Earlier text: A Fleshless Diet From a Biblical and Christian StandpointThe River Plate Conference
By J. W. Westphal
THE fifth session of the Rio de la Plata Conference was held in connection with the annual camp-meeting at Rosario Tala, Entre Rios Province, Argentina, October 12-22. About one hundred and twenty-five of our brethren were present, including representatives from Paraguay, Missiones, Uruguay, and other distant places. The presidents’ address showed a growth in the work during the year. More than one hundred accepted the truth during the year. Four churches were organized and received into the conference. The work was opened up in at least one new province, and the truth was planted in several new places. During the few months Brother Louis Ernst labored in Paraguay, his labors were blessed with nine new souls. A new tract from our press has received a fair circulation, while our Spanish paper, La Verdad Presente, printed on our own press, has greatly increased its circulation. The subscription list has doubled, and the number of copies printed is more than threefold what it was. A special number of five thousand copies was not sufficient to supply the demand. A number, especially the teachers and students from our school, and other laborers, have had good success in selling single copies and in securing subscriptions. The tithe report showed an encouraging increase. During the first nine months of this year it was eight hundred dollars more than during the entire previous year, and during the first ten months of this year it was double what it was in 1903. While other donations had increased, several hundred dollars was given toward a printing-press, and the report showed that we had a surplus of twenty dollars with which to improve the plant. At this meeting over five hundred dollars was pledged or paid toward providing a building for the plant, and two hundred dollars toward a new meeting tent. These donations seemed to come spontaneously, and were given cheerfully. From a spiritual standpoint, the meeting was a good one. The Lord was manifestly present. Hearts were moved to consecrate themselves anew and more fully to the Lord’s service. On the last Sabbath afternoon Brother Louis Ernst was, under the melting influence of the Spirit of God, consecrated to the sacred work of the gospel ministry, Elder Town offering the prayer, and the writer giving the charge. The meeting was held in new territory, and several manifested an interest in the truth, and one man promised to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. The work is being followed up by Dr. Habenicht and Brethren Block and Rojos. The conference officers of last year were re-elected. The prospects for another year’s work are very encouraging. Special efforts17 for our paper will be continued, and we have planned for at least one special issue. Three sisters who have had success in smaller places go to Buenos Ayres to take up the paper work there. Brother Ignacio Kalbermatten will go to Paraguay to assist Elder Ernst. Elder Juan McCarthy will make Uruguay his field of labor, a field in which very little has been done for some years. Several additional laborers have been employed. The spirit of courage seems general. Diamante, Entre Ríos, Argentina. Central America
By H. C. Goodrich
BELIZE, BRITISH HONDURAS.—During the past week the quarantine by Spanish Honduras against British Honduras has been lifted again, and boats are beginning to come in. There are imperative calls from many places, I know; and I think I can appreciate your feelings as you hear these calls, then see the depleted treasury, and know that many of them can not be filled without more means. This has kept me from saying more during the last year. When I go to the Bay Islands, I find open doors. There is a good opening at a place near Coxen Hole, with the largest number of people of any place in the islands. I shall have to pitch the tent there, but I can not carry on a tent-meeting alone where people will be ready to burn the tent or cut it down, if there is any chance to do so. I shall have to call Brother and Sister Allen to help me when I go there. But now that I am here, and have a boat, I will improve the time to travel up the rivers. Two weeks ago a dory of cedar was sold at auction. It was an old one, but strong and large, with sails, and just the size we needed, and I bought it for twenty-two dollars. I wish to do a great deal of work outside of Belize, and this seemed to be the only thing to do. But very little work has been done in the interior or up the rivers, and some are anxious to hear. In Spanish Honduras there are several openings, which Brother Allen will try to reach the best he can. In Guatemala and Nicaragua there is not a single soul to carry the message. Brother Cary has just returned from a trip up river, and has sold thirty dollars' worth of books. In one place he preached twice, because the people said they had not had preaching for two years. CANTON AND AMOY.—Since returning to Canton, after an absence of about five months in America, I found this old city much the same as when I went away, and yet it is not the same for several reasons. As this is the home of those Chinese who are in the States, the boycott which has been carried on for several months has stirred this city, and, in fact, nearly the entire province. The influence of the recent war between Japan and Russia has wrought mighty changes in all the leading cities of this empire, and China will never again be what she was even last year. The spirit of reform, of progress, and of independence animates an increasingly large proportion of China’s sons. Reforms are of priceless value, but often they are secured at tremendous price. What China’s full reform will cost beyond the price already paid remains to be seen. The message is steadily winning its way in this province. Several are keeping the Sabbath, and we are planning to baptize these in connection with our Bible institute to be held the last two weeks in December. In this field we feel that we can not be too careful in the matter of giving our inquirers ample time in which to be carefully taught, and at the same time an extended probation, as it were, to see if they are really in earnest and sincere in their professions. A Bible institute of two weeks will be held in Canton, beginning the fifteenth of December, for the special benefit of our native workers in this and the Fukien province. It will be in the Cantonese language, but as Brother Keh can speak this dialect, it will be possible for the workers of Amoy to take part. We are planning to make this meeting an occasion for the careful study of the truths of the message, and so prepare our native workers to intelligently set forth the truth for this time. A preacher of the Church of England Mission in Hongkong has lately begun the observance of the Sabbath, and he is planning to be with us on this occasion. He will soon connect with our work permanently. Our school work has suffered somewhat on account of the boycott. But the truth of God outlives all such inventions of puny men, and we have no fears as to the final outcome. The recent massacre of missionaries in the northern part of this province, together with the boycott, is stirring the hearts of both foreigners and Chinese, and no doubt much bitterness has been engendered. But even this God can overrule to his own glory. Since returning to my field on September 6, I have visited our mission station in the province of Fukien. During my absence in America Brother and Sister W. C. Hankins arrived in Amoy, and it was my privilege to meet them for the first time on this occasion. It was indeed a cause for rejoicing, as we had for a long time looked for help to take up the work in this province. I found them and the native workers of good courage, and I was especially gratified to see the progress Brother Hankins had made in the language, though he had been in Amoy only a few months. The language of Amoy is, of course, very different from that spoken in Canton, and it is generally conceded that the Amoyese is the easier of the two. It is, however, sufficiently hard, and calls for real determination and close application to acquire it. But there is absolutely no alternative; we are both speechless and useless in China until we learn the language. The message is onward in that province. Brother Keh is, if possible, more enthusiastic and active in the work. He is coming to enter fully into the spirit and meaning of the message, and this, with his long experience and natural ability, serves to make him an efficient worker. There are now two other native workers employed in that field. The truth of the message is being widely published in all those parts; and while there are but few who have the conscience and the courage to take a decided stand, yet there are some who are coming into the light. Many acknowledge it to be the truth, but old associations hold them in the dark. In addition to the work in Amoy itself, regular systematic efforts are being put forth in two different places in the country. One of these places is called Do Gang, a country marketplace, where twice every month the people of the surrounding villages come to exchange all sorts of commodities. There is a goodly number of inquirers, some of whom will erelong be prepared for baptism and church-membership. Plans are being laid to open a boys’ school at that place the first of the Chinese new year. I confidently expect to be able to report the organization of a church at that village within a short time. COLPETTY, COLOMBO.—To-day we opened our tent to the public, and held our first meeting. Never before have I held meetings in such a beautiful place. We had our platform nicely carpeted, and draped with art muslin. We also had a row of twelve palms and ferns extending across the platform, which made the scene cool and refreshing to the eye. The two hundred chairs were arranged to form a crescent leading up to the platform. The ground in the East is troubled with much insect life, such as ants, white ants, lizards, and even snakes. To insure comfort and safety, we carpeted the whole tent with matting, and used plenty of tar on all stakes, poles, and other furniture and fittings. A large cobra was seen within a few yards of the tent yesterday. While we were erecting the tent, I killed a young snake that had crawled in among the timbers. A little before six o’clock the people began to gather, and at six o’clock we opened our meeting; before we sang the second hymn, over one hundred and fifty persons had taken their seats, and before the meeting closed, over two hundred persons were sitting in the tent, or standing around it. These were educated English-speaking people, and not a few of them represented the higher classes of society. It was no ordinary meeting, for the presence of the Lord was with us in power, and the people were deeply moved. The Lord gave me much freedom in presenting the truth of the ‘infallible word,’ as the life, light, and salvation of souls, in contrast to the forms, creeds, and outward observances of men. Our meetings will continue every evening, and we know that the truth as it is in Jesus will convince many, and that some will accept it to their soul’s salvation. We are thankful that we are able to labor in the East. Our hearts are filled with deep and sincere gratitude for all the tokens of good that we see. Of course, there is opposition, and also persecution, which we have to meet from day to day. There are many here who would gladly sweep us from the face of the earth if they could do so. They have made a special business of warning others against coming to our meeting. But the truth has prevailed, and will prevail. I called upon the editor of the Times, and told him about our opening meetings, and something of our work in different parts of the world. He was much pleased, and published a long notice in both morning and evening editions. This notice was then copied by other papers. Through these favors, we are saved much expense in advertising. We are getting out a few folders, and these will be taken to the homes of the people. How I do wish that we could have opened up this effort with a good, strong force! I am sure that even in England or America we would not think of beginning a campaign with so little help. But Elder Owen and we are all that are here; and inasmuch as we do not have the laborers in the East, we must do all we can, trusting the Lord to be all in all to us. Some day in the near future, we believe, this dearth of laborers will cease. We are sure our hands will be strengthened as soon as it is possible; and until then we will hold on to the plow, even though we tread the furrow alone. We shall have a book-stall in connection with our tent services, and shall make an effort to place our literature in the hands of the people. If they will only read our publications, they will learn as much as they can ever learn from the public platform. After delivering a discourse on any subject, we shall bring it before them again by our literature. You will be pleased to know that I can now read the Tamil language. There are two hundred and seventy characters, besides several Sanskrit characters; and while they look very strange at first, they are just as easy to learn as A B C. I am now writing a Tamil tract, which will cover the different points of the message. The title is, ‘Our Sovereign Lord, Creator, and Redeemer.’ I am sure that money will come in so that we can print it and place it among a people who have never heard the message in their own tongue. We are thankful to say that we have quite a wide circle of friends who are18 interested in the truth. We hope these tent-meetings will bring some of these to a decision. Our Tamil Sabbath-keepers meet with us every Sabbath. Last week we conducted a meeting without the aid of an interpreter. Very few words were spoken, but we turned them from one text to another, and let the Word of God do everything. We love our work. We would, however, have it move more rapidly. But here in the East, as you know, it is very difficult to get any one to do to-day what can be put off until to-morrow. But our courage is good, and we are thankful that we are alive. Publishers’ Reports
By E. R. PALMER
THE Publishing Department of the General Conference has undertaken to furnish monthly reports to the REVIEW AND HERALD of the publishing work throughout the world. Evidently a little time will be required to get our reporting system into good working order again, for we find from correspondence with various parts of the field that our reporting system has not been kept up sufficiently to enable us to get complete reports promptly. Therefore we will furnish reports as paragraph items in the REVIEW from week to week as they are sent in, and in the meantime will continue to work up the reporting system until, we trust, we shall be able to furnish accurate reports from all parts of the field. We will endeavor to build up the reporting system on the following plan:— 1. Canvassers should send a complete report on blanks provided for that purpose at the close of each week, either to the State agent or to the tract society secretary as may be arranged by these workers. 2. State agents or tract society workers should make up a summary of these reports each week, and send the same to the union conference agent. 3. At the close of each month the union conference agent should make a summary of these reports, and send them to the secretary of the Publishing Department, E. R. Palmer, Box 65, Mountain View, Cal. 4. Publishing houses and their branches should prepare a report once in six months, and send it to the address given above. This report should give the retail value of subscription books, trade books, and tracts in separate items, and also the average circulation per issue of periodicals. The periodical statistics should cover the entire circulation of these periodicals in all the world. The book and tract statistics should cover the sales to individuals and retailers within the territory of that publishing house or branch. It should not include, unless it may be as a separate item, sales to other publishing houses or branches, for in that case the reports would be duplicated. The reports from publishing houses should be for the six months ending June 30 and December 31. These reports will be valuable to the General Conference, to union conferences, and to the publishing houses for reference; and if they are supplied once in six months, it will save the laborious task of preparing statistics for long periods of time previous to union conference or General Conference sessions. 5. We wish to receive a monthly report from every foreign country, including even our most isolated mission fields. We do not know who will be able to furnish these reports most readily, but we suggest that the superintendent of mission fields take personal responsibility for arranging for these reports; and when we learn who is to provide them, then we can communicate directly with that individual or society. In sending these reports from foreign fields will the workers kindly express values in United States money, as the foreign terms in many cases would mean nothing to us? We earnestly invite the co-operation of all canvassers, State agents, union conference agents, publishers, and mission field superintendents in establishing this system. Our publishing work is surely gaining ground, and by having reports from all parts of the world at hand, we can do much to encourage and strengthen the workers. Let us all work together for the building up of a splendid reporting system. E. R. PALMER,
Sec. Gen. Conf. Publishing Dept. Walla Walla College and the Missionary Campaign
By M. E. CADY
In harmony with the aim and purpose of Walla Walla College as an institution, the teachers and students earnestly and enthusiastically took up the work planned for the missionary campaign. The college and church join weekly in a missionary meeting held each Monday evening in the chapel. From one hundred and twenty-five to two hundred and fifty are usually in attendance on these occasions. The time of the last two or three meetings was occupied in organizing for effective work in the missionary campaign. All those desiring to engage in this work indicated it by giving in their names and the locality where they desired to work. The territory canvassed embraced College Place and vicinity, Walla Walla and the outlying towns,—Waitsburg, Athena, and Pendleton. The college teachers and others were appointed as leaders of these divisions, and all the way from six to ten workers were directed by each leader. In all, there were eight companies that went out, and about seventy engaged in the canvassing work. About fifty of this number worked in the city of Walla Walla. It was my privilege to be associated with the Walla Walla companies, and I rode from the college in the sixth load that left College Place early Wednesday morning. We had gone but a little way when the students started to sing, “To the work! to the work! we are servants of God, let us follow the path that our Master has trod.” While with many of the students this was a new experience, and one which caused more or less trembling, yet they went to the battle singing. Some of the students were not able to sell a single paper, but all had the privilege of giving away several pages of reading-matter in tract form, and while they did not accomplish what they had expected in the matter of selling or taking subscriptions for the Signs and the Watchman, yet they feel that they received a blessing in offering themselves to the work, and in doing the best they could to bring the light of truth to those who know it not. The six companies and their leaders who canvassed Walla Walla and vicinity, met in the Adventist church, where further arrangements were made for the work of the day. Before leaving the church a song was sung, and all bowed in prayer, asking the blessing of the Lord upon the work of the day, and that some souls through these efforts might be led to accept the truth of the third angel’s message. At noon all returned to the church to partake of the lunch that they brought with them. A pleasant hour was spent in telling of the experiences of the forenoon. The experiences were varied, some having had good success in selling papers, while others did not have. Those who were more successful endeavored to encourage those who were less successful, and all returned to the work again for the afternoon, and canvassed from two until four o’clock, at which time the teams returned to take the companies back to the college. The companies that went to Waitsburg, Athena, and Pendleton spent two or three days in the canvassing work, so some did not return until Friday evening. At our next missionary meeting on Monday evening, we listened to reports from the leaders of the various divisions and from others, and it was very interesting to hear the reports from the field of battle. Many were impressed with the thought that it is much harder now to interest the people in the special truths for this time than it was a few years ago. Many of the people recognized The Signs of the Times as a paper that they had seen before, and while a few were glad to see it again, the great majority treated the paper and the truths it contained with indifference. But it was a source of encouragement to all our workers to find souls now and then who were hungering for the truth. The following is a summarized report of the work done during the day’s effort: Sets of Signs sold, 152; single Signs sold, 99; sets of Watchman sold, 39; single Watchman sold, 18; Life and Health sold, 43; books sold, 33; pages of tracts distributed, 4,366. We have already organized the missionary society into divisions for permanent work. The divisions are as follows: (1) The Ministerial; (2) the Bible Workers; (3) Circulation of Literature; and (4) Medical Missionary. Each division has two leaders to direct in its special work. Next Sabbath we shall have our second missionary convention, and endeavor so to organize and plan our work that it will grow in interest and results as the weeks go by. We are endeavoring to so arrange our work that it shall not be of a spasmodic character, but, on the contrary, be a part of the regular program. As far as the college is concerned, we expect to give the students an opportunity to spend one afternoon each week in some line of missionary work. This time is to be taken from the industrial period. This will enable the students to spend one afternoon each week in coming into actual touch with the people, which is the only way that we can find out their needs and bring them to the help of the blessings which they so much need. This touch and contact with the19 people, not only helps them, but brings new life and new experience to the worker. We believe it will be an excellent plan for the school, and for all our training-schools, to give place for missionary work in the regular program of the students. It seems consistent with the aim and purpose of these schools to give the students some opportunity for an experience in the lines of work for which they are preparing themselves, and not wait until school-days are over before gaining an experience in their chosen work. If this plan were followed, our workers would be much better prepared to render efficient service than they have been by following the other plan. We have several young men and women in the school who are preparing for the ministry and Bible work, and it is our purpose to give them opportunity to engage in this work in addition to the regular instruction that they receive in the Bible department. We shall make further reports of our work from time to time as it progresses. Annual Convention of the National Reform Association
By C. S. Longacre
DECEMBER 7 and 8 this association met in annual convention in the city of Allegheny, Pa., for the purpose of laying plans and studying the principles and methods of “Christian” national reform. Stirring speeches were made, and significant plans were laid for the speedy accomplishment of their great object; namely, “an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that shall contain an explicit acknowledgment of the moral laws of Jesus Christ and God and his divine law as the basis and standard of all legislation.” Special plans were laid to flood the House and Senate with the following petition:—
“To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled: We, citizens of the United States, respectfully pray you to submit to the people of the United States, through the legislatures of the several States, a constitutional amendment for the prohibition and suppression of polygamy, and that such amendment may contain an explicit acknowledgment of the moral laws of Jesus Christ as the basis and standard of our legislation relating to the family. “Signed ........................
........................ “NOTE.—The foregoing memorial was adopted by vote of the ............... church of ............... and is attested by the signatures of its officers, and expresses the desire of about ............... persons.” A significant point was developed in the consideration of these petitions. This National Reform Association has affiliated with the great Inter-Church Federation, and this association thus estimates its numerical adherents to figure “fifty-four millions of souls.” The way that they figured this out was thus: “(1) The number of communicants belonging to the churches represented in the church federation and in our association amount to eighteen million souls; (2) we can allow at least an average of two children to each communicant as adhering to our principles, making a grand total of fifty-four million souls.” “This numerical preponderance is vastly increased when we consider other sources of power,” such as “(a) intelligence; (b) moral earnestness; (c) organization; (d) inherited laws and institutions; (e) faith in God, and other similar advantages that we possess to a preponderant extent above our opposing faction.” “All we need to do,” said the Rev. T. P. Stevenson, D. D., of Philadelphia, General Secretary National Reform Association, “is to arise and make our demands on the lawmaking power of the nation, and they are compelled to yield to this overwhelming majority. When a decision is once reached on any moral question, then all will be compelled to swing on the side of that decision.” A select committee was appointed to wait upon President Roosevelt, and make an earnest appeal to him to embody in his next message to Congress a recognition of the rights of God as held by the National Reform Association, and to entreat the president to urge upon the Congress assembled to enact an amendment that shall contain an explicit acknowledgment of the moral laws of Jesus Christ as the basis and standard of legislation in connection with the anti-polygamy amendment. The financial report showed that the association had expended over eight thousand dollars in the prosecution of its work during the current year. The financial manager outlined the plans of work for the coming year, and said they needed at least fifty thousand dollars to prosecute it. Plans were laid to circulate the anti-polygamy and religious-amendment tract broadcast. One million five hundred thousand pages of this tract have already been circulated. Two more tracts are to be written at once upon kindred subjects, and these three tracts are to be placed in the hands of every lawmaker at Washington, D. C., and the State Capitols, every attorney and public official, and every minister and schoolteacher. The churches are to lend a vigorous co-operation. Sermons are to be delivered by the pastors. Many more local conventions are to be held in the future than in the past. Great stress was laid upon the benefits of these conventions20 as wonderful agencies to mold public sentiment. Pastors and people are everywhere urged to send telegrams to Congress, as well as the petitions which are prepared. If possible, representative men are to be sent from different quarters to make a personal appeal before the judiciary committee. Articles are to be written in the daily papers and religious magazines to create public sentiment in favor of the movement. Work is to be done in the colleges, seminaries, and schools to educate the students. Institutes for instruction and study—local, State, national, and international—are to be held. A resolution was passed to hold a world's conference in Philadelphia, if thought advisable, in 1908. The churches will be requested to grant their missionaries a furlough at that time so that they may attend this world's conference. Individual work for individual citizens, for societies, religious and secular, and for special classes of our foreign and immigrant population, is to be conducted along these reform lines. The Christian Citizenship Pledge, avowing allegiance to their principles, is to be obtained. The financial policy was thus expressed by Dr. George: “We don't pay for things we can get out of if possible.” Upon this principle they feel justified in using the “franking system of the mails” to circulate their literature, and have the District attorney employed by them saddle all costs in law suits upon the county. “Our present and urgent duties,” as expressed in their own words are: “(1) To increase our literature and disseminate it; (2) to press the claims of the National Reform Association upon private citizens, and all Christian bodies, as the only organization of citizens devoted to these great ends; (3) to raise up as rapidly as possible a corps of young men, scholarly, competent, and devoted, who will carry our organization into every State; (4) to secure suitable headquarters where we may house our expanding work, may preserve our archives and make them accessible, and may gather into a library the literature of all the great questions which lie within our field; (5) through these agencies to reach not some localities, but the entire country,—not part of the people, but the whole nation,—not occasionally or spasmodically, but constantly.” A new book just from the press by the National Reform Association, written by Dr. R. C. Wylie, associate editor of the Christian Statesman, and business manager of the association, is entitled, “Sabbath Laws in the United States.” The circulation of this book and its merits were highly applauded. Many significant statements are made in it. The officers elected and the committees appointed included the names of many prominent men who have shown sympathy for this movement. THE Kansas Worker reports the organization of a Sabbath-school at Mulberry, Kan. THE church at Galena, Kan., has been strengthened by the recent addition of five new members. A RECENT report from Abilene, Kan., states that five names have been added to the church-membership there. A CHURCH of eleven members has been organized at Powell, Ohio. Three persons received baptism there on a recent Sabbath. SIX persons received baptism on a recent Sabbath at Smithland, Iowa, and seven united with the Smithland church. Four others are now awaiting baptism there. A LATE report from Lorimer, Iowa, says: “The Lord has been blessing us, and the work is onward here. Several have taken hold of the message since our last report, and others are deeply interested.” THE company at Gum Corners, Ind., is planning the erection of a church building. A piece of land has been donated for a location, also a quantity of building material. The truth has been making quite a stir recently in that vicinity. BROTHER E. B. HOPKINS, in a report from Longview, Tex., where he has been holding meetings in the face of much opposition, says: “In spite of all the opposition, three families have taken their stand for the truth, and we organized a Sabbath-school of nineteen adults and children. Six followed their Saviour in baptism the afternoon before my meetings closed; others will be baptized later on. The prospects are that we can organize a church in the near future of about twelve or fifteen members, for which we give the Lord all the praise.” Two Significant Reports
By L. A. S.
After reading the National Reform convention reports published in this department, no doubt should remain in the minds of any of our readers that we are facing a marked revival of the movement that has for years been working to overthrow the principles of Protestantism and republicanism in this nation, and erect a despotism that would compel the conscience. The prophecy of Revelation 13 is to be fulfilled. The lull that has been experienced in the battle was only the prelude to the intensity of the final conflict. There is a new alignment of forces. The great Inter-Church Federation, the most powerful religious organization ever formed in modern times, has come suddenly into the field. As one of the chief purposes of this federation is to furnish evidence that the United States is a Christian nation,—a claim which the National Reform party has all along insisted upon and sought to establish in the government, the National Reform party feels, and with good reason, that this church federation is in alliance with it. Whether outwardly so or not, these two parties are certainly allied in the aims they have in view, and must inevitably work toward a common result. We print these reports not merely to give information, but to present a situation which should arouse our people to instant and vigorous action. The gospel message which exposes the nature of this deceptive movement must be given to the people. By delay in the work of circulating our literature this Sunday-law movement has grown to dimensions which it would not otherwise have attained at this time. The opportunity to work in spreading the literature of this message is now before us, and it must be improved without further delay.
L. A. S. National Reform in Kansas
By B. E. FULLMER
NOVEMBER 27 and 28 the Kansas State Conference of the National Reform Association was held in the city of Wichita. Included among the representative speakers from the State were one university president, two college professors, two lawyers, and numerous ministers. The well-known sentiments of the National Reformers prevailed, as the convention was held under the auspices of the national organization, which was represented by its secretary, Rev. J. M. Wylie. Congress was memorialized to submit to the State legislatures, which in turn were urged to support, the following amended preamble to the Constitution of the United States:— “We, the people of the United States, reposing our trust in Almighty God as the author of all power and authority, and recognizing Jesus Christ as the rightful and only ruler of nations, and the Bible as the standard by which to decide moral issues in national life, in order to establish a more perfect union,” etc. Resolutions were also passed “favoring the adoption of the Bible as a text-book in all schools;” demanding that “the government should require in its State and public schools the teaching of Christian principles as necessary to its life and perpetuity;” and “that the oath of allegiance require loyalty to our Christian institutions;” “that the law as given by Christ, should be made the standard of legislation concerning marriage and divorce,” and others of similar import. In view of these resolutions the following statements by leading speakers have a significant ring: “Church and state must be kept separate, but religion and the state must be inseparable—a union forever.” The speaker, an attorney, following the preceding quotation used almost verbatim the words of the National W. C. T. U. president at Nashville in 1887: “Christ must be this world’s king, in its realm of cause and effect,—king of its courts, its camps, its commerce,—king of its colleges and cloisters,—king of its customs and constitutions.” He also cited the “Supreme Court decision making this a Christian nation, and judge Hammond’s decision in the King case, and upheld them both, referring slightly to the “Seventh-day Adventist [Brother King] who had made himself a nuisance by working on Sunday.” Another statement received with applause was that the change in the preamble “would obligate executives to enforce its provisions.” Polygamy and the liquor traffic were given place in the discussions, but nothing received more attention than Sunday legislation and its enforcement. The air of confidence and determination manifested throughout the convention were significant of the time when life shall be given to the image of the beast, and we shall hear the dragon voice. The following editorial from the Wichita Eagle gives hope that all are not blind to the possibilities of this movement:— “Whether any laws of the state can aid the church in the conversion of the world is a debatable question. It is claimed that the primitive church made its most miraculous growth at the most corrupt time in the whole history of the Roman empire, and nobody will claim that the state rendered the church any aid when its members numbered few. One of the objects of this party is said to be to get God into the Constitution. It certainly could not hurt the Constitution, and it might have no more effect than placing the name of the Creator on the side of a thorn. In this country the people are the government, and the way to get God into the government is to get him into the hearts of the people. It should not be forgotten, however, that kings claim to rule by divine right, and that the people of this country repudiated that doctrine, and declared that the consent of the governed is the highest authority in government. ‘There is but one God, and Mohammed is his prophet,’ may be a fine thing in politics for the fellows who are conceded to be the vice-regents of Mohammed, but bad for the people who are governed.” The convention was declared a great success, and it certainly showed that progress is being made in the fulfilment of prophecy.
B. E. FULLMER.