p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 30. (7/22/1908)

Fourth-of-July Fatalities

Fourth-of-July fatalities were apparently not so numerous this year as formerly, and yet a small army of people—the small boy figuring conspicuously—suffered more or less serious injury in the strenuous celebration of the nation's natal day, and not a few were killed. In San Francisco all explosives were prohibited in the business sections, and not a fire occurred. No deaths were reported, and only one boy was seriously injured. In Oakland, across the bay from San Francisco, a mother and babe in arms were killed by an exploding bomb, and half a dozen were injured by fire-crackers and toy cannons.

The Religious Situation in the Philippines

By Editor

"The Philippine Christian Advocate" (Methodist Episcopal) of May, 1908, tells us that from a Protestant point of view "the religious situation in the Philippines is full of encouraging promise." While there is not the enthusiastic thronging of multitudes characteristic of a few years ago, in which there were more or less political motives mixed, the stream of converts has become deeper and more permanent. They are coming fast enough, he tells us, and speaks of "the thirty thousand Filipino Methodists" which have been gathered, but which need the "deepening of spiritual life. They need to know the Holy Spirit, not as a name and a creed, but as a transforming power in personal character." We are glad that those laboring there recognize this need. He tells us further, however, that the Roman Catholic Church "feels the people slipping from her as sand slips between unwilling fingers. It is a fight for life, and she stubbornly contests every inch of ground surrendered. Persecutions are not infrequent; one Protestant Filipino preacher in Cebu; in Navotos, seventeen men, women, and children imprisoned for conducting religious services on the street; chapel burned in San Manuel, and another in Ilocos Sur. Such is a part of the record indicative of the spirit of religious intolerance with which the missionary has to contend." Now, if our Protestant friends will use only the Protestant weapons,—the sword of the Spirit, the word of God,—and conduct their work in the Spirit of Christ, not seeking state favor, or state aid, they will win, but if they turn to the state, they will find that ever in the end Rome will succeed.

Sunday Closing in Rome

Writing from Rome, Italy, "Father" Phelan, the editor of the Western Watchman (Catholic), speaks of "a strange freak of this infidel city government, presided over by the Jew, Nathan. Four months ago it passed an ordinance closing all places of business in Rome on Sunday. Now, you can not buy anything here on Sunday, except a drink of wine, not even a morsel of milk to color your coffee. Our opponents of a closed Sunday in America will take great encouragement from this. The spirit of our time is toward a day of rest and some sort of recognition of the Sunday." And all this the prophecy of God's word tells us, but it presents the movement, not as one based on the righteousness of God, thru the effect of His Gospel, but as the result of apostasy.

Trolley-Car Wreck Near Los Angeles

A wagon in which were three adults and eight children was struck by a trolley-car near Los Angeles, July 5. Five were killed and the others seriously injured. The driver was attempting to cross the track ahead of the speeding car.

A Panorama of Athens

By Editor

Read our Missions Department on pages 12 and 13 of this issue. Those two pages permit of the beautiful panorama of Athens. How that article by Professor Howell will call to mind scenes noted in the Acts of the Apostles and in ancient history! Yet it is a hard field. May God give power to the hammer and fire of His word.

A Striking Cartoon for Uncertain Times

By Editor

Our next issue will have a striking cartoon, conveying a wonderful lesson in these days of religious uncertainty. There ought to be many extra copies called for in the last four issues of our large-page weekly.

Extra Circulation for the Signs

By Editor

This issue of the SIGNS is a tremendous number. It ought to have extra circulation.

Our European Letter

By Editor

Our European Letter will be of interest. It will be found on pages 10 and 11.