p. 22 | Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 34. (8/23/1906)

The Camp-Meeting at Washington, D. C.

By B. G. Wilkinson

The coming camp-meeting at the capital city of the nation will be located upon a beautiful plot of ground, of easy access to all parts of the District of Columbia. The first meeting will be held Tuesday evening, at 7:30, September 11. The camp-meeting will continue till September 16. Elder Luther Warren, from the West, and Elder W. A. Spicer, who has been absent several months on an extended missionary trip will render profitable assistance in the public meetings. Elder Thompson will have charge of the youth's meetings, and the children's meetings will be conducted by Mrs. L. Flora

Plummer. Other prominent laborers of the denomination are expected to be present during part of the time. This will be a stirring meeting, both for the brethren who attend and for the city of Washington. Let all the churches of the Chesapeake Conference and the District of Columbia arrange, if possible, to be present. Tents may be secured at the rate of $3 for the 14-x-16-ft. size, and $2.50 for the smaller ones, during the time of the camp-meeting. Let all who desire to encamp with us, write at once for tents. Address Elder Morris Lukens, Takoma Park, D. C. B. G. WILKINSON.

Current Mention

—The New York State Superintendent of Insurance has made public the results of his investigations regarding fire losses in the San Francisco disaster. This shows that the total amount of insurance involved by all companies was $222,836,307. The amount of salvage was $33,814,468, and the amount of reinsurance, $65,246,771, making the actual net loss to the companies $132,823,067.

—It is learned in connection with the recent attempt to assassinate Grand Duke Nicholas Nicholaievitch, of Russia, while he was watching the rifle practise of the imperial guards, at Frasnoe Selo, that a number of guards, who were supposed to have been using blank cartridges, had been supplied with ball cartridges. The affair was a deep-laid plot, in which many civilians were implicated. A number of plotters have been arrested.

—It is reported that absolutism has come to an end in Persia. The shah's rescript to the grand vizier, as finally amended, orders the formation of a national consultative assembly, composed of representatives of all classes, from the princes downward. The assembly will advise the shah of important state and public affairs, and will propose reforms conducive to the welfare of the people. Justice will be administered in accordance with the sacred law. Unlike Russia, the reform spirit in Persia was first manifested among the clergy, who formerly were reactionists. The announcement of the granting of a national assembly was received with great rejoicing throughout Persia.

—Thirty attorneys and traffic managers of the Southern railroads were in conference at Atlantic City, N. J., last week about the railroad rate bill. The statement was made that the conference concluded that the bill was a tangle of words, conflicting in its regulations, and impossible of satisfactory adoption. The railroad men, it is alleged, mean to resist its acceptance by the railroads, and show by their efforts that it will not achieve the results its framers intended it should bring about to help the shipper and the railroads. The recommendations will be sent to Northern railroads.

—Acting apparently with a definite plan and at a signal, the terrorists and the revolutionists made murderous attacks with bombs and revolvers on the police and troops in various cities in Poland, on Wednesday of last week. The revolutionist campaign flamed out with especial virulence at Warsaw, where over a score were slain in the streets, and many more were wounded. Among the killed, according to the official advices, were two sergeants of police, eight patrolmen, three gendarmes, five soldiers, a Hebrew merchant, and a woman. Policemen and soldiers were shot down like rabbits in the streets. Their assailants, who traveled in small bands, almost all escaped among the terrorized, but sympathetic, populace. The murderous daring of the Terrorists reached its climax at Plotsk, a town about fifty-eight miles northwest of Warsaw, where, at a preconcerted signal, every policeman on the streets was killed or wounded. Reports from all over the country show the absolute helplessness of the police to cope with the revolutionists.

—The Secretary of the Navy, Charles J. Bonaparte, in a recent address at the Allegany Chautauqua near Cumberland, Md., recommended death as a punishment for anarchists. He declared that "anarchism is the product of two conditions, which prevail, to a greater or less extent, everywhere among the less enlightened classes of modern civilized society; namely, the decay of religious faith, and a measure of superficial, and, therefore, unsound, popular education." He also said that "any dissemination of anarchistic literature and the publication of anarchistic doctrines, whether by speech or writing, ought to be made and punished as a crime." He expressed his views on the question of punishment in these words: "On anarchists the death penalty should be unequivocally imposed by law, and inflexibly executed whenever the prisoner has sought, directly or indirectly, to take life. For offenses of less gravity, I advise a comparatively brief, but very vigorous imprisonment, characterized by complete seclusion, deprivation of all comfort, and denial of any form of distraction, and which could be, to my mind, advantageously supplemented by a severe, but not a public, whipping. The lash, of all punishments, most clearly shows the culprit that he suffers for what his fellow men hold odious and disgraceful, and not merely for reasons of public policy." This address has attracted considerable attention.

NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS

By Editor

Camp-Meetings for 1906

ATLANTIC UNION CONFERENCE

Chesapeake and District of Columbia, Washington, D. C. ........Sept. 11-16 New York, Phelps (State) .....Sept. 6-16 Vermont, Windsor.........Aug. 23 to Sept. 3 Central New England, Lawrence ....................Aug. 31 to Sept. 10 Greater New York (Conference) ..............Sept. 27 to Oct. 7

CANADIAN UNION CONFERENCE

Ontario, Paris............Aug. 23 to Sept. 2 Quebec, Ayre's Cliff...............Sept. 6-16 Maritime, Williamsdale East, N. S., Sept. 13-23

SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE

Tennessee River, Nashville........... ....................Aug. 23 to Sept. 2 Cumberland, Knoxville, Tenn. ...Sept. 6-16 North Carolina, High Point........Sept. 7-16 Florida, Lakeland ...............Nov. 1-11

LAKE UNION CONFERENCE

Wisconsin, Stevens Point ...Aug. 22 to Sept. 3 East Michigan, Holly......Sept. 27 to Oct. 8 North Michigan, East Jordan ...............Aug. 30 to Sept. 10 Northern Illinois, Galesburg, Sept. 26 to Oct. 7

CENTRAL UNION CONFERENCE

Nebraska, Gothenburg.....Aug. 30 to Sept. 9 Colorado, Boulder ........Aug. 23 to Sept. 3

SOUTHWESTERN UNION CONFERENCE

Texas, Buffalo Gap (local).Aug. 23 to Sept. 3 Arkansas, Winslow ............Aug. 16-26 Oklahoma, Kingfisher.........Aug. 23 to Sept. 2

AUSTRALASIAN UNION CONFERENCE

Union Conference session, Cooranbong, N. S. W....................Sept. 13-23

The presidents of the various conferences are requested to forward any additional information which will enable us to publish a complete and correct list of the camp-meetings appointed for the present season. If any changes are made, of either time or place of meetings already appointed, notice should be forwarded at once.

Annual Meeting of the Maine Benevolent Association

By E. C. Taylor

The eighth annual meeting of the Benevolent Association of Seventh-day Adventists of Maine will be held at Bath, Maine, Aug. 28, 1906, at 5 P. M., for the purpose of electing officers and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

E. C. TAYLOR, Clerk.

New York Conference and Conference Association

By S. H. Lane

THE next annual session of the New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventist will be held at Phelps, N. Y., September 6-16, for the election of officers and the transaction of such business as may properly come before it.

The second annual session of the New York Conference Association will be held at Phelps, N. Y., first meeting at 9 A. M., Sept. 10, 1906. S. H. LANE, President.

The George Washington University

By A. G. Daniells

ARRANGEMENTS have been made with the George Washington University, of Washington, D. C., so that any of our young people who desire to take up the study of medicine, may do so on very favorable terms. Last year a number of young men availed themselves of these advantages, and expect to continue their work at this university the coming year. Others are making inquiry concerning the privileges offered by the institution, and it is deemed proper to give a brief notice through the columns of the REVIEW, that others interested in the study of medicine may have their attention called to the advantages offered by this university.

The George Washington University offers a concession of one half the tuition charges to any students whom we may recommend for medical study. This means a tuition of only seventy-five dollars a year, to which should be added for library fee two dollars, for matriculation fee five dollars, and for graduation fee ten dollars. These charges include all expenses for tuition, except a small deposit for breakage. Sabbath-keeping students will be excused from class work on the Sabbath without prejudice to their class standing.

The university also offers eight free scholarships in the department of medicine, and students whom we recommend are eligible to at least some of these. Scholarships carry with them free tuition, but not the other fees mentioned above.

Taken altogether, the privileges offered by this institution may be considered very favorable for our young people who desire to take up the study of medicine. Those connected with our work here in Washington stand ready to render whatever assistance they can to any who wish to come here for the purpose of taking work in the George Washington University. Correspondence regarding the matter is invited, and further information will be cheerfully given. A. G. DANIELLS.

The Cumberland Camp-Meeting

By W. W. Williams

THE annual camp-meeting of the Cumberland Conference will be held at Knoxville, Tenn., September 6-16. The location of the camp is between Oakwood and Lincoln Park. If you come on the Southern Railroad, turn to the left as you come out of depot, and at the end of the bridge take Oakwood car leading to the right. All cars marked “Oakwood” will stop at the camp-ground. Tents will be furnished at reasonable rates for all who desire them. Let all who can, bring bedding. The grounds are all that could be desired as to elevation and shade.

Now, brethren and sisters, let nothing hinder you from being at this meeting. We want you here. God wants you here. Come filled with his Spirit, prepared to receive a blessing and to be a blessing to others. God is waiting to pour the Pentecostal shower upon his people. Shall we receive it? We expect to have Elder K. C. Russell, of Washington, and perhaps Elder Irwin with us; also Prof. J. E. Tenney, and several laborers of the Southern Union Conference. Events are taking place around us which tell that Christ is at the door, and waiting for his people to do the work that must be done before he returns.

Dear brethren, shall we do this work, and receive the “Well done”? or shall we neglect it, and be cast out as unprofitable servants? Satan is working in every way possible to deceive the elect; and that we may not be deceived and drop out by the way, we must keep up with the message. While Satan is working to bring in division among God’s people, God is working in love to save his people from the hour of temptation. O, let us be faithful in following the light that God has given us through the prophets and his servant! Come, brethren and sisters, to this meeting, and God will bless.

W. W. WILLIAMS, President.

The Camp-Meeting In the District of Columbia

By K. C. Russell

IT has been decided to hold a union camp-meeting near Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., September, 11-16, for the benefit of our people in the Chesapeake Conference and the District of Columbia.

The advisability of holding such a meeting in this field will be apparent to all who will consider the situation carefully. It has been years since there has been a general meeting for the benefit of the Sabbath-keepers in this section. During this time others have embraced the truth who have doubtless never enjoyed the privilege of attending one of these convocations, which have proved such an inspiration and blessing to God's people throughout the history of this cause.

It should be remembered that, as the result of the removal of our denominational headquarters to Washington, the number of our people in the District of Columbia has been greatly increased. We have no local conference or organization, and consequently it is not a necessity to hold an annual conference and camp-meeting to transact our business. This being so, we do not necessarily have these privileges to enjoy. These gatherings are considered a necessity by all our conferences throughout the general field, not only for the purpose of transacting the business of the conference, but to revive God's people, thus enabling them to stand in these trying times. If these meetings are of such vital importance to the prosperity of this work throughout the denomination, how much more important it is for those at the headquarters of this great work to have the privilege of attending a camp-meeting where they can lay aside their busy cares and burdens for a few days, and with their children seek the Lord for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that they may be able to withstand the many and varied temptations which assail God's people in these last days. It is designed to make this meeting a time for especially seeking the Lord, as there will be no conference business to transact. We expect a large number of our representative laborers and consecrated workers to take the burden of this meeting, and with the blessing of God we believe it will prove a means of reviving the hearts of God's people in this section of the great harvest-field. Special attention will be given to our children and youth, who will be in attendance at the meeting. We earnestly ask the parents in the Chesapeake Conference and the District of Columbia not to allow this opportunity to pass without making an earnest effort for the salvation of their children, even though it may involve a sacrifice to do so. The nearness of the end demands that we should exert great efforts in behalf of our children, that they may obtain such an experience as will fortify them against the ever-increasing spirit of worldliness and indifference to sacred things.

The expense of attending this meeting will not be great, even for those who reside the farthest from where the meeting is to be held. The question of railroad rates and accommodations, such as tent room and board during the meeting, will be presented in the columns of this paper by the chairman of our committee, Elder Morris Lukens, the president of the Chesapeake Conference, and by Prof. B. G. Wilkinson, a member of this committee and also a member of the Evangelical Committee of the District of Columbia. These brethren can be reached by addressing them at Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C.

In conclusion, I desire to urge our people in the Chesapeake Conference, and our people who reside in Virginia near Washington, and also those in the District of Columbia, to begin at once to make preparations to attend this meeting. All our young people who are contemplating attending the Washington Training College should by all means improve the opportunity of attending this meeting, which is to immediately precede the opening of the college this fall.

“The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come.” Come and enjoy the blessings of this camp-meeting.

K. C. RUSSELL.

Report of the Educational Convention

THE report of the General Conference Educational Convention, held at College View, June 29 to July 10, is now ready. It contains the roll-call of delegates by States; a list of papers presented and discussed; the missionary educational movement, report of committee and pith of remarks; courses of study for primary and intermediate schools, academies, and colleges; training courses for ministers, missionaries, Bible workers, teachers, preparatory medical students, music teachers, business workers, stenographers, and secretaries; text-books; the gist of the discussion on courses of study; plans and recommendations adopted; suggestive program for church-schools; outline of oral Bible and nature lessons for the first three grades; and a carefully prepared index.

This report is prepared and published under the direction of the General Conference Educational Department. It should be studied by teachers, conference and school officers, and, in short, by all interested in the education of our children and youth.

The price is 10 cents a copy, $9 a hundred, carriage prepaid. Address all orders and make all remittances payable to Union College Press, College View, Neb.

The Maritime Conference

By Wm. Guthrie

The time of this conference has been fixed for September 13-23, and it will be held at Williamsdale Academy. Rooms will be furnished free, and a charge of only ten cents a' meal will be made, to cover part of the expense of food. We expect the usual reduced rate of one fare for the round trip on the certificate plan to Oxford Junction. From here teams will convey passengers to the school and return for fifty cents each.

We are in the most important time in the history of this message, consequently this is the most important meeting that has ever been arranged for in this field. Things are moving fast now, and advance steps in the work are called for. You have a responsibility that you can not shift to another, and should not wish to shift if you could, and your presence is needed from the very first of this gathering to discharge this God-given trust. We are planning for you to be here; are you preparing to come?

The first session of the conference will be held at 9 A. M., Friday, September 14, and a full delegation is much desired at this meeting. This is the time to elect officers for the coming year, and to make such other changes as may seem best for the good of the Lord's work. We expect Elder G. A. Irwin to be with us from the first, and are sure that he will have a message for us from the Lord.

Ask God to help you to come, believe that he hears you, and you know that you have the petition that you desire of him.

Wm. Guthrie, President.

Important Notice to “Little Friend” Subscribers

By Editor

If you are a subscriber to Our Little Friend, please fill out the following blank and mail it to Pacific Press Publishing Co. A portion of our subscription list was burned, and we need this information immediately. Address Pacific Press Publishing Company, Mountain View, Cal.

........................1906.

To the Pacific Press Pub. Co.,—

I have been taking ...... copies of Our Little Friend.

My address is ................................

The subscription was paid to ............

Yours very truly,

Address

THE permanent address of Elder E. E. Franke is 177 Wall St., Irvington, N. J.

Special Course at Washington Training College

By J. W. Lawhead

WASHINGTON TRAINING COLLEGE, in connection with the officers of the General Conference, is planning to conduct a special course of instruction for laborers who feel the need of further preparation, and for others who desire to study the great questions with which the denomination is now dealing, either for their own guidance or for the purpose of helping others. The lines of instruction to be offered in this special course will consist of studies on organization, missions, nature and progress of the message, religious liberty, Sabbath-school and young people's work, health and temperance, close of prophetic history, the certainty of our hope, and other kindred topics.

The studies on organization will be conducted by Elder Daniells, who has been giving special study to this question for some years past. His position as the leader of the denomination gives him great advantages in studying and presenting the different phases of this question from the standpoint of actual experience as the denomination is organized to-day. At the last session of the General Conference, it was voted to invite Elder Daniells to prepare a manual on this important subject for the benefit of our young workers and others who are interested, and he hopes at this time to present much of this subject-matter.

The studies on missions will be conducted by Elder Spicer, who has made a careful and exhaustive study of the subject of missions in general, and whose long experience in connection with our own missionary work especially qualifies him to deal with this most important question. As Elder Spicer has not yet returned from Europe, it is impossible to confer with him and to get a definite outline of the work as he may desire to present it, but without question much attention will be given to the real nature of missionary work, the fields already entered by our missionaries, results obtained therein, and the methods and means best adapted to the work in different countries. The missionary work of our denomination has been progressing with great rapidity and force in the last few years, and one of the most absorbing topics for study at the present time is to trace the movements of our missionaries, the fields that are already open, and the small portion of the world yet to be entered before the truths of the third angel's message shall have belted the entire earth. Mission stations are being established almost everywhere, and the educational missionary movement will doubtless result in a large number of recruits going forward to these stations and pressing out from them in every direction, quickly carrying the gospel of the coming kingdom to all the people of the world. But while it is hoped that this study will be an intensely interesting one, we must look for something more than entertainment, and expect and pray that God will touch the hearts of those who are informing themselves respecting this work, and lay upon them a burden for bearing a part of the labor, that the message may go quickly and in power to every honest soul in all the world.

The studies on the nature and progress of the message will be conducted by Professor Prescott, who has given close and continued study to this subject, and whose presentation will doubtless be exhaustive and of the utmost importance to every one. The time has fully come when every Seventh-day Adventist ought to know what the third angel's message is, and ought to realize and understand the truism that the whole is equal to the sum of all its parts. In other words, this study will serve to give a broad and comprehensive view of the question, and will in some degree safeguard those who take it from making the mistake of narrowing the message to some particular phase of work which is but a part of the entire movement; and it therefore becomes one of the large and vital questions to be studied by our people, and especially by our youth who are preparing to bear a part in the proclamation of the gospel.

The other studies will be conducted by men who are especially qualified from experience and study, and whose one purpose will be so to present their topics as to make them of direct practical value to every member of the class.

This special course will open October 24 and continue until December 19; and it is hoped that these dates will accommodate a large number, as the instruction to be given will be of great value and importance to every worker who can possibly attend, both in the subject-matter of study and also in personal contact and acquaintance with the officers and leaders of the denomination.

If any are interested in learning more fully respecting this proposed special course, we would be glad to correspond with and to inform every such individual. Our address is Washington Training College, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C.

J. W. LAWHEAD.

Business Notices

BRIEF business notices will be published in this department subject to the discretion of the publishers. A minimum charge of one dollar will be made for one insertion of forty words or less. Three cents a word will be charged for each additional word, and remittance must accompany each order. Initials and figures count as words. Name and address must be counted.

All persons unknown to the managers of this paper must send satisfactory written recommendations whenever submitting notices for insertion in this column.

In the case of poor persons who wish employment the charge may be remitted, but in order to secure this concession a letter from the elder of the local church of which the advertiser is a member, or from one of our well-known ministers, must accompany the advertisement.

WANTED.—A Sabbatarian to work on a farm until the first of November. Wages, forty dollars a month for a good man. Address Charles Moore, Forman, N. D.

WANTED.—A Seventh-day Adventist middle-aged colored woman to do general housework, and some gardening, for a small family. One used to country work preferred. Address, giving references, and wages required, Mrs. C. F. Marker, Occoquan, Va.

WANTED.—First-class engineer and electrician; must also have some practical knowledge of plumbing. Also nurses and help for domestic departments. Good wages and permanent engagement. References required. Address St. Helena Sanitarium, Sanitarium, Napa Co., Cal.

EVERY reader should try our rancid-proof peanut butter, at 10 cents a pound. Purest cocoanut oil, 15 cents in 5-pound, 14 cents in 25-pound, and 13 cents in 50-pound lots. Samples, 10 cents. Agents wanted everywhere. Address Vegetarian Meat Company, Bond Building, Washington, D. C.

FOR SALE.—Purest, most healthful, best vegetable oil for cooking or salads; no odor; keeps indefinitely. Gal. can, $1; 5-gal., $4. Also olive-oil of the purest grade; gal., $2.75; half-gal., $1.40; quart can, 85 cents. Send for samples. Also write for prices on California ripe olives and honey. Address E. W. Coates, 535 W. 110th St., New York City, N. Y.

FOR SALE.—In College View, Neb., 9 acres in fruit—apples, peaches, plums, cherries, grapes, raspberries, gooseberries, and currants; room for garden. For further particulars, address Mrs. M. Lenker.

FOR SALE.—100-acre farm in Cleburn Co., Alabama; lies well; good land; 65 acres in cultivation; 2 good houses; 200 apple-trees; for $850. Soft water and healthful country. For particulars, address Day Conklin, R. F. D., Borden Springs, Ala.

WANTED.—To correspond with a teacher of some experience (preferably a man with his wife, who could room in building and board themselves) for a church-school of from ten to fifteen. Must teach music. Address, giving age, experience, and recommendations, R. D. Hottel, New Market, Va.

FOR SALE.—Retail milk route consisting of horse, wagon, harness, cans, bottles, and sleigh for winter, all in good shape. Jersey milk furnished at 3½ cents a quart; retails at six cents 1½ miles from farm. House rent free to April 1, $5 a month from then on. Price, complete, $205. Address L. V. Longstreeth, Coatesville, Pa.

FOR SALE.—Fruit farm, 7½ acres; 1,500 trees,—apple, peach, plum, and cherry,—also grapes, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries; 8-room house, with 6 closets, pantry, bath-room, large cellar, good well, windmill, elevated water-tank; water in kitchen, bath-room, and cellar; barn 32 x 40; ¾ mile from College View, Neb., 3 miles from State-house. Address Noah Hodges, College View, Neb.

Obituaries

LEWIS.—Died at Grand Rapids, Mich., July 27, 1906, of paralysis, Charles Robert Lewis, aged 71 years. Brother Lewis came to Michigan about twenty-five years ago, and about that time he became a Sabbath-keeping Christian and united with the Seventh-day Adventist church at Grand Rapids. His hope was bright in Christ. The funeral sermon was preached by the writer. M. N. CAMPBELL.

WHEELER.—Died at Mesick, Mich., July 28, 1906, Herman E., son of Frank A. and Mary J. Wheeler, aged 23 years. His untimely death, the result of accidental injury by the cars, brought deep sorrow to his parents, two sisters, brother, and many friends who will mourn their loss, but they laid him away with the hope of meeting him in the first resurrection. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. E. A. BRISTOL.

BATTIN.—Died in Medford, Minn., at the home of his son, June 25, 1906, of old age, John Battin, aged 97 years, 3 months, and 17 days. Brother Battin was brought up in a Quaker family, but in middle life he united with the Methodists. He first heard the third angel's message in 1877, since which time he has been a faithful member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was a witness of the falling of the stars in 1833. Four children remain to mourn the loss of a kind father. The funeral service was conducted by the writer. C. W. FLAIZ.

ISAAK.—Died at Alexandrovsk, South Russia, July 15, 1906, of brain fever, Elzona Isaak, our only child, aged 4 years and 1 day. She was born at Tyndall, S. D. Our dear little girl was a missionary and a great blessing to us in this strange land; yet we comfort ourselves with the thought that Jesus, of whom she loved to hear, will soon waken her again. She always loved to go to Sabbath-school, and greatly enjoyed the various Bible stories. Words of comfort were spoken at the grave by Elder Perk to a company of sympathizing friends. DANIEL AND EMILIE ISAAK.

Notes on the National Reform Convention

By C. M. S.

The principal address in the National Reform institute on August 15 was delivered by the Rev. T. P. Stevenson, of Philadelphia, the general secretary of the National Reform Association, on “The Relation of Nations to the Bible.”

The address was based throughout upon the idea that nations are moral agents, and being such, the revelations of the Word are addressed to nations. Little reference was made by the speaker to the personal relation between individual man and his Maker. The nation was responsible, as a nation, for the sins of the individuals composing it. The nation sinned or was righteous, it was to be punished or rewarded, according to the attitude which it, as a moral agent, assumed toward God.

He said: “Nations do sin; it is impossible that they should not. They are moral beings because they are composed of moral beings. Because the people are imperfect, sinful, therefore the nations they compose are imperfect, sinful. Therefore nations do sin; and God has opened a way whereby nations, as well as individuals, can escape the consequences of their sin. That comes by the special revelation of God to the nation. If there is salvation for the individual, there is salvation for social bodies as well. If the salvation which God provides for man is a complete salvation for him, it must reach the national life and national experience as well as the individual life and experience.”

All this argument, which finds its basis only in human reasoning, and is merely an expedient to an end, was made for the purpose of laying a foundation for placing the laws, rules, and usages of the church in the law code of the land; and in making that transformation in its laws, the nation was represented as doing a work which would atone for its remissness and its sins. Then the nation would become Christian; the laws of God would be the law of the land. He stated that where differences arose in the interpretation of the laws of God, they would have to be interpreted by the Supreme Court. If the people did not like the interpretation of the court in any particular matter, still they must abide by it until they could in some way (which he did not explain) change the complexion of that court and get one that would give the right interpretation. The speaker stated in so many words that the Supreme Court would be the interpreter of the Word of God for the people.

Right here a very pertinent question was raised by one in attendance at the meeting. He asked: “If all this be true, then do we accept the interpretation of the courts as a Catholic accepts the ex cathedra utterances of the pope?”

The reply was interesting for its ingenuity in denying what it did really admit. The speaker said: “The pope claims authority to interpret the Word of God for all the nations as well as for the individual man; that there is no interpreter but himself, the head of the infallible church. Cardinal Manning has declared in reference to this that ‘the pope is the sole and last supreme judge of what is right and wrong.’ Now we maintain the right of every nation to interpret the Bible for itself, and that is freedom, not bondage, as it seems to me.” So the only difference would be that the world would have as many popes as there are national supreme courts. When any nation’s supreme court spoke upon a matter of religion or morals, it would speak ex cathedra, as does the pope for the world, and that utterance would be an infallible one to all intents and purposes, until the people were able to change the complexion of the supreme court and get another ex cathedra, infallible utterance overthrowing the former one.

Dr. John A. Henderson followed Dr. Stevenson in an address upon the importance of the marriage institution in society and government. It contained much that was good. One remark of the speaker was to the effect that the family relation was the only matter that Jesus Christ ever distinctly legislated upon. He was asked if it would not be advisable for Christians to follow the example of Jesus in keeping out of the domain of legislation, but he evaded the question, and would not commit himself.

He made one declaration which is worthy of being quoted, and was particularly interesting to the writer in view of the preceding speaker’s insistence upon the great importance of the state and nation. He said:—

“God is interested continually and only in the individual. The family will pass away; the church will pass away; the state will pass away when it has served its purpose; but the individual will remain. They are all set for the culture and development of the individual.”

The third address of this session was given by Dr. William Parsons, of Philadelphia, and dealt with the various methods of propaganda in reform work. It is the design of the National Reform Association to build up in this country one great federated church organization which shall take hold of all lines of reform work, and throw their combined influence into the work until the reforms demanded by this association are brought about.

On the afternoon of the same day Dr. Parsons spoke again, this time upon the theme of “Crystallizing Public Sentiment into Law.” He discussed the methods of procedure in getting bills through legislatures, and certainly showed himself well versed in the means which politicians take in getting the legislation they want. It would have made very peculiar reading had it been attached to the closing words of our Lord’s great commission to his followers, and still it was set forth by the speaker as one of the most important duties of the Christian citizen. He said:—

“In order to get the legislation we want, we must first make a public demand for it. There is a scientific way of doing that. Legislators are not, to any large extent, natural-born reformers. Many of them are out for graft, and you have got to be rough-and-tumble with them. Many of them are men who have no strong convictions about things in general. They like to be on the sunny side of the political hedge. They are there for what there is in it. First you have to fight such men, then you have to forgive them, and then you have to use them. There are a few of the legislators who are reformers. These you must use also. They are to be your helpers; but you must not leave it for them to work out for you. You must frame your own bill. Then there is the conservative. You must show him the necessity of what you want to get through. That is the way our Dr. Crafts is working constantly. That is the way the American Sabbath Union does its work.”

“Then you have to get after the politician. You have to promise and threaten and wheedle him, and make him thoroughly understand that if he votes against your measure, he won’t be on the sunny side of the hedge any longer.”

“Then you have got to get some one to introduce your measure, and then you must put on the screws, put on the pressure. That work of putting on the pressure must be done. The other fellow does it, and you must.”

There was a great deal more of this nature, but this will suffice to give the reader an idea of this new “Christian” duty in a state that is to have God and his laws recognized in the fundamental laws of the land.

C. M. S.

The Pacific Press Fire

The first issue of The Signs of the Times after the destruction of the Pacific Press printing plant, dated August 9, gives a full statement concerning the fire and the consequent experiences. Several illustrations add to the interest of the report. This issue was printed at San Jose.

A Report on Revelation 13

By Editor

WE do not usually print in one number of the REVIEW so long an article as the one from our special correspondent which begins on page 9, but we think that the importance of the subject and the readable nature of the report will justify our departure from the usual rule. Brother Wightman's report will bear reading more than once, and ought to awaken serious reflections in the minds of those who are watching the fulfilment of the prophecy in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation.

National Reform Convention Report

By Editor

BROTHER C. M. SNOW, one of our associate editors, attended the National Reform Convention at Winona Lake, Ind., last week, and a portion of his report of the meeting appears on pages 20 and 24. A study of the principles advocated by the National Reformers and of the work of the American Federation of Catholic Societies, as presented in this issue of the REVIEW, will show how clearly the prophetic predictions are being wrought into current history, and will emphasize the need for the message against the beast and his image. The long-expected crisis is certainly near at hand.