ALTHO “the depth and riches of the wisdom, knowledge, judgments, and ways of God are unsearchable and past finding out,” in their fulness and perfection (Rom. 11:33–36; Job. 11:7), and “the secret things belong unto God,” it should be remembered that some things “are revealed,” and therefore, “belong unto us and to our children forever.” Deut. 29:29. The secret of the Lord [as fully as He has revealed it] is with the righteous” (Prov. 3:32), and “them that fear him” (Ps. 25: 14). If, then, the Divine reason for these manifestations of Omnipotent power has been revealed, it will be found out by all who will humbly ask and earnestly seek to know. Matt. 7:7, 8; James 1:5–7. And so the inspired record of the destruction of those ancient cities of the plain (Gen. 18:16–33; 19:1–29) clearly reveals both the necessity and the object of that terrible visitation of Divine power. Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah was great and their sin was very grievous, (Gen. 18:20, 21), “having given themselves over to fornication,” God visited upon them “the vengeance of eternal fire,” turning them into ashes, and “condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.” 2 Pet. 2:6–9; Jude 7.
Steamship Roraima, many of the crew and passengers of which were burned before they were rescued.
St. Pierre June 4, 1902, twenty-seven days after the eruption.
The Leading Thoroughfare.
God does not change (Mal. 3:6; James 1:17; Heb. 13:8); and “He is no respecter of persons” (Deut. 10:17; 2 Chron. 19:7; Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34). Therefore His own statements concerning His object and motive in pouring out His judgments upon a guilty world in times past, applies with equal force to all subsequent similar events. Jesus, when told of calamities in which a number of persons perished, replied, “Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1–5. True they were sinners, but not worse than others; and their fate illustrated the doom of all who failed to take warning thereby. And who dare say that the inhabitants of St. Pierre were worse than those of Paris, London, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, New Orleans, and the rest of earth’s wicked cities? They were sinners, but not above others, and their fate but foreshadows the doom of all who do not heed the warning, and seek shelter in the Rock of Ages.
Just why God in His infinite wisdom pours out His judgments upon certain localities while others equally guilty are spared, we may not know. But that these events are evidences of God’s displeasure against sin, and His merciful desire to warn, restrain, and save others, is beyond controversy in the minds of all who believe the Bible. Additional evidence concerning the part that sin plays in these calamities is seen in the conduct of the people at such times.
Here in Barbados, 100 miles from the nearest crater, the explosions sounded like booming cannon or deep distant thunder; the darkness of midnight descended in mid-afternoon, and a perfect torrent of dust descended on us,—more than 2,000,000 tons falling on this little spot of land containing only 166 square miles; and the island shook and trembled till dishes on the sideboards were made to rattle. Then all faces gathered paleness, and a babel of noise and confusion was instantly hushed into silence; Bibles, dust-covered from long neglect, were opened by trembling hands, and anxiously but vainly scanned by minds and eyes that were unfamiliar with their precious contents. Tongues more used to idle talk, profanity, and blasphemy tried to pray, and other changes equally marked and significant were noticeable. All this clearly shows that the people are conscious, in the presence of these calamities, that “sin lieth at the door.”
But alas! in the great majority of cases, the solemnity and reverence departed with the passing of the danger, and the old ways were once more resumed. But there were some who, in the face of threatened danger, calmly said, “None of these things move us. ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, tho the earth be removed, and tho the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; tho the waters thereof roar and be troubled, tho the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.’” Ps. 46:1–3. “The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Verse 7.
Instead of being terrified by such a display of power, it comforts the child of God to know that his Father is strong enough to shake the earth, and that all His infinite power is pledged to save from sin, and strengthen for service. If the reader will carefully study Isaiah 26 he will find the whole situation vividly portrayed. Perfect trust in God brings perfect peace (verses 3, 4), even in times of destruction (verse 5). Some of the inhabitants of the earth will learn righteousness when the judgments of God are in the earth. Verses 7–9. “Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.” Verse 10.
One thing more is worthy of consideration in the study of the subject. It sometimes happens that the innocent must suffer with or for the guilty. The sin of a drunken or negligent engineer, switchman, or telegraph operator, often sends a trainload of innocent people crashing to death and destruction. Untold thousands of innocent persons suffer and perish as the result of the liquor traffic, for which they are in no way to blame. Even “Christ suffered the just for the unjust;” “He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” And so probably some innocent persons perished in the destruction of St. Pierre, and many more suffered physically, or temporally, as the result of it.
But this in no way militates against the truth that sin was the producing cause that brought the destruction. It rather reveals the awful malignity and cruelty of sin, which involves the innocent with the guilty. Just why God in His infinite wisdom sometimes permits the innocent to suffer with the guilty, we may not fully know now, but we shall know hereafter. It is enough for us to know that He will, by and by, fully and satisfactorily reward those who have thus suffered here. Now “God never asks us to believe without giving sufficient evidence on which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His Word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason, and this testimony is abundant.” Thus the reality of the plan of redemption was literally illustrated in the sacrifices and offerings of the typical services.
In like manner the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, Herculaneum and Pompeii, Lisbon, St. Pierre, and other similar events which have occurred at intervals throughout earth’s history, and with greatly increased frequency as we near its close, are designed to illustrate the final doom of the wicked, so often portrayed in God’s Word. These trembling mountains and shaking islands are intended to remind us of the time when the Lord shall arise “to shake terribly the earth,” and every mountain and island shall be moved out of their places, when the islands shall flee away and the mountains be not found. Isa. 2:7–21; Rev. 6:12–17; 16:17–21.
These devastated cities speak eloquently of the time when not only one or two but “all the cities of the earth, shall be broken down at the presence of the Lord and of His fierce anger.” Jer. 4:23–26. The thousands of unburied, putrefying, dead bodies illustrate the terrible scene when the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth to the other; they shall not be lamented, neither gathered nor buried. They shall be as dung upon the ground. Jer. 25:27–33. Whole regions laid waste by burning9dust and flowing rivers of fiery lava enable us to understand how literally God will fulfil the prediction that “the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.” Isa. 34:9.
The quaking earth and falling cities here and there warn us of the last mighty earthquake in which all the cities of the nations will fall. Rev. 16:18, 19. Showers of red-hot rocks and lava presage the doom of the wicked on whom the Lord shall rain quick, burning coals and brimstone and an horrible tempest—burning wind. This shall be the portion of their cup. Ps. 11:6 R.V. Rev. 20:1–9.
The writer of these lines is one of those who confidently and calmly expect and await the speedy and literal fulfilment of all these words. However that day will not come until the Gospel of the kingdom shall have been preached in all the world, for a witness to all nations (Matt. 24:14), thus giving all an opportunity to gather themselves together, and seek the Lord for righteousness and meekness, so they may be hid in the day of His fierce anger. Zeph. 2:1–3.
Reader, that message of warning is fast hastening to its close; and a people is fast being gathered out for His name from every nation, kindred, and tribe. That people will be ready, waiting and watching, and when the opening heavens reveal the majesty and glory of the coming King they will cry out in joyful unison, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isa. 25:9.
Reader, shall you be among that people who will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:13–18), and be hidden in the chambers of the Father’s many-mansioned house, until the indignation be overpast (Isa. 26:19–21; John 14:1–3)? or shall you be among those who will call for the rocks and mountains to fall on them to hide them from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb? Rev. 6:14–17. Human greatness, worldly wisdom and earthly power will avail nothing in that day. Zeph. 1:14–18. “Riches profit not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.” Prov. 11:4.
Ruins of the prison, in a dungeon of which was the only survivor, who was serving a life sentence. A note on the back of the photo tells us that he was taken to Fort de France and again incarcerated.
Reader, have you that spotless righteousness, that perfect holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord? If not, then it is high time for you to “seek the Lord, until He rain righteousness upon you.” The pleading voice of mercy, emphasized by the convulsions of nature, is calling you to repentance and salvation. “Now is the accepted time,” delay is dangerous, may be fatal. “To-day if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts,” for “now is the day of salvation.” “The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely, I come quickly.” “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
W. A. SWEANY.
King Street, Bridgetown, Barbados, B. W. I.
News from Abroad
The transport Drayton Grange, which conveyed a detachment of troops from South Africa to Australia, was found to be fearfully overcrowded. Five men died on the voyage, and 90 had to be taken to hospitals on the arrival of the ship at Melbourne. The medical officer of the ship states that the air was poisonous and foul and the decks always wet, causing pleurisy and pneumonia, and that the supply of medicines was wholly inadequate.
On August 9 Edward VII. was crowned king of Great Britain and emperor of India. Altho the ceremony had been curtailed somewhat to relieve the strain on the king, it was still one of great pomp and ceremony. There were warm demonstrations of popular regard from the thousands of persons massed along the route of the royal procession, and the coronation scene within old Westminster Abbey was one of surpassing brilliance. The crowning ceremony was performed by the aged and feeble archbishop of Canterbury. Notwithstanding the king’s physical condition, he is reported to have stood the taxing ordeal remarkably well.
The New Freie Presse, an Austrian paper which has been making an investigation among the peasants of eastern Austria where strikes have been numerous and riots have occurred within the past few weeks, draws a gloomy picture of the conditions which exist there; and upon those conditions is laid the blame for the troubles in that part of the country. Regular day’s wages there for men are from 8 to 10 cents a day, and for women from 4 to 8 cents a day. The peasants rarely taste bread, and exist chiefly on a kind of soup made from herbs and water.
The Venezuelan rebels have captured the city of Barcelona, inflicting upon the government forces a loss of 60 men killed. The port of Rio Hache, Colombia, has been shelled by a government gunboat to force the rebels to evacuate. Much damage was caused by the bombardment, but the rebels continue to hold the town. In the department of Tolima, Colombia, the rebel forces are reported to have been destroyed by the government troops. The government forces continue to hold Agua Dulce, and have repulsed one attempt of the rebels to capture it.
The government has finally consented to turn over to the Pacific Commercial Cable Company the records of the soundings and other data made by the officers of the government cable survey ship Nero last year, but makes the gift of these records dependent upon the company’s agreeing to certain conditions in reference to landing places, government control in time of war, permission for government ownership in the future if such should be thought advisable by the government, rates for service, etc. The company will accept the conditions, and lay the cable.
The dispute between certain citizens of the United States and the Government of Japan over the ownership of a small island 800 miles off the coast of Japan has brought out the fact that many citizens of Japan have settled on the islands of Midway and Wake, which are claimed by the United States. There is indication of an international controversy over the ownership of these Pacific Islands. The latter are the islands at which the American cable is to touch on its way to Manila.
Capt. Richmond P. Hobson, of Merrimac fame, is lecturing in different parts of the country, with the approval of the Navy Department, advocating a material and steady increase in the size and efficiency of the American navy. He is advocating a regular yearly increase of $5,000,000 in the naval appropriations, which he thinks would enable the American navy to outstrip that of Great Britain by the year 1930.
The work of the inspectors on the Brooklyn Bridge is revealing many defects and weaknesses. Many of the rods which help to support the great structure are having to be replaced by new ones. The strain on the bridge has become so great that the question of its future maintenance has become a very serious one. The present demands on the bridge are more than its constructors contemplated.
Emperor William of Germany arrived at Reval, Russia, on August 6, where he was met by the czar and entertained on the royal Russian yacht. The purpose of this meeting is not known, but is thought to be in the interests of the renewal of commercial treaties between Russia and Germany. It is feared that a failure to renew these treaties will result in serious complications between these two nations.
A report on the agricultural imports of Great Britain for the years 1898–1900 inclusive, shows that the United Kingdom is the principal market for the surplus agricultural products of the United States, the latter country furnishing one-third of all such imports of Great Britain during those years. Such products comprised 62 per cent. of all Great Britain’s imports, amounting in 1900 to $1,578,000,000.
A report from Rome states that the Vatican is greatly stirred by the action of France in closing the unauthorized schools, and is on the point of breaking off her diplomatic relations with France in consequence. There have been numerous angry demonstrations of the people in various parts of France during the week where the police or soldiery have forced the schools to close.
The strike of the Pennsylvania coal miners has resulted in the flooding of many of the mines, and it is reported that some of these the operators will permanently abandon. The value placed upon those which will not be operated again is $1,500,000. Were the strike closed now, it would still be many months before some of the other mines could be operated.
The Santiago volcano of Nicaragua, at whose base is situated a city of 22,000 inhabitants, is showing vigorous signs of an eruption, emitting vapors and giving out deep subterranean rumblings.
A battle was fought between rebels and supporters of the provisional government of Hayti on August 8, in which 50 men were killed and 15 wounded men were burned to death in a house where they had taken refuge. Before leaving the town in which he was attacked, the commander of the rebels set fire to the village, and most of the buildings were consumed.
A report from Rome states that the Vatican is displeased with the action of that portion of the friars in the Philippines who have sold their holdings of land to corporations of laymen. The lands are considered to be church property. It is stated that these friars will be obliged to show the amounts received for these lands, and reimburse the church for the same.
The United States Ship Building Company, or trust, will be formally organized the present week, when all constituent companies will be taken over. The capital stock of the new company will be $45,000,000, an increase of $25,000,000 over that at first proposed. This increase is due to the absorption of the Bethlehem Steel Company.
Harry Tracey, the escaped Oregon convict who had terrorized the people of a portion of Oregon and Washington, was surrounded by a posse of citizens in Eastern Washington on August 5 and wounded by them, and seeing that he could not escape, killed himself. His body was brought back to the Oregon penitentiary and buried.
The Mohammedan priest who has been the principal opposer of American influence and the American forces in the island of Mindanao has surrendered to the American forces, and has promised to induce the remainder of the defiant Moros to follow his example. It is thought that this will end the resistance in that island.
Great damage has been caused by forest fires in the State of Wyoming during the week, which have already destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of timber. As the fires continue, it is feared that the loss will aggregate several millions. Extensive forest fires have also been raging in British Columbia.
The government has started the work of establishing the largest military post in Alaska in the immediate vicinity of the territory which is in dispute between this government and Canada. This military reservation will embrace six square miles, and barracks will be built for the accommodation of 500 men.
The police of Dawson are taking energetic measures to rid that city of all its vagrant and non-producing inhabitants before the close of the warm season. All who do remain and are unemployed will be forced to work on the government woodpile.
Thousands of members of the secret order, Knights of Pythias, are now convened in San Francisco in their annual conclave, and the city has been brilliantly decorated and illuminated in honor of these visitors from all portions of the country.
The Cuban Government has voted a loan of $35,000,000 American gold for the purpose of paying those who served in the war against Spain, and also helping the sugar planters who have been unable to market their last year’s product.
The elaborately-outfitted expedition which left Victoria, B.C., last year, to search for buried treasure on Cocos Island, has returned, having failed to locate the treasure. This is but one of a number of such expeditions to that island.
The German emperor is reported as ridiculing the disarmament proposal of the king of Italy, intimating that this proposal is inspired by fear of Germany’s effective military establishment.
The threat of the Haytian rebels to cut the cable between Hayti and New York has caused the Navy Department to order the American war vessel in that vicinity to prevent any act of that kind.
Heavy rains have flooded and devastated much of the country around the Black Sea, and many lives have been lost. The press reports do not give exact details of the calamity.
The Chicago Board of Trade has suspended those of its members who recently appealed to the courts to prevent certain speculators from carrying on their “corner” on corn.
The latest advices from Siam state that the rebellion in that country is spreading. The Shans, who are in rebellion, have captured two towns and are threatening others.
Two of Costa Rica’s volcanoes which have been active recently have now quieted down, but another, known as Turrialba, is reported to be in active eruption.
Great Britain, according to reports from London, has refused to take part in the anti-trust conference proposed by the Czar of Russia.
Thirteen miners lost their lives in an explosion in the Bowen mine near Trinidad, Colorado, on August 7.
Seven persons were burned to death in the destruction of a hotel at San Angelo, Texas, on August 10.
The Boxers are reported to be again causing trouble in certain parts of China.
WORDS TO MOTHERS.
By Ellen G. White
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
It is the mother’s privilege to train her children for heaven. This is her high calling. But the work is a difficult one, requiring more than human strength and wisdom, and oftentimes the weary, over-burdened mother feels that the task is too much for her. But listen, tired mother, to the invitation of the Saviour, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” Go to Him, with your little ones in your arms. He who has said, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not,” will not turn you away. He will welcome you, and will give you peace and joy. In His presence you will find strength that will give you courage and wisdom for the most trying hour.
If mothers would go to Christ more frequently, if they would trust Him more fully, their burdens would be lighter, and they would find rest. Jesus knows the burden of every mother. He is her best friend in every emergency. His everlasting arms support her. That Saviour whose mother struggled with poverty and privation, sympathizes with every mother in her work, and hears her earnest prayers. That Saviour who went on a long journey for the purpose of relieving the anxious heart of a Canaanitish woman, will do as much for the afflicted mother of to-day. He who gave back to the widow of Nain her only son as he was being carried to burial, is to-day touched by the bereaved mother’s woe. He who wept at the grave of Lazarus, who pardoned Mary Magdalene, who on the cross remembered His mother’s needs, who after the resurrection appeared to the weeping women, and made them His messengers, is to-day woman’s best friend, ready to aid her in her need if she will trust in Him.
Mothers, be faithful. Do not become discouraged in your work. Talk to your children of Christ, and pray with and for them. Your words will abide in their hearts. They may not seem to heed what you say. They may put on an appearance of indifference and levity, as if your words were disregarded. But do not cease your efforts in their behalf. Your words are in their mind. They can not forget them. You have sown the seed. In years to come, it will spring up and bring forth much fruit.
How many times has the remembrance of a mother’s prayers and admonitions checked the absent child when about to yield to temptation. “When I was a child,” said an old man, “my mother used to bid me kneel down beside her, and placing her hand on my head, she would implore God’s blessing on her boy. Before I was old enough to know her worth, she died, and I was left to my own guidance. I was naturally inclined to evil, but again and again I was restrained by the thought of my mother’s prayers. When a young man, I traveled much, and was exposed to many temptations. But when I would have yielded to temptation, I seemed to feel the pressure of my mother’s hand upon my head, and I was saved. Sometimes there came with it a voice in my heart, a voice that must be obeyed: “O do not this wickedness, my son; sin not against thy God.”
Christian mother, forget not where lies the Source of your strength. Abound in prayer—fervent, earnest, wrestling prayer. Great and arduous are your duties, and great your need of help from on high. You need wisdom, firmness, patience, self-control. Whither can you go for these but to the mercy-seat of Him who “giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not”? “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.”
Constant prayer will fit you for your duties. By prayer you may lay hold of the strength of God, and be enabled to say with the apostle, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
In the arms of faith carry your children to the Saviour. Plead for them the promises of God. A mother’s voice will never plead in vain. Pride would teach you to ask for worldly honor, earthly greatness, for your loved ones; but O, ask for them a greater boon than these. Reach out and grasp for them a prize the worth of which eternity alone will reveal.
O mother, you have a labor of love to perform. Faint not, neither grow weary. Let a sense of the importance of your high calling animate you to run with patience the race set before you. And when you have finished your course, yours will be the unspeakable joy of being welcomed with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” And with your loved ones around you, you will stand on Mount Zion, and cast your crown at Jesus’ feet, saying, Not unto us, but unto Thy name be glory.
