Earlier text: The Child at the TableGod Has Made a Difference
By C. M. S.
REV. DR. LYMAN is quoted as saying, “I want something better for America than the Sunday of Continental Europe.” Why not take “the Sabbath of the Lord thy God”? Next to Christ himself, it is God’s best and most blessed gift to the human race. It was blessed and hallowed by the Lord when given to the world. That blessing and that sanctification were never repealed by the One who only could have the right to repeal them. The institution itself was never set aside by the command of the One who only could have the right and power to make such a change. One of the purposes of its establishment was to keep always in men’s minds the memory and the love of the Maker of the “heavens and the earth.” God pronounced a blessing upon those who would remember to keep it. Christ kept it. He neither changed it nor intimated that he ever intended to change it. His disciples kept it. There is no record, sacred or profane, that they ever ceased to keep it, or that they ever kept any other day. No statement of the New Testament can, by any fair or impartial interpretation, be made to teach that they kept any other day as a Sabbath, or sought to teach others to do so. We are free to admit that the world needs something better as a Sabbath than the “Continental Sunday.” And we know there is something better. It is the Sabbath of Jehovah, given in Eden; given with his seal; protected by him through all the ages; still in force as when he spoke the law concerning it; never to be repealed. “Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” Isa. 56: 2. This is God’s own promise to the man that honors his hallowed Sabbath day. The one who does it God will cause to “ride upon the high places of the earth,” and to be fed “with the heritage of Jacob,” Isa. 58: 14. That is better than anything which can be provided in the “Continental Sunday” or the “American Sunday,” or any other kind of a pseudo-sabbath. Man is not a source of divine blessing; so no sabbath that he can institute can carry a divine blessing with it. The speaker above referred to declares that “there is no distinction in the days,” and proposes to have the Sunday preserved, “one half for religious culture, and the other half for real rest and recuperation.” Now that is a man-made arrangement, pure and simple. There is no blessing pronounced upon it by Him who alone can bless humanity with spiritual blessing. No one who has the right and power to hallow a day or a sabbath has hallowed that one. As no divine blessing has been put into it by the One who alone has authority and power to do it, it can carry no divine blessing. More than that, it is distinct defiance to the Author of the true Sabbath; for the would-be founder of this half-and-half, Sunday sabbath has declared that there is no difference in the days. To him and to many others it makes no difference in the days for God himself to declare one blessed and hallowed, and command it to be kept. But God has put a difference between the days of the week; and in the body of the law which he wrote “with his own finger,” he has declared that difference. He is the same unchangeable God, “yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” “I am the Lord, I change not.” Mal. 3: 6. The difference is still there; the blessing is still there; and he who honors God in the keeping of his holy day will receive and know that blessing, and he will have something better than the “Continental Sunday.” Then, why not take him at his word, honor the day which he appointed for the Sabbath,—the only one he ever did appoint,—and get the blessing he has in it for us? Let us be loyal to the great King now, if we expect to dwell forever under his government by and by. C. M. S. The Modernist Movement
By F. M. W.
By this term is characterized the liberal movement which has arisen in the church of Rome during the last few years. While professing loyalty to the Catholic Church, some have felt that greater liberality in historical and scientific research should be permitted, and that the church of Rome should adapt itself and its methods and educational systems to the growing liberal spirit of the age. This movement has not been an open revolt against the church, but has claimed as its purpose an effort to better conditions within the church itself. It has, however, evidently been regarded by the Pope of Rome and his advisers as a covert and insidious attack against the authority of the church, and one which, if allowed to continue, would work incalculable harm. The attitude of the Vatican has been made known by repeated encyclicals against the movement; and church officials in every part of the world have been instructed to use their influence and authority to meet the influence of this new teaching. Particularly has the Vatican felt concerned over Catholic institutions of learning. The priests and prelates of the church have been required to take a solemn oath abjuring the heresies of the modernists, and declaring their allegiance to the authority and doctrines of the Roman Church. This antimodernist oath, according to the Berlin Vorwärts, as quoted in Current Literature for April, requires the subscriber to submit to the following conditions:— I submit myself with all required reverence to, and concur with all my soul in, all the condemnations, declarations, and prescriptions contained in the encyclical Pascendi [the chief encyclical in the Pope’s antimodernist campaign] and in the decree Lamentabili, especially in regard to what is called the history of dogma. I also condemn the error of those who maintain that the belief held by the church may be at variance with history, and that the Catholic dogmas, as understood to-day, have no similarity with the authentic beginnings of the Christian religion. I condemn and repudiate also the opinion of those who believe that the personality of the Christian critic can be divided into two parts, and distinguish the believer from the historian. Finally, I avow that I am absolutely free from the error of those modernists who maintain that there is nothing godly in the sacred tradition, or, what is still worse, regard the godly in it in a pantheistic sense, so that all that remains is the pure and naked fact, observable similarly in other historical occurrences, that men carried on through later times, by their work, their skill, and their talent, the school begun by Christ and his apostles. This requirement has brought much criticism upon the Vatican, particularly in Germany, where the action of the Pope has been criticized even by high13 state officials. About two dozen priests in Germany have openly decided not to take this oath, and it is stated that in some of the seminaries for the training of priests, a number of the students have left the institutions, on the ground that the taking of the oath by their preceptors meant an infringement of their liberty as scientific theologians. The controversy is one between the Papacy, unchanged from the period of the Middle Ages, and the free thought and investigation of the twentieth century. Human reason and judgment are required to be subordinated to church authority and domination. Here and there will be found one of sufficient independence of mind to assert his right to think and act for himself. The great majority, however, will doubtless bow in submission to the dictates of the Roman See. F. M. W. An Ominous Sign of the End
By C. M. S.
We see indications on every hand of a deterioration in the physical fabric of the human race, in perfect keeping with the moral retrogression so painfully manifest in the world to-day, especially in that part which has long been considered enlightened and civilized. There is being continually manifest a strong tendency to an increase on the part of all the various diseases that have afflicted the race; and diseases that were rarely heard of fifty years ago, or even twenty, are now common. The increase is seen in consumption, in pneumonia, in heart failure, in diabetes, in cancer, hydrophobia, and other diseases, while at the same time the skill of the medical profession is being used to counteract them. The grip has been doing a fearful work in weakening the race and rendering it susceptible to every kind of disease; and the cigarette and liquor and drug habits are helping the terrible work along in a marvelous way. A well-known German professor of pedagogics, Professor Hahnel, recently investigated the cases of 7,338 schoolchildren between the ages of six and eleven, and found that only a little over two per cent were ignorant of the taste of strong drink, while over thirteen per cent admitted having been drunk one or more times. Over eleven per cent of these children had daily supplies of strong drink given them, and a considerable portion received alcohol in some form every morning before leaving home for school. We have no reason for supposing that this is confined to Germany. The drink evil is increasing among all classes everywhere, and thus there is being formed a rich soil for the seeds of all manner of diseases, mental, moral, and physical. The increase of immorality also is abundantly proved, and is cultivated and propagated by the theater, and the novel in its various forms. In fact, it is quite a question whether novel-reading is not to be blamed for a share of the increase of insanity. It is known to be responsible for some such cases. A young woman, a stenographer, of Syracuse, N. Y., was committed to the insane asylum not long since, whose whole time outside of office hours was given to the reading of sensational novels. A great portion of her time that should have been spent in sleep, was devoted to the novel. Her breakdown was gradual; but she could not break off the chains of her slavery to that habit. We could cite other cases, but this will illustrate the point. Concerning the perils that beset the young on every side, to snare the feet and turn them into the ways of vice, Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, says:— There was never an age when cities held more temptations, and the necessity for safeguarding was greater. There never was an era when there were so many forces gilding sin. We have come to a time when all the places where vice reigns and men appeal to the lower passions, are made beautiful. . . . It is an age when beautiful paintings and stained-glass windows adorn saloons and hotels; when men are hired to write alluring plays; when tunes are made catchy to convey suggestive words; a time when gardens such as those on the way to Coney Island abound, where young men and girls stop at first for a chop or a roll, and then for worse. It is easy enough to break through the hedge of innocence. . . . If you could only hear the stories that are told to me. If you ever had to go to pray at the bedside of a dying girl, and heard her curse you with hideous curses for the sin you had heard her confess, you could understand what a pastor sometimes has to hear. Another peril is the tendency of Americans to turn night into day. All the wreckages of life are in the night. Men and women, if you want to ruin your children, turn them loose in the streets at night; give them parties when they are ten or twelve years old; give the boys dress suits, the girls party dresses; teach the latter to count their little lovers before they are twelve; and then God pity the man who marries these unmarried widows at fifteen.
Verily, the race is breaking down in moral as well as physical stamina, and Satan is preparing every possible pitfall to entrap the staggering feet of those whom his devices have made weak and unsteady. It is his last harvest. He has planted diligently, and he is reaping close. He will leave no stone unturned, no trick untried, to compass the destruction of every soul on the earth. The evidence of this moral breakdown is plain, and its portent is ominous. We can not mistake it. The presence of these terrible conditions in the world to-day teaches us that we are in the last days, and that the coming of the Son of man draws nigh. The question for each one to decide is whether he will be a part of Satan's harvest, or a part of that harvest which Christ will send forth his angels (Matt. 24:31) to gather to himself out of the tare-strewn and thorn-infested fields of this wicked world. THE question of international arbitration has received new impetus during the last few days, by the exchange of kindly sentiments over this matter by President Taft and statesmen of England. Other statesmen, however, consider the idea largely visionary. The German chancellor, in a speech delivered in the Reichstag on March 30, declared:— General disarmament is an insoluble problem as long as men are men. It will remain true that the weak will be the prey of the strong. If any nation feels that it is unable longer to spend certain sums for advance purposes, it will inevitably drop to the second rank. There will always be the stronger one ready to take its place. We Germans in our exposed situation can not shut our eyes to this dire reality. . . . Great Britain wishes the limitation of armaments, but simultaneously wants a superior or equal fleet. Any conference on this subject is bound to be fruitless. No standard for a limitation can be found, and any conceivable proposal would be shattered on the question of control. We quote the above from the Washington Post of March 31. In its issue of April 1 the same paper says, in speaking of the chancellor's speech:— At any rate, Germany's declaration is notice to the great powers to arm themselves and be on guard. The United States can not fail to take notice. Men may talk of arbitration and disarmament; but the safety and peace of this country, as of all others, lie in arms and the ability to make a fight when national interests are imperiled. The student of the prophetic Word knows that the dream of international arbitration will never be practically realized. The air begins to pulsate with the cry of unity and federation in the religious world, the commercial world, and among the nations of men. To a large extent the cry is the demand of selfishness. The federating churchman is anxious for a church unity, provided it can be formed on what he deems the essentials of Christian faith and practise; the commercialist desires federation and combination so long as his selfish interests can be served; and the demand for international arbitration and for the limitation of armaments among the nations is with special reference to the limitation of the other power. The last days will be marked by the formation of many confederacies in every phase of human existence. These confederacies will stand just so long as14 they minister to the selfish ends of the stronger party. They will be broken just so surely as personal gain can be secured through their violation. Let us not be deceived with this idle talk of the world's peace. We would indeed that it might come, we wish devoutly that war would be forever banished; but in the very nature of the human heart and of human government, this can never be. The prophet tells us that the nations of earth will continue to arm for conflict. On every side we see preparations for the marshaling of Armageddon. Peace will come to this earth only as it is ushered in by the Prince of Peace, whose government will be set up after every earthly government has been swept away. The $300,000 Fund
By W. T. Knox
HEREWITH is submitted to the readers of the REVIEW a statement showing the receipts on the $300,000 Fund up to April 1, 1911. In comparing this with the last report submitted, it is seen that we have gained but a little over $5,000 for the past month. If this rate of increase is not very greatly improved during the remainder of the year, a large portion of the fund will remain over for the closing year of the term, a fact greatly to be regretted by all. $300,000 Fund to April 1, 1911
Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England .......... $ 2845.61
Greater New York ............ 2216.91
Maine ....................... 243.00
New York .................... 1276.18
Northern New England ........ 916.88
Southern New England ........ 424.24
Western New York ............ 1110.91
Total ....................... 9033.73 Canadian Union Conference
Maritime .................... 231.45
Ontario ..................... 1052.75
Quebec ...................... 476.50
Total ....................... 1760.70 Central Union Conference
Colorado .................... 260.15
East Kansas ................. 1794.12
Nebraska .................... 7072.86
North Missouri .............. 651.67
Southern Missouri ........... 378.94
Western Colorado ............ 620.81
West Kansas ................. 378.89
Wyoming ..................... 998.39
St. Louis Mission ........... 26.00
Total ....................... 12181.83 Columbia Union Conference
Chesapeake .................. 573.13
District of Columbia ........ 755.80
Eastern Pennsylvania ........ 754.08
New Jersey .................. 1453.90
Ohio ........................ 1847.00
Virginia .................... 355.05
West Pennsylvania ........... 536.46
West Virginia ............... 287.00
Total ....................... 6562.42 Lake Union Conference
East Michigan ............... $ 2794.15
Indiana ..................... 2927.16
Northern Illinois ........... 1270.41
North Michigan .............. 526.23
Southern Illinois ........... 782.45
West Michigan ............... 3492.90
Wisconsin ................... 1686.56
Total ....................... 13479.86 Northern Union Conference
Iowa ........................ 2603.93
Minnesota ................... 4286.94
North Dakota ................ 2069.13
South Dakota ................ 1513.50
Total ....................... 10473.50 North Pacific Union Conference
Montana ..................... 1492.56
Southern Idaho .............. 1515.43
Southern Oregon ............. 690.32
Upper Columbia .............. 2616.41
Western Oregon .............. 2582.63
Western Washington .......... 2387.66
Alaska ...................... 2.15
Total ....................... 11287.16 Pacific Union Conference
Arizona ..................... 452.16
California .................. 2324.06
Southern California ......... 5116.82
Utah ........................ 130.30
Total ....................... 8023.34 Southeastern Union Conference
Cumberland .................. 1260.73
Florida ..................... 1644.04
Georgia ..................... 618.45
North Carolina .............. 356.94
South Carolina .............. 248.90
Bahama Mission ..............
Total ....................... 4129.06 Southern Union Conference
Alabama ..................... 149.06
Kentucky .................... 225.50
Louisiana ................... 143.25
Mississippi ................. 311.03
Tennessee River ............. 409.92
Southern Union Mission ...... 5.00
Total ....................... 1243.76 Southwestern Union Conference
Arkansas .................... 81.16
New Mexico .................. 84.18
North Texas ................. 441.27
Oklahoma .................... 1496.01
South Texas ................. 150.18
West Texas .................. 77.90
Southwestern Union Mission ..
Total ....................... 2330.70 Western Canadian Union Conference
Alberta ..................... 505.20
British Columbia ............ 345.55
Manitoba .................... 597.75
Saskatchewan ................ 789.25
Total ....................... 2237.75 Miscellaneous
India ....................... 29.72
West Indian Union ........... 6.00
European Subtreasury ........ 2.43
New Zealand ................. 102.27
England ..................... 490.00
Canal Zone .................. 13.00
Germany ..................... 5.00
Miscellaneous ............... 408.99
Total ....................... 1057.41 Grand total ................. $83801.22 THE great spiritual declension which we see in the professed church of Christ had its root, in the beginning, in the individual experience of its members. The church departs from God only as the individuals making up its membership grow cold and indifferent in its service. Among some of the causes of spiritual declension in individual life, G. B. E. Hallock, D. D., in the Western Recorder of March 16, speaks of the following:— What are some of the causes of spiritual declension, of leaving our “first love”? One is the spirit of compromise. We refer to that yielding disposition manifested by many who, early in their Christian life, begin to indulge a fear that their piety is not going to be welcome to others, especially to their unconverted friends, but will be considered too severe in its requirements of practical duty. They imagine that they can, therefore, make their religion less repulsive by lowering the standard “just a little.” A wife thinks her husband will accompany her more often to the church if she will yield now and then, and go with him to the theater. The young Christian indulges in the dance, excusing herself with the thought that15 she will keep sufficiently in touch with her worldly companions to help them toward the kingdom. Though possibly from the best of motives, there never was practised a more fatal mistake. Compromises are always dangerous. . . . Christians, do not forget this fact. By every compromise you make, you are the loser. There never was a sinner saved by lowering the claims of the gospel down to him. With the individual experience kept bright and active, there is little danger of the church of God declining. This appeals to us in a personal sense. How does our own individual Christian experience stand related to the church of Christ? Are we laboring from right motives? Are our purposes true and pure? Are we living in all good conscience in the sight of God from day to day? These are questions of personal concern, which every soul will do well to consider. The Old World Benefits by the New
ASIDE from the many thousands of dollars which American tourists annually spend in Europe, the Old World has in this country another regular source of its income. It is stated that the Austro-Hungarians residing in America sent to their friends in Europe by post-office money-orders in 1910 over thirty-seven million dollars. Reports indicate that other nationalities, such as the Italian, have done equally well. In a pastoral letter issued by the presbytery of Chicago there is contained the following excellent paragraph on family worship, which is worthy of more than mere denominational attention, and should receive consideration by the fathers and mothers of Seventh-day Adventist homes:— We further admonish you to build anew the altars of family religion, honored by our fathers, and still worthy of honor by their children. We know the hurry and the rush of the morning hour in many a Christian household. We are not unmindful of the difficulties attendant upon the regular observance of “times and seasons” of family devotion. We, therefore, do not offer rules and regulations for the maintenance of religion in the home, but we do urge upon Christian fathers and mothers the unspeakable importance of finding a time and a place to honor God before their children, and to cultivate that spirit of reverent devotion without which character is poor indeed. A Special Meeting in the Interest of the Work Among the Hollanders in This Country
By Ole Andres Olsen
THE reader has no doubt noted the appointment for a meeting to be held at Grand Rapids, Mich., May 20 to 22, in the interest of the work among the Hollanders. We believe that this is a timely move, and that the call will meet a hearty response from all who feel a special interest for the spread of the message among this people. Among the many foreign nationalities in this country, the Hollanders occupy a not inconsiderable position, and are among the most intelligent and enterprising people that come to this country. While the immigration from the Netherlands is not so large as that from some of the other countries of Europe, still the statistics show that several thousand come every year. During the past year, 7,530 of these people landed on our shores. At the present time we have a number of worthy members in different localities; but for some time very little active work has been done to extend a knowledge of the message among the Hollanders in this country. It is for the purpose of reviving this interest, and to give an opportunity to consider plans and methods of work for the spread of the truth among the people of this nationality, that we call this meeting. We would be pleased to meet representatives from other States besides Michigan, to meet with and aid us in the study of this question. We hope that Brother Boersma, from New Jersey, who has been quite active in the work among the Hollanders of that State, can be present. This will be our first meeting of this nature, and we believe that by the blessing of God it will be productive of good results. I shall be very glad to hear from any who feel a special interest in this branch of the work. The time has surely come when we should be decidedly in earnest to bring the knowledge of the truth to every nation and people, and especially to those whom the providence of God has brought to our very doors. Correspondents may address us at Room 650, 440 Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill. Massachusetts
By H. C. Hartwell
While looking up some items for information in laying plans for future work recently, I was much gratified to note the degree of prosperity that attended this conference during the year 1910. Our tent-meetings and other evangelistic efforts met with more than average success, and our actual gain in new Sabbath-keepers for the year was 114. Our tithe in 1909 was $17,282, and in 1910 it was $22,050, a gain of $4,769. Donations to everything outside of the conference in 1909 amounted to $6,393, and in 1910 they were $9,210, a gain of $2,817. The adoption of the plan instituted by the General Conference, of paying ten per cent of our tithe to missions and five per cent to the Sustentation Fund, besides taking on a number of additional laborers, has considerably increased our expenses; but the increase in our tithe and other conference funds has enabled us to meet these demands without embarrassment thus far. In Boston much seed is being sown at the present time. Elder A. E. Sanderson and the writer, with a corps of workers, have been conducting a strong central effort for the last few weeks with encouraging results. Elder G. B. Starr, with the assistance of New England Sanitarium workers, has been carrying on schools of health in various parts of the Boston district, making many friends. There have also been a number of smaller efforts conducted in the city; and at the present time new Sabbath-keepers are taking their stand for the truth nearly every week. Frequent additions are being made to the church in Worcester, where Elder Lee S. Wheeler is laboring. In other parts of the Bay State, also, success is attending our workers, and new churches are being organized. This little State of nearly 3,500,000 population is made up of cities. Aside from Boston, with its three quarters of a million, we have seven cities with a population of from 75,000 to 150,000; sixteen with a population of from 25,000 to 75,000; and thirty-one with a population of from 10,000 to 25,000. Many of16 these have had no labor bestowed upon them. Next to Rhode Island, Massachusetts is the most densely populated State in the Union. It is said that five eighths of its population is foreign, making it the most foreign of any State in the Union; it is also the most Catholic of any of the States. While these characteristics do not indicate that this is an easy field for the spread of the third angel's message, a spirit of earnestness and consecration is taking possession of the hearts of our workers and of all our people; and in nearly all lines we see evidences that our work is being strengthened, and that it is going forward. These things cause us to be of good courage, and afford us great reason to praise God. Uphold the Honor of the Church
WHILE we may recognize the evils which exist in the great Christian church, it is well also to recognize the good which the church has accomplished. The Christian church in every age has possessed many earnest, godly men and women; and such characters are found to-day in every denominational division of the church, Protestant and Catholic alike. Hence, we should not speak lightly of God's great instrumentality in the world, even though we may deplore with sad hearts its failures and shortcomings. The Christian church through all the centuries has been a power for good. God has wrought in a mighty manner through the efforts of the ministers of the cross. Through the darkness of heathenism many of his devoted missionaries from various churches have blazed the way for the entrance of gospel light. Our own workers for the most part are following in their footsteps. Paul may plant, Apollos may water, but it is God who gives the increase. God's representatives are but his servants, and are doing the work of the kingdom, by whatever name they may be known among their fellows. An organization of commercial travelers known as the Gideons, has decided to place Bibles in the rooms of all hotels throughout the United States. The work is already well under way, and promises soon to become an accomplished fact. One Bible firm has already contracted to supply twenty-five thousand copies of the American Revision. These will be sent to the Pacific Coast. Thus far more than seventy thousand Bibles have been placed in about seven hundred hotels. Much good is bound to result from this distribution of the Scriptures of truth. The Christ
By George E. Tack
Not this a king whose fierce, despotic rule
Binds shackles on the minds and limbs of men;
Not this a stealthy pontiff, in whose den
Are found the victims of a hatred cruel.
Nay, this is He whose love was given when
From world to world the mournful tidings rang
That man had fallen, ere hope sweetly sang
Of life and bliss beyond sin’s blinded ken. Forth from his hand stream radiant beams of light;
For there’s the hiding of his wondrous power;
His eyes are tender with immortal love,
His face is fairer than the lilies white;
And low we bow, and hail, with throngs above,
David’s Lord and Son, and Love’s immortal flower. Brother and Sister F. L. Sharp are called at Tahiti a few days on their way from Australia to Raiatea, Society Islands, their future field. Of this visit Brother Sharp writes:— “On two Sunday mornings we have visited the native Protestant church in Papeete, and have been intensely interested in the proceedings. The church is quite a large one, capable of seating from eight hundred to one thousand persons. We should have mentioned that while the natives hold a market every morning from five to six o’clock, on Sunday morning is the great market of the week. After they have done all their bargaining and disposing of the wares, they clean up and repair to church. “Their mode of singing is rather a novel one. They do not all sing together, but in sections, and without an instrument to lead them. The natives come from various districts, and every Sunday each district is given one or two hymns to practise during the week to sing the following Sunday. They practise these very religiously either at the home of one of their number, or at a hall provided especially for the purpose in their district. Throughout the island these halls are to be found, and they are known as fare himene, or house for hymns. When on Sunday the natives go to church, each separate company, numbering from ten to thirty singers, will sing its hymn. Usually one singer will lead out, singing the first line, then the rest will join in; and when all four parts are going, it is most interesting. Of course the voices are rough, but their time and harmony are remarkable. When one district has finished, immediately another set of singers will sing their hymn, and so they will have as many as eight divisions in one church meeting. “When praying, no one kneels, and when singing, none stand; all sit from the beginning to the end of the service. It is amusing to watch the native women come out of church. Of course they are all dressed up in their best, and Sunday is about the only day in the week that they put on shoes; but while they go into church with their shoes on, one sees some of them coming out with a shoe under each arm. “As a rule the natives are bright and cheery; but under the French rule their morals have fallen very low. We are now beginning to realize that we are really in the island field, among a needy people,—a people who, having perhaps heard the sound of the gospel, know not the truth for this time. Pray for us, brethren, that the Lord will fit us up for the work to which we have been called, and that many precious souls may be gathered as the result of our efforts in these islands of the sea.” IT has been our privilege to labor for nearly a year and a half at Portsmouth, one of the most important naval ports of the greatest sea power on earth. On every side one is met by soldiers, sailors, barracks, and forts, while in the harbor float the giant war-ships, seemingly asleep, but ready at any time to pour forth death and destruction. The papers announce provision for five new dread-naughts by an increase of £3,788,800 in the naval estimates for 1911-12. Amid such surroundings, the Free Church Council convened, March 6, in the great town hall. This body is a union of the non-conformist churches of Great Britain, and represents one half of the religious people of the country. The new president, Rev. Charles Brown, who succeeds Dr. Jowett, took for the text of his opening address “the present truth,” meaning the facts, duties, and necessities of the present time. He began with politics, although he had been warned off that ground by his friends. All manner of questions of moral and spiritual importance were bound up in politics, he declared. Peace among nations, the drink traffic, land laws, care of the poor, education, Sunday trading, were questions about which the churches should bring pressure to bear on the government of the day. A part of the present truth, unwelcome but certain, seems to be that the weekly day of rest (Sunday) is being filched away from us. The subject of the disestablishment of the church in Wales is now before the country, and Canon Ottley, honorable secretary of the Imperial Sunday Alliance, said that if they allowed the Sunday observance to pass away, there would soon be no churches nor schools to disestablish, and they would find England becoming dechristianized and paganized. The archbishop of Canterbury sent a message to the council to show how sincerely he appreciated “their readiness to combine the religious and industrial forces of the country in safeguarding, for all classes, the opportunity for the due observance of Sunday for its highest purposes, and especially in promoting such amended legislation as may tend to reduce all Sunday business and labor to the minimum.” Canon Ottley said he was also authorized to say that his majesty the king heartily sympathized with any movement which would insure for the working people their Sunday rest. Another subject which was before the council was that of church unity. The council is itself a union of non-conformist churches, and the vision of union with the established Church of England has been revived; but if there was to be any unity and co-operation between them and the members of the Anglican Church, it must be on the lines of a frank recognition of each other’s churchmanship, and the equality of their standing on the Christian faith. The president said that if he was told that in order to become a true member of the Holy Catholic Church, he must become an Episcopalian; and if in order to become a valid minister of the new covenant, he was bidden to submit to reordination at the hands of a bishop, he would respectfully but resolutely decline. Sir Oliver Lodge, one of England’s greatest scientists, gave an address before17 a well-filled house, in which he stated his belief in the continued existence of the dead, and that they could occasionally be communicated with. To illustrate one point, he supposed that the corpuscles of the blood were endowed with reason, and asked what conception a corpuscle could have of the manifold interests and activities of man, still less of the universe known to man, of which he himself formed so trivial a portion? “We are the white corpuscles of the cosmos,” said he. “We do serve, and form a part of, an immanent Deity.” Further, he said: “The sunshine is not the sun. Christ is the sunshine—that fraction of transcendental Cosmic Deity which suffices for the earth.” In view of the foregoing it seems clear that according to the ideas of the Free Church Council, the combination of the religious forces of the country, and this union then bringing pressure on the government to enact legislation for the observance of Sunday, are all among the things which compose the present truth; but most of the readers of the REVIEW know that these are the forces which will combine to oppose the real present truth. G. W. BAILEY. The Message Appreciated in Samoa
THE writer of the following letter is the man employed by Brother H. T. Howse in Samoa to teach him the Samoan language. He is not a Sabbath-keeper, we understand; but he evidently appreciates our little Samoan paper, the first number of which had reached him. Translated, the letter reads:— “To THE EDITOR OF THE Tala Moni: “My greeting to you and wishing you a happy New-year. I wish to say, Thanks very much for the Tala Moni. It is a new word to us. It seems to me that a new life has just come into our country. Thank you ever so much for your kindness. We are very glad to read this Tala Moni, as it will warm these cold hearts into seeking spiritual life and eternity. Pray that this Tala Moni, as it comes to Samoa, may gain many souls for the Lord. Thank you very much for sending this truth to us. The spirit has been hungering and thirsting for righteousness, and now this Tala Moni is sent to us to guide us into the right way which the Bible says to us. The paper is very good and clear to us. There is nothing wrong about it so far as we know. Thanks very much to the editor and the translator and the press also, and may God bless you continually, is my prayer.”