Earlier text: First-Hand Experience“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.” Sometimes the answers to our prayers seem long delayed. Perhaps for many years we have prayed for the conversion of friends, or for the fulfilment of some cherished desire. Satan tempts us to feel that the Lord is deaf to our cry, or that his hand is shortened so that he can not save, when perhaps all these years he has been seeking through means and agencies and influences to shape circumstances in the lives of our friends which will result in leading them to give themselves to God. We need to strengthen our souls in the Lord, and trust fully in the power of his promise. Says the psalmist, “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” David did not see always that which his17 soul desired. It seemed at times that the answers to his petitions were long delayed, but he had faith to believe that he would see the goodness of the Lord, and that his prayers would be answered; and this faith kept him from falling by the way. We let go of the hand of God too soon. This is our weakness. In every age of the church the men and women of power have been the men and women of prayer. So let us pray much, and with our praying let there be a surrender to God on our part; an opening of the heart, so that he may come in and fill us with his fulness, and lead us by his Holy Spirit. We have the following requests to present to our readers this week:— 114. From Brother F. W. Morse, well known to many of the older readers of the REVIEW, comes an earnest request for prayer in behalf of his wife, Mary Martin Morse, who is suffering with what appears to be an incurable malady, in our sanitarium at Melrose, Mass. Sister Morse has been an active writer for the Instructor, REVIEW, and Good Health in years gone by. Pray that God may give to her a new lease of life and strength. 115. A California sister asks our prayers for the conversion of her father, three brothers, and one sister. She also desires prayer for the healing of her father, one brother, and herself, if it be God’s will to restore them to health. 116. A sister writes from Iowa requesting prayer for healing. Medical help affords her no relief, and her seven children need her care. 117. “I do earnestly and humbly ask your prayers for the conversion of my children and my husband,” writes a New York sister. 118. A burdened sister in Illinois asks the prayers of God’s people for the conversion of her husband, two sons, and one daughter, and for herself that she may be able to endure unto the end. She is the only Christian in her family. 119. From Massachusetts a sister sends the request that we pray for the healing of her mother, who is suffering from sclerosis of the liver. 120. From Kansas a sister writes asking that we pray earnestly for the conversion of her husband. He knows and believes the truth, but will not surrender himself to the Lord. 121. The following is an extract from a letter written by a sister in Connecticut who has cancer, and whose doctor has told her that she can not live a year:— “I am interested in the noon-hour petitions for the conversion of our loved ones, also for the healing of the sick. I should like to add the request that you pray for the conversion of my seven children, two grandchildren, two brothers, and two sisters. I would also ask your prayers that I may be healed if it is God’s will.” The Press Bureau Work
By W. L. Burgan
WITH the passing of each week, it becomes quite evident that our brethren are realizing more and more the power of the secular press to bring the doctrines of Seventh-day Adventists to the attention of the world at large. The success that has come as the result of the campaign, begun less than a year ago, of using this powerful agency for the dissemination of the gospel truth, has been wonderful. Many letters have recently been received from brethren in various sections of the country, who tell of the success they have had in getting articles published, and the good these articles have accomplished. One minister in New Hampshire writes: “The newspapers surely have been good to us this summer, and have done for us all that we felt we could ask under the circumstances.” A minister in Iowa has this encouraging testimonial to give: “We are full believers in printer’s ink, and have many times availed ourselves of open columns in connection with the history of our work. We are on the best of terms with the publishers, and they handle almost anything that we are willing to give them. Nearly every week there is something in the papers here about us, much of which we write, but some of which they write.” A word from South Texas makes us feel confident that the message can be published with success in the newspapers of that part of the United States: “During our camp-meeting I furnished daily reports to the newspapers, and all but two were published. Those withheld were on the fourth of July, and as the papers were small, the articles were doubtless left out for that reason. One paper changed scarcely anything we gave it; the other once in a while changed the wording of the articles.” One brother in the North Texas Conference furnished very interesting reports to the Cleburne papers, where the camp-meeting of that conference was held. A brother in Knoxville, Tenn., in telling of the success in his newspaper endeavors in connection with a series of meetings held there, says: “Out of fifty-six meetings reported, forty-three appeared in print. We are so well pleased with our first attempt in this line that we credit the success of our tent effort largely to the favor we received through the press.” After telling of his experiences in furnishing reports of the Alabama camp-meeting to the Mobile papers, though the meeting was held at Fair Hope, fourteen miles distant, a brother in that conference says: “One good thing the items in the Mobile papers did was to bring a sister over to the camp who had lived in Mobile for some time, and did not know there was another Sabbath-keeper living there.” These good words from brethren who are making good use of the possibilities before them to make known the glad tidings of the soon return of the Saviour ought to encourage others to write for this powerful medium, which is free to all of us. A high dignitary of the Protestant Episcopal denomination in Los Angeles, in writing an article for the Los Angeles Tribune of recent date, on “The Pulpit and the Press,” made some very pointed statements as follows:— “The relationship of these two institutions is very close. They are allies and not antagonists, and they do their best work in union, rather than in separation. I always have attached a very great significance to the power of the press. “The preacher speaks through the living voice; the newspaper preaches through the living word. The first reaches thousands, and the latter reaches tens of thousands. “There is no institution under the canopy of heaven that is so largely a legatee of the benefactions of the newspaper as the church; hence this vital and living bond of relationship that binds and holds these two servants of mankind together.” That the ministers and other interested ones in other denominations are taking notice of the activity of our brethren in using the newspapers for the spread of our views is shown in a statement by one of our ministers in New Hampshire. He says: “Some here are opposing everything that they [the editors] do for us, and it makes it hard for them.” Notwithstanding the fact that others are opposing the publication of articles about Adventists, our brethren in that State have been treated well, judging from the size and contents of the reports contained in clippings sent to the Press Bureau. Work on the Pacific Coast
Since writing the above, I have received from Brother J. R. Ferren, of California, an excellent report of the18 work of the Press Bureau on the Pacific Coast. He says:— “Eleven daily newspapers, and several published weekly, with a combined circulation of more than one million copies an issue, carried reports during our four camp-meetings held in California this season. Although thirty miles away, the Fresno Republican and the Fresno Herald took our reports of the Reedley meeting, so that throughout the great San Joaquin valley people were daily reading about the leading features of the Seventh-day Adventist camp-meeting at Reedley. One report, headed ‘Tons of Books Shipped by Adventists,’ was read by an ex-resident of Fresno over in Mountain View. Although this woman, wife of a superannuated minister, had lived within sight of the Pacific Press for months, she ‘had no idea of the great work they were doing, until reading of it in the newspaper,’ as she expressed it to an Adventist neighbor. So it is hoped that many gained some definite and favorable impressions through the large number of press notices given, covering, as they did, reasons for distinguishing points of belief, and much concerning the work of the denomination in the world. Points of truth were woven in at every opportunity.” “The health and temperance principles were emphasized frequently in reports appearing under such heads as, ‘Using of Tobacco Is Subject of Address;’ ‘Big Death-Rate Due to Social Practises;’ ‘Adventists Urged to Aid W. C. T. U.;’ ‘Abolish Saloon, Adventists Advocate.’” “In reporting educational meetings, there was opportunity to tell why Adventists operate their own system of schools, and much concerning the development and work of those schools. Likewise, sanitarium meetings opened the way for explaining something of the work of these institutions, where they are situated, and the number of persons to whom treatments are given.” “No feature of our work was given more publicity than the foreign missions enterprise. From the first report, which usually emphasized the thought that this year two hundred Adventist camp-meetings are being held in the leading countries of the world, the fact that the denomination is turning its energies and resources toward foreign fields was often repeated. That the Sabbath-school donations go to foreign lands; how the minds of our young people are directed to distant countries; mission funds raised; persons selected for foreign work; and the missions talks, all furnished material for foreign missions ‘stories.’ ‘Six thousand African boys and girls in mission schools in Africa;’ ‘Four thousand Adventists in Russia, and gaining seven hundred a year;’ ‘One thousand new Sabbath-keepers added every three months to the churches in Europe;’ ‘The outlook in China, India, Japan, and other countries,’—these are some items that these reports contained.” “‘They Are Against Any Sunday Law’ was one head-line introducing a series of religious liberty resolutions. The synopsis of another such meeting was headed by, ‘Lecturer Talks on Religious Freedom; Declares Civil Law Has No Jurisdiction Over Religious Matters.’ “The Sabbath was first mentioned in the article announcing the camp-meeting, as a distinguishing feature of the denomination’s belief. The reports appearing Friday told of how the campers were preparing for the observance of the Sabbath beginning at the setting of the sun. Reports of the Sabbath-school and services again called to mind how Adventists observe the Sabbath, and in some instances why. Again, as the subject was presented in evening discourses, it could be touched upon in the newspaper reports. For example:— “Pastor E. W. Farnsworth’s sermon in the evening was on the ‘Spirituality and the Immutability of the Law of God.’ He declared that theoretically Seventh-day Adventists are in perfect harmony with all evangelistic denominations in regard to the perpetuity of the law. He quoted from the recent Dr. Joseph Cook’s lectures at Tremont Temple, Boston (a Congregationalist minister), who declared, ‘While God remains God, and man is man, the decalogue must stand. It seems beyond human efforts, and is written in the very constitution of things. It was given for man, not for the Jews only, but for all mankind.’ “‘Seventh-day Adventists most sincerely believe these utterances, said Pastor Farnsworth, and the truths taught by them. He believes that the keeping of the law of God is the heart of the gospel itself. This, he declared, is why Seventh-day Adventists keep the seventh-day Sabbath, according to the fourth commandment, which is a part of the law.’” “Thus, it would seem, the Lord has opened to us the agency of the newspaper this season in a special way. The large Los Angeles dailies during our Glendale camp-meeting published more than forty reports, and we had the privilege of meeting some who came to the services because of reading of them in the newspaper. In their sermon page on Monday the Los Angeles Examiner and the Tribune each carried a sermon by Elder W. A. Spicer, on ‘The Certainties of the Advent Message.’ The Los Angeles Times carried a sermon by Elder Geo. W. Reaser, on ‘The Last Great Religious Movement.’ “These are some features concerning our press work in the Pacific Union that may encourage those in other places who are writing for the papers. It took time, effort, and faith to keep the papers supplied with the news of our camp-meetings day by day, but we can not help believing that the influence of this publicity will have its effect in behalf of the truth.” Ring True
By Worthie Harris Holden
Ring true, O heart of mine!
And if the dross and tin to purge
Thy great Refiner still must urge
The furnace fire, sing no dirge,
But laud his power divine. Ring true, O heart of mine!
For in these days of stress and strife
The base and vile are ever rife,
And sordid touch defiles each life
That God does not refine. Ring true, O heart of mine!
None but the pure can enter there
To dwell within the city fair,
And citizens must here prepare.
Ring true while life is thine. “Do not look forward to what might happen to-morrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you to-day will take care of you to-morrow and every day.” Western Colorado Camp-Meeting
By J. W. Christian
The fifth annual conference and camp-meeting of the Western Colorado Conference convened at Delta, Colo., September 26 to October 6. From the first, an excellent spirit was manifested. The attendance was not large; it was estimated that about two hundred fifty believers were in attendance all or part of the time. The delegates were wide-awake to the many items of local and general interest that were brought before the conference, and the interesting discussion on the various items showed the spirit of the people assembled. Elder E. A. Curtis, who has the full confidence of all the believers, was re-elected president, with practically no changes in the other offices. Brother J. A. Neilson will act as conference treasurer and secretary, and Brother J. L. Humbert will enter the field in the interest of the missionary work among the churches. The finances of the conference are encouraging, and the conference, though small, has determined to reach the fifteen-cent-a-week standard for foreign missions. Aside from the conference workers, there were present Elders A. T. Robinson, C. G. Bellah, and M. B. Van Kirk, and the writer. Elder Robinson gave a very valuable series of studies on the secret of Christian living. These studies were much appreciated. It was a feast to sit and listen to this tried servant of the Lord as he brought from the storehouse of God things new and old. Brother Van Kirk labored successfully for the young people and in the interests of the educational work. Brother Bellah, with his old-time interest in the book work, gave splendid service, and with Brother Surber, the new State agent, worked up a large interest in the canvassing work. Quite a number of volunteers enlisted in the grand army to carry the printed page to the dwellers in the mountains. On the last Sabbath, near the close, thirteen dear souls followed their Lord in baptism. It was a solemn scene, and the Lord bore witness to the occasion. The offerings for foreign missions were fairly good. All went from the meeting to their homes with renewed zeal and devotion to the Lord’s work. Personally, it was a spiritual feast to me to be permitted to attend this meeting. The Lord came near in the many services that were held, and we shall look for results of this meeting in the coming of God. “A Side Issue”
By E. R. Allen
A RECENT letter from a friend refers to the canvassing work as a “side issue.” I fell to pondering whether this work rightly occupies this position relative to the other branches of our work. The colporteur work occupied an important position in the Reformation of the sixteenth century, of which Reformation our work is but a continuation. A very large percentage of the people who now embrace the truth do so through reading. Certainly such a work is not a side issue, but one of the main issues. Again I recall the statement of the servant of the Lord that “if there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the people, thus leading them to search the Scriptures.” This doesn’t look as if that work were a side issue, does it? Away with these selfish comparisons! May God give us grace and breadth of mind to comprehend in its fulness the work of the third angel in the earth. It would be well for conference officers and workers to consider what position the canvassing work has occupied in their thoughts and plans. Perhaps we shall thus discover some side issues. Have we given it the place it deserves? What have been our plans for the promotion of this work at camp-meetings? The spirit of prophecy tells us that this work is of more importance than preaching to our people. Do we so regard it? We are much concerned to have good preaching at camp-meetings, but do we make equally careful preparation for19 promoting the interests of the canvassing work? Here there is danger of making the canvassing work a side issue. It is easy to tell what interest a conference has in the canvassing work by reading a few issues of its local paper. In some of these it is manifest from the first page to the last that this work occupies the position it deserves. Every worker and officer sees in it a means of advancing the cause he loves, and thus helping finish the work in this generation. In such papers we always find a long list of successful canvassers. On the other hand, we find occasionally a conference paper which grudgingly mentions the canvassing work,—a side issue indeed. It is a sort of necessary evil; and were it not for an occasional word from the field agent (if the conference has such a worker at all), we should never see a mention of the canvassing work. In such a paper we usually find somewhere on a back page the names of a few faithful canvassers. They, too, feel the spell of neglect and disapproval (intentional or otherwise, the effect is the same) of this branch of the work. It will be noted that the names in this list keep changing, and it keeps the poor field agent hustling to make any report at all. He knows full well that if he does not make some showing, he will be regarded as an unprofitable servant, not worth his ‘traveling expenses,’ and be told to move on. Now we are not discussing imaginary conditions. Would it not be well for us to consider our ways, and repent of our temerity in regarding and treating as a side issue a branch of the work of which it is said, “The canvassing work, properly conducted, is missionary work of the highest order, and it is as good and successful a method as can be employed for placing before the people the important truths for this time”? Kolo Mission, Basutoland, South Africa
By E. C. Silsber
We arrived at the Kolo Mission safely, and are now partly settled in the mission home. We reached Wepener by train about two weeks ago, and from there came the rest of the distance, about twenty-five or thirty miles, by ox-wagon, arriving at the mission late in the evening of the next day. We have spent a large part of the time in getting straightened out and squared up, until now, at the end of two weeks, we feel quite at home, though we have made only a beginning on the work that needs immediate attention. The mission home is beautifully situated, being on the side of the mountain, and affording a splendid view across a broad, level valley, which stretches away for miles to the westward. This whole valley is dotted with native villages, which constantly remind us of our business here and of the great work to be done in this field. A snow-storm, which lasted all day yesterday, greatly enhanced the beauty of the landscape for the time being. We have a nice little garden plot, a small orchard, and mountain spring-water piped right to our back door, as well as many other blessings and conveniences to enjoy; some inconveniences, of course, but then they are found everywhere. We have the garden partly plowed, and are busy now with the tree work and grape-vine pruning, trying in the meantime to get the rest of the plowing done. The natives here are the best class we have had to deal with, being cleaner in their home life, and more intelligent generally, as well as far in advance of other tribes in many other respects; they also have at least a little appreciation of what is being done for them in bringing them the light of the gospel. The people as a rule seem glad to have us here, and each Sabbath some from the outside villages may be seen attending the services. Peter and Lazarus, our native teachers, tell us that the people like the music from our little box organ, and that is one reason they come to Sabbath-school and church services. We organized a Sabbath-school last Sabbath, for which they all seemed glad. We have had one request for baptism; this is, of course, the result of previous work done, and not of our own. Nevertheless, we are glad to hear these reports. Pray for the work here. E. C. SILSBER. Selling Our Books to Spanish-Speaking People
By Walter Harper
THE progress of the canvassing work is remarkable throughout the world-wide field, and reports from Mexico, Central and South America, Cuba, Spain, and the Philippines, indicate that this is especially true in Spanish-speaking countries. I believe that now, just now, is the opportune time to work for these people. The Spirit of God is surely working with them in a remarkable manner. They were prevented to a great extent from hearing and accepting the Reformation of the sixteenth century, but the Lord is surely giving all an opportunity to hear and accept the truths of the third angel’s message in this the twentieth century. I have come in contact with Spanish people more or less, in my canvassing work, for more than a quarter of a century. What a change can be seen in their present attitude! Once it was very difficult to get their orders, and still more difficult to deliver the books after the orders were secured. Of late I have had little or no trouble in getting orders, and my deliveries are good. The people come to me anxious to buy books, when once my mission is known. They first take one, then another, and still more, until I have about exhausted our line of Spanish literature. Many are doubtless in this country, through God’s providence, in order that they may learn the truth. During a recent trip to Arizona the Lord wrought in a wonderful manner. During six months I was blessed in delivering between eighteen hundred and two thousand dollars’ worth of books, the large majority of which were Spanish. I can see the hand of God in this as never before. The people are anxious for the truth, and all we have to do is to take the books to them. Try selling our Spanish books, particularly “Home and Health,” and you will be astonished at the result. British Guiana
By E. C. Boger
The work in Georgetown is making some progress. There are many mountains to go over, or to remove, but by the faith of Jesus they are disappearing. The hot weather has come once more, but I do not mind it very much. I try to keep out of the sun as much as possible, and find I feel all right then. We deeply feel the lack of means and workers. We greatly need another white worker in this field. I am praying that the Lord will send the right man this way. The canvassing work is making progress, and we hope to see many books sold in this colony this fall. One young man who has just accepted the truth expects to give all his time to the book and paper work. Pray for us in this needy field, that the Lord may give us wisdom to direct the work aright. We are of good courage in the Lord, and expect to see some fruit from our labors here. Our mission farms are looking well. We have about five acres of rice on one, and the one at Bootooba has three hundred rubber-trees, besides much produce. I shall soon visit the one on Essequibo River, and see about cutting some timber there. We hope soon to make these farm schools self-supporting. FIVE persons were baptized on a recent Sabbath at Lansing, Iowa. THREE adults have just been added to the Buckeye, Ariz., church. FIVE persons have taken their stand for the truth at Chester, Mont. ELDER W. A. YOUNG baptized four persons at Indianapolis, Ind., recently. As the result of a recent tent effort seven are keeping the Sabbath at Nezperce, Idaho. THE baptism of twelve adults (colored) is reported by Elder L. Muntz on the last Sunday of the Virginia camp-meeting. WITHIN the last few weeks eleven individuals have united with the Kansas City, Mo., church, eight of these being new Sabbath-keepers. A NEW church has been dedicated at Westerly, R. I. Elder W. R. Andrews reports that fourteen persons have recently accepted the truth in Providence. ELDER J. H. BEHRENS reports the baptism of two new Sabbath-keepers at Reedley, central California, and the organization of a Sabbath-school. He recently baptized ten persons at Bakersfield. A CHURCH of fifteen members has just been organized at Camino, in the California-Nevada Conference. Ten of these are new believers. Thirteen persons are rejoicing in the truth at Turlock as the result of a series of tent-meetings recently conducted there. ELDER J. W. BOYNTON reports the baptism of three persons at Bellingham, Wash., and two at Marysville and English. Five adults were recently baptized by Elder L. Johnson, and a church of eighteen members organized at Enumclaw. Protestantism: “the Mother of All Abominations,” “the Dying Wretch,” “the Religion of Dirt”
It is hardly probable that the readers of the Review are aware of the bitter spirit displayed and the abusive language employed by Roman Catholic editors in the current discussion of questions at issue between Catholics and Protestants. It seems as if some of these writers have grown so sure of the position and power of Romanism in the United States that they no longer hesitate to reveal the real spirit of the Papacy. The following extract will speak for itself:— “When Valentine issued his order against the nuns’ habit, he felt sure his action would be supported by the government, and approved by the nation at large. The old anti-Catholic prejudice was too strong, and the President would not dare challenge it. Valentine felt he was touching a responsive chord in the heart of the American people, and his ground was secure. He little dreamed that his order would be promptly suspended, and himself driven out of office in disgrace. The country did not take up his cause. The old bigotry did not respond. And the reason is the Protestantism of long ago is dead, and all forms of Protestantism are dying. The old lies do not pass current any longer. It is now good form to speak only what is good of the Catholic Church.” “But the death of prejudice against the Catholic Church means more than a popular return to a juster way of thinking and speaking. It means not only the subsidence of slander, but the death of the slanderer. Protestantism is hoist by its own petard. For four hundred years it has vilified the Catholic Church as the mother of all abominations, the scarlet woman, and the whore of Babylon. She has outlived all the vituperation; and now the slanderers are being tried on the very indictments they have so long fulminated against Rome. To-day the whole world believes that Protestantism, and not the Catholic Church, is the mother of all abominations. The scarlet woman, and the whore of Babylon. The unchurched and unsected millions who disgrace every civilized land are the waifs of the Reformation. The disrupted homes, morgues of plighted love, are the handiwork of the Reformation. The debauchery in high and low life in every land where Protestantism holds sway attests the general loosening of bonds of morality caused by the Reformation. Protestantism has become the synonym of unbridled lust, domestic infidelity, and irreligion throughout the world. Compared with England, Japan is clean. Judged on the score of honesty, the United States stands below southern Italy. In divorces and illegitimacy the Protestant peoples are first, and all the rest nowhere.” “Six months ago a nation-wide movement was inaugurated against the Catholic Church. Many men with more money than brains, and more bigotry than religion, became interested in the movement. The magnitude and cost of the anti-Catholic literature that has been scattered throughout the land must have run up into the millions. A new semi-political, semireligious party was formed, and many of the most honored names in every walk of life were found on their roster of abetters or promoters. It was confidently predicted that the triumphs of Know-nothingism and A. P. A.ism would be repeated and outstripped. Lecture courses were announced in every city from the Atlantic to the Pacific. To the astonishment of everybody and the utter dismay of the prime movers, the people were not only indifferent to the fiery appeals of the zealots, but they plainly told the foul-mouthed agitators to shut their mouths and retire to the obscurity from which they came. The movement collapsed because the people had had a surfeit of lies. The career of the Guardians of Liberty was the last militant appearance of Protestantism in this country. It was the last gasp of the dying wretch that for four centuries had filled the world with hatred and division, and filled the armies of hell with recruits. Protestantism is par excellence the religion of dirt. When it disappears, there will be a monster Augean stable to clean out; and the nations will feel relieved of a plague that threatened to last forever. The world is vile and sinful; but filthy as it is, it is far too pure for Protestantism.”—Western Watchman, Sept. 26, 1912. In the face of all the facts, it certainly requires an unusual degree of assurance for a Roman Catholic writer to assert that the woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast (Rev. 17:3), upon whose forehead was written “Babylon the Great, the Mother of the Harlots and the Abominations of the Earth,” is Protestantism. Moreover, it is a decided departure from Roman Catholic interpretation; for such recognized Roman Catholic theologians as Cardinal Bellarmine and Bossuet have declared that the woman represented the heathen city of Rome. This attempt to pervert the meaning of this striking prophecy by asserting that it is fulfilled in Protestantism, constitutes a challenge to us to restate the position which has been successfully maintained by Protestant interpreters for several centuries; namely, that the woman represents, not the city of Rome, but the Church of Rome. Let us accept the challenge. A Significant Suggestion
By Editor
The astute diplomacy with which Rome carries on her work commands the attention of every student of history. Important plans or policies are often suggested from some apparently obscure and unauthorized source. If they arouse too much criticism and opposition, they are disowned by Rome, and dropped until a more favorable time, when they may be brought forward again. Finally they will be announced by proper authority. We are reminded of this policy by a suggestion that has recently appeared in a New Jersey paper:— “A movement is under way to secure an addition to the Cabinet of the President of the United States of a secretary of peace. It is also proposed to have this question presented to the representatives of every world power now in session at the International Peace Congress at Geneva, Switzerland, with a view to establishing this office generally in national councils. It is reported that President Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, and Governor Wilson are to be approached, and their views on the proposition ascertained. A special committee, representing most of the peace organizations, a number of religious denominations, with no idea of sectarianism, is to present the subject to presidential candidates, it is said. “The first suggested choice for this office, it is understood, is James Cardinal Gibbons. It is urged that ‘his influence would be powerful in preventing future conflicts between the United States and Catholic nations.’ He has been a prominent speaker on occasions when world peace has been the subject, the dedication of the Pan-American Union building at Washington in 1910, the third National Peace Congress at Baltimore in 1911, and other occasions. The proposed office is to be advisory in character and to carry no special authority. The exact draft of this plan for presentation to presidential candidates is not to be made public until after they have received the question.”—Newark Evening News, Oct. 5, 1912. We shall wait to see whether this ‘feeler’ will be repudiated by Rome, or whether it will be followed up and an attempt made to put Cardinal Gibbons or some other member of the Roman hierarchy into the President’s Cabinet. SOME idea of the pomp and ceremony with which a professedly religious function is celebrated by the Roman hierarchy in a Catholic state where there is a union of the civil and the ecclesiastical power, may be gathered from the reports of the twenty-third eucharistic congress recently held at Vienna. The great procession, the closing feature of the congress, is thus described in a press despatch:— “Vast crowds, principally women, lined the route from the Cathedral of St. Stephen to the Hofburg, standing patiently for hours for the procession to pass. “The miners from Tyrol, in quaint costumes, headed the procession, and were followed by the bakers’ gild from Munster in picturesque attire. Then came the various Catholic societies and the representatives from foreign countries in national groups, including Belgium, Bavaria, England, France, Switzerland, Spain, Albania, Hungary, Croatia, and Bosnia. The four groups last named wore gorgeously colored peasant costumes. “The second division was composed of the clergy and bishops and civil authorities to the number of ten thousand. It was headed by the seminarians, and these were followed by members of the Reichsrath, provincial diets, and the council of Vienna, and government and municipal officials. The clergy, to the number of eight thousand, were in full vestments. “The court division, a21 quarter in length, formed the last part of the procession. The emperor drove in a magnificent state coach of plate glass and drawn by eight horses, led by grooms in black-and-gold liveries, from the Hofburg to the cathedral to attend the removal of the host from the high altar to the state coach of the papal legate. “Privy councilors and the highest officials of the court and empire went first in court carriages, and then the archbishops and cardinals. The cardinal archbishop of Olmutz, one of the wealthiest of the Austrian sees, drove in a splendid golden wagon built in the reign of Maria Theresa. It was drawn by six fine horses brought from Olmutz for the occasion. “Following these dignitaries came the archdukes in state coaches, and last of all the emperor. Behind the monarch rode the most striking figure in the whole procession, the papal legate, Cardinal Van Rossum, bearing the host. His carriage was a ponderous gilded affair, specially built for the Empress Maria Theresa. The monstrance containing the sacred elements was one of the most costly specimens of church plate in the empire.” The next congress is to be held in Malta, and it is openly hinted that in 1914 this papal gathering may take place in the United States. Will the President, his Cabinet, and the men filling the highest positions in the state be found in the procession? Their attendance at Thanksgiving services and military masses is preparing the way for just such a spectacle. State and Church
By W. W. Prescott
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of Religious Freedom, and the Campaign “to Make America Catholic.” Conducted by the Religious Liberty Association. W. W. PRESCOTT - . . - . SECRETARY