alone considerably over 10,000 persons have severed their connection with the church during the past year. . . . These applications are almost altogether from members of the Lutheran Church, and hardly affect the Roman Church at all.”
God’s Remnant Church
E. H. Morton
What is God’s church below,
His remnant in the earth?
Who gave the church its birth?
’T was Christ, and we may know It matters much to-day If we go on our way Apart from it.
The remnant church is ground Where God would meet his own, And talk in loving tone To those who there are found,
And he will give it power And blessings like a shower When hearts are one.
But you may say, alas,
*T is not as it should be,
And hypocrites I see.
The things that come to pass
Are not, I think, just right In God’s most holy sight, And I’ll retire.
But, ah, dear soul, beware, A Judas was of old Within the chosen fold, But Christ himself was there. Do not God’s order slight In earnest zeal for right, But patient be.
Endure and suffer much,
The Bible plan pursue In all you say and do,— The kingdom is of such, And by and by, O joy,
A church without alloy Your eyes will see.
The Philosophy of History
Mrs. E. G. White
HE Bible is the most ancient and the most comprehensive history that men possess. It came fresh from the fountain of eternal truth, and throughout the ages a divine hand had preserved its purity. It lights up the far distant past, where human research in vain seeks to penetrate. In God’s Word only do we behold the power that laid the foundations of the earth, and that stretched out the heavens. Here only do we find an (178)
authentic account of the origin of nations. Here only is given a history of our race unsullied by human pride or prejudice.
In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as dependent on the will and prowess of man. The shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in fe Word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, be* hind, above, and through all the play and counterplay of human interests and pow-
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er and passions, the agencies of the all-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of his own will.
The Bible reveals the true philosophy of history. In those words of matchless beauty and tenderness spoken by the apostle Paul to the sages of Athens, is set forth God’s purpose in the creation and distribution of races and nations: He “ hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the LLord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him.” Acts 17:26, 27. God declares that whosoever will may come “ into the bond of the covenant.” Eze. 20: 37. In the creation it was his purpose that the earth be inhabited by beings whose existence should be a blessing to themselves and to one another, and an honor to their Creator. All who will may identify themselves with this purpose. Of them it is spoken, “ This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise.” Isa. 43:21.
God has revealed in his law the principles that underlie all true prosperity both of nations and of individuals. “ This is your wisdom and your understanding,” ]\^es declared to the Israelites of tl\e law of God. “ It is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life.” Deut. 4*: 6; 32 : 47. The blessings thus assured to Israel are, on the same conditions and in the same degree, assured to every nation and every individual under the broad heavens.
The power exercised by every ruler on the earth is heaven-imparted; and upon his use of the power thus bestowed, his success depends. To each the word of the divine Watcher i*‘ I girded thee, though thou hast not known me.” Isa. 45:5. And to each the words spoken to
Nebuchadnezzar of old are the lesson of life: “ Break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.” Dan. 4: 27.
To understand these things,— to understand that “ righteousness exalteth a nation; ” that “ the throne is established by righteousness; ” and “ upholden by mercy” (Prov. 14:34; 16: 12 ; 20: 28) ; to recognize the outworking of these principles in the manifestation of his power who “ removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Dan. 2:21),— this is to understand the philosophy of history.
In the Word of God only is this clearly set forth. Here it is shown that the strength of nations, as of individuals, is not found in the opportunities or facilities that appear to make them invincible; it is not found in their boasted greatness. It is measured by the fidelity with which they fulfil God’s purpose.
Object of Government
An illustration of this truth is found in the history of ancient Babylon. To Nebuchadnezzar the king the true object of national government was represented under the figure of a great tree, whose height “ reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth; the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; ” under its shadow the beasts of the field dwelt, and among its branches the birds of the air had their habitation. Dan. 4:11, 12. This representation shows the character of a government that fulfils God’s purpose,— a government that protects and upbuilds the nation.
God exalted Babylon that it might fulfil this purpose. Prosperity attended the nation, until it reached a height of wealth and power that has never since been equaled,— fitly represented in the Scrip-
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tures by the inspired symbol, a “ head of gold.” Dan. 2: 38.
But the king failed of recognizing the power that had exalted him. Nebuchadnezzar in the pride of his heart said: “ Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty ? ” Dan. 4: 30.
Instead of being a protector of men, Babylon became a proud and cruel oppressor. The words of Inspiration picturing the cruelty and greed of rulers in Israel reveal the secret of Babylon’s fall, and of the fall of many another kingdom since the world began: “Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed; but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” Eze. 34: 3, 4.
To the ruler of Babylon came the sentence of the divine Watcher: O king, “to thee it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from thee.” Dan. 4:31.
“ Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon,
Sit on the ground; there is no throne. . . .
Sit thou silent,
And get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans;
For thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.”	Isa. 47: 1 - 5.
" O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures,
Thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness.”
“ Babylon, the glory of kingdoms,
The beauty of the Chaldee’s excellency,
Shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.”
“I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water; and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the Lord of hosts.” Jer. 51:13; Isa. 13:19; 14:23.
Every nation that has come upon the stage of action has been permitted to occupy its place on the earth that it might be seen whether it would fulfil the purpose of “a Watcher and an Holy One.” Prophecy has traced the rise and fall of the world’s great empires, —Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. With each of these, as with nations of less power, history repeated itself. Each had its period of test, each failed, its glory faded, its power departed, and its place was occupied by another.
While the nations rejected God’s principles, and in this rejection wrought their own ruin, it was still manifest that the divine, over-ruling purpose was working through all their movements.
* *
Ruskin’s Analysis of Mud
“ What dirty, dreadful, disgusting stuff! ” exclaimed a man, regarding that peculiarly unpleasant compound, the mud of London streets.
“ Hold, my friend,” ^aid Ruskin. “ Not so dreadful after all. What are the elements of this mud? First there is sand; but when its particles are crystallized according to the law of nature, what is nicer than clean, white sand? And when that which enters into it is arranged according to the still higher law, we have the matchless opal? What else have we in this mud ? — Clay. And the materials of clay, when the particles are arranged according to their higher laws, make the brilliant sapphire. What other ingredients enter into the London mud? Soot. And soot in its crystallized perfection forms the diamond. There is
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but one other — water. And water, when distilled according to the higher law in its nature, forms the dewdrop resting in exquisite perfection in the heart of the rose.
“ So in the muddy lost soul of man is hidden the image of his Creator, and God will do his best to find his opals, his sapphires, his diamonds, and his dewdrops.”
Ignorance of the Bible in High Schools
J. G.
One day last December there appeared under the above heading, in a Des Moines (Iowa) paper, an article having the “ date line ” of a good-sized city not far from where the paper was published. Two very important questions were propounded, one of them being, “ Has knowing the Bible gone out of fashion among school boys and girls ? ” and the other, “ Is the next generation of men and women to be wofully ignorant of this great Book of books? ”
It seems that a teacher in the senior class in the high school of the city decided to give the pupils a test comprising ten Biblical allusions found in other books than the Bible. The pupils were asked to make a sufficient statement concerning the allusions to show a positive understanding of the circumstances to which the allusions referred. The allusions to Bible incidents or characters which the young people were asked to explain were as follows:—
1.	“ Or memorize another Golgotha.” —Macbeth.
2.	“ Here feel we but the penalty of Adam” —As You Like It.
3.	“........the great King of kings,
Hath in the tables of his law commanded
That thou shalt do no murder.”
— Richard III.
4.	“And that one talent, which is death to hide, lodged with thee useless.”—Sonnet, On His Blindness.
Lamson
5.	“ Marry, his kisses are Judas’ own children.”—As You Like It.
6.	“ Through this concession my full cup runs o’er.”—The Ring and the Book.
7.	“ How bloody Herod slew these innocents.”—The Ring and the Book.
8.	“ Follow light, and do the right, for no
man can half control his doom — Till you see the deathless angel seated in the vacant tomb.”
—Locksley Hall, Sixty Years After.
9.	“And from a heart as rough as Esau’s hand.”—Godiva.
10.	“Than that earth should stand at gaze, like Joshua’s moon in Ajalon.”—Locksley Hall.
In marking the papers a percentage of correctness of only about 48 was found. One obtained 100%. Of the others not one identified question three as a reference to the sixth commandment. Out of the whole class twenty-seven tried to answer No. 6, and of these fourteen gave the psalm as the twenty-third.
While it is the general average that means most, yet some of the answers were so extraordinary that it may be well to present them here. The numbers refer to the allusion which the answer attempts to explain.
5.	“Peter betrayed Christ if Judas didn’t, and if Peter was Judas’ son then the simile would be better explained."
7. “ Herod slewing the innocents refers to the time when all Christian babies under 2 years of age were to be killed.”
6.	“The salms were written by Solomon.”
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io. “Joshua gazed at the moon and had a dream or vision of some kind.”
9. “ Esau had a twin brother who was the older of the two.”
1. “ Golgotha was one of the bloodiest battles in Bible history.”
4. “ The poor woman who had only one talent to give to the Lord.”
1.	“ Golgotha was where Samson slew the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass.”
2.	“ When sin came into the world, the days changed from extreme heat to extreme cold, which was the penalty of Adam.”
1. “ Golgotha was the leader of the giants who inhabited the promised land before the Israelites came into it.”
3 “The Ten Commandments were made by Christ and he gave them to his disciples and the people.”
1. “ Golgotha was a heathen god to whom the people offered living sacrifices.”
7.	“A rumor came to Herod that the child Joseph should become a king.”
9. “ Esau sold his birthright for some por-rige.”
Now when it is considered that the answers above given were not from the so-called illiterate class, but from a class of high school pupils, expecting to graduate this June from the twelfth grade; whose average age at the time of the test was eighteen or above; who live in a community and come from homes of more than average intelligence; who have grown up in the vicinity of churches and in the midst of religious. opportunities, it is passing strange that such ignorance of God’s holy Word should be found.
And yet what else can be expected, when ministers (?) of the gospel scoff at the faithfulness of the Word of faith, and pour out red-hot ridicule upon the soul that dares to believe the Bible? To-day we have doctors of divinity declaring that “ Even Jesus himself, if now on earth, would pursue a far different course than he pursued nineteen hundred years ago,” and that because Christianity is “ evolving,” years hence “ the world will be more Christian than now, have
more faith, hope, and love, be more sure of the fatherly God, of a brotherly man, of an eternal life, of a purposeful world.” And how is this all to come about? Judging from the record of that senior class, not from a study of God’s Word. There is something the matter with these critics’ philosophy if the Bible is true; for the Bible teaches that God does not change, and surely evolution is a change.
The great reason for the lamentable ignorance of the Word of God can be laid at the door of the disbelieving, higher criticising, evolutionizing, explaining-away-ing false shepherds. The only thing a worldly man knows of God is what he sees in God’s professed representatives and spokesmen, and when these latter portray God as a changeable being and reduce him to a mythical, hazy idea, it is not to be wondered at that brainy men laugh at religion, and care but little about the life of Christ or the law of God.
That man, be he preacher or layman, who “ evolves ” a god out of his own inner consciousness and then maintains that god as the proper recipient of his devotions, is a heathen and an idolater even though he stalks about in the garb of a Christian, talking piously of father-god and brotherhood; and the nearer he counterfeits the genuine article the more dangerous he is to true Christianity and the greater enemy of Christ.
Paul in his letter to the Corinthians speaks of a class who knew so much that they did not know God, and that class is very much in evidence in this day and age. Neither the youth nor older ones may be expected to become proficient in the Scriptures as long as men who profess to be expositors of the Bible themselves do not believe in its authenticity or reliability. Let us contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Religion in Sunday Legislation
No. 1
S.	B. Horton
fT is persistently urged by many advocates of such Sunday measures as the Johnston District Sunday Bill and the Heflin Bill, both of which failed to receive the approval of Congress just adjourned, that these measures are proposed merely in the interests of rest for the laboring man, and are in no sense designed to promote the interests of religion. But in the title and in Sec. i of Congressman Heflin’s bill, the religious term which is used by some who regard the day as a day of worship is used, namely, Sabbath. The term Sabbath is the religious designation of an institution which was established by the Creator.
In the case of the Johnston Bill, the provision granting immunity from prosecution to those who observe another day than Sunday as the Sabbath, stamps the measure as one involving the question of religion. This will be observed by referring to this provision :—
Provided, That persons who are members of a religious society, who observe as a Sabbath any other day in the week than Sunday, shall not be liable to the penalties prescribed in this act, if they observe as a Sabbath one day in each seven, as herein provided.
Moreover, it is contended by some who have advocated Sunday legislation that if religion is lost sight of in such legislation, the value of that legislation has been nullified; Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts, to whom, perhaps, more than to any other individual of recent times, is due the credit of attempting to secure from Congress laws to enforce the observance of Sunday, said at a National Sunday convention, held in Washington in 1888, “ If you take religion out of
the day, you take the rest out of it.” He has emphasized this point subsequently to that time by the following statement, found in a work entitled, “ Sunday Rest in the Twentieth Century,” by Dr. Alexander Jackson:—
The first objection to the holiday Sunday, then, is patriotic — its bad effect on national life. The Sabbath-keeping nations are the strongest physically, mentally, morally, financially, politically. The steps of the Continental Sunday are: Holiday, work-a-day, devil’s day, despot’s day.
We refer to another representative statement made by Dr. James Burrill, at one time president of the New York State Sabbath Association, who says:—
The first mistake made by Christian people is in supposing that the Sabbath law, as laid down in the Old Testament, was abrogated by our Lord Jesus Christ.
The second mistake made by many Christian people with respect to the Sabbath, is in supposing that it is distinctly and exclusively for physical rest.— Sunday Rest in the Twentieth Century, pp. 205, 207.
Thus it will be seen, that no matter how the question may be evaded, nor how men may use this or that pretext for enacting Sunday laws, it is patent upon its face that in the last analysis the legislation is advocated and designed to promote religious interests. Sunday observance beirtg not only religious, but also a dogma of denominational teaching, it follows that legislation on the subject of Sunday observance makes the state a partizan in the matter; for it must be well known by this time that there are other religious denominations which observe the seventh day of the decalogue as the Sabbath.
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The writer may be pardoned for stating that the authors of these two bills represent the state of Alabama, whose General Assembly passed a joint resolution, Jan. 22, 1831, referring to a proposed Sunday law by Congress at that time, and stated that such action on the part of Congress “ would be a violation of the spirit of the Constitution," and “ repugnant to the principles of a free government; ” and added: —
Be it further resolved, That the sentiment expressed in the report of the committee at the last session of Congress,* in opposition to the suspension of the mail on Sunday, is entitled to the highest consideration of the friends of the Constitution, and every lover of civil and political freedom.”
It is a significant fact that since 1811 Congress has uniformly refused its approval of compulsory Sunday observance by Congressional enactment. It is evident, therefore, that our forefathers in former Congresses concluded that Sunday legislation was ipso facto religious legislation. By what process of reasoning should it be regarded otherwise at this time?
* *
“Eye for Eye; Tooth for Tooth”
Albert Carey
This was the principle of the Jewish civil law. It is still the principle of just civil laws to-day. Civil law is not based on love and forgiveness, but on justice and punishment, or reward. Rom. 13:3,4.
We often hear it said that in the Old Testament it was “ eye for eye, tooth for tooth; ” but in the New, “ Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself/' Do those who speak these things not know that both these expressions are only quo-
* Reference is here made to the House Sunday Mail Report, communicated to the House in March, 1830.
tations from Leviticus, the third book of the Old Testament Scriptures? See Lev. 19: 18; 24:20. And is it not plain that here a clear distinction is made between moral and civil precepts?
Was it ever right not to love your neighbor as yourself? No, never! Both Old and New Testaments declare this the law of eternity. But since sin has entered, men do not always obey that law. On the contrary, we often find them doing violence to their neighbor's property, body, or life.
From Romans 13 we learn that God has ordained civil power as a “ revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil;" and for about one-fourth of the Old Testament period the Jewish nation had the civil authority placed in its hands, hence this precept, “ eye for eye," which we find in the “ law of Moses." Yet while it was necessary for rulers to judge and execute according to exact justice, the precept ever lay before the people, “ Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
The fact that Jesus taught the latter precept as the foundation of his gospel church is the strongest evidence that he never designed church and state to be united in the Christian dispensation, or that his gospel should be carried by the aid of civil power.
In the Old Testament, love for one's neighbor was exemplified in the dealings of Abraham with Lot, of David with Saul, and in the lives of the faithful of patriarchs and prophets. In the New, it was amplified in the matchless life of the “ Son of man," and in the self-sacrificing lives of his apostles.
To-day all who are truly his followers make this the law of their life, and have no need for courts and rulers to reward “ tooth for tooth " to those who might offend them.
“Could Not Contain the Books”
HE last verse of the Gospel according to John is somewhat difficult of comprehension to some minds. It reads thus: “And there are also many things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”
Just what is to be understood by this statement may be a legitimate query, and give room to a degree of conjecture. May we understand, as some have done, the meaning to be that of the entire surface of our globe literally packed with a pile of books reaching as high as our atmosphere, say fifty miles or so? We might not venture to say, with our finite understanding, that such a conception would be erroneous, but sometimes we get a clearer idea of an expression by comparing it with the same expression found elsewhere.
It is doubtless well understood that the translation of the Old Testament into the Greek language (the Septuagint) was the first manifestation of the Holy Scriptures in any other than the original tongue.
In the rendering of Gen. 13: 5, 6, in that noted version, we read: “And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might
dwell together; for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.” The Greek term here rendered bear is the same as that translated contain in John 21:25. We catch the meaning of the word all right. It does not mean that the land would sink beneath the weight of so many cattle. No, but it could not support them in the sense of affording pasture for them. The capacity of the land in this respect is measured by the number of cattle that might find subsistence upon a given number of acres or sections of territory.
What is the purpose or use of books? — To furnish people with useful information, to minister to their present needs and final salvation. Very evidently the capacity of the race for utilizing such books and assimilating the knowledge imparted by them, is somewhat limited. Infinite Wisdom saw that it would not be to the advantage of mankind to have more handed down to us in this way than we now have, so he made the Sacred Volume no larger than it now is. It is large enough; none too large, however, for our use. If the Lord has been so mindful of our limited capacity as to deliver to us no more to study, learn, and practise, what a shame that many are so inconsiderate as to so seriously neglect the Book he has given us, so commensurate with our capabilities.
“ He knoweth our frame; he remem-bereth that we are dust.” So he places upon us no other requirement than we
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are able to fulfil. “ Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.,, Eccl. 12: 12. The vast collections of volumes of human lore sometimes take the place of the Book of books. But if many volumes that might have been written by the inspired pen were purposely withheld from publication and circulation, to give greater force to that which was written, it is certainly a suggestion to mortals to be somewhat modest about giving precedence to their own productions, thus eclipsing the infallible Word with something of inferior merit, and darkening council by words without knowledge, according to the wisdom of this world, which cometh to naught.—F. D. Starr.
“Nephesh” and Its Translations in Genesis
According to Hebrew-English authority the Hebrew word nehphesh, or nephesh, meaning soul, occurs about forty-three times in the book of Genesis, and is translated about eight different ways in the Authorized Version, but it is never translated “ spirit,” “ immortal,” nor “ never-dying soul.” Note the following :—■
“ Mind,” once. Gen. 23: 8.
“Him,” once. Gen. 37:21.
“ Lives,” once. Gen. 9: 5.
“ Persons,” twice. Gen. 14:21; 36: 6.
“ Life,” eight times. Gen. 1:30; 9: 4, 5; 19:17, 19; 32:30; 44:30 (twice).
“ Creature,” eight times. Gen. 1: 20, 21, 24; 2: 19; 9: 10, 12, 15, 16.
“ Souls,” nine times. Gen. 12 : 5 ; 46: 15, 18, 22, 25, 26 (twice), 27 (twice).
“ Soul,” thirteen times. Gen. 2:7; 12: 13 ; 17: 14; 19: 20; 27: 4, 19, 25, 31; 34:3, 8; 35 : 18; 42:21; 49:6.
In Lesser’s translation nephesh is ren-
dered ten different ways in the book of Genesis alone:—
“ Mind,” once. Gen. 23 : 8.
“ Being,” once. Gen. 2: 7.
“Him,” once. Gen. 37:21.
“ Lives,” once. Gen. 9: 5.
“ Creatures,” twice. Gen. 1: 20, 24. “Persons,” three times. Gen. 12:5; 14:21; 36:6.
“ Creature,” six times. Gen. 1:21; 2: 19; 9: 10, 12, 15, 16.
“Souls,” eight times. Gen. 46:15, 18, 22, 25, 26 (twice), 27 (twice).
“Life,” nine times. Gen. 1:30; 9: 4, 5; 19:17, 19, 20; 32:30; 44:30 (twice).
“Soul,” eleven times. Gen. 12:13; 17: 14; 27:4, 19, 25, 31; 34:3, 8; 35: 18; 42:21; 49:6.
In Rotherham’s translation of Genesis nephesh is translated seven different ways:—
“ Minds,” once. Gen. 23 : 8. “Person,” once. Gen. 17:14. “Persons,” once. Gen. 14:25.
“ Lives,” once. Gen. 9: 5.
“ Life,” four times. Gen. 9:4, 5; 19:17; 37:21.
“Souls,” ten times. Gen. 12:5; 36: 6; 46:15, 18, 22, 25, 26 (twice), 27 (twice).
“ Soul,” twenty-five times. Gen. 1:
20,	21, 24, 30; 2:7, 19; 9:10, 12, 15, 16; 12 : 13 ; 19: 19, 20; 27: 4, 19, 25, 31; 32:30; 34:3, 8; 35:18; 42:21; 44:30 (twice) ; 49:6.
In Young’s translation of Genesis nephesh is rendered six ways:—
“ Desire,” once. Gen. 23 : 8.
“ Lives,” once. Gen. 9: 5.
“ Life,” seven times. Gen. 1:30; 9:4, 5; 19: 17, 19; 32:30; 37:21.
“ Creature,” nine times. Gen. 1: 20,
21,	24; 2:7, 19; 9: 10, 12, 15, 16.
“ Persons,” twelve times. Gen. 12:5;
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14:21; 17: 14; 36: 6; 46:15, 18, 22, 25, 26 (twice), 27 (twice).
"'Soul,” thirteen times. Gen. 12:13; 19:20; 27:4, 19, 25, 31; 34:3, 8; 35: 18; 42:21; 44:30 (twice) ; 46:6.
In the Newberry Bible nephesh is translated four different ways in Genesis :—
“ Mind,” once. Gen. 23 : 8.
“ Living soul,” once. Gen. 1: 30.
“ Souls,” twelve times. Gen. 9: 5 ;i2 : 5; 14:21; 36:6; 46:15, 18, 22, 25, 26 (twice), 27 (twice).
“ Soul,” twenty-nine times. Gen. 1: 20, 21, 24; 2:7, 19; 9:4, 5, 10, 12, 15, 16; 12:13; 17:14; 19* J7, T9, 20; 27: 4, 19, 25, 31; 32:30; 34:3, 8; 35: 18; 37: 21; 42: 21; 44: 30 (twice) ; 49: 6.
In the Interlinear Hebrew-English translation of Genesis nephesh is translated only three ways:—
“Life,” twice. Gen. 19:17; 37:21.
“ Souls,” fourteen times. Gen. 1:21; 9:5 (twice); 12:5; 14:21; 36:6; 46: 15, 18, 22, 25, 26 (twice), 27 (twice).
“ Soul,” twenty-seven times. Gen 1: 20, 24, 30; 2:7, 19; 9:4, 10, 12, 15, 16; 12:13; 17:14; 19: T9, 20; 23: 8; 27: 4, 19, 25, 31; 32:3o; 34:3, 8; 35: 18; 42: 21; 44: 30 (twice) ; 49:6.
In all the foregoing we fail to find anything which would indicate that man was, in any way, in posession of natural immortality. Seeing the Hebrew word, nephesh, from which we get our English word soul, is translated many ways in the book of Genesis alone, and in no instance are we able to find the words, “ immortal,” or “ never-dying soul,” in connection with it, we must conclude that the only way for man to get immortality is to “ seek ” for it. Read Rom. 2:5-11. For a further consideration of this subject see, “ Here and Hereafter,” published at the Watchman office.	A. L. Manous.
Does the Bible Sanction the Use of Intoxicating Drinks?
(Concluded.)
Shechar was obtained from dates or other fruits (grapes excepted), or barley, millet, etc., which were dried, or scorched, and a decoction of them was mixed with honey, aromatics, etc., and drunk in an unfermented or fermented state. Speaking of yayin and she char, Professor Stuart says, “ Both words are generic. The first means vinous liquor of any and every kind; the second means a corresponding liquor from dates and other fruits, or from several grains. Both of the liquors have in them the saccharine principle; and therefore they may become alcoholic. But both may be kept and used in an unfermented state.”
In each instance shechar is mentioned with a warning, or as a warning example. The Hebrew shechar exactly corresponds to the Greek sikera, the Latin sicera, and the English cider; all these are generic words for any beverage (either fermented or not) made from other material than grapes.
(4)	. Khemer (foaming liquor) occurs eight times (Deut. 22:14; Ezra 6:9; 7:22; Ps. 75:8; Isa. 27:2; Dan. 5:1, 2, 4, 23), and is the Chaldee equivalent for yayin. Foam or turbidness (what the Hebrews called khemer and applied to the foaming blood of the grape) is no proof of alcohol being present, for Liebig, in his “ Chemistry of Agriculture,” third edition, says, “ Vegetable juice in general becomes turbid when in contact with the air before fermentation commences” Khemer is a word descriptive of the foaming appearance of the juice of the grape either when newly expressed or when undergoing fermentation.
(5)	. Asis (grape, other fruit juice,
(Concluded on page 200.)
‘ ‘ This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.' ’ Matt. 24 :14
Some Aspects of Life in China
If Changsha is any criterion, then truly China is a “ nation in mourning ” for her late Emperor Kuanghsu. For three days, thrice daily, the officials, clad in white robes, repaired to specially-decked-out buildings, and did obeisance. Many shops have draperies of white, black, and blue; some of elegant designs.
Every house is supposed to have two characters in a conspicuous place outside, which might mean “ national mourning/’ In place of the ordinary red cap button, one for mourning is worn. Some soldiers wear broad white waist belts with a flap hanging in front, while others now have the characters in their uniforms in blue instead of red. The police and many students wear a white band on the coat sleeve. This is to continue twenty-seven days, but the head must not be shaved for one hundred days.
One wonders what would be the effect of such commands in the United States or Europe. Alas! how few are ready (188)
to keep God’s commands anywhere, and yet “ they are not grievous.”
With the eyes of the world turned toward Peking, wondering what will be the outcome of a new Chinese emperor, how many will give serious thought to the “ submerged tenth ” of China’s one-fourth of the world’s population? What will the change mean for them? Will a
new regime benefit them any, morally, socially, intellectually?
Great Britain’s government begins to assume responsibility to nurture its babes, feed its school children, house its poor, and contemplates old-age pensions. When necessary its State Church bap-
Changsha’s Poverty
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tizes, marries, and at last buries those desiring its offices. But who cares for Chinese ?
China, like India, “ is noted for its inherited, indigenous, and chronic poverty.M Famine, revolution, flood, and
pestilence have raged and claimed their millions, yet ere long their places are filled as from the very ground which has received its dead. Plant them where you will: they will thrive and even multiply while others succumb, furnishing an “exhaustless supply o f cheap labor.” How blessed if we can but turn a few into heralds of His coming. Walking along with a Chinese brother the other day, we happened on a few hovels and people whose description baffles me. We ascertained they had tramped every weary mile from far Shansi, begging as they came.
Having asked how they had fared at Changsha, we were told that • the trades’ unions were against them, being outsiders, and moreover, even the beggars’ guild compelled them to wait until
they had gone their rounds. The reader is left to imagine the fragments remaining over to their share, but no murmur escaped their lips except that it was “ heaven’s decree.” Brethren, who will come and help us thrust this base lie back into Satan’s teeth ?
We have recently returned from a very successful three-weeks’ itinerating trip in the Siang Valley, during which we discovered how a few more manage to enlarge a scanty exchequer. Our route led across the Tungting Lake, the largest lake in China, being about 66 miles long and 30 broad. It lies in the northeast of Hunan. But, as the rivers cease their water supply, the Tungting Archipelago might be a more appropriate title. Navigation is rendered difficult at certain seasons of the year on account of contrary winds and the sandbanks
which have silted up. Some of the islands produce a tall reed and are rented out by the officials for a nominal sum.
The reapers resort thither with the smallest modicum of necessaries and
Harvesting Reeds on Tungting Lake
Street Scene, Lulingtang, Hunan
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utensils, building themselves huts of the reeds. The harvest is gathered and hauled to the water’s edge, where it is stacked up on boats for conveyance to market, to be sold for fuel. As far as one can gather, no other use has been found for these reeds as yet. The harvesters’ huts go down with the last load, and they probably remove elsewhere to gain a livelihood. In this way a kind Providence increases their slender means.
Others there are who leave the mainland, bringing their house frames, goods, and chattels along with them. With a little mud, straw, and reeds, shelters are made, after which they are ready to open their shops to supply the wants of weather-bound sailors, such as we ourselves were for four days. There must have been two or three thousand at this village when we left. One is afraid that, like other ports, the moral atmosphere of Lulingtang is at a low level. It was encouraging to find a few who bought tracts, but we all failed to get a really good talk with any one on the subject of salvation from sin. I am hoping to have later a lantern for use at such hard places, for Jesus said that from among such “ these also I must bring.” Who will come, help, pray, give, or write a word of good cheer?
Percival J. Laird.
Changsha, Hunan, China.
* *
The Biennial Meeting of the China Mission
The second biennial meeting of the China Mission was held in Shanghai Jan. 13 - 22, 1909. * All the “ foreign ” workers and their families were present, and Elder I. H. Evans met with us as the representative of the General Conference Committee.
The first few days of the meeting were largely spent in listening to reports from the different stations, there being, however, a Bible study and social meeting each morning, and a preaching service each evening.
Sabbath, Jan. 16, was a day of great blessing to all. In the morning, after the Sabbath-school service, Elder Evans spoke to us, and the Spirit of the Lord was present to indite his words to the hearts of all present. In the afternoon Elder J. J. Westrupp spoke for a short time, and then turned the services into a social meeting, which lasted until after the close of the Sabbath.
The Holy Spirit was present with great power to convince of sin, to tear down every barrier that might exist between brethren, and to bring in unity, harmony, and peace. It was, indeed, a season of refreshing, and will long be remembered by all those who had a part in it.
During the remaining days of the meeting definite plans were laid to finish the work in China along with that in the rest of the world. The Chinese empire and its dependencies,— Manchuria, Mongolia, Chinese Turkestan, and Thibet,— were divided into ten mission fields, superintendents were chosen for the six mission fields of China proper, a call was made for forty families to be sent into the above-mentioned six fields (of China proper) during the years 1909 and 1910, and the General Conference Committee were requested to plan for superintendents and other laborers to enter the four dependencies as soon as practicable. Besides this, there was a call made for a general canvassing agent to be located in each of the ten mission fields as soon as the work in those fields had opened up sufficiently to warrant such a step.
Then, too, it was planned to enlarge
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the publishing, medical, and educational work, already begun; so that every department of the work should play its proper part in giving this last message of mercy to China.
When it is remembered that these plans affect about one-fourth of the population of the whole world, some idea of their importance will be obtained.
We feel sure that the Spirit of God was with us in laying these plans; but we also feel that we need the co-operation of brethren in the home land in carrying them out. First of all we need your earnest daily prayers for their success; next we will need consecrated, trained workers, who are sound in body and mind, and willing to make China their field of labor for life, no matter what hardships they encounter; and last, but not least, we will need large sums of money to open up and carry on all this new work.
Thus every child of God may have some part in this great work. Even the children can send up their prayers arid give their pennies for the work in China.
Oh, that the Spirit of God would so work upon the hearts of this people that they would arise as one man to finish the work! Who will come over and help us ? Who will be the first to volunteer for service in China?
W. C. Hankins.
Kulangsu, Amoy, China.
* *
Religious Liberty Campaign in New York State
Twenty-six bills have been presented and seven hearings held, respecting Sunday laws in the New York Legislature during the present session. There seems to be a strong movement on foot on the part of some of the people of New York to modify the Sunday laws as they ex-
ist at the present time, and many bills have been presented tending toward this direction.
There is at the present time on the statute-books a very rigid law forbidding the opening of theaters and places of amusement on Sunday. This has caused the arrest of a number of persons in the city of New York during the past year, and an attempt was made to amend the law. Bills were presented which tried in two different ways to amend the law. There was also a bill presented to permit of the Sunday selling of more articles than are permitted under the present law.
The attempt on the part of these people to present such bills, stirred up the ire of the people who desire even more drastic measures than we already have, and they presented bills. One was to close all the canals of the State on Sunday, and another to amend the present law so as to close up even more places of business than are closed now, and to forbid the opening of grocers’ stores until ten o’clock, which thing is permitted at present.
This caused great antagonism between those who were seeking for more stringent laws and those who were seeking for a modification of the law. Some very interesting hearings were held, some of them lasting over four hours, and almost every one lasting over two hours. The church people presented a great array of talent. We had the privilege of listening to Dr. Wilbur F. Crafts, chairman of the National Reform Bureau; Dr. Laidlaw, president of the American Federation of Churches; Dr. Hubbell, president of the New York State Sabbath Association, many of the leading ministers of New York City, and also others from other large cities of the State.
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Much has been said by these ministers in the past, and they even stated at the hearings, that they were not seeking for a religious observance of the day, it was not a religious day but a civil day. Yet never did I see so fully the real intent of the promoters of Sunday legislation, as I saw it to-day. Not one single argument was presented by these men which did not prove that it was a religious day, and a religious observance of that day, for which they were seeking.
Besides the bills already mentioned, a number of bills amending the section granting an exemption to seventh-day observers were presented. The Jews lost their exemption last year, and they stampeded the Legislature with these bills this year, presenting no less than five such measures. The exemption changes the wording of the present law so that instead of its reading “ those who observe the seventh day as the Sabbath,” it reads, “ those observing the day from sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night.”
When these bills came up for a hearing, there were a number of Jews present to favor the bills, and as usual a number of ministers to oppose them. Some of the statements made by these ministers at this hearing were the farthest from advocating religious liberty. On the contrary the Jews were practically told that they had no business in this country. One of the ministers said, “ You knew when you came to America that this was a Christian nation, and that the Christian sabbath was observed. You should have consulted your conscience before you ever came to these shores, to see if it would comply to our customs.” Another one said, “ If you have come here to tear down our American institutions, a boycott will be launched against such invasion.”
Let all our people pray earnestly that the Lord will direct the minds of these legislators, so that they will decide rightly in regard to these measures.
A. J. Clark.
* *
Religious Discussion in Memphis
A religious discussion was held in Memphis March 23 to April 1 by J. S. Washburn, pastor of the local Seventh-day Adventist church, and J. S. Warlick, of Dallas, Texas, representing the Christian Church denomination. The discussion was held in a large pavilion tent, and the attendance ranged from 1,000 to 2,000 each night. The following propositions were made the basis of the discussion.
1.	“The Scriptures teach that the Sabbath of the ten commandments is now in force and is binding on all men,” in which Elder Washburn affirmed and Elder Warlick denied.
2.	“ The Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord’s day, and should be observed as such by Christians,” Elder Warlick affirming, Elder Washburn denying.
3.	“ The Scriptures teach that man is wholly mortal and unconscious between death and the resurrection.” Elder Washburn affirmed, Elder Warlick denied.
4.	“ The Scriptures teach that Christ has already set up his final and eternal kingdom.” Elder Warlick affirmed, Elder Washburn denied.
Four nights were devoted to the first proposition, and two nights each to the other propositions.
In affirming the perpetuity of the Sabbath institution, Pastor Washburn pointed to the fact that it antedated the giving of the law at Sinai, was made of the seventh day of the week by the three
THE WATCHMAN
193
specific steps taken by the Creator on that day. The record of this is found in Gen. 2:1-3: “ Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”
It was further maintained that the Sabbath was made for man in the generic sense, and was to include antediluvian as well as postdiluvian peoples. It was made for the Hamitic, the Shemitic, and Japhetic races of people, and was not to be limited to any nationality nor clime. It was observed by Christ and the apostles, and by the early Christian church. It is being observed to-day by Christians in all parts of the world. Moreover, it will be observed by man in the earth made new, the final home of the saved.
Elder Washburn referred to the fact that the law of the Sabbath was in the very bosom, so to speak, of God’s eternal law, and that each and every part of the ten-commandment law was of equal force in every generation and to all peoples. The words in James 2:10-12 upon this point are very pertinent: “ Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said (margin, that law which said), Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”
Mr. Warlick’s denial of the proposition seemed to resolve itself into an antagonism against the Seventh-day Adventist denomination rather than a dig-
nified consideration of the proposition itself. When he was not abusing the people Mr. Washburn represented, he would cast slur and stigma upon the Sabbath institution. He claimed that the Sabbath was given to the Jews and to them alone; that Christians were no more concerned with Sabbath observance than would the white race be concerned about the Emancipation Day celebration. He took this position from the fact, as he asserted, that the Sabbath was to be observed by the Jews because of their deliverance from Egypt, referring specially to Deut. 5:15. He endeavored to convince his audience that the ten-commandment law in its entirety was abolished at the cross, but that in the New Testament economy nine of the commandments were re-enacted, leaving out the fourth, as it was concerned only with Jewish history.
In the judgment of many this position was not consistently sustained. If, as Mr. Warlick contends, the Sabbath was designed to celebrate deliverance from Egypt and was to be observed only by Jews, basing this conclusion on Deut. 5:15, then we are warranted in concluding that the instruction in Deut. 24:17, 18 requires the virtues mentioned of the Jewish people only. The reasons for obeying God is portrayed in each of the scriptures referred to.
In regard to the claim that the law of ten commandments was abolished at the cross, and that nine of them were reenacted, Mr. Warlick was asked for the code which pointed out sin during the time between the abrogation of the law and supposed re-enactment. He evaded the question. He evidently knew that some of the so-called re-enacted law was written by the apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Romans, 13th chapter, which
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dated about twenty-seven years after the crucifixion.
In affirming proposition 2 Mr. War-lick endeavored to prove that Sunday was the Lord's day of the Scriptures. He asserted that when Abraham “ rejoiced to see my day ” (John 8: 56), as stated by the Saviour, he saw the day of his resurrection; and attempted to establish this conclusion upon the record of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac at the command of Jehovah. He had accounted that “ God was able to raise him (Isaac) up, even from the dead; from whencfc also he received him in a figure."
This is certainly something “ new under the sun." Besides being at total variance with the truth, this conclusion proves too much. If Abraham saw the so-called “ Lord's day " it was his duty .to observe it then and there, for Abraham was obedient in all matters affecting the plan of salvation, of which Christ was the central figure. Mr. Warlick evidently fails to realize that Christ's day referred to in John 8:56 is the day of salvation which was seen by faith by patriarch and prophet. David saw it (Ps. 118:24), and Paul wrote of it. 2 Cor. 6:1, 2.
Mr. Warlick took up the usual appeal made to the fathers of the church, thus virtually admitting the absence of Bible authority for his position.
Discussing the affirmative side of the third proposition, Mr. Washburn held with the Scriptural teaching that man is mortal, and that there exists no conscious entity of man between death and the resurrection. Scriptures were read showing that God only “ hath immortality," and that it will be imparted to those only who seek for it through the gospel. This will take place at the second, advent of Jesus Christ, when the righteous dead
will be raised, and together with the righteous living will be changed from mortal to immortal, from corruptible to incorruptible.
In responding to this position, Mr. Warlick took a remarkable position on the expression in 1 Tim. 6:16 referring to God, “ who only hath immortality." He claimed that the sense of the thought in that scripture was that “ God hath only immortality." This interpretation would imply that Jehovah is without other characteristic than immortality.
Mr. Warlick endeavored to place a difference between hades and the grave. He claimed that hades is the abode of the soul after death, and the grave the place in which the body is to remain until the resurrection. He cited Acts 2 : 27 to prove this assertion. Careful reference to the text will reveal the fact that the word “ hell " is translated from the Greek hades, meaning the grave. The same thought will be observed in Rev 1: 18 and 20: 13.
He also referred to the Mount-of-Transfiguration incident as evidence that there was conscious existence of man after death. He claimed that Moses and Elijah were not actually there talking with Christ in the presence of Peter, James, and John, but that the spirits of both men who had died were there. When confronted with the statement that Elijah did not die, Mr. Warlick responded that it was the spirit of John the Baptist which was there.
Mr. Washburn maintained that Moses had been resurrected and Elijah translated ; that these persons were actually and physically there; that the scene was a picture in miniature designed to illustrate the kingdom of glory which will be made up of the dead in Christ who are to be resurrected, and the living in Christ (Continued on page 199.)
500,000 Opium Suicides a Year
“ Opium causes half a million suicides a year,” the Rev. A. S. Gregg, of the International Reform Bureau, asserted, with reference to the opium conference called by President Roosevelt, which is to begin its sessions in Shanghai February i next.
The statement is based on letters and reports from Dr. E. W. Thwing, special secretary of the reform bureau, who has been sent to China by the bureau to attend the opium conference. As an expert, Dr. Thwing will ask the conference to take action that shall hasten the destruction of the opium traffic throughout the world.
In the official document which he will present to the conference Dr. Thwing says he has obtained statistics from the provinces of Kueichau, Yunnan, Sz Chuan, and Anhwei, with a total population of 580,000, in which he says the proportion of the population using opium is from 20 to 80 per cent., and the amount spent for the drug is $200,000,-000 a year.—N. Y. Press.
Wood as Food
In one quarter of the earth, at least, wood, in a certain form, serves as a common and constant article of diet, and that is the northern coast of Siberia. At several points the natives eat wood, and eat it because they like it. Even when fish is plentiful, wood forms a part of the evening meal of these natives, as
testified by numerous travelers. Cleanly stripped larch logs near every hut in that region are silent witnesses to the general fondness for wood diet. The dish is prepared by scraping off thick layers immediately under the bark of the log. These are chopped fine and mixed with snow, the whole being boiled in a kettle. Sometimes a little fish roe, milk, or butter is mixed with the wood.—Tit-Bits.
* *
Old-Time Argument Against Railroads
The stage fare from Huntsville to Glasgow—twenty-five miles—was $1.50. This stage carried the mail, and it had to go. When the roads were so muddy horses could not pull the stage a double yoke of oxen took their places. It was slow traveling, but they got through. The steamboat fare from Glasgow to St. Louis in the early fifties was $7. That included stateroom and meals, and if the boat was held up a week or two on a sandbar the accommodations went on without extra charge.
The steamboat owners never believed the railroads could successfully compete with them. The way they looked at it, people would n’t be willing to travel one to two hundred miles tied down to one seat in a small car, when they might be enjoying the freedom of a big and handsomely furnished boat. “ Then how are they going to find room for an orchestra and a dance ? ” an old river captain wanted to know. “ No place to eat or drink; no room to move about; just sit
(195)
Things
HERE^"° THERE
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THE WATCHMAN
still all day long on a little wooden bench. Why, it’s downright foolishness ! ”— Macon Republican.
« *
Oldest Toad Is Dead
Rameses II, aged 1,000 years and more, died yesterday at his home in the reptile house at the Bronx Zoo. He was the oldest living toad frog. The zoo physicians and surgeons could not make out exactly the disease which caused the final dissolution of Rameses II, but old age is supposed to have had something to do with it.
He was born probably some ten centuries ago, away out West. Two years ago miners working 500 feet below the earth’s surface, near Butte, Mont., came upon a huge and apparently solid stone. This was knocked open, and there, in a pocket, lay Rameses II asleep. He was alive, as told indisputably by a slight breathing.—New York Times.
H *
Cancer Is Increasing
Dread Disease Rivals the White Plague
in New York
Startling statements to the effect that cancer is rapidly becoming a strong rival of the white plague and that the toll now demanded by the former has reached
an appalling total, are made by Dr. Harvey R. Gaylord, of the New York State Cancer Laboratory, at Buffalo, in his annual report to Health Commissioner Eugene H. Porter.
“ The increase in the disease in the State of New York is little short of appalling,” asserts Dr. Gaylord. “ The average death rate per one hundred thousand population for 1906, 1907, and 1908, taken collectively, is 76, showing an increase in thirteen years, from 1896 to 1909, of 28.8 per cent. The average death rate per one hundred thousand for 1906, 1907, and 1908, for tuberculosis is 169, showing a decrease in the last thirteen years of 9.1 per cent.—N. Y. Herald.
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THE WATCHMAN
197
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Our * iScrgp Book.
Papal Infallibility
In our last issue a description was given of the session of the Vatican council, July 13, 1870, at which the vote was taken sustaining the dogma of papal infallibility. That was the vote which decided whether the doctrine that the pope cannot err when speaking “ excathedra ” should or should not be incorporated into the creed of the Catholic Church. It had not previously been a part of that creed, and this was shown by the fact that no less than eighty-eight members of the council voted against it, while eighty others who were privileged to vote on the question, among them seven cardinals, abstained from voting because of their opposition to it. As before stated, some of the most prominent cardinals at the conclave voted against the dogma, and the opposition was such as to preclude entirely the claim that papal infallibility had always been a tenet of the church, and that the vote taken at this ecumenical council was but a formal recognition of a previously-existing fact.
The session at which this opposition was manifested made the dogma a part •of the Catholic creed. It remained, however, to formally proclaim the doctrine to the world; and this was done at another session held a few days later. At this session very little opposition was shown; not because its opponents had changed their minds, but because, being (198)
convinced of the hopelessness of their cause, they preferred to remain away. This second session at which the dogma of infallibility was acted upon, is historically the more prominent of the two. Concerning it the author of “ The Pope, the Kings, and the People,” says (page 610) :—	'
Nothing further now remained but the great solemnity for promulgating the Decree, and gathering the fruits of nearly eight months’ toil. Only five days’ delay was taken, days of intense excitement, and of incidents striking at the time and important for all time. The minority saw how that their hopes that the pope would recoil before a vote so solemn as that recorded, had been in vain. The war-horse was prancing outside the door of the Council, and the fighting sons of Loyola [the Jesuits] could already tell what tidings he would bring. Louis Napoleon might have doubts, but the fathers of the Civilta [the organ of the Vatican party] had none. . . . The crisis [between France and Prussia], they knew, would give the Vicar of God an opportunity of intervening, with his newly-certified authority and infallibility, as mediator. This office once accepted could easily be turned to that of supreme judge. So would his new reign be grandly commenced. The Monde, of Paris, said to be the organ of the nuncio, already called the war a religious war against Protestantism. France had been assured in every form that she had only to attack Prussia and all the Catholics of southern Germany would join her. Without the miscalculation at the Tuilleries caused by these statements, it is not probable that the French would have been hurled into the ditch of Sedan. . . .
The prospect was not so bright to the bish-
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199
ops. They had not been always cooped up within the walls of Rome. Hints of how thoughts were turning reached them from home. They knew that men of study and of wisdom were either hostile to the new Constitution or painfully solicitous. Some of the bishops had deep personal convictions, which experience during the Council had intensified; convictions that the whole proceeding was neither more nor less than the adoption of a false doctrine to sanction a fatal policy, and that the error was so fundamental as to involve the acceptance of a purely human fountain of doctrine for all time to come. They met and debated whether they should vote in the open session. Only twenty, according to Archbishop Scherr, were in favor of this course, and these did not insist on their own views, lest they shpuld divide the eighty-eight.
A last attempt to modify the decree of infallibility was made, we are told, by a deputation composed of the primates of France and Hungary, the archbishops of Paris and Munich, and the bishops of Mainz and Dijon. This deputation waited on the pope at the Vatican on the evening of July 15, and in the name of the minority requested that there be a limiting clause attached to the definition of infallibility. Two authorities are cited	by	the	author of “ The Pope,
the Kings, and the People ” in support of the statement that Pius IX, in reply	to	this	request,	stated that he
would do all that he could, but that he had not	yet	read the	decree and did
not know what it contained! He said further that if the vote of the opposition should be increased from eighty-eight	to	one	hundred,	he would take
some action on this request. The deputation left with high hopes; but after their departure two instruments of the Jesuits, one of whom was the English Cardinal Manning, went to the pope and counseled him to concede nothing, and he listened to their advice. According^ when a cardinal belonging to the minority went to the pope to thank him
for his promises to the deputation, and pointed out the effects which would flow from the definition of infallibility as the majority had framed it, the pope replied, “ It is too late; the formula is already distributed to the bishops and has been discussed. Besides, the public session is convened. It is now impossible to yield to the wishes of the minority.” “ On Friday night,” comments the author whom we have quoted, “ the pope said that he had not seen the formula; on Saturday morning the pope said that the formula was already distributed and discussed. And this formula was unchangeably to determine the fountain of doctrine, of ministerial authority, and of all power in a so-called church.”
(To be concluded.)
Religious Discussion in Memphis
(Continued from p. 194.)
who are to be translated, when the Saviour comes again.
The last proposition of the series revealed some very erroneous theories concerning the everlasting kingdom for which Christians continue to pray. Mr. Warlick sought to show that Christ’s final and everlasting kingdom has already been set up. His conclusions are based upon the assumption that the throne or kingdom of grace, which is God’s means of gathering out from the world a people for his name, and the kingdom of glory, are one and the same thing.
In denying this, Mr. Washburn pointed to the fact that the Scriptures teach very definitely that the kingdom of grace began with man’s fall, and is to serve as a recruiting arrangement, so to speak, to prepare believers for the kingdom of glory. This kingdom is referred to in the prophecy of Daniel and other prophe-
200
THE WATCHMAN
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cies as the successor to all earthly kingdoms at the utter displacement and destruction of these kingdoms. This conclusion will be apparent to any one who will consult the second and seventh chapters of Daniel, Rev. 11:14-18, Ps. 2: 7-9, and Matt. 25:31.
The discussion was not without some appreciable results. Several persons came to Elder Washburn after it was finished and asked to be placed on the roll of Sabbath-observers. To many the need of personal knowledge of the Scriptures was emphasized. To know the plain “ thus saith the Lord ” of Holy Writ is a necessary contingency against the errors and superstitions of false religious teachers and will save from “ every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.,,
S. B. Horton.
Does the Bible Sanction the Use of Intoxicating Drinks?
(Continued from p. 187.) newly trodden) is used five times. Cant. 8:2; Isa. 49:26; Joel 1: 5 ; 3:18; Amos 9:13. It was, of course, unfermented.
(6). Sobhe (inspissated wine) occurs three times. Isa. 1:22; Hos. 4:18; Nah. 1: 14. It is chiefly interesting as affording a link of connection between classical wines and those of Judea,
through an obviously common name, being identical with the Greek hepsema, the Latin sapa, and the modern Italian and French sabe — boiled grape juice. The inspissated or boiled-down wines called defrutum and syraeneum, were, according to Pliny (14:9), a species of it. Sobhe, of course, was non-alcoholic.
(7) Me seek (mixed wine) is employed four times (Ps. 75:8; Prov. 23: 30; Cant. 7:2; Isa. 65:11), and denotes some liquid compounded of various ingredients. It was used in both a fermented and unfermented state.
A STRONGLY MARKED CONTRAST
Bad Wine
1.	The cause of intoxication, violence, and woe. Prov. 4:17; 23:29, 30.
2.	The cause of irreligion and self-destruction. Isa. 56:12; Prov. 23:31.
3.	The symbol of the divine wrath. Ps. 75:8; Jer. 25:15.
4.	The emblem of eternal damnation. Rev. 14: 10.
Good Wine
1.	The occasion of comfort and peace. Judg. 9:13; Ps. 104:15; Gen. 27:28; Deut. 7:13.
2.	The devout offering of piety on the alter of God. Num. 18: 12; Neh. 10 ^39.
3.	The symbol of spiritual blessings. Isa. 55:1; Cant. 5: 1.
4.	The emblem of eternal salvation. Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 10: 16.
What is it that makes this strongly marked contrast between good and bad wine? This question can be answered in one word — fermentation.
H. E. A. Minchin.
“ If we honor God, he rejoices to honor us.”
Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will make a man cease from prayer.—Bunyan.
Bible Readings
for the
Home Circle
‘ ‘ For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little and there a little. ’ ’
ft
This book contains 162 choice readings, suitable for either public or private study, and answers nearly 3,000 questions on religious topics, practical, historical, and prophetical. These studies have been carefully prepared by a large corps of Bible teachers, and give brief, pointed answers to every question, by quoting from the Scriptures, from history, and from the writings of eminent Bible commentators. This book has led many souls to Christ, and is well adapted for all classes of readers. Its deep, practical teachings create an interest in and love for the study of the Word of God.
It is beautifully illustrated and substantially bound, containing 600 pages with 57 full-page engravings and 170 ornamental headings, together with eight full-page scriptural and prophetical diagrams, and three colored plates.
“ Bible Readings ” is an invaluable reference book for every student of the Bible, and will prove to be a blessing to every home in which it is prayerfully studied.
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The Marvel of Nations
“ The United States is the marvel of the nations, the giant of the centuries. Not merely in its population, but by its wealth, culture, and achievements, this country has astonished the whole world."
This book treats of the history of our country, its present attainments, and its future place and work, in the light of the Scriptures. Would it be reasonable to suppose that a nation so great as this, with lines of Christian influence reaching from its borders to every portion of the globe, would not be mentioned in prophecy, while definite and often detailed records were made of various nations of the past long before their existence?
Many of the early settlements in this country were made in order to secure to the settlers the blessings of religious freedom, and our nation has long been justly lauded as the home of civil and religious liberty. On account of its connection with the progress of Christian principles does not this nation merit prophetic mention ?
What, then, does the Bible say about the United States ? The answer is one of the most interesting features of this book, which also deals with the setting up of the kingdom of God. It contains 324 illustrated pages, and should be read by every one who desires to keep up with current events.
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PasHg PiftBsemilg aimtdl
F alter®
By James Edson White
HE origin of the race, the nature of man, the condition in death, the fate of the wicked, the reward of the righteous, the mysteries of the future, eternity and where and how it shall be spent, have ever been matters of the most absorbing interest to all mankind.
These are questions of eternal importance, and should be correctly solved. A misconception of the truth on these topics has opened the door for a flood of Satan’s false theories and deceptions, which will increase as the close of this world’s history is neared. Among these may be mentioned Spiritualism, Hypnotism, Christian Science, New Thought, Pantheism, etc.
All the topics mentioned above are treated clearly, plainly, concisely, and in an interesting, readable manner in the pages of this new book-----the au-
thor’s latest production.
NOW READY
“ Past, Present, and Future ” contains over 500 pages, profusely illustrated in colors, and may be obtained at the following prices:—
Plain cloth, embossed in colors............$1.50
Fine English cloth, embossed in gold and colors, marbled edges .........................2.00
Full leather, stamped in gold, burnished marble
edges .................................. 3.00
Order from the agent	selling this magazine, or
address the--
SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, Nashville, Tenn.
Ft. Worth, Texas	-	-	Atlanta, Ga.