Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 13, 1914
Questions and Answers
By Editor
In this department there will be considered from time to time helpful and practical questions relating to the various phases of this message, church government, Christian doctrine, duty, experience, etc. The editors reserve the right to consider only those questions which in their judgment will prove of benefit to the readers of the Review. All questions should be addressed to the editor.
As stated in connection with the heading of this department, it is our plan to consider only those questions which minister to the general instruction and edification of our readers. We hope that this department will not be considered a clearing house for the settlement of church quarrels or disputed questions which may arise between our brethren. We hope that no one will endeavor to use the answers that appear regarding any point as a club in some personal controversy in which he may be engaged. While we endeavor to hold steadfastly to the faith once delivered to the saints and seek to promote good government and regular order in our churches, let us not become pharisaical or pugilistic in our methods. Let us be brethren, liberal-minded and generous-hearted, according to others the same right to their opinions as we hold for ourselves.
Is Pork Eating a Test of Fellowship?
15. Is pork eating made a test of fellowship, or may church members use it and still be counted good Seventh-day Adventists?
Anciently God prohibited the use of swine's flesh. See Lev. 11:7 and other scriptures. The reason for this prohibition was the unfitness of this animal for food. The swine has by no means changed his nature. If he was unfit for food two thousand years ago, he is even more unfit today on account of the increase of disease affecting the animal kingdom. What God prohibited in the old dispensation he has never blessed in the new. The church prohibits its members from the use of alcohol, tobacco, and these grosser forms of intemperance, but it can hardly do more than this. It cannot regulate their dietary. These matters must largely be left with the individual conscience. The church may set forth principles bearing on health subjects, and this it has ever sought to do; but it has not sought in questions of detail to apply these principles. We marvel, however, that Seventh-day Adventists can make use of food of this character. Indeed we do not believe that “good,” well-instructed Seventh-day Adventists will do so. If any brother in the church is using swine's flesh, he should be made a subject of kindly Christian instruction. Plainly set before him what the Word of the Lord says with reference to this, and lead him to see that the same reasons which led the Lord to prohibit the use of this food anciently exist today.
16. Where is paradise? Is it a place or a condition?
The word paradise is of Persian origin. From this language “the word has been adopted into all other languages in which the Bible has appeared.” It means “a walled garden or park.” In the Scriptures it is used in a twofold sense, referring to the garden of Eden, also to the dwelling-place of God.
In our English Bible the word paradise occurs three times. Its first use is
by our Saviour in his promise to the thief on the cross that he should be with him in paradise. Luke 23: 39-43. This promise indicates a place rather than a condition, but gives no intimation as to its location. The second use of the term is by the apostle Paul. Referring evidently to his own experience, he declares that he “knew a man in Christ,” whether in the body or out of the body he could not tell, “caught up to the third heaven.” “He was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” 2 Cor. 12: 2-4. The apostle indicates plainly that paradise is a location identical with the third heaven, evidently God's dwelling place. And this definition of the term is made very clear by comparing Rev. 2:7 with chap. 22: 1, 2. In the first scripture the overcomer is promised that he may “eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” In the second scripture it is plainly stated that the tree of life grows on the banks of the river of life, and that this river has its source in the throne of God. The conclusion is inevitable, therefore, that paradise, in the meaning of the Scriptures, is the dwelling place of the Most High.
17. Should Seventh-day Adventists ally themselves with one of the great political parties now in the field?
Seventh-day Adventists, even according to the testimony of their enemies, have been law-abiding citizens throughout their history. In harmony with the divine command, they have sought as far as possible the peace of the cities and countries in which they have dwelt. See Jer. 29:7. They have felt, however, that in view of the character of the work in which they were engaged, they could not become partisans in the great political controversies which have been carried on, unless there was involved in those controversies a great moral question, like that of slavery or temperance. To engage in political controversy, in acrimonious debate, to take part in party alignment, would mean to cut them off from doing for all men the work which God gave them to do. Their mission has been to carry to the world the everlasting gospel of our blessed Lord. That gospel is the gospel of peace and good will to all men. As ambassadors of the heavenly King, they could not afford to take part in the party strifes and bickerings in which the world is engaged. In this they have sought to follow the example of the blessed Lord.
However, when there have been great moral issues at stake, when questions involving the salvation of men and women, the integrity of the home, the moral status of the community, were up for public consideration, they have felt that it was their duty to cast their influence strongly on the side of truth and purity and righteousness. For that reason they have uniformly taken part in the cause of temperance reform. In communities where the question of local option was
at stake, the members of this church have uniformly cast their votes on the side of the closed saloon, or of prohibition. The splendid work done by members of this church in Maine in recent years no doubt defeated the proposed amendment to the constitution, which, if carried, would have placed Maine in the list of States legalizing the liquor traffic. And we believe that in the campaigns which are being waged in different sections of the country our brethren and sisters, to the extent of their influence, should, by voice and pen and vote, let it be known unmistakably where they stand with reference to this great issue.
The following words from Mrs. E. G. White, in “Ministry of Healing,” concisely express the attitude of Seventh-day Adventists toward questions of this character:—
“The honor of God, the stability of the nation, the well-being of the community, of the home, and of the individual, demand that every possible effort be made in arousing the people to the evil of intemperance. Soon we shall see the result of this terrible evil as we do not see it now. Who will put forth a determined effort to stay the work of destruction? As yet the contest has hardly begun. Let an army be formed to stop the sale of the drugged liquors that are making men mad. Let the danger from the liquor traffic be made plain, and a public sentiment be created that shall demand its prohibition. Let the drink-maddened men be given an opportunity to escape from their thralldom. Let the voice of the nation demand of its lawmakers that a stop be put to this infamous traffic.”—“Ministry of Healing,” page 346.
18. Should one be chosen as an elder or deacon in the church who does not pay a tithe of his income?
Decidedly no. The officers of the church are supposed to be examples of the flock. For one to occupy a position of this kind when his influence stands directly in the way of the principles he necessarily should uphold and advocate, would be to nullify his work and make light of his sacred office. We believe that those who are chosen to occupy positions of responsibility in the church should be men and women who are in full accord with the principles of this message, and who are endeavoring to represent those principles in their lives. That this is the true standard as applied to the choice of elders and deacons is made clear by the apostle Paul in his instruction to Titus and to Timothy. See Titus 1:4-9; 1 Tim. 3:1-16.
19. If the local elder of a church moves to a neighboring church and is there chosen elder, should he be ordained a second time?
We believe that he should; and that is the general practice of the denomination. Paul tells Titus that he left him in Crete that he should “ordain elders in every city.” This would suggest the ordination of local elders for specific, local work. It is considered entirely appropriate for one visiting church elder to assist another elder in the discharge of his duties; but we believe that it will save confusion and much misunderstanding if the election of a new church elder each time is attended by ordination, even though the brother had previously been ordained in another church.
The European Conflict
By S. M. Butler
S. M. BUTLER
EUROPE is apparently entering upon a titanic military struggle. The immediate cause of the conflict is the anti-Austrian demonstrations that have been going on in Servia for some time, culminating June 29, of this year, in the assassination of Austria’s crown prince, Francis Ferdinand, and his wife, by a Servian student while the royal pair were on a visit to Bosnia. Failure on the part of Servia to satisfy Austria’s demands for reparation led Austria to declare war against Servia. Armed conflicts have already taken place between these two powers. If this were the real cause of the trouble, doubtless diplomacy would have found some way of settling the matter without resorting to war. We must seek much further for the underlying motives.
Alignment of European Nations
In order to understand the situation, it will be necessary to consider briefly the political alignment of the great European powers. Europe is divided into two great military camps, known respectively as the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente.
The Triple Alliance, consisting of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, was formed in 1882 through the influence of Bismarck. This piece of diplomacy was considered the greatest achievement of Bismarck’s foreign policy. Its purpose was to curb Russia’s ambition in the Balkan States, and prevent France from engaging in a war of revenge against Germany.
The Triple Entente is composed of England, France, and Russia. In the event of a conflict between these two gigantic alliances, the smaller states will line up according to their respective interests, some probably remaining neutral.
Contributing Causes
The interests of the powers composing the Triple Alliance, which just now seem to be driving them on to war, may be summarized thus: The real question is one of nationality, with race hatred, which is deep-seated in humankind, a strong supporter. Apparently Germany nourishes the desire to weld together and become the leader of the Germanic elements of the Continent, and make them dominant over the Slavic peoples of southeastern Europe.
Commercialism also enters into the question. Germany has a highly organized and complex industrial system, and an ever-increasing population. Markets must be found or made for her wares, and homes for her people. If she can crush France and Russia, and establish a great Germanic federation, she will be in a position to cope successfully with England, which will then be her only remaining rival.
The Geographical Situation
A glance at the map will show that Austria occupies an insular position. Germany forms one third of her boundary, Russia another third, while the Balkan States hem her in on the south and southeast. Her purpose in forcing the issue with Servia is clearly the annexation of that state, the union of all the southern Slavs under the Austrian crown, and the extension of the dual kingdom to the Ægean Sea. Furthermore the stability of the Austro-Hungarian kingdom is very much threatened by certain discordant elements existing within itself. While it is a constitutional kingdom, it is governed by a small ruling class very much on the old order of the divine-right-of-kings theory. The Hungarians in Hungary hold the controlling power, and the Germans in Austria, notwithstanding that the non-ruling classes are greatly in the majority in both cases. It is quite generally conceded that the cementing bond is the aged emperor Francis Joseph, to whom his subjects are much attached. When he is removed some sort of readjustment, it seems, must come. A foreign war might serve to allay the discord for a time and continue indefinitely the authority of the Hapsburg crown. If this should be the case, it would only be history repeating itself. The union of the German Empire was completed by the Franco-Prussian War.
Italian Interests
Italy, the third member of the Triple Alliance, has much less to hope for from a general European war than either of her allies, and will doubtless take only an indifferent interest in their activities. She cannot forget that Austria was not so long ago her oppressor. At this writing she has announced her intention of remaining neutral. It is a question, however, in case a general conflict comes, whether she can long maintain a state of neutrality.
France’s Grievance
France has a grievance that she has nourished for nearly a half century.4The terrible chastisement which she received at the hands of Germany in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, followed by the loss of the French provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, are still fresh in the memory of the French people. For more than forty years they have been preparing for a war of revenge, and while they have not forced the issue in the impending conflict, they will doubtless not be slow to meet it.
England and Germany
If the Germanic element, which is hostile to England, should become dominant in the Balkan States, England’s route to India by way of the Suez Canal might be seriously menaced. It was to make her route to India more sure that England acquired a controlling influence in the canal. Furthermore there has been for a long time a growing commercial rivalry between Germany and England. This rivalry has in no small measure dictated the naval policy of the two nations. It has long been a matter of common expectation that sooner or later this rivalry would lead to armed conflict between these two powers.
Russian Integrity Threatened
When Austria attacked Servia, it was inevitable that Russia would come to the support of Servia with all the force of her tremendous resources. Both her natural and her political instincts compel her to do this. Russia is naturally the leader of the Slavic peoples, and for many years has stood as the protector of that race in the Balkan States. To abandon them now in their hour of trial would be to surrender forever her leadership. Politically Russia has everything to lose by permitting Germany and Austria-Hungary to get control of southeastern Europe.
Russia is preeminently, for all practical purposes, an insular power. Peter the Great made a fatal mistake when he gave her an inland capital. The successors of that great monarch have made strenuous efforts to undo his mistake. The coveted place for the seat of empire is the beautiful city on the Bosporus, Constantinople.
Russian Designs
The Crimean War, 1853-56, and the Turco-Russian War, 1877-78, were waged for the purpose of unseating the Turk. In both these conflicts Russia lost because of the interference of other powers. Driven from Constantinople, she turned her attention to the Far East. But here again she was foiled in her hunt for an outlet to the world. Japan, fearful that her supremacy in that quarter would be destroyed, attacked Russia before she was in shape to make successful resistance.
It is inevitable, then, that Russia must turn her attention once more toward the south. Her centuries-long policy of expelling Turkey from Europe will be pursued with renewed energy. It is unthinkable that she will permit Austria and Germany to plant themselves squarely across her pathway without exhausting all her resources to prevent such a calamity.
What are the chances for her success if the impending conflict develops into a deadly struggle between the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente? No one can make predictions with any certainty that his forecasts will be fulfilled. The preponderance of men, of money, and of guns is on the side of the Triple Entente. Besides, it is almost certain that the leading Balkan States will side with the Entente, in case these powers should find themselves hard pressed. The interests of Holland and Belgium also will lie in the same direction, so that they will either remain neutral or cast their fortunes with those of England, France, and Russia.
The Eastern Question
If all this should come to pass, what would it mean to the student of prophecy? The prophet Daniel declares of the ‘king of the north,’ Turkey, that ‘he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.’ Dan. 11: 45. With the remapping of Europe that would certainly follow a general war such as now seems imminent, Russia would almost certainly be given control of the whole Balkan Peninsula, if indeed it was not made an integral part of her territory.
England, once the most determined and alert opponent of Russia’s Turkish policy, and the leader of the powers in their efforts to frustrate that policy, is now in complete working agreement with Russia, and her land and naval forces are likely to be found fighting side by side with those of Russia to prevent Austria’s blocking the czar’s way to Constantinople. At any rate, Russia will have England’s active sympathy in the struggle. Moreover, England has lost the strongest motive she ever had in opposing Russian advance upon Turkey. Her opposition was always mainly prompted by self-interest. Russia was regarded by England as a rival, and a menace to her hold upon India. That danger England considers now removed.
If the war should go on and be fought out to its finish, and this analysis of the position and interest of the powers concerned be shown mainly correct; and if the forecast of the probable results should prove even approximately true, it would readily appear that, in all human probability, Russia would not be long in disposing of the Turkish question. When the Turk comes to his end, Michael is to stand up, or take his kingdom.
We are living in times that are pulsating with living issues.
Washington (D. C.) Missionary College.
Wanted, Men
By Milton C. Wilcox
MILTON C. WILCOX
In the conflict of the ages God is calling
now for men,—
Asks he not for brawn and muscle,
Asks he not for noise and bustle,—
As he called in days of Jesus, he is calling
now again:
Asks for men to bear his message,
Asks for men to be a presage,
In the conflict of the ages by their voice
and by their pen.
In the conflict of the ages God is calling
men to him,
Calling them from sin’s low level,
Calls from service of the devil,
Calls to glorious light and leading from
the world’s dark shadows dim:
Calls to holy, active living,
Calls to earnest, noble giving,
Calls from all the earth-born visions to
the views the angels limn.
In the conflict of the ages God is calling,
soul, to you,—
Asks for higher, holier vision,
Asks for clear and strong decision,—
He is waiting by his Spirit with rich
gifts thee to endue;
Not for earth’s too low ambition,
But to life of sweet submission,
To his high and holy service, lowly,
noble, ever true.
Mountain View, Cal.
The Physician in Chief
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE
Precious light has been given me concerning our sanitarium workers. These workers are to stand in moral dignity before God. Physicians make a mistake when they confine themselves exclusively to the routine of sanitarium work, because they consider their presence essential to the welfare of the institution. Every physician should see the necessity of exerting all the influence the Lord has given him in as wide a sphere as possible; he is required to let his light shine before men, that they may see his good works, and glorify the Father who is in heaven.
The head physicians in our sanitariums are not to exclude themselves from the work of speaking the truth to others. Their light is not to be hidden under a bushel, but placed where it can benefit believers and unbelievers. The Saviour said of his representatives: “Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden underfoot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” This is a work that is strangely neglected, and because of this neglect, souls will be lost. Wake up, my brethren, wake up!
Our leading physicians do not glorify God when they confine their talents and their influence to one institution. It is their privilege to show to the world that health reformers carry a decided influence for righteousness and truth. They should make themselves known outside of the institutions where they labor. It is their duty to give the light to all whom they can possibly reach. While the sanitarium may be their special field of labor, yet there are other places of importance that need their influence. To physicians the instruction is given: Let your light shine forth among men. Let every talent be used to meet unbelievers with wise counsel and instruction. If our Christian physicians will consider that there must be no daubing with untempered mortar, and will learn to handle wisely the subjects of Bible truth, seeking to present its importance on every possible occasion, much prejudice will be broken down, and souls will be reached.
I have been shown that Dr. — is being too closely confined to the sanitarium work at —. He should be given opportunity to let his influence be more widely felt. . . . We are not to be an obscure church, but we are to let the light shine forth, that the world may receive it. “I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people,” God declares5through his servant Isaiah. These words will be proved true when those who are capable of standing in positions of responsibility let the light shine forth. Our leading physicians have a work to do outside the compass of our own people. Their influence is not to be limited. Christ’s methods of labor are to become their methods, and they are to learn to practice the teachings of his Word. Every one who stands at the head of an institution is under sacred obligation to God to show forth the light of present truth in increasingly bright rays in every place where opportunity offers.
The workers in our sanitariums are not to think that the prosperity of the institution depends upon the influence of the head physician alone. There should be in every institution men and women who will exert a righteous, refining influence, and who are capable of carrying responsibilities. The chief responsibilities should be shared by several workers, in order that the leading physician may not be confined too closely to his practice. He should be given opportunity to go where there is need of words of counsel and encouragement to be spoken. As a representative of the Chief Physician, now in the heavenly courts, he is to speak to new congregations, to broaden his experience. He needs to be constantly receiving new ideas, constantly imparting of his store of knowledge, constantly receiving from the Source of all wisdom. We need ever to keep ourselves in a position where we can receive increased light, have new and deeper thoughts, and obtain clearer views of the close relation that must exist between God and his people. And we obtain these views and these ideas by association with those to whom we are called to speak words of mercy and pardoning grace.
In all our work there should be kept in view the value of the exchange of talents. Strenuous efforts are to be put forth to reach souls and win them to the truth. We are required to make known the principles of health reform in the large gatherings of our people at our camp meetings. A variety of gifts is needed on these occasions, not only for the work of speaking before those not of our faith, but to instruct our own people how to work in order to secure the best success. Let our physicians learn how to take part in this work,—a work by which they give to the world bright rays of light.
God Is Always Near Us
THE lesson that we need to learn most of all in life is that God is always near us, always helping us, always interested in us, even when life is hardest and when its hopes seem darkest. Never does he call upon us to wage our bitter struggles without his help. He is near his people at all times, to cheer them in their discouragements and to make them strong in their times of weakness and fear.—Christian Observer.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH
By John Norton Loughborough
The Second Advent Movement — No. 6
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH
We saw in our last article that after the disappointment of the Adventists in the spring of 1844 their opponents first resorted to ridicule. This did not stop the work. As expressed by Brother Himes: “The ministry and membership who had availed themselves of our labors but had not sincerely embraced the doctrine, saw that they must go with the doctrine and preach and maintain it, or in the crisis which was right upon them they would have difficulty with the decided and determined believers. They therefore decided against the doctrine, and determined, some by one policy and some by another, to suppress the subject. This placed our brethren and sisters among them in a most trying position. Most of them loved their churches, and could not think of leaving them. But when they were ridiculed, oppressed, and in various ways cut off from their former privileges and enjoyments, and when the ‘meat in due season’ was withheld from them, and the siren song of ‘peace and safety’ sounded in their ears from Sabbath to Sabbath, they were soon weaned from their party predilections, and arose in the majesty of their strength, shook off the yoke, and raised the cry, ‘Come out of her, my people.’”
Now as the Adventists continued to compare their experience with the prophetic word, they found that just such a state of things was to follow the announcement, “The hour of his judgment is come,” and that a second message, declaring the fall of Babylon in consequence of her seeking to enforce upon the people her “wine” (false creeds), was to be given. Turning to the prophecy of the seven churches representing the seven periods of the gospel church, we find that the Sardis church was brought out by the Reformation after the dark period of the working of “that woman Jezebel”—the symbol of the apostate Roman Church. The Sardis church, which had the privilege of hearing of the Lord’s coming, was in danger of becoming a “dead” church, instead of the living church which it had been; and in consequence of not holding fast that which it had heard, would be thrown off its watch and be overtaken by his coming, as by a thief in the night. See Rev. 3:3.
Turning to the calls to supper, as given in Luke 14, there was the second call to gather “quickly” the “poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind,” fitly representing those who were being persecuted by the churches for their faith. So the fallen condition of the once live church, Sardis, was followed by the “brotherly love” church, Philadelphia. The fifty thousand believers, who by the second message of Rev. 14:8 were brought out from the various churches, were united in one bond of brotherly love on the great cardinal truth of the immediate coming of Christ. Indeed, it was a brotherly love church. The poor among them were sought out and cared for, and the heart of the widow and the fatherless was made to rejoice. If any one by misfortune was in debt, the brethren paid the debt. They could not bear to see any of their number in sadness. Such were to be helped, and prayed for. If one said to another, “I think you were in such a church,” the ready response came, “It is no matter what I was. Thank the Lord, I am rejoicing now in the hope of soon meeting him.”
“But,” you will say, “if this was the real tarrying time, how could it be they were so joyous? The text says that ‘they all slumbered and slept.’” Matt. 25:5.
On this point we read in the Midnight Cry of Oct. 3, 1844, the words of Geo. Storrs:—
“While the bridegroom tarried, the virgins all slumbered and slept. . . . It is no use for us to pretend that we have been awake; we have been slumbering, not on the fact of Christ’s coming, but on the time. We came into the tarrying time; we did not know how long it would tarry, and so on that point we have slumbered.”
Concerning the situation in the tarrying time we read in the Signs of the Times of Oct. 31, 1844: “They believed they were where the chronology points; . . . and that while we should have to wait only the little while that our chronology might vary from God’s time, yet they believed we could have no more clue to the definite time. They had all taken their lamps and gone forth to meet the Bridegroom; but the Bridegroom had tarried beyond the time in which he was expected. During this tarrying of the vision, it seemed to be the determination of all to wait for it, believing it could not be delayed, and that it might be momentarily expected.”
Of the movement up to that time, Sister E. G. White says: “The widespread movement under the proclamation of the first message, answered to the going forth of the virgins; while the passing of the time of expectation, the disappointment, and the delay were represented by the tarrying time of the bridegroom.”—‘Spirit of Prophecy,’ Vol. IV, page 243. Again: “In like manner was prophecy fulfilled in the first and second angels’ messages. They were given at the right time, and accomplished the work which God designed to accomplish by them.”—Id., page 254.
There was another thing connected with the tarrying time that was very trying. Up to the spring of 1844 meetinghouses and halls were everywhere opened to the Adventists so abundantly that, with the hundreds of preachers, they could not begin to fill all the calls. In the spring of that year the churches and halls were closed against them, and they were thrown entirely upon their own resources.
It was fortunate indeed that this perplexed condition of things came in summer instead of winter. They could not shut up God’s groves. As warm weather came, grove meetings, and finally camp meetings, were held in numerous places. In these gatherings the people were exhorted to faithfulness, and the advent experiences of the past and present were reviewed, showing that all was in harmony with the prophetic word, and that in the Lord’s own time all would be made plain. So matters stood until the middle of July, when the largest camp meeting of the season was held in the State of New Hampshire. There came the explanation, and the midnight cry.
Lodi, Cal.
EDITORIAL
By Editor
A Time to Pray
REPEATEDLY in the history of God's people, when they have been brought into strait and difficult places, they have sought the Lord in earnest intercession for help and deliverance. This was done many times by Israel of old in their wilderness wanderings and in their experiences in the land of Canaan. It was done by Ezra and Nehemiah when they undertook the work of building up Jerusalem. It was done by the church of the first century when persecution broke out against the believers. God heard the cry of his children, and many times wrought for their deliverance.
Before the coming of the Lord there will arise many times in the experience of this people exigencies similar to those which called forth earnest prayer on the part of the church in the past. Such an exigency we believe has now arisen. Embarrassing dangers threaten our work in Europe. The complex political embroilment existing on the Continent has arisen with unexpected swiftness. Conditions unparalleled in the history of the present generation exist.
We know not what a day may bring forth. We know not what may be the outcome of the war which has begun. We do know, however, that it is in direct fulfillment of the prophetic word that the closing days of earth's history should be filled with war and bloodshed.
This is not, as has been suggested by some, the war of Armageddon. It doubtless will prove contributory to it because every struggle that intensifies the feelings of the nations only prepares them for the last bitter struggle in which they will engage before the coming of the Lord. What changes will take place on the map of Europe no human mind can forecast or predict. There may be many changes before the end of human history.
That a general war in Europe, or war even between several of the leading states, will entail great distress goes without saying. Surely this is a time for prayer and for earnest supplication to the great Ruler of men that the strife may cease. We are exhorted to pray for kings and for those in authority. Let prayers arise in behalf of the rulers of the nations and their counselors that God may give them moderation; that he may give them wisdom in the settlement of every perplexing question; that so far as meets Heaven's purposes strife may cease or be greatly curtailed in its scope and influence.
Let us remember particularly our brethren and sisters in the European countries, that God will grant them great wisdom; that he will make for them a way of escape; that he will uphold their hands; and that he will send them deliverance in hours of darkness and distress. O, how good it is in the midst of turmoil and strife to realize that we have a living God, not an inert image of wood or stone, but a God who does things; who lives, and who reaches forth to succor and aid those who are suffering in behalf of his truth!
Whatever our nationality or natural preferences or circumstances, let us not be carried away by the spirit of strife. Let us make all combatants objects of prayer and subjects of Christian labor. The men and women of every nationality and under every flag are equally precious to the heart of God, and the gospel message that we bear to the world knows no boundaries, nor racial distinctions.
In these days of peril, let us keep calm and sober-minded. Let us be found often in prayer. Let us give much time to the study of the Word. From the altar of personal blessing let us go forth to minister God's grace to our fellows who know not its power.
F. M. W.
Pray for Them
By W. A. S.
It needs no word of exhortation to prayer for our brethren and sisters and the work and the people of Europe, in these times of fearful strife. It has probably been the thought of every believing heart, and the word on believing lips from the receipt of the first news that war had broken out in Europe. While many are thinking about the situation, and none of us can tell just how it may be affecting our brethren and sisters, a few words as to the general condition may be suggested with propriety.
First of all, in the places where little companies of our believers may be able to gather, it is generally the sisters and the children only who can meet. In the military nations the men must be called to the reserve stations or to the battle's front. General meetings are, of course, interrupted throughout the countries involved. Recent meetings of the European Division Committee had scheduled camp meetings for August and September in northern France, southern France, Siberia, and central Hungary, where the Danube Union Conference was also to meet. All through the area of strife we have companies: in Hungary, in Servia, in Austria, in eastern Prussia and western Russia, and along the borderland between France and Germany, particularly on the German side. Well may we who are far outside the zone of conflict remember our brethren and sisters in Europe at this time.
With the tying up of shipping it seems probable that missionary appointees for India expecting to sail this autumn may have to go by the Pacific route.
Of one thing we may be assured, our brethren in Europe and the far fields that will be agitated by the conflict of great powers will be improving every opportunity to push forward the message. Let us not forget that in Asia, where we have done the least, half the population of the world is awakening and getting ready for the yet greater crisis. We have scarcely begun to touch the work among them. Let us pray God to raise up means and men to carry the message into the regions untouched but where it yet must go. W. A. S.