"It is instructive and important for Catholics to know that four millions of Frenchmen voted to retain in power the present government. Three and one-third millions voted to dismiss it. Over two million did not vote at all. These two million are, in all probability, the good Catholics in comfortable districts, who want as little trouble as possible, and are afraid of a change of government. They cannot be the atheistic mob, for one characteristic of that class is that they always vote one ballot, and when it is necessary to get ahead of the Catholics they will vote two with a good conscience. Perhaps it has not yet occurred to the French leaders of the Catholic party to stir up these two millions."
So after all Leo XIII. has the power to bring France to terms just as he brought Bismarck to terms some three years ago. Rome could reduce the republic to anarchy merely by stirring up the two million Catholic non-voters, and add in these for a single election to the opposition. She would then say, See what atheism has done. Restore the church to its ancient privileges and all may again be well.
College News and Other Items
By Editor
Our readers will miss the usual article on our first page from Mrs. E. G. White. We hope to have an article from her pen next week, but may not receive it in time.
We learn from the Review and Herald that the winter term of the Battle Creek College opens December 11. Eternity alone will fully reveal the good which this institution has done for the cause of present truth. Many of the most valuable and efficient workers in different parts of the great harvest-field received their training in this institution. May it continue to prosper till the work is done. For further information see advertisement on another page.
Not much dependence can be placed in wills when the fact is taken into consideration that even so eminent a lawyer as the late Samuel J. Tilden failed to make a will which would stand the test of the courts. One clause in his will specified that a certain part of his estate should be applied by the executors to such educational and charitable purposes as would, in their judgment, "render the widest and most substantial benefit to the interests of mankind." On account of the indefiniteness of this provision, virtually giving the executors the power of willing away his residuary estate, the court declared the clause to be of no effect, and the property will go to the legal heirs.
The Father and Son in Creation
By Editor
A CORRESPONDENT asks an explanation of the following question:—
"How could Christ and God each be makers of all things as referred to in Heb. 1:2 and John 1:1-3."
By the common law that the acts of an agent are the acts of his principal. God created all things by or through Christ. Mr. Jones, it is said, has built him a new house, and yet he has not done any of the work, but has intrusted it all to Mr. Brown, a builder. It would be correct to say, Mr. Jones has built him a new house, or Mr. Brown has built Mr. Jones a new house. Both would be true. The former is the efficient cause, the latter was his agent. The Father and Son were also one in the work of creation, in a way which we cannot understand. It was the work of both, it was the work of each.
Was Abraham Lincoln a Christian?
By Editor
The Truth Seeker, an infidel paper published in New York, is devoting considerable space to a discussion of the question, "Was Abraham Lincoln a Christian?" We fail to see that it now makes any material difference whether he was or not. A definite answer to the question would make Christianity neither better nor worse. The opinions of men, however great, or greatly beloved, have nothing to do with the merits of any religious system, and they who seek to strengthen the claims of Christianity by claiming as its adherents men who never made any public profession or faith in its divine Author, only show that they set far too high a value upon the opinions of the great ones of earth; and it seems probable that, could it be shown that certain great men were infidels, their admirers would lose faith in revealed religion. Such should heed the words of the psalmist: "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help."
Send Us Noteworthy Clippings
By Editor
WE wish to express our thanks to the friends who send us, from time to time, papers, religious and otherwise, not only from the various parts of this country, but from the Old World as well. We would be pleased to have all articles worthy of note marked. We may not be able to directly notice all these marked articles and clippings sent by our friends, but we are thankful for them just the same. They are often of use indirectly. Sometimes several papers are sent us from various sources noticing the same thing; of course we will use the best which comes. But we do not wish the others whose paper may not be used to refrain because of this from sending in the future. If you see any reports of religious or religio-political conventions or meetings, anything which you think the editors of the SIGNS ought to know, send us a copy of the paper which contains the information or report, and we will use them as well as we can, and be thankful. So, brethren and friends, send them along.
Mormon Baptism and Christian Baptism
By Editor
The New York Christian Advocate has the following, which is for the most part sensible:—
"A curious practical question arises in Utah, and that is, what Christian pastors should do in the matter of the baptism of persons received on probation who have been baptized only at the hands either of the Mormon Church or of the organized branch called the Josephites. We have no hesitation in saying that the Mormon Church, in either of the branches, is as widely removed from Christianity as Mohammedanism. This judgment is based upon a careful reading of the 'Book of Mormon,' and the historical books of the Mormons, which we obtained from President George Smith in 1871, and from a comparison of Mormonism with Mohammedanism. No ceremonies that the Mormons may perform, whether resembling baptism in the use of water or not, are Christian ceremonies, much less Christian sacraments. If a Mormon had been baptized as a Christian before adopting Mormonism, that is another matter. But if he had received only Mormon baptism, he should be baptized on professing faith in Christ as promptly as any pagan was, or Jew, to whom the gospel was preached by the apostles. In such a case it would not be rebaptism, though a second ceremonial use of water."
It is, indeed, true that it takes more than the form to constitute Christian baptism. One of the essential things is a proper candidate. A proper candidate is one who has been converted, has renounced the world, and given himself to God. This is certainly quite as necessary as a properly authorized administration. And only those baptized under these conditions have received Christian baptism. It matters not by whom the ceremony was performed, whether by a Mormon priest or by a Methodist bishop.
Papacy Negotiations with England
THE following dispatch from Rome under date of November 14 is significant:—
"According to the Vatican correspondent of the Political Correspondence, the real object of the extraordinary mission of Sir John L. Simmons to Rome is to offer to the Holy See the re-establishment of an ecclesiastical court in Malta as it existed at the time of the Grand Masters of the Maltese order. In return the British will ask that the Catholic bishop of Malta should be raised to the rank of a metropolitan, and made primate of all the Catholic apostolic missions and vicarates in the English possessions in Africa. If this question is satisfactorily solved the negotiations may be extended so as to enhance the position of the Catholic hierarchy in India. In Vatican circles it is hoped that the negotiations will end with the establishment of regular diplomatic relations between the holy see and the court of St. James."
The crafty Leo will no doubt know how to take every advantage which this negotiation may afford, and which England may offer. The rapidity with which the Papacy is regaining its lost prestige would be startling were it not for the sure word of prophecy, which prepares those who heed its warnings for these things. The world will worship the beast which had the wound by the sword and did live, but God will be the hope and defense of his people.