p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 8. (2/24/1904)

Macedonian Relief and the Wickedness of War

By Editor

The Macedonian Relief Committee, of which Hon. Seth Low is chairman of the New York branch, and Dr. O. W. Whittaker is chairman in Philadelphia, is still appealing to the public for donations to aid in the relief of sufferers in Macedonia and Bulgaria. Here is an object-lesson. It is said that there are 250,000 sufferers in Macedonia alone that must be aided by charity or perish. This is the result of rebellion against the misrule of Turkey. Some have managed to cross into Bulgaria, where they are not much better off. So charity is continually appealed to, to pay war expenses. This does not lessen the needs of war's victims, who, for the most part, are innocent victims; but it would seem that sometime such results would convince professed Christian people of the wickedness of encouraging war, and therefore of the wickedness of inculcating the war spirit in the youth and children, as is being done throughout the various grades of popular education. Genuine Christianity teaches us to "seek peace, and pursue it;" that "the kingdom of God is peace;" that a fruit of the Spirit is peace; yet the great so-called "Christian nations" are foremost in war. Note Japan, for instance; the nearer she approaches the recognized standard of "Christian civilization," the more warlike she becomes.

A Scientist on Immortality.

This is what the great Russian biologist, Elie Metschnikoff, has to say of the immortality of man, in his recent work, "The Nature of Man;" for which we are indebted to the Springfield Republican:—

Science can not admit the immortality of the conscious soul, for consciousness is a function of special elements in the body that certainly can not live forever. . . . Death brings absolute extinction, and it seems unbearable because of the condition in which it surprises us. It comes before man has finished his physiological development, and when the instinct of life is still strong.

Of course the theologians will say that he ought to keep to science and let theology alone; but it is a significant fact that the theologians, driven from Scripture, which teaches the possibility of immortality for man, declare that Science teaches it. Immortality is possible and assured in Christ Jesus.

What a Poor Boy Became

What a Poor Boy Became.—Prof. Alexander Bain, for many years lord rector and professor in the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, died a few weeks ago. His books are well known in institutions of learning. He began life in extremest poverty, working even into the years of manhood at his trade of a weaver. But he read and studied assiduously, often working at his books all night long. True success means sacrifice and toil, and few are willing to pay the price.

The Declaration of Independence.

James Clarke & Co., 3-7 West 22d Street, New York City, has prepared a facsimile copy of the Declaration of Independence, 16x20 inches. This is of special interest just now, as the original is rapidly fading, and is now excluded from public gaze. Information concerning the facsimile may be obtained as above.

True Friendship

True Friendship.—How many times is that quatrain repeated in periodicals, both religious and secular—

"If you have a friend worth loving, Love him; yes, and let him know That you love him ere life's evening Tinge his brow with sunset glow."

It is good as far as it goes, but it is a perversion of friendship; for unselfish friendship does not ask whether the person be worth loving or not. The Samaritan did not inquire as to the man's worthiness before he helped him. God loves the world in all its unworthiness, and His own people in all their unworth,—loves them even to the end. "If ye love them which love you, what thank have ye?" Jesus pointedly asks. If any person in the world needs the true friendship of the Christian it is the weak, the unworthy one, whose utter need ought to appeal to the Christian heart. "Love him; yes, and let him know that you love him."

Not the End

Not the End.—Says one writer, who attempts to condense a sermon into a sentence:—

"The divine order is (Matt. 11: 28, 29) Come, rest, learn, soul-rest. Rest is the consummation of salvation."

But this is only a half-truth. Service is the consummation of salvation, the service of rest, the soul-restful service of perfect love.