A CORRESPONDENT of the Christian Union asks that paper for information upon the subject of baptism, saying that he is not a Greek or Hebrew scholar and is unable to read the original. He asks: "Does the word authorizing the ordinance mean to dip or plunge, and was this the apostolic mode?" To this the Union makes this reply:—
"Thayer's 'Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament'—the latest authority—thus defines it: 'Christian baptism, according to the view of the apostles, is a rite of sacred immersion, commanded by Christ,' etc. So Smith's 'Bible Dictionary,' art. 'Baptism.' Stanley ('Christian Institutions,' p. 22) says: 'The practice of immersion, though peculiarly suitable to the Southern and Eastern countries, for which it was designed, was not found seasonable in the countries of the North and West. By the general sentiment of Christian liberty this remarkable change was effected. . . . Speaking generally, the Christian civilized world has decided against it. It is a striking example of the triumph of common sense and convenience over the bondage of form and custom.'"
"According to the view of the apostles, baptism" "is a rite of sacred immersion commanded by Christ," but by "the general sentiment of Christian liberty" "a remarkable change was effected;" and this "is a striking example of the triumph of common sense and convenience over the bondage of form and custom"! Yes, we should say so; especially was it a striking example of the triumph of "convenience," for disobedience to a plain requirement of the gospel can scarcely be called an exercise of common sense.
The Saviour instituted an ordinance for the whole world,—for it was to be administered wherever the gospel was preached,—but it "was not found seasonable in the countries of the North and West," and so "by the general sentiment of Christian liberty" another and wholly dissimilar ordinance was instituted in its stead! Instead of being "a striking example of the triumph of common sense," is it not rather a striking example of presumption?
Man’s Condition Since Creation
By Editor
As reported in the Alta of October 1, Rev. W. H. Scudder, of San Francisco, while utterly repudiating the Darwinian theory of the descent of man, says that "man is ten thousand times better to-day than when first created." How Mr. Scudder reconciles this statement with the inspired record of the creation of man we are at a loss to understand. The Scripture informs us that God "made man upright," and adds, "but they have sought out many inventions." The whole trend of Bible teaching is that man as created was morally perfect, and might have remained so, but that he sinned and fell into all sorts of abominable practices, and that Christ came into the world to redeem man and restore him to the favor of God, and make it possible for him to regain that which he lost in Eden. But this San Francisco preacher repudiates all that and asserts that man lost nothing in the fall, and that he is now a thousand times better than when God made him. If such sentiment be Christian teaching we would like to know what would be infidelity.
Temperance: Moral or Political?
By Editor
The California Conference of the Methodist Church South in its recent session at San Diego, adopted a resolution declaring that "temperance is a moral and not a political question." This was, we suppose, in answer to the "vote-as-you-pray" war cry of the Prohibition party. We have no idea that the Southern Methodists wish to be understood as opposing restrictive or even prohibitory legislation; or that by "moral" they mean "subject only to the moral law." The idea seems to be that each elector has the right to decide for himself whether he will act with one party or with another, or whether he will vote at all. And in this the Methodist Church South is quite correct.
Claims of Jewish Conversions Challenged
By Editor
THE Jewish Times and Observer, of San Francisco, says that "there is nothing too credulous for a Christian journal afflicted with the mania for converting the Jews," and sneers at the statement published by the New York Independent, to the effect that "at least 100,000 Jews have been baptized since the commencement of the present century." The conclusion of Dr. Delman that "there are now about 250,000 Jewish Christians in the world," is branded by the Observer as "ludicrous," and both the Doctor and the Independent are called upon to prove their statements by facts and figures. "Not until then," says our Jewish neighbor, "will statements of this kind receive credence."
Prospects of Winter Wheat Shortage
THE outlook for the coming winter is anything but cheering to the multitudes of poor people, especially in Europe. England and the Continent will, it is said, need 70,000,000 to 100,000,000 bushels more wheat then the harvest of the world is likely to afford, and much suffering must result to hundreds of thousands who at best are never far from the verge of starvation. Already the price of wheat, and consequently of bread, has advanced, both in this country and in Europe, and to the very poor, that means an increase of suffering.
Sunday and the Sabbath
By Editor
The Unitarian Christian Register says of Sunday: "The church and the home are institutions which have a lien on Sunday, not because man was made for the Sabbath, but because the Sabbath was made for man."
Certainly, everybody has a lien on Sunday, especially those who keep the Sabbath; for having observed the seventh day "according to the commandment," they have a God-given right to labor on Sunday. With that understanding we quite agree with the Register.
Chinese Exclusion and Reentry
Under the Scott Exclusion Bill a Chinaman who leaves the territory of the United States, even in traveling from one city to another, as, for instance, from Chicago to Buffalo through Canada, is forbidden to re-enter the United States. Even Chinese sailors leaving an American port on an American vessel are not permitted to return; and a Chinaman taking passage from an American port in Alaska is not allowed to land in Washington Territory.
Demand for The Fathers of the Catholic Church
By Editor
Though the first edition of "The Fathers of the Catholic Church" has been printed less than a month, paper has been ordered for another edition, which is to be printed soon. The publishers do not mean that the sale of this valuable book shall be hindered by a failure on their part to supply all orders promptly.
Tract and Missionary Society Report
By Editor
THE report of the Eighteenth Annual Session of the California Tract and Missionary Society will appear next week. We have already received it from the State Secretary, but could not find room for it in this paper.
Notice Regarding Payment for Papers
By Editor
We send no papers from this office without pay in advance unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.
A PERTINENT QUESTION.
By Editor
THE San Francisco Call wants to know why the "Christian scientists" don't go to work for the yellow fever sufferers. It says:—
"The yellow fever continues to rage in the South, and Northern nurses, physicians, and money are hastening to the relief of the sufferers. For a wonder, however, the 'Christian scientists,' 'magnetic healers,' and the whole noble army of 'faith-cure' fanatics have maintained silence. This is hard to understand, as here is the opportunity of a life-time for our credulous friends to demonstrate on a grand scale the efficiency of their teachings. If yellow fever is but a phantom of weak human minds, and its dread effects but the results of disordered fancy, then the victims of their own imaginations should be enlightened; and who is as well calculated to do it as the apostles of the doctrine which teaches that mind only is existent?"
The query of the Call is pertinent, and reminds us of the story of one of these so-called "Christian scientists" who while walking home with some friends after one of his lectures sprained his ankle very severely, which caused him much pain. An Irishman who had heard the lecture, coming up behind, comprehended the situation, and exclaimed, "Oh, niver mind, sir, niver mind; its all a crature of your imaginashun, sir."
We believe that, when it is to the glory of God, and for the best interest of his children, the prayer of faith will save the sick, and that God shall raise him up; but the vagaries of "Christian scientists," and "faith-cure" fanatics, savor of egotism, superstition, and blasphemy, and bring reproach upon the Christian name.
Emperor William’s Visit to Queen Victoria
It is now announced that Emperor William will visit Queen Victoria in July next. Possibly the date of the visit is placed so far in the future to give opportunity for Prince Bismarck to explain its object to the Pope.
Information Wanted About Charlotte Anderson
ANY person knowing the whereabouts of one Charlotte Anderson, a member of the San Francisco Seventh-day Adventist Church, will confer a great favor by sending such information to Elder H. A. St. John, 914 Laguna Street, San Francisco, Cal.
Information Wanted About George M. Southworth
GEORGE M. SOUTHWORTH, formerly of Michigan, or anyone knowing his address, will confer a favor by sending it to Mrs. Eunice Green, Berkeley, Cal.