Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 36. (9/7/1905)

Review and Herald

Sep 7, 1905

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1905

Damascus and the Abana

This beautiful picture accords with the reputation of Damascus as being one of the chief garden spots of the Orient. The city has a plentiful water-supply from the river Barada, the Abana of Scripture, which enables vegetation within it to flourish luxuriantly. On this point a writer has said: “The Abana is the life of Damascus, and has made it perennial. By an admirable system of channels and pipes, many of them of high antiquity, its waters are not only conveyed through every quarter, but into almost every house, supplying that first requisite of Eastern life and luxury. The river is also extensively used for irrigation. Canals are led off from it at different elevations above the city, and carried far and wide over the surrounding plain, converting what would otherwise be a parched desert into a paradise. The orchards, gardens, vineyards, and fields of Damascus cover a circuit of at least sixty miles, and they owe their almost unrivaled beauty and luxuriance to the Abana.” Considering the importance and usefulness of this stream, it is perhaps quite natural that Naaman the Syrian, who at first refused to wash in the Jordan to be cleansed of his leprosy, should have considered “Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus,” to be “better than all the waters of Israel.”

With the Publications and the Workers

By Editor

“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.”

ON a recent Thursday our Book Department sent out nearly a ton of books. The orders were not for stock to go to tract society depositories, but for shipment direct to canvassers.

PARENTS or teachers are invited to send to Dr. G. A. Hare, Iowa Circle, Washington, D. C., special questions regarding the physical or mental health of school children. These will be answered in the “School Children’s (November) number of Life and Health. Questions should reach Washington not later than September 20.

HAS any one begun a canvass of the members of your church, for the REVIEW? This is the special work to be done in the missionary campaign this month. If no one is at work trying to secure subscriptions from those of our people who are not subscribers in your church, why can you not take up this work? We mean you, dear reader.

THE value of books sold in the Atlantic Union Conference during the first week in August was $1,176.42. This the Gleaner says is the largest amount it has ever reported for a single week. This good work shows that books can be sold, and in every conference there is still room in the ranks for new recruits to the canvassing force.

A NEW catalogue of our publications is now in press. We hope to have it ready during September. One of the important changes made in this edition is the strict alphabetical arrangement of all the bound books. This will make it much easier to find any desired publication. Another new feature is that of placing a certain symbol before the title of each book to indicate to what class it belongs, whether subscription, trade, home workers’, or what.

ALMOST every one loves to read stories of birds and animals, but all such stories, to be of value, should be true. A new book, “My Garden Neighbors,” is a book of nature stories, but is not a book of fiction. Dr. L. A. Reed, the author of the book, has written only what he knows to be true. For example, the story given in the chapter, entitled “A Disturber of the Peace,” is simply a plain narrative of actual events, yet it is an absorbingly interesting story. While there is no preaching, the whole story is a lesson on the power of evil, and consequently a parable of unmistakable import. The book is intended, first of all, to show some of the wonderfully interesting things that are daily happening at our very doorsteps, and is an attempt to get its readers to cultivate a closer observation of the things of nature. It is nicely illustrated with several colored plates, full-page drawings, and drawings in the text, and the price is one dollar. Order of your tract society or of Review and Herald Publishing Association.

“Christ’s followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true object of life is ministry. . . . By living to minister for others, man is brought into connection with Christ.”—“Christ’s Object Lessons,” page 326.

“ENCLOSED find draft for fifteen dollars ($15.00) for which send the Youth’s Instructor for one year to the names and addresses as follows.” Thus begins a communication from a faithful Sabbath-keeper in Fresno, Cal. Twenty subscriptions were enclosed, and “will send more names soon” is the promise. Are there not others who could do equally well in securing subscriptions for the Instructor? We believe it to be the best youth’s paper published, and it ought to have twice its present circulation. Do your own children and your neighbors’ children have it? Subscription price, 75 cents a year. 40 cents for six months. Address Youth’s Instructor, Washington, D. C.

SOME important changes were made at the last General Conference in the officers and departmental committees of the General Conference. In order to bring this part of the 1905 “Year Book” up to date, we have reprinted the four pages (pages 15 to 18 inclusive) which contain this information. We believe our people do not fully appreciate the value of this “Year Book.” The directories of our various organizations and the facts in regard to each conference and mission field are valuable, but in addition to this, the historical summary of the rise and progress of the denomination and data concerning the institutions and organizations connected therewith, chronologically arranged, together with the concise statement of the “fundamental principles of Seventh-day Adventists,” make this year’s “Year Book” invaluable to all our people. Send 25 cents for a copy.

THE new book “Ministry of Healing” by Mrs. E. G. White, is dedicated “to the physicians and nurses of every land, who, as coworkers with the Chief Physician, the great Medical Missionary, are laboring bravely and unselfishly to heal the sick, to comfort the afflicted, and to teach the way of life.” In the words of the preface, “It presents a better way, which, though in the shadows of a sick world, is flecked with the sunshine of God’s love and ever-healing hope. It reveals to us a simpler, sweeter life, fuller of joy and gladness, with more room for that helpful service which it is ‘more blessed to give than to receive.’” Surely all will desire to lend a hand in quickly placing this book in thousands of homes. It will carry a message of hope and courage to afflicted souls, and more than one half of the retail price will be used to help build up our health institutions and for other relief work. The book will contain 544 pages, and will be ready for delivery September 12. The price is $1.50, postage 15 cents additional.

Editorial

By Editor

Pleasing God

We deal with a loving Father who looks upon us with pitying tenderness, and not with a stern despot who is watching for an opportunity to condemn us. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.” All the requirements of God can be fully met by those who are willing to avail themselves of the provision made to supply power for obedience. Thus it is possible to please God. Of this we have an example in the case of Enoch. “He hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God.” The secret of pleasing God is told in a few words: “Without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him.” The one thing for which we are responsible is that we should have faith in God. This makes all other things possible in the way of righteousness. It is the evil heart of unbelief which leads us to depart from the living God. Many of the children of Israel “were not able to enter in because of unbelief.” Through faith in the sacrifice made in our behalf we receive forgiveness of sin; through faith we receive all the gifts of God; through faith we are transformed so that we become partakers of the divine nature; through faith we are enabled to show forth the excellences of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. This is the life which is well-pleasing to God, and it is the privilege of every one who chooses to do so, to live this life. What a blessed thought that we may please God! How much better this is than to please ourselves! “Christ also pleased not himself.” “Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,—that ye abound more and more.” “Not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.”

Befooling and Misleading the People

THERE was printed in London in 1653 a book with the title “A Christian Caveat to the Old and New Sabbatarians,” in which the author discussed, among other things, the claim even then being made “that the Lord’s day, or first day of the week, namely Sunday, may be called the Sabbath.” While defending the observance of Sunday according to the custom of the church and on the authority of the church, he showed that Sunday was not the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. His indictment against those who attempted to establish the Sunday sabbath upon a Scripture foundation is clear and forcible. In the following paragraphs he charges them with befooling and misleading the people:—

In vain, therefore, it is, and most absurd, for you our opponents to charge us with befooling and misleading the people. Your own practise, your own doctrines, shall bear witness betwixt us.

You who say one while, that God did not appoint the seventh day, the day on which he rested, to be kept holy, but a seventh day, and so one day in seven be observed, no matter which of them; another while, that by this commandment God enjoins us to keep holy the first day of the week on which he began his work of creation—do you not befool and mislead the people?

You who (forgetting your own doctrine of the fourth commandment) do teach that the keeping holy the first day of the week, or Lord’s day, was appointed and practised by Christ and his apostles, yet can not produce so much as one example for it, much less a precept—do you not befool and mislead the people?

You who infer, because St. Paul, and the disciples at Troas, spent the whole night of the first day of the week in praying, preaching, and heavenly conference, in regard he was to leave them and depart on the morrow; therefore, St. Paul and the disciples at Troas met that night to keep holy the day past; therefore the disciples at Troas met every first day of the week, to keep that day holy; therefore the church at Philippi, the church in Cilicia, and all Christian churches, did then keep holy the first day of the week; therefore all the apostles did constantly keep holy that day; therefore Christ and his apostles appointed the first day of the week to be forever celebrated, instead of the Sabbath—is not this pitiful logic? Do you not befool and mislead the people?

You who tell stories of an old sabbath and a new sabbath, a Jewish sabbath and a Christian sabbath, a sabbath of the seventh day and a sabbath of the first day of the week; that so you may slyly fix the name sabbath on the Lord’s day, and then persuade the simple and ignorant that all those texts of Scripture wherein mention is made of the Sabbath day, are intended for the Lord’s day; when indeed to call the Lord’s day the Sabbath, is as senseless as to call Sunday Saturday, or the first day the last day of the week; when throughout the Old and New Testaments we have not the least intimation of any other weekly Sabbath, save the old, Jewish, seventh-day Sabbath; when you yourselves confess that the name Lord’s day is more proper and particular, and less obvious to exception, than the name Sabbath; and that the name Sabbath is in dignity inferior to both Lord’s day and Sunday—do you not befool and mislead the people?

You that condemn the yearly observance of Christ’s birthday as heathenish, yet acknowledge this feast to be a constitution of the ancient primitive church—do you not befool and mislead the people?

Take ye heed; these are not small matters; consider well with yourselves what it is to stand guilty before God of belying Christ and his apostles and wilfully wrestling the Holy Scriptures. Be advised; take time while time is to repent of those notorious slanders wherewith you have aspersed the ancient approved ways of God’s worship; and let the sincerity of your repentance appear by the speedy abandoning of your unchristian practises and principles; lest the heavy judgment of seducers, to wax worse and worse, fall upon you, and God in the end deliver you up to such strong delusions that you should believe your own lies.

The practise of befooling and misleading the people concerning the Sabbath is not yet obsolete, and the methods are much the same now as in the seventeenth century. There is no call for such juggling with the Scriptures when we are willing to accept and obey the plain teaching of the Word.

Study to Show Thyself Approved

“STUDY to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

A Twentieth Century Inquisition

PEOPLE who advocate a union of religion and the state in this country, or the use of the civil power to maintain religious institutions, might with much profit consider the present working of the church-and-state system in Spain. In that country, it appears from recent reports, Protestants are subjected to every kind of annoyance and every form of persecution which the law will permit, and zealous religionists are not always careful to keep within the limits of the law in their efforts to suppress a “heretical” form of worship. Toleration is accorded in some degree to Protestantism in Spain, and Protestants are frequently reminded that “toleration” does not always tolerate. The privileges which are condescendingly allowed to Protestantism by the representatives of the prevailing religion, constitute a very slight bulwark against the intolerance of its enemies. There is a vast difference between being tolerated, and being accorded religious freedom as a natural right.

The disabilities to which Protestants are subject in Spain is attracting some attention in other lands, and are the subject of a recent article in the Independence Belge, of Brussels, Belgium, some extracts from which are given in Public Opinion, under the heading, “Twentieth Century Inquisition in Spain.” “The struggle which the Protestants are having with the Catholics to-day in Spain remind one,” says Public Opinion, “of the palmy days of the Inquisition. Although the outside world seldom hears of this fierce battle, a recent occurrence has thrown a glaring light over the machinations of the church, and even of the king, in their efforts to stifle the practise of the Protestant faith. And this notwithstanding the fact that Article II of the Spanish constitution guarantees the freedom of Protestant worship provided it occurs ‘private.’” What this occurrence was, and the interpretation put upon the word “private” by those zealous for the suppression of Protestant worship, is set forth at length in the Independence Belge.

In connection with these statements it should be remembered that a movement for Sunday enforcement is now sweeping over portions of Europe, notably France, Italy, and Spain, which has borrowed much of its force from the example of the United States in this respect. It is only natural that in Spain such a movement should stimulate zeal for the supremacy of the Catholic system of worship, and a corresponding hostility toward true Protestantism. Quoting from the Independence Belge, Public Opinion says:—

The writer in the Independence Belge uses as a basis for his article the recent action of the bishop of Barcelona. This man has drawn down upon his head the general condemnation of the Spaniards by publishing private letters of Senor Villaverde and of the king, these individuals promising to do everything they could to stamp out the nauseous Protestant faith. “The methods of the Barcelona churchmen are identical with those pursued by other Spanish religious fanatics. If a Protestant body desires to erect a church or school in Spain, it finds the way beset with innumerable obstacles as a result of the work of the Catholic priests and churchmen. These men first try to create an atmosphere hostile to ‘the projects of the heretics’ among the people, and particularly among the women of all classes. And this because the influence of the women in religious questions in Spain is very great. After this has been accomplished, everything possible is done to delay the progress of, or to prevent the erection and purchase of, buildings of any sort. In order to do this, influence is brought to bear on the building departments, building inspectors, and sanitary officials.

“The bishop of Barcelona used all of the above measures and more to prevent the erection of a Protestant church in his city, but when he saw he could not prevent the ultimate consummation of the plan, he wrote to the king and Senor Villaverde in reference to the matter, receiving compromising replies which in a spirit of vindictive rage and religious fanaticism he has seen fit to publish. In his letter the king declares that ‘as a Catholic king and submissive and devout son of the only true church, I am deeply pained at the new attempt against the faith of our ancestors, and against the religion of the state, the destinies of which have been confided to me by divine providence. I do not hesitate to assure you, Senor Cardinal, that I will do everything possible to crush the plans which your eminence has disclosed to me.’ The publication of this letter and one from M. Villaverde, far more servile, has aroused the bitter protest of the rank and file of the Spanish press. The honorable cardinal, however, with cynical indifference, has replied by having thousands of copies of the letters published, and these he is distributing.

“On their side the ‘heretical Protestants’ have replied by sending a deputation to Senor Villaverde, which petitioned for an observance of the rights guaranteed by the constitution, and at the same time presented to the premier a list of grievances. The Protestants declare that the people have been stirred up against them; that they have been prevented from carrying on their worship; that difficulties have been thrown in their way when they try to find work in order to support themselves; that Spanish Protestants in hospitals and at the hour of death have been persecuted and compelled to accept the office of a priest instead of a minister of their faith. These and other griefs are elaborated in the petition, and as it has the support of the British ambassador, something may result.”

The Test of Christianity

By L. A. S.

“If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 8:9. This is a safe rule, and one which detects many counterfeits bearing the Christian label.

The world is full of men who prophesy in the name of Christ, and in his name do many wonderful works, but in whose attitude toward others the Spirit of Christ does not appear. High profession, loud talking, great activity, a fine display of zeal and ability, combined with the spirit of self, is not Christianity. If the Spirit of Christ is lacking, the whole is fatally defective. The very soul and essence of Christianity is not there. Another cause than that of Christianity is being served by the ability and works that are displayed.

It is the Spirit of Christ that makes Christianity attractive. It is like the flavoring in food. A nice-appearing dish may be prepared without the proper flavoring, but it will not be eaten. Suppose that in the place of the sugar that is called for in the recipe, the one preparing the article of food uses salt. Perhaps the preparation will look all right, and it will have most of the essential ingredients, but for any practical purpose it is utterly useless. So are works, profession, zeal, oratory, etc., when the spirit of self is put in the place of the Spirit of Christ.

The Spirit of Christ is characterized by an unselfish interest in the affairs of others. “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil. 2:4. It is the spirit of brotherly kindness and of charity.

There are many false Christs and false prophets in the world who are able to show great signs and wonders, and deceive multitudes into the belief that they

are the special agents of God; but if they are tested by the spirit which they manifest toward others, it will be seen that they have another master than Christ. Their effort is not to exalt Christ, but some other being.

The Spirit of Christ gives forth a fragrance that can not fail to attract those who are brought in touch with it. The possession of this Spirit is not a matter of secondary importance. It does not occupy a secondary position to the doctrines and forms of religious worship. A man may be zealous for all these, and yet be so disagreeable in disposition as to exert a repelling rather than an attracting influence. It would be better if such persons made no profession at all; they would do less harm to the cause of Christianity.

If Christianity is not the most attractive thing in the world, it is not what it claims to be; and if Christians are not the most attractive people in the world, they are not true witnesses for Christ. L. A. S.

Joyful Fields

By W. A. S.

A BROTHER who is out in the evangelistic work while waiting for an opportunity to enter a foreign field wrote a little time ago:—

While I was at home last spring, we put in fifteen acres of crop to be dedicated to mission work in “the regions beyond.” My brother writes me that these fifteen acres show a more thrifty growth than the rest of the field. He attributes it to the blessing of the Lord.

Many a field this summer, we know, has been waving signals of the coming of the Lord. In that ninety-sixth Psalm, in which we are exhorted to declare God’s glory “among the heathen, his wonders among all people,” the Lord represents the fields as glad to swell the cry of the second advent: “Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” W. A. S.

A Reform That Needs Reforming

By W. A. Colcord

The International Reform Bureau's Abuse of the Postal System

The International Reform Bureau of Washington, D. C., of which Mr. Wilbur F. Crafts is the founder, superintendent, and treasurer, was organized in 1905. For ten years it has been seeking to fasten itself upon Congress, to gain influence through so-called “moral reforms,” and to secure from Congress national religious legislation, particularly Sunday legislation.

The Bureau styles itself, “The first ‘Christian lobby’ established at our national capital to speak to government in behalf of all denominations,” and its manager says that here in Washington he is called “The Speaker of the Third House.” The Bureau claims to have been instrumental in introducing numerous measures into Congress, and in securing their passage.

One way in which it seeks to mold public opinion is by sending out its literature in franked envelopes secured from certain senators and representatives favorable to its objects. In its annual report for 1901, it says: “The Bureau’s Quarterly and other documents, many of them reprints of government matter sent in franked envelopes in accordance with the law made to promote such civic education, have reached, during the year, more than one hundred thousand moral readers in all parts of the land, including at least one in every town of two thousand inhabitants.”

From this it will be seen that not all of the matter thus sent out by the Bureau is “government matter.” Some of it consists of speeches made by Mr. Crafts in favor of Sunday legislation, and advertisements of his works, such as his “Sabbath for Man,” and the like.

The frank means free postage. It is supposed to be used only by men occupying some official or government position, and then not for private purposes, but only in the transaction of government business. It is the release or cancellation of a postal charge, which, if paid by an individual, would properly be paid back to him by the government. Every extension of the franking privilege, therefore, beyond the use that prevents the payment of money by the government to itself is unjustifiable.

The latest abuse of this privilege by the Reform Bureau, as pointed out in the REVIEW of August 3, is the sending out of thousands of copies of a book weighing over one pound, entitled “Patriotic Studies.” The book is being sent out for sale to prospective buyers through the mails, not only free of postage, but with an accompanying franked envelope for the return of either the money or the book. By such methods the Reform Bureau is seeking to stir up “patriotism,” and is manifesting its own “love of country.”

A copy of this book was recently received at the free public library of New Bedford, Mass. Upon receipt of the book, Mr. Tripp, the librarian, sent the following reply:—

July 12, 1905.

Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts, Ph. D., Supt. and Treas. International Reform Bureau, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: However much I might feel inclined to purchase the book which came to hand this noon, and which is offered at a reasonable price, the inexcusable method which you take to circulate the book, abusing the franking privilege, would debar me from accepting the book at any price. The compiler of a book on Civic Reform should certainly have a keener sense of honor than to abuse the spirit of the postal laws in such a flagrant way. I would respectfully suggest that in your next edition you add a chapter on the franking privilege, its use and abuse. Of course I can not in honor make use of the enclosed frank which you sent to return the book, so I hold it subject to your remittance of the necessary postage for its return, or, if you please, will send it by express. I remain,

Yours truly,

GEORGE H. TRIPP, Librarian.

Arrangements, it is stated, have been made whereby seventy thousand copies of these books can be sent out. These would weigh over thirty-five tons. The postage on them one way would amount to six thousand three hundred dollars, and both ways to twelve thousand six hundred dollars. The Washington Post of July 27 styles this a “flagrant case of graft.” The New York Times of July 21 says that the Bureau “is distinctly the enterprise of a group of private citizens, and therefore there is no imaginable excuse for sending out its publications under a congressman’s frank, even when the publications, whether for sale or for free distribution, happen to be books compiled at the society’s expense from various governmental documents that suit its purpose.”

The Philadelphia Record of July 27 says that one of the causes of the large annual postal deficit of the United States (eight million dollars for 1904) is due to such abuses of the postal system as is being practised by the International Reform Bureau. Commenting on this abuse, the New Bedford Evening Standard of July 28 says: “Reforms that are possessed of a virile manliness should be sturdy enough to stand on their own feet, and not demand to be hauled in an official wagon.” It adds that the Reform Bureau is no more entitled to the use of the franking privilege “than a propaganda for the fresh-air cure for tuberculosis.”

The franking privilege is doubtless abused by many besides the Reform Bureau; but of all parties who might be expected to be extra scrupulous in their means and methods, are those who have set themselves the task of reforming the government on morals and religion. Christ and Paul have given particular instruction that Christians should pay tribute to Caesar, but through the evasion of paying its postage bills, the Reform Bureau is evidently defrauding the government out of considerable sums of its legitimate revenue. Manifestly it is a reform which needs reforming.

W. A. COLCORD.

One Voice Only

By W. A. S.

It is helpful to the worker for souls to remember that the human voice can not reach the ear of the dead. No one would think of visiting a cemetery to preach to the dead. Neither is it of use for any man to think of reaching with his own voice the ear of those “dead in trespasses and sins.” They can not hear.

But there is one voice that can reach the ear of the dead. One day it will speak even to the depth of the tomb. “For the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” John 5: 28, 29. That same voice may now be heard by souls dead in trespasses and sins, and those that hear shall live.

Therefore, the gospel worker must first of all remember that only the voice of God can speak to the sinner’s heart. Of our own selves we can do nothing—absolutely nothing. The Lord must do the work; his Holy Spirit must send the living and life-giving word of God to the heart. In this blessed dependence upon God we may minister his own word with all confidence, and all the work and all the glory are his own. W. A. S.

The International Peace Movement

A WRITER in the United Presbyterian, Mr. J. L. Cowan, says of the international peace movement, which has found expression in the convening of several peace congresses:—

Few persons have any idea of the extent to which the advocates of peace are organized. In Germany there are seventy-five active peace societies, in Denmark seventy-three, in Great Britain fourteen, and in France more than two hundred organizations are affiliated with the peace movement. Norway and Sweden are thoroughly organized, and it is not saying too much to claim that these organizations have done much to make possible the bloodless revolution that is now taking place there. Every country in Europe is represented in the inter-parliamentary union, and has within its boundaries anywhere from one to several scores of active peace organizations. Even in turbulent South America the peace propaganda has made headway; Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil having active and able organizations.

In America, where the peace movement really originated back in the early part of the last century, says this authority, there are to-day twenty-one active peace organizations, composed of men of ability and influence in public affairs. Mr. Cowan believes that the close of the Russo-Japanese war “will be the signal for the inauguration of a campaign for universal peace the whole world over.”

It is the commercial spirit, however, the love of wealth, rather than the love of peace, that rules the world to-day, and dictates peace to warring nations. War is a great disturber of trade relations, and the loss of wealth due to this disturbance stirs up influences in the financial world which result in bringing strong pressure upon the belligerent powers to make a peaceful settlement of their differences. Russia was offered all the money she needed to conclude peace with Japan, but was refused a further loan to continue the war. The love of wealth brings on frequent industrial wars, which are as contrary to peace as are the wars fought out with armies and navies. When peace rules the world, there will be social and industrial as well as political concord.

The Dominating Spirit of the Times

The following testimony concerning the spirit of the times comes from a noteworthy source, an official report recently made by the insurance commissioner for Massachusetts, Mr. F. L. Cutting. Speaking of those who conduct the business of the great insurance companies of this day, the report says:—

The dominating spirit of the times in which we live was there also, and blurred the moral vision of the officers. They were in a position to see men of highest power and station in the financial and commercial world joining in the mad and utterly selfish race for wealth. They saw all kinds of dubious schemes carried through to the enrichment of their promoters; they saw a Morgan rise from obscurity to a high position in the financial world by manipulations of great corporate interests, without personally earning a dollar; they saw a high official of another insurance company one of his partners; they saw the Amalgamated stock floated, and knew of the fabulous profits for its manipulators; they knew of the sugar trust and its rewards of millions to its promoters; the Standard Oil combination with its forty-five per cent dividends; the beef trust, controlling prices both to producer and consumer; they were cognizant of the rotten canned beef supplies furnished the government, and nobody punished; they knew of railroad rebates in disregard of law and court decrees, and that some of the law breakers were promoted to high positions; they saw “graft” by city officials, state officials, national officials, petty legislators, congressmen, United States senators, and courts subservient to the great Moloch, money; they saw “tainted” money eagerly sought for by the college and pulpit, as well as by institutions with less pretensions of virtue.

They not only saw these things, and hundreds of others of which these are but types, but lived and moved and had their being in an atmosphere saturated with this spirit of commercialism—a spirit that has so permeated the whole commercial, financial, and social world that it is impossible to escape its influence. We can well understand how they might have said to themselves or among themselves: “Is it any worse for us to make use of our opportunities for profit than for our neighbor to sell ‘gold bricks’ to the public? Do we do a greater wrong to so manipulate the stock of a trust company in which we have shares, that it will show a handsome profit to our credit, than does the steel trust, or any other trust, when it hood-winks the public into buying its watered shares?” That their moral fiber weakened, that the ethical standard was lowered amid such conditions and surroundings, is an indictment not merely of the accused, who it is true and proper must bear the consequences of their acts, but also an indictment of business and commercial practices which have developed in the last quarter of a century.

Note and Comment

The war in the far East has continued until such a change has been wrought in the government of Russia that its people will hereafter enjoy a considerable measure of civil and religious freedom, and serious obstacles have been removed from the way of the progress of the gospel of the kingdom in that country. Among all facts which have a bearing on the sudden and unlooked-for advent of peace, we believe this is not the least. Japan had her interests to serve by the war and to secure at its termination; Russia had hers; but He whose throne is in the heavens and whose kingdom ruleth over all, also has interests to be served in the affairs of men, higher interests than those with which nations concern themselves, and the securing of these is the real point, though unseen, upon which the issue turns.

The Civil War hung like a black cloud over the United States until the abolition of slavery, when it immediately began to lighten, and the end of the conflict was soon in sight. God had his purposes to be served then, which were paramount to everything else, and no less is it true now that wars begin and cease and events follow one another upon the stage of the world powers only as the interests of his work permit or demand. He has a message to be proclaimed to-day to every people and nation and tongue, and no war or other adverse condition must be allowed to bar the way of the speedy completion of this work.

The circumstances under which the ravages of war in the far East have been made to cease, will contribute much to the prestige of this government among the nations, which is fast coming forward to occupy that commanding position among earthly powers in which it will do the work assigned it in the predictions of inspired prophecy.

L. A. S

By L. A. S.

AN Interparliamentary Congress was opened at Brussels, Belgium, August 28, representing a movement to establish a congress of nations, or sort of international legislature, to which would be added judiciary and executive branches, for the adjustment of international questions and the prevention of war. A proposition for a model arbitration treaty was presented and discussed before the congress. Congressman Bartholdt, representing the United States, urged the acceptance of such a treaty, and presented the following interesting view of the alternative which would be likely to follow its rejection:—

If Europe should refuse to adopt arbitration, if it should continue the increase of its armaments, might not the United States find it imperative, for the protection of its own trade, to rival with Europe in the matter of military and naval armaments? The question is: Shall the United States arm itself in proportion to its wealth and power, and become a menace to mankind and its own people, or shall the other nations enter into a union with it and with one another, and thus secure forever the rights they have been in perpetual dread of losing? This is the real political question in the international world to-day.

But can the United States, having become a world power with insular possessions to defend, now stop short of an armament which will be “in proportion to its wealth and power,” and thus constitute it “a menace to mankind”?

L. A. S

The Higher Life

By William P. Merrill

WALK in the light! In darkness there is fear, The way is dim, and evil shapes appear; Choose thou the sunshine, for it is thy right: He knows no fear whose path is in the light.

Build on the heights! Below in every breath Lurk germs of listlessness, disease, and death; Life-giving air, bright days, and starlit nights— These are for him whose home is on the heights.

Live near to God! In him is strength and peace, Joy that abides, and life that will not cease; Too long thy feet the path of doubt have trod; Leave thy low life! Rise up and live with God!

— William P. Merrill, D. D.

Continue reading: The Work in Nashville; Its Encouragements and Needs