p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 20. (5/19/1898)

European Armies.

The London Chronicle says: “A German military critic has been adding up the grand total of the continental armies, and, after noting that we can form only a vague idea of what is meant by tens of millions, he tries to bring home to his readers in another way the colossal growth of modern armaments. If, he says, we could have all the armies of the continent on a war footing and drawn up in one long procession, with their guns and ammunition and baggage wagons, the column would be rather more than 24,000 miles long, and, marching day and night, it would take nearly a year to pass a given point.” Is it any wonder that the people are uneasy under the war burdens? Is it any wonder that revolution and anarchy are ripe? Truly, we see the fulfilment of Joel’s words, “Prepare war.” See Joel 3:9–12.

A Great Invention

Hiram Maxim, the American inventor of the Maxim gun, has invented in London, it is said, the finest, cheapest, and strongest electric light ever discovered, with nearly three times the candle-power of the ordinary incandescent light. It lasts more than twice as long and requires less than half the energy. Unlike the lights now in use, the film is made of mineral instead of vegetable substance, the nature of which is a secret. The result is a light of intense brilliancy without red rays. The bulb is of the ordinary size. The vegetable films now used are very costly. Mr. Maxim says he can make 1,000 of his new films for $1.00. This is given but a note in the newspapers, while his gun is given columns; yet the former is of untold more worth to the race.

Nazarenes in Hungary.

There is a class of religionists in Austria who are simple enough believers in the Gospel of Christ to not believe in fighting with carnal weapons. They are called the “Nazarenes.” Now it is said that they are increasing so rapidly as to bring upon the Austro-Hungarian Government a serious question, because, like the Friends of England and America, and the Mennonites of Russia, they refuse to perform the military duties the law imposes upon them. And it seems to us that all Christians would look at the matter in about the same way. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” The only sword given the Christian, his only weapon of offence, is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

The Southern Success

“The Southern Success” is the name of a new journal issued in the bright temperance town of Harriman, Tenn. It is designed to be “an exponent of the agricultural, mining, educational, business and real estate interests of the middle south.” The educational department is conducted by J. F. Spence, D.D., LL.D., and Prof. R. B. Taggart, Ph.D., respectively the chancellor and librarian of the American Temperance University, at Harriman. A good likeness is given of Prof. R. B. Taggart. The number before us is a promise of success. Monthly, 16 pages, 50 cents a year.

Christian Endeavor Begins at Home

John G. Woolley says to the Christian Endeavorers: “But if every one of us should give a half hour every day to honest thought upon the duties, opportunities, and blessings of his own home, that would be the greatest move, so far, in Christian Endeavor.” And it is all true.

A Conflict of Prayers

By Editor

“A Conflict of Prayers” will be an article of interest in our next issue. It will show how the occasion of the present war determines and demonstrates true and false Christianity.

William T. Stead Becomes a Spirit Medium

By Editor

William T. Stead, the well-known author and editor, has become a spirit medium. What he has to say respecting messages from the spirit land will be given in our next.

The Testimony of History

By Editor

“The Testimony of History” to the truth of the words of Jesus will be given as the first-page article in our next issue.

The Chief Among You Shall Be Servant

“Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”

REPUBLICAN EUROPE.

Revolution in Italy.

THE “bread riots” of Italy forcibly show the seething discontent among the masses of Italy, and emphasize the recent words of ex-Premier Crispi, “Anarchy is dominant everywhere.” In Italy now a state of siege has been proclaimed in Florence, at Livourno, Pisa, Sinca, Massea, Grosseto, and martial law exists in Milan and Naples. Roman Catholic authorities in this country are looking for revolution in Italy, and the setting up of a republic. This present uprising is a premature revolution looking to a republic. This, Catholics would welcome. They have learned that it is easier to control and manipulate politicians than it is kings and cabinets. Upon this the Catholic Mirror of Jan. 22, 1898, said editorially:

“The Rome correspondent of a London paper quotes from an article in the latest issue of Civiltà Cattolica, supposed to be inspired, which declares that the only solution of the Italian question is the establishment of an Italian republic. Whether the article is inspired or not, certainly its suggestion, the barest outlines of which are given by the cable, appear extremely forcible. The writer asserts that the thing which stands opposed to papal independence ‘is not Italian unity, but the special and concrete form wherein that unity is at present maintained, with results much more disastrous to the State than to the Holy See.’ It proceeds to assert that the coexistence of the Vatican and the Italian monarchy is impossible, and that one or the other must go. It then suggests the constitutions and cities of Switzerland and America as examples of ‘admirable and glorious constitutions, true unities of nation and State, tho differing from that of Italy, which has produced nothing but weakness, misery and starvation.’”

“That the church would willingly assent to the formation of an Italian republic we may well believe. Under republican institutions, as we see around us here in America, she flourishes best. Our government does not interfere with her, nor does she interfere with the government. All Catholics enjoy the same liberty of conscience and of worship which they willingly accord to others. The Italians themselves in this country realize the immense advantage of these conditions.

“The church presents one of the best examples of a thoroughly republican system of government. The Sovereign Pontiff, as has often happened, may come from the humblest ranks, and his election is an absolutely free expression of will. The very method of voting upon which we so greatly pride ourselves in this country, the Australian ballot, is almost identical with that used in the Conclave for centuries. Moreover, it is doubtless seen and felt by the writer of the article in Civiltà Cattolica that all Europe is turning toward the republican system and will achieve its freedom in time. Italy may be only a little nearer this fruition than some other countries.”

And then we will have the fulfilment of the prophecy found in Rev. 17:8–13; 18:7. The republics of Europe will again elevate the Papacy to power, hoping thus to escape the judgments of God and the consequences of sin. But evil will not be stayed by the apotheosis of its cause, and there will rapidly follow Rev. 17:16; 18:8.

All these rapidly thickening events are heralds of the coming King, omens of the dawning day.