p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 43. (10/29/1896)

FOREIGN.

—A cable despatch announces the wrecking of the British steamer Luna by a cyclone in the Gulf of Aden.

—The last steamer from Australia to San Francisco brought ninety-five boxes of English sovereigns, valued at $2,375,000.

—The town of Kuroff, in the government of Lublin, Russian Poland, was almost totally destroyed by fire last week, and 3,000 people are left homeless.

—The railways from the seaports to upper and central India have reduced their freight rates on grain. This, it is said, will stimulate imports of wheat.

—Late advices from Adelaide say there has been a total failure of the harvest in the northern part of South Australia. Numbers of farmers have been ruined.

—The telegraph reports that a conflict occurred last week at the sultan's palace between the Turkish and Albanian Guards, several men on both sides being killed.

—The board of health of the City of Mexico has issued a circular to the bidders of all nations calling for tenders by November 14 for steam machinery to be used in the drainage of that city.

—A Paris despatch of the 20th inst. states that information from an Armenian correspondent had been received there to the effect that a terrible massacre had occurred at Van, Armenia, on the 3d inst. No details were given.

—A Sydney, N. S. W., cablegram says that the missionary ship Daispring has been wrecked near New Caledonia Island. The captain and seven men escaped in a boat, but the remaining nine persons are supposed to have perished.

—It is officially announced that the Venezuelan Government has secured a loan of $10,000,000 in Germany, and that a German bank is to be established at Caracas. Krupp, the famous gun maker, is president of the company making the loan.

—Two young Mormon missionaries, who went to the South Sea Islands in 1892, arrived in San Francisco on the 21st inst. In the four years of their absence they have established thirteen missions in three several groups of islands, where a few years before the Mormons had been banished by the French Government.

—A Paris correspondent states that Great Britain, Russia, and France have agreed upon a basis of policy with reference to Japan and China, while the Turkish, Mediterranean, and African questions are being arranged. The czar is anxious that the results may be obtained without bloodshed, and is supported by Italy and Austria.

—An escaped Chinese political offender was recently inveigled into the Chinese Legation buildings at London, and held for transportation. After much public indignation, the British premier interfered, and Dr. Sun Yat Sen was released. But it is said that the British Government did not dare to act until Russia had been consulted.

—A most sensational trial has just been concluded in Constantinople. Apik Effendi, a millionaire Armenian, has been condemned to three years' seclusion in a fortress. He was accused of being chief of the Revolutionary Committee; this charge was not substantiated, but his connection with the movement was established, and he was given the minimum penalty.

—Late oriental advices state that the insurrection in the Philippines is growing more formidable. The Hongkong papers say the condition of affairs is even more serious than at first reported. The province of Cavite is completely in the hands of the rebels, together with the arsenal and ship slip. The Spanish troops have made futile attempts to oust the rebels, and the effect of the repulses they have received has been direful. The result of these successes has been to strengthen the insurgent forces and to enlist sympathetic movements in other parts of the island.

—The last steamer from the Orient brings news of a disastrous tornado striking Tien-tsin, China. The result was the death of about one hundred natives, and an enormous destruction of property. The storm is described as follows: "At dusk long strips of varicolored clouds, lighted up by the setting sun, suddenly began to bend and twist into fantastic shapes, curling about one another like a nest of green, gray, red, and blue snakes. Gradually the whole mass took the form and shape of a funnel, and with terrific force bored through the atmosphere, the small end forward, toward the city. In sixty seconds it had skimmed the waters of the bay and run amuck over the town of Tien-tsin. All vessels in the path of the tornado were wrecked. In the town, tops of buildings, including corrugated iron, slate, and wooden roofs, were swept miles into the country."

—Reports from the Philippine Islands insurrection give some harrowing details. The rebels attacked the monastery at Cavite, and were stubbornly resisted by the priests; and when at last the attacking party succeeded in breaking in, they took terrible revenge. Several of the inmates were hanged in trees, and roasted to death by burning coal oil, while others were put to death by being cut up by piecemeal. The monastery has been made headquarters of the insurgents. On the other hand, the Spanish troops are said to be torturing their rebel prisoners to extort information from them.

—By the Australian steamer Monowai comes the following item of news: "On August 11 Baron von Norbeck, an Austrian scientist, and five companions, were murdered by treacherous natives on the island of Guadalcaner, in the Solomon group. The party had left the coast to explore a mountain in the interior, when they were set upon by a swarm of bushmen. Shortly before the attack the party had divided, and both detachments were surrounded by bloodthirsty cannibals, armed with axes and clubs. Quite a number of the natives were killed, but not until six of the white men had been chopped to death were the attacking party repulsed.

—The New York Herald's Constantinople correspondent gives the following particulars of one feature of Turkish troubles: "As regards the troubles at Lemnos, the truth is that while the British fleet was anchored in the port of Mudros, some sailors on liberty hired horses from some sheep-herders and went into the mountains, where they excited the Mussulmans' wrath by the violation of two Turkish women. On returning they met the demands of the shepherds for payment by thrashing them. Three hundred sailors landed at Mudros, ate and drank in the taverns, and then refused payment. They also entered Mussulmans' houses for low purposes, and beat the police and people."

DOMESTIC.

By Editor

—President Clark, of the Y. P. S. C. E., has appointed the second week in November as a season of prayer for Armenia.

—Hon. Charles F. Crisp, of Georgia, ex-speaker of the House of Representatives of Congress, died at Atlanta on the 23d inst.

—A thirteen-year-old son of George Sontag, now in Folsom state prison for train robbing, was run over by a freight train at Sacramento, on the 21st inst., and killed.

—One indictment for murder has resulted from the recent attack of strikers on the Coronado Mine at Leadville, Colo., in which a fireman named O'Keefe was killed.

—Two thousand miners at Springfield, Illinois, employed at 25 mines in that county, have struck for an advance in wages to 32 and 37½ cents per ton, gross weight, for mining coal.

—On the evening of the 19th inst., fire in Woodburn, Ore., destroyed property valued at $20,000. The fire was caused by a drug clerk striking a match while he was drawing benzine.

—On discharging the freight of the sunken steamer Umatilla, at the entrance to the Straits of Juan de Fuca, it was found that about fifty barrels of sugar consigned to Alaska contained demijohns of whisky.

—A disastrous fire occurred in Brooklyn, N. Y., on the night of the 22d inst., which resulted in the death of a brave fireman, the injury of several other persons, and the destruction of property of the estimated value of $250,000.

—A race war is reported in Le Flore County, Miss. On the 21st inst. a white man named Rook was shot and killed by a negro near Sunnyside, when a posse turned out and hanged the murderer. In consequence there were threats of revenge, and great excitement.

—After eluding the U. S. cruisers and revenue cutters for several weeks, and carrying three cargoes of arms and ammunition to the Cuban insurgents, the steamer Dauntless was at last captured off the Florida coast, on the 21st inst., by the government steamer Raleigh.

—The Salvation Army has established a farm in Contra Costa County, Cal., for the benefit and reclamation of ex-convicts. The colony will be opened November 1, and dedicatory exercises will be held on the 15th. The place is to be known as Knights of Hope Farm.

—During the past few weeks there has been quite a flurry in wheat speculation. There was a rise of some 20 cents a bushel. If the rise had continued, it would have meant a profit of $90,000,000 on the estimated crop of 450,000,000 bushels in the United States. But it was all an uncertain flurry, going down as it went up, and during such speculative spurts farmers seldom sell; they generally hold on, hoping for further rise, which often means further fall. The buying and selling under such circumstances are mostly gambling speculations on the part of dealers. A New York despatch, referring to the sudden collapse in the market, says: "The natural conditions are favorable for higher prices for American wheat in the future, but the sudden attempt to work the corner has been a signal failure."

—A Leadville, Colo., despatch of the 19th inst. says: "About 125 miners brought from Missouri to work in the Bison Mine, arrived this afternoon. Over 1,000 people about the depot jeered the newcomers. General Brooks had a large force of troops on hand to escort the men to the mine, and prevent an attack on them."

—The Pacific Coast records another steamboat disaster; this time, however, it is not only the steamer and cargo that are damaged, but five passengers and nine of the crew are drowned. The disaster fell upon the steamer Arago, which went ashore in a dense fog on the Oregon coast, north of the entrance to Coos Bay.

—There were 180 Armenian steerage passengers on the Hamburg-American line steamer California, which arrived in New York on the 22d inst., from Hamburg and Havre. They were shipped in Havre and are booked for various destinations. The captain states that all have some means, and some have as much as $50. He does not anticipate any difficulty about landing them, as he says they are not likely to become a public charge. There are only a few women and children among them.

—The Medical Record says that at the recent meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Dr. Dawson Tucker stated that the ordinary glow-worm emits x-rays which will pass through solid bodies, even a thin sheet of aluminum. It is probably not the visible light from the insect which does this, for Dr. Dawson Tucker in his experiments had a good deal of difficulty in getting the worms to glow, but he found that even when not visibly glowing, they gave off a radiation which affected the photographic plate.

—The British steamer Linlithgow left San Francisco, July 31, for Leith, England. On reaching lat. 6° 12' north, lon. 138° 27', the steamer's shaft was broken. The captain reckoned that Acapulco, nearly 1,000 miles distant, was the nearest point where relief could be obtained; and as the steamer's sails were not sufficient of themselves to carry her, the first officer and five sailors volunteered the journey in a life-boat. By sailing and rowing, they made the trip in eighteen days, and telegraphed to the owners the steamer's condition. Arrangements were made to have the vessel taken in tow, and the first officer and his sailors went on to New York by way of Panama.

—A Washington despatch says that Uncle Sam's treasury is still running behind in receipts. The last month or more has shown a deficit growing at a more rapid rate than in 1895. At the rate the deficit has been growing the present fiscal year, it will amount to $75,000,000 for the entire year. Evidently with the resources of a great country like the United States, in a time of bountiful production and peace with the world, the spectacle of hard times among the masses, and the government treasury running behind, shows that there is something wrong somewhere. It is explained in a number of ways by the politicians, and the political sages prescribe various remedies; but the accumulation of colossal fortunes at the expense of the government and of the producing classes seems to account for a large part of the trouble. Will reformation come through politics? Hardly, for the political motto is always, "To the victors belong the spoils." Governmental expenses, through whatever channel, must eventually come out of the masses of the people, the middle and poorer classes paying more than their share; and great overgrown fortunes are in most cases built up at the expense of corresponding want and suffering. The men who invest in political campaigns, as in other investments, expect remunerative returns. The prophetic word and the signs of the times augur no better times, but rather "worse and worse." The only sure investment today is to "lay up treasure in heaven."

Abiding Sabbath and Lord's Day

By ALONZO T JONES

A pointed review of two prize essays which are, without doubt, the best contributions to the defense of Sunday as the Sabbath. Those desiring to find some $1,000 reasons for keeping the first day of the week will find them in this work. Bible Students' Library No. 2. 173 pages. Paper covers. Price, 20 cents. Address PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO. Kansas City, Mo. OAKLAND, CAL. New York City, N. Y.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD

ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA.

BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.

This is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the Heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord. 144 pp. Price, 15 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

Fountain Syringes

Best Rubber Holds 3 Quarts Complete with 5 Hard Rubber Tubes . . In a Nice Oak Box PRICE, POSTPAID, $1.60 Address Pacific Press, Oakland, Cai.

"Jesus Christ Our Righteousness." (Spanish.) A translation of Bible Students' Library No. 71; 8 pp.; price, 1 cent. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING Co., Oakland, Cal.

SUNSET

LIMITED

WILL BE

Resumed in November

TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS From San Francisco Initial Trip NOV. 7 MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS From New Orleans Initial Trip NOV. 9 Residents of California and elsewhere in the West, who have planned for Eastern tours previous to the date named, should keep in mind the important fact that the return trip can be arranged for SUNSET LIMITED without additional cost. A trip across the continent via the popular Sunset Route, in a Pullman vestibuled train of palatial elegance, provided with every comfort and luxury that can be suggested for the inner as well as the outer man, is a good fortune that falls but rarely to the average lot. Don't forget this when purchasing your ticket.

CYCLONE WASHER.

The "Cyclone" still whirls.

Now is THE most favorable opportunity to take a fine whirl with the "CYCLONE," and make some good money when nothing else can be accomplished. Invest at once, as it is a seller, and if you take it up for a business it will pay you large wages. Don't miss the chance of the season. See what others say.

Dr. J. H. Kellogg, in Good Health, says:— "The manufacturers of the Cyclone Washer, Messrs. Coon Bros., are evidently meeting with great success in the manufacture of their very useful invention. Their business has attained such proportions that they have found it necessary to erect a large, commodious building for the manufacture of their washers, hundreds of which they are sending out every month to all parts of the United States. That the Cyclone Washer greatly lessens the labor of washing-day and may be considered one of the most successful of the numerous devices for accomplishing this purpose, is attested by hundreds of grateful housewives. We have every reason to believe that the machine is all that it is claimed to be by the manufacturers, Coon Bros., Battle Creek, Michigan." Agents wanted everywhere. Address, Coon Bros., 18-20 Hanover St., Battle Creek, Mich.

"POLITICAL SPEECHES AND DEBATES

of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas," CONTAINS all the important speeches of "The Giants" from 1854 to 1861, giving a fair and full history of the slavery question and the great Constitutional questions involved therein from the beginning of the nation to the outbreak of the Civil War. Though the great Civil War is a thing of the past, the principles over which the war was fought will live till the national life is extinct. The vital question of that day was, whether "government of the people, for the people, by the people" should remain or be destroyed. Is it not as necessary to the well-being of government that these principles be maintained to-day? As a fresh attack is now being made on our Constitution, should not every thinking man study the history of those days, that he may know how to direct his efforts to-day? These questions are pertinent, and every American should give them careful consideration. The work contains 555 pages, printed from new, clear type, with numerous full-page half-tone illustrations, including portraits of Lincoln and Douglas. Bound in Buckram - - - - - - - - - $1.75 Pacific Press Pub. Co., New York City. Oakland, Calif. Kansas City, Mo.

CATALOG

OF PUBLICATIONS. Our New Catalog of English Publications is now ready. Send stamp for it. PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., OAKLAND, CAL. KANSAS CITY, Mo. N. Y. CITY, N. Y.

NEW COMBINATION OFFERS.

Lincoln Fountain Pen has been used by us for some time, and we find it perfectly reliable and always ready for work. It contains a high-grade gold pen, and the barrel is beautifully chased. It is equal to any, and superior to many $2.00 pens on the market, and we can heartily recommend it. Sent neatly boxed, with filler and full instructions for using, with the SIGNS one year, for only $1.75. Geikie's Life of Christ is just now a book of special importance while our Sabbath schools are studying the life of Christ as given in the Gospel of John. Our stock of the book is rapidly melting away, but as long as it remains, we make the following offer. Remember that this book contains over 800 pages of choice reading, in connection with the life of our Saviour, and has an excellent index, referring the reader at a glance to any particular incident made mention of in the book. This offer will never again be repeated. If your own subscription is not expiring, secure an order from some one else, as the book will be sent to one address and the paper to another; as will also the Lincoln Pen. Geikie's Life of Christ and the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for one year, $1.40. For five yearly subscriptions to the SIGNS, at $1.00 each, we will mail free the Lincoln Fountain Pen. For three yearly subscriptions, at $1.00 each, we will mail Life of Christ free. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Corner of Twelfth and Castro Streets, Oakland, Cal.

WHAT DO THESE THINGS MEAN?

THE above is the title of a tract published two years ago. Its aim was to give the true meaning of the then unsettled condition of "Capital and Labor," finances, etc. Since then the condition has grown more serious, and these questions have demanded more attention, but the real import of it all remains the same. For this reason the tract is especially adapted for distribution just now. Price 2 1/2 cents each, with special discount in quantities. Pacific Press Pub. Co., New York City. Oakland, Calif. Kansas City, Mo.

"LAW OF GOD AS CHANGED BY THE PAPACY." THIS chart has been thoroughly revised, and contains some of the more recent utterances of this great apostate power. The plan of the chart is the same as the old one. On either side are telling quotations from Catholic authorities admitting and boasting of the change, while the "Commandments as Changed by the Papacy" occupy a central position. It is a forcible presentation of the subject, and will be a valuable help to Bible workers and ministers. Size 36x48 inches. Price $1.00. Printed on thin paper for inclosure in letters and miscellaneous distribution, 50 cents per 100. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.

NOTICE.

WE have secured a few copies of "Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene," which will be sent by mail at regular rates, $1.25 for plain, and $1.50 for gilt. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

ADEQUATE ATLAS

OF THE

UNITED STATES.

Eighty-eight pages elegant Maps of the U. S., of each State and Territory, and of 23 Chief Cities. STATE MAPS show ALL Railroads, all Cities, and all Towns of any importance. COMPLETE INDEX to all Railroads, and Geographical Features, with INDEX and Population of all Cities and Towns. CITY MAPS show 10 to 20 square miles of the business heart of the City, with COMPLETE INDEX to Streets, Street Cars, Depots, Hotels, Theaters, Parks, and Public and Prominent Business Buildings, Churches, etc. The only Pocket Atlas which has city Maps. The only Atlas, big or little, which indexes its cities. 244 pages. Binding the best possible. Price, $1.50. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., OAKLAND, CAL.

Election Excitement and Religious Liberty

By Editor

THERE will be found in this issue that which should arouse in serious minds earnest thought even in these days of election excitement. Elections are temporal; the things of God are eternal.

Religious Liberty Library No. 41.—The title of this number is "Fighting against God," by A. F. Ballenger. It is a nicely printed tract of 16 pages, on fine calendared paper, with six fine cuts illustrating the original poem which the tract contains, together with many notes and telling passages of scripture on man's relation to God. It should have a large circulation. Regular discounts to the trade. Single copies, price 3 cents.

How Long?—How long does it take a lie to become the truth? How long must a counterfeit bill pass before it becomes genuine? How long must black be called white to make it white? Of course, we know that the common-sense answers to these questions are that the lie remains the lie, the counterfeit remains a counterfeit, black never becomes white. But, reader, this is just as true in religion as in common ethics, commerce, or physics. The Sunday can never become the Sabbath of the Lord by calling it so. It bears not the image and superscription of God. It is not a current coin in the kingdom of heaven. Under-officials may assume power to change it, may conspire with the counterfeiter to despoil and cheat the subjects, but it is counterfeit still; and "when the fulness of the time" has come God will reveal its hollowness.

"The Sabbath and the Sunday."—The articles on this subject will close at present with the one published in this issue, altho much more might be said. We have gleaned but a few of the testimonies of the ages relative to the Sabbath of the Lord and its rival, the pagan Sunday. Do not think the name harsh, dear reader; study the question to see if it be not the proper term to apply to the so-called Lord's day. We grant that good men and women, accepted of God, have kept and are keeping the Sunday, believing it to be taught of God. We are not condemning them; the matter lies between them and God. He accepts them not because of Sunday observance, but in spite of it,—because their hearts are right. Good men and women have passed counterfeit notes and coins. This did not make them worse, because they did it ignorantly; but did it or does it make the coin better?

THE vicissitudes and incongruities of party politics is well illustrated in the fact that the Democratic candidate for President to-day is traveling through the country quoting and indorsing the sentiments expressed by Abraham Lincoln when he was the Republican candidate for President, and the Republicans of to-day are calling it Anarchy. It seems that the "two great parties" (perhaps inadvertently in the scramble for spoils) have been swapping principles. But such is politics.

A Triple Meteor.—A despatch from Nevada, Cal., of the 22d inst., says:—

"A triple connected meteor was observed in the northern heavens at ten minutes past six o'clock this evening. Three balls of fire, all in a row, and connected like a train of cars, with a long fiery tail, flashed in view just a few degrees above the western horizon and traveled in a direction a little north of east. In half a minute it disappeared from view high in the heavens, apparently somewhere over the great dipper and north star. From all accounts this grand sight was not generally observed, as the hour and time did not find many people on the streets. The sight was magnificent and awe-inspiring, and one long to be remembered, as it did not appear to be over forty or fifty miles above the earth. A splendid view of the triple-connected meteor was taken by W. M. Richards."

The same phenomenon was witnessed in this city, and noted as a remarkable sight.

WHO ARE THE "ANARCHISTS"?

"ANARCHY" is defined by "The Standard" as being "absence or utter disregard of government." The Christian Citizen, of Chicago, for October, has the following editorial items on its first page:—

"Sabbath-breaking begins Anarchy."

"A nation of Sabbath-breakers will soon become a nation of Anarchists. The records of the Old World bear out this statement. Germany and France furnish us with examples."

"Who are the enemies of the Christian Sabbath? The Christian who says he remembers it to keep it holy and then breaks it, or the Anarchist who rails at it and then breaks it?"

In view of these statements it is well to ask: (1) Now disregard of what government is Sabbath-breaking? (2) Whose is the Sabbath—the "Christian Sabbath"? and what day is it? (3) Who are the worst Sabbath-breakers, and according to the above, Anarchists? What Christian answers from the Christian Book—the Bible—can be given to these questions?

1. God's government has a Sabbath. The law enjoining it is found in Ex. 20: 8-11. It declares, "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. . . . The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." That is the original Sabbath law. All others are copies, counterfeits or perversions.

2. The Sabbath is the Lord's. He made it (Gen. 2: 2, 3); he commanded it (Ex. 20: 8-11); and he did it all in behalf of man, all mankind (Mark 2: 27). The Christian Sabbath must be the day that Christ instituted, the Sabbath that he kept, and this was the seventh day. The Sabbath is therefore the Lord's and the day is the seventh day.

3. The worst Sabbath-breakers, therefore, must be those who not only do not observe the day appointed, but presumptuously put another day, concerning which God has not spoken, in its place, and persistently do all in their power to degrade the day given of God. According to the word of God as regards the Sabbath and the above quotations as regards Anarchy, who are the Anarchists?

Rest and Dissipation, or What?

One of the great claims that Sunday-law people put forth is that they are laboring in the interests of the working man, to relieve him from the stress of seven days' toil. On the other hand, it has been pointed out that he who conscientiously desired to observe Sunday could do so. No one can by law be compelled to work on that day; and for him who loses his place for conscience' sake the Lord will work. But for those who do not regard the observance of the day as a religious duty, the dissipation upon that day will be much worse for the workingman from the standpoint of his pecuniary, physical, and moral interests. This is recognized by those who range themselves on the Sunday side of the question. No less a personage than W. W. Attebury, D.D., for years prominently connected with the Sunday reform movement, writing from Geneva, Switzerland, to the Independent of September 24, 1896, says:—

"It should, however, be added that among thoughtful men everywhere, it is recognized that Sunday rest brings its peculiar perils; its leisure may be abused, and, doubtless, often is. A prominent journal that can not be suspected of clericalism, Independence Belge, warns against the rest of Sunday becoming a pretext for drunkenness and debauchery."

But it will, nevertheless, as another prominent Sunday-law man said: "You take the religion out, and you take the rest out." Exactly; and how may this be remedied?—By another law, which must logically follow in this religious reform-by-law, compelling these men to be religious, attend church, etc., etc. Such a law is a direct sequence of a law-enforced Sunday rest. It will then be Rest and Dissipation or Persecution and Hypocrisy. Our Sunday-law reformers may mean well, but they are entering upon a path which will end only in the renewal of the Inquisition and capital punishment for religion's sake.

The True View.

The Roman Catholic Church is now posing as the champion of religious liberty in the United States. Chancellor Yorke, of San Francisco, said in a recent address: "No matter how we may differ on the money question, no matter whether we are for a gold standard or the free coinage of silver, as Americans, we prize above all the right to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences." Such utterances are quite the fad in all circles, for it is a sentiment that men of every shade of opinion can truthfully and safely express for themselves without special committal. Every one, even the most bigoted sectarian, prizes such a right for himself; but the true test of patriotism and Christian charity lies in prizing the right for other people. The spirit of true religious liberty acknowledges the right not to worship at all, and ignores all human assumption of right to compel any semblance of worship, or form of observance of any religious institution.

Predictions.

These are days of predictions, especially in politics. Both of the great parties are very sure their candidate will be elected. Each general chairman reckons up his majority of votes in the electoral college. And yet we may venture a prediction that one of them will be disappointed and his candidate defeated. But there are other predictions which are equally sure and much more important. Jesus Christ is coming again to reign over this world. Before his presence the kingdoms of earth will fall to rise no more. Those who are his, who yield submission to his righteous will now, will then be made immortal and reign eternally in a kingdom divided not by political strife or men-made creeds, where no fraud nor oppression e'er comes, but where right rules eternally. To share that coming kingdom and reign he invites all. "These words are true and faithful."

If we love Jesus Christ now, we will love his coming. Think of a child saying, "I love my father," who might be absent, and yet never anxious to have that father return, never inquiring as to when he was coming, and, in fact, becoming offended or afraid if his coming is said to be imminent! Would we not say that such love consisted only in words? that there was no heart in it? And yet this is about the way that many professed children of Christ talk: "O, yes, I love him," we hear on every hand; but if you love him, you will desire to see him. Love longs for the personal presence of the one loved. The two can not be separated. If we truly love Jesus Christ we can truly pray, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus," in response to his—"Surely, I come quickly."