DURING the two months and a half when there were no open saloons in San Francisco, the general testimony of press and people was that the duties of the police were merely nominal; there was little to do in the police courts, and the city never was so orderly. A month after the reopening this condition is very much changed. The Chronicle tells of murder and hold-ups, and the doings of "as murderous a gang of footpads as have infested the city during the last decade. The annals of the police contain few parallels to the record," etc. Apparently that the fruitage of the rehabilitated saloon curse might have opportunity to mature, the supervisors cut down the police force before permitting the re-opening of the saloons. There was a plea of lack of revenue to pay the larger force, which was no doubt a good reason, and the reduced force was sufficient during the prohibition days. But the saloon licenses were renewed at a rate about six times the former price, on the express pretext of supplying the needed funds; yet the necessary police force to cope with the increased saloon product has not been supplied, and it has become necessary to withdraw police protection from the refugee camps.
This ominous prospect for San Francisco is portrayed by one of that city's reliable journals, the Christian Advocate:
Over 2,200 saloons are now in full blast in the stricken city. Less than a half-dozen permanent buildings are now in course of construction in the fire limits. There are as many as four saloons in a single block near Fillmore and California Streets. The saloons and red lights are marching side by side into the residence part of the city. At this rate San Francisco is doomed to be a miserable shanty town for fifty years.
This would indicate that the haunts of vice and corruption are being rehabilitated in a far greater ratio than any other feature of the once proud and even now boastful city. Trebly-stricken is the "Queen City of the West"—stricken by earthquake, by fire, and by a saloon-elected administration. According to the testimony of the press and many representative citizens, the city's last state is worse than all before.
The True Principle of Donation
The true principle of donation to a cause is tersely stated in the following item from the San Francisco Chronicle:
"The courts have decided that the property accumulated in Zion City does not belong to Dowie. This is a sensible conclusion, no matter what quibbles may have been raised to support the opposite contention. When people become so fanatical as to imagine that they will lay up treasures in heaven by parting with their worldly goods on earth, they generally retain enough common sense to realize that it is the cause and not its agent which will give them their celestial boost, consequently it is fair to assume that their donations are to the organization or church, and not to the man who passes around the hat."
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Eastern Excursions.
The Chicago and Northwestern Railway's daily and personally conducted excursions to the East afford the greatest amount of comfort at the least cost. The cars are of the very latest pattern and are provided with every convenience. Daily cars leave San Francisco at 6:00 P. M. and personally conducted every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 9:00 A. M. Ask Southern Pacific Agents or R. R. Ritchie, 435 14th Street, Oakland, Cal.
30 FLOWERING BULBS FOR 10c
Together with our Catalogue and a complete treatise on the culture of Hardy Bulbs. All by mail, 10 cts
These 30 Bulbs, 10 kinds, 3 of each, different colors, will make 6 beautiful little pots of flowers for winter, or 10 clumps of early spring flowers for your garden. Pot or plant them now.
Our Illustrated Catalogue of Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissus, Crocus, Lilies and all Hardy or Holland Bulbs, and rare new winter-flowering plants free to all who apply.
JOHN LEWIS CHILDS, Floral Park, N. Y.
Bank of Mountain View
If you haven't already done so, why don't you drop us a postal asking us to send you a copy of our monthly paper, "The Bank of Mountain View Journal." It is very interesting. It is full of good ideas, and it is free to you for the asking. If you live in the East, send for a copy and see how we do it in California. We still hold ourselves ready to furnish you with information about Mountain View. Write us.
Address
Bank of Mountain View
Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California
Southern Pacific
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Speed,
Comfort,
Safety
Which are given the greatest attention in the equipment of the
Overland Limited
Running over the Southern and Union Pacific. Secure tickets and make reservations for berths from any
Local Agent
Southern Pacific Company
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Personally Conducted
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Operate daily between principal Eastern points and California. The route of the Overland Limited.
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E. L. LOMAX, G. P. A. Omaha, Neb.
EASY MONEY.
A. E. Loveland, Johnson, Vt., writes: "On Friday I sold six dozen E-Z Washing Tablets; my mother sold five dozen, and another friend sold four dozen,—fifteen dozen in one day! Nearly every one likes the Tablets." Agents make a profit of over 100 per cent. Not necessary to canvass. Send 5 cents for samples and particulars. Either sex. Address, Alfred Mallett, Elkridge Station, Baltimore, Md., or to Clinch Mercantile Co., Grass Valley, Cal., Pacific Coast Supply House.
The Bible and Human Responsibility
THE Bible is a book of faith, and a book of doctrine, and a book of morals, and a book of religion, of special revelation from God; but it is also a book which teaches man his own individual responsibility, his own dignity, and his equality with his fellow-man.—Daniel Webster.
Freedom of Belief
No IRON chain, nor outward force of any kind, could ever compel the soul of man to believe or to disbelieve: it is his own indefeasible right, that judgment of his; he will reign and believe there by the grace of God alone.—_Carlyle_.
The English Bible
THE English Bible,—a book which if everything else in our language should perish, would alone suffice to show the whole extent of its beauty and power.—Macaulay.
Beauty Complete in Itself
WHATEVER is in any way beautiful hath its source of beauty in itself, and is complete in itself; praise forms no part of it. So it is none the worse nor the better for being praised.—Marcus Aurelius.
Benevolence and Righteousness
BENEVOLENCE is the tranquil habitation of man,
and righteousness is his straight path.—Mencius.
OUR HOMELESS MESSENGERS.
By A. W. Judson
From West to East the message came,
So unexpected, too,
That great destruction, wrought by flame,
Was seen at Mountain View.
It was the home from which went forth
The messengers of truth,
So dearly prized by old and young,
By middle-aged and youth.
Altho this home has been destroyed,
The messengers still live;
Their faculties will be employed
The words of life to give.
Where'er invited they will go;
Glad tidings still they bear,
That Jesus lives and loves His own,
And He will answer prayer.
They have a message now to all
They ne'er could bear before;
They'd never heard the Saviour call
In such afflictions sore.
In hours of darkness, doubt, and gloom
These messengers give light;
They weary not with toil by day,
Nor faint with care by night.
From hearts made tender with good cheer,
The SIGNS to them has brought,
From children eager for the truth
The LITTLE FRIEND has taught,
There flows a sympathy for those
Who in this trying hour,
Still have a burden for the souls
Controlled by Satan's power.
Yuba, Wis. A. W. JUDSON.
'IN PRISON AND YE CAME UNTO ME.'
By Dr. O. C. Godsmark
'YOU-ALL didn't come over to the work-house Sunday. We missed you powerfully. We boys need your meetings, for they do us so much good. We want you to come. I did the best I could for the boys and held divine service myself. The boys need it.' The speaker was a member of the Hamilton County (Tenn.) chain-gang. It was Sabbath morning and we were on our way to church. Busy with our thoughts, planning as to what our sermon should be, we had not noticed the clanking of the chains and the presence of this criminal who so familiarly addressed us.
It was hot and dusty, and just beyond were the other members of the gang, working out their sentences. To one side, in the shade of a tree, there stood the guard with his loaded gun and pistols, and by his side were chained the thirsty blood-hounds, ready to do their part in keeping the prisoners within the bounds of control.
These guards are very kind to us, and appreciate the work we have been doing in the jails and work-house, and urge us to come just as often as possible. They say, 'The men are so much more manageable, and we get along with them so much better, when you hold your meetings with them.' And no wonder; for, poor men, what have they to light up the dark cells of their confinement, or to tell them of a forgiving heavenly Father, or that there is any possible hope in the future for such as they?
All their lives these men have been taught of the horrors of an everlasting, eternal, burning hell-fire, in which they must writhe and burn, and suffer on and on, without the least particle of hope that their sufferings will ever, ever come to an end. This understanding of the dealings of God with His creatures has driven the majority of them into a feeling of perfect hatred of God, the Bible, their fellow-men, or anything pertaining to religion. But the simple story of the love of the Father, how He has provided a way of escape, through the giving of His dear Son to die in our stead, and the intelligent presentation of the whole plan of salvation, touches their hearts. It appeals to their better judgment; it enters into their very lives, and softens and tenders them so that their keepers realize a difference in their lives, and they like to have us come and teach their prisoners the truth we, as a people, hold. There is such a reality in this Third Angel's Message. Prison-bars can not exclude it, and chains and shackles can not confine it.
At the last meeting we held with the boys, one of the hardest looking criminals I ever saw bowed with his face to the floor, and there in that prison-cell, with the tears streaming down his hardened face, repeated the Lord's Prayer. I say his hardened face, for when we first met him it seemed as tho every line of his features showed sin and cruelty; but as he has listened to the plan of salvation, he has grasped the truths, and by beholding he has become changed. When we arose from our knees, Mrs. Godsmark said to him, 'Why, Ruffin, you don't look like the same man. Your face fairly shines. The Lord has surely been doing a good work in your heart.'
'Yes'm,' said the man, whose crime was that of attempted murder, 'the Lord has come very near to me of late. I lie here in these chains night after night, and just wrestle with the Lord for forgiveness and help, and I know He forgives and helps me, too; for I don't get mad and fight like I used to when the boys pick on me. And I don't forget you and the doctor; I pray God every night that He will reward you for ever bringing this salvation to me here; and if I ever get out of here I am going to keep the Sabbath with you, and be one of you.'
Since coming here to Chattanooga, Mrs. Godsmark and I have spent much of our time doing for the sick, the poor, and the needy. The supreme test which the Saviour placed upon His own work, or the proof that He gave of His Messiahship, was that 'the poor have the Gospel preached unto them.' But our richest blessings have come to us through the efforts put forth to carry the Gospel of a soon-coming Saviour to those confined in the chain-gang and behind the prison-bars.
Here we find two classes—one the ignorant and unrefined, the other are from the highest walks of life. The latter class are highly educated, their offenses usually being forgery, theft on a large scale, counterfeiting, etc. When we first come in contact with them they usually pay but little attention to what we have to say; but as they are compelled to listen to our Bible-readings and sermons, they become deeply interested. It is gratifying to note, as the weeks go by, how the Spirit of the Lord changes their very beings.
All do not accept the truth, of course; but they are brought to a standstill in their lives. They are compelled to stop and consider their ways. The hope of the Gospel, as presented, comes to them with force, and they see the way of salvation as they have never seen it before. One very intelligent man who fully embraced the message under these circumstances has been released, and is now doing all he can to get the truths of the Sabbath and soon-coming Lord before his friends and relatives. We get the most encouraging letters from him. There are others still in confinement whom we fully believe will be bright stars of rejoicing in some one's crown when that glad day shall dawn, and our Saviour shall say, 'I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.'
DR. AND MRS. O. C. GODSMARK.
East Chattanooga, Tenn.
A MISSIONARY EDUCATIONAL CONVENTION.
By M. E. Cady
TRULY, such was the spirit and character of the recent convention held at College View, Neb., June 29 to July 10. As never before Seventh-day Adventist teachers and educators awoke to the realization of the fact that the primary object and purpose of their schools, from the primary to the most advanced, is to speedily prepare workers for all branches of the cause, who shall go to every kindred, nation, tongue, and people, heralding the great truth that in this generation Christ will come and the reign of sin shall be put to an end by "the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ." This wondrous thought was the key-note throughout the convention.
All the delegates, which besides the educators included a number of field laborers, gave earnest and serious expression to the deep conviction that was stealing over them that the hope of the cause and its successful triumph lay in the thousands of young men, young women, and children attending our schools, becoming possessed with the thought that the hour has come for the mystery of God to be finished and that now He calls upon them to rise and finish the work. This suggestive motto was adopted by the convention, with the thought that it be adopted by the schools everywhere: "The Advent message to all the world in this generation."
That the thoughts expressed in the above13actions of the convention were more than mere sentiment and enthusiasm is shown in the plans laid to more thoroughly organize the educational work, to unify the courses of study in the primary, intermediate, and training schools; to secure the best text-books and helps that can be found, and speedily prepare others most needed; to require uniform standards and qualifications for pupils and teachers, and to provide such instruction and training—both as to matter and method—as will fire the children and youth with a missionary zeal and devotion which will cause them to carry the message of Christ’s soon coming to all the world.
The Macedonian cry was heard in the convention from several countries, and some of those present responded to the calls made. Several times during the convention was it affirmed that there is a place in this great closing work for every young man and woman who has a consecrated mind, soul, and body to put into it. With this assurance from those whose hands are on the pulse of the work throughout the whole world, and who are constantly receiving appeals for some one to bring the message, why should not our youth volunteer at once, filling our training schools to overflowing, receiving quickly the needed preparation for efficient service in the Master’s vineyard? Let all our youth consider seriously their relation to the closing work that God is now carrying on in the earth, and earnestly ask the question, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"
The writer has attended nearly all our educational conventions, but none that gave such promise of immediate and glorious results as the one recently held. A report of the convention is being prepared, and should be procured and read by all our people. It will contain the actions of the convention, and much of the valuable instruction given on various phases of the educational work. Price, ten cents. Address the Educational Secretary, Prof. C. C. Lewis, College View, Neb.
M. E. CADY.
DO YOU WISH A PART IN THIS?
By Editor
Two weeks ago we gave a list of the names of those who have donated to the Pacific Press. We did this for a threefold purpose: (1) thus to acknowledge the receipt of the money as many have desired us to do; (2) to correct the mixed and miscellaneous donations and pledges made at the Oakland Camp-meeting; and (3) as a matter of information to all our readers.
Our last list will be found in our issue of September 5, page 6. Of the item $306.50 there noted, $250.00 was taken in the "General Collection" of $606.57. The donation of M. E. Rosenquist, $5.00, seems also to be a part of the "General Collection." The $10.00 twice credited to the name Bottscheider (see issue also of August 29) seems to have been duplicated. There seems also to be two others, one for $5.00 and one for $2.00 which should be included in the "General Collection." Our cash receipts to date are as follows:
As credited on our books ..............$1,470.43
Mrs. J. H. Oliver ....................... $5.00
Child of a King ........................... 5.00
D. E. Robinson ............................ 5.00
Bellingham Church ..................... 5.15
Mrs. A. Papworth ....................... 5.00
J. R. Reed .................................. 15.00
Chas. P. Zoeb ............................. 2.00
T. H. Parman .............................. 20.00
Paul Coop ................................... 10.00
Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Little ............ 5.00
Mrs. C. L. Hefty ......................... 5.00
Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Lamond ....... 10.00
J. W. Hicks .................................. 1.50
.. S. and A. Swayze .................... 3.30
W. J. McDowell ......................... 50.00
C. and E. Larage ....................... 1.00
P. M. Partridge .......................... 25.00
F. E. Stafford ............................. 2.00
J. Eldridge .................................. 5.00
F. A. Lashier ............................. 10.00
Mary Hawley ............................. 40.35
Mrs. A. W. Brewster .................. 1.00
Mrs. J. A. Wood ......................... 1.51
Mrs. W. S. Robinson ................. 1.00
S. De La Mater ......................... 2.00
R. Wecktine ................................ 10.00
Mrs. C. E. Rathburn ................. 41.67
Mrs. E. R. Palmer .................... 41.66
E. R. Palmer ............................. 41.66
D. G. Collin ................................ 1.00
Mrs. E. A. Guygreg ................... 1.00
Mrs. M. V. Bury ......................... .25
Mrs. Burg ..................................... 5.00
M. Osterhout .............................. 1.00
Wm. H. and Mary A. Stanley .. .50
Mrs. E. A. Kley .......................... 1.00
F. O. Oakes ................................ 20.00
A Sister ....................................... 50.00
F. M. Simonds ........................... 25.00
Lucy Dutcher .............................. 1.00
W. W. Hatch ................................ 2.50
H. S. Carter ............................... 10.00
Maritime Conference ................ 10.25
Martha A. Burdick ..................... .25
Lillian E. Eastman .................... .50
Nelia Garvin ............................... .65
Rolla Krouse .............................. .25
Mrs. Ed. Allen ............................ 1.00
Mrs. James R. Jones ................ 2.20
T. H. Mullenix ........................... 3.50
E. B. Terris ................................ 1.12
Chas. Anson .............................. 2.00
Mrs. A. E. Cline ....................... 2.00
Mrs. H. L. Van Ornum ............ 3.00
Dora Shoemaker ..................... 1.75
Total ...........................................$1,977.95
May God bless those thus identifying themselves with His work.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
THE Mount Ellis Academy, at Bozeman, Mont., will be opened on the 19th inst.
SEVEN persons were baptized at Lake Como, Minn., August 25, by Brother F. A. Detamore.
AUGUST 25, at Cape May Court House, N. J., a church of eleven members was organized by Brethren J. E. Jayne and Carl Haynes.
THE mission workers in Japan have received additional help in the persons of Brother H. F. Benson and wife from Ohio Conference.
IN reporting a tour of churches in North Dakota, Brother J. G. Walker notes the baptism of three candidates at Arvilla, and the organization of a church of eight members at Dale.
A CHURCH of eleven members was organized at Bath, N. Y., on the 2nd inst. This was the result of labor by Brother John S. Wightman and wife. Several others accepted the faith, but on account of removal from the place did not unite with the church.
WE are requested to notice that the Young People's Society of the Central Union Conference has instituted a general culture course of reading. The outlines as a guide to this work will appear in the Educational Messenger, beginning October 1. This journal is 50 cents a year. All who desire to take this course are requested to address the Central Union Conference Y. P. S., College View, Neb. The Messenger and books can be ordered at the same time, if desired.
OFFICERS elected at the recent conference meeting in southern Illinois are as follows: President, W. D. Parkhurst; secretary, Nettie Eaton; treasurer, Southern Illinois Tract Society; missionary secretary and treasurer, S. J. Quantock; educational secretary and Sabbath-school superintendent, Cora Hicks; medical and young people's secretary, Edith E. Bruce; field secretary, James Rodney; religious liberty secretary, W. D. Parkhurst; conference committee—W. D. Parkhurst, P. G. Stanley, M. G. Huffman, J. B. Loeken, and G. M. Hicks.
AS WE close this paper the workmen are finishing a new church-school building within three blocks of our office building. All the brethren seemed too busy to look after the matter of a church school this fall, the fire having almost upset all calculations in that direction. No suitable building could be obtained. So a school board of interested sisters was elected two weeks ago, with the result that school will commence right away in a nice, new building. To those churches who find it difficult to start a church school, we suggest a school board of sisters.
ON account of the Pacific Press fire, many prospective students of Walla Walla and Pacific Union colleges will not be able to enter on September 12, the date announced for opening. These are canvassers, who are delayed in receiving their books for delivery. Therefore it has been decided to postpone the opening until the 26th. Prof. M. E. Cady, president of the college, repeats his former request that all who expect to attend the coming year give notice to him without delay. Address him at College Place, Wash. The prospect for the next year is excellent. Pacific Union College will be opened on the 19th inst.
THE General Conference has set apart Sabbath, November 3, as a time to take collection in all the churches for the International Publishing Association. The burden of the association's work is in the interest of the foreign population of the United States. Of course there is always opportunity to donate to this work, but the above date is a special church occasion. The office of the association is at College View, Neb., where the following publications are issued: The Hausfreund and The Arbeiter (German); Sion's Vaktare (Swedish); Sendebud (Danish-Norwegian). Also books, pamphlets, and tracts in foreign languages.
News from Pitcairn
News from Pitcairn.—A letter from Sister Rosalind A. Young, author of "Story of Pitcairn Island," written from Papeete, Tahiti, August 21, says that she has just now heard from her Pitcairn Island home for the first time within a year. Two British Cruisers came that way and stopped over Sabbath and held services with the islanders. They reported all well. Until the visit of the cruisers the islanders had not heard of the awful calamity in San Francisco. It is probable that the Pitcairn Islanders will have another boat which will ply between the island and Tahiti. Certainly this is to be most earnestly hoped.
Labor Not a Curse
Labor Not a Curse.—It is a pity that Ella Wheeler Wilcox and other self-constituted teachers have not read carefully the first chapters of the Bible before they speak of "that parable in Genesis of God's great curse of labor placed upon man." Nowhere in the Bible is labor spoken of as a curse. The ground was cursed because of man's sin; but God gave labor as a part of the means of triumphing over the curse. The curse was placed upon the ground for man's sake, that it might call for more labor from sinful man. Idleness is a curse unmitigated.
WANTED FOR MISSIONARY WORK.
(Always prepay postage.)
SIGNS, Review, Instructor, Little Friend, Life and Health, and tracts. Address, James Harvey, 719 11th Street, Oakland, Cal.
LITERATURE in all languages, for ship-mission work. Address, Mrs. M. C. McCulloch, Tampico, Tamp., Mexico.
CLEAN copies of the SIGNS, Review, and Watchman. Address, D. E. Blake, Spartanburg, S. C.
Loma Linda College Prospectus
The complete Prospectus of Loma Linda College of Evangelists is now ready and may be had on application to the school at the following address: Loma Linda, via Redlands, Cal. The information contained in this prospectus is very full, but any who wish to make further inquiries may address the president, W. E. Howell.
The American Federation of Catholic Societies
III. PROGRESS OF THE CONVENTION.
(Reported for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES by John S. Wightman.)
SEEING the advantage of Federal Catholic action and Confederated Protestant co-operation, if united in purpose and agreed as to plans, Bishop McFaul declared, “I say to you that if the Catholic and Protestants will unite to do something, there is no great wrong in this country that we can not right.” It is fully apparent to these leaders of federation that vast organizations, confederated and closely linked together, may, under proper conditions, see the realization of their hopes—“great wrongs of the country” righted, and civil power dominated and controlled by the unreasoning and combined forces of bigotry and intolerance!
Is not federation, in fact, a factor that will exert a powerful influence in the political sphere, and in the last analysis of its operation even shape and control the destiny of the nations? None are more quick to see that it will than those who occupy and desire to secure public offices of public trust. It was President Roosevelt who expressed his “highest sympathy with the movement” for Protestant federation of churches, and it was President Roosevelt who addressed the Catholic Federation Convention at Detroit last year in these words: “I believe most heartily in the work you are doing in your American Federation of Catholic Societies.”
Rulers and politicians are not slow to observe the mighty influence these vast bodies are ultimately bound to exercise in politics, and that they must be reckoned with, and consulted and assisted, by those who would secure and continue in official positions, depending upon the decisions rendered by the ballot!
Touching the Sabbath question, Bishop Canevin said:
“The disregard of the Lord’s day is one of the signs of the materialistic spirit and godlessness of our times. It is a subject worthy of serious consideration. Thousands of Catholic men employed in iron and steel mills, in mines and factories, on railroads, street-cars, docks, and wharves, in different departments under city governments, on many large contracts, have no opportunity, I will not say to rest, but even to worship God for one hour by attending mass on Sundays. If they have a day, or a half day, of rest during the week, it usually is on Saturday. Work and pleasure and material progress are made of supreme importance, and the mad sacrifice to mammon proceeds on Sundays, as if laboring men had no sabbath, no public worship, to offer, no souls to save. Against this unnecessary labor, this atheistic profanation of the Lord’s day, this paganizing and brutalizing of the laboring man, and shutting out from his life all religious light and grace, this federation should resolutely use its power, in civic as well as in social and private life.”
It is worthy of note here that it was Bishop Colton who, in a public sermon delivered in Buffalo on Sunday, Jan. 23, 1904, said:
“It is the spirit of the Catholic Church to keep the Lord’s day for rest and spiritual observance, and anything that would be against the religious observance of the day is something that the Catholic Church in this country would be opposed to.”
A week later Dr. Hunter of the Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, assented to the foregoing statement in the following expression:
“The words uttered by Bishop Colton last Sunday were strong and patriotic. This is a common danger to public welfare and it is one against which Roman Catholics and Protestants should join [[FIGURE]] hands in fighting. The Bishop is right. I would like to see the Catholics and Protestants unite on this proposition.”
The Catholic Union and Times, in its issue of August 2, observed:
“Federation is a magnificent organization that is bound to root out prevailing and ruining national evils—a patriotic undertaking in which Catholic and non-Catholic may join hands.”
It was the Protestant Federationists in New York City that voiced an earnest and ardent desire upon their part to unite their combined forces with that of the Roman Catholic Church, and the desire of the Catholic Federation being identical with that of the Protestant body, we are bound to conclude that these two great religious bodies will sooner or later unite for the success of their plans and the carrying out of their common purposes.
Chief of prevailing national evils will then, if not before, be found to be sabbath (Sunday) breaking. While the American principle of government is utterly against the application of religious laws, and the United States Constitution is directly opposed to legislation upon the subject, yet, notwithstanding all this to the contrary, Federation will succeed in forcing religious legislation in the matter of compulsory Sunday observance. Under the combined influence and overtowering power of stupendous combinations, government will bend to the work. Federation may easily succeed in this age of giant corruption, injustice, bribery, graft, and iniquity in both the judicial and legislative spheres.
In general this is universally acknowledged. The newspapers and magazines are literally teeming with the disgusting and disgraceful details of corruption everywhere and upon every hand. One writer has well said: “Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America rulers and legislators will yield to a popular demand for a law-enforcing Sunday observance.”
The combined influence of the federated churches is what, beyond all question, will cause legislators, corrupt and cringing, to bend to the unjust work of enforcing upon a free people an institution altogether religious—a sabbath day, a particular day of the week, an institution peculiarly pagan in origin, and papal in character, a movement to the power and influence of an apostate church!
In a masterly sermon to the delegates, Bishop Canevin said: “Never in the history of the country was there a better opportunity for Catholic laymen to prove the value and power of religion in citizenship, and to show how religion alone can conceive the majesty of law and the stability of the State.”
Need the writer state that from the view-point of Bishop Canevin, and every other speaker and delegate in this great congress of representative Catholics, it is the Roman Catholic Church, and the Roman Catholic Church alone, that can “conceive the majesty of law” and secure “the stability of the state!”
Again Bishop Canevin said: “There are members of our Catholic societies in all the trades and labor unions of the United States. Let this Federation be a school to prepare these men to be the apostles of honesty and respect for the law, of truth and morality to those about them, so that we may count every member of this union an opponent to the anti-Christian, materialistic, and socialistic doctrines of all sects and societies which rise up against religion and just government.”
The Catholic Federation, the Protestant Inter-Church Conference, and the National Reform Association entertain a similar unanimity of opinion, not only as to what is wrong, and how to remedy the existing evil, but as to when the application of the remedy may be successfully made; a unanimity of opinion and plan and agreement, in general, that is startlingly significant and absolutely beyond the hypothesis of coincidence!
It seems as tho the statements, “to apply the law of Christ to every relation of human life,” upon the part of the Protestants, and, “to renovate public and private life according to the teachings of Jesus Christ,” upon the part of the Catholics, must have had their origin and birth in that fundamental statement found in Art. 2 of the National Reform Constitution, which reads:
“To secure such an amendment to the Constitution of the United States as will declare the nation’s allegiance to Jesus Christ, and its acceptance of the moral laws of the Christian religion, and to indicate that this is a Christian nation, and place all the Christian laws, institutions, and usages of our government on an undeniable legal basis in the fundamental laws of the land.”
They are, at least, the crystallization of the latter. And it, in turn, is the very apotheosis of all that ever has been written and authoritatively laid down for the firm foundation for church-and-state government and in support of the principle of “the divine right of kings,” and all the baneful and abhorrent consequences that result of their adoption in practise!
After the stormy and acrimonious general debate upon many questions, on the last day of the convention, and the election of officers for the ensuing year, the convention adjourned to meet one year hence in the city of Indianapolis.
(To be continued.)
CHIEFS HORN CLOUD AND EUGENE LITTLE, INDIAN DELEGATES TO THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC SOCIETIES AND REPRESENTING 10,000 INDIANS OF THE SOUIX TRIBES, AND REV. S. DIGMANN, 20 YEARS A CATHOLIC MISSIONARY TO THE INDIANS.
