IN his address, "Our Country," delivered to the Christian Endeavor Convention at Seattle, Vice-President Fairbanks said:
"American institutions depend more upon the influences and teachings of the great Christian churches than upon all other influences combined and many times multiplied. THIS IS AND IS TO BE A CHRISTIAN NATION. Its destiny is to be governed by Christian people. Our fathers walked by Christian faith, and we are guided by that same faith. We are carrying it into business and POLITICS, and the more we put into both, the nobler will be our ideals and the more thoroly we will be inspired by that spirit of righteousness and justice which tends to the welfare of the home, the exaltation of the community, and the glory of the State. . . .
"The great Christian churches are doing more than cabinets to usher in an era of peace on earth, good-will to men; not an era which tends to the degeneracy of American manhood and of our national character. . . .
"The Christian Endeavor Society is essentially practical. It puts its theories to the actual test. That is one of the things I like about it. It is a powerful, aggressive agency for good in every avenue of our social life. It is a vast army making for better citizenship. Its influence is always to be found upon the side of those forces which have been and which are purifying our civic affairs. It is especially forceful in cultivating a spirit of good-will among nations. Such an institution is a blessing to every country in which it is to be found. All honor and success to this great society in the United States, yes, all honor and success to it thruout the world."
Speaking of "The Democracy of Christian Endeavor," Rev. L. S. Hall, of St. Paul, said: "We must emphasize the need of a closer affiliation of society members, and then closer union between the society and the church. This, I believe, will result in the Christian Endeavor organization having much to do in uniting all the different churches."
Mr. Fairbanks says that "Christian Endeavor is a powerful, aggressive agency," and a "vast army making for better citizenship." Rev. Mr. Hall thinks it will bring together the differing churches of our land. At the great Inter-Church Conference in New York City, 1905, Rev. Chas. Dickey, a prominent delegate, said: "I trust that one of the practical results of this conference will be the organization of a force that lawbreakers and lawmakers will respect and heed when great questions of morals are involved. . . . Rulers may ignore sects, but they will respect the church. This federation will compel an audience, and it will speak with power if it will put aside its differences and make its agreement its argument."
It will be remembered that Professor Wells, speaking of the probable future influence and work of Christian Endeavor in civic affairs, at the Seattle Convention, said: "It will not be long, either, before the Christian Endeavor Patriots' League will widen out irresistibly from local to national interests. . . . I hope that the response at this convention will inaugurate the League with an impetus that will be felt all over our land. And for the greatest efficiency we need the enthusiasm and weight of large numbers."
Putting these and various other statements of like tenor together,—not at all for the sake of criticism, but that questions of fact and an issue of vital importance may be rightly understood, and that just the proper conclusions may be arrived at,—it must be obvious to every candid mind that Christian Endeavor Society will link its forces with, and lend its influence to, every other confederated power purposing to secure such a change in the fundamentals of the structural government that CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP will be essential to one's right to participate in the affairs of the government, and that "CHRIST AND THE CHURCH" shall be recognized by the CIVIL POWER. Of this there can be no misunderstanding.
C. W. Fairbanks, Vice-President of the United States.
And herein lies the danger, the influence, and the power of great organizations, a power that "lawmakers will respect and heed," a power that no incumbent of public office or political aspirant will dare to refuse to treat with and respect, dare to seek to thwart its purposes. And herein lies the danger of the repetition of the history of Rome, the danger in the attempt "to make men good by law," the danger of crossing the pathway and denying the right of individual sovereignty in MATTERS RELIGIOUS, the danger of relighting the fires of RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION!
And in this connection, realizing the truth of Vice-President Fairbanks' prediction that Christian Endeavor will soon prove to be a mighty force in civic affairs, and an army powerful in the battle for Christian Citizenship, is it not both proper and timely to inquire as to what is genuine Christian Endeavor; as to what is GOOD CITIZENSHIP; as to the nature of Christian Patriotism and the need of Patriotic Leagues? Of the thousand and one questions that may arise, these only need to be considered; for the good of Christian Endeavor Society itself; for the good of the reader; for the good of the writer.
What is genuine Christian endeavor? The Bible, and the Bible alone, must give the answer and settle the question.
Into a great world of iniquity, Jesus Christ sent, as sheep among wolves, a little band of humble, trusting disciples, carrying a message of the merciful forgiveness of sins; a message that brought hope to the despairing, joy to the sorrowing, relief to the distressed, peace to the perplexed; a message whose power was that of the WORD OF GOD alone—a power that had lightened the heavens that the simple shepherds might see the angelic host; a power that had filled the stable and the manger with an infinite presence, while the wise men of the East gazed upon the incarnate Child; a power that had stilled the raging tempest on the sea of Galilee with the simple voice of command; a power that had healed the sick, cleansed the leper, opened the eyes of the blind, and raised the dead; a power that after all these dead centuries of the past reflects more brilliantly than ever the glory of the Cross of Christ!
"Go, . . . and preach the Gospel to every creature" is the sole command of the Master of sea and land. Never once did He ask for the aid of the civil power nor the helping hand of the magistracy. Rather did the Nazarene and His lowly followers find the civil power and the magistrates and the governors of the Roman Empire that filled the world, set against them and their right to promulgate the glorious, Gospel of freedom from sin and unrighteousness.
He who was the world's Redeemer refused to wear the royal diadem and to become this world's king (John 18: 36). In healing the servant of the high priest and replacing the ear which Peter had cut off with the keen edge of a sword of steel, our Lord absolutely repudiated the right to use force and the power of the temporal; and in a sentence He annihilated the national idea and the doctrine that Roman institutions and integrity must be held sacred, Roman laws upon the subject of religion reverently received and obeyed without question. "Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
Thus the Author of government and of right citizenship eternally divorced the forces and powers of the respective spheres of civil and divine government. The apostle Paul—the very chiefest of the apostles—never once asked the aid of the civil power. In very fact, he disclaimed any right to use any other than the power of the Gospel—the dynamite of God (Rom. 1: 16). He purposed to alone "make known Christ" and "the power of an endless life," the "mystery of God." His was the Gospel of "forgiveness;" and not the "ENFORCEMENT OF LAW."
The story of the Philippian dungeon, its quaking walls and breaking bolts and bars, is for all time sufficient proof that the power used by the apostles of God was the supernatural power, and that was all-sufficient. Not one intimation, or a single sentence about the ENFORCEMENT OF LAW and CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP in the State! 'Twas always and ever, forgiveness of sin, the transgression of a law, "spiritual," "holy, and just, and good," and a CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN.
There is no greater object-lesson on record, showing that the Gospel is not concerned in, and can not be applied to, the question of the enforcement of law, than the story of striking interest found in the eighth chapter of John. Hard-hearted Pharisees bring a forlorn and wretched woman, charged with the violation of the seventh commandment, to Christ. They demand the enforcement of law. "Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned; but what sayest Thou!"11Marvelously did Jesus meet the issue.
Stooping, He wrote upon the ground the history of their sins. "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." One by one, the woman's accusers departed. When Jesus lifted Himself up, and found no accuser—"Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more." Ah, truly, "Never man spake like this Man." No enforcement of law here. No, only forgiveness and freedom—freedom to choose the darkness or the light. No grand jury indictment, no trial by jury, no inexorable sentence of the court. MERCY AND FORGIVENESS! "Go, and sin no more."
The Gospel, then, is "the power of God;" it provides forgiveness of sin and imparts righteousness and purity of life. It is for that, and that alone. It—the Gospel—can have "no part or parcel," directly, in the civic affairs of men. This truth was clearly discerned by Martin Luther, declared by the princes at the Diet of Spires; reaffirmed by the famous Presbytery of Hanover; enlarged upon in that memorable document, the U. S. Senate report of 1829; recognized by Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Lincoln, and Grant; and provided for in the American Magna Charta—the Constitution of the United States.
In refusing to arbitrate the misunderstanding between brethren (Luke 12: 14), Christ positively refused the office of a magistrate. To "persuade" and "beseech" is the work of the true ambassador of Christ; his soul-winning force is the power of love, and not the love of power.
Christian Endeavor Society frankly admits, like other great organizations whose object is to make the CIVIL bend to the influence and behest of the RELIGIOUS, that with the BALLOT-BOX and AT THE POLLS must the victory be sought and won. In this they greatly err. And in the light of the foregoing, as concerning true Christian endeavor, Christian Patriotism, Christian Leagues, Christian Citizenship, they need not be considered, for all these have no place, and rightly should receive no consideration in civil government.
"There is no argument in favor of establishing the Christian religion but may be pleaded with equal propriety for establishing the tenets of Mohammed by those who believe the Alcoran." Macaulay has well said: "The whole history of the Christian religion shows that she is in far greater danger of being corrupted by the ALLIANCE OF POWER than by being crushed by its opposition." And Dr. Schaff writes: "Secular power has proved a Satanic gift to the church, and ecclesiastical power has proved an engine of tyranny in the State." The church, and church societies, in order to successfully carry on the work of God, have no need, and should not require, the aid of the civil power. It is the aid and the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT that is needed, and that alone.
It is not to be denied that Christian Endeavor Society means well; and in the society there are many good, conscientious, God-fearing men and women zealously determined to carry the triumphs of the Cross to the farthest corners of earth. Yet it seems to the writer that the Christian Endeavor Society is trying to do the right thing in the wrong way. Would to God that Christian Endeavor might reconsider, RECONSIDER; and if it find the "gateway of politics" the wrong avenue thru which "to bring the kingdom of God upon earth," retrace its steps, and confine its earnest efforts to THE LEGITIMATE SPHERE OF THE SPIRITUAL. And by appeal to the INDIVIDUAL instead of to GOVERNMENT—secure the much-coveted and desired transformation "of the nations." 'Tis the only way consistent with the divine plan—a plan fraught with amazing grace and abounding love. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,"—the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
According to the Seattle "Post Intelligencer," the Twenty-third International Convention of Christian Endeavor Society "made a profound impression upon the people of Seattle." With the increasing years, and with increasing strength and influence, Christian Endeavor will yet make a "profound impression" upon the American people—and, perhaps, the people of the WHOLE WORLD.
The next International Convention of this truly great organization will be at St. Paul, Minn., in 1909; the Fourth World's Christian Endeavor Convention at Agra, India, in 1910.
All in One Day.
By Editor
THE papers that came to us on September 16 were about like the usual run of the daily products of the press. The most striking feature about them is their record of casualties, crime, and social discontent. A brief record of the doings of that day in this respect might be of interest, and will be also instructive if we consider the matter in the light of what it means.
A Pittsburg mob nearly hangs a detective, having mistaken him for a non-union man who had shot a union member. Such is the significant heading to one column. Another heading in the same column says—
England Faces a Railway Strike.
Mr. Victor Grayson, M. P., recently elected by the Socialists to the British Parliament. He is the first out-and-out Socialist to be elected to such a high position in England. It marks a very significant step. The matter was quite fully treated on page ten in our issue of September 25. Those who read that article will be interested in the above portrait, and those who see this picture but who have not read the article will certainly miss much if they fail to do so yet.
The decision will be made on the twenty-eighth of October, and the men are urged by their leaders to be prepared to strike. The contention, in the main, is for an eight-hour day, and larger pay for overtime than is paid for the regular day. The railroad company refuses to recognize the union, and the strike will not only seek to get the shorter hours and increased pay, but will also demand that the union be recognized.
A conductor was shot by a man that he was putting off his train because the man refused to pay his fare. The conductor was severely wounded, but shot at his assailant in self-defense. Some of the passengers joined in the shooting, and among them a shot was fired that killed the man. When his body was turned over to the coroner it was found that he had on his person more than enough money to have paid his fare to the place he said he was going, in addition to a railroad ticket to the same place.
A Seattle woman goes insane in church and creates a scene by hitting her associate worshippers with her umbrella. These sudden collapses into insanity are simply an index of the high tension to which so many people are constantly strung and such sudden breaks as the one herein mentioned are of frequent occurrence.
The brutal act of the Seattle police in taking a woman away from her small children and holding her in jail is mentioned also under a large type heading.
The Japanese trouble in Canada is considered, and the plan of indemnity proposed by the Dominion Parliament is discussed.
Mrs. Hetty Green sees dull times ahead because the guilty oppressors of the innocent do not meet their just deserts in courts of justice.
Rioting women in France are marching the streets of Paris, demanding that death be meted out to the men who have been so shamefully mistreating little girls. There is said to be a regular epidemic of crime of this sort. In the same article the story is told of another criminal band styling themselves the "Apaches" who "in the secluded sections almost daily maim and rob, and sometimes murder, their victims. Their weapon always is the knife, and gathering in bands, they often wantonly stab pedestrians and frequently policemen, merely for the sake of stabbing. The Director of the Paris police declares that his force is entirely insufficient to cope with the situation."
Organizing the railroads to fight the threatened strike of the boiler-makers, the blowing open of a safe by some daring cracksmen, and four boys under thirteen years of age arrested for thievery, are among the other items that are mentioned.
Every one knows that the foregoing is but a fair recital of the average contents of the daily papers. Many people see the trend of the times in these criminal and violent directions and are alarmed because of it. But there is no occasion of alarm. The word of God pictured out this situation of things hundreds of years ago, and we may know what it means if we will but study the prophecies. We are in the time that just precedes the second coming of Christ, and these conditions will grow worse and worse till the very end is reached. But every one who is trusting in the arm of Jehovah for protection will be sheltered from the gathering storm.
The Street-Car Strike in San Francisco.
THE street-car strike that has been in progress in San Francisco since May 5, is declared by the carmen to be still in progress, but within the last few days they have removed the boycott, saying that it is all right for union men to ride on the cars. They say they are doing this in order to test the assertion that the company has so persistently made that they could handle the business with their non-union men if they could only be let alone.
During the progress of the strike four persons were killed and 252 are known to have been wounded. 3,529 car-windows were broken, besides other damage to property. And while this has been going on in the Metropolis of the West, other strikes of a more or less serious character have been in progress in various parts of the East and South, and also quite numerous in the Old World as well.
Railway Disasters and Reckless Living
Twenty-five persons were killed and a number more injured in a wreck caused by a head-on collision on September 15, near Canaan, Vt. The passenger-train contained excursionists that had been spending a day in Canada, and as their train rounded a curve they collided with a freight. The great and constantly growing number of serious railway and steamship disasters shows that the mad, rushing business whirl of this age is breaking men down and driving them into careless habits that are producing dire results. If men did not want to drive ahead so fast, accidents would not be so frequent. The principles held by so many in this time are leading them to be more and more reckless, and to hold the property and lives of others in less and less esteem.
Ex-President Cleveland’s Failing Health
The health of ex-President Cleveland is said to be rapidly failing, and it is feared that he may not have much longer to live. He is said to be suffering from the gout. He served his country as President for two terms, and has won the esteem of a large number of his fellow citizens.
WORTH REPEATING
By Editor
ONCE more we wish to call the attention of our readers to some of the good things that are to appear in the forth-coming special numbers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. It will be impossible for us to give any adequate idea of what these papers will contain. They must be seen to be appreciated. Our motto has always been, "Better than we promise," but in this issue we will again call attention to a few things that we have in store for you. First will come the great
World's Missions Special
This will be a double number (32 pages), finely illustrated and beautifully printed, bearing the date of October 30 and November 6. It will present in a striking manner the great work of missions its accomplishments, its open doors, its needy fields, and its glorious culmination in the harvest home.
The writers for this issue will be men whose hearts are burdened for the salvation of souls, men with hearts fresh and warm from mission fields, and men in those mission fields bearing the burden, seeing the misery, hearing the cry for help, and witnessing the power of the Gospel.
For many months we have been gathering from all parts of the world illustrations and material for this special issue, and we feel safe in saying that this will be the best missions number that was ever published by any journal on earth. Here are a few of the
Good Things It Will Contain
By Editor
A CENTURY OF MISSIONS, or the great work that has been accomplished during the past century by missionary effort. The Bible has been given to the world in all of its various languages; every nook and corner of the earth has been entered by the missionary, all of which has been predicted by the prophets as something that shall take place, "and then shall the end come."
THE OPEN DOORS BEFORE GOD'S PEOPLE, by Dr. A. T. Pierson, editor of the Missionary Review of the World, showing the great opportunities in these times for missionary effort, and how God is going before His workers to lead them in preparing for the world's great harvest.
THE PREPARATION FOR A QUICK WORK, showing how that since the ground has been prepared, as set forth in preceding articles, the closing work can be accomplished in a very short space of time.
PROGRESSIVE WORK OF GOD IN PREPARING FOR CHRIST'S COMING, the majestic workings of God in preparing the way step by step for the grand consummation.
THE POWER OF THE WORD TO SAVE SOULS FROM SIN.
THE GOSPEL TO THE WORLD IN THIS GENERATION, or the inscription on the banner of this people, which has become the great war-cry of the present hour.
THERE SHALL BE DELAY NO LONGER, the closing of God's work.
CHRISTIANITY, A LIFE, in contradistinction to other great religions, and to the view of Christianity as a system of ethics.
A PERSONAL SAVIOUR, the salvation and regeneration of the individual, rather than the salvation of the nation by ethics or politics.
THE LATTER RAIN—THE OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT.
Brief statistical matter in regard to missions, making the paper valuable as a work of reference.
MESSAGES FROM THE NATIONS—Burma, Malacca, the Philippines, China, Japan, Africa,— from Egypt, to the Cape of Good Hope, —Syria, Turkey, Russia, Korea, South America, and Oceanica. Under this head will be published brief statements from missionaries in all parts of the world, together with appeals that they will make for their respective fields. We hope that, in harmony with God's own prophetic word, these appeals will reach and touch hearts so that they will bring abundantly of their means to assist in finishing this great work in this generation.
We have been very successful in securing engravings that are not only attractive but which tell the story most emphatically. We will mention only a few of them:
1. A full-page cover drawing, by Mr. Charles Mente, illustrating Christ sending forth His disciples two by two into the dark world.
2. Illustration, by Mr. Mente, representing Christ standing at the door knocking.
3. A drawing of the heads of various tribes representing the great, needy world.
4. Portraits of the great pioneer missionaries of Christendom, from John Eliot, the apostle among the Indians, to John Paton, of Oceanica.
5. Photographs of various people and scenes from different mission fields of the world.
6. Various other drawings, such as initial letters and typical and symbolical borders.
7. Song and music, "The Bugle Call of Missions."
As before stated, this paper will be beautifully illustrated. On two pages opening opposite each other we shall have portraits of all the great missionaries from Carey and Judson down,—32 in all,—with a brief history of each one, stating when and where they were born, the field they worked in as missionaries, what was accomplished under their labors, and when they died. These portraits will be arranged as a border to each page, and these two pages alone will be worth the price of the paper.
Everybody Interested in Missions
Not only Christians of all denominations, but infidels and atheists, are anxious to know what progress is being made in the matter of carrying out the commission of the great Teacher recorded in Mark1316:15: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." This Special Missions Number of the SIGNS will undertake to tell the story in a brief, pointed, and interesting way, and every person of whatever persuasion should have the privilege of reading it.
Immediately following this great Missions Number there will be
TWENTY-FOUR SPECIAL NUMBERS
which will be of peculiar interest to all. One of the most prominent and important features of these numbers is a series of illustrated Bible-readings which will appear under the heading of
Home Bible Studies for Winter Evenings
1. These readings will be in the form of studies, with notes and quotations from history bearing upon the subject. They will be illustrated by diagrams, drawings, and unique little illustrations that will explain the lesson and make it simple and impressive. The topics will include:
(a) The Scriptures.
(b) Prophecy.
(c) The Coming of the Just One.
(d) Signs of the Times.
(e) The Sanctuary.
(f) The Law of God.
(g) The Everlasting Gospel.
(h) The Everlasting Covenant.
(i) Man; His Nature and Destiny.
(j) Spiritual Gifts.
(k) The Great Threefold Message.
(l) The Sabbath in all its Phases.
(m) Religious Liberty.
(n) Man's Eternal Home.
(o) The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit, etc., etc.
Articles on the books of Daniel and the Revelation.
Articles on the book of Romans, the "therefores" and the "wherefores," and the reasons for them.
Articles on the miracles, teaching, and life of Jesus Christ as the Great Physician.
A series on the Ten Commandments.
The Kingdom and Priesthood of Christ.
Conditions in the world. Able correspondents in the Old World and the New. Labor and Capital, Wealth and Poverty, Plenty and Famine, Peace and War.
Health and Hygiene.
Home Instruction.
The regular departments of the paper such as, "The Outlook," "Missions," etc., will be maintained the same as usual.
The Outlook Department
In this department special attention will be given to current events that have a bearing upon the fulfilment of prophecy. We shall continue to send representatives to all important gatherings, both political and religious, in order that our readers may be kept informed of the natural trend of events.
Home Department
We can only suggest some of the good things to appear in our Home Department in the year to come. We know that our readers will be greatly helped by them. For instance, here is a list of twenty-one articles on
"The Building of the Home"
by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle, whom our readers know so well.
Home, What It Means.
Honorable Young Manhood.
Beautiful Young Womanhood.
Acquaintance, Friendship, Proprieties.
Honorable and Proper Courtship.
Marriage and Its Meaning.
The Husband in the Home.
The Wife in the Home.
The Family Altar.
The Father.
The Mother.
The Son.
The Daughter.
Reading in the Home.
Order in the Home.
Simplicity in the Home.
Economy and Thrift in the Home.
Mutual Helpfulness.
Gatherings in the Home—Associations.
The Master in the Home.
The Outshining of the Home.
Besides this list of helpful articles we have the promise of another series which we may entitle
"Observations on Home-Life"
from the pen of one known to some of our SIGNS family, and to many outside our SIGNS family, Mrs. Emma H. Adams, author of several excellent books, a lady of many years' experience, of wide acquaintance, and with a young heart. In a series of short articles she will give our readers the benefit of some of her keen observations.
Besides these there will be talks to the young, talks on health and hygiene, interesting information, and occasional helpful stories and sketches. The Home Department alone will be worth the price of the paper for a year.
With Our Inquirers
This department of the SIGNS seems to be becoming more and more interesting and important as is evidenced by the large number of questions that come to the editor's desk, and our readers will be glad to know that this department will be kept up the same as heretofore, and all are invited to make use of its columns.
Bible-Readers' Band
We hope to enlist many thousands among our readers who will read the Bible thru in one or two years. Of this we shall have more to say later. It will be one of the profitable departments.
These are some of the good things which we expect to lay before our readers in the year to come. We believe that they will appeal to one and all as being well worth the subscription price, and we not only hope to retain every name now on our subscription-list, but to add many more. Renewals should be sent in early so as not to miss the great Missions Number.
Evening Meditation
By Max Hill
By Max Hill
The Home
A MOMENT before I seek my bed,
A moment for silent thought;
A moment to ponder the words I've said,
To measure what I have wrought;
To think of the deeds of the hours sped,
The good that each hour has brought;
To meditate, silently, alone,
On all of God's goodness to me shown
In guiding and keeping along the way,
His mercies abounding thru all the day.
So little have I of good to show
For labors that I have done;
So far from the way my feet would go,
So prone in wrong paths to run;
So feeble my efforts, and O, so slow;
So few for the Master won;
Yet ever His promises I claim,
And kneeling I call upon His name;
And sorrow and doubt and worry cease,
For unto my soul He speaketh peace.
