Patriotism, as interpreted in these times, means loyalty to one's country and government, whether that government is right or wrong. It means that the nation's friends are his friends, the nation's enemies his enemies. Christianity means a love for all men, even our enemies. It means that for all men we will labor, unselfishly, disinterestedly, as their debtors, because they are the purchase of Him to whom we belong. It is a sad thing that men, even professed evangelical ministers, are coming to have so low a view of Christianity—the highest ideal of the Christian—as to make it identical with patriotism—the highest ideal of the pure worldling. Yet it is so. Said a noted New York Baptist preacher recently:
"There can be no conflict between patriotism and Christianity. Patriotism is the spirit of sacrifice. Christianity is sacrifice. The man who denies the service of country in war as anti-Christian, does not know the meaning of Christianity. When country calls, it is a solemn honor to every honest soul. What talents have I? Every man is under obligations as deep as life and solemn as death, to give in answer to that call the very best of which his body and soul are capable."
But, on the other side, among those whom his country called enemies, might stand Jesus Christ. Man's highest duty is to God. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind."
Peace Conference and High Explosives
There is a sinister humor in the following fact in the light of the Peace Conference. Among the ablest advocates of peace at The Hague are the American representatives; and yet just now we read that the United States has introduced, among her destructive agencies, especially against the Filipinos, a high explosive shell, which, in American guns, may contain thirteen and one-half pounds of the explosive. We are told in a special despatch from Washington that "it is estimated that a shell of this size cast into a battalion of Filipinos will annihilate every one within the radius of its influence. Not only will the flying missile deal destruction, but the concussion is described as sufficiently great to explode and tear asunder the rifles of the enemy, to kill men instantly who have not been hit by the shell itself, to destroy ear-drums and blood-vessels, and shatter cannon—in a word, to shock everything within the radius of its influence, and destroy every mechanical organization." Compared with this, the "dum dum" bullet tabooed by the Peace Conference is mild. How truly, despite the cry of peace, is the scripture fulfilled, "Prepare war, wake up the mighty men."
The Secure Hiding Place
"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished." Every mind to-day is filled with the fear of the evil that is hanging like a bursting storm over this whole world. There is no evading the fact that unprecedented dangers are right about us everywhere. There are earthquakes, cyclones, and floods; there are seducers, robbers and assassins; there is the clashing of capital and labor; there are the constant mutterings of war and pent-up strife of every kind. You see all these evils. Are you "prudent," and are you hiding yourself in the secure and indestructible hiding-place that God has provided for every one who will accept it?
The Mine of Eternal Riches
A few of the many miners and speculators in the Klondike recently sent in one steamer to San Francisco from three million to three and one-half million of dollars. This was garnered by a few. The great mass of the men who have gone to the Klondike have gotten nothing but disappointment. Not so with those who thus zealously seek the eternal riches. There is enough in God's mine for all, and every one who earnestly, perseveringly seeks will be abundantly rewarded.
The Seventh-day Adventists and Sabbath Observance
"A Present-Day Delusion" is what Henry Varley calls Seventh-day observance. An answer to his little pamphlet has been written by Dr. J. B. Thompson, of 2 Burrough Place, corner Hollis Street, Boston, Mass. It is entitled "The Seventh-day Adventists and Sabbath Observance. Is the Observance of the Seventh Day Binding upon Christians?" Price five cents.
CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.
Poetry.
The Love of Jesus, J. P. L. . . . . 4
The Invitation . . . . . 10
He Shall Prosper Who Obeys . . . . . 12
The Great Pilot, NELS ANDERSON . . . . . 13
General.
The Two Great Principles of the Law, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . 1
The Hope of the Gospel, M. C. WILCOX . . . . . 2
Roger Williams—America's Luther. No. 3, PERCY T. MAGAN . . . . . 2
Abandoned Republicanism, A. O. TAIT . . . . . 3
The One Book, M. C. WILCOX . . . . . 4
Unity of the Faith, W. N. GLENN . . . . . 4
Signs of the Times Seen at the Christian Endeavor International Convention, J. C. BARTHOLF . . . . . 5
"Strengthen the Hand of the Poor and Needy," DAVID PAULSON, M.D. . . . . 6
Nature of Punishment, WM. PENNIMAN . . . . . 6
Missions.—An Instance of Faith in Hawaii, O. F. SAMPSON, M.S.I.—The San Francisco Helping Hand and Medical Mission, B. F. DeBOW—From Fiji, C. H. PARKER. 10, 11
The Home.—An Aged Vegetarian of a Royal Line—Foreclosing the Mortgage, A. SMITH—How a Sandwich Islander Quit Eating Pork, H. B.—Sensitiveness or Selfishness? . . . 12, 13
International Sabbath-school and Sunday-school Lessons . . . . . 14