p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 49. (12/12/1895)

THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE

By Alonzo T. Jones

Or Civil Government and Religion

BY ALONZO T. JONES

An Up-to-Date Pamphlet on the Principles of Religious Liberty.

This book can not fail to be of great value to all in the study of the series of S. S. Lessons on Religious Liberty for the last three months of 1895. It was not written to go with these lessons, but it is fortunate and timely that it should be published at this time.

“THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE” contains fifteen chapters, the following being a portion of the chapter headings:— Christianity and the Roman Empire—What Is Due to God and What to Cæsar—The Powers That Be—How the United States Became a Christian Nation—What Is the Nation?—Who Made the Nation?—Religious Right in the United States—Religious Right Invaded—The People’s Right of Appeal—National Precedent on Right of Appeal—A Special Sunday-law Movement in the Fourth Century and Its Parallel in the Nineteenth—Will the People Assert and Maintain Their Rights?—Religious Rights in the States.

In the four appendixes to the book are given the Declaration of Independence—The Constitution of the United States—The Dred Scott Decision, and the “Christian Nation” Decision.

This is a book of permanent value for reference and study and one that all should possess. It contains 384 pages, with several illustrations, is issued as No. 32 of the Religious Liberty Library, and is bound in paper covers. Price 40 Cents.

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NEWS AND NOTES

SINCE OUR LAST ISSUE.

FOREIGN.

—England, it is stated, has sent in the past five years 672 women missionaries to China.

—In Scotland the Roman Catholics have 177 schools, with imperial grants of $347,940. The Episcopalians have 74 schools, with grants of $86,000.

—One result of the Japanese-Chinese war has been to open up four important treaty ports to the commercial world. Their names are Chung-King, Hang-Chow, Soo-Chow, and Sha-Hi.

—It is charged that twenty-five per cent of the children insured in the child life insurance companies among the poor classes in England are murdered for the insurance money.

—The expedition or war force to invade Ashantee and bring its king to the terms of the treaty that he has violated, has been despatched from England. It is said that not more than 1,500 men will be forwarded.

—The Canadian Government has let a contract for carrying mail between Juneau and Forty-mile Creek, Alaska. This is in the disputed territory, and the move is ahead of the United States, which has no mail route in that part.

—At the general convention of German Catholics held in Munich recently a resolution was passed urging Catholic young men to adopt academic and learned careers, in order that the Catholic Church may exercise an influence on public thought and life in proportion to her numerical strength.

—Don Carlos, king of Portugal, has been making a trip through Europe. On the schedule was a visit to his relative, King Humbert, of Italy. But on whom should he call first, Humbert or the pope, the self-styled prisoner of the Vatican? The question was about decided in favor of the former, when an intimation came from the pope that he refused to be second choice, consequently Don Carlos evaded the matter by passing by Italy entirely.

—As a mere incident, Russia is at present trying its hand in a series of persecutions on some fifteen thousand people in the Caucasus provinces. These people are likened to the Quakers, as they conscientiously refuse to carry arms. The government looks upon this as furnishing a precedent for millions if permitted to continue, and has resorted to the most severe and barbarous treatment of the sect, driving them from their homes and scattering them amongst the Georgians.

—Contrary to reported intentions, the extra war ships of the powers have not yet passed the Dardanelles, but from all appearances this move is delayed only a few days. Added to the insistence of the powers for additional representation of vessels is the troubled condition in the sultan's ranks, due to this proposed action. The sultan himself is said to be fearful of insurrections, and has gone so far as to order the arrest of Said Pasha, probably the most popular minister he has. This gentleman has taken refuge with the British embassy. The situation is critical, but, while the end can be seen, it is impossible to predict with any certainty the time, whether days or months.

DOMESTIC.

—The Salvation Army has a membership of 8,662 in this country.

—Five hundred railroad men have been discharged at Sacramento, as a matter of economy.

—The coroner's jury in the recent Cleveland drawbridge disaster has held the conductor of the car responsible for the loss of life.

—The builders have tried twice to give the battle ship Texas a speed test, but on both occasions the machinery has broken. Try again.

—A fire on December 3 destroyed property valued at half a million dollars in the wholesale district of Indianapolis. The buildings were all of brick.

—Two persons near Ash Springs, A. T., were murdered on December 3 by six renegade Indians from the San Carlos reservation. Troops have been ordered to overhaul the culprits.

—The President has nominated Rufus W. Peckham, of New York, to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, in the place made vacant by the death of Justice Jackson.

—Judge Murphy, of the Superior Court of San Francisco, has refused a new trial in the case of Durrant, and has given sentence,—death by hanging. And now the case will go to the Supreme Court, which has three months or more to render decision.

—The Federation of Women's Clubs in the United States comprises nearly six hundred individual clubs, with a membership of nearly a million. The work of these clubs extends to almost every branch of learning, and to the various subjects agitating the present public.

—A report comes from Chicago that 60,000 persons have signed a petition to be presented to the Board of Education asking that the reading of the Bible be restored in the public schools. The petition is indorsed by Archbishop Satolli and other Catholics, by Protestants and Jews; but all this is explained when we learn that not the entire Bible, but only select passages, unobjectionable to any of the petitioners, are to be used.

—Lord Salisbury's reply to Mr. Olney's note defining the position of this country in the Venezuela boundary line dispute, has been received at Washington, but has not been made public. Indeed, the reports have it that attempts were made to keep from the public the fact of its reception. That the reply is unsatisfactory to this government, and expresses the determination of Great Britain to adhere to her original refusal to submit the matter to arbitration, has been rumored ever since the announcement that the British Premier had despatched a reply. The matter was merely mentioned in the President's message to Congress, awaiting the reception of the note. The reply will probably be made known shortly.

—The fifty-fourth Congress assembled on December 2. In the Senate the Populist party will hold the balance of power, in conjunction with either of the old parties. In the House the Republicans are largely in the majority, consequently Thomas B. Reed, of Maine, speaker four years ago, was elected speaker. On December 3 the usual long message of the President was sent to Congress, fully half of which was a dissertation on the financial condition of the country, advising the retirement of greenbacks, and urging the issuance of bonds. Any remedial legislation is urged excepting the free coinage of silver, which of course touches the great point of difference among financiers. Recommendation is made that our ambassadors abroad be placed in a position more befitting representatives of a leading nation, by the purchase of embassy residences. Concerning foreign affairs, reference is made to the Chinese and Turkish riots, treaties, seal fisheries, Alaskan boundary, the case of Waller, and the sentences passed on American citizens in Hawaii. Some definite word has been awaited from the President on Cuban affairs, but, beyond touching upon the conflict being waged on that island, no hint is given concerning the recognition by this government of the Cubans as belligerents. The Monroe Doctrine is strongly upheld as applying to England's attempted land grab in Venezuela.

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HELPS TO BIBLE STUDY. Sixth edition. Contains readings on the following subjects: Home of the Saved, Second Coming of Christ, The Sanctuary, The Judgment, Seal of God, Third Angel’s Message, State of the Dead, The Two Laws, Second Advent, and Binding of Satan, etc., etc. These readings are what the title indicates, “Helps to Bible Study,” and will be found especially valuable for the Bible worker and family. Bound in fine cloth at 50 cents; same contents in pamphlet form, 25 cents.

SURE WORD OF PROPHECY. A consideration of the important prophecies of the book of Daniel, the last chapter of which brings us to the “time of the end,” just previous to Christ’s second coming. 96 pages, paper covers. Bible Students’ Library No. 131. Price, 10 cents.

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. A brief résumé of the advents of Christ and the prophecies which cluster around these events. Two diagrams assist in the study. 80 pages, paper covers. Bible Students’ Library No. 97. Price, 10 cents.

CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE. Showing the work that Christ accomplishes in the sanctuary in heaven, before his second coming. 112 pages, paper covers. Bible Students’ Library No. 128. Price, 10 cents.

MATTHEW 24, OR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. An exposition of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. 96 pages, paper covers. Bible Students’ Library No. 58. Price, 10 cents.

THE SECOND ADVENT. By Elder James White. This tract very clearly points out the nearness of Christ’s second coming, and proves conclusively that this coming will be a literal coming, known by all, and not a spiritual coming to those in the “secret chambers.” Bible Students’ Library No. 31. Price, 4 cents.

MANNER OF CHRIST’S COMING. By M. C. Wilcox. This gives the original Greek of such words and terms as refer to the different “comings” of Christ, proves conclusively that the second coming of Christ will be personal and visible, and shows the harmony of Scripture teaching on this important subject. It is an excellent number to place in the hands of professional men and persons of education and culture. Bible Students’ Library No. 124. Price, 2 cents. Send for complete catalogue with description, and price list of other publications on this and kindred topics.

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Our Press Cut.

The attention of our readers is called to the cut of an old printing press on page 6. It does not represent a beautiful machine. Truth is not always beautiful to the eye of flesh. Of personified Truth it was said, “And when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isa. 53:2), and yet he was the manifestation of God’s power and love to the world. So this old printing press is not beautiful, but, in the providence of Him that guides the affairs of nations, it had a part to do in proclaiming liberty to man.

This press is now owned by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. A description of it runs as follows:—

“It is a venerable specimen of what was known as the common printing press before the Columbian and Stanhope iron presses were invented, and therefore belongs to a more remote era than the Ramage presses, with which many old printers are still familiar. It is wholly of wood, except in those parts where the use of iron was necessary to prevent rapid wear or impart strength, such as the bar, the hooks on the platen, and the iron and steel ribs over which the bed and the coffin pass to and fro in the process of working off impressions. In this ancient press a vacant aperture, large enough to receive the stone or other substance intended for the bed, is formed by a surrounding wooden structure, and this was formerly known as the coffin. The stone used as the bed also accompanies the press. It is about as large as the page of a seven-column newspaper. It varies but slightly, if at all, from the common press described by Moxon, 1683, and used by the first printers of Philadelphia, Bradford, Keimer, and Franklin, as well as by their English contemporaries of the early portion of the eighteenth century. The wooden framework, and part of the covering of two balls, used as an inking apparatus, accompanied the press.”

But one interesting thing connected with this particular press is that upon it was printed the Declaration of Independence, not only in English, but in five other languages in which it was translated by Elder Peter Miller. It was also used to print continental money during the time when the Continental Congress sat at Lancaster, Pa. Besides this important work named above, the “Ephrata” press has to its credit a list of different works, aggregating upwards of seven thousand pages. Not all the works in the list are paged. The exact number of those that are amounts to 6,202, and they were honest pages in those days, no blanks were counted. Doubtless it printed many more. In 1876 the old press was again brought forth, and the Declaration of Independence was again printed on it, a copy of which lies before us as we write.

Another interesting thing in connection with this press is that it is a clean press. It has stood for the true in religious as well as civil matters. One writer says of it: “Like one of the old prophets, it has neither bowed the knee to Baal nor to Mammon.” It is a Sabbath-keeping press. During the time of its useful career it was owned by the Seventh-day Baptists. On account of religious persecution many Seventh-day Baptists fled to America about the year 1719, and settled at Germantown, on the Wissahikon, Pa., and on the Cocalico Creek, in Lancaster County. The branch at the latter place was led by a man of classical education, Conrad Beisel. The Rev. Peter Miller, educated at Heidelberg University, Germany, afterward became ruling elder. By him this press was procured. Its last owner was Mr. P. Martin Heitler, of Ephrata (whence the name, Ephrata press), who bequeathed it to the Historical Society. Says Mr. J. E. Pfantz, writing from Ephrata under date of Nov. 9, 1872:—

“The Seventh-day Baptists bought the press about the year 1745. It was the second printing press used in Pennsylvania. The said society printed on this press 1,300 of the large German ‘Book of Martyrs’ [1,514 pages]; also, immediately after the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence was printed on this press, which Declaration was translated into five different languages by Peter Miller, a Seventh-day Baptist clergyman.”

A fact worthy of notice in this connection is that the Sabbath truth has always been connected with principles of religious liberty, or vice versa. Not that the adherents of the Sabbath have always enjoyed liberty; for they have often, in nearly every age, been persecuted; but the man who espouses the Sabbath truth as it is in Christ Jesus, also espouses the principles of religious liberty; for they are both of One. It is so now; around the Sabbath banner are ranging the lovers of liberty, not for themselves alone, but for all the race.

MORE SUNDAY PERSECUTIONS IN CANADA.

The following letter, from Elder A. O. Burrill, of Selton, Ont., explains itself:—

“The following paper has just been served upon me:

SUMMONS TO DEFENDANT.

“CANADA, PROVINCE OF ONTARIO, } COUNTY OF KENT.

“To A. O. Burrill, of the Township of Chatham, in the County of Kent,—

“Whereas you have this day been charged before the undersigned, Geo. A. Watson, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Kent, for that you, on third day of November, A.D., 1895, at the Township of Chatham, in the County of Kent, did exercise worldly labour, being the Lord’s day (the sabbath day), by working at the carpenter and mason work:

“These are therefore to commend you, in Her Majesty’s name, to be and appear before me on Thursday, the fifth day of December, A.D. 1895, at ten o’clock in the forenoon, at the old Town Hall, Ridgetown, or before such other Justice or Justices of the Peace for the same County of Kent as shall be there, to answer to the said charge and to be further dealt with according to law. Herein fail not.

“Given under my hand and seal, this twenty-second day of November in the year 1895, at Ridgetown, in the County aforesaid,

“Geo. A. Watson, J. P.”

The same letter informs us that Brethren Howe and Simpson, both of whom bear license to preach, are served with the same charge. Thomas Griffith is charged with the crime of chopping wood on the same day. This labor was done in connection with the building of a house of worship at Darrell. Three thousand feet of lumber designed for this church was set on fire by some one, and burned. One justice at Chatham said he would resign before he would prosecute the men for Sunday labor. About fifteen men, led by a young minister, visited them at work and took their names. We are sure that all these prosecutions, which in reality are but persecutions through religious bigotry (not Christianity, for Christianity never persecutes), will be met as becometh the Gospel of Christ. The writer of the letter is personally known to the editor, and we are sure that his work or its manner were not obtrusive.

Closing Volume 21 of the Signs of the Times

Next week's issue will close volume 21 of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES with a symposium on the great message for the heralding of which the paper was founded. It is simply the Gospel message for this time, the fullness of the truth of the ages.

The Days of Sodom.

By Editor

The unspeakable and appalling revelations of vice in San Francisco recall the same thing a few years since in London. Then the world was shocked by the revelations of corruption made by the Pall-Mall Gazette. In San Francisco it seems to be even worse. Girls, children, mere infants, seduced, corrupted, debauched by gray-haired reprobates, and the corrupted ones paid to induce others to come to the dens of infamy. It is enough to send a thrill of shuddering horror through every mother who hears of it, and to make the blood of every true man boil with righteous indignation. We are glad that there is a God who knows all these things, and who will punish every man according to his deeds. So let it be. It is right that the civil law should take its course. It can only hope to restrain by punishing the evil doer, and protecting the innocent and weak. God will deal, as only he can, with the motive—the very blackness of the sin. We sympathize with those who are stirred by the evil, and hope that such a course may be taken by the authorities that the evil henceforth may fear and the children be protected. But, dear reader, these appalling sins are evidences of the coming of our Lord. As it was in the days of Sodom, so shall it be also in the days when the Son of man shall be revealed. See Luke 17: 26-37.

A Lesson.

But we hope that mothers may one and all learn a lesson from these things and from the sins of Sodom. Because of her abominable sins, Sodom was utterly destroyed. But the cause lay farther back, and so it does here with those who are ruined in these days. “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me.” Eze. 16: 49, 50. The idleness of children is one of the curses of the day. Whole gangs of hoodlum boys and girls infest our streets. Thousands of children are in idleness in the cities around the bay, and presumably the same in other cities. Parents seem to have but little interest in the welfare of the children. So long as they are not bothered, what matters where the children are? It is hoped they are all right. And in this way, for want of a little wholesome interest, proper work at proper times, together with proper restraint, thousands of children are going to eternal ruin. It is time for parents to awake.

“The Eastern Question.”

Affairs in Eastern Europe are in an unsettled condition. All sorts of rumors are afloat regarding the condition of Turkey, “the Sick Man of the East,” but the true status of the affair, as we go to press, is given in our news columns. Twenty-four hours or a week may find matters the same, or may precipitate a crisis. In connection with all this there is much speculation over the closing verses of the eleventh chapter of Daniel, which doubtless refer to the end of the Mohammedan power. The next chapter speaks of Christ’s reign. But there is nothing definite as to the exact time when Christ’s reign shall begin. It certainly will not be till the kingdoms of the world become his kingdoms. It is not safe to depend on man’s filling out of details; let God do that.

Next Symposium: The Great Threefold Message

By Editor

Our next symposium will close the present volume with what we hope will be the best number. It will be issued next week, and will bear date December 19. According to our usual custom, we omit one number at the close of the year, during the week of prayer. The general subject of that symposium will be “The Great Threefold Message of Rev. 14: 6-14.” This is an important issue, and we hope it will have a wide circulation.