THEUnited Presbyterian comments favorably upon the fact that the head of the Catholic Church in England and the head of the Church of England have united in an earnest protest against the growing desecration of the sabbath (Sunday) in that country. It is also stated that the leaders of the non-conformist bodies have joined in this effort to “protect the sacredness of the day.” Sunday-law enforcement is the slogan that will rally the world under one banner to oppose God’s last message and the people that give it.
The Jamaica Earthquake
ANOTHER fearful calamity has visited the world. On last Monday afternoon, at half-past three o'clock, a considerable portion of the island of Jamaica was in the throes of a terrible earthquake. The reports state that the principal shock lasted thirty-six seconds; but this was sufficient to throw down a large part of the city of Kingston. At that hour of the day the streets were filled with people, natives and visitors, and as the larger buildings were pitched into the streets, hundreds of these persons were crushed to death or maimed, and many of those in the collapsed buildings had no time to escape, and were caught by the falling walls and ceilings. Fires immediately sprang up in various parts of the city, largely completing the work of demolition, and adding to the death list by cremating many of those pinned down by the fallen buildings. Latest reports state that eight hundred dead bodies have been removed from the débris, and it is estimated that the total death list will reach twelve hundred. There is the usual tale of much suffering from lack of food and water. Two United States war-ships have arrived at Kingston, and are rendering what aid they can. The shore line is sinking, and two lighthouses have disappeared.
At the time of the earthquake a union conference council was being held at Kingston, at which our workers were present from all the West Indies and Central America. There were also in attendance from this country Elders E. W. Farnsworth, I. H. Evans, Luther Warren, and U. Bender, and Prof. C. B. Hughes. Just as we go to press a cablegram comes containing the one word "Evans," which we interpret to mean that these brethren are safe.
We have about fifteen hundred believers in Jamaica, and a church building in the city of Kingston.
A Serious Consideration
The year 1906 went out with a number of very serious calamities in the record of its last days. In fact, it has been denominated by some writers as the year of catastrophies.
The year 1907 has been ushered in with a similar accompaniment, and bids fair to rival its predecessor. At no time has there been such a storm of earthquakes throughout the world as during the weeks just past. They have occurred in Russia, in the Scandinavian Peninsula, and other parts of Europe, in Scotland, in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and now comes this fearfully destructive one on the island of Jamaica. With good intentions scientists are seeking to quiet the apprehension and fears of the people by explaining that these earth tremors are but the regular processes of normal mountain growth. Mountains may have been elevated in certain countries by these earth contortions. In other localities they have sunk under the same process. In fact, the shore at Kingston is reported to be sinking now, and there is much fear that the site of the city may be wholly engulfed. Visitors are leaving as fast as possible.
The truth of the matter is that there is nothing normal about it. The shaking of a palsied man is not an indication that the processes of normal growth are being worked out in him. It is an indication of disintegration, a sign of his approaching end. Even so it is with this sin-sick earth. On no day of the year do the fearful forces that are working her dissolution cease their activity. There have been earthquakes in the past, serious ones; but these phenomena are increasing with wonderful rapidity. Our Saviour declared that when his return was near at hand, there would be “earthquakes in divers places.” On one day last week earthquakes were reported from various places in both Europe and America. This certainly indicates that we are in the day of his preparation. Look at the recent record: St. Pierre, St. Vincent, Guatemala, San Francisco, Valparaiso, and Kingston, aggregating so many thousands of dead and injured, and so many millions of dollars’ worth of property destroyed. In connection with this testimony which the earth itself is giving, let us put that statement of the spirit of prophecy, recently reiterated, that we are much nearer the close of this earth’s history than many of us believe.
The time to work is short, and there is a mighty work yet to be done. Let us heed the admonition, “Get ready; get ready.” That includes both the doing of the work and the acquiring of that preparation which will make our work successful.
West Indian Union Conference Membership
THE new Year-Book gives the membership of the West Indian Union Conference as 3,374.