Senor Buencamino, of Manila, is actively pushing the anti-friar movement in the Philippines. He declares that the inhabitants of the islands must “choose between the church and friars, or the new freedom of thought,” and is openly advocating Protestantism as a remedy for many of the evils of which the people complain. Protestant missionaries in the islands state that they are receiving many letters from the provinces inquiring about Protestantism, and asking for preachers. There seems to be an awakening in the islands, and the people seem to be approaching a religious crisis. Both the political and the religious elements are showing remarkable activity. About 5,000 residents of Manila and Malibay have joined the Methodist Church in a body, and now hold services in Catholic Churches. The Presbyterians also are carrying on successful missionary operations in the province of Cavite, and have a considerable following in Central Luzon, Panay, and Negros.
There is a general movement of the Boers toward Cape Colony, and large numbers are reported to have actually invaded the colony. General De Wett, according to late reports, is now in Cape Colony with a considerable portion of his immediate command, preparing to strike an effective blow. Lord Kitchener is making extensive preparations to capture the burghers, but no effective operations against them have been reported for some time, owing to scarcity of horses. The British post at Meddersfontein was captured by the Boers on February 4, the British relief column failing to arrive in time to assist the garrison. The Boers have entrenched themselves and established a base of supplies in Cape Colony. A general movement of large bodies of British troops to the eastward is reported from the Cape, which is regarded as an attempt to surround the invading Boers.
Reports from China indicate that the famine in the provinces of Shansi and Shensi is one of the worst in the history of China. It is estimated that fully two-thirds of the people are without the necessities of life, or the means of obtaining them. The weather is cold, and adds to the misery of starvation. For three years the crops have failed in both these provinces, and numerous instances of cannibalism are reported. Men have even sold their wives and children in order to obtain food, and young children are being killed by their parents. Men and women hunt for food in savage bands. In the province of Shensi the dowager and her court have taken refuge with many thousands of soldiers, thus adding to the misery of the population.
The German field marshal in China has announced to the Chinese envoys that the Chinese Government must give evidence of good faith and of its ability to carry out the provisions of the agreement before the foreign troops in China will be removed from Peking. The protection which the Chinese are to give to the Christians must be satisfactory to the representatives of the powers. February 4 was the date set for a joint meeting of all the envoys to consider the present conditions in China, arrange for the punishment of the guilty Chinese officials, and enter upon the real work of establishing peace. In the meantime everything is working toward the end of continued occupation of China.
Mrs. Carrie Nation and her followers are continuing their work of warning and wrecking the saloons of Kansas. She has been arrested several times, but the law can not hold her for destroying what it has pronounced a public nuisance. Her work is stirring up a new interest in the saloon question in Kansas, and in several instances has resulted in undoubted good. Some who are selling liquor in violation of the law, have closed that branch of their business, and officers of the law are being awakened somewhat to the duties of their office. A formal notice has been sent by these women to the saloons of Chicago.
A company of the 34th U. S. Infantry was ambushed on the island of Cebu, on February 31, losing five men killed, four wounded, and two prisoners. The Americans were re-enforced and drove off the Filipinos with considerable loss. General MacArthur has suppressed the Diario, a Manila newspaper which was established in 1848, because of its attacks upon the Federal party and the policy of deporting Filipinos to Guam. He has also ordered the imprisonment of the editor, one of the brightest writers in the islands. America’s boasted liberty of the press and freedom of speech are suffering a severe blow in her subject colonies.
The first orders issued with reference to carrying out the provisions of the new Army Bill were those that order the discontinuance of the army canteen. After reciting the anti-canteen provision of the law, the order proceeds: “Commanding officers will immediately carry the provisions of this law into full force and effect, and will be held strictly responsible that no exceptions or evasions are permitted within their respective jurisdictions.” This should effectually close all saloons on all military reservations of the United States at home or abroad.
The Government of France has recently issued a pamphlet showing the amount of real estate held by the Catholic monastic orders, which forms the basis of the present agitation against these societies. According to this pamphlet, the value of property held by these orders amounts to $220,000,000, over half of which has been accumulated within the last twenty years. In order to avoid payment of taxes on this property much of it has been made over to “men of straw.” It is the purpose of the government to compel the real owners of this property to pay the taxes on it.
Harvard College is to have a Semitic museum, illustrating the life and thought of Semitic peoples, ancient and modern, with the Hebrew-Palestinian, so called, as the nucleus and central feature of the whole. It is designed to assist in the instruction given in the Semitic department of the college, and as an aid to serious Bible students everywhere. The collection of literature and other objects has been going on for some years. The building which will be devoted to this museum is now in process of construction, and will cost $60,000.
Chicago contractors have been notified that they are the successful bidders for the work of raising the battleship Maine from the waters of Havana harbor, and also the Spanish transport Alphonso XII., which is beached on the shore near the Maine. This firm raises the wrecks for the salvage there is in them, paying the government three per cent. of all proceeds, and returning all personal property of the officers.
A large and representative body of Porto Ricans have sent an earnest petition to the Senate of the United States, praying for the annulment of the revenue law which was rushed thru the Porto Rican Legislature during the last hours of its session. The insular press, and the people generally, are in opposition to the new revenue law, and a commission will be sent to Washington to oppose it.
The threatened outbreak of hostilities on the part of the Creek Indians, of Indian Territory, seems to have been forestalled by the arrest of eighteen of the leaders. Chief Crazy Snake, who was the leader in the trouble, was among the first arrested. The Indians desired to return to their tribal laws and customs, and force the whites out of their territory.
The Prussian authorities in the Polish provinces have discovered the existence of secret societies among the Poles, whose object is to bring about a revolutionary rising. It is charged by the Poles that there is much unfair discrimination against them by the authorities, and letters addressed to Poles would not be delivered by the postal officials.
Several engagements have recently been reported between Mexican troops and the Indians of Yucatan, known as the Mayas. The reports indicate that the Indians are being pressed back by the government troops to the vicinity of their stronghold. In a battle, January 31, the Indians lost 50 men killed and a large number wounded.
The Ship Subsidy Bill is again engaging the attention of Congress, and there is some indication of an extra session, in case the passage of the bill is not voted upon before the close of the present session. Senators having this bill in charge have given notice that there will be night sessions held until the bill is passed.
A scientific expedition is planned to observe and investigate the strange phenomenon of the “silent city of Alaska,” a mirage which is visible on Mount Fairweather from the middle of June to the middle of July. The mirage is said to be an exact picture of the city of Bristol, England.
The officials of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union have decided to send circulars to all medical journals, hospitals, and medical colleges throughout the country, petitioning all physicians connected with these institutions to refrain from prescribing alcohol for medical use.
The White Star Steamship Company has contracted for the building of a transatlantic steamer, which will be 3,000 tons heavier than the great Oceanic. This vessel will therefore exceed 20,000 tons burden, and will eclipse the Kaiser Wilhelm, now building.
A bill has been introduced in the New York Legislature to regulate the size of type used in the newspapers of the State, and in books of fiction. The one who introduced the bill states that the fine print used in this class of literature is ruining the eyes of the people.
On January 29 a Chicago firm purchased of a Kentucky brewing company, 6,000 barrels of whisky in one lot to be delivered at once. This is the largest whisky deal ever recorded, and it is an indication of the growth and power of the liquor interests.
As an instance of the superstition of the sea, the owners of the schooner Slade, of Tacoma, Washington, were unable to secure a crew for that vessel until the customary ceremony of breaking a bottle of wine over her bow had been performed.
The report of the Post-office Department shows that during the year 1890, 7,536,150 pieces of mail matter were sent to the dead-letter office, and that these contained $1,136,645.50 in negotiable paper, and over $44,000 in actual cash.
Hawaii’s representative in the House of Representatives at Washington has been accused of being a traitor to the government, and a sympathizer with the Filipinos, and an attempt will be made to have him excluded from the House.
Secretary-of-War Root, in reply to an inquiry of the Senate, on February 4, admitted that 32 Filipino leaders had been exiled to the island of Guam, among whom was Señor Mabini, declared to be the ablest native in the islands.
On February 4, 250 Chicago saloon-keepers were arrested for keeping their places open on Sunday. This action is said to be the forerunner of what is in store for all saloon-keepers who keep their places open on that day.
The murderers of the Paterson, N. J., mill girl have been sentenced for their crime. Three of them receive 30 years in the State prison at hard labor, and the fourth, 15 years’ imprisonment at hard labor.
On February 4 the last honors were paid to the remains of Queen Victoria, when her body was placed in its final resting-place beside that of the prince consort in the mausoleum at Frogmore.
The twentieth annual convention of the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor, which was in session at Portland, Maine, closed on February 3, with a union meeting of the various churches.
On February 2 the transport Warren arrived at San Francisco from the Philippines with 465 sick and disabled soldiers, 52 discharged soldiers, and the bodies of 107 dead.
General MacArthur, in a despatch bearing date of February 4, reports the death of 6 men in action and the wounding of 12.
A disastrous fire occurred in New York City on January 31, causing a property loss of $1,500,000.
The first session of the Legislature of Porto Rico closed on February 1.
Anti-Jesuit riots are reported from Valencia, Spain.
BOOK NOTICES.
“EARLY CONVERSION.” By Rev. Edward Payson Hammond, M.A. 12mo, 224 pp.; cloth, 50 cents; paper covers, 25 cents. J. S. Ogilvie Publishing Co., 57 Rose Street, New York.
The author of this book has spent many years in revival work, especially among the young. He has now reached ripe old age. He can see what the conversion of children has amounted to in his own experience; and he finds nothing to disappoint. The work has many interesting illustrations helpful to workers among children. It answers the questions, Will early conversion abide? What can children do for Jesus? and others. May God bless the little book in its mission of stirring up Christian workers to work for the children.
“THE RELIGION OF DEMOCRACY.” By Charles Ferguson. 12mo, cloth. Price, $1.00. New York and London, Funk & Wagnalls Co.
Mr. Ferguson’s book is lucid and very taking in style. It makes of Americanism a religion, predicts the fall of medievalism, and promises the rise of a Democratic Catholic Church. But while the author earnestly and honestly no doubt wants to give the world a message of hope, he prophesies as falsely of the future as did the prophets of Israel who predicted that Jerusalem was safe from the power of Babylon. The only religion that will endure is the religion of Jesus Christ. This Mr. Ferguson sometimes tells us, but his rhetorical coruscations and scintillations are often contradictory and especially unbiblical.
“JUKES-EDWARDS, A STUDY IN EDUCATION AND HEREDITY.” By A. E. Winship, Litt. D. 12mo, silk cloth, 50 cents; paper, 25 cents. R. L. Myers & Co., Harrisburg, Pa.
In this admirable little study Dr. Winship has contrasted the family of Jonathan Edwards with what is known as the Jukes, the descendants of an idle, jolly, shiftless man, who lived in Northern New York, styled as “Max.” Dr. Winship has, in this little monograph, done the cause of education a valuable service. It ought to be read by every parent, teacher, minister, and person interested in the young.
“SHALL WE BELIEVE IN A DIVINE PROVIDENCE?” By D. W. Faunce, D.D. 12mo, cloth. Price, $1.00. New York and London, Funk & Wagnalls Co.
Dr. Faunce makes no attempt to solve all the mysteries of providence. He even holds that mystery in part, during this present life, is itself a providential arrangement, giving, as it does, room for trustfulness and incentive to courage. But there are some very serious misunderstandings which make for men a needless and harmless mystery; and the attempt is made to lift some of these denser shadows which are cast more by our human mistakes than anything which the divine wisdom sends upon us. He endeavors to get his readers to look upon the mysteries of providence as God sees them. The book contains much of suggestive helpfulness, and its style is winning and polished.
“POWER OF THE TOBACCO HABIT.” By Charlotte Smith Augstman. Price, 20 cents. Wood-Allen Publishing Co., Ann Arbor, Mich.
This little brochure is both interesting and instructive. It ought to have a large circulation. Its readableness and helpfulness would be aided by subheads throughout the article.
“THE INVESTIGATION OF A GRAVE CHARGE,” is the title of a pamphlet of 26 pages, by F. C. Gilbert, of South Lancaster, Mass. It is a reply to Wm. A. Burch, of Worcester, Mass., who has published a document declaring that Seventh-day Adventists teach that all Sunday-keepers of past and present have the mark of the beast. This Mr. Gilbert clearly shows to be false; and there are other things of worth in the pamphlet. We should judge the price to be about five cents, and doubtless copies may be had by addressing the author as above.
Scripture Answers to Worldly Questions
A tract that is calculated to be a help to those who are halting between two opinions. A. G. L. No. 33. 25 cents per 100.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO. New York City Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo.
TWO IMPORTED BIBLES FOR OLD PEOPLE
Style “A” is bound in leather without the overlapping feature, has gold edges, and is well printed on good paper. It contains a good series of maps and is just the Bible needed by old people, those whose eyes are weak, or those who desire to read much at night. We believe this Bible has never been offered lower than the price for which we are now mailing it, $1.65.
Style “B” has the same contents as style “A,” but is bound in black cloth instead of leather. The edges are colored red instead of gold. Its price is $1.15, post-paid.
The type in these two Bibles is the same as is used in the above description.
We have also a better bound book with references, in long primer type, which we term style “C.” In addition to references, it contains nearly 300 pages of excellent helps, including a concordance. It is bound in leather, has overlapping edges, and is leather lined and silk sewed. This will be sent post-paid for $2.35.The type is the same as the above description.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY
11 W. 20th Street, New York OAKLAND, CAL. 18 W. 5th Street, Kansas City, Mo.
HOW ESSENTIAL
that everybody should have a knowledge of Bookkeeping and Business Principles. Study “Fireside Accounting and Business Training” and acquire it.
“A plain, practical, actual business method, designed especially for self instruction at home.” We have many plans also for making Bookkeeping of practical value to you in addition to keeping books for yourself. Write us for these plans, but, better still for all concerned, send us $1.00 for our Fireside Outfit, post-paid, and we’ll send the plans too.
Address FIRESIDE ACCOUNTING PUBLISHING CO. (LIMITED) BATTLE CREEK, MICH.
TO CONTRIBUTORS.
By Editor
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a purely missionary enterprise. For this reason it has felt free to ask for contributions from its friends. It pays nothing for contributions, either prose or poetry, unless solicited by the editor, and then the fact is stated when the articles are asked for. This is a plan rarely followed, but sometimes deemed expedient.
Articles Desired.—Those which set forth in the Spirit of Christ the great saving truths of God, short and to the point. It is better to treat one important truth clearly, in a short article, than many points vaguely in a long one. We desire no caustic, critical productions, which might minister to personal pride or pleasure, but can not save souls.
How Prepared.—Write plainly, with typewriter or ink, with wide space between the lines, to freely admit of editing, writing of subheads, etc. Write on one side of the sheet only. Sign the name to the manuscript, as it becomes oftentimes separated from accompanying letter. Anonymous contributions are not used, whatever their merit. If the writer does not wish his name to appear, let him furnish a pseudonym for the public. But we wish the name.
Manuscript Returned.—We will return all unused manuscript desired if stamp and directions are inclosed. We are forced sometimes to return good manuscript mainly for three reasons: (a) Sometimes the articles are too long; (b) sometimes we have a number on the same subject; (c) sometimes our plans are such that an article can not be used till it is out of date. We therefore hope that no offense will be taken by those who have freely contributed their best thought if their productions are returned. When we receive so much matter, we can not use all
VIRGINIA HOMES.
You learn all about Virginia lands, soil, water, climate, resources, products, fruits, berries, mode of cultivation, prices, etc., by reading the Virginia Farmer. Send 10 cents, for three months' subscription, to FARMER CO., Emporia, Va.
The Viceroy of India Uses the Yost
550 Yosts are used by the Indian Government
150 were recently ordered for their offices in one order
The Indian Government has recently placed two orders through our London office for 271 Yost Typewriters—150 having been ordered recently at one time—making 550 Yost Typewriters now used by the Indian Government. Now all departmental letters will be written on the Yost, “the Typewriter of Beautiful Work.” As the Indian Government is a very discriminating purchaser, the selection of the YOST is a signal triumph.
UNITED TYPEWRITER and SUPPLIES CO.
BRANCHES
SAN FRANCISCO, 327 Montgomery Street
KANSAS CITY, 714 Delaware Street
DETROIT, 26 Lafayette Avenue
Head Office: 316 BROADWAY, New York
OTHER OFFICES IN THE LARGE CITIES OF THE WORLD
Uninspired Punctuation.
The commas, and, for the matter of that, other points, in the Bible are not matters of inspiration. The Bible was formerly written without marks of punctuation, or even spaces between the words, as, for instance, “Andtheyshall seeHisface.” Rev. 22:4. There was really no regular system of punctuation until A.D. 1500, introduced by Aldus Manutius, a learned printer of Venice. One instance of a misplaced comma is the point preceding “to-day” in Luke 23:43. The expression is an adverbial phrase, limiting the verb “say,” not the verb “shall be.” Limiting the first, all is harmony; if it is forced to do service for the second, it destroys the correlation between Christ’s answer and the thief’s prayer, and makes our Lord contradict Himself in John 20:17. Another instance of wrong punctuation is the full stop between verses 1 and 2 of Revelation 22. It should be no more than a comma. Read: “And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the midst of the street of it [that is, the city, ch. 21:23–27]. And on either side of the river was there the tree of life,” etc. It is the river which is in the midst of the street; the tree, or wood, was on either side of the river.
Sunday-School Lesson Postponed
The Sunday-school lesson is postponed one week. In connection with it, and with most, or all, the lessons of the year, will be an article which will greatly help the student.
The Sabbath-School Lessons
The Sabbath-school lessons will begin next week with a study of Malachi. There will be four lessons in the series. Following these will be a series of six months on the sanctuary question, type and antitype, Christ’s offering and ministration. With each one of these lessons will be an article which will be of great help to our students.
Actresses and Christian Science
According to the New York Journal, many actresses have become “Christian Scientists.” Five different ones write of how they have been healed and benefited. “Christian Science” makes one a better actress; it added several inches to another’s stature; it cured another of hay fever, etc., etc. That is, it—“Christian Science”—enables one to cure herself, reveals to another that nothing that any one does is mean, that the world is full of happiness, that “you can’t do a mean thing yourself.” In the light of Christ’s glory the delusion will vanish, but too late to benefit its dupes.
RECENT WORDS ABOUT THE OUTLOOK “SIGNS.”
By Editor
From a Methodist minister: “It surpasses anything I ever saw in the periodical line. I must say that I could not resist reading it through, every line.”
From a man among the people: “I want to say a word for the World’s Outlook Number of the SIGNS. It is still being sold here, and we hope to dispose of a great many more. I feel that this number is the best we have had, and will do a great work in bringing the people to stop for a moment to think where we are in the world’s history.”
An agent says: “Send me another hundred Outlook Signs. That paper still sells.”
We are receiving many evidences of the real value of this issue of the SIGNS. Let it be placed in the hands of thousands who have not yet seen it. Orders are coming in for hundreds of copies in a day, but we can supply more.
The Weak Nations Say, I Am Strong
The third chapter of Joel tells of things that will precede and foreshadow the second coming of Christ. Among the statements made are the words: “Proclaim ye this among the nations: prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:9, 10, R.V. This text shows that in the mighty stirring up for war in the last days, even the weak nations will be able to say, “I am strong.” How literally is this being fulfilled in the war that Britain is waging in South Africa! Those two weak republics that were hardly heard of before this war began are exerting the powers of the British almost to the utmost. Since the war began a little more than a year ago, the British have sent over 200,000 soldiers fully equipped with modern arms to fight the Boers. This is an army equal to one-half the entire population of the two Boer republics, including men, women, and children. And yet with such a vast army in the midst of such apparently weak peoples, the Boers are still holding out, and the end is not in sight. Truly these weak nations are saying, “I am strong.”
A Falling Away in Methodism
By Editor
A correspondent in Los Angeles, referring to the address of Bishop Montgomery before the Methodist university of Los Angeles, noted in our editorial columns, says: “Imagine Wesley’s listening with ‘round after round of applause’ to the enunciation of such sentiments, against which the Reformation was launched. Babylon and her daughters are on better terms than during the days of the early Reformers. So far as I know not a voice has been raised in opposition either to the action of the university authorities in inviting the bishop to speak or the principles inculcated. The utterance of such doctrines in the presence of the Protestant clergy without a word of dissent, can not have established in the minds of the young men and women who heard them a greater appreciation of the Scriptures or the truths for which the martyrs of the inquisition died. There has been a great falling away in Methodism when such things come to pass.” And he speaks truly. Is it not time to preach God’s message of to-day, found in Rev. 14:6-12?
William J. Bryan’s Commoner
Mr. William J. Bryan’s paper, the Commoner, is out. He tells us that it is published to aid the common people, “those who earn their living and give to society a fair return for the benefits bestowed by society.” For the use of the term “common people” he finds warrant in the Gospel, “the common people heard Him [Christ] gladly.” The paper is bright, neatly printed, and will be hailed with gladness, we presume, by those who hold with Mr. Bryan politically. Its first issue was 30,000.
California Bureau of Labor Statistics Report
We have received from F. W. Myers, Labor Commissioner, the “Ninth Biennial Report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the State of California for years 1899-1900.” Besides its various reports it gives a valuable compilation of the laws relating to labor in this State. It is published by the State printer, Sacramento, Mr. A. J. Johnston.
Germany and America’s Naval Race
Germany’s great plan for the increase of her navy by the addition of 34 battle-ships, which were to be completed by the year 1916, has been so laid out that the ships are to be ready for service by 1906. At that time, in addition to her 34 new battle-ships, Germany will have a fleet of 20 large cruisers and 48 small cruisers, with a considerable number of older battle-ships available for duty. This enormous increase is being regarded with more or less suspicion at Washington. While the government anticipates no trouble with Germany, it is felt that it is always best to be prepared, and the government will urge Congress to continue the policy of increasing the navy. According to the present naval program, the United States will have, by the year 1904, 18 battle-ships and 10 armored cruisers, or less than half of what Germany’s naval strength will be in 1906. Since the battle of Manila Bay, there has been a feeling that Germany and the United States might some day be involved in war, and there seems now to be a prospect of a ship-building race between these two powers for supremacy on the sea.
Fashion and the Wine Habit
Mrs. Lenora M. Lake, a prominent W. C. T. U. worker, in a recent address in Chicago, said, “Fashion has set its seal of approval on the punch-bowl and the wine-glass, and as a result the drink habit is on the increase among the women.” Woman molds society thru the tone she gives to the home. The boys and girls are more under the influence of mother in the home than of any one else, and the home where mother gives her warm approval to “the punch-bowl and the wine-glass” becomes a powerful school of intemperance. We should stand on principle in our homes, and discard the wine, and everything else that intoxicates, no matter how fashionable it may be to use these things. And young people who have any regard for their prospects in this life, and who hope for the life that is to come, must not allow their manhood and womanhood to be undermined by the use of wine. If fashion says to us to drink it, we must bid fashion stand to one side, while we go steadily ahead doing right.
Dangers of the New Century
The “New York World” asked a number of the leading scientists, statesmen, reformers, etc., to make a brief answer to the question, “What is the chief danger, social or political, that confronts the new century?” There were none of the replies that did not express some danger that is confronting the world. One spoke of the danger from greed and covetousness; another, of the excessive craving for amusement; another, of racial antipathies and national animosities, and so on. There are dangers before the world at the present time that make everything of the past pale into insignificance. Men recognize this, and yet they seem to be under some strong influence that drives them on to ruin. God has made it perfectly plain what all this means. Why not stop long enough to consider what He has to say in His Word?
The Dead Cannot Communicate with the Living
A woman in Pittsburg dreamed that her husband, who had recently died, was calling her to follow him. Altho she had never been sick in her life, she was immediately taken ill, and when the report was written, the doctors did not believe she could live thru the night. If that lady had only known and believed the following verse of scripture, she would not have fallen under such a delusion. The text is: “The living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” Eccl. 9:5, 6. If the dead have no portion in anything that is done under the sun, they can not come back to communicate.
