THE DEFENSE OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS, THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AS IT IS, SO FAR AS REGARDS RELIGION OR RELIGIOUS TESTS, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS.
It will ever be Uncompromisingly Opposed to anything tending toward a Union of Church and State, either in name or fact. It is well-known that there is a large and influential association in the United States bearing the name of the "National Reform Association," which is endeavoring to secure such a RELIGIOUS AMENDMENT to the Constitution of the United States as will "place all Christian laws, institutions, and usages on an undeniable legal basis in the fundamental law of the land." While there are many persons in this country who are opposed to, or look with suspicion upon, this movement, there are few, outside of the party, who realize what the influence of this amendment would be. The object of the American Sentinel will be to Vindicate the Rights of American Citizens, which, we believe, are threatened by this association. It will appeal to the very fundamental principles of our Government, and point out the consequences which would be sure to follow should they secure the desired Amendment to the Constitution. Every position taken will be carefully guarded and fortified by sound argument. Due respect will always be paid to the opinions of others, but the rights of conscience will be fearlessly maintained.
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The Abiding Sabbath and the Lord's Day.
By Editor
THE $500 AND $1,000 PRIZE ESSAYS. A REVIEW.
The above is the title of a pamphlet recently issued. In its pages the author reviews the two most recent and without doubt the best contributions to the defense of Sunday, popularly called the "Lord's Day." The first of these essays was written by Rev. George Elliott, and took the $500 "Fletcher Prize," offered by the trustees of Dartmouth College for the best essay on the "Perpetual Obligation of the Lord's Day."
The other essay was written by A. E. Waffle, M. A., and was awarded a $1,000 prize by the Committee of Publication of the American Sunday-school Union.
We state thus definitely the source of the essays reviewed that all may see their importance. Certainly if there was any argument in favor of Sunday, we should expect to find it in these prize essays. Elder Jones in his Review takes up their arguments and assertions, and shows very plainly how several times the authors have proved what they did not want to prove at all—namely: The Seventh-day Sabbath is still as binding on all as when the law was given.
This Review will be read with interest and profit by all, and those who have friends that are interested in the Sabbath Question should see that one of these pamphlets is placed in their hands.
WORDS OF APPROBATION.
Elder R. A. Underwood, President Ohio Conference, says:—
"The 'Abiding Sabbath' should find its way to every home in the land. It certainly will have a wide circulation. May God bless it on its mission. The quotations from Mr. Elliott's essays set forth the divine origin of the Sabbath, its object, universality, and inseparable relation to the moral law of ten commandments, of which it is a part, and its binding obligation upon all mankind; also the clear distinction between the Sabbath and the ceremonial rites, or laws, in words of sublime, convincing power. Yet he, like all who feel it their duty to prop up the Sunday-sabbath with the fourth commandment, contradicts his own position. Elder Jones has made a clean-cut, sound argument."
Elder J. N. Loughborough, President California Conference, says:—
"I have just completed a careful reading of Elder Jones' Review. In this he attacks the main pillars of their argument for a Sunday-sabbath, and at the same time he gives an epitome of the argument for the true Bible Sabbath. He shows clearly that notwithstanding all the efforts of the $500 and $1,000 essay men to establish Sunday as the Sabbath, it stands, according to their own admissions, without any Scripture command, or any divine warrant. This Review clearly shows what is the true 'Abiding Sabbath,' the day of God's own appointment. This book of Elder Jones' should have a very wide circulation, and be read by all."
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Canada—S. Edith Pierce, Melbourne, Quebec; and G. W. Morse, 56 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario.
China and Japan—A. LaRue, International Tract Society, Queens Road 219, Hongkong, China.
Colorado Tract Society—S. E. Whiteis, Sec., 812 Nineteenth, Ave., Denver, Col.
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District of Columbia—Mr. W. H. Saxby, 217 Fifth St., S. E. Washington, D. C.
England—International Tract Society, 48 Paternoster Row, London, E. C.
Georgia and Florida—Charles F. Curtis, cor. S. Boulevard and Bryan Sts., Atlanta, Ga.
Illinois Tract Society—Lillie E. Froom, Sec., 28 College Place, Chicago.
Indiana Tract Society—J. W. Moore, Sec., 175 Central Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.
Iowa Tract Society—Leroy T. Nicola, Sec., 603 East 12th St., Des Moines, Iowa.
Kansas Tract Society—L. Dyo Chambers, Sec., No. 821 West Fifth St., Topeka, Kan.
Louisiana—A. F. Harrison, 633 Western Ave., Shreveport, La.
Maine Tract Society—M. Russell, Sec., No. 110 State St., Bangor, Me.
Michigan Tract Society—Hattie House, Sec., Review and Herald Office, Battle Creek, Mich.
Minnesota Tract Society—C. N. Woodward, 336 East Lake St., Minneapolis, Minn., P. O. Box 1058.
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Pennsylvania Tract Society—L. C. Chadwick, Sec., Cor. Hepburn and Fifth Streets, Williamsport, Penn., Box 2716.
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Tennessee—J. H. Dortch, Springville, Henry Co., Tenn.
Texas Tract Society—T. T. Stevenson, Sec., Denton, Texas.
Upper Columbia—U. C. Tract Society, Mrs. L. A. Fero, Sec., Box 523, Walla Walla, Wash.
Vancouver Island—Bernard Robb, 14 Third St., Victoria, B. C.
Vermont—Lizzie A. Stone, 409 South Union St., Burlington.
Virginia—Amy A. Neff, Quicksburgh, Shenandoah Co., Va.
West Virginia—Mrs. Nelia M. Stone, Clarksburg, W. Va.
Wisconsin Tract Society—S. D. Hartwell, 1029 Jenifer St., Madison, Wis.
RECEIPTS.
By Editor
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ANNUAL MEETING.
By W. N. Glenn
NOTICE is hereby given that the annual meeting of the Society of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Oakland will be held Wednesday, April 3, 1889, at half-past seven o'clock P. M., at the house of worship of said society, S. E. corner Twelfth and Brush Streets, in the city of Oakland, Cal. The object of the meeting is the election of a Board of five Trustees, and the transaction of such other business as may be presented.
W. N. GLENN, Sec.
Oakland, March 18, 1889.
NOTICE TO MISSIONARY WORKERS.
By Editor
PLEASE stop sending the Signs to any of the following names, as this office has received notice that the papers are refused, unclaimed, or sent to the wrong post-office:—
Mrs. D. H. Burris, Mrs. J. E. Sorrell, James Hoen, Miss Hattie Romack, Geo. H. Mosher, Mrs. Kitchum, Carl F. Bull, Annie Arnold, Jason Duita, Mrs. Octavia Abell, C. F. Blurens, John Beatty, Mrs Geo. C. Dean.
True Christianity Needs No Lenten Season
By Editor
Referring to the Lenten season, the Christian at Work says: “Only the flippant and thoughtless will assume to ridicule a solemn season whose observance commands itself to the devout feelings of by far the larger number of their fellow-Christians. Surely it is well to turn aside for a while from the pomp and circumstance of the world, and in meditation and contemplation, in abstinence and self-denial, bring those things to the fore which the cares and attractions of the world have put for the time aside, if they have not been lost to sight.”
Certainly no one should ridicule anything; but there are not a few who will continue to regard as a grave error the idea that people can live for the world 325 days of the year and then make it right by a little self-denial during the Lenten season. True Christianity demands devotion every day in the year, and it is only putting in few words that which is the plain teaching of the Scriptures to say that those who follow the pomp of the world excepting in Lent are not true followers of Him who said: “Let your loins be girded about, and your light burning; and ye yourselves like unto men who wait for their Lord.” Those who obey the divine injunction to “pray without ceasing” will need no Lenten season in which, “starving their sin,” as the Christian at Work puts it, they “will find spiritual refreshment,” and they who do not preserve a constant and living connection with the true Vine would better not depend upon securing it by means of abstinence and self-denial during Lent.
Henry George Occupies a London Pulpit
HENRY GEORGE, who has been making land-tax speeches for some time under the auspices of the London preachers, on the 17th inst. occupied the pulpit of Rev. Stopford Brooks, which had never before been filled by an itinerant layman.
A Strong Modern Navy Proposed
It is said that President Harrison will not be content with the eight new war vessels which will be let to contract shortly after June 30, the expiration of the current fiscal year, but that he will advocate in his message to Congress the building of a strong, modern navy.
Exaggerated Reports from Lower California
It seems that reports from the new gold fields of Lower California have been greatly exaggerated in the interests of land speculators. There is some gold in the new diggings, but the best claims are in the hands of Mexicans, and Mexican officials, it is said, charge exorbitant fees for entering claims for Americans.
Sunday Observance Among British Shipping
According to the China Mail of February 9, various missionary societies of England are agitating among the ship owners and steamship companies of Great Britain for a better observance of Sunday, especially in foreign ports. A circular letter to this effect has been addressed to ship owners and directors of companies.
Bible Variations Do Not Alter Doctrine
SOME seem to think that because there are different versions and readings in the manuscripts of the Bible, the Bible is not worthy of credence. This is what a scholar, Moses Stuart, said in regard to this matter:—
“Not one doctrine of religion is changed, not one precept is taken away, not one important fact is altered, by the whole of the various readings collectively taken.”
Jewish Newspaper in Mexico
THE Jewish Times and Observer mentions the fact that a Hebrew paper is now regularly published in the capital city of our Southern neighbor, and says: “Who would believe twenty years ago, that in the year 1889 a Jewish paper would be published in the City of Mexico?” “Considering that Mexico has always been a Jew-hating country, a Jewish organ is quite a curiosity in that part of the world.” The paper is called El Sabado Secreto.
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific was organized in San Francisco on the 7th ult. and has sent out a circular stating its object, and inviting proper persons to become members. Edward S. Holden, of the Lick Observatory, is the president, and Chas. Burckhalter, of Chabot Observatory, Oakland, secretary of the society. Article XII of its constitution provides that the society may, by a vote of the majority of all its active and life members, become a branch of an American Astronomical Society, should one be formed.
Rev. Fulton Tangled in the Color Line
REV. JUSTIN D. FULTON, the anti-Romanist lecturer, got sadly tangled up in the color line in Richmond, Va., recently. In an address to the First African Church of that city he said: “Let the black man have money, and he can buy railroads in Georgia and other States where a negro is not allowed equal privileges with a white man, and then the former can say to the latter, ‘Now if you don’t behave yourself I will put you off my train.’” In concluding he announced that he would preach at the First Baptist Church (white) the following Sunday evening, but the next day the deacons of the church met and after reading the Doctor’s remarks, unanimously decided that the church would not be open to him.
A Preacher Incites Mob Violence
By Editor
If the report telegraphed from West Virginia is correct, and it has not been denied, an overzealous preacher in that State recently incited a mob to destroy eight houses occupied by a number of immoral persons, whose presence in the community was not thought to be desirable by the reverend gentleman. We know nothing about the merits of the case, nor the enormity of the offense committed by the occupants of the wrecked buildings, but nothing short of the highest crimes and a most lamentable failure on the part of the courts to administer justice would at all justify such proceedings. It is, therefore, exceedingly gratifying to know that twenty-five of the men engaged in this high-handed affair have been held to await the action of the grand jury. Correct morals can be neither manufactured nor conserved by any such White Cap methods, and the man who incites mobs to deeds of violence, even though he be a preacher, is a disgrace to Christianity, and an enemy to good government, and ought to be made to feel the hand of the law which he has outraged.
The National Reform Conscience
By Editor
It is even thus that the Congregationalist of March 7 raises its voice of lamentation over the closing hours of Congress:—
“The Sabbath desecration which marked the expiring hours of the Fiftieth Congress ought to sadden and shame the nation. . . . When will the people discover that only men who have a conscience, alike for themselves and for the nation, are fit to be intrusted with the public welfare? Let us be grateful that the incoming President declined to receive political visitors, and thus did what he could to observe the day.”
It has the true National Reform ring. They want men who have not only conscience for themselves, but conscience for the nation. And it is just this kind of a conscience which will enact and enforce laws compelling all men to abide by what this official conscience may dictate. In its Sunday sitting Congress violated no law, human or divine. We suppose that this fact was recognized by even the extremely conscientious legislators who formed the Blair Sunday bill. We do them the charity to believe that they did not violate conscience; and we suppose that they were not convicted of sin or crime, because they knew that “where no law is, there is no transgression.”
“IN TIME OF PEACE PREPARE FOR WAR.”
By Editor
Those who invariably enjoy good health are not usually apprehensive of disease, even though an experienced physician can see conclusive evidence that it is lurking in their system. They generally refuse to be warned. That country which for a long term of years has enjoyed uninterrupted peace, will hardly believe that war can come, when there is every indication of its near approach. Such an one is generally taken unawares, even as was the city of Laish anciently. Judges 18:7. It is equally true that when the people of a nation have enjoyed equality of rights, civil and religious, for many years, they take it for granted that thus it will ever remain, and rest securely even when danger is at their very door.
This is emphatically true of the United States. Their independence was founded on the broad platform of “equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.” With but few exceptions through unconstitutional State laws, none have suffered for conscience’ sake. It has been the best civil government the world has ever seen.
But a change has come. For years religious politicians have been plotting to effect what will virtually be a union of Church and State. The National Reform party for the last quarter of a century has had this for its avowed object. Many thousands of others, while disavowing this, are really advocating those principles which will lead to religion by law. Some no doubt are actuated by good and patriotic motives. They cannot believe that they are repeating the history of Rome. They look at that power when fully developed in all its blood-thirstiness, and contrast that with their ideal Government, and say that surely those cannot be alike. Just so those thought who laid the foundation of the Papacy. Many then worked for the ideal Government through motives of patriotism or for the glory of God, but the result was the Papacy and the Dark Ages. The Real was not the Ideal. Wrong principles and premises will never lead to right conclusions. Upon these things the people need instruction; and we do not know of any work which has yet appeared which gives so much instruction in so small space in regard to the evils of Church and State as does a finely executed pamphlet now before us, entitled, “Civil Government and Religion,” by Alonso T. Jones. The chapter headings will give the reader something of an idea of the work: “What Is Due to God and What to Cæsar?” “The Powers That Be;” “Christianity and the Roman Empire;” “The Religious Attack upon the United States Constitution, and Those Who Are Making It;” “Religious Legislation;” “The Sunday-law Movement in the Fourth Century, and Its Parallel in the Nineteenth;” “The Workings of a Sunday Law;” and four Appendices.
Right and wrong principles are followed to their legitimate results; the principle of true gospel liberty is developed; for what Governments are ordained is clearly shown; and these, together with the cogent arguments, backed by historical facts, constitute the work a small armory, which should be possessed by every liberty-loving citizen. The battle of religious liberty is to be fought in America. Now, in the time of peace, let every lover of equal rights and exact justice prepare for war by becoming conversant with right principles. They cannot do better in the beginning of these preparations than to purchase a copy of “Civil Government and Religion.” The work fitly closes with the Declaration of Independence, and the United States Constitution and the Amendments thereto. The work contains 176 large pages, price 25 cents. Address The American Sentinel, Oakland, Cal., or Pacific Press, 43 Bond Street, New York.