Earlier text: THE LAW OF GODTHE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY.
By G.
The last word that our Lord had to say to the world was not spoken when He ascended to heaven. The New Testament is proof of that fact. For hundreds of years the Jews acted upon the principle that God had said all He had to say to men, and men themselves were to say the rest. When a new prophet arose, he was sure to be rejected by the masses; but the people who rejected the prophets sent to them were ever ready to build tombs for former prophets, and to otherwise nominally honor them. Thus they virtually said that the Lord had nothing more to reveal—they themselves were the depositaries of His will. Neither did the writings of the apostles fill up the sum of all that God might want to say to His people or to the world. True, the Scriptures were to be the basis of doctrine; all that purports to come from God must be tested by that Word, but the Lord never has declared that He has nothing more to say concerning His work in the earth. His promise is, “I am with you alway, even unto the end.” Again He says: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye can not bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you.” John 16: 12-14. The Holy Spirit is given to guide men in what they shall say and do, that their words and actions may be in harmony with what has been revealed heretofore. Timothy was to “preach the Word,” but he was to “be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine;” and this instruction is for the ministry for all time. It will always be true that without the Spirit of Christ His servants can do nothing. They can no more give the flock “meat in due season” to-day without the guidance of the Spirit than could His servants in former ages. The Lord, knowing that in all ages His true people would be subject to persecution, gives them special directions what to do when brought before magistrates. “When they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate; but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye; for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.” Mark 13: 11. To assume that the Lord has no more to say to His people directly, is to assume that they are no longer in need of His direct guidance, altho they may and do meet conditions and vicissitudes and phases of the Gospel message entirely different from the experiences and work of previous generations. When the Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, it was simply the beginning of that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. The effect on the disciples that day was that they spoke as “the Spirit gave them utterance.” But the prophet said: “It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy,” etc. There are other points in the prophecy that extend it to “the notable day of the Lord.” Now the “last days” did not end in the days of the apostles. “In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; . . . ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Tim. 3: 1-7. Why are they not able to come to the knowledge of the truth?—Because they deny the power—they reject the Holy Spirit; they deny the existence of the Spirit of prophecy. They can not understand what was written aforetime for their learning (Rom. 15: 4), and will not receive that which comes to them in the last days to guide them into the truth. Hence they are led into error. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils,” etc. 1 Tim. 4: 1. Christ gives us solemn warning against false christs and false prophets, that shall arise and deceive many. See Matt. 24: 4, 5, 23-25. This deception is to be especially in connection with His coming, and will have reference to that event. Therefore it will be in the last days; and Satan would have no use for false christs and false prophets if the true Christ and true prophets were not to be expected. When any phase of God’s work in the earth is about due, the deceiver is always on hand with his deceptions. There never is a counterfeit where there is nothing genuine to be imitated. If Christ were not to come again in person, if there were not to be prophets in the last days, if the church were not to be guided by the Spirit into all truth in the last days, then there would be nothing for the enemy to gain by such deceptions. It is because the Word of the Lord foretells these things that the adversary tries to misguide men through his counterfeits. Therefore the church can not afford to eschew the genuine Spirit of prophecy, for thereby the deceiver is thwarted in his purpose to lead them astray. “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. 5: 19-21. Note that the Word does not say, Despise not prophecies, as of the past; but prophesyings, as of the present. And the Lord has not neglected to leave us an infallible test by which we may know the true from the false: “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8: 20. 1203.—Heads of Leviathan.
Will you please explain Ps. 74:14? Did the Lord work a miracle, and change the flesh of leviathan into the flesh of quails for the children of Israel in the desert? The text says nothing about quails. The leviathan is used as a symbol of Satan, the great dragon and old serpent or sea monster. His heads are the nations and empires he uses. When God called His people to the promised land, Egypt, Moab, Amalek, and others opposed their progress and sought to slay them; but God broke the power of these nations, and gave of their substance to His people. So Joshua declared, “Only rebel not against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us.” Num. 14:9. Balaam said of Israel, “He shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones.” Num. 24:8. 1204.—At the Hour of Judgment.
A correspondent sends us a clipping which notes the special positions of certain planets between Dec. 9 and Dec. 26, 1901, and gives the opinion of Dr. Annie K. Bailey, “one of the best-known women physicians of Connecticut,” that “the heavens testify by precisely the same contiguity or approximation of the planets [as at the time of the flood] as are now taking place before our eyes that the hour of His judgment is at hand.” —Danbury (Conn.) Correspondence New York Sun. Our opinion is that the foretold signs of the Word of God indicate clearly that the day of judgment is at hand; that Word tells us what signs will be indicated in the heavens. But we do not believe that any one knows anything about that day by any particular conjunction of planets. In all these things stick to the Word. 1205.—Is She an Adulteress?
A woman believing herself to be a widow of several years’ standing, marries a second time. A few years after her second marriage, she learns that her first husband, instead of dying as she had supposed, had really deserted her, obtained a divorce in a Western State, and married a second time several years previous to her second marriage. Do you think there are Scriptural grounds for considering her second marriage an adulterous union? C. A. E. We know, on the basis of this question, no Scriptural grounds for so regarding her, or why she should be troubled in conscience over the matter. THE INTERNATIONAL PROPHETIC CONFERENCE.
By F. C. Gilbert
Boston, Mass., Dec. 10-15. Wednesday forenoon, Dec. 11, the session opened in full swing on lines of prophecy. W. J. Erdman, of Germantown, Pa., gave a discourse on the last part of Isaiah 6. He called attention to the fact that we not only need power for success, but also for apparent failure, as the world regards failure; for the closing texts of the chapter indicated that not much would be accomplished by the messenger at that time; neither was much accomplished by the Saviour on earth, as is shown in Matt. 13:14, 15; neither by the apostle Paul, as is evidenced by Acts 28:26, 27. Then the doctor took a turn, and tried to show from the last three verses that while Israel did not receive her Lord in the days of either the Messiah or the apostles, she would still be favored of God, and finally, at the coming of the Lord, would be restored. His view of the question was that only converted Jews will go to Jerusalem, and these not till the Lord comes to earth. It is then that they will be restored as a nation, and it will be the nation converted. However, many differed with him in his view of the question, judging from the questions following his talk, as well as from the papers of others read later in the conference. In the afternoon an interesting paper was read from Sir Robert Anderson, K.C.B., LL.D., on “The Principal Aim of a Prophetic Conference.” The thought was presented that the church of the present time has no answer to give skeptics, because of the unbelief which exists, as well as of the divisions which are found in the religious bodies of the present day. The thought was also emphasized that we have made scarcely any progress in religious truth for nearly three hundred years. The Lutherans to-day believe what in essence was believed by Luther centuries ago; and other classes and sects believe at the present time what their founders advocated. He intimated that truth is progressive; and that the church should be constantly progressing in the Word of God. But he showed that the church does not believe in progress, as she simply clings to the traditions of the past. He exposed many of the so-called religious teachers and their teaching; and concluded by saying that the “ground-plan of the work of God is to restore prophecy to its original position.” His paper was followed by an address from Henry Varley, international evangelist. He took for his text Luke 19:11. To sum up this address in few words would be to say that it was strongly flavored with National Reformism, modified only by the thought that Christ will not leave the saints here alone during the thousand years. He will come to earth occasionally, to see that everything is all right, that matters run smoothly. He pictured the world as bad and wicked at the present view; and it will constantly grow worse, till, by some means, the Lord shall come. Then “the rapture of the saints,” so-called, will take place. Christ will go off somewhere, just where was not given. Then the thousand years’ rule will begin on this earth. The Jews, having been renationalized in a measure, will be preaching the Gospel to the world, and to the Jews who do not believe in the Messiah; and the “saints,” some of them at least, will be running the machinery of government on this earth. Some of the saints will be rulers over ten cities, some over five, and the work will be carried on after their own ideal. Of course it is designed that Christ shall be the ruler; but the saints can then be trusted with power. At this time righteousness will be predominant. If a man should attempt to do wrong, before the wrong was performed in the overt act the individual would be suppressed, and his fate evidently would be settled; just how, Mr. Varley did not say. He sought to impress upon the minds of the people that it is a KINGDOM that Christ is expected to establish, and the people are to be ruled,—yes, and the saints are to administer the rules. Well, history has furnished us a vast amount of material for such people to ponder over before they enter the business. The “Dark Ages” furnished us with abundant proofs as to how “saints” ruled over their fellow-men when they had the government in their hands to administer. Peter attempted it; James and John wanted to try it; but Jesus rebuked their spirit and intentions. Christians should desire Christ to come, not that commerce, trade, and sinful ways should be continued for a thousand years longer, even if the righteous did predominate; but that sin, in all its forms, should be forever destroyed and blotted out, that the universe may be clean once more. This is what will happen when the Lord shall come. May it hasten greatly. In the evening Dr. Sholto Douglass, of Scotland, delivered an address on “The Prophecies of Jesus, Fulfilled and Unfulfilled.” He called attention to the fact that all the prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent are literal, and were literally fulfilled. He then raised the question, “Why should not the prophecies concerning His second coming be literally fulfilled?” Many scriptures were read to show that the Lord will return to this earth, and that that coming will be a literal one. However, many erroneous ideas in connection with that coming were presented, particularly concerning the literal return of the Jews, and the appearing of Antichrist. His view of the situation differed materially from others who spoke before him, as well as of those who followed; so that more space and time need not be occupied. However, it was blessed to hear read those scriptures which refer to the personal coming of Christ to receive His saints. The Lord has said that His Word never shall pass away; and what He told the Word to do, it will surely perform, even if men do not always present it in its true aspect. A very interesting paper was also read from Prof. D. S. Margoliouth, M.A., Oxford, England, on “The Integrity of the Scriptures.” The paper was a very able one, and presented many helpful utterances concerning the infallibility of the Word of God. The prophetic utterances of the Bible were great proofs of its inspiration and integrity; and the recent discoveries made have conclusively proved that the Word of God is able to demonstrate its own authenticity and genuineness. Many interesting points were brought out upon the subject of inspiration, and it was good to see the Word of God exalted. While some views in the paper might be questioned, still the author brought out much which was very helpful and suggestive along the lines of Scriptural integrity. On Thursday afternoon two addresses were delivered, one by Dr. James M. Gray, D.D., and the other by Dr. Scofield, of Moody’s Seminary at Northfield. The topic of the former was, “The Harmony of the Old Testament Prophecies with Respect to the Coming Crisis.” He said in part: “The crisis that awaits this world is the central feature in connection with the coming of the Lord.” Then, by at least six points, he sought to give a program of the events which center in this great crisis. The popular idea of the millennium and the restoration of the Jews figures quite prominently, tho his view is that the Jews will confederate with the Gentile nations about the time the Lord will come. He expressed the thought that the church will be taken up before the Lord comes, and that many of the prophecies and promises can only be understood in the light of the millennium and the restoration. There was not very much in the paper that was helpful in the line of truth and light on the prophecies. It differed quite materially from many of its predecessors, and also its successors. Dr. Scofield’s address was entitled: “The Eschatology of the Epistles and the Book of Revelation.” He differed materially with Dr. Gray, as he claimed the Lord will come immediately after the tribulation. He had a program all prepared as to how the events will transpire. Matthew 24 is nearly all in the future; the second chapter of 2 Thessalonians is yet future; and most all of the prophecies which have been fulfilled in the past during “the Dark Ages,” were said to be yet future. Just when, where, or how the program is to be carried out was not determined. We were glad for the blessedness of the light of the truth of prophecy, so that we could appreciate the words of the apostle: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” Thursday evening, however, there was one address delivered which was like an oasis in the desert. Dr. Elmore Harris, of Toronto, spoke on “The Resurrections and the Judgment.” A more clear, lucid, yet simple explanation of the two resurrections could not be asked for; and he showed conclusively and convincingly from those scriptures, as well as from other parts of the Word of God, that there are to be two resurrections a thousand years apart. At the first the righteous only will be raised and redeemed, and the wicked dead will be raised at the end of the thousand years. We could thank God for the beauty of the truth as it is shown in such clear rays. He was followed by a paper from Dr. Sholto Douglass entitled, “Antichrist.” After expressing some beautiful thoughts on the second advent and the incentives to holy living in view of that blessed fact, he tried to show what he considered was the Antichrist. The reader will not be wearied with much that was said, as it would be almost impossible to reproduce it. It was a jumbled-up mass of ideas, mixing up events which have been fulfilled thousands of years, with events which have been fulfilled for centuries, and bringing them together with separate, distinct events yet to be fulfilled; and somehow, by some means, he sought to make them fit an Antichrist. Dr. A. J. Gordon well said one time at a conference where some one was laboring under great difficulty to prove an Antichrist yet future, “If you want to know who and where the Antichrist is, go to the Vatican.” In this paper, as in nearly all the others, the restoration played a very prominent part. The writer can only pray that the blessed Lord, by His own divine Spirit, may illumine the minds of these people to see Jesus and His truth as they are; then many of these mere theories will vanish away, even as the cloud vanishes before the morning sun. ROMAN CATHOLIC SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.
By G.
THE Messenger, a monthly magazine, in discussing the Sunday question that is agitating the country, says:— It is gratifying to us, as Catholics, that we never think of having recourse to the civil law to regulate our Sundays. . . By an unwritten law, the world pays tribute to the Catholic custom of observing this day, Catholic, because whatever true regard there is for the Lord's day is due, not to the Reformers, not to Sabbatarians, with their puritanical restrictions, but to the reasonable and truly religious manner in which the church has safeguarded this observance from the beginning. If we wish to derive profit from the present controversy, we should take the pains to study the origin of this day, and strive to appreciate the spirit in which the church has ever required her children to observe it. If, besides, we desire, as we should desire, to help our fellow-citizens who are now agitating the question, whether they be members of a church or not, to derive benefit from the controversy, we can do nothing better than to set them an example of true Sunday observance by attending strictly to what the church requires. This statement is a fair exhibit of Catholic policy. The first sentence contains the characteristic Catholic evasion of truth. The Messenger would have the people of this country believe that Catholics do not resort to Sunday laws. But it is Catholic doctrine that the State should sustain the church in all of her dogmas, and that includes the observance of Sunday with all the other church institutions. And where is the record of the Roman Church's ever opposing any civil Sunday law? She is quite willing to allow professed Protestants to do her work for her; and where they are willing to do it, she is just as willing to keep quiet for the time, knowing that it all leads her way, and that she will eventually be the winner. But it is not an “unwritten law” that leads men to reject the written Sabbath law of the Lord. It is very plainly written that “the carnal mind is enmity9 against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7. And it is a fearful “tribute” which the world pays to “the Catholic custom” of observing Sunday; it is the tribute of holding to the traditions of men instead of the law of God. The transgression of the law of God is sin (1 John 3:4), and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Surely this is an enormous tribute. However, the theory of advocating any religious institution, be it Sunday observance, or Sabbath observance, or what not, is correctly set forth in the last quoted sentence. If we want to convince people of the correctness of either doctrine or dogma, the most potent evidence of good intentions is consistent example. Force never can successfully appeal to the conscience. G. Reform in Politics Impossible.
[The only true reformation begins in the individual soul by the regenerating power of God. But this can not be applied politically. It comes only by personal faith. The futility of political “reform,” of “civic righteousness,” is demonstrated again in New York City. The following, from the New York Christian Advocate of December 5, which favored the reform forces under Mr. Seth Low, graphically sets forth the situation:]— Strange Talk from “Victors.”
“We said that Tammany was vile, that the police were corrupt, that they winked at open saloons on Sunday, and blackmailed the dealers, and the authorities winked at it, and if we were intrusted with power we would put a stop to blackmailing; we would bring the police under proper discipline.” “The people have stood by us. We have won a glorious victory!! “Congratulations are pouring in upon us from all the cities of the world!!!” “We will keep all our promises, and magnify and honor the law. NEW YORK SHALL BE REFORMED!” The German-Americans celebrated the fusion triumph in New York by a dinner in Brooklyn, one night last week. The guest of honor was Seth Low, mayor-elect, who made an address, in which he said: “What we want to do is to develop in every part of the city such a spirit of devotion to the entire city and its welfare that every hamlet in the land will be broadened when it tries to think of the greatest city in the land, which is renowned for its civic righteousness.” “The law against opening saloons on Sunday can not be enforced.” “Something must be done to prevent the saloon-keepers from breaking the law. They can not respect themselves so long as they are law-breakers. It demoralizes them to be in this attitude. We must have the law repealed; then they will be under no temptation to break it.” “So long as the law exists, the police will blackmail the saloon-keepers, and this demoralizes the whole force, and we [not Tammany], the reformers, are powerless either to close the saloons or to stop the blackmailing!” “It will not do to let them keep open all day—the ‘temperance folks,’ the ‘Sabbatarians,’ the ‘quiet class of people,’ the ‘Catholics and the Protestants,’ won’t stand it; the ‘up-State Legislature wouldn’t stand it.’ So we will keep them closed during morning church hours. We could enforce that law! They would keep it for fear of having their licenses taken away. They would close them in return for the privilege of keeping open all the rest of Sunday!” All these things have been printed by or with the consent of those high in authority among the reformers! We know where their sympathies are, what they have said, and all their propositions, some of which are as yet unpublished. We will put them in the possession of our subscribers in every town in the State. A more demoralizing scheme to license saloons, and give them special Sunday privileges, has never been concocted than this aftermath of reform. [In its next issue the Advocate says: “The Romans conquered the Greeks; but the Greeks forced their ideas on the Romans. The reformers have conquered Tammany, but they go back to it as a model.”] The Venezuelan revolutionists claim to have sunk a gunboat belonging to the government, and with the accessions to their forces it is claimed that they will soon effect the overthrow of the ruling party. A petition has been presented to the king of Denmark, signed by 34,000 of the inhabitants of the Danish West Indies, protesting against the sale of the islands to the United States. It is reported that there is strong opposition in the islands against coming under the sovereignty of the United States. It is even declared that the inhabitants are arming themselves and preparing to oppose the American forces if the sale of the islands to the United States is concluded. Reports from Washington indicate that the government is preparing itself to put down strenuously any such action by the inhabitants, and to deal with them as it is now dealing with the Filipinos. Much bitter feeling has been stirred up between the people of England and Germany over accusations and counter-accusations against the armies of the two nations. The Germans have accused the Britons of atrocities in South Africa, and have unsparingly caricatured and cartooned the British army and the British Government in the press. The English press has replied with much spirit, and the more conservative realize that there has come to be real danger in the unpleasant situation. It is not difficult in these days so to inflame whole nations as to lead to very serious consequences. The formation of the Northern Securities Company, a combination of railway companies, has opened the way for the formation of the most gigantic of trusts,—a universal railway trust. The spirit of confederacy is abroad in the world as never before, and the Securities Company, if carried to its possible extent, will mean the ultimate control by one organization of all transportation facilities. There are many who see that in this new development; and it must be admitted that there is a possibility, even a strong probability, that such will be the case. A correspondent from Samoa writes to the Cologne Gazette, giving an account of the work done by the German expedition sent to the South Sea Islands to avenge the death of Dr. Menke, who was killed by the natives. The correspondent asserts that Dr. Menke was killed because he ruthlessly cut down several of the food-bearing trees on the island, in spite of the protest of the islanders. The German expedition, according to this writer, killed eighty-one of the islanders as a punishment for causing the death of the German scientist. It is announced that Prince Henry of Prussia, brother of the emperor of Germany, will represent the emperor at the launching of the emperor’s new yacht which is being built at New York. The yacht is to be christened by Miss Alice Roosevelt, daughter of the President, and is to be named for her and for a niece of the emperor, whose names are the same. Great preparations are being made for the reception and entertainment of the prince upon his arrival and during his stay in this country. The proposal of Congressmen to make a Chinese exclusion law which would be even more stringent than the one now in force has brought a threat from China that she would resort to retaliation in case such a law was adopted. The Chinese minister at Washington has represented to Secretary Hay that the United States would no longer be entitled to the commercial privileges of the “most favored nation” if an exclusion law were passed in a more stringent form. The railway has already invaded the Holy Land; but an American syndicate is now arranging to build a system of electric railways from Cairo, Egypt, to Mount Sinai, thence across the Red Sea and along the Syrian and Arabian coast to Mecca, with a branch line running from Sinai to Damascus, which is expected to join at Jerusalem the line now being operated in Palestine. On January 9 the Senate chamber of Paraguay was transformed into a battle-field, where the enemies and supporters of the president indulged in a pitched battle. One senator was killed, and several were wounded. The president was deposed, and placed in prison by his opponents, and it is thought unlikely that he will again be allowed to take the reins of government. The Secretary of War has sent to Congress an estimate of the cost of the fortifications necessary for the protection of the island of Guam and the Hawaiian Islands, as follows: for Guam, $307,000, and for Hawaii, $526,000. It is stated that these fortifications are urgently needed for the protection of these new acquisitions. On January 7 the Chinese imperial court entered the city of Peking, the royal personages being carried between long avenues of kneeling troops. There was a most gorgeous display of silk banners and oriental finery. For the first time in the history of China, foreigners were permitted to witness the imperial parade. England’s call for volunteers to fill the places of those whose terms of service have expired or are soon to expire in the South African service, has resulted in the enlistment of but a small number. Very few are willing to risk their lives in a tiresome war for the mere pittance of a shilling a day. At the Pan-American Congress now in session in the city of Mexico, practically a crisis has been reached in the matter of carrying through a plan for compulsory arbitration. The delegates from Chile threatened to leave the congress in case the act went through in its proposed form. The new French minister to China has refused to present his credentials to the Chinese court until China shall yield to certain demands of the French Government. Because of this, the joint audience of the foreign ministers and the new Chinese ministers has been postponed. A serious anti-clerical riot broke out in Madrid on January 10. The rioters broke into and set on fire a Jesuit monastery, whereupon the troops were called out and fired upon the rioters. The casualties were not given, but many went down under the fire of the soldiers. On the night of January 13 about 1,000 members of Denver’s recently-organized Vigilance Committee began patrolling the streets of that city for the purpose of protecting the residents from the burglars and thugs, who have been at work there for many months. Rear-Admiral Schley has appealed to the President for a reversal of the decision of the court of inquiry in his case. The President has referred the matter to the attorney-general, and it is reported that he will also look into the merits of the case for himself. A great building is soon to be erected in Chicago for the accommodation of the Olympic games. The building will be capable of seating 75,000 people, and will be so arranged that it can be roofed or unroofed at pleasure by the simple act of pressing a button. The Chinese empress has expressed through Minister Wu Ting Fang her thanks and appreciation for the work done by the United States forces in protecting the buildings of the Forbidden City in Peking during the occupation of Peking by the foreign forces. In accordance with the recommendation of the military governor of Cuba, the American garrison of Puerto Principe has been ordered to return to the United States. This is admitted to be the beginning of a general withdrawal of American forces from the island. It is reported that Turkey has decided to fortify Tripoli and re-enforce it with a garrison to be equipped with the most modern weapons. This is done to forestall the occupation of that port by any power for the purpose of making forced collections. An English arithmetician has figured it out that the cost of the Boer war to England up to the present time would amount practically to the weight of the entire Boer army in gold, assuming that the Boer army contained originally 22,870 men. A contract has been let for the sewering and paving of the city of Havana, Cuba. The contract provides that the work shall be finished within four years, and the contractors are to receive for the work $10,649,000. There has been considerable trouble between Russian soldiers and American and British sailors at Newchwang, China, recently, resulting in strained relations between the representatives of these nations at that place. The United Daughters of the Confederacy have entered upon a systematic war against the play known as “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” which is a dramatization of the book by that name, written by Mrs. Stowe. A prominent clergyman of New England has declared that liquor-drinking among leading society women is alarmingly on the increase; that it is increasing even faster than the gambling vice. The steam collier Bristol, plying between Vancouver and Alaskan ports, was wrecked on Green Island on the night of January 2, going down with her captain and six members of her crew. An American company is undertaking to build a railroad in China from Canton to Hankow, a distance of 750 miles, under the protection and guarantee of the Chinese director of railways. The financial statement of the French Minister of Finance shows a still further decrease of the national revenue. France’s total deficit for the year just closed amounts to $36,130,000. On January 10 the Nicaragua Canal Bill passed the House of Representatives with only two dissenting votes. Even its best friends do not hope for as easy a victory in the Senate. The total population of the United States, including Porto Rico, Guam, Hawaii, and the Philippines, as given out by the Census Bureau, now stands at 84,233,069. The list of deaths due to the recent New York tunnel collision has now reached 17, several having died from injuries sustained in that accident. The value of the property destroyed by fire in the United States during the past year reached the enormous total of $153,750,000. A Virginia inventor has patented a mail-car which is expected to carry mails overland at the rate of 400 miles an hour. Gen. Santos J. Zelaya, president of Nicaragua, has been unanimously re-elected for another term of four years. An epidemic of smallpox is reported in London, there being 900 cases at present in the metropolis.