p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 41. (10/17/1895)

News and Notes

SINCE OUR LAST ISSUE.

FOREIGN.

—Eighteen persons were killed and 100 injured in a railway collision near Brussels, Belgium, on October 6.

—Within two years the claims of English railroad contractors against the Columbian Government have increased from £50,000 to £640,000.

—A woman in Catania, Sicily, has been arrested for the crime of murder, and has confessed to causing the death of twenty-three children by poisoning.

—Experienced sealers declare that in five years the seals in Bering Sea will be practically exterminated. The present season’s catch has been very small.

—A note from England says that the immense vaults of the Bank of England are being enlarged to accommodate the unprecedented influx of gold and silver.

—A hurricane at La Paz, Mexico, recently wrecked 19 vessels, destroyed 184 houses, at a loss of half a million dollars, killed 5 persons, and injured a number of others.

—According to advices from Admiral Carpenter, of the Asiatic squadron, a restless spirit has again aroused the Koreans, and so seriously that several war ships have been ordered to the vicinity of Seoul to protect American interests. Riots have already occurred between the Japanese and the anti-Japanese elements.

—In a letter to Cardinal Rampolla, the pope deplores the universal rejoicing on the occasion of the late celebrations over the occupation of Rome by the Italian forces. He says that event was a national return to paganism. He also stated that nothing would ever confer real independence upon the Papacy so long as it does not have temporal jurisdiction.

—Advices from Madagascar state that the capital, Antananarivo, has been taken by the French troops. They found the place utterly deserted, the native forces and court having retreated to the interior. It is said a treaty of peace has been effected, whereby the queen will still act an important part in the government, although her husband is to be banished. Telegrams of commendation have been forwarded by President Faure to the victorious general and his men.

—To add zest to the unsettled question of Cuban affairs, Spain is now involved in a wrangle with this government over treaty rights. The special case involved is that of U. S. Consul-General Williams, at Havana, whose authority to transact business has been curtailed by Señor Canovas, the Spanish Prime Minister, to commercial affairs only. A plain reply to this position has been accorded Spain, on treaty grounds, and it is quite probable the action will be rescinded.

—On October 12 occurred the coronation of the Virgin of Guadalupe at the City of Mexico. The crown consisted of gifts of money and precious stones, the jeweler’s work alone amounting to $2,000. The image is a painting claimed to have been miraculously done in 1531 on stone. A circular setting forth the folly of the superstition was prepared by the Protestant workers, but was withheld for the time at the solicitation of state officials in order to prevent undue excitement and riot.

—An account of the examination of perpetrators of the Kucheng massacres reveals the barbarous methods of oriental nations. The prisoners apparently acted a set part in at first swearing that they knew nothing of the murders. Then came the fearful torture, and then the confession. The English ministers present protested against such measures, whereupon the wretches were taken outside and tortured. In the midst of such scenes, refreshments were partaken of by the Chinese magistrates. It would seem that a power like England, which is able to cause the Chinese Government to bring the criminals to justice, could as well prevent such barbarous methods of procedure, if it chose.

—According to The Examiner (Baptist), Mr. George Muller, of England, the founder of the famous orphanages, has received for all purposes since the beginning of his work just $6,869,130. He has never told a soul of his needs, either of his own personal needs or of his needs in benevolent work. He and his wife together have simply laid the needs before God, and he has sent the money as needed. It is added: “All of these [Muller’s orphanage and missionary works] have been carried on simply by faith in God. Mr. Muller says that, God being no respecter of persons, any Christian will find that if he waits on God in prayer, all the money needed for the Lord’s work, will be forthcoming.”

—A despatch from Constantinople states that the work of laying submarine mines and torpedoes in the straits of the Dardanelles has commenced.

DOMESTIC.

—Four women were burned to death in a tenement house fire in Cincinnati October 9.

—The Brewers’ Journal states that English syndicates have $91,000,000 invested in American breweries, the dividend on which, at nine per cent, last year was $8,190,000, and was paid in gold.

—The delivery of mail in New York City is to be facilitated by the use of special cable mail cars, which will be attached to the grip car. These cars will be fitted with racks, pigeonholes, pouches, etc.—everything appertaining to the regular mail-car service.

—On the evening of October 7 four young desperadoes held up an electric car in the suburbs of Chicago, and, after shooting one man and maltreating several other passengers, made their escape, taking with them several hundred dollars in coin and watches.

—The Kansas Supreme Court has decided that the practice of policemen entering a place suspected of selling liquor and arresting the one in charge, without a warrant, is unconstitutional. Hereafter the misdemeanor must be seen by the officer to warrant such arrests.

—San Francisco’s milk inspector has just sworn out warrants for the arrest of fourteen dairymen for selling adulterated milk. The penalty, on conviction, for selling or offering for sale unwholesome, watered, or adulterated milk is a fine not to exceed $500, or six months’ imprisonment, or both.

—At the laying of a corner stone of a church at Lorain, O., October 6, a temporary flooring, on which were assembled about two thousand persons, gave way, precipitating several hundred into one pit. One person was killed outright, ten were injured so badly that it is thought they will not recover, while about forty more were severely injured.

—The Supreme Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, now seventy-one years old, September 25 amended its organic law so as to provide that hereafter no saloon keeper, bartender, or professional gambler shall be eligible to membership in the order. This was adopted by a vote of 147 yeas to 32 nays, and the highest total vote which could have been cast is 185. This lodge is the highest tribunal, legislative, judicial, and executive, of the order.

—The United States Court of Appeals has just rendered an important decision against the Thomson-Houston Electric Company. The opinion makes void a second patent secured by this company on the automatic regulator, a device quite necessary in electric lighting, and thus destroys what would otherwise be a monopoly of that form of lighting. This action loses to this company royalties from practically every lighting plant in the United States, an amount in the millions.

—Captain Armes, the retired army officer who was imprisoned by General Schofield on the one day that the latter acted as Secretary of War, has been ordered released by Judge Bradley, of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. The judge pronounced the imprisonment unjust and illegal, as well as a capricious act. If his decision is confirmed by higher courts, it will establish as a precedent that retired military officers are not amenable to military courts but to civil.

—A stupendous work has been accomplished by Bishop S. E. J. Schereschewsky. This is no less than a translation of the entire Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek texts into Chinese, a task occupying thirty years in its performance. The bishop is a paralytic, and can neither walk nor write with a pen, but the translation has been made in Roman characters by means of a typewriter, which he operates. Only a few weeks since the gentleman left this country, where he has been on a visit, for China, where the manuscript will be converted into native characters and printed.

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RISE AND PROGRESS —OF— Seventh-Day Adventists.

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Denver's Messiah Craze: Schlatter and the Healing Crowds

“Denver’s Messiah Craze.”—The Rev. C. W. Heisler, of Denver, writes to the Independent on the above subject. He declares that at the ex-alderman’s house, where the “messiah” is staying, people throng in hundreds. On one day Mr. Heisler counted six hundred actually standing in line waiting to be treated, and still more coming, and this line was surrounded by a crowd of probably two thousand onlookers. The people in line were possessed of almost every kind of affliction and disease, imaginary or real, each one pressing forward to touch “the healer’s” hand. The man’s name is Schlatter, a German, about fifty-five years of age. When asked if he is Christ, he replies, “I am,” and he evidently believes it, deceived himself by Satan, and himself deceiving the people. “For,” says Jesus Christ, “false christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” “Be not deceived.”

Missions—New Style: Force Versus the Spirit of Christ

By Editor

“Missions—New Style.”—The New York Nation of October 3 has an editorial with the above heading, in which it takes to task those missionaries who are clamoring for China’s punishment. It does this in no flippant, skeptical mood; it even seeks excuse for the utterances, yet it shows nevertheless that the spirit demanding summary and extreme punishment for China is not the Spirit of Christ. It quotes the joke made some years ago by Punch: “Missions, Old Style, Henry Martyn; Missions, New Style, Martini-Henry.” The latter term, we may say to our peace-loving readers, relates to a rifle, the former to a devoted missionary. This is illustrative of the drift of popular Christianity. The Spirit of Christ does not change. It is still love, and not force, and there are many missionaries yet who, we believe, still hold to the old way, as set forth in 2 Corinthians, chapters 5 and 6.

Papers Sent Only When Paid in Advance

By Editor

☞ We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance.

☞ When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the “Signs” are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

Editorial.—Faithfulness and Its Test—How Do We Come to the Word?—Studies in Romans (chap. 1:1-7) … 1-4, 16

Question Corner.—No. 241, Satan Working Miracles—No. 242, “Touch Me Not”—No. 243, What Day Is the Sabbath? … 4

Poetry.—I List Awhile—The Two Armies—The Consecrated Will—The Christian’s Enjoyment of the Works of Nature … 5, 9, 10

General Articles.—God’s Wonderful Word—Other Intelligences—Controversy Awakened by Truth—“We Would See Jesus” … 5-8

The Outlook.—Prediction and Fulfillment … 9

Mission Fields.—The Colony of Natal and Its Principal Towns—The Fourth Sabbath in October—Our Work and Workers … 9, 10, 12

Home and Health.—Mirror Lake—Reasons for a Daily Bath—Don’t Snub Him—Speak Good—A Spider’s Bridge … 10-12

International Sabbath School Lesson.—The Powers That Be (Lesson 5, Sabbath, November 2, 1895) … 13

International Sunday School Lesson.—Samuel the Judge (Lesson 5, Sunday, November 3, 1895) … 13, 14

News and Notes.—Foreign—Domestic … 15

God's Wonderful Word

“God’s Wonderful Word” was written for our last symposium on the Scriptures, but did not reach us in time.

Other Intelligences: Second Article in Owen's Series

By R. S. Owen

We print the second of Elder R. S. Owen’s series of articles, entitled “Other Intelligences.” God, having the nature that he has, could not be happy alone. Love must share its pleasures, and so double them, treble them, etc.

Controversy Awakened by Truth

READ the article by Mrs. White, “Controversy Awakened by Truth.” It deals with a well-known yet little-realized subject. Often those who teach the truth are told, “You trouble Israel,” “You destroy the peace of neighborhoods.” But it is not truth that troubles or destroys; opposition to truth is the cause of it all. In this way Christ “came not to send peace upon the earth, but a sword,” and yet to all who would receive him or his message came peace. Whether peace or trouble depends on man’s attitude.

Studies in Romans

By Editor

“Studies in Romans.”—We begin in this number a most interesting series of articles by E. J. W., under the above heading. There is no treatise on the Gospel more wonderful and profound than “The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans.” It sounds the profoundest depths; it reaches divinest heights. It deals with practical, everyday religion. It reveals God’s love, wisdom, and power. We hope our readers will engage in its study with one who has studied it earnestly, faithfully, and long, who has explored and mined its hidden recesses, and gathered many of its inexhaustible gems, which still wait the earnest searcher. We shall publish these articles with as few breaks as possible.

Richard M. Johnson's Bust and Religious Liberty Reports

A BUST of Richard M. Johnson, once vice president of the United States, is soon to be placed in the Senate chamber. It was Johnson who is believed to have killed the famous Indian leader, Tecumseh. This as an item of news from a New York paper. We would just add that the same Richard M. Johnson is credited with framing two of the noblest documents on the subject of religious liberty since 1776. One was a report to the Senate of the United States in 1829, and the other to the House of Representatives in 1830. Both came over the question of a legal Sunday. These above everything else ought to perpetuate his memory.

Donations for Foreign Missions.

By Editor

In a note in Mission Fields we have called attention to the fact that the fourth Sabbath in October is the time when a yearly collection is taken in our churches for foreign missionary work. This expression of thanksgiving to God in sending to this lost and alienated world the great Foreign Missionary ought to be hearty and liberal, and we hope it will be in all our churches. If there are those separated from churches who desire to give, and do not know where their money should be placed, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will be glad to forward it to proper parties. “Freely ye have received, freely give.” “It is more blessed to give than to receive;” for the giver is twice blessed.

OUR NEXT SYMPOSIUM.

By Editor

The subject of our next symposium number will be the Second Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, a subject the importance of which Satan has ever endeavored to obscure, and the meaning of which he has striven to pervert. The articles in that symposium will, the Lord willing, be as follows:—

He Will Come Again.

Manner of His Coming.

Place of His Coming in the Scheme of Redemption.

What It Means to the People of God and to Sinners.

What It Means to the Earth.

His Presence Now and Then.

“We Would See Jesus.”

The writers of these symposiums are, besides four of our special contributors, Elder W. N. Glenn, editor of Our Little Friend; Prof. P. T. Magan, of Battle Creek College, and Alonzo T. Jones, editor of the American Sentinel. This number will be illustrated, and should have a large circulation. Its price will be $1.00 per 100. Its date will be October 31.

IT WILL COME, AND WHY NOT?

SAYS the Independent:— “The venerated and beloved Father Sylvester Malone calls upon all ecclesiastics to sustain the brave defender of law and a sober and quiet Sunday, and adds, God prosper Theodore Roosevelt! We are getting more and more Catholic support.”

And why not? Sunday is a Roman Catholic institution, and it is being supported, preserved, promoted, by Roman Catholic methods, the gospel of force. Catholics are perfectly consistent in supporting Sunday that way, but how is it with Protestants?

“If We Will Let Him.”

A correspondent longingly asks: “Please tell me how to let him. O, I am so desirous of the abiding Presence!” That is, how to let Christ into our heart, bear our burdens, cleanse away the sin. Well, it is just simply to take him at his word. The only thing in the world which will separate us from Christ is sin cherished, sin preferred to him. Even in such case he does not spurn us. He died to win us. His Spirit pleads with us. He purchased us as we were, in sin, that he might make us like himself in righteousness. He is our Creator, Redeemer, Friend; the enmity, the separation is all on our part, because of the carnal heart. When we will give that to him, when we will choose him and his way with all our heart, in preference to self and its ways, we may know that Christ is ours. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. “He that believeth not God hath made him a liar.” 1 John 5:10. Confession of sin means simply this—giving it all up to God, the whole wretched, sinful self, not only all sins that we see, but all we do not see, and all the heart in which the sin finds root. Do not worry whether there may be sins you do not know and hence have not confessed; leave all that with him. Do what you see—give up to God that which he has revealed, and leave the rest with him. Let the same faith which yields the sin take the Saviour. Let Jesus in, not because you are worthy, but that his presence may make you worthy. When you have yielded the sin, chosen him instead of sin, believe that your sins are forgiven; for he says so. No matter what you feel, no matter what Satan whispers, believe God’s word; “he can not deny himself.” Then rejoice not in self, not in feeling, but in the blessed fact of God’s assurance, the assurance of his word, that Christ is yours; and he is pardon, peace, joy, life. O, that all would believe him, and receive him! He stands at the door and knocks.

Our “Pious” Political Parties.

By Editor

The wickeder a political party becomes, the greater will be its pretense to holiness if it thinks that to be good policy. We have an illustration of this in the Democratic State convention of New York. While on the side of saloons, to hold the whisky vote, it demands “a proper observation of a day of rest and an orderly Sunday,” to hold the religious vote. To this it added the farce of opening the convention with prayer, a custom said to have been omitted for years, while the band played the music for “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.” Of course the Republican party has been “pious” all the way through. A testimony to this effect, however, could hardly be obtained from Rev. Chas. Parkhurst. The whole thing is arrant, crass hypocrisy, which in a little from this will be, at the present rate, “elevated” to “Christian statesmanship.”

The Spirit and the Word.

The Spirit of God was manifest in the church without limit, as long as the church held forth the word of God. It was only when the professed people of God turned from the mission on which they were sent, leaving the word of God for fables, that the powerful manifestations of the Spirit disappeared. Would you have to the full the baptism of the Holy Spirit?—Give yourself wholly to the word of God, to hold it forth in its wholeness and perfection, and the Spirit will be given without measure.