ON February 10 the greater part of New England, as well as the eastern section of Canada, was visited by a severe earthquake. In some sections the buildings swayed so that plaster fell from the walls. Although panics were narrowly averted in schoolhouses and other places where people were assembled, the reports give only one death as a result of the temblor.
Scientific men tell us this earthquake is along the line of the Champlain fault, and that this "fault" was formed in the glacial period. It may be very interesting to be told this, but such knowledge does not prevent the terrors that come with these catastrophes, and we can not escape the conviction that in the end it will be found that the Bible story of the breaking up of this earth at the time of the Flood furnishes a more scientific reason for this "fault," and that it is altogether in harmony with the actual facts.
But these earthquakes are becoming exceedingly numerous, and in many sections they are very destructive. It has been but a few days since that terrible disaster occurred in Japan in which large sections of the country were destroyed by the bursting volcano and its lava and ashes, and the earthquake that accompanied the eruption.
When the Master was here in person, He said that there should be "earthquakes in divers places," with "famines and pestilences," and "fearful sights and great signs." He did not give these things in themselves alone as the evidences of the approaching end, but He did say that when along with these convulsions of nature we see all the other things His inspired prophetic word has predicted, then we are to know that His coming is near, even at the door.
These convulsions of nature, and the storms that are wrecking so many parts of the country, are spreading terror into thousands of hearts. They live in almost constant fear because of these things. But in place of following the conjectures of men, however wise, honest, and able they may be, we have learned to know the word of God, and its promises for this time, and we are resting in peace and quietness. For we not only know definitely what these things mean, but we know of the haven of safety that has been provided by the divine power of Him who inspired the prophecies of His word. Have you tasted of the sweet experiences and comforts that come through knowing and believing such words as these?
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof." Ps. 46: 1-3.
Our God is "a very present help." He is with us to help and protect us all the time, and because of this we will not fear even though the earth be removed and even though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.
One sea-captain, in speaking of the recent volcanic eruption in Japan, said that while sailing along, he saw the whole top of the mountain seemingly explode and the flames burst out of it. Such things are certainly awe-inspiring; but God's word provides a haven of safety, and we should learn to know its comforts, its strength, and its rest and peace, in these times of danger and disasters.
Church Secession in Germany
DESPATCHES from Berlin state that in that city alone 25,000 people withdrew their membership from the national Protestant state church during the month of December. In most of the German states, leaving the church is a somewhat difficult matter, since legal procedure is necessary in order for it to be accomplished, and any one in an official position is almost sure to lose his occupation by taking such a course.
At the Berlin office where this business of secession is receiving attention, about fifty had to be added to the staff of officers and clerks in order to attend to the extra business. The church authorities are at their wit's end to know how to deal with the movement, and are arranging for meetings to protest against it.
Among the causes assigned for the movement is the burden of church taxes, which in some instances amount to sixty per cent of the state income tax. In order to escape this, persons must be registered as "dissident" or "agnostic." The main reason, however, is a general dissatisfaction with the church itself and a series of quarrels over points of doctrine. It is held by many that the church's theory of life is absolutely antiquated, and that it pursues reactionary politics. In the month of November a number of meetings to forward the secession in Berlin were prohibited by the police.
The religious world is coming to be agitated quite as strongly as the political and social world. In all of these movements there is an intensity that foreshadows something great and decisive. This unrest in the Protestant state church of Germany furnishes occasion for the papacy to point out the need there is for a great central governing body in religious affairs. The prophetic Word says conditions will finally reach the place where for a brief time all the world will wonder after the beast, and all will worship him, whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life.
When Christianity reasserted itself in the sixteenth century, it was based upon the Bible, and the Bible was believed and taught from Genesis to Revelation. Protestantism to-day, instead of affirming the complete Bible, is quibbling over it, and seeking to dissect it. And while in a political way it may at times appear to rise up strongly against Catholicism, yet it is destined eventually to be swept off its feet by the great Catholic power, and this surrender to Catholicism will be for no other reason than that the great mass of Protestants have lost their hold upon the definite Word and are not standing strongly by the great principles of its living text.
For a Supreme Navy
A LARGE meeting was held a few days ago at Guild Hall, in London, at which the lord mayor presided. Representative business men, said to have holdings amounting to billions of dollars, were the moving spirits. They gave unqualified and unanimous endorsement to the British policy of maintaining a "supreme navy."
It was from leading statesmen in England that the suggestion came for the world to take "a naval holiday"; that is, that all the leading nations of earth, by common agreement, would not build any more war-ships for a whole year. This naval holiday proposition has been much discussed, and prominent men in several nations have supported the plan, but the practical answer that comes to it is for each nation to add to the already strenuous effort for increasing naval and military power.
It will be noted that it is the business men of London, representing billions of money invested in various commercial enterprises, who have so enthusiastically and unanimously voted for England to maintain her naval supremacy.
Ordinary commerce and conquest have been occasion for a great many of the wars of the past. This is a commercially mad age. The "Napoleons of finance and commerce" have created international problems, and in the list of these is the great war problem. Notwithstanding all of our talk of peace, and notwithstanding the fact that to have peace is the sensible and desirable and only right thing, and notwithstanding our boasted civilization and progress, we are nevertheless unable to dethrone the war demons. The war fever reaches a higher degree each succeeding year, and becomes more intense.
A great many people are laughing at what the divine Book says. But it is a striking fact, however, that numerous and strongly clear Scripture prophecies make known definitely the real meaning of this war disease that is spreading like a malignant contagion into every part of the world.
Kikuyu Federation Scheme Reconsidered
By Editor
The archbishop of Canterbury has decided adversely to instituting impeachment proceedings against the bishops of Uganda and Mombassa, Church of England prelates in East Africa who were charged with heresy and schism because of their action at the Kikuyu conference last June. As set forth in an article in our last week's issue, an attempt was made at that time to unite the Protestant denominations against the increasing power of the Roman Catholics in East Africa. The consultative body of bishops of the Church of England which meets in July will be asked to decide whether the Kikuyu scheme for a federation of Protestant missionary societies is in opposition to the principles of the church order.
Floods and Their Significance
By Editor
FLOODS in Brazil during the first part of this month have cost many lives and destroyed much property. In the state of Bahia, several villages were inundated, and one small town entirely disappeared. This winter has given us an unusual toll of loss of life and property in floods and in various kinds of storms, and they have been scattered widely over a large part of the earth. Every continent has been visited. If you are terrified because of these things as they are reported day by day, you should study to know their significance and learn of the protection that has been provided by infinite power.
Planning Cities
The University of California has planned, among other notable things, a series of lectures by prominent men on the subject of "Planning Cities." The thought is that if extensive plans are wisely entered into to-day, millions will be saved tomorrow. The suggestion is expressed that the next generation will see both San Francisco and Los Angeles reach the two million mark. One of the problems of the time is what to do with the city and its concentrated and rapidly concentrating population.
Bulgarian Refugees and the Prince of Peace
More than 150,000 Bulgarian refugees are said to be in dire want as a result of the war troubles that have been devastating Bulgarian districts during the last year or so. It is impossible to describe the awful horrors of war. How good it is to know that we are upon the very eve of the time when the Prince of peace shall return in person to put an everlasting end to all of this suffering and disaster that is caused not only by wars but by everything else that sin has introduced!
Marconi’s Wireless Electric Light
ONE of Marconi's latest attempts with wireless electricity is to supply light. The reports from London say he has succeeded in lighting an electric bulb at a distance of six miles by a wireless current supplied from a hundred horse power engine.