A PROMINENT New York Clergyman declares that "every law now existing that rests on religious grounds should be abrogated." A writer in Harper's Weekly, commenting on this statement, says: "That seems to be a sound conclusion. It would leave plenty of Sunday laws based, not on religion, but on reasons of economic expediency and public interest."
But all laws which enforce a religious ordinance are based on religion, no matter what the pretended basis may be. We may claim that the law is based "on reasons of economic expediency;" but the claim itself is a mere expedient for keeping alive the pagan and medieval idea that religion and religious ordinances must be upheld and fostered and enforced by civil law. We may make the claim that Sunday laws are based on reasons of "public interest;" but the fact remains that they are based solely on such portion of the "public interest" as is of particular interest to those who wish a Sunday law—such portion of the "public interest" as is surrounded by some one's conception of the "public interest."
To one man the "public interest" would demand that all men everywhere should attend divine worship whether it were in accordance with their own desires or not; and just such a thing as that has been made compulsory right here in America. In years gone by there were those (and they exist at heart to-day) who considered that the "public interest" demanded that the general public should not read the Bible nor hold opinions of their own concerning its teachings. The "public interest," to their minds, demanded that they who did so should die—and they did die, millions of them. In certain portions of the world the "public interest" is thought to demand that no Bibles should be sold; and thousands of those that are sold are gathered and burned by the chosen guardians of the "public interest."
The "public interest" in various parts of the world has been interpreted to demand the whipping, burning, and hanging of "witches." In other places it has been interpreted to demand that they who rest on "the Sabbath day according to the commandment," must also rest on the first day of the week, commandment or no commandment. And for the "public interest" Christ's most loyal and humble followers have been whipped at the cart's tail from town to town by those who professed to be able to rightly interpret "public interest."
What are we taught by these and contradictory occurrences?—This: That "public interest" can be interpreted to demand anything that our individual feelings may urge us personally to demand. Our interpretation of "public interest" is not an impartial or infallible judge in matters where private prejudice, private interests, or individual feelings and cherished dogmas are concerned. No fallible man has a right to sit in judgment on the religious interests of other men, and compel them to live according to the decision which he hands down. But that is exactly what is done when men are compelled7by law to observe religious ordinances, even tho they are professedly based on reasons of "public interest" or "economic expediency."
The "public interest" does demand certain things. It demands civility on the part of all men everywhere, in order that none may trample upon the rights of others. It does not demand that the rights of any shall be violated in order that any ordinance, religious or otherwise, may be glorified above men and perpetuated in oppression.
Did Christ refer to the Fourth Commandment in the expression, "This commandment have I received of My Father," in John 10:17, 18?
No; we can not see that He did in any way, only as any part of God's truth is connected with every other part. The commandment, the privilege, the permission, pertained to the power or authority to lay down His life and take it again. He laid down His life for man. True, "The Sabbath was made for man." True; it is not against him, neither is any other commandment which God ever gave His children. No; the atonement does not center in the Sabbath commandment; but in Jesus Christ. True, the Sabbath is a memorial of His creative power, a sign of His power to redeem; but Sabbath rest can only be secured by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Fourth Commandment is a part, an important part, of God's law, but it is not all; but all do center in Christ Jesus.
1681.—Restoring Fourfold.
Will you please answer through the SIGNS if the latter half of Luke 19:8 applies with equal force to defrauding corporations; for instance, buying and selling railroad tickets (not transferable), or riding upon such a ticket, etc.
The matter of making restoration of property taken dishonorably is clearly set forth in Ex. 22:1; Eze. 33:14-16, etc. As to its application one's own soul must make it. The heinousness and evil effects of sin lie not in the good or evil of the one wronged, but in the evil of the sin itself and its effects on the one who does the wrong. We believe that some courts have decided that a ticket is good to the place for which it is purchased, by whomever held. In that case no one is defrauded. But defrauding robbery is evil anywhere, and should be made right if possible.
1682.—The Soul of Man.
Please explain what you understand the soul of man to be.
Soul is used in several meanings in the Scriptures. (1) It means the whole person. "Man became a living soul." Gen. 2:7. There were "eight souls saved" in the ark. 1 Peter 3:20. Joshua "destroyed . . . all the souls" who dwelt in various cities. Joshua 10. (2) It refers to the faculties of the mind. "Bless the Lord, O my soul." Ps. 103:1. (3) It means life. "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Matt. 16:26. The original word for soul—psuche—is the same here that is rendered life in verse 25,—the life which makes man a living creature.
A STRANGE DECISION.
THE Supreme Court of the United States has decided that if the Secretary of Commerce and Labor decides that an American citizen is not an American citizen, no matter if he is born, reared, and educated in America, then he, by the arbitrary action of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, is not a citizen, and may be deported to any country to which he may be assigned by said Secretary of Commerce and Labor. The case is that of Ju Toy, a Chinaman, born in America. The czar can do many wonderful things in banishing his subjects to the Siberian mines, but the Secretary of Commerce and Labor can banish a citizen to any foreign country toward which his fancy may turn. It was certainly no fault of Ju Toy that he was born an American. That any man under the American Constitution can exercise such powers as is ascribed in this decision by the Supreme Court to a member of the Cabinet is passing strange. We do not like to criticize our Supreme Court, but this is a case which seems to us so strikingly anomalous and far-reaching in its character as to discredit the citizenship of every native-born citizen. If the Supreme Court has rightly interpreted the powers of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, then Congress should amend the law.
—California Christian Advocate.
“A strange decision,” indeed! But it must be remembered that this is not the first “strange decision” handed down by our Supreme Court. The decision that “this is a Christian nation,” handed down by the same tribunal on Feb. 29, 1892, was just as strange and just as far from the fundamental principles of our government, and just as far-reaching in its results.
THE CZAR GRANTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
THE czar has made another concession to his people—this time a great concession. But for the fact that Russia is still so far behind the western world in matters of government the concessions granted by the present czar would seem even more important than they do. At the birth of his son he released the indebtedness incurred by the former serfs when, upon their emancipation, they were permitted to purchase the land upon which they had lived. This was a great boon to the peasants. Later, the czar announced his intention to create an elective assembly, which, while it would not participate in the enactment of law, would be permitted to discuss proposed laws or decrees. While this comes far short of constitutional liberty, it was really a great step in advance, because public opinion is almost as effective as law, when that public opinion can find expression through recognized channels. It has another advantage in that it permits the development of leaders of popular thought. At present there is no way in which a person can become a popular leader—no way in which public confidence can be centered in some able spokesman. This has been one of the weaknesses of all reform movements in Russia. The representative body to be established gives a chance for the development of leadership and for the establishment of prestige with the people, and it will inevitably lead to a legislative body empowered to participate in the making of the laws.
The last concession granted—that of religious liberty—is the greatest of all. Nothing is more paralyzing to a nation’s development than laws or decrees which forbid the following of one’s conscience. When Jefferson looked back over his life, he placed next to the Declaration of Independence the statute which he framed providing for religious freedom in the state of Virginia. With a conscience free to work, and to express itself, a new era opens before Russia. While, of course, it is impossible to know whether this concession is due to the war or could have been secured without the war, still it will probably be regarded as a result of the embarrassment brought by the war, and will go far toward making the people forget the hardships which have been imposed upon them by the sanguinary conflict between Russia and Japan.
Japan has religious freedom as well as a legislature, and these things probably account, in part at least, for the enthusiasm with which the Japanese have supported their government. The restriction placed by the Russian Government upon liberty of conscience, of thought, and of tongue, has contributed largely toward the uprisings which have embarrassed the czar.
The people of America will heartily congratulate the Russians upon the concessions which they have won during the last two years, and will hope for still further concessions until the people of Russia at last enjoy freedom to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences, freedom to think as they please, freedom to express their opinions by tongue or pen, and full participation in the government under which they live.—The Commoner.
A FULL-FLEDGED NATIONAL REFORMER.
By Editor
ONLY a few years ago we were accused of being alarmists because we warned the people that such a condition as is indicated in the following official notice would yet be the result of Sunday-lawism in the United States. The same spirit has been manifested by higher officials, and in other states and territories, but none have as yet gone so far into the smaller details of intention. But it is the logical result of the growing effort to establish the "image of the beast" (Revelation 13) and to enforce its worship. It was a characteristic of medieval persecutions that officials of the loudest moral pretension were the most cruel and relentless in their bigotry. For the bitterest persecutions of the Dark Ages were only the execution of religious law. The worst feature of religious legislation (practical church and state union) is that it gives opportunity to would-be tyrants to display their power, or to unprincipled people to oppress those against whom they may have a grudge. This always has been the effect of enforcing religious dogma by means of human law. Note the animus of the following official warning, and remember that it is only a foretaste of that which is yet to become more common in this "land of the free," as the power and influence of state-churchism increases:
Notice to Law-Breakers.
As I am a peace officer of Benton County [Ark.], I think it my duty to notify the law-breakers of the county that I, for one, will prosecute every one that I see or hear of, that intentionally violates the law, both old and young. What is the use of having any law if it is not enforced. There are people who do not regard the law of God, neither do they regard the law of men. This class of people is what the law is made for. The Sunday is badly imposed upon and we want to be better men and women. I read in last week's paper what the writer of the Happy Hollow items wrote about some boys being fishing on Sunday. Now, Mr. "Crosstie," if I can find out who you are, you will be called before the grand jury this fall. I go to church, and very often I hear boys talking out-of-doors, and sometimes they talk and laugh and make fun in the house. Now, boys, if this isn't stopped you are going to get into trouble. When you go to Sunday-school or church, go in the house and stay there until services are over. Don't be running in and out of the house keeping up a general disturbance. When you drive up to a meeting-house hitch your horse, and don't trot by the house as fast as you can three or four times in an hour.
Now if the ox falls in the ditch pull him out. Please don't push him in to get to pull him out.
I understand there are some Seventh-day Adventists in the county, and I will say to them, Keep your Sabbath. The J. P., or the officers of the county are under obligations to prosecute the law-breakers, and if we do not do our duty we are subject to a fine and also removed from office. If you don't know the law, go to your J. P. and ask him to let you see the statute. Any of us will do this for you. There are people that, if their harness needs mending, or if they have a horse that needs a shoe on, or his shoes need mending, they will put it off till Sunday. Now this is a fineable offense, and I think I have said enough on this subject. Men and boys, if you have been violating the law through the week or on Sunday, you will do well to not do so any more.
Yours truly,
Given under my hand this the fifteenth day of May, 1905. J. P.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES IN INDIA.
By Editor
THE following facts show what great changes are coming over the position of the pariahs (outcasts) in this country. Just lately the Mahars, pariahs of the Bombay Presidency, petitioned the government to redress their grievances, complaining that they were treated worse than beasts, not being allowed to touch the well of any village, and their very shadow being deemed pollution. The government replied cautiously that, tho they sympathized with them, they could at present do nothing to remove these grievances. But ten years ago no pariah would have dared to sign such a petition. Then, again, in Madras an interesting event is taking place. The pariahs of Triplicane presented a cow to the Hindu temple there. When this was refused, and they were driven away from the temple, a Brahmin gentleman of the neighborhood took up their cause, and arranged for them to come and worship outside the temple. For this he has been ostracized. Letters are at present appearing in the daily papers on the subject, and the Brahmin may go to law on behalf of the pariahs. Recently in Chingleput, on the occasion of Rev. A. Andrew's semi-jubilee, the Hindu community, including all the high officials, presented him with a testimonial in which they praised him for his successful efforts to elevate the condition of the pariahs, and declared that they rejoiced to see them becoming Christians, as Hinduism offered them nothing but contumely! These are all "signs of the times," and show that the spirit of Christianity is taking hold of the Hindu community.
On the 7th of June, Norway, through her parliamentary body, seceded from the union with Sweden, and declared King Oscar of Sweden deposed from the throne of Norway. The kingship will be offered to a prince of the present royal family of Sweden; but it seems unlikely that King Oscar will permit its acceptance. It is rumored that, in case a Swedish prince is not designated by King Oscar, the crown of Norway will be offered to a Danish prince. This action comes as a result of King Oscar's refusal to grant the demands of Norway for separate consuls in foreign countries. Norway is prepared to compel recognition of her independence by force of arms, if necessary. What the outcome of this step will be is not yet apparent.
Reports from St. Petersburg indicate that the czar has taken the first steps looking toward peace negotiations; that is, that he has requested his American ambassador to ascertain through President Roosevelt what Japan's demands will be. In the meantime there is said to be not the slightest surface indication of any change in the situation regarding the continuation of the war. Preparations to send additional troops to the front continue, and a new draft of horses from Poland has been ordered, while a further mobilization of men in the province of Moscow is announced.
President Roosevelt has ordered that the Russian war-ships now at Manila disarm or leave port within twenty-four hours after the notice was given. His decision not to allow the Russians time to repair damages received in battle is looked upon by Russia in a very unfavorable light. The Russian press speaks in a very bitter way of this ruling, it being generally understood that vessels of a belligerant may remain in a neutral port long enough to accomplish any repair work necessary to make them seaworthy. The Russian ships will disarm.
Two attempts on the lives of prominent persons are reported during the week. While the king of Spain was visiting Paris, a bomb was thrown at the carriage in which the king and the French president were riding. The bomb was exploded by striking one of the guard's horses, and little damage was done. On June 7, an anarchist made an attempt to take the life of Vice-President Fairbanks at Flint, Mich.
A hurricane recently swept over Natal, South Africa, doing great damage, and killing a large number of persons. The report states that 440 bodies have been recovered, and many more are known to have been killed.
Another massacre of Armenians by the Tartars of Trans-Caucasia is reported to have taken place on May 29. The massacre was occurring simultaneously in a number of villages, and large numbers were being killed.
COMFORT FOR THE SAD, SICK, AND WEARY.
By Daniel Nettleton
BY DANIEL NETTLETON.
THE Lord desires His people to be prospered, be happy, and be in health. He says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Health is a great treasure. It is the richest earthly possession that mortals can have. Wealth, honor, or learning is not to be compared to it. God has pledged Himself to keep this living machinery in healthy action if the human agent will obey His laws, and co-operate with God. God's thoughts toward us are thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give us an expected end. He wishes for us a happy future. He is not pleased to have us sick and suffer pain. In all our afflictions He is afflicted. He is "touched with the feeling of our infirmity." To His people anciently He promised that if they would keep His commandments and do them, He would take away all sickness from them. "And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." Ex. 23:25. God kept that promise to His people. He kept them well for forty years in their journey from Egypt to Canaan. The divine record is, "There was not one feeble person among all their tribes; . . . for He remembered His holy promise." Ps. 105:37-42.
Does He not remember His holy promise now? Would it not be just as great a disgrace for God to break His promise now as when Jeremiah prayed, "Disgrace not the throne of Thy glory; remember, break not Thy covenant with us." Jer. 14:21. Let us pray, Lord, "remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope." Ps. 119:49.
"All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen." God is as good and sure as His word. 2 Cor. 1:20.
Does not the Lord desire us to sing as did the psalmist: "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases"? Ps. 103:1-3. Yes, He wishes to hush our groans and cries of pain, and put a new song in our mouths, even praises unto our God. "Many shall see and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." Ps. 40:3.
The Lord is waiting to honor our faith as He did the faith of the four men who brought the sick of palsy to Jesus. When they could not get the man to Jesus in the ordinary way of the door, because of the crowd, their faith led them to make a way in an extraordinary manner. They went on top of the house, and broke a hole in the roof, and let the man down to Jesus. And "when Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." The scribes said, "Why doth this Man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" Jesus said, "Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, take up thy bed, and walk?" Which do you think is easier for God, to forgive you of your sins, or to heal you of your diseases? "But that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins (He saith to the sick of the palsy), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up his bed, and went forth before them all." Mark 2:1-12. Thank the Lord, He can forgive sins and He can heal all our diseases. My dear sick brother, or sister, have faith in God. "All things are possible to him that believeth." With God nothing is impossible. To the healed one, Jesus said, "Thy faith hath made thee whole." God is the fountain of life. Ps. 36:9. Come to this fountain, drink and live. "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14.
Why do we not present our sick and suffering before God in the arms of our faith? Why do we not teach them to believe in the great Healer? Why do we not lay hold of the promises, and bring the sick to God, praying for His healing to be revealed? Why do we not plead the promise, "These signs shall follow them that believe?" This is the privilege of God's children, and faith should lay hold of all that it is possible to have as an endorsement of faith.
"They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." Have you tried the great Physician? He says, "I am the Lord that healeth thee." Ex. 15:26. He is the one "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." Ps. 103:3. You may sing as did the psalmist:
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." Ps. 23:1-4.
I ask you the same question that Jesus asked the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, "Wilt thou be made whole?"
"The impotent man answered Him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool; but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked." John 5:7-9.
Of course you would like to be made whole, but are you willing to be made whole in the Lord's way? Our way is not always the Lord's way. His way is "the more excellent way."
"God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; Selah. That Thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations." Ps. 67:1, 2.
Here is a little story concerning a sick woman; you may have had a similar experience.
"And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing better, but rather grew worse, when she heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment. For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague." Mark 5:25-29.
Jesus did not fail in this case. Why not do as she did—come to Jesus? Here is another:
"When He was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." Matt. 8:1-3.
WHICH IS THE BETTER?
By H. A. St. John
BY H. A. ST. JOHN.
WHICH is the better, to do our own will, or the will of our heavenly Father? When we go our own way, and do our own will, is it not true that we make many mistakes? Do we not often do things that we would far better leave undone? And again do we not often will to do things which we are utterly unable to perform? In short, are we not convinced that we are very shortcoming creatures when left to ourselves, lacking in wisdom, lacking in power? Have we not yet learned the truth that it is not in man to order his ways aright? Do we not know that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord? Ps. 37:23.
Is it at all surprising if the will of God often crosses our will, when ours is so uniformly fallible, and His is infallible? If we leave the program of our lives in His hands, we need not give ourselves any concern, for His will of infinite power, infinite wisdom, and infinite love, will ever direct us without mistake in the path of life, the upward path to endless glory.
To be filled with a knowledge of God's will, and to do that will with delight, is the sum total of all true religion, and true service. It is the only path of pleasantness and peace that ends well. What a convincing testimony to the blindness of mortals, that they will ever choose their own way in preference to the way of the Lord. All who thus do are building on the sand, and if they do not change some day, great will be their fall. I have before observed that we are often unable to perform that which we will to do. But if we are living the life of delightful obedience to our heavenly Father's will, the failure can never occur. Possessing omnipotent power, His power can and will supplement whatever lack there is in us to do His will.9On a certain Sabbath day, Jesus attended services in the synagog at Capernaum. There was a man in the audience who had often willed to move and use his hand, but he could not, it was withered and powerless. The Lord Jesus then and there willed for that man to use his hand. The Lord supplied the lacking power, and when He told the man to stretch forth his hand he did so without difficulty, and it was made whole like the other. On another Sabbath day there was a good sister who willed to go to church to hear Jesus, but was unable to go, for she was sick with a great fever. Jesus went to that house after meeting, took this sister by the hand, rebuked the fever, and she arose and ministered to the guests, a thing she could not have done of her own will.
On still another occasion Jesus was in Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. At an early hour, before the time for religious services, He walked out to a water-cure establishment in the city. There He found a man who had not walked for thirty-eight years. He was utterly unable, of his own will, to take a single step, or to stand upon his feet. Jesus supplemented this poor man's will with His own, then commanded him to arise, take up his bed, and walk. He at once obeyed, and went forth doing the Saviour's will with the Saviour's strength, filled with joy. How blessed the thought that our lives may be conformed to the will of the same almighty Saviour!
We note another and a still more remarkable instance of what God's will can do for us, when in a condition the most hopeless that could be imagined: Jesus was in Bethany. Lazarus, whom He loved, because he was cheerfully obedient to the Lord's will, had died. The dead are utterly powerless and helpless. There is the cessation of the action of all the vital functions. They can not hear, see, feel, or move. Who would think of asking the dead to do anything. Jesus stood by the sepulcher of His loving and beloved friend. He has been dead four days. At the order of Jesus some of the living rolled away the stone from the mouth of the sepulcher. Now did He order these men to bring out the body of Lazarus from the sepulcher? No, no. His next command is to the dead. Just to think, He tells the dead something to do! Surely He will fail now. Hear Him. He says, "Lazarus, come forth!" The multitude stare at the open door of that death chamber. The dead hear and obey. Lazarus came forth, alive and well. O, how wonderful! And this is He who asks us to walk after the counsel of His sweet will.
Jesus said, "I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me." And then He immediately declares that this is the will of Him that sent Him, that of all He had given Him He should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. So we see that it is His will, His good pleasure, that all who do His will, whether they wake or sleep when He comes in glory, shall live together with Him. When the apostle says, "Behold, I show you a mystery," and then tells us how all who have delighted to do the will of God will be changed in a moment to immortality, and then with glorified bodies be taken to Jesus, to ever dwell with Him in glory, He is only revealing the grand consummation of the mystery of the Father's will concerning us. How charmingly beautiful is a life delightfully conformed to the will of God. And how surpassingly glorious its perfect and eternal day.
NO NIGHT THERE.
By Mrs. Susan Birdsall Roberts
BY MRS. SUSAN BIRDSALL ROBERTS.
NO NIGHT! No night! How blessed the days,
With no dark shadows interlaced,
No twilight merging into gloom,
No sunsets fading all too soon,
Nor yet oppressive, sultry noon,
No threatening clouds by tempest chased.
No night! No night! All tranquil days,
Transcendent light, a sacred chain,
Link after link, each locked in each,
As through eternity they reach,
Mid hallelujah's loud acclaim.
No night! No night of sorrow there,
No midnight cry for dawn of day,
For day shall dawn upon the soul,
Nor ever cease, but onward roll,
Nor lose in night one cheering ray.
No night! No night with mantle dark
To cover sin. No sin to hide!
Ecstatic thought! No ill to shun,
But only endless day begun!
With Christ in heaven for aye to abide.
No night! No night! No traveler
Shall grope about to find his way;
For o'er the fields of living green
Shall holy radiance glow, and gleam
From the sweet face, and form, and mien
Of Him whose "visage marred" is seen
All glorious now, "The Light" of day.