THE last few weeks have witnessed changes of moment in British politics. In the midst of the furor and noisy demonstrations against the government's Licensing Bill, came the news first of the resignation, and then of the death of the late premier. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman leaves many capable men behind him, but none able to take his place in the hearts of the people. He possessed in a remarkable degree the confidence of men of widely-differing shades of political belief. As his successor has said, he was a "cementing and a unifying force."
Respect for the Late Premier.
The Liberals loved him as the stanch leader who, during the dark days when the South African conflict aroused the war spirit thruout the country and Liberalism was at its lowest ebb, stood unflinchingly at his post of duty, and upheld the principles of his party, even at temporary cost of personal popularity, never once truckling to the loud-voiced outcries of a cheap imperialism even when some of his chief supporters deserted him. Conservatives held Sir Henry in the highest respect as a man who fought hard but fairly; who knew his mind, and clearly defined his position, and withal as a possessor of a remarkably winsome personality. He was also popular with the labor party and the Irish Nationalists. These radical wings of Liberalism were not possessed of any deep sense of loyalty to the government as such, but they entertained the kindliest personal feelings for Bannerman, regarding him as in sympathy with their general aims, and doing about as much for them as could be expected under the circumstances.
The late premier was the father of the House of Commons, having represented the district of Stirling ever since 1868. He had a singularly modest opinion of himself, and it was his sterling character and generally acknowledged parliamentary efficiency rather than any special efforts on his part that put him in the highest office. In politics he was without doubt something of an idealist. As one of his friends expressed it, "great causes appealed to him, and he was not ashamed, even on the verge of old age, to see visions and dream dreams." Had he had his way, the late Peace Conference at The Hague would have been something more than an abortive failure. He was ready to go as far as the safety of Great Britain permitted in the direction of the reduction of armaments. He was eminently a peace man. Jingoism had no keener, more merciless critic than he. The peace advocates sustain an irreparable loss in the death of this high-minded statesman.
Winston Spencer Churchill, Esq., M.P., the New President of the Board of Trade.
What is the present situation of the government?—It is passing thru a crisis. There are some serious elements of weakness. It will be remembered that the Liberal party proper was split over Home Rule, Joseph Chamberlain raising the standard of revolt against Gladstone, and taking with him into the Tory camp a party of his own known as the Unionists. The South African War caused a further split, at least for a time, and when the Liberal cabinet was made up two years ago last winter, it embraced men who had widely differing views on some fundamental questions. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman's admirable tact resulted in the formation and maintenance of a strong government; his untimely removal is an inestimable loss to the party.
The Right Hon. John Morley, Who Now Becomes a Peer.
The New Premier.
Mr. Asquith, his successor, is a man of splendid ability, an orator and a finished statesman; but he lacks the wide sympathies and unfailing urbanity of the late premier. As one of his friends put it, he has not learned to "suffer fools gladly." He was born of Non-Conformist parents, and received his first education in a little Moravian school. Later he passed thru the City of London School and Balliol College, Oxford, distinguishing himself in both places. He became a barrister in 1876, and fourteen years later "took silk" (became a king's counsel). He fought his way to the front without money, thru sheer ability and force of character. He entered Parliament for East Fife (Scotland) in 1886, and became home secretary under Gladstone in 1892. Chamberlain's tariff reform proposals met his uncompromising opposition; and the weak, vacillating policy of the Balfour government found in him an unsparing critic. He scored a success as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and enters upon the duties of his new office with
the confidence of his party and the respect of the opposition. Whether he will hold together the various elements of which the present government is made up remains to be seen. Of course the large majority will insure safety for a time; but the present premier is not popular with the Irish nor with the labor party. His democratic sympathies being less marked than those of his predecessor, he is less likely to push the battle against the House of Lords. Indeed, Sir Henry himself would find the present situation, with important by-elections going against the government, a difficult one to handle.
Would Strengthen the House of Lords.
The Liberal government has based its position on popular support. It has accused the Hereditary chamber of being out of touch with the people, and standing in the way of carrying out the people's will. But when the people, speaking thru by-elections, indicate that they are getting tired of Liberal rule, and want a change, the position of the House of Lords is immeasurably strengthened.
The other changes in the cabinet have been favorably received. John Morley goes to the House of Lords, retaining his position of secretary for India. Mr. Lloyd-George scored a marked success as president of the Board of Trade, and naturally succeeds to the Chancellorship of the Exchequer, the highest position next to the premiership. He is the most universally popular member in the cabinet, altho a young man. Winston Churchill, the new president of the Board of Trade, and one of the most brilliant men in the party, made a plucky fight in northwest Manchester, but was defeated by a decisive majority. He is now contesting Dundee, which is believed to be a safe seat. It is an awkward arrangement in British politics that makes it necessary for a member of Parliament who is promoted to cabinet rank, to seek reelection from his constituency. Of course Mr. Churchill was severely handicapped in Manchester. His constituency had always been conservative until 1906, when disgust with Tory misrule led it, with many other conservative boroughs, to vote for the Liberal candidate.
An Ominous Cloud.
An ominous cloud on the government's political horizon just now is the much-hated and condemned Licensing Bill. I explained its11chief provisions in my letter of a month or so ago. It aims to reduce the public houses (saloons) by about one-third, and by its time limit do away with monopoly values in the liquor trade. If the bill is passed, after fourteen years there will be no compensation when a license is not renewed. In other words, the publican (saloon-keeper) when taking out a license knows that it is good for one year only, and there is no assurance whatever that it may be extended even for one year more. Thus the power of the trade will be greatly crippled. In fact, at the end of the fourteen years, the way is fully open for Prohibition if the country wants it, or for Local Option.
D. Lloyd-George, M.P., the New Chancellor of the Exchequer,
No wonder the forces of evil have been let loose, and the country is stirred from one end to the other. Not a few Liberals have deserted their party to support the liquor trade. The bill is denounced as socialistic, financially ruinous, and nothing less than confiscatory. It is represented that the funds of poor widows and orphans have been invested in brewery shares and public houses (saloons), and it is a cruel thing to rob them by lessening the value of the shares thru unfavorable legislation.
Fortunately everybody's eyes are not shut to the real animus of the opposition which the bill is meeting. The labor members, almost to a man, have given it their hearty support. In the House of Commons yesterday, Mr. Will Crooks made a moving speech on behalf of the little children "who lead lives in homes you would not keep your dogs in because of the vicious habits of their parents." Temperance workers of opposite political views are doing their utmost to support this bill, for they realize that the fight is to be a hard one at the best, and that if the present government is put out of office because of its attempted temperance legislation, there will not arise a government for many years to come with sufficient courage to tackle the question.
The New Prime Minister Favors Temperance.
The new prime minister has taken a bold stand. In his speech of yesterday at the headquarters of the Reform Club, in which he formally accepted the leadership of the Liberal Party, he announced his intention to stake all on this bill; and he knows what he has to face. It is a fight against the most powerful trade monopoly in the United Kingdom, which has had its way for many years back, and has been growing stronger year by year. The outcome can not but be watched with the deepest concern by all lovers of humanity. The question is whether the nation shall rule or be ruled.
The Bishops Have Taken Their Stand.
Fortunately the bishops, with hardly an exception, have announced their intention to support the bill. The Archbishop of Canterbury, and especially the Bishop of London, who is by far the strongest personality on the Bench, have taken their stand squarely with the government in this matter, altho the brewers have threatened to discontinue all donations to church funds if the bill passes into law. Of course such threats really do the trade more harm than the bishops; but brewers are not noted for controlling their tempers, and with large numbers of the clergy holding brewery shares, and giving general countenance to the trade, it does seem rather aggravating that the bishops should take the other side.
Old-Age Pensions.
Another measure which promises to be more popular with the masses is the scheme for old-age pensions, which will be brought before Parliament when the budget is submitted next week. This is not the place to go fully into social questions, but the situation is really an urgent one. Millions live on the starvation line; labor conditions tend to grow worse
rather than better. Trouble has been brewing for months past in the great ship-building industries on the Tyne, and unless an understanding is reached shortly, strikes and lockouts involving upward of 80,000 men will take place within the next few weeks. Trade upheavals of this kind are the more disastrous because the ordinary wage is so low as to make it almost impossible to lay by anything. Thus we have workhouses crammed to their utmost capacity, and a poor-rate which weighs heavily upon the shoulders of the struggling working man.
The Churches Losing in Membership.
Turning our eyes for a moment to the religious situation, the outlook is anything but encouraging. Churchmen and non-conformists alike bewail the religious indifference of all classes. Scarcely one fifth of the population of London go to church or chapel. The poor often harbor bitter feelings toward the church. The middle and upper classes go into the country for week-ends, or play golf. The Bible, tho found everywhere, even in the guest rooms of commercial hotels, is unread. Pastor J. H. Shakespeare, for ten years secretary of the Baptist Union, remarked the other day that "the ignorance of the Bible even among candidates for the ministry, was simply appalling."
Wesleyans, Methodists, and Baptists report large decreases of membership during 1907. The "Methodist Recorder," in announcing a loss of 4,392, the largest since 1854, the time of the great disruption in the Methodist ranks, says frankly that it was expected, the news of revival being scarcer than for a generation past. With "record bazaar proceeds" and "unprecedented collections," attendance at prayer-meetings and communion-services has been growing steadily smaller. Baptists report a decrease of some 5,000 members, due partly, it is explained, to a revision of membership rolls, and partly to the failure of some of the converts in the Welsh revival to "stand the test of time." After making all allowances, the figures certainly do not point to a near realization of the millennium. If a really thoroughgoing revision of the membership rolls were to be undertaken, the results would be nothing less than appalling.
In the annals of the British navy, April, 1908, will go down to history as a black month. On the second of the month the destroyer "Sizer" collided with "H. M. S. Berwick" and was sunk, with the loss of thirty-five men; on the 25th, the cruiser "Gladiator" was rammed by the "St. Paul" in The Solent, 27 lives being lost; then the torpedo-destroyer "Gala" was cut in two by the scout "Attentive;" and a serious explosion occurred on board the battle-ship "Britannia," thus making a unique record of disasters.
M. ELLSWORTH OLSEN.
London, May 1.
Back to the Land
By Editor
An editorial clipping is sent us by a correspondent, on an ancient manuscript said to be written seven years after the crucifixion of Jesus, by an eye-witness who was a brother of the order of "Essers," or "Essees," to which Jesus belonged; and who tells of the trial and execution with many interesting details; among other things, that Jesus was taken down from the cross with permission from Pilate, by himself and others; placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea; afterward resuscitated by them from the deep swoon; was persuaded by His disciples not to appear again; and therefore He retired to solitary life, dying six months later from His broken hopes and of His wounds; all of which is superlative nonsense. In the first place there is no such an order as "Essers." There was the order of the "Essenes" of which there is no indication in the Gospels whatsoever that Jesus was a member. This reads like an old fourth-century forgery. That Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, has been demonstrated by nearly nineteen centuries of work in His name.
Back to the Land.
The Atlanta Constitution, in a despatch from Texas, tells us that the hard times and financial disturbances are driving many people from the cities back to the soil. This is good. There is health and life and independence in the cultivation of the soil. This has been especially manifest in the state of Texas.
Dr. George L. Robinson, Instructor in McCormick University, on April 23, in a meeting of the Milwaukee Presbytery, declared that aristocracy and intemperance were greatly increasing among the students of the large universities. He referred to Princeton as an instance of this, and said that "the university is run by a few rich; and on occasions of reunions more beer flows thru the streets and around the university than you would know where to store it." Intemperance is stated to be common.
Some of what are called mild drinks, among which is ginger beer, one of the so-called temperance drinks, are thought to be perfectly proper by temperance people. The British government has been analyzing some of these beverages and finds that some of them have as high as 12 per cent of alcohol. They are allowed two per cent in order to preserve them. One sample of ginger beer had 9.5 per cent, herb beer, 10.5 per cent, dandelion stout, 12.3 per cent. Eight per cent of true spirit is as intoxicating as ordinary claret or hock. And Mr. Asquith tells us that the "samples tested in the last four years have been as highly alcoholic as ordinary beer or porter which contains from two to five per cent of alcohol." In many cases the fermentation goes on after bottling, increasing the alcohol.
The Gun and the Armor.
The Naval and Military Record of England says that "the security of our [the British] naval position lies in the fact that while the Germans have been developing their secondary battery in order to pierce the unarmored ends of our old battle-ships, we have been improving our primary armament in order to enable us to fight at the range of their quick-firing guns;" in other words, to keep them so far away that they will not get near enough to pierce the battle-ships. And so the conflict goes on between armament and guns, between nation and nation, and the awful war burden piles up on the backs of weary, overburdened people.
"The Century Magazine" has been gathering statistics of the age at which men do their best work, or in other words, at which workers are at their maximum strength. For physical workers the average age is 47; for the thinkers, 52; chemists and physicists average at 41; poets and inventors, 44; novelists, 46; explorers and warriors, 47; musical composers, 48; artists and clergymen, 50; essayists and reformers, 51; physicians, surgeons, and statesmen, 52; philosophers, 54; astronomers and mathematicians, 56; historians, 57; and naturalists and jurists, 58. One of the conclusions reached by the writer is, provided health and optimism remain, a man of fifty can command success as readily as the man of thirty. Among the promoters of this is love of one's work and a conscience at peace with God.
President Gompers of the Federation of Labor has rendered one decision which will commend him to fair-minded people, inside and outside of labor unions. A forelady of an Indiana hat factory trimmed a hat as a part of her day's work. She was fined for her violation of factory etiquette, and expelled from the local union. The proprietor refused to discharge her and a strike followed. The matter was referred to President Gompers, and he ordered her reinstated, and declares that "a forelady has an unquestioned right to assist in the performance of any work" and that "foremen and foreladies are required not only to superintend work, but to do work themselves," and this is simply good, common sense. If it had been honored by its observance instead of by its breach, it would have been a help to labor unions.12
The Mystery of Omnipresence.
BE it on ocean's bed— Could there we kneel to pray, Or mountain-top—wherever life hath trod: Be it the heart of earth—by night, by day, The faintest prayer hath audience with God.
Among the Kavirondos.
By J. D. Baker
ABOUT eighteen months ago a mission station was opened by the British Union Conference among the Kavirondos in British East Africa. This station is situated on the southern shore of Kavirondo Bay, the northeastern arm of Lake Victoria Nyanza, and is sixteen miles southwest of Kisumu, the lake terminus of the Uganda Railway.
The Kavirondos are a large tribe but are divided into two distinct branches, the Bantu and Nilotic. The Bantu branch speaks a dialect closely allied to that great family of languages, while the Nilotic branch speaks a dialect similar to that of the tribes along the Nile. Aside from the difference in language, these tribes are alike in looks, manners, and customs. Our work is confined to the Nilotic branch. These people live on the hills and in the valleys near the lake. The country is very thickly populated, two hundred villages being easily counted from the station, each of which contains from five to twenty-five huts. For miles beyond the country is as thickly populated. These are a semi-pastoral people, having large herds of cattle and flocks of sheep and goats. The land is also cultivated, but
hardly sufficiently to supply food to last from season to season; so often thru lack of rain there is a great scarcity of food. Those living nearest the lake shore are fishermen, and secure their grain by barter.
The Kavirondos have been described as naked savages; and so far as lack of clothes goes, this is perfectly true. If by savages we mean a fierce, wild, and bloodthirsty people, the term savage can not be applied to them. They appear, in contrast to the surrounding tribes, a peaceful and contented people. Indeed they are heathen, and until this mission was established, had never heard the name of Jesus. Because their language is not a Bantu dialect, the many missionaries passing thru on their way to Uganda, seem to have neglected them. Probably for the same reason that great curse of northern Africa, Mohammedanism, has not to be reckoned with, either. Our work, therefore, enters on virgin soil. The people still remain in the midst of their heathen superstitions, and the more we learn of these, the more we realize how dark Africa really is. They worship the sun and their dead ancestors.
A Company of Workmen Carrying Clay for the Floor of the School.
As a protection from intruders or wild beasts, each village is surrounded by a peculiar kind of tree which secretes a milky fluid.
Congregation of Kavirondos Meeting Outdoor Previous to the Erection of School Buildings.
If this fluid gets into the eyes, it causes great pain and nearly blinds one. The cattle are kept in a pen in the center of the village. The small round huts are built close together. Small storehouses are also built, in which the grain is stored. The sheep and chickens are kept in the houses at night.
The principal articles of food are bel, the native grain from which they make bread and gruel, sweet potatoes, and curdled milk. They are also flesh-eaters, and will eat meat in an advanced stage of decomposition. The women are not allowed to eat chicken or mutton, nor do they drink milk. The little children are given eggs, grasshoppers, and rats. The women and girls, as well as the men and boys, smoke and chew tobacco. They also smoke a kind of hemp which has a very intoxicating effect upon them. A kind of beer is made from their grain.
Life is not valued very highly, suicide being common among the children as well as the older ones. A child may hang himself if scolded by his parents or if teased by others. A native policeman committed suicide because some one owed him three pice (less than two cents). An old man was thrown into the river because he was getting too old to do much work.
The House Erected by Brother Baker and His Associates, in Which They Live While Carrying on Their Work.
There is a great deal of sickness among the people, the natives not being immune from the fevers. Pneumonia is also very common. Many have large ulcers which are very difficult to heal. There is a small "jigger" which works its way into the toes, and if not taken out immediately eats the toes away altogether. Sore eyes are very prevalent, but they heal readily after they are cleansed carefully with a saline solution. The natives plaster mud and clay over their small wounds, but the large ones are covered with leaves or a piece of skin for protection. In case of illness, a row of parallel cuts is made over the affected part in order to allow the evil spirits to leave the body.
The dead are buried in the huts, the other members of the families still occupying them.
The whole village mourns for the dead. This mourning is usually at night, and the noise can be heard several miles away. The third day the friends of the deceased gather from miles around to take part in the death-dance. Dressed in their feathers and paints, with their swords, spears, shields, and bows and arrows, they go thru imaginary fights, sing and dance, beat their drums, and blow their horns. Altogether they appear very warlike and sav-13age, but if you should go among them on such occasions, you would be led to believe that this is one of the happiest times in their lives; more like a holiday than a time for mourning.
Grass House That Was on the Grounds When the Mission Was Started. It Is Now Used as a Workshop and Boys' Sleeping Quarters.
The natives appreciate the efforts we have made to help their sick and afflicted. Our work consists principally in looking after sore eyes and dressing wounds. Several natives living ten or twelve miles away have come, staying at the villages near, in order that their wounds may be looked after. A short time ago a boy about fifteen years old came to see us. A cataract covered one eye, and the other eye was rapidly being covered by another. We told him we were sorry, but we could not do anything to help him. He was much disappointed, saying, "They told me if I came to you, you would give me some good medicine so I could see better."
So far our time has been spent principally in learning the language, and in erecting necessary buildings—houses, workshop, and also a school which is used for Sabbath services. These buildings are nearly completed. Our Sabbath services are largely attended, the average attendance being over three hundred. Last Sabbath between six and seven hundred were present. The Lord's Prayer, a few texts, and a number of songs have been translated into their own language. The natives are rapidly learning to sing our old favorites, such as, "I Love to Tell the Story," "I Am so Glad that Our Father in Heaven," "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus," and "There Is a Happy Land." I am sure you would enjoy hearing them sing and ask questions about Jesus and heaven. They are beginning to know which day is the Sabbath, and often on Friday we are asked, "Is to-morrow Jesus?" "Is to-morrow the Sabbath?" or "Do we sing to-morrow?" Thus we see an impression being made upon the people, and we long for the time when souls will be gathered into the fold. Truly Africa is the "Dark Continent," and we pray for more workers so that the light of this Gospel may shine into its darkest corners.
J. D. BAKER.
Our Work and Workers.
A CHURCH of eleven members has been organized at Longdale, Okla.
FOUR adults were baptized recently at Kelleyville, Okla., by Brother W. T. Ramsey.
THE brethren at Caldwell, Idaho, recently dedicated a new church building free of debt.
SISTER MARGARET E. YOUNG reports the baptism of one of her readers, with two others, at Council Bluffs, Iowa.
EIGHT new converts were baptized at the close of a recent Central American Conference, held at Caxen Hole, Ruatan, Bay Islands.
EIGHT children and youth gave their hearts to God at Fargo, N. D., in a meeting recently held by Brethren C. L. Benson and J. F. Simon.
AT the late council of the General Conference Committee at Washington, D. C., arrangements were made for sending about twenty workers from the United States to foreign fields, some to take the places of those returning on account of failing health, and others to swell the army of workers in distant fields.
"LAST Sabbath it was our privilege to accept into the Cleveland (Ohio) church twenty-four members,—nineteen on profession of faith and five by letter. A number of others are deeply interested, and some have this week made request for baptism."
—R. G. Patterson.
BROTHER C. H. PARKER, Buresala, Fiji, writes: "The work in this part of the Master's vineyard continues to advance, and we see persons coming into the light of the glorious message for this time. Lately five half-castes have taken their stand for the truth at Suva."
THE first tent-meeting ever held in Brazil began February 12. The brethren themselves made the tents, and one of the brethren furnished money for an organ. A successful meeting was conducted, and the brethren report good progress. Those attending the meeting were Germans and Brazilians, about equally divided.
WRITING of a meeting held at Goldsberry, Mo., May 2, Brother H. B. Steele tells of a sermon preached by Brother Meade MacGuire: "The Spirit of God witnessed to the message borne, and thirteen precious souls responded to the call to surrender all. Baptism took place Sunday afternoon, when twelve dear souls followed their Saviour in this solemn ordinance. Two others were ready, but on account of rain were not present."
"SABBATH, April 25, baptism was administered by the writer to nine willing souls, eight of whom united with the Trenton (N. J.) church. Six of the candidates were members of one family. Another was a pronounced atheist. He borrowed "Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation" for the purpose of combating its teachings; but the prophetic truths burned their way into his soul, and, needless to say, he is now engaged in pushing the sale of the book that brought him to the truth."
—B. F. Kneeland.
Wanted for Missionary Work.
LARGE quantities of clean SIGNS, Watchman, Life Boat, Instructor, and tracts, for use in tent-meetings. W. L. Killen, Greensboro, N. C.
Oakland (Cal.) Camp-Meeting Notice.
By Editor
The general camp-meeting for northern and central California will be held at Melrose Station, Oakland, Cal., June 4 to 14.
Reduced rates on the certificate plan will be given by all the railroads.
Tents will be rented at the usual rates and a restaurant and store will be conducted on the grounds by the St. Helena Sanitarium.
Some of our best speakers will be in attendance, and everybody is urged to attend.
