p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 17. (4/28/1898)

Earlier text: News and Notes

WAR IN THE 19th CENTURY.

BURSTING of a shell.

A modern naval engagement.

Firing the disappearing gun.

Loading the disappearing gun.

The Indiana of the U. S. N.

Firing the 120-ton gun.

Diagram showing the effect of a shot from a 110-ton gun.

A big cannon being transported.

The Elswick quick-fire marine gun.

The Monitor.

The Merrimac.

Pushing the torpedo in the tube, preparatory to shooting it from the man-of-war.

Battle between torpedo-boats and an iron-clad.

Submarine torpedo-boat.

Submarine torpedo-boat discharging her torpedo at an iron-clad.

The above is a list of illustrations to be found in the “Alarm of War.” Price, $2.00 per hundred.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

OAKLAND, CAL.

39 Bond St.,

18 W. 5th St.,

New York City

Kansas City, Mo.

GERMAN, SWEDISH, DANISH.

“The Alarm of War” is being translated into the above languages as rapidly as possible. Particulars next week.

The Great Threefold Message

The Great Threefold Message is an illustrated sixteen-page tract. Its price is $1.00 per 100, and it is now in its 25th thousand.

It considers the subject of “God’s remedy for the ills of Christendom.” All the world knows that Christendom is indeed ill; and many would gladly know the remedy. The subject is so treated in this tract that this class will read, and to read is to know that remedy for themselves.

PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal. New York, N. Y. Kansas City, Mo.

Wanted: Healthful Cook and Housekeeper

WANTED, middle-aged woman (Sabbath-keeper) to do cooking and house work in family of three. Must understand preparation of healthful foods. Address, Mrs. Sarah E. Healy, Vacaville, Cal.

BIBLE LESSONS. NO. I.

By G. H. Bell

By Prof. G. H. Bell.

A SABBATH-SCHOOL lesson book adapted to the needs of the youngest scholar, and covering the period from Adam to Moses. Price, 15 cents.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

A GOOD TRACT FOR USE.

By Clarence Santee

“THE Great Threefold Message” is just out as No. 47 of Apples of Gold Library series. It ought to be read by every Seventh-day Adventist, put in every reading-rack, and in the hands of every person who will read. Sometimes I fear that we are passing by the great foundation-stones of the message in our haste after something new. This tract is presented in such a way that people will read. Let the tract societies send in large orders for this tract and follow other publications that have been put out, with this tract, that you will find second to none. It has three illustrations, and contains sixteen pages. Price, one cent. Thousands of these ought to be used in Iowa before the evenings become short. Send them by letter, and in every way. I think the first general effort for 1898 may well be made with this tract. —Clarence Santee, in Workers’ Bulletin.

Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal

THE one hundred and twentieth thousand of the Alarm of War is now on our presses, and still the orders come in as rapidly as ever. Price, $2.00 per 100.

Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal

39 Bond St., New York City.

18 West Fifth St., Kansas City, Mo.

Typewriters Cheap

Until recently we have had the Pacific Coast Agency for the “World’s Greatest” Densmore Typewriter. The magnitude of our publishing work has compelled us to relinquish this agency, and we are closing out our old model machines VERY CHEAP. Write for particulars.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.,

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

SABBATH SCHOOL Maps

4 A. Lands of the Bible, especially the travels of St. Paul, 52x71 inches . . . $5 00

4 B. Same as above, reduced to one-half size . . . 3 00

4 C. Same as above, but reduced to 36x26 inches . . . 1 00

Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

39 Bond St., New York City. 14 to 18 West Fifth St., Kansas City, Mo.

BIBLE SANCTIFICATION: A CONTRAST OF TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES.

By Mrs. E. G. White.

This is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbors. Price, 10 cents.

Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

Remembering God’s Sovereignty

It is a good thing for Christians to remember in such a time as this “that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will;” “for the kingdom is the Lord’s; and He is the governor among the nations.” Here is another good thing to remember: “The wrath of man shall praise Thee; the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain.” And here is yet another: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

“If you fear, cast all your cares on God; That anchor holds.”

THE “CHRISTIAN” DEMAND FOR WAR.

It is astounding, looking at it from a Christian, or Biblical standpoint, to note the general demand for war from Christian press and pulpit. In some cases both preacher and paper urge the government into the fearful conflict, which may mean the loss of myriads of lives, widowing of thousands of women, the orphaning of tens of thousands of children, and the brutalizing of thousands of persons. There is no school so degrading as war. No pen can portray the fearful effects and diabolical ends of war. As to its necessity, its justification, we leave that to the men in the governments involved, praying what God has taught us to pray in 1 Tim. 2: 1-3.

We believe in liberty, and in the liberty of Cuba and of every oppressed people and person on the earth. We believe that God desires liberty for all. But for that as Christians we can only plead with God and men; “for tho we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,” yet are they “mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor. 10: 3-5. And the only weapon in this warfare is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God;” and the panoply of the Christian warrior is the whole armor of God,—the shield of faith, the helmet of the hope of salvation, the greaves of peace, and the breastplate of righteousness. See Eph. 6: 10-17. Fighting such battles, armed with such a weapon, clad in such armor, eternal victory is sure.

The Christian has his sympathies for the poor, the oppressed, the down-trodden of all ages, lands, and times; but he will leave to God the execution of vengeance upon the tyrant and oppressor. To say that because we, a “Christian nation,” are strong, and can bully or bluster, frighten or coerce, some weak, offending “Christian nation” into acting the hypocrite, is not the Christianity of Christ and His apostles. It is because professed Christians have lost sight of this—lost faith in God—that they are clamoring for war and appealing to the despotic spirit of militarism and brute force. But nowhere has Christ commanded His church to go to war, kill their fellow-men, or fight with carnal weapons. Think of what it leads professed Christians to do. Here is what the Pittsburg Catholic says, as quoted in the Independent of March 31:—

“Should the die be cast, and the sword be drawn, every Catholic must and will enter with all his heart into the conflict with an unflinching determination to carry the flag of the Union with triumph and honor through the storm of war. Henceforth, until peace be restored, our great object must be to defend by every means in our power the national cause.”

That is, Catholic Christians of America will enter heart and soul into the sanguinary conflict to destroy the lives of the Catholic Christians of Spain! Two men revere the same pope, ask the protection and assistance of the same saints, and yet endeavor to kill each other!

The Word declares that Christ died for all; but how many believe it? God loves the sinners of Spain as truly as He does the sinners of America. If vengeance is due them, can it not be left to God, who declares, “I will repay”? The very fact that we hear the insistent demand for war, by professed Christians, is proof that those who join in the chorus do not know the Christianity of the Bible.

“But what would you do in reference to this barbarity and cruelty and oppression?”—We would do all that Christians could do in a Christian way to secure freedom for all. We would seek God, as we do, in behalf of the oppressed. We would minister to the wants of the poor. If all professed Christians who are to-day clamoring for war on both sides the Atlantic, would have one true, Christian prayer-meeting, war would cease of itself. We would leave results with God, who “ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth them to whomsoever He will.” He is just. He will surely punish the wicked, acquit the innocent, and reward the faithful. If Christians would obey Christ Jesus, preach the Gospel, carry the glad tidings, separate from worldly policy, politics, and ambitions, their indirect influence would be a thousand times more potent in the councils of nations than all the influence begotten of so-called “patriotism,” or politics.

Unordered Copies of the Signs

By Editor

We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance.

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 to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.

United States Ultimatum to Spain

War, at this writing, is not formally declared, but the United States has presented to Spain her ultimatum, demanding, it is reported, an answer by midnight of April 23. From all human prospects, before this reaches our readers war will be begun.

Leo XIII and the Spanish Warship

ONE of the curious incongruities of the pope’s assumption of the role of vicegerent of Christ, is the naming of a Spanish war ship Leo XIII. As Spain is an ultra-Catholic nation, its action in naming such a vessel after the pope was deemed an act of deference, and of course was approved by him. Christ is the “Prince of Peace,” and there could be no better proof that Leo XIII. is not his accredited chief ambassador than that pretender’s allowing himself to be represented by a war vessel—an engine of destruction, designed for the killing of men. But Spain instituted the Inquisition for the furtherance of papal influence and interest, and a pope’s name on one of her war ships is consistent, from that standpoint at least.

Christians and the Spirit of War

“War, even for humanity’s sake,” says the New York World, “or to preserve the national honor, must involve the loss of lives and property, of course. As Prince Bismarck said, ‘You can not make an omelette without breaking eggs.’ But in a just cause the omelette is worth the eggs.” Human life is too valuable to be spoken of in such a light and trivial manner. Christ is not the Author of this spirit of war that prompts such statements. And even in the face of some pulpits that would try to educate us into the idea that Christianity is in harmony with the war doctrine, every true Christian should everywhere do all in his power to break this fatal spell that is stealing over mankind. The Bible plainly tells us that it is the spirits of devils that is stirring up this strife. The same book also tells us that the angels of God are commissioned to hold the winds of war and strife. Which company will we work with?

What a Wicked Spirit Is That of War!—

War in the sense of sanguinary conflict. And yet it is abroad everywhere. Mighty efforts are being put forth in public schools, in religious schools, and even in churches, to instil the spirit of militarism in the hearts of even the little boys and girls. But the glory of militarism is conquest, and conquest implies war, and war means the horrible taking of human life. War with Spain means that sweet, sad mothers and wives and children may mourn—from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Lakes to the Gulf. It also means that mothers whose sons are dear, wives whose hearts truly love their husbands, children who will become orphans, all of whom are loved of God, all of whom love friends and home and country, for all of whom Christ died, many of whom know nought of the real causes of war, will mourn, hopelessly mourn, the loss of loved ones by the banks of the Tagus, the Douro, the Guadalquivir, and Guadiana. “Christians” fighting “Christians”! “How long, O Lord, how long?”

Followers of Peace Clamor for War

The Washington correspondent of the Independent says: “One distinguished general cried out the other day, ‘War! let the men who are shouting for it learn what it means. I have seen 1,700 men lying dead on a battle-field with their faces turned to heaven, and I never want to see war again.’” And yet followers of the Prince of Peace are clamoring for war!

Religious Liberty

Religious Liberty.—True religious liberty is the right of the other man to think for himself. The true test of principle is its application on both sides. Says one man, “I believe in religious liberty.” This is good, but is it for yourself or the other man? You are a Roman Catholic. Of course you believe in liberty for Catholics, but do you believe in the same liberty for Protestants? This is the test. It matters not tho you believe the Protestant to be wrong, if you believe in liberty, you will grant him equal rights in his error. To him you are in error. What does the Golden Rule say?

One Reason Why We Believe It.

One reason why we believe in religious freedom—freedom for all to believe or not to believe—is because of what our Lord Jesus Christ said:—

“And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

Because man does not in his finite wisdom have power to read hearts, we prefer to leave it all to God’s wisdom and God’s time, the final judgment. He who knows the love of Christ will seek to instruct, persuade, beseech, and win his fellow-men to ways of truth, but he will not compel.

A Popular Lecture

On Sunday evening, the 17th inst., Elder Francis Hope delivered a lecture in our church in this city, on “The Alarm of War.” There was the largest audience that has been gathered in the church for several years. The lecture was illustrated by a large number of stereopticon views, showing, (1) prophetic signs of the end of the world; (2) progress in modern naval warfare; (3) scenes in Cuba, and (4) Christ, the Prince of Peace; with other pictures illustrative of various phases of Gospel work in the last days. The lecture was fraught with interest, and was especially instructive as indicating how the spirit of war is permeating the hearts of the masses of the people in the so-called Christian nations, being inculcated in the minds of even the little school-children; and, on the other hand, how the true Christian can have no sympathy with war, much less an active hand in it. The subject is one well suited to the times, and the large gathering was evidence of the interest in it.

Real Joy in Righteousness

“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.” The unregenerated heart is always asking for the privilege of continuing in sin. Why is this?—O, it is because of the pleasures that sin affords!” you say. But this is only a deception. It is not a real fact. Sin affords no pleasures that are real and abiding. The “pleasures of sin” at the best are but “for a season.” The Lord’s ways of righteousness are full of real joys, and these joys are everlasting. So, then, we should leave the paths of sin, because there is something infinitely better. If you do not know this, turn to the Lord with your whole heart and you will find by a living experience that it is a literal truth.

Shall Christ and Cæsar Yoke Together?

“Shall Christ and Cæsar Yoke Together?” is the suggestive title of No. 51 of the Religious Liberty Library (12 pages, ¾ cent, International Religious Liberty Association, Battle Creek, Mich.), by G. C. Tenney. It would seem that every Christian would at once answer, No. So it would seem that all would say after reading the tract. It covers broad ground, as follows: (1) “The Necessity for Civil Government;” (2) “The Nature and Object of Civil Government;” (3) “The Christian and Civil Government;” (4) “Does the Cause of Christ Require Civil Protection?” Send for it, read it, circulate it.