Earlier text: ChinaVALENCIA.— Sabbath morning about ten o’clock we assembled upon the shore of the beautiful Mediterranean. To add to the beauty of the occasion, the weather was perfect. There were perhaps seventy-five or one hundred present, who for the first time in their lives witnessed a gospel baptism. Very good attention was given while the meaning and importance of this rite were being explained. Among those assembled were several fishermen, who left their ships in order to be present. We hope that some of these may some day forsake all, and follow the Master. One of those baptized is a man seventy-eight years of age. As I think of this brother, the words in Jer. 23:29 come to mind: “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Although so advanced in years, this man has decided that there is power in God’s word to deliver him from all his bad habits, including the use of wine and tobacco. Another of those baptized is a sister seventy years of age. Some time ago her eldest daughter left home because of the mother’s interest in the study of the Bible. She is with relatives only about forty-five miles from here. To add to her suffering, when this mother turned from Romanism, and began to obey the truth, the younger daughter decided to don the veil. Acting upon this decision, she entered a convent for nuns, several months ago. It means something for a mother to take a step which she knows will turn her daughters from her in this manner. There are those who would not recant their allegiance to God and his truth were they threatened with martyrdom at the stake. This is the kind of material that will form the great building in God’s kingdom. Are there not some who may read these lines who feel that God is calling them to go into these neglected parts of his vineyard, to hunt out these jewels? Besides the six baptized, there are two who are keeping the Sabbath, and expect to be baptized soon. Several others are much interested. Our hearts are made glad as we read the reports of the advance of the message in all parts of the field. This is the time for this people to arise like one man, and finish the work which God in his great mercy has entrusted to us. A Pennsylvania “Union Service”
By W. A. C.
Sunday evening, July 14, a union service in the interests of “Sunday observance,” was held in the West Street Theater, at Coudersport, Pa., which was arranged and conducted by the Revs. Stewart, Stetler, Toensmeier, and Snodgrass, of the Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches respectively, each speaking for ten minutes, the first on “The Biblical Foundation of the Sabbath,” the second on “The Physical Basis of the Sabbath,” the third on “The Spiritual Significance of the Sabbath,” and the last on “Sabbath and Law Observance.” One peculiarity of the meeting, as reported by the Potter Enterprise, was that “the character and object of the service were kept a secret until the very hour fixed for its commencement;” but the same report adds that “the services had not proceeded far until their object was apparent to every one present.” The subjects discussed were all good except the last,—the one relating to the enforcement of a religious institution by civil law,—but, sad to relate, this seemed to be the real purpose of the meeting, as the only action taken by the meeting was the presentation, by the last speaker, and passing of the following resolutions:— “Whereas, Several stores in Coudersport are habitually open and selling goods on Sunday in direct violation of the Sunday laws of the State of Pennsylvania, and thus lowering the moral tone of our community, and furnishing needless temptation to children and others, therefore,— “Resolved, 1. That we, the citizens of Coudersport, respectfully and kindly request the proprietors of these places to keep them closed on the Lord’s day, as the laws of our commonwealth require. “Resolved, 2. That we call the attention of our police authorities to this habitual violation of the law, and urge them to take such action as the duties of their office require. “Resolved, 3. That we request the editors of our local papers to print these resolutions. “[Signed] E. D. TOENSMEIER,
“I. H. STETLER,
“H. S. STEWART,
“E. M. SNODGRASS.” This is but another straw showing the rising of that spirit in this country which is to culminate in the passing of the decree, foretold by the seer of Patmos, that “all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,” should receive this mark of apostasy and papal authority, and that “no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Rev. 13: 16, 17. That the object of this meeting, like that of the Sunday-enforcement movement everywhere, was to increase church attendance, was apparent from a remark made by one of the speakers, who said, “It is my candid opinion that the parent ought to be found every Sunday in the church pew accompanied by the whole family.” With this in view, they resolve to ask the “police authorities,” to enforce the State Sunday law. To these pastors and to all who voted for their resolutions, we commend the following earnest, thoughtful words of Mr. C. H. Spurgeon, the noted English Baptist divine:— “I am ashamed of some Christians because they have so much dependence on Parliament and the law of the land. Much good may Parliament ever do to true religion, except by mistake! As to getting the law of the land to touch our religion, we earnestly cry, ‘Hands off! leave us alone!’ Your Sunday bills and all other forms of act-of-parliament religion seem to me to be all wrong. Give us a fair field and no favor, and our faith has no cause to fear. Christ wants no help from Cæsar. I should be afraid to borrow help from government; it would look to me as if I rested on an arm of flesh, instead of depending on the living God. Let the Lord’s day be respected by all means, and may the day soon come when every shop shall be closed on the Sabbath, but let it be by the force of conviction, and not by the force of the policeman; let true religion triumph by the power of God in men’s hearts, and not by the power of fines and punishments.” Our Methodist Friends in Canada
By W. A. C.
The following, which appeared in the East Michigan Banner of May 29, shows something of the attitude of Methodists toward Sabbath-keepers in Canada, and may explain why observers of the Bible Sabbath were not exempted from the provisions of the Sunday law passed by the Dominion Parliament about a year ago:— “The Rev. Dinsdale T. Young, the noted English Wesleyan preacher, said: ‘A true Methodist can not be a bigot.’” —Chicago Tribune, June 24, 1906. “This year’s convention of London Methodist Conference ended in Central Methodist church, Windsor, last night. Conference held a business session, and the stationing committee completed its labors. Several minor changes were made in the first draft of ministers. “The conference adopted the following resolution in respect to the Lord’s day bill now before the Dominion Parliament:— “London conference of the Methodist church in Canada, consisting of five hundred electors, representing two hundred thousand Methodists, most emphatically protests against any Jewish or Seventh-day Adventist exemptions from the restrictive clauses of the Lord’s day bill, also to the widening of transportation privileges or any clauses giving authority to railway commission. “Rev. David Rogers, President, “Rev. I. B. Wallwin, Secretary.” “The resolution was sent by telegraph to Ottawa after it passed conference, and will be presented to the government today. “The conference will meet next year in Goderich.”—Detroit Free Press, June 6, 1906. “OTTAWA, ONTARIO, June 27.— The whole rigid Sunday observance bill now before Parliament was the subject of a lively session this evening, lasting until nearly midnight. The exemption clause respecting the Jews, Adventists, and others who keep some other day as their Sabbath was defeated. The vote on this point indicates that all the drastic features of the measure will be retained, and its passage within the next twenty-four hours is expected.”—Chicago Record-Herald. We are sorry that the professed followers of John Wesley, who said, “Let every one enjoy the full and free liberty of thinking for himself,” should thus array themselves against the equality of rights, and in favor of an unjust and persecuting law. Christian Liberty
By K. C. Russell; W. A. Colcord
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau K. C. RUSSELL. Chairman W. A. COLCORD. Secretary Religious Liberty Notes
By W. A. C.
FIFTY-FIVE thousand copies of the last number of Liberty have been printed. The Pacific Press has just ordered ten thousand copies of each of the Religious Liberty Leaflets, or one hundred and twenty thousand in all. The president of the Vermont Conference sends in an order for twenty-five copies of the last number of Liberty, saying, “I think the number a grand one.” The other day an order was received from Oklahoma for five thousand copies of each of the Religious Liberty Leaflets. The publishers are inclined to think this a mistake,—that five hundred of each was intended. Twenty thousand copies of the last number of Liberty, the Christian Endeavor number, besides many thousands of the Religious Liberty Leaflets, were sent to Seattle, Wash., for free distribution in connection with the recent Christian Endeavor convention held at that place. Following an address at the Sabbath-school and young people’s convention, at Mount Vernon, Ohio, Sunday night, July 14, by Elder K. C. Russell, copies of the last number of Liberty and a complimentary set of the Religious Liberty Leaflets were presented to all present. The literature was eagerly received. Religion, to amount to anything, must be individual and personal. Reforms, to be successful, must begin at home. Speaking at the annual Christian Endeavor convention, recently held at Seattle, Wash., Rev. Alexander Francis, pastor of the British-American church of St. Petersburg, Russia, said: “Nothing is more characteristic of the English and Americans than the desire to reform others than themselves.” It is stated that a movement has been set on foot among the Jews of the State of New York to petition President Roosevelt and Secretary Root to have the American representatives at The Hague Peace Conference withdrawn unless Russia and Rumania agree to certain regulations regarding their treatment of the Jews within their borders. An appeal has also been made to Cardinal Gibbons to lend his influence to the movement. They wish the Russian government to promise that when it emerges from its present conditions, “Jews, Catholics, and Mohammedans shall be equal citizens before the law.” The Distinctive Work of the Washington School
By F. G.
At the time the headquarters of our denominational work was moved to Washington, instruction was given by the spirit of prophecy that a school should be established, which would give an education that would in a very definite way fit men and women for gospel service. It was clearly pointed out that this school had a distinct work to do, differing somewhat from that of our other schools. It is known to those who have read the report of the council at Gland that considerable attention was given at that meeting to the study of this school, to enable it to further accomplish the work which it was ordained to do. At this meeting an earnest call was made for many more workers for foreign service. When the committee sought for those who could answer these calls, there was so great a dearth of workers that it was at once made apparent that some new source of supply must be found. It was the call for these workers that brought this school directly to the attention of the council. Moreover it is of advantage to our work in foreign fields to have those who are going to them spend some time at the headquarters of our work that they may become acquainted with the members of the Mission Board and with the work of that Board. From a study of the possibilities of this school it became apparent to all that, with some changes, this school could be made to meet the need of the missionaries preparing for this foreign service. It is the purpose to give this school a character of work that is somewhat different from that carried on in our other schools. It is recognized by the General Conference Committee that our other schools are doing a grand and important work in fitting for the foreign fields as well as for the home lands. But there are many students who come to these schools who do not have in mind the particular field of work which they wish to enter. There is a line of academic or college instruction which they should have for any field. During this instruction they may be led to decide definitely as to their place of labor. When this course of instruction is completed, and they have chosen a place of work, they may then go to the Washington school for special instruction. There will, moreover, enter this school men and women of advanced years, whose general education in life is such that with a short preparation they can be qualified for service in foreign lands. The Washington school does not intend to give regular courses of academic and college studies, but necessary classes will be formed to meet the various needs of those who are deficient in some branch of common study. The regular course of instruction given by this school will consist of special studies in Bible, history, medicine, and language, extending over one or two years, and designed to qualify the student for his distant field of work. From this it will be seen that special qualifications are necessary for admittance to this school, and that it does not contemplate giving the same regular courses of study as do our other schools. There will of course be those attending the Washington school who for various reasons do not go to foreign fields, but who enter the work in the home land; but, generally speaking, the definite object of this school is to give a special training for the foreign fields. We are sure that this plan will meet with the hearty co-operation of our teachers everywhere, and that they will welcome this addition to our school system as one which will tend to greatly hasten the finishing work in all lands. F. G. The Call of the Hour
By F. G.
INTENSITY is taking possession of every earthly element, and history is making more rapidly than ever before. The work of God in the earth is closing. Our young people are arousing to the situation as never before. The calls are coming so rapidly from all lands that their hearts are being stirred. Our people have no greater asset for the finishing of this work than their young men and women. We must avail ourselves of this great resource. Our youth must be led to realize their possibilities. Every effort must be made to qualify them for the important places which they may fill in the work. It is high time that our churches should realize their great responsibility in this matter of getting every young man and woman to secure an education for immediate service. It is impossible for any of us to tell who may be of most service in God's work. We are not to judge that this one or that one may or may not do in an able manner the work of the Lord. We must remember that man looks upon the outward appearance, while God looks upon the heart. We are instructed to educate all our young men and women to be of service in the Lord's work. It is a certain fact that unless our churches, our parents, and our young people themselves arouse to the needs of the hour, the work of God will be greatly hindered. Within two months two or three score of our academies and colleges will open their doors for another year's work. Every one of these schools should be filled to overflowing. Every one of our church-schools should also be filled with earnest, consecrated boys and girls. Within the next two or three years there should go out from our schools at least a thousand workers. Unless we have large numbers of recruits, we can not expect the truth to go through the length and breadth of the benighted lands—lands where millions live who have never heard of a Saviour. May God help us as a people to see that no question is of greater importance to us at this time than the education and fitting of our young people, and even our boys and girls, for service in the finishing of this work. F. G. The Young People’s Convention of Missionary Volunteers
By F. G.
THE young people’s convention, which has just been held at Mount Vernon, must of necessity mark a new era in our work. During the past five years the Lord has been impressing this denomination in a most decided manner with the importance of immediately entering foreign fields and carrying the truth to those peoples. Moreover, the truth has been going with a new impetus in our home land. This is witnessed in all lines of work. For instance, in the publishing work, territory that has been canvassed over and over again has been recently recanvassed, and some of the largest records of sales which have ever23 been made in the history of our publishing work have been made in this old territory. With this marvelous advance and new life in our work, there is coming to our young people a new sense of their responsibility. They are recognizing that it is important for them to qualify for positions of usefulness and to do their part in the finishing of this work. Among the many resolutions of importance passed by the young people’s convention is one touching the question of education. It is as follows: “Resolved, That it shall be one of the chief aims of all our workers for the youth and of our Missionary Volunteer Societies to interest our young people in getting an education and a training for the work.” There is no question but that our young people, now that they have organized for service, are going to be a most valuable factor in the spread of this last message of salvation to all the earth. And not the least feature of their work will be that indicated in this resolution, for now as never before are educated men and women needed for service. The organization of the young people’s work as a department of the General Conference at the Grand Council and the holding of this convention are in every way most significant. It means more earnest churches, fuller schools, a better knowledge of God’s Word, a great increase of ministers and Bible workers for the home lands and thousands of truth-bearers for heathen lands. It means the speedy finishing of the work of the third angel’s message, the coming of the Lord, and the ushering in of the reign of everlasting peace. Our Message and Education
By F. W. Johnston
UNDER the symbolic representation of angels, three messages are seen going to every kindred, tongue, and people. That these angels are symbolic is beyond doubt, for the preaching of the gospel has not been commissioned save to humanity. The command was, “Go ye into all the world, and preach.” But nevertheless angels have an interest in the work of salvation, and are sent forth to minister unto those who shall be heirs of salvation; and it would not be merely imaginative to suppose that angels act a special part in the promulgation of these messages. This threefold message is the everlasting gospel. “The gospel . . . is the power of God unto salvation,” and always will continue to be such. The preaching of anything else could not be the gospel, and hence would be subject to the anathema of Paul: “For though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” A special feature of this message is the announcement to the world that “Babylon is fallen.” Why?—Because she hath made all nations drink of her wine. The church in general has become intoxicated with the errors of Romanism. A compromise has been made with the world. Having imbibed the doctrines of heathenism, she has become insensible to her mission. But within the precincts of spiritual Babylon are those who sigh and cry for these abominations, and so the call of the everlasting gospel goes forth, “Come out of her, my people.” Were it not for the fact that God has a people in the fallen church, this message would lose its force, and the preaching of it would be vain. God’s people, being in spiritual captivity, are to be led forth by skilful means. A thorough knowledge of the gospel, combined with tact and ingenuity, consecrated by the Spirit of God, is indispensably requisite to do effectual work in this line. This brings us to the thought that before we can intelligently instruct others, we must be efficiently educated ourselves. Too much haphazard work has been done; too many misdirected efforts because of a misunderstanding of right methods. To remedy this difficulty we have our educational institutions established in various places, and if all parents were alive to the importance of this message and the responsibility placed upon them to educate the young, our academies and colleges would be filled every year to overflowing. Can we realize that the progress of the message in the future depends upon the rising generation? Let us all be willing to sacrifice all if necessary to send the last warning message to a dying world. Very little time remains in which to warn the world of the impending doom. Satan is ripening the wicked for the last great conflict. On the other hand, God’s people are to become matured, and are to stand “without fault” before the throne of God. Let us see to it that we cast in our lot with the people and work of God. The Educational Situation in China
By J. N. Anderson
Within the last year or so the phrases, “new China,” “the awakening,” “the new era,” “intellectual revolution,” “phenomenal changes,” have come to be a part of the average man’s vocabulary among the foreign population in this empire of China. They refer to the spontaneous and widespread educational, political, and social changes that are in very truth revolutionizing this great land, which until recently was slumbering in self-satisfied security. The official and influential classes are well-nigh fully committed to the passing away of the old in China’s education, and to the speedy and wholesale introduction of Western and modern ideas. This of course means a complete change in the entire system of public education, with a corresponding change in all methods and standards. Furthermore, it means the complete reversal of the entire nation on the subject of female education, which promises that from this time the other half of China’s population is also to be educated, and hence to be taken account of and be fully reckoned with. Medical schools on the order of those that in the West are being founded, and the nation is learning modern medicine and surgery. The native system of medicine is surely doomed. High schools, normal schools, and colleges are springing up all over the empire. China is seeking to train her sons and daughters intellectually and physically, though it must be admitted that in this day of sweeping reform, the moral and spiritual factors are sadly left out of the question. The central board of education at Peking is manifesting much activity, and, according to all appearances, there seems to be a set purpose on the part of the Chinese government to organize a thorough system of education for the whole empire. As an illustration of what has already been accomplished in the way of opening schools, the province of Chili may be cited. It was reported that there are in that province three thousand primary schools with nineteen thousand students, two hundred elementary schools with ten thousand students, eighteen middle schools with nine hundred students, one provincial school with three hundred students, one university at Tientsin with two hundred students, one normal school at Pao-ting-fu with four hundred students, and fourteen prefectural normal schools with twelve thousand students. This is the metropolitan province of the empire, and as it now has at its head the strongest and most progressive man in China, it must of course be looked upon as being in advance of the other provinces to a certain degree. In view of the widespread intellectual awakening, and the general desire for education on the part of all classes in this land, it is felt by the entire missionary body that this is an hour of great opportunity in China, and that a failure, either through ignorance or indifference, to seriously and successfully lay hold of the present situation and make the most of it, would be not only unfortunate, but quite inexcusable. It is felt that in a similar situation, a very serious mistake was made by the missionaries in Japan on this very point when a few years ago they failed to enter the educational field in a way to give them vantage-ground in molding Japan intellectually. Such opportunities come only once in the history of a nation, and the favorable opening must be seen and entered. It is an open secret that at the present time no little disfavor on the part of the Chinese government is manifested toward mission schools and all other schools conducted by foreigners; and the fact that idolatrous worship is required of the students in the public schools goes to show that the Chinese government is far from favorable toward the extensive and vigorous efforts put forth by missionaries along educational lines. Many missionaries are very much disappointed at the present outlook, and regard the action of the Chinese government in refusing to recognize the missionary schools with grave apprehensions. Some feel that unless this, to them, very serious disability can be overcome, the work of education carried on by the foreign missionaries is practically doomed. This class insists that vigorous and well-directed steps should be taken to secure official recognition. Others, on the other hand, feel sanguine24 that merit will surely win, and that missionaries need only see to it that their educational work is of the highest quality. In the mind of the writer it is a positive mistake to cater in any degree to any such consideration, for the very obvious reason that all missionary endeavor should have as its sole and constant object the preaching of the Word; and with this aim in mind, all education should look to the training of young men and women who shall with ringing enthusiasm give themselves to the work of evangelizing this great people. To others it may seem a great and worthy ambition to train Christian young men to successfully discharge the duties of statesmen and the lesser but equally important professions in life. But to us who believe in the near coming of Christ and that this message is to go to the whole world in this generation, all educational efforts must be made to contribute to this one end. Education and the Recent Centenary Conference
At the great conference held at Shanghai, it was only natural that the subject of education should occupy a very prominent place. Next to that of federation, the question of education was without doubt the most prominent. It is well known that educational schemes on a huge scale are the order of the day the world over, and why indeed (so it was argued) should it not be so in China, where there are hundreds of millions of people, and where education for millenniums has been held in the highest esteem? Men with their millions are giving large sums to the cause of education in America and in other lands; why should not these men be encouraged to help in this work for China? (It is reported that Rockefeller has given fifty million dollars, United States currency, for non-sectarian education in China.) Great universities are the pride of the West; would it not be wise, and is it not in the line of duty as well as the hour of opportunity, to do something for higher education in China? Why should not the missionary societies working in this land unite in founding a great union Christian University at some center in this empire? This institution, it was contended, would represent, as nothing else could, the spirit and aim of the gospel, and at the same time prove a great blessing to the Chinese people in educating men for all the varied positions in the life of this nation. Such a university, it was felt, should be of the highest type, and rank with the great universities in England and America. It would be a great stimulus toward Christian union, not only in China, but throughout the whole world, and would stand as a concrete illustration of what education in its highest form should be. It was further argued that it would give to the missionary body a standing, and afford a splendid means of a fuller vindication of the Christian faith. On the other hand, some stoutly insisted, with much show of reason, that the whole scheme was premature in view of the little that had so far been accomplished along educational lines; and further it was held that an institution of this kind would be sure to be looked upon by the Chinese government as a rival to the Imperial University at Peking and similar institutions. Ultimately the whole question was referred to a committee with instructions to study the educational problem in general, and report to the next conference. That China is in dire need of education no intelligent man will for a moment question; but in the light of the actual conditions now obtaining, this mammoth university scheme is premature and ill-advised. It is another illustration of the altogether too common attempt to float a great institution with the avowed intention of doing a work that must be done by and through the individual. It reflects only too faithfully the spirit of the times which seeks by means of federation and huge combinations to take the world by storm, trusting the worldly resources ready to hand—money, education, civilization, whatever that may be, and charitable and philanthropic institutions. All this, instead of seeking the individual by means of the life and power of the gospel. Missionary Movement
By D. P. Miller
The gospel plan is one great missionary effort. The Author of it not only directs, but labors also. He said, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” John 5:17. He was that first gospel seed, which sent forth shoots, foreshadowing the life hidden within from all ages, until the tender plant appeared in Bethlehem. He grew up, spreading his branches, giving life and shelter to all who would seek refuge in him. This tree of righteousness has borne fruit in every age. The crop of each season, stored away, awaits the final harvest, when the whole will be gathered into the heavenly garner. This last generation is witnessing the finishing touch of the Father’s hand, purposed before the foundation of the world. Eph. 1:4, 9, 10. The worlds, angels, and men have witnessed wonderful works of his grace; but his crowning act is to call out a people to be framed, fitted, and polished, redeemed from among men, death conquered in them, victors over Babylon and the grave. They are educated in the school of Christ, and taught by the Master Workman. Like him, they engage in the work willingly. Every trial, disappointment, and pain is a mark of their success; for they are made “perfect through suffering.” Heb. 2:10; 1 John 3:3. They fully appreciate the nature of the task before them; for they hear him say, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he can not be my disciple.” Luke 14:26, 27. By faith they enter into the joy of the work. Holding fast that which they have, they are sealed with the seal of the living God—labeled, Sons of God, New Jerusalem. When the end of the harvest comes, with the resurrected ones they are “caught up . . . to meet the Lord in the air.” Immortalized, they “enter in through the gates into the city,” and are seen at last standing on the sea of glass, “having the harps of God.” They sing a song that will resound to all eternity. Rev. 22:14; 15:2, 3. A hundred forty and four thousand missionaries are wanted; for “in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery [gospel] of God should be finished.” Rev. 10:7; 11:15. Every Seventh-day Adventist should arise to the work. In fact, this must inevitably be the case; for those who do not labor are not labored upon. It is the labor and experience in the message that gives character and form to the worker. Listen: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Heb. 5:8, 9; 2:10. Here in Scotland, as elsewhere in the world, cities are crowded with sinful humanity. Burdened with church form and priestcraft, the honest in heart are struggling in darkness. Where are the young men and young women who see these things, and will help in making them known to the world? Parents should let the mind possess them which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5. Every home should be a missionary school. Deut. 11:18–28. The Lord has favored this people with every facility to procure an education. Our schools are open. Missionaries are needed, not simply educated in books, but grounded in right principles, which do not repel, but draw hungering souls. Narrow, selfish, commanding people are a great hindrance. These quickly see the wolf and flee. But we read: “For many are called, but few are chosen.”