WHAT is the outlook in Europe, peace or war? This grave question still confronts us at the end of this year of grace 1909. Still it overhangs the political sky as it has for the past nine opening years of this century. That the expected war will not be an ordinary one, was recently acknowledged by M. Edouard Dumont in his Libre Parole: "It will be a universal war. It will be a collision of all nations, and revolution everywhere, besides."
The above question, "Peace or War — Which?" headed a recent article by Gabriel Hannotaux, a French ex-minister of foreign affairs and recently ambassador at Constantinople, at the same time a member of the French academy. He said:
"The twentieth century as it enters in its tenth year begins to reflect upon its near future. In a general way, the situation is, wherever you may look, precarious, unstable. . . . The nations are groaning under the burden of armed peace. . . . If no mutual understanding occurs, new implements running through the earth, the seas, and the heavens, will increase the frights of our old humanity."
New implements running through the sky have indeed marked this closing year as a memorable one. We can not pass this matter in silence, while endeavoring to chronicle faithfully and impartially the trend of events in Europe. With extraordinary suddenness, aviation is becoming a new feature in war. It is only three years since Santos-Dumont took his first flight. 1907 witnessed the first attempts of Farman, Blériot, and others; and it is only since 1908 that this new discovery attracted general attention by its marvelous progress.
Progress in Aeronautics
This progress in 1908 may be summed up as follows: From January to December, the distance covered by aeronauts increased from one kilometer to more than 120 (75 miles); and the time from one minute to two hours. But the year 1909 was marked by a still greater advance, when Blériot crossed the channel in his aeroplane.
Then came what has been called in France the "grand week." A great match was organized on a vast plain near Rheims, in Champagne, in which 38 aeroplanes took part, Farman coming out ahead with 108 miles, while Blériot won in swiftness, with 46 miles an hour. This was perhaps the greatest event of the year in France. Government and people went mad with enthusiasm. Hundreds of thousands of people witnessed the novel spectacle of from eight to ten flying-machines, plying through the air in spite of strong winds, passing over each other, turning around, and describing, with marvelous ease, circles, eights, volts, and ellipses. A conservative magazine, Le Correspondant, remarked that the general impression was that something was changed upon our globe.
The general craze may be appreciated to some extent when it is known that the city of Rheims, organizing the match at great expense and in the most up-to-date manner, netted a fabulous gain; and when we add that, in quick succession, the following cities, and others still, immediately organized similar matches: Brescia, Berlin, Cologne, Spa, Frankfort, Tournay, Ostend, Douai, Juvisi, Zurich.
The Governments Stirred
European governments, goaded on by the press, have already devoted important sums for the development of military aeronautics; Italy has voted 2,000,000 francs for 1910; France, 1,400,000 francs; England, 1,700,000 francs; and Germany, over 5,000,000, not counting public subscriptions for Count Zeppelin's new air-ships, which added 7,000,000 or 8,000,000 to this sum.
As I write, the news comes that quite an excitement is created at Paris over the inferiority of French as compared with German military aeronautics. Germany has now twelve "dirigibles," including ten large ones. A public subscription started by Le Temps, has collected only 300,000 francs. So the National Aerial League is asking the government for an immediate appropriation of 10,000,000 francs. This matter is to come before the chamber at an early date.
Their Use in Warfare
A French ex-member of the cabinet, commenting upon the success of the "grand week," expressed his convictions that the battle-fields would soon be transferred to the sky. This was possibly an exaggeration. The true military role of the aeroplanes will rather consist in reconnoitering. Says Commandant Paul Renard: "In times of war air-ships will never make the mistake of coming down within the range of artillery. But the enemy will seek to suppress this new mode of observation by attacking it in its own element.
There will thus be atmospheric battles as there are naval battles. Of course, the day will belong to the swiftest and lightest machines, as they will be enabled to rise above their antagonists or escape their pursuit."
Naval Matters
Your readers are well aware of the great advancement made by the German navy within a few years. A writer in L'Opinion calls it a "prodigious development," and remarks that in 1870 the French navy was one of the strongest in the world, while the German navy hardly existed. But at present this latter has grown to be the second largest. The comparison between the French and German fleets is made in brief as follows:
FRANCE
24 battle-ships
44 cruisers
GERMANY
34 battle-ships
49 cruisers
Thus engaged, European governments find it necessary to advocate war in order to counteract the influence of pacifist advocates, who are publishing quite a literature. Against these writers, war advocates are springing up, endeavoring to show war as a necessity and even a good thing. Thus, in a book entitled "The Philosophy of War," the author, Steinmetz, says unblushingly:
"Without struggles among men there would have been no progressive development of humanity. Pacifism then is a danger. It favors the development of a cowardly and whining sentimentalism, and bids fair to bring about in Germany the extinction of the warrior type and thus the humiliation, defeat, and foreign occupancy of the fatherland."
The Financial Problem
The great problem over which European statesmen are racking their brains just now, is the financial problem raised by this devouring war spirit. In each government new and desperate methods of extorting money from the people are studied and discussed. "The people," says M. Hannotaux, "tired tho they be in paying too much, are obliged to pay still more."
France is at a loss to find 200 extra million francs. The English government has thrown itself into a dangerous crisis over the attempt of obtaining from the people an increase of 400,000,000 francs; Italy is doing the same thing about an extra 440,000,000; while Germany is bound to increase its budget by 500,000,000!
In England, the new budget voted by the House of Commons is based on the principle of taxing real estate fortune. This bill has been rejected by the House of Lords, and has thrown the country into a strange conflict, involving the existence of the House of Lords, the constitution of England, its social and political organization, and its foreign relations.
This money problem occupies an important place in the German emperor's recent throne-speech, which he read the other day with his helmet on his head.
The French government, "seeking quem devoret (whom she may devour)," says a paper, has also launched an income-tax bill. This bill has been under discussion for months,11and would likely mean death to the present cabinet, were M. Briand as anxious to keep his promise of bringing about this tax, as he is to stay a little longer at the head of affairs.
Italy, as I have said, voted this last spring the fabulous sum of 440,000,000 for the construction of new battle-ships. Four great Dreadnoughts are to head the list at a cost of 60,000,000 each, making a total of 240,000,000. But now the question comes about raising the money. The latest news from Italy is that Signor Giolitti's cabinet has collapsed over an income tax proposed to this effect. A Rome correspondent of the Journal de Geneve, speaking of this, writes:
"Much could be said about this armament fever, this increase of military expenses, while the millions represented by these expenses could be devoted to so many more useful and lasting objects. The only excuse for Italy, is that she is following a universal example. Not to her only, but to all nations almost, could the saying be applied, propter vitam vivendi perdere causas (sacrificing life's necessities in order to live). Our old Europe, in the name of the sacred rights of national defense, is just about on the point of exhausting itself conscientiously, to the great advantage of Socialism; and the worst of it is that one would lose his time in trying to swim against the stream."
Sadder still, M. Hannotaux closes his article by the touching query: "Whence will come the word which will deliver us from the dread dilemma: war or peace? . . . WILL NOT, AT THIS CRITICAL HOUR, A DIVINE THOUGHT OR INSPIRATION BE ABLE TO SEEK FOR AND DISCOVER A FORMULA UPON WHICH PEACE CAN BE FOUNDED?" JEAN VUILLEUMIER.
A Gruesome Sight
By G. W. Reaser
THE recent excavation of a trench for the laying of a water-main, immediately in front of the great cathedral of Mexico City, revealed a gruesome sight. It is estimated that fully twenty tons of human bones have been taken from a section of the ditch about 200 feet in length. These bones represent but a small portion of a vast number of bodies once interred at the very foundation of this great structure. An idea, tho vague, of the vastness of the number may be gained from the fact that the trench above referred to simply crosscuts several trenches into which were heaped the remains of the dead, centuries ago.
History states that when Cortez led the Catholic armies of Spain in the victorious conquest of the ancient City of Mexico, which at that time is supposed to have had 600,000 inhabitants, the slaughter of the primitive Mexican people was so great that the ruins of the city were saturated with blood.
The most plausible theory advanced for the existence of the extensive deposits of bones recently discovered within two or three feet of the surface, is that they represent some of the victims slain by the army of Cortez in the stubbornly resisted siege of the city; and as the present cathedral is built upon the site of the central heathen temple of the Mexican people, doubtless the greatest number of slain in any particular spot in the city fell in defense of their place of worship.
Thus the supremacy of the papal church in Mexico was built upon the foundation of tens of thousands of slain human beings; for the success of the arms of Cortez in so-called "holy war," was the triumph of the church.
The fact of the finding of these human bones at the very base of the central and greatest Catholic cathedral in Mexico, suggests the thought that the superstructure of the whole papal system is built upon a foundation of dead men; for saint-worship enters more largely into the fabric of this false church than does the worship of God; and all of the long list of "saints" who are worshiped by the misguided followers of the papal church are dead men and women, each of whom, a certain time after decease, has, by his surviving coreligionists, been placed in the canon of saints to be worshiped. The parallel will be clearly apparent; namely, that the material church is built upon the foundation of dead men, and the spiritual structure of the church of Rome is likewise erected upon the worship of dead men,—saint-worship. During the Dark Ages, the same apostate church built herself up by the slaughter of many millions of so-called "heretics." Prophecy calls them "saints." Dan. 7:25; Rev. 18:24.
Farman, in his aeroplane, won the great prize of 50,000 francs.
Amidst the confusion of multitudes of voices, raised in adoration of false gods, an angel voice in clarion notes invites mankind to the worship of Him "who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
O the blessedness and holy joy found in worshiping the living God, and the Saviour who is the Prince, the Author, of life, rather than dead men; and the contrast of the final rewards which await the two classes of worshipers is worthy of thoughtful meditation.
G. W. REASER.
Dogs before Children.
What a blessing it would be if wealthy society ladies would lavish some of their immense wealth upon the poor and the needy of humanity instead of upon their pet dogs! For instance, one outfit for a pet dog at a dog show consisted of a small spirit stove for taking the chill off the dog's food, bottles of sterilized milk and filtered water, scent spray, bottle of meat extract for beef tea, china box containing breast of chicken and pieces of prime beef, ivory-backed brush and comb, feeding-spoons, colored ribbons.
Biplane Encircling Tower
The dog for which these were brought arrived in a motor car, reposing in a silk-lined box upon a downy silk-covered pillow, with a small eiderdown quilt for a coverlet. All day the dog's mistress sat by the box feeding, spraying, and talking to her pet. One of the dog-owners remarked to her canine as she left it, "Now, dearie, you have had your nice warm milk; try to go to sleep. Don't be lonely, little one; mother is going away, but only for two little minutes." These dogs are valued all the way from $5,000 to $500. To the normal human it is disgusting.
The Census Enumerators’ Questions
The census takers, or "enumerators," as they are called by the Government, have 32 scheduled questions to ask of the people of the United States. Schedules have been very carefully prepared so as to minimize the work as far as possible. The 32 questions are classified under 13 groups, among which are location, name, relationship, personal description, country of birth, education, etc., etc. Enumerators must not use their position politically, and none of the questions answered will be used in a political way. There is no reason why every one should not do all in his power to assist the enumerators to obtain a correct knowledge of the country and its people.
Loyalty to God’s Law
This item comes to us from Korea, showing the spirit of the enemy not toward people, but toward God's law. One woman began the observance of the seventh day, having been taught that by a Sabbath-keeping Christian; and a native preacher told her that she might as well give it up and let Sabbath-keepers alone, for the time would come when laws would be made and they would be killed. So the prophecy in Revelation 13 intimates. And yet it is better to be killed loyal to the government of God, than to prove disloyal to that government and live in the highest kind of luxury of this poor temporal life; for the life of disloyalty ends forever with sin, but the loyal life tunnels the grave, and measures in the fullest enjoyment with the life of God in the infinite beyond.
Fulfilled and Fulfilling.
By Editor
Referring to the signs which our Lord gave in Matthew 24, Messiah's Advocate of November 10 truly says, "If it isn't certain that the signs have all been coming to pass upon which our Saviour based His command to 'know' that His coming is 'even at the door,' then we challenge any one to find a Scriptural basis for teaching that the advent of Christ is so near as thus described." The futurist interpretation of these signs leaves us without any evidences whatever that Christ's coming is near. See the evidences presented in this number.
The Faith and Love Mission
There are many souls longing for freedom from sin. What is called the Faith and Love Mission is operating in the West Indies and South America. The leader, Rev. James M. Taylor, writes from St. Thomas, D. W. I., that they have as many as 3,000 people at their meetings, and from 200 to 500 people seeking God. The work, like that of the Chapman revivals, is interdenominational. The address of the mission in this country is 807 Derry St., Knoxville, Tenn.
A Religious Liberty Campaign
By Editor
From various newspapers that come to us from different towns in Missouri and Kansas we should judge that Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Wightman are putting forth a tremendously aggressive campaign for religious liberty. Mrs. Wightman's lectures are largely attended wherever she goes, and from a third to a half of each of them printed in the local press. She is certainly doing a good work.
Photographs on Fruit
Invention and money can do almost anything. One of the latest is the photographing of one's guests on fruit; so that the guest finds at the table, if apples are served, for instance, his photograph on the fruit which he eats. What a blessing it would be if such a lavish outlay of money were expended for the needy!
An Important Agency
Among the most important agencies in the spread of the truth in China, is literature put into the hands of the people. The printed page is going to do a mighty work in China. When the truth of God is published as it ought to be in books and small tracts, and printed in the Chinese language, the Lord will use it as He has used no other agency.
Altho my wife, little Joseph, and I have been in China only three and one half years — not long enough to speak the language fluently — and have been preaching and teaching the truth with a stammering tongue, yet the Spirit of God has worked mightily. Of course there is distrust, and those who do not know us call us "foreign devils;" believers and inquirers are ridiculed, despised, and often persecuted; yet our hearts are greatly cheered to see so many honest souls laying hold on eternal life.
We have four stations. At the Shangtsai station are fifty who regularly attend the meetings. At the Hsias Iao and Hsia Tung Kang are some sixty honest souls; and at Hsia Ting Chi are thirty believers and inquirers. At the latter station they have no building as yet of their own in which to hold meetings, but they have already of their own accord raised a considerable sum for building a chapel.
A Circular Doorway in a Missionary's House, Honan
When Elder Evans was here he visited our stations and took part with them in the ordinances the first time they celebrated them. The Spirit of God was present in great measure. In the middle of the day the meetings were so large that an overflow meeting had to be held. There were fifty-two genuine full believers and ninety-eight who were observing the Sabbath and under instruction. Elder Evans said: "My own heart felt like bursting to think that I could not talk to them in their own tongue. We said good-by a hundred times, and then said it again and again."
[Brother Westrup refers to the sore sickness of his wife, the foundation of which was laid in overwork. It was thought she would die, but God heard prayer. Since that time Sister Westrup has visited America and is rapidly improving in health.]
The Lord does not desire His servants to work themselves to death; yet on the other hand what shall we do? Here are these precious souls crowding around us anxious to learn the saving truths of the Gospel, and they must be fed in order to be established. We appeal to the generous, sympathetic, loving hearts of the readers of the "Signs of the Times" to help us. Kindly send offerings through the "Signs" for our press fund, so that as soon as possible we shall be able to furnish more publications for the Chinese.
After Elder Evans' visit our church-school building was finished. We use the chapel for men's school, and a large room in the new building for the women's school; having on an average twenty men and twenty women, and sometimes more, studying diligently every day. The only way we could supply them in the Scripture work was to translate Bible readings and have the teachers and others who could write, write out copies for each one. How slow and wearisome it was! If you could see the eagerness, dear friends, of these souls to learn the truth, you would be anxious to aid us in securing such facilities as would enable us to give the truth to them much more rapidly than we are doing.
Chinese Type-cases
As showing how eager the people are to hear, one of our evangelists and another brother went one hundred miles to the west of here where the latter brother lived; and the people were so eager to hear, that these two brethren had to preach all day. As yet we have not been able to follow up that opening. It is impossible for us to go to all the places where souls are calling. Traveling is altogether too slow here in China, and the work is opening up faster than we are able to follow it.
True Christians
Our converts are not vacillating, cowardly Christians. Some of them have stood for the truth like Daniel, against all sorts of persecutions and opposition. One convert, for instance, unbound her feet as the knowledge of the Gospel came to her. Her brother was raving mad over it; and seizing a sharp butcher knife, he threatened to kill her if she did not quickly bind her feet again. But she answered him firmly that she could not nor would she bind them again. He ran the blade down along the spine, thinking that the chilling touch of the knife would frighten her; but she told him that she would rather die than give up her convictions. Such steadfast faith was too much for him, and she won the victory.
Another woman was threatened with death by her father because she had accepted Christ. He became so angry that according to Chinese custom sometimes, he ate no food for several days; at the same time threatening to kill his daughter because she had accepted the doctrine of the foreign devils; but when my wife visited his daughter and showed her tender love for her; when he saw them pray together, and sing songs of praise, the Spirit of God melted the heart of the old father, and his daughter won the day by her courageous and Christian conduct. Others have stood as firmly for the truth. Not a few have conquered the opium habit by the power of Christ.13In this station we have twenty-five baptized Christians. All the baptized women have unbound their feet. The question of foot-binding causes more physical misery than one can imagine. Screams of little children whose feet have just been bound are heart-rending. It is good to know that this miserable custom is becoming unpopular to some extent in the higher circles in China.
The commission is, "Feed My sheep;" but that we may do it more rapidly, more effectually, more wisely, that we may reach very many more than the personal worker can, we need literature; and for that we plead. One of our colporteurs heard for the first time the words, "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion," and he took it literally as well as figuratively. He bought a trumpet and went out into the villages and blew his trumpet. The people came flocking together wondering what was the matter. Then he preached and sold his tracts.
We need more trumpet-blowers, and more tracts for the trumpet-blowers to sell. Help us to swell the loud cry of God's everlasting Gospel in this field.
Honan, China
By Editor
LAST week we had an article from Mrs. Westrup, one of our missionaries in China. This week we take the following from a letter received some time ago from her husband, Pastor John J. Westrup:
Earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions, storms, wars, rebellions, crime of all sorts, and a hundred other things tell us that the coming of Jesus our King is near, even at the doors. We are in the last days of earth's history. The four angels of God are holding the winds of war and destruction until the servants of God are sealed in their forehead. Rev. 7:1-3. Everything, apparently, except the children of God and their unfinished work, seems to be ready for the great transformation. Yet there are many honest souls to be gathered out from the four hundred millions in this land. And our Lord will not come till His work is finished among the nations of the earth. It behooves Christians not to delay that coming, but to throw their whole heart and soul into the work of giving His message.
Seemingly China is behind every other field, considering the vastness of the work to be done; and yet its millions of people can and must be evangelized, and that soon. From a human view-point this can not be done. God must be taken into the reckoning. He is well able to keep His word and to finish His work in this generation. Let us look at the stars as did Abraham. Think of the systems and worlds that God upholds with His right hand of righteousness, and then know that the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity dwells with him also that is of a humble and contrite heart. Isa. 57:15. There is no limit to what may be done when men are connected with God. When the latter rain shall be poured out in its fulness, there will be those in China who will receive it, and who will work mightily in bringing souls to the Master.
Small Boat at Swatow.
Procrastination
By Delwin Rees Buckner
"When father, mother, give consent — some day;
When I have stored my granaries," you say,
"And all is well-arranged so that I may,
God helping me, I'll keep His holy day."
"Some day!" So thought the noble when he heard
The voice, "Sell all thou hast, and follow Me."
But like an idol was his property;
He loved his wealth more than God's saving Word.
To-day should not we consecrate our all?
The present is God's own elected time;
To-morrow's breath may blow a blasting blight.
Not to accept the pleading Spirit's call
In God's pure, holy sight is heinous crime;
The punishment is death, eternal night.
DELWIN REES BUCKNER.
Ambato, Ecuador.
ELO THE EAGLE
By Floyd Bralliar
AND OTHER STORIES
BY FLOYD BRALLIAR
THIS new animal book for young folks is receiving an eager welcome by all nature lovers. ELO THE EAGLE is the first of a series of ten interesting stories of animals, wild and otherwise; being, with one exception, the life histories of boyhood friends of the author. Many strange and laughable anecdotes are related by Mr. Bralliar, all of which are strictly true and vouched for by reliable witnesses.
The book is lavishly illustrated by special drawings, with a full-page half-tone design printed in Luxotype at the beginning of each chapter. Two hundred pages, printed on egg-shell paper, beautifully bound in red cloth. Price, post-paid, $1.00.
Easily sold by young people. Agents wanted.
Pacific Press Publishing Assn.
Mountain View, California
Portland, Ore. Regina, Sask., Can. Kansas City, Mo.
The Vegetarian Cook Book
By E. G. Fulton
By E. G. FULTON
THE author has had years of experience in vegetarian cookery and in the management of vegetarian cafes and cafeterias. With its aid the chef, cook, or housewife is able to prepare appetizing, healthful meals without the use of any flesh food.
This book contains 226 pages, including a handy and well-arranged index of all the recipes given.
Tastily bound in cloth, price, post-paid, 75 cents
Pacific Press Publishing Assn.
Mountain View, California
Portland, Ore. Regina, Sask., Can. Kansas City, Mo.
Funds for Missions
By Editor
THERE has been very little appeal, comparatively, for funds for foreign missions. There has been quick and generous response to the appeals made. If we had space we would record the names of the donors; but in all cases we have, we believe, receipted by letter. In the year to come, for general funds we will record in the SIGNS the individual gifts, with the donors' names, unless there is objection on the part of the giver. During the last year, closing December 31, we have received and forwarded through our foreign mission board the following:
Free libraries in India . . . . . . . . . $ 77.80
Missions in India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
For Chinese Press . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340.00
For the same purpose through Our Little Friend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.00
For various purposes, Cooperation Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132.80
In this department additional appeal is made for China by one who is giving his life to that field. We shall be glad to forward any contributions to that field, or to any other.
Temperance a Part of Missions
Mrs. Ellen M. Watson, corresponding secretary of the Women's Synodical Temperance Association of Pennsylvania, writes that their association of the Presbyterian Church has made temperance a branch of missions. The letters sent out by the association state that "the Women's Temperance Association of our synod, believing that the liquor traffic and its results constitute one of the greatest obstacles in the way of the Gospel, earnestly request every missionary society to elect a temperance secretary whose duty it will be to advance the cause of total abstinence by the use of pledges and suitable literature." This the general assembly's permanent committee on temperance has cordially endorsed. A vital part of Christianity is temperance; and surely it ought to be a vital part of its mission work, to save by every means possible those who have fallen. Any one who wishes to learn more concerning the work that is being done by this association, can correspond with Mrs. Ellen M. Watson or Dr. J. F. Hill, Canonsburg, Pa.
