Earlier text: THE SHEPHERD PSALMIn Gal. 3:19 what law was “added”? L. H.
(1) What is the meaning of “added” as here used? (2) For what purpose was it “added”? (3) For how long was it added? 1. The Greek word is prostithemi, defined “to place additionally,” “to lay beside,” to “repeat.” It is translated in Heb. 12:19, “spoken to them any more.” Referring to the original account from which the passage in Hebrews was taken, and we learn that it refers to the Ten-Commandment law: “These words Jehovah spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice; and [in harmony with their request] He added no more. And He wrote them on two tables of stone, and gave them unto me.” Deut. 5:22. It seems very evident, then, from this study, that the added law of Gal. 3:19 is the Decalogue. 2. For what was it “added” or spoken?—“Because of transgressions.” So that God’s people, sunken and hardened by sin, might see outside of themselves what sin was. As expressed by the same apostle in another place: “Moreover the law entered [was spoken and given in its written form], that the offense might abound” (Rom. 5:20); “that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful” (Rom. 7:13). The law of God was spoken additionally, placed along side of man that he might see how sinful he was, and so seek God’s salvation. And the Decalogue is the only law which points out sin. 3. For how long is it thus given to man?—“Till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made.” That Seed is Christ. That promise is the inheritance of the whole world. Rom. 4:13. He came once to prepare the way. But His kingdom is yet in the hands of usurpers, and will so continue till He shall come whose right it is; then God shall give it Him. Eze. 21:27. Till then there will be sinful men who will need the diagnosing power of the law as to their condition, in order that they may seek the great Physician. It is the climax of Paul’s argument that the dead are raised. The whole argument turns on the “if.” See how the apostle uses it all through the chapter. “Christ died for our sins.” “He rose again the third day.” Now if He did not rise there is no hope. Faith is vain, sin is not forgiven, all the dead are perished, and all who are baptized in view of death and the resurrection are enacting a lie; why are they over the dead baptized into Christ’s likeness if the dead rise not. We may before long print a portion of what the Bible Commentary has to say upon this text. There is absolutely nothing in it for vicarious baptism. THE GENERAL OUTLOOK IN GREAT BRITAIN.
By M. Ellsworth Olsen
(From Our Own Correspondent.) POLITICALLY, socially, religiously, England at the opening of the year 1905, is an uncertain quantity. There is a general feeling amongst thinking men that the unexpected is the thing very likely to happen. No one knows what is coming. The situation on the whole is intensely interesting, but difficult to characterize. England's Internal Politics
are in a peculiar situation. The Conservative party is in power, and has a very large majority in both Houses of Parliament. Nevertheless, judging by recent by-elections, nearly all of which have been won by the Liberals, the sentiment of the country is quite the other way, so that if a popular election were to be undertaken at the present time, it would result in radically changing the complexion of Parliament. Chamberlain's advocacy of a protective tariff, and the Education Bill are, perhaps, the chief causes of dissatisfaction with the Conservatives. Dreaded Possibilities.—The War Spirit.
Externally, the outlook is by no means the brightest. Germany's recent huge increases in its navy are generally regarded as a direct menace to England, and it is also believed by many that Russia has designs upon India. Of course the flamboyant articles of a certain section of the English press help to create racial prejudices, and make the situation worse than it would otherwise be. Meanwhile the efforts to rehabilitate the army, whose defective organization became so generally manifest during the Boer War, have thus far proved melancholy failures. Mr. Brodrick ruined his reputation in the attempt, and Mr. Arnold Forster, who succeeded him, and inaugurated a new scheme entirely, had no better success. The English War Office has come to be synonymous with inefficiency and red tape. Quite a large section of the public, including a number of influential men, favor conscription. In general, the war spirit is certainly increasing. The strong men of the country are upholders of imperialism. Social and Religious Conditions.
Social conditions will require treatment in a separate article. It need only be said here that elements are at work beneath the surface, at the very heart of the social fabric, which, in time, will manifest themselves in a way to astonish the thoughtless crowd. An easy-going optimism is characteristic of the age; but the true facts are bound presently to come to light. The real condition of the English working classes, both in country and city, is one to cause deep sorrow and distress of heart. The religious condition has been treated at some length in the two preceding letters, in which the Romeward Movement, the widening of the gulf between the working man and the church, and the growth of rationalism within the church were pointed out as salient features in the situation. It may be profitable to pause a moment and point out the probable outcome of these tendencies. Naturally the Romeward movement will gather to itself a new impetus from the development of the rationalistic sentiment in the Protestant churches. As the Bible is discarded as a guide to faith and conduct, many looking for something to lean on, will turn to the church which proudly claims apostolic succession, and boasts that she never changes. Others will become out and out skeptics. This is becoming the case more and more with the laboring classes, a large section of whom have as their only religion a belief in Socialism; sometimes approaching anarchism. There, again, however, Rome will win the day; for she has absolute control over that considerable portion of the laboring class which belong to her fold, and through them can influence the remainder. She will, moreover, win over the upper classes, whether out and out skeptics or rationalistic professors of religion, through her influence over the masses. Thus Rome, whatever course may be taken by other denominations, has the situation virtually in her hands. It is only a matter of time till she will again dictate terms to the nations. The old Protestant spirit has long been dead in the popular churches, with possibly some few exceptions, and the new element of sympathy for Rome is rapidly taking form. In the midst of this widespread apostasy, it is refreshing to note the recent religious revival which began in some obscure Welsh chapels in the latter part of 1904, and has gradually covered that whole country, bidding fair to overflow into England. I have waited to see full developments before writing, thinking at first that it might pass away without accomplishing much. Modern revivals, it must be said with sorrow, are usually marked by great superficiality. Fine singing, the advent of some widely-known and much-heralded revivalist, lots of advertising, careful enumeration of conversions (which often means simply signing a card or shaking hands with the revivalist) and a call for generous donations, generally complete the business, and when it is all over with, the real situation remains worse than it was before. This movement in Wales is of an entirely different character. First, it depends upon no man, but is the evident working of the Holy Spirit. Mr. Evan Roberts, a young student of 26, who but recently worked in a calling, has been prominently connected with the work in certain places; but it has broke out simultaneously, and with equal strength in other parts where he has had nothing to do with it, and is generally acknowledged to be nothing less than a "profound religious upheaval." Leading representatives of the London "press," clergymen, and others have gone to Wales to see the work going on, and one and all have come back with only good reports. Magistrates, policemen, employers of labor, and editors, unite in bearing testimony to the genuineness of the movement, and the excellent material results that follow in its wake. Thus at the Penrhyn Quarries, in Bethesda, where, as a result of the late deplorable strike, most intense animosities existed between the men who continued on strike, and those who finally returned to work, so that even members of the same family would not speak to each other, the advent of the revival has effected a wondrous change. As a leading newspaper puts it, "the Revival has done more in a week than the most sanguine hoped could be accomplished in ten years to heal the social, the religious, and the domestic breech caused by the great strike." The meetings are carried on by the people themselves rather than by the ministers. Once opened by the singing of a hymn, opportunity is given for prayer and testimony, and the time is well filled. Exhortations to repent are given by men and women, and heeded. Doubts and difficulties are dealt with right in the open meeting, there being no inquiry room; and, in fact, none of the ordinary paraphernalia for the conducting of a revival. Remarkable simplicity is everywhere a marked characteristic, and it is good to note the entirely unanimous verdict of those who have gone to investigate, that the movement can not be traced to any known human source. "Never was there a religious movement," writes the well-known journalist, Mr. W. T. Stead, "so little indebted to the guiding brain of its leaders. It seems to be going 'on its own.' There is no commanding human genius inspiring the advance. Ministers, each in their own churches, open the meetings. But when once they are started they 'obey the Spirit.'" Again; "The special note of the Revival is that the Gospel message is being sung rather than preached. And such singing! The whole congregation sing—as if they were making melody in their hearts to the Lord. The sermon is a poor thing compared with the psalm and hymn and spiritual song. . . . Most of the hymns were the old familiar tunes of every mission service. Occasionally they sang, 'Lead Kindly Light,' but much more frequently 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul,' 'I Need Thee Every Hour,' 'Lord I Hear of Showers of Blessing,' etc." It is a pleasing subject, and one would fain dwell upon it at greater length; but this will suffice to give some idea of the movement. Let us hope and pray that it may extend into England, Scotland, and Ireland, and, furthermore, that the ultimate result may be to lead people to studying their Bibles, and fully obeying all their Lord's commands. Such seasons of refreshing show that the Spirit of God is still at work in moulding hearts, and, tho apostasy be abroad in the land, we have good reason for believing that many will yet turn to the Lord with all their hearts, and receive His blessing. SUNDAY LEGISLATION IN WASHINGTON.
By G.
The City of Washington is being thoroughly canvassed with petitions against the District of Columbia Sunday Bills now pending in Congress, and the question has received extensive comment in the press of that city. A member of the District Committee of the House of Representatives said to a member of the Religious Liberty Bureau, "If you will kindly keep us informed as to what Mr. W. F. Crafts wishes us to do, you may be sure it will not be done." At first sight, one would suppose that it was not difficult to know what Mr. Crafts wants, as he keeps a headquarters and a number of assistants in the city for the ostensible purpose of making known the wants of his "reform" association. But, after all, it is not so easy to fathom his designs, unless one has learned them from his utterances in the past, when he and his fellow workers were not so cautious in their methods as they have been in the few years. Men who have studied the prophecies pertaining to the outcome of affairs in this nation, and have traced the movements of the so-called National Reform Association the past forty years, are well aware that a practical union of church and state is the aim of Mr. Crafts' religious lobby in Washington; and that the minor "reform" measures that he has caused to be introduced into Congress, and in some instances succeeded in having passed, are mere stepping stones to the one comprehensive purpose. The enforcement of stringent Sunday laws throughout the land by the general government is one aim long ago avowed, and this District of Columbia Bill is but a prelude to that purpose, a minor action to get Congress committed to the principle of national religious legislation, and, further, to enforce a recognition of the aforesaid lobby as a power that Congress must reckon with. In short, the ultimate purpose of these "reformers" is so far-reaching in the direction of religious legislation, that the Congressman who has not followed the "reform" for at least two decades may well ask those who are informed what Mr. Crafts wants him to do, and then see that it is not done. As a specimen utterance of one who advocates this reform movement, of which the District Sunday Bill is but a progressive step, we submit the following: "I want to see the day come when the church shall be the arbitrator of all legislation, state, national, and municipal; when the great churches of the country can come together harmoniously, and issue their edict, and the legislative powers will respect it, and enact it into law." And much more of like import is on record.
G. "BREAKERS of the Sabbath received a hard jolt in Judge Dickinson's court yesterday," reported the Minneapolis (Minn.) Tribune, of December 1, "when Gust Berglung, Frank Barker, and George Newson, barber-shop proprietors, plead guilty and were fined $10 each for violating the statute against Sunday labor." The prosecutions were at the instance of an agent of the barbers' union, which "has undertaken a crusade against violators of the Sabbath law who keep open barber shops on Sundays, and will bring charges through their agent wherever evidence can be discovered." Another barber arraigned at the same time plead not guilty, and his trial was set for a later date. It is announced that Governor Herried of South Dakota will recommend in his annual message to the Legislature "amendments to the game law prohibiting Sunday shooting," and that he thinks "such provisions should carry a heavy penalty for their violation." In New Orleans, on December 20, Jules J. Mumme was tried before Judge Aucoin in the second city criminal court on the charge of violating the Sunday law on October 20. He was found guilty, and December 23 was set for sentence. Several other alleged Sunday-law violators were tried and acquitted, the evidence being insufficient to hold them. A despatch from Morgan City, La., under date of December 20, stated that "the sheriff of this parish has had circulars printed and posted around notifying the different business houses in this parish that the Sunday law will be rigidly enforced, and warning all places of business to close up after 12 o'clock Saturday nights." In St. Paul, Minn., on December 23, "three clothing merchants were brought into the police court on warrants charging them with selling goods on Sunday. They entered pleas of guilty, and were fined $1.00 each. The arrests were caused by the agent of the retail clerks' union, who secured five other warrants at the same time. This is said to be the commencement of "another crusade for the enforcement of the Sunday-closing law" by the retail clerks' association, a member of which is thus quoted on the matter in the St. Paul Globe." We are determined that the law is to be enforced, and have decided to prosecute every man arrested. The large stores now observe the law, but it is not fair to them nor to the men compelled to work on Sunday if some of the dealers are allowed to do business on that day. The retail clerks' association conducted a campaign against several grocers a year ago, with the result that now most of that class of stores are closed on Sunday. The dealers included in the present movement are engaged in selling clothing and gentleman's furnishing goods, and we are determined that they shall be made to close on Sunday as well as the grocers. In the circuit court at Portland, Ind., on December 9, Edward Shrewsbury, "manager of the William McGollister oil lease in Jackson township," was "put on trial on the charge of Sabbath desecration," it being "alleged that on Sunday, October 14, of last year, he superintended the pumping of the lease." He was arrested at that time and "arraigned before Justice Samuel Brunson, where he was convicted and fined," but he took an appeal to the circuit court. After the evidence of the prosecution had been presented in the circuit court on the above date, "Judge LaFollette instructed the jury to bring in a verdict of acquittal." The New Orleans Item, of December 5, reported that "the police are still actively enforcing the Sunday law," and gave the names of eight "violators" who were arrested on the previous day. Four of these were storekeepers, one of them the keeper of a cigar store, and the charge against them was "keeping open store and selling." The other four were saloon-keepers, and the charge was "selling liquor." On December 12 the New Orleans papers reported the arrest of eight more persons "charged with violation of the Sunday law," nearly all of whom were saloon-keepers or bartenders. At Ogden, Utah, on December 2, "Manager Grant of the Grand Theater, and Mr. Bailey, who managed the auto race" on the preceding Sunday, "were convicted in the municipal court of violating the ordinance prohibiting Sunday amusements." "Mr. Grant was fined $20 and Mr. Bailey $10, but later Mayor Glassman remitted the fines, with the distinct understanding that no further attempt will be made to conduct Sunday amusements." "In the future no violation of the ordinance prohibiting amusements of stated character will be allowed." It was reported from York, Pa., on December 10, that "the merchants' association, at its meeting last night, placed itself on record as being opposed to the abolishment of the Sunday law of 1794, and the members of the legislature from this district will be asked to vote accordingly." "The act, which prohibits all worldly employment on Sunday except works of necessity, will, it is said, come before the Legislature at its next meeting, when an effort will be made to repeal it." It was recently reported from Waterloo, Iowa, that as the outcome of "negotiations between the ministerial association and the opera house managers, conclusions have been reached whereby the managers have agreed to cut out the Sunday theater business, which has been the custom in the city for the past year." "All Sunday dates which have been made for the coming season will be cancelled, so far as possible." At a meeting of the city council of Decatur, Ala., on December 2, "an ordinance was introduced prohibiting saloon men, or any of their employees, from entering saloons on Sunday." "The rules of the council were suspended, and the ordinance was passed on its first reading." "Heretofore there has been a rigid law against selling liquor on Sunday, or allowing any one to enter a saloon, except the proprietor, and his clerks or porters." MR. LAWSON'S phrase, "Frenzied Finance," is too mild. Conscience-less finance is a more accurate description of what goes on in Wall Street. "Frenzied" would imply an excitement so intense as to temporarily suspend the operation of the reason, but some of the Wall Street transactions are deliberately-contrived schemes for deception and pillage. One of these schemes is just now being exposed in New York. A brokerage firm by the name of Monroe & Monroe failed, and the investigation revealed the operations of conspiracies as scandalous as any exposed by Lawson. It seems that a plan was formed for giving a fictitious value to the stock of the Montreal & Boston Consolidated Copper Co. By what are called "washed sales" the stock was sold and bought by a secretly-formed syndicate whose members dealt with each other—the purpose being to deceive the public. Second Vice President Loomis of the National City Bank of New York—the Rockefeller bank—was, it is said, one of the syndicate, and his son was one of the officers of the copper company. The bank loaned the brokers sixty thousand dollars a day for eight days to help carry through the "washing" operations. It is asserted that the money was loaned without security and Mr. Loomis seems to think that that is the only question involved. When asked if he was going to resign he replied: "Why should I resign? They say we lent $60,000 a day for eight days without security. How do they know what security we had? The bank did not lose a cent." It does not seem to occur to him that there is anything wrong in practising a fraud on purchasers of stock. What about the "innocent widow and orphan" of whom we hear so much when any anti-corporation legislation is suggested? What difference is there in principle between the "washing" process and plain, every-day stealing? Burglary is in the same category, and is not a whit less dishonorable. Has the federal government any money on deposit in the National City Bank? If so, what does the president think of an institution whose officers are so morally obtuse as to see nothing wrong in such a plot? When the president gets ready to "shackle cunning" it might be well to include Wall Street operations within the scope of the criminal law.—The Commoner. Railroad Control and Russian Unrest
The gross income of the railroads of the United States for the year 1904 was $1,966,633,821. The gross income of the United States Government for the year 1903 was a little more than one-third of that amount. One of the most important questions now before the people of this country is the control of the railroads. The trusts realize this, and are securing a firmer grip on these industries than ever before. It has just been made public that the Standard Oil Company has secured a controlling interest in another of the greatest railroads of the country, and has put its own men in official positions in that corporation. The labor troubles in Russia are still serious, but it is the rising tide of revolution that is most feared by the officials. Rumor after rumor comes from correspondents in Russia, that the government is thinking seriously of making peace with Japan; that it is the definite intention to do so as soon as Kuropatkin's army has obtained one substantial victory. There is some indication that General Kuropatkin may be recalled. At least, powerful influences are working to that end. It is said that the czar's purpose to grant additional reforms has been again frustrated by the ducal party. The Procurator-General of Finland, the highest Russian religious official in that country, was assassinated at his home at Helsingfors, Finland, on February 6. The assassin was wounded by the son of his victim, and was captured. This is the second notable assassination in Finland since Russia began to restrict the liberties of the Finnish people. The new premier of France has announced his policy. He will stand, among other things, for the separation of church and state, as did his predecessor. The Vatican is said to be pleased with the change, as it believes that he will be milder in his attitude toward the church than was Premier Combes. The town of Valparaiso, Indiana, has declared its intention to close up completely on Sunday. This is the outcome of a ministerial crusade which has been carried on for some time. No secular business of any kind is to be allowed. Even the telephone office and the post-office must be closed. The Florida orange crop has been frozen on the trees, and it is feared that many of the trees, also, have been killed by the frost. The damage will be enormous. Florida's vegetable gardens, also, have felt the effects of the frost, and have suffered to the extent of many thousands of dollars. The Rouvier Ministry of France has presented to the Chamber of Deputies the draft of a new bill for the separation of church and state. It is said to contain all the essential provisions of the former bill. Its first provision is for the abolition of the concordat between France and the Vatican. Germany has long had its Catholic (Center) Party. A strong Catholic party is said now to have been organized in England for the purpose of securing more favorable legislation, especially for Catholic schools. It aims to secure at least a partial support of its schools by the government. There is a reign of terror in two of the provinces of the Philippines through the depredations of two bands of ladrones. Sympathizers with the American regime have been killed, mutilated, carried off, and their property destroyed. Martial law has been declared in these provinces. The gas mains and water mains of New York City are said to be in imminent danger of being destroyed by electrolysis, so heavy are the currents of electricity that are being allowed to pass into the ground. The effect of these currents is to disintegrate the iron. During the past week severe storms have raged over the greater portion of the United States, greatly interfering with transportation and telegraph communication. For a time New York harbor was nearly blocked with floating ice. The Legislature of the state of California has furnished a scandal for the state. Four senators are accused of taking bribes to shield certain firms from investigation, and the trial of these senators is now on. The largest diamond ever found was discovered recently near Pretoria, South Africa. The stone weighs 3,032 karats, and is valued at $4,000,000. The Government is planning a school at Carlisle, Pa., in which to teach young Indians to become effective soldiers for the regular army. The House has passed the railway rate bill, whose purpose is to regulate rates that may be charged by the railways of the country. A wave of revival is sweeping over Great Britain, and seems to be gaining force as it proceeds.