Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 34.
Abide With Us, O Lord!Page 1
Earlier text: F. A. ALLUMKULANGSU, AMOY.—Elder B. L. Anderson and his wife reached Kulangsu March 22. We have rented a house together, down by the seashore, where we hope to have purer and cooler air than we had last summer. Of course we need not tell you that we are very glad to have them with us, nor how much we enjoy their company. You will appreciate that better when you have lived for nearly a year without much companionship except that of the natives. At present we have a force of six native workers, one of whom, Brother Keh, was ordained when Elder J. N. Anderson was here about two weeks ago, and two native Bible women. All the laborers, with possibly the exception of Elder Keh, need a great deal of training on the prophecies, etc., but they are standing firm on the truths they have received, and are working hard to teach them to others. Two of them have already been baptized by our brethren at Canton, and one had been baptized before he came to us. To the other three we expect to administer this rite soon. The two Bible women we shall baptize a little later. We can not help being encouraged over the progress of the work here, for God has led in every step, and all the honor belongs to him. No one could make me believe that the Chinese are all “rice” Christians, after what I have seen during the past year. One of the young men who is working for us, refused an offer of fifty dollars a month, and worked over a month for us before he knew whether we were going to pay him any wages or not, and is now receiving a salary of five dollars a month, out of which he pays his tithe; while a dear friend of his left a good position in the Amoy post-office, and worked a long time without any assurance of a salary. He is now receiving the same salary as his friend, which is considerably less than he was receiving before. We are constantly receiving offers of just such help as this, which we are17 forced to refuse, on account of a lack of sufficient funds. And we are unable to move out into very many new fields, for the same reason. About seventy-five dollars gold a year will pay the salary of a young laborer here in China, and in some places even less would do. At present one of our workers is supported by the Elk Point church in North Dakota. I believe they pay eighty-four dollars a year. We have been wondering if a number of our churches at home would not be glad to adopt this same plan, and give from five to ten dollars a month for the support of a helper here in China. Then if we had more help than we needed here in this province, we could send some to the Straits Settlements, where there are a number of millions of Amoy-speaking Chinese, and to Manila, and to Formosa, with its population of Amoy-speaking Chinese, nearly, if not quite, as many as in this whole province. We hope in the years to come so to educate the converts of this message on the subject of tithing that our work here will be largely self-supporting; but now we need help until the time shall come when the native assistants can be paid from the native tithe. We are encouraged, too, concerning the language. While one can never be said to have mastered it, yet in the course of two or three years any one who will study can obtain a very good working knowledge of it. We are all well, and of good courage. We like our work here, and have no inclination to return to the States. We hope that God may bless the work at headquarters. W. C. HANKINS. South Russia
By Emilie Isaak
AFTER spending about ten very pleasant months in the work in Germany, we came to south Russia, the field of which Mr. Isaak had been appointed to take charge at the Friedensau Conference held in 1905. European Russia was at that time divided into four distinct fields,—the East Russian Conference, the Northern, the Middle, and the Southern Russian Mission fields. The Southern, in which we are laboring, has a population of about fifteen million, and is composed of Russians, Germans, Jews, Turks, Greeks, and others. We have in this field three ministers, one Bible worker, two canvassers, and a nurse. At the time we came here, this field contained about two hundred and eighty believers, one hundred of whom were native Russians. The Lord has blessed so that during the last two quarters, from Jan. 1, 1906, to June 30, 1906, we have added fifty-seven to that number—thirty-six Russians, nineteen Germans, and two Jews. Our workers are all Germans, but Elder Perk speaks the Russian language so well that his time is nearly all devoted to laboring for the Russians, some of whom are very faithful and do much missionary work. The Germans for whom my husband labors are mostly Mennonites, rather a hard class of people to reach, as they are the most civilized, and consider themselves the most Christianized, people in Russia. They live in villages by themselves, each owning a good section of land, and nearly all are well to do. In the middle part of this field where we are located are more than eighty villages of these people, and these have scarcely been touched with the truth. They simply know of us as the people who teach that the body has no soul, and who keep Saturday. We feel sure that as soon as they can learn more of the truth, many of them will accept it, as some already have done, and will be a great help in the cause. Our hearts yearn to see more earnest laborers come here to proclaim the message in this large and needy field. This is a very productive country, almost everything that is raised in the Middle States of North America is raised here. There is a great variety and an abundance of fruit, also plenty of nuts. The climate is good, too, except that it is quite warm in summer, and it was so wet and muddy during the winter that it was at times almost impossible for our workers to travel. We would so much like to see a school and a sanitarium located here. We hope that that time is not far in the future. Of course we know not yet what the affairs of the nation will bring us. Things are still unsettled. We have already seen enough dreadful things and revolutionary efforts since our coming here. Even our dear little four-year-old girl, whom we recently laid to rest in the grave, could tell of the “Kosaken” coming and shooting, etc. We had great hopes that she would become much stronger and healthier here in this fruit country, as she had always been somewhat delicate, but it seems that the heat here was too severe for her, and she only lived to enjoy the cherry season. We are of good courage in the cause, although we mourn at present over the bright, sunshiny little face that has been taken from us. We realize in this that God is very good to us. Thus he draws us nearer to him. While doing all we could to keep her with us, in this sin-cursed world, yet we said, although with heavy hearts, “Lord, thy will be done.” He knows what is best for us. We are surely living in a terrible time, when the enemy will try hard to deceive us; so let us all watch and pray lest the Bridegroom come and find us sleeping. SAN LUIS POTOSI.—For two weeks or more I have been away from home, having visited Guadalajara, Celaya, and Dolores Hidalgo before coming here. At Guadalajara I held a series of meetings especially for the benefit of the Mexican believers; I also held quarterly service, and some meetings in English, with the American brethren. I think that all were encouraged. I received over three hundred pesos in tithe and donations. One day I spent in Celaya with Dr. Fattebert and his wife. His practise is not large, but it is growing. He is of good courage. I visited Miss Minnie Westphal, sister of the Elders Westphal in South America, who for two years has been governess in the family of a wealthy Mexican gentleman. This family is not Catholic, but does not belong to any Protestant church. The lady is favorable to the truth, and keeps the Sabbath in a sort of way. Miss Peebles was for a time governess in this same family, and the lady’s brother is Mr. Stephenson, who was connected with Professor Caviness when he was working on the translation of the Bible into Spanish. Sister Westphal has had full liberty to teach the truth to the six girls under her care, and she thinks that three of them really believe the truth. These three have saved the tithe from their weekly allowances, and so, with what Miss Westphal gave me, I received one hundred and three pesos from them. This young sister has done good missionary work in the two years that she has been there, and I trust that these young ladies will not forget what they have learned from her. The secretary to the archbishop of Mexico City, who is a friend of the family where Sister Westphal has been, knowing that her contract would soon expire, was desirous of securing her as governess for his girls. She told him that she would have to teach the Bible as she understood it, and that she could not take the girls to mass. Of course this did not suit him. But he was so anxious to secure her, that after she had plainly written him her decision in regard to the matter, he wrote again, urging her to change her mind, and come, stating that she would not have to teach Catholic doctrine to the girls, nor would she have to accompany them to the church, but simply to refrain from teaching Protestant doctrine. Of course she refused to go, or to make any such compromise. This gentleman was much impressed with the way in which the girls under Miss Westphal’s care had been trained, and expressed his recognition of the fact that they were better trained than his. He had a very devout Catholic as a governess. She has recently become a nun. I have mentioned this case to illustrate how the results of the teaching of the truth are recognized by the high dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church—those who move in the highest circles of society in Mexico. Here the interest is growing, and I am planning to remain for some weeks and hold a series of meetings with the little company which Brother Godinez has gathered. Six months ago we organized a Sabbath-school of thirteen members; now there are twenty-five, with a good number of visitors. Last Sabbath the attendance was thirty-five, counting the visitors. Germany
By J. H. Schilling
BRESLAU.—It is indeed remarkable how the Lord is blessing his work in every part of this great harvest-field,—the world,—and the rapid progress it is making is the greatest evidence we have that it is of the Lord. After an effort of two and one-half months, it was our privilege to baptize twenty souls and add twenty-seven new members to this church. Besides this baptismal service in Breslau, I was permitted to baptize a number of souls in Schlesien, so that during the last quarter I have baptized, in all, forty-one souls. Notwithstanding the fact that the Lord is working here in a marvelous way to advance his work, Satan is also working to his utmost to withstand and hinder its progress. It is an impressive fact that the same spirit of intolerance which ruled the world during the dark ages of Catholicism, is manifesting itself, not only in Protestant Saxony and other18 cities and provinces of the German empire, but also in the free evangelical Prussia. The most remarkable of all is that the very ones who years ago were themselves severely persecuted, are to-day the greatest persecutors of God’s people, and the most bigoted and arrogant adversaries of his truth. During the reign of Frederick the Great, of Prussia, the followers of Huss, who, for a few hundred years previously had been severely persecuted in Bohemia, were driven out of Bohemia by the Austrians, and were taken into protection by Frederick, who gave for the purpose of colonization a part of the province of Schlescia, which the great warrior had just acquired from Maria Theresa, the great queen of Austria. These people, who have lived in peace and have become rich under the protection of the government of Schlescia, are our greatest persecutors. They have forgotten their past experience, and are now encouraging what they then opposed. Huss, who accepted the Bible, and the Bible only, as his rule of faith, could not be their leader to-day. They laugh at the idea of the Bible’s being the only rule of faith. If the laws of the state would permit, they would do with us as a people as the Catholic Church did with their forefathers hundreds of years ago. The first baptism administered among these people a year ago had to be performed at midnight, in order to prevent a disturbance. The second baptism I was permitted to perform out in the country, between eleven and twelve o’clock at night, because of the arrogance of the people. The dragon is indeed wroth with the woman, and makes war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Nevertheless, all that Satan can do against the truth will simply work for the truth. If God be for us, who can be against us? Even if the adversary often tries to destroy the influence and spirit of our services by encouraging men to throw stones, sand, etc., at the windows, and pound at the doors, and threaten the minister with a clubbing, the Spirit of God is brought into the service with greater power, and the Lord’s humble servants are caused to seek the Lord more earnestly. We can say to our friends that the truth is becoming more positive every day. A few weeks ago I visited the extreme southern portion of my field, and if ever my love for the truth was increased, it was then when I witnessed the idolatry practised there in the midst of ignorance and Catholic superstition. The greater part of the population of this section is Polish, hence the worship of the Virgin Mary, in which the people of Poland are especially zealous, is everywhere manifest. Here is a place where the Virgin Mary is supposed to have appeared in a visible form, and hence is called Mt. Pirka. To this place as many as three thousand people in one train, make their pilgrimage to worship the virgin. When I saw this, I asked myself the question, “How long will this ignorant superstition reign?” I furthermore thank the Lord for the truth that I have, and for the privilege of preaching it among these benighted people. Brethren, let us be faithful, and let our light shine that many may see the light and be saved. J. H. SCHILLING. “It Was Through This Means”
By A. O. Tait
A LETTER just received from a brother in Canada states that he is very much interested in the circulation of The Signs of the Times, together with our other publications. He says that it was by means of our publications that he received the truth, and hence he is anxious to pass this good literature on to others. Our publications are wielding a powerful influence. Thousands of individuals have been brought into the truth through our reading-matter, and the good work is still going on. Are you circulating any of this good literature? Are you taking a club of our pioneer missionary paper, The Signs of the Times? We have some well-developed and well-defined plans for circulating the Signs. Please write the undersigned concerning the matter. I shall be glad to correspond with you in regard to this good work. Let us put our shoulders to the wheel unitedly for the advancement of this great cause. A. O. TAIT. Mountain View, Cal. LIMA.—We have rented a little place especially for meetings. My knowledge of the language is very imperfect, but I can hold a service in Spanish; in fact, I now have five, and sometimes more, meetings each week, besides Sabbath-school. There seems to be no limit to the work that can be done, or to the people that might be interested and brought into the truth, did we but have the workers. Of course we have our difficulties. Many of them are caused by the natural tendencies of this people. Two or three years ago a little work was started here by brethren from Chile, but for some reason it was left. There are a number in the city who recognize the Sabbath, but they are much divided, and unfriendly to one another. We hope and pray that some of these will prove faithful. During the last month we have had at least five new Sabbath-keepers, and several others are deeply interested. They need much instruction yet. Their experience has been interesting. A friend of one of our brethren attended the meetings a few times, and took her stand. She was a Methodist. She spoke of the Sabbath to another Methodist, a tailor. He read a little, was immediately convinced, and began to observe the Sabbath. He had been selling Bibles on the streets, so we supplied him with what Spanish books and tracts we had to sell and give away. This man gave, with only a word about the Sabbath truth, one tract on the law of God to a brother Methodist, an earnest, zealous, and bold man. He read the tract, then his Bible, and studied the entire night, and before morning, all alone, took his stand for the Sabbath. The next night he rose in the large Methodist meeting, and boldly preached the Sabbath. This was before he had seen us. The following Sabbath he came to our Sabbath-school, and related his experience. The Baptists have published a tract against us. It contains great misrepresentations, with weak arguments. These are our worst enemies here. They would not even sell a hymn-book to me or to one of our people. We are satisfied that nothing can stop this message, either in the home land or abroad, and we are of good courage in the Lord. F. L. PERRY. FIVE members have been added to the church at Fergus Falls, Minn. TWO Germans and several others have decided for the truth at St. Cloud, Minn. AT the last quarterly meeting of the Collins Center (N. Y.) church four persons were baptized. JULY 15 a church of fifteen members was organized at Wheelock, N. D. One young sister was baptized. TWELVE persons have been baptized at Richville, N. D., the result of labor since the Bowden camp-meeting. ELDER JOHN F. JONES reports the baptism of five persons after a series of meetings in the tent at Double Creek, Md. SIXTEEN were baptized on a recent Sabbath as the result of the tent effort at Paducah, Ky., and later a church of twenty-two members was organized. Additions to this number are confidently expected. AT the close of the North Side (Chicago) camp-meeting some of the tents were left standing, and about fifty persons remained to assist in the after meeting. Since the close of the camp-meeting twenty have been baptized, and a number of others are keeping the Sabbath. BROTHER LEE S. WHEELER reports success attending the meetings at the Boston tent. He says: “We are working hard publicly and from house to house. Quite a number have begun to keep the Sabbath with us, and to-night (August 5) others, both men and women, took their stand.” BRETHREN H. C. HURTWELL and A. E. Sanderson are meeting with success in the tent effort at Athol, Mass., and a number have decided to observe the Sabbath. Three issues of a small four-page paper have been put out, containing a synopsis of subjects and other matter pertaining to the tent work. ON Sabbath, August 4, a church of thirteen members was organized at Pittsfield, Mass. Some of these have been obeying present truth for several years, while others have begun the observance of the true Sabbath since Brother F. W. Stray went there to labor last fall. On the following day three were baptized. BROTHER W. M. ADAMS writes that the Manitoba Conference has four tents in the field this summer: Brethren McGill and Hall are at Manitou; Brethren Kunkel, Peters, and Kurtz (German tent company) at Winnipeg; Brethren Conway and Curtis at Regina, Saskatchewan; and Brethren Adams and Potter at Winnipeg. Others are assisting in these tent-meetings in music, visiting, children’s meetings, etc. The “Secret Recesses” of Rome
By W. A. Colcord
Under the heading, “Old Prison Cells Found in the Vatican,” the following cablegram from Rome, dated August 4, was published in the Washington Sunday Times of August 5:— “Interesting discoveries have been made in the Vatican during an examination of the buildings, which are showing signs of decay. A secret prison has been found between the garret and the roof of the Sistine Chapel. These cells, which resemble the famous Piombi of Venice, are supposed to have been a place of confinement for recalcitrant cardinals and other high ecclesiastics who offended the popes of olden times. Through long disuse the situation of the prison had been forgotten, but it is20 known that such cells existed, and that single one or two cardinals died in them. They are not exactly luxurious, and are decidedly cramped in size.” This bit of news vividly recalls the following closing paragraph of chapter thirty-five of “Great Controversy:” — “God’s Word has given warning of the impending danger; let this be unheeded, and the Protestant world will learn what the purposes of Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare. She is silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men. She is piling up her lofty and massive structures, in the secret recesses of which her former persecutions will be repeated. Stealthily and unsuspectedly she is strengthening her forces to further her own ends when the time shall come for her to strike. All that she desires is vantage-ground, and this is already being given her. We shall soon see and shall feel what the purpose of the Roman element is. Whoever shall believe and obey the Word of God will thereby incur reproach and persecution.” If, unbeknown to the outside world, the papacy has all these years had “a secret prison,” where, in the past, were punished and imprisoned recalcitrant cardinals and offending ecclesiastics, right in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, the home of the popes itself, it ought not to be a matter of great surprise to any one if in many of its churches, cathedrals, and massive structures in other parts of the world she has “secret recesses” which, in the future, will be used for the imprisonment and punishment of those who are regarded by the popes as heretics and offenders. Our Schools and Our Message
By F. G.
We can already see that the educational convention, held recently at College View, Neb., has marked the beginning of a new era in our educational work. This is in itself an evidence that we have reached the finishing of the work of the third angel's message. The missionary key-note which was there struck is finding its harmonies in our homes and churches all over the world. Young men and women who, previously to this, have given but little thought to the missionary phase of an education, and, indeed, but little thought to any phase of education, are beginning, as a direct result of this missionary movement, seriously to question their duty in this matter. This is as it should be. Our schools are to bear a close relation to this finishing work, and in turn the closing of the gospel to the world must directly affect the work in our schools. As close as we can estimate, there have gone out this summer from our schools at least six or seven hundred young persons directly into various phases of our denominational work. From one point of view, this seems like quite an army of workers, and, indeed, if they were all marshaled together, it would be an imposing sight; yet from another point of view, this is not so encouraging, for we have in our ranks probably from fifteen to twenty thousand young persons who should have been in our schools this past year, and an army might have gone forth four or five times larger than did go. But we find our encouragement in the strong hope that our schools will have, this coming year, many more students preparing directly for the work of the Lord than at any time in the past. How shall our young people be gotten into our schools? First of all, the church must recognize that the duty which lies nearest it is to care for the children and youth. At all times must the question of the future of these young people be held as the most prominent of all the activities of the church. Are our churches so holding this question of our children and youth? There is ground for fearing that in altogether too many instances this, the first and greatest work, is made the last. The church should hold every child and youth as a precious heritage direct from the Lord. It is its first work to train this soul for the work of the Master. If this were done, a perfect fortress of prayer would surround every young person connected in any way with the church. The church would endeavor to see that a desire for an education for service was implanted in each young person, and then every effort necessary to secure this education would be put forth in seconding the effort of parent and child. But the fact that the church has a first and important duty in this matter does not release the parent and youth from their duty. God calls on them in no uncertain words to improve every talent which he has given, for his service, and for it alone. No young person can tell what God may do with and for him when he consecrates every power to his service. Our schools are to exist for the sole purpose of hastening the end. Now as never before should every teacher be consecrated to the needs of the hour. Now as never before should these schools furnish just the training, and that only, which will best and most quickly fit every honest and earnest young person among us for just that place in the Lord's work which he can best fill. The hope of our work might be said, in one sense, to rest in our young people, and the hope of the young people rests in all senses in the gospel and in their proper relation to its speedy finishing. F. G. Work for Our Young People
By M. E. Kern
Our young people have been neglected. (See “Christian Education,” page 222.) There is a mighty work before us in swinging this great army of youth into God’s work. The dealing with youthful minds is the nicest work ever assumed by human beings. To inspire our young people with a desire for righteousness, to help them not to fail nor be discouraged, to know how to bring out the best there is in them, to know how to deal with their youthful doubts and not drive them away from us nor crush the awakening powers of reason, is a most delicate work. It is a special field needing specially prepared workers. Every worker should have a warm heart for the lambs of the flock, and the young people’s work will never prosper as it should until this is true. But aside from this there are two things needed: (1) some one in every church who understands young people, and can lead them in missionary effort; (2) some one in each conference who will make a special study of this phase of our work, and will lead out and develop this army of youth for service; some one who can organize the work in local churches; some one who will inspire the youth to gain an education for wider service; some one who will command the respect of other workers and can teach them how to work for the young. Some may say, “Are we not doing this work through our schools?” We are doing something, but there must be a work done for the four fifths of our young people that are not touched by our colleges and academies. This work for the young people right where they are is necessary to enable the schools to do what they should. And it is necessary to hold the army of youth among us in the love of the truth. A little has been done in Union College to awaken an interest in this important work, and to train leaders for it. We have had what we called a “Young People’s Band” for the study of this work. This has done much to awaken an interest in these young people who are obtaining an education, many of whom needed an inspiration and an ambition in life. These young people have gone out this summer to do all they can for their fellow young people in the home churches, because they realize their needs as they have not before. Near the close of the year a stirring appeal was prepared by this Band, and addressed to all our young people, in behalf of the Lord’s work and a preparation for the same. This has been sent out, and is bearing fruit. One of the students prepared a little leaflet, “Union College in a Nutshell,” and that is being sent out. A few of our advanced students are in the field this summer, searching for young people as for hidden treasures. Taken all in all, this whole movement has brought new courage into the hearts of our students, and it has encouraged our hearts to see the earnestness they manifested in behalf of their comrades. They have responded to the call, “Who of our young people will give themselves to God for the purpose of laboring for their fellow youth?” Let our young people be neglected no more. “We have an army of youth who can do much if rightly directed and encouraged.” Christian Education
By FREDERICK GRIGGS; C. C. LEWIS
Conducted by the Department of Education of the General Conference. FREDERICK GRIGGS, Chairman,
C. C. LEWIS, Secretary. A National Sunday Law in France
By W. A. Colcord
FRANCE has just passed a national Sunday-rest law. Under the heading, “France Now Gets Sabbath Rest; Every Toiler Given It by Law,” the Washington Times of August 5, prints the following dispatch from London:— “The bill passed by the French Legislature enforcing a compulsory weekly holiday for French employees is curiously interesting. Where it is possible, the rest is to be given on Sundays, but in the case of restaurants, cafés, hospitals, and newspapers, where work can not be suspended, the rest is to be granted on another day. The recommendation came from the labor committee, and after a very short debate was accepted by five hundred and seventy-five votes to one.” Commenting on the passage of this law, the Christian Statesman for August says: “This action is not based on religious, but solely upon economic considerations,” but adds, “While it is true this action was not taken on religious grounds, it is not true that it has no religious significance;” which is but admitting, in other words, that it matters not upon what “grounds” Sunday legislation may be “based,” in its real nature, purpose, and intent every Sunday law is, after all, religious, and has a “religious significance.” The Winona (Ind.) National Reform Convention
By C. M. S.
The real work of this institute began on August 11, and was opened with an address by John G. Woolley on the evening of that day. His address consisted largely of an appeal to the Christians of the land to “line up” at the polls on the temperance question. His fundamental proposition was that the Christian citizen is the best citizen. Other speakers here, building upon that proposition, seem to lose the fundamental gospel idea of soul salvation, and lay upon the church the business of making good citizens, of shaping better laws, and putting at least the form of religion in the laws of the land. The expressed purpose of the National Reform Association at this convention is “to show how Americans can apply Christianity to the affairs of public and private life.” The association, while strongest in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, is holding its institute here this year in order to interest Indiana people in its work and methods. The association prides itself upon what it has accomplished in Pennsylvania in preventing certain elements from weakening the Sunday laws of that State, or causing their repeal, as also in the strenuous endeavors made to secure Bible instruction in the public schools. One of the features of National Reform work, which was most interesting to the writer, was that set forth by Rev. Charles Stelzle, who stands at the head of the Presbyterian Board of Church Work Among Laboring Men. He stated that the idea of bringing about closer relations between the church and organized labor has made remarkable progress since it was begun a year ago. One of the chief efforts of this church board has been to get central labor unions to exchange fraternal delegates with ministerial organizations. This plan is now in operation in one hundred cities. The general ministerial association sends a representative member to the meetings of the labor union. On the other hand, the labor unions send one of their members to the meetings of the ministerial organization. Some of the labor unions, he stated, had found it necessary to change their constitutions in order to admit these ministerial delegates; but this had been accomplished, and the arrangement was now working smoothly. Many of the central labor union bodies have named the ministerial delegate as their chaplain, and so have their regular meetings opened with prayer. The following direct quotation from Mr. Stelzle will be both surprising and interesting to the readers of the REVIEW, in view of the fact that Mr. Stelzle approves of the inference which he says the labor unions draw from this arrangement. I quote:— “Union men take it for granted that a minister who comes among them as a delegate is with them on the broad principles of trade unionism, and they appreciate the fact that he represents all church organizations, instead of one particular church. While the Presbyterians were the pioneers in this effort, it is being taken up by other denominations. The labor question is fundamentally a moral and religious question, and it will never be settled upon any other basis.
“Working together, the ministers’ associations and the central labor unions may bring about many municipal reforms. Indeed, united, there are few things in this direction which they may not accomplish. These organizations may especially co-operate on questions involving the saloon, gambling, Sunday work, child labor, sanitary conditions in tenement-houses,” etc.
About one half the Presbyteries have appointed subcommittees to co-operate with the church and labor department; and with the other denominations entering upon a similar combination with the labor unions, it is not difficult for the student of the Word of God to see the laying of a deep plan to focus powerful forces for the enactment of more numerous and more stringent Sunday laws. It is another of those great combinations which are to be instrumental in bringing upon the remnant people the last bitter persecution from which they will suffer. The bitter spirit so prevalent in the labor unions to-day will help to fill that last great persecuting movement with the bitterness we know will be manifest at that time. It is, of course, but justice to them to state that they do not understand the end to which their present purpose leads. At the meeting of the National Reform institute held on August 13 the aims of the organization were again set forth. This was in an address by Rev. T. P. Stevenson, on the “Divine Origin of Civil Society.” He declared the purpose of the organization to be purely a religious one—“to bring about a revival of national religion.” “Such a revival,” he said, “must be in the sphere of the nation’s life, as a revival of personal religion takes place in the life of the individual man.” Throughout the address the nation was made an entity, a sinner or a saint, an infidel or a believer, as the case might be. He declared that a nation sins as a nation, just as an individual sins as an individual. This made it necessary that its laws should be made Christian laws, in order that the nation’s sins should cease. The inconsistency of the scheme is perhaps shown at no point more glaringly than in their declaring that such an arrangement would not constitute a union of church and state: that they are21 as much opposed to such a union as we are. In a personal conversation with the chairman of the convention, Rev. J. S. Martin, and with Rev. John A. Henderson, who has charge of one of the departments of the institute, both claimed unyielding opposition to a union of church and state. Nevertheless, they stood for the incorporation of all the laws, rules, and usages of the church into the fundamental law of the land. The distinction was so very much finer than the difference that the writer was unable to make it out, and frankly admitted it. Both these gentlemen, though expressing the kindliest feelings for the writer and the people he represented, were free to admit that the conditions they were seeking to bring about would bring hardship upon that class. Nevertheless, they thought it necessary to persevere in their work even though it caused the imprisonment of Christians and their loss of one sixth of their time of labor. “That,” they said, “would be your misfortune for being in the minority. When you are in the majority, you could change that, have your Sabbath made the state Sabbath, and then the other class would have to submit or take the consequences.” (I am quoting this practically verbatim.) It was a novel proposition, and the writer assured the gentlemen that Seventh-day Adventists had no desire to get in the majority for the purpose of inflicting either their ideas or penalties for non-conformity therewith, upon any class, Christian, or otherwise. Religious Liberty Notes
By W. A. Colcord
FRANCE has just passed a national Sunday-rest law. A four days’ National Reform convention was appointed to be held at Winona, Ind., Aug. 15-18, at which the leading themes of National Reformism were to be discussed, especially with a view to a great forward movement. The National Reformers are rejoicing over the Sunday-closing provision finally attached to the two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar appropriation which Congress made to the Jamestown Exposition the day before Congress adjourned. As in the past, the papacy is still endeavoring to hold its old-time power and control over the people in Europe. Recently the Spanish government took action denying the right of the clergy to refuse burial in consecrated ground to those married civilly. But the papal nuncio protested against this action. It was decided the other day by the Spanish ministry, however, to maintain absolutely the rights of civil authorities. There is some talk about the calling of a constitutional convention to consider the question of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing for the election of United States Senators by direct vote. “If such a convention is called,” says the Christian Statesman, “it can not be limited to the single purpose here spoken of. There are other questions of the greatest moment which it could not fail to consider.” In case such a convention is called, the National Reformers will doubtless be on hand to press their claims for a religious amendment to the Constitution. Under the heading, “Creed Must Not Interfere,” the following appeared in the Washington Post of April 17, 1906: “Shall the government compel its employees who are of the Seventh-day Adventist faith to work on Saturday? This was the question Secretary Bonaparte was called upon to decide yesterday in the case of a charwoman who observes Saturday as the day of rest, and asked to be excused from work. Secretary Bonaparte directed that a reply be sent stating that the government can not take religious belief into account in arranging its week’s work, and is unable to excuse any employee from working on a day when the services of the employee are required.” Mr. Bonaparte is secretary of the navy.