p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 26. (6/30/1898)

PUBLICATIONS ON RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

By Editor

This issue of the Signs of the Times merely touches the great subject of religious liberty. It means much. This noblest of all nations is passing through the very crisis of her existence. The liberties of its millions are in jeopardy. Only those laugh in the face of danger who are ignorant and thoughtless. To those of our readers who may wish to read further we commend the following publications:—

“Two Republics,” by Alonzo T. Jones. A comparison of the two great republics of the world, Rome and the United States, and their attitude toward religion. Full of interest and information. 896 pages, 67 full-page engravings. Cloth, $2.50; half morocco, $4.00.

“Rights of the People; or Civil Government and Religion,” by A. T. Jones. A remarkable book, setting forth the true relation of government and religion, the birth of this nation, its attitude toward religion, its present imminent and appalling dangers, with the great charters of our liberties. No brief description can do it justice. Nearly 400 pages. Cloth bound, illustrated, $1.00; pamphlet, 40 cents.

“American State Papers Bearing on Religious Legislation,” by W. A. Blakely, Ph. D., professor of constitutional law in Chicago University. A valuable collection. Cloth, 368 pages. Price $1.25.

“The Legal Sunday; Its History and Character,” by the late James T. Ringgold, Esq., of the Baltimore Bar. An argument based on Christian, constitutional, and legal principles. 252 pages. Cloth, 75 cents; pamphlet, 40 cents.

“Due Process of Law and Divine Right of Dissent,” by A. T. Jones. Able and instructive arguments on various phases of religious liberty. Price, 75 cents.

Also various tracts in Religious Liberty Library and Apples of Gold Library, such as “Protestantism, True and False,” price, 2 cents; “Religious Persecution, or Blue Laws Reviewed,” 4 cents; “Papacy and Persecution, or Did the Roman Catholic Church Ever Persecute?” 1 cent; “How about Sunday Laws?” 1 cent; “Baptist Principles of Religious Liberty,” 3 cents; “Christian Citizenship,” 1 cent; “True Christian Citizenship,” 1 cent; and many others. All may be obtained from this office, or from our state tract societies.

The American Sentinel, a 16-page weekly journal, set for the defense of conscience, and uncompromisingly opposed to anything tending toward a union of Church and State. Send for sample copy. Price, per year, $1.00. Address, 39 Bond Street, New York City.

An Uncertain and the True Test.

—The supreme test of saintship in the Roman Catholic Church, according to the “Very Rev. John B. Hogan, S.S., D.D.,” in the American Catholic Quarterly Review for April, is the power of miracle working. He says:—

“At all times the supreme test of eminent holiness has been looked for in the power of miracles exhibited by God’s servants during their lifetime, and still better after their death. Only when such signs are forthcoming can the church be induced to propose any one, however holy and beautiful his life may have been, to the veneration of the faithful. Miracles are essential.”

That is, the test of saintship is not the Word of God, but the power to perform signs and wonders! Now the Word of God says of Satan that he will work with “all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.” 2 Thess. 2: 9, 10. He “deceiveth the whole world.” Rev. 12: 9. Of one of his agents it is said that he “deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do.” Rev. 13: 14. “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matt. 24: 24. The working of miracles is, therefore, according to the Word of God, no test of saintship.

But there is a better test, the Bible test: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14: 12. This is God’s test of saintship. He who looks to signs and wonders as a proof of holiness will certainly be deceived.