A most tempting target for the higher critics is found in the miracles of the Bible. The attempt is made either to discredit the narrative itself or to gloss over the miraculous with a film of cunningly devised fabrication, to show that whatever occurred was in the ordinary course. With all the miraculous carefully expunged from the gospel records, Satan would naturally consider his conquest over the remainder more certain in the minds and hearts of men.
One of the most curious and irreverent exhibits of this character appears in the columns of the Christian Work and Evangelist. It is an effort to discredit completely the miraculous in the deliverance of Peter from prison at the time when he was about to be given to the sword. The writer's idea, in a few words, is that the Roman soldiers who were guarding Peter had heard of his teachings, perhaps becoming converted, or at least friendly, and released him themselves, in spite of the fact that they certainly knew their own lives must pay the penalty for permitting their prisoner to escape from their hands. He says, “They deliberately gave their lives that Peter might live,” and the words are in italics. This deliberate, emphasized assertion is made in spite of the plain declaration of the Word that “an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.” Acts 12:7.
Note the last sentence in the verse quoted, and then alongside that place this statement of the higher critic: “While Peter slept, the soldiers unfastened his fetters. They unlocked the prison door. A confederate was waiting at the iron gate to open it.” Now another statement of the Word: “When they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its own accord.” Verse 10. The higher critic says a confederate did it. Whom shall we believe, Inspiration or Inspiration's human antagonist?
When Peter had arrived at the house where his brethren and sisters were praying for his deliverance, he declared that “the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison.” The higher critic states that it was a rough Roman soldier who did it. Again, whom shall we believe?
The higher critic states that the word here rendered angel simply means messenger. Messenger is a correct translation of the original word; and standing by itself that is what it means. But it makes the greatest possible difference how the word is qualified. When the Bible states, as in Acts 12:11, that “the Lord hath sent forth his angel [messenger],” we have no shadow of excuse for supposing that God's angel was a “rough Roman soldier.” In fact, the word translated angel in the New Testament, though coming from the original Greek word meaning messenger, does not refer to men in any case, but to celestial beings, and that, too, where no qualifying word is used. One such expression is this: “And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” Acts 6:15. There can be no question that the word which is there used means a heavenly being; and how much more surely when the word angel is accompanied by a qualifying word such as is used in Acts 12:11!
Another subtle insinuation of discredit in such criticisms as this above referred to is revealed in the attempt to make the sacred records appear to be simply a man's impressions of what he supposed to be a fact. One other quotation from the writer referred to will show this very clearly. He says: “It will be objected that Peter himself ascribed his escape to supernatural agency. It appeared that way to him, and he told the story as he thought he saw it. But Peter's perceptions were not sufficiently aroused to permit him to note accurately his surroundings, and his mental concepts were too indefinite to enable him to reason correctly as to cause and effect.” What a jumble of inconsistencies and uncertainties all this would make of the Bible! In place of the infallible Word of God, we should then have only the inaccurate “mental concepts” of those whose pens Inspiration used. The Bible writers would be giving us only their drowsy, foggy ideas of what they thought they saw or heard, and we should be at liberty to accept or reject as our own mental concepts or inaccurate notions might influence us. On such a foundation no man can stand with any assurance of safety. If that be the Bible, then we have no Word of God, but are floundering among a mass of human guesses, inaccurate mental concepts, and human judgments biased and prejudiced by our own natural inclinations.
With such expositions of Scripture from pulpit and religious press, is it any wonder that souls are drifting to ruin under the very eyes of the preachers? that doubting, agnosticism, and infidelity are growing apace? It is the crying sin of the age that theologians are wasting time and opportunity with such worse than worthless babblings, when they might be saving souls.
This is but a portion of the great campaign of the enemy of man to becloud the minds of men, and set souls adrift from their moorings without chart or compass. He who rightly estimates the value of souls for whom Christ gave his own life will not be found feeding them on such soul-destroying husks. “The Word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12. It is not made up of the guesses, or impressions, or inaccurate mental concepts of human beings. We come to it as to the fount of eternal truth, and find it to be in very deed the word of the living God.
C. M. S.
What We See in the Training-Centers
By W. A. S.
In three things we can plainly see the hand of God set for the missionary advance,—in the swift opening of doors of access to the multitudes in the fields; in the rising stream of gifts for missions in the churches; and in the growing army of youth in the training-centers, intent on getting into the field of service.
These are signs to gladden the hearts of all who look to see the Lord quickly finish the work.
But all reports agree that in the school centers the missionary spirit is stronger than ever before. We see it wherever we meet the student bodies. The development in our own work in the mission fields speaks with a direct challenge that is shaping the student aim every day. There is a clearer understanding of what the fields demand and of the work before us.
From the church-school period onward—in fact, from the Sabbath-school kindergarten stage—the missionary motive is kept ever at the fore in the entire course of instruction, with encouragement to active service for others all the way through the student life. It is the ideal of a system of preparation for a missionary movement; and it is the possession, in its most complete form, of the plain, simple people who stand for the proclamation of the definite message of Christ’s soon coming, the last gospel message to the world.
In the sanitarium nurses’ schools and the Loma Linda Medical College, we have provision within the ranks for the development of medical missionaries, thus completing the entire series of educational agencies, aiming at every point at the giving of the advent message to all the world in this generation.
Apropos of the special offering of March 15 for the medical college hospital, it is of interest to note that our Loma Linda brethren are aiming to keep their college students face to face with the definite missionary call, supplying opportunity for that spiritual development by Bible study and personal service which all the great missionary societies recognize as most essential, and yet especially difficult of attainment in medical missionary training. This feature was discussed at the World’s Missionary Congress in Edinburgh. It was urged that “the intellectual atmosphere in class-room and laboratory may be out of sympathy with, or even antagonistic to, religious belief,” hence, the congress declared, the greater necessity of the missionary society’s making special effort to keep in touch with its medical candidates through the years of college work, endeavoring to encourage such in Bible study and in “direct spiritual work for others.” At our Loma Linda medical school, naturally, the atmosphere of simple faith in the advent message and the incentive to personal service in that message are maintained, the same as in all our training-schools.
Yes, the reenforcements are on the way. It may well give courage to the missionaries who see their work outgrowing their utmost efforts, and it is an inspiration to the believers to keep the gifts for missions and missionary training agencies flowing on in yet more liberal streams of blessing. W. A. S.
A Great Center of Influence
By Francis McLellan Wilcox
It afforded us pleasure several weeks ago to attend the constituency meeting of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, a report of which appears in this number. We were convinced as never before of the great influence which this association is exerting in connection with this movement. The large amount of printed matter being sent out from the home office and its three branches, and the work being done in preparing literature in other tongues, particularly the Spanish, open before the association a vast field for operation. The splendid record which has been made for the last year shows that it is endeavoring nobly to fulfil its mission as one of the great agencies in the dissemination of gospel light and truth.
It was only a few years ago that the home of the association was in Oakland, Cal. At that time it was doing a comparatively much smaller business in connection with this movement. Much of its energy was consumed in commercial work. There came the decision to leave that populous center with its many evil influences, for a more quiet retreat. Mountain View, a little town on the bay about sixty miles south of San Francisco, was chosen. Here the association made its headquarters, buildings were erected, and much earnest and faithful work was done in the establishment of the plant.
Then came the terrible experiences with earthquake and fire. The plant was224badly shaken, and later burned. The labor of years apparently was swept away as in a moment. But in the hour of disaster there came the resolution to erect another building and to dedicate it wholly to the service of the Master, entirely eliminating work of a commercial character. The blessing of heaven attended this resolution from the first. On the ruins of the former building a more commodious and convenient structure has been erected; and as one walks through the various departments, from editorial office to type-room, bindery, pressroom, and foundry, the busy hum of machinery affords pleasant music because the entire power of every machine and the energy of every worker is devoted to the creation of means and agencies whereby may be spread abroad the knowledge of this blessed truth.
God has abundantly blessed the efforts of the tried and faithful workers,—C. H. Jones, M. C. Wilcox, A. O. Tait, W. N. Glenn, C. M. Snow, L. A. Reed, H. W. Cottrell, H. H. Hall, E. A. Chapman, and others,—who labored long and earnestly, under most trying circumstances, in the establishment of the work in this place.
But the efforts of these men and their faithful office assistants would have availed little had it not been for the devoted agents in the field who have disposed of the products of the establishment. A glance into the earnest faces of the agents assembled on the occasion of this meeting was truly inspiring. Here we saw a company of men representing a large field constituency who are filled with enthusiasm of this message, whose inspiration is the giving of the gospel to their fellows. They leave home and friends; they travel from door to door in rain and shine, meeting welcome and rebuff, not for glory or riches or selfish pleasure, but for the sake of the souls whom they seek to save. To our devoted brethren and sisters who are engaged in this service our hearts go out in sympathy. We need to uphold them continually in prayer.
It was a pleasure at this meeting to listen, as we have been privileged to do so many times before, to the reports of missionary experiences resulting from the distribution of our literature. The results attending the circulation of both the monthly and the weekly Signs of the Times have been most gratifying. Many who read these words have been brought to a knowledge of this message through the excellent instruction contained in our pioneer missionary paper. In the hands of God the Signs of the Times has been an instrument whereby many have been brought to a knowledge of this truth, and its usefulness as a medium of this character was never greater than at the present time.
A special six months' series of articles covering the various doctrinal features of the message, is now being published. We were glad to learn that thousands are taking advantage of the opportunity this offers, and are providing themselves with the paper either for their own reading or to send to interested friends, and thus the circulation is being greatly increased. This surely is as it should be. Our people everywhere should give to the Signs of the Times their hearty support, of which it is well worthy. They should use it for the work for which it is especially designed. No other publication by the denomination can occupy its field. As a paper for personal missionary work and for use in clubs by all our churches it is unexcelled.
We greatly rejoice in the prosperity of our sister institution. We are glad that we can cooperate heart and soul with the earnest men and women, in both the field and the office, who are striving together to make the Pacific Press Publishing Association a great center of light and blessing.
F. M. W.
The Only Safe Financial Policy
By W. T. Knox
The following instruction has been given to the leaders of this people:—
The Lord would not be gratified by your placing a yoke of debt upon the General Conference. In a special manner he has wrought to break from the necks of his people the binding yokes of debt which they have worn so long. The conference must not again tread the same path they have trodden.
In another communication this emphatic warning is given:—
By working on wrong plans, men have brought debt upon the cause. Let not this be repeated. Let those at the head of the work move carefully, refusing to bury the cause of God in debt. Let no one move recklessly, heedlessly, thinking, without knowing, that all is well.
The General Conference, acting upon this instruction, in 1902 enunciated a financial policy in keeping therewith, and reaffirmed and somewhat enlarged it at the fall council of 1912. It is as follows:—
Whereas, The work of carrying on the third angel’s message is rapidly enlarging and extending into new fields; and,—
Whereas, Unless careful management be given to the operations in extending the message, large debts will be contracted; therefore,—
We recommend, That all evangelical and missionary enterprises carried on in the name of the denomination, or under the denomination’s support, be conducted on a strictly cash basis.
Whereas, Most of our corporations and institutions are carrying large liabilities; therefore,—
We recommend, That said corporations and institutions be requested to give special attention to the rapid liquidation of their obligations.
We further recommend,—
1. That the General Conference or Mission Board from this day shall not be held financially responsible for any obligations which they have not assumed by their own action.
2. That the foregoing be the general policy of the union and State conferences and other organizations and institutions of the denomination.
3. That all parties undertaking local enterprises such as institutions, church buildings, and other undertakings in this country, secure their means in their respective local territories, and not by general call for means, unless previously arranged.
To this action we recommend that the following counsel be added:—
Whereas, Investigation shows that our present indebtedness has, to a large extent, been created by the starting of enterprises, and the erection of buildings by individuals, boards, and committees, without due counsel with the people upon whom such obligations fall; and,—
Whereas, This indebtedness is steadily growing larger because of the failure of various enterprises and institutions to meet operating expenses; therefore,—
We urge, 1. That when any local conference committee proposes to start an important financial enterprise, erect or purchase an institutional building, or make any large addition to either the buildings or equipment already provided, it shall first secure the authority of the people who are to furnish the funds; and further, that it shall obtain the approval of the union conference committee having general supervision of said local conference.
2. That when such authority and approval have been obtained, the local conference shall raise the funds required to meet the proposed expense, so that no additional debt shall be created.
3. That any union conference committee desiring to launch any large financial enterprise, erect a building, or take over an institution, shall, before doing so, secure the vote of the union conference in session, or of its several local conferences in session; and also obtain the counsel of the General Conference Committee.
4. That having been duly authorized to make such expenditure, the committee shall proceed to raise the amount necessary to finance the enterprise so that no debt shall be incurred.
5. That we earnestly counsel all committees and boards in charge of enterprises and institutions already established and carrying heavy financial obligations to maintain the most rigid economy consistent with the purpose and welfare of said enterprise.
6. That our people be requested to loan to the institution without interest as far as they can do so, and that those who need interest make it as low as consistent with their needs.
7. That continuous and earnest efforts be made to secure donations to pay off liabilities.
8. That well-planned efforts be carried forward with relief books to raise funds.
9. That the financial condition of each institution be kept before its staff of workers, that they may be stimulated to aid in every possible way to remove the financial burden.225
10. That an appeal be made to our people everywhere to stand by conference committees and institutional boards in their efforts to carry out these recommendations.
The safety of the denomination lies in our making this policy our practise. A resolution that involves no more than that we shall no longer conduct our institutional work by borrowing money, will not suffice to meet the General Conference policy, nor the denomination’s present financial condition, although it would be a step in the right direction, and a great improvement on our past practises. But the present situation calls for provision to liquidate the existing indebtedness resting on any institution. It seems to the writer that now the only reasonable thing to do is for each conference or group of conferences served by any institution that is in debt, to formulate some practical plan for raising funds for the payment of the indebtedness, a plan that will be acceptable to all, and begin at once to execute the same. It may require years to accomplish it, but if so, then it is high time that we were at it. It may not be a pleasant task, for in most instances, these debts are legacies handed down to us by our predecessors, but they must be cared for.
When our people see and believe that as leaders we have finally and completely turned away from a debt-making policy, and will not again enter upon the same, they will surely rally to our support, and help us with their means.
Much can be accomplished in this particular by entering into annuity contracts at reasonable rates with our brethren, these to take the place of our interest-bearing notes. Many legacies can be obtained when the people’s sympathy is enlisted in our effort. Help can also be obtained by securing loans without interest, or at low rates, to tide over the first years of our efforts. Much can be accomplished also by relief campaigns with books devoted to this purpose, and without doubt, as the work broadens, much help will come to us in donations, for the people are heartily tired of our present condition, and if they can see a reasonable prospect to correct it, they will help liberally with their means.
With the inauguration of these plans to provide for existing indebtedness, there must, however, be a well-settled policy that no further debts shall be created in operating. Each institution should be expected at the close of the year to render a report that would not show debt created in operating, and if careful study shows that any institution can not be expected to operate within its legitimate income, provision should be made to meet the prospective deficit by other agencies, and so avoid increased indebtedness.
Earnest and untiring effort should be put forth to accomplish this, but if this can not be done, what then? The instruction given by the spirit of prophecy leaves no room for doubt. “Shun debt as you would the leprosy.” “Refuse to bury the cause of God in debt.” “The conference must not again tread the same path that they have trodden” (speaking of creating debt). To follow this instruction will certainly result in discontinuing such an institution. Some will, without doubt, object that to close up or abandon one of the Lord’s agencies would be to bring reproach upon his cause and to suffer defeat at the hands of the enemy. But it appears to the writer that it is far better to take even this drastic step than to go on blindly, year after year, increasing the indebtedness, with no tangible plan to change this condition, against which we are so definitely warned by the spirit of prophecy.
Careful search should be made to find any leaks that are draining the resources and causing the loss. Earnest study should be given to the matter of strengthening the institution in every way, and to the establishment of an economical and efficient management and service, and no effort should be left untried that promises to bring relief; but when all this is done, and the institution still continues to run behind and increase its indebtedness, there seems but one course left to pursue, and that is to discontinue it. The writer believes, however, that cases that call for this extreme action will be very few, if any, if the brethren connected with the institutions and responsible for their operations, will give their cases the careful study and thought called for. W. T. Knox.
Mexico and Her Troubles
The situation in Mexico may still be fitly described as “difficult and dangerous.” President Madero’s brief term of office expired in a manner even more tragic than that of the man whom he deposed. The release of Felix Diaz from prison was followed immediately by fierce attacks by his followers upon the buildings occupied by the government, and the terrific bombardment by high-power guns within the city itself for nine days created conditions that are impossible to describe, and resulted in untold damage to property. It is stated that of the many hundreds killed the larger portion were non-combatants, including men, women, and children. President Madero professed belief in his ability to put down the insurrection up to the hour of his capture and imprisonment at the hands of his own generals. General Huerta was chosen provisional president, a new cabinet was selected, and the prospects of peace after so much turmoil were gladly welcomed by the distressed inhabitants of the city and by foreign governments. But the selection of General Huerta has not proved acceptable in all parts of Mexico, and the reports indicate that further trouble may be expected. There seems to be dissatisfaction with the selection in both the north and the south. Fearing that the deposed president might be summarily executed, the government of the United States requested that the new government of Mexico give Francisco Madero a fair trial. This was promised; but while he and the vice-president were being conveyed from the government palace to the penitentiary, his guards were attacked, and in the exchange of shots both the former president and vice-president were killed. This has had a bad effect throughout Mexico, as Madero still had many sympathizers. While the new government disavows any complicity in the death of these two men, it is very evident that foreign governments are not ready to excuse the new Mexican government from all blame in the matter. The various diplomats in Mexico have declined an invitation to dine with the new minister of foreign affairs, thus indicating their governments’ feelings of disapproval or dissatisfaction over the course of events. In a late despatch, however, American Ambassador Wilson wires his belief in the innocence of General Huerta. With a number of the rebel leaders declaring that they will not accept the new régime, and even governors of some states declaring against General Huerta’s selection, the outlook is not promising. The United States government is despatching troops to the number of nearly 10,000 to Galveston to be ready in case developments in Mexico should make it seem necessary for the United States to intervene. The British press is urging the United States to do so, and in several of our State legislatures bills have been introduced urging intervention, although it is realized that such a step would mean a long and costly war.
The Liquor Interests Up in Arms
There has been much interest throughout the country in what is known as the Jones-Works Excise Liquor Bill now before Congress. This bill proposes such a regulation of the liquor traffic in the District of Columbia as will prohibit the opening or maintenance of saloons within certain distances of churches, educational institutions, and alleys used for residential purposes, or within a certain distance of another saloon, or in the residential portion of the District. It226also contains a provision which makes a saloon-keeper liable for damages in a case where the saloon-keeper ignores the request of a member of a drinker's family that he do not sell him liquor, providing that as a result of such sale of liquor the one who makes the request is injured in person, or property, or means of support. The liquor interests of the District and outside of the District are doing all they can to defeat the enactment of this bill. Protests against the bill are appearing in the daily papers of the District, covering entire pages, petitions are being circulated extensively, and individual protests made. The old argument is being used that if this bill becomes a law, it will throw many persons out of employment. If the bill does become a law, it will close many of the saloons of the District, and to that extent decrease the expenses of the District government, and increase the happiness and prosperity of many homes. The passage of the proposed measure, coming immediately after the passage by Congress of the Webb bill prohibiting the shipment of liquor into dry States, would be considered by the liquor interests a very hard blow, and one that might lead to others equally hard. It is claimed by the liquor interests of the District that the passage of the Jones-Works bill would mean practical prohibition for the District. But many times apologists for the liquor business have made the declaration that more liquor is sold in prohibition territory than in license territory. If this were true, the liquor men of the District should vote for the bill.
Demanding the Ballot
The failure of the woman suffrage bill to pass the British Parliament has been a cause of bitter disappointment to the advocates of equal suffrage, and the more militant of these have declared war against those held responsible for the failure of the measure. For some time they have been pouring destructive acids into the mail-boxes, destroying in that way a great amount of mail. While these tactics are kept up, some of the English suffragists have taken a step farther, and have begun to set fire to buildings and make use of dynamite in the same work of destruction. David Lloyd-George, chancellor of the exchequer, whose residence has been destroyed by this means, is now warned to have a bodyguard for personal protection from the militant suffragettes. Near Newcastle, England, the suffragettes have cut down telegraph-lines, seriously interrupting communication. These militant methods in England are turning many against the equal suffrage movement. American equal suffragists are appealing to their British cousins to abandon the program of destruction because of its bad effect upon the movement in America. The United States Congress is now being besieged by the advocates of votes for women, and it is reported that favorable impressions are being made upon the national lawmakers. Recently a number of women in the interests of that movement tramped from New York City to Albany to present their cause before Governor Sulzer, and at this writing another company is marching from Trenton, N. J., to Washington City, to win sympathy for that movement. On arrival at the capital, they will join with hundreds of other equal suffragists in a parade on March 3. With continued activity along these lines, both England and America are threatened with, not a civil war, but a domestic war, which seems certain to add to the turmoil of the world, the perplexity of men and nations. It is certain that if the larger portion of the advocates of that movement should sanction the methods of Mrs. Pankhurst, literal war would be the inevitable result.
Rome Says No
For some time there had been before the Congress of the United States an immigration bill, whose purpose was to exclude from entrance to the United States a portion of the hordes of ignorant persons that are now permitted to enter this country. By the provisions of this bill an immigrant, in order to enter the United States, must be able to read the language of his own country, or that of another. This would exclude hundreds of thousands of Roman Catholics. Therefore the Roman Church has been vigorously opposing the measure. Nevertheless, it passed both houses of Congress, and went up to the President for his signature. President Taft vetoed the bill. The Senate, still convinced that the measure was a worthy one, passed it over the President’s veto, though it required, of course, a two-thirds majority to do it. In the House it lacked the necessary two thirds by only five votes. This was enough, however, to kill it. There has been considerable agitation of the question of giving independence to the Filipinos, and it has been known that many Democrats favored this. Therefore Cardinal Gibbons has appeared in print more than once, vigorously denouncing the idea of granting the Filipinos independence, and President Taft has also published his views on the question, which are in exact harmony with those of the cardinal. The Roman hierarchy knows that Rome can control the Filipinos much more easily with the United States in charge of the islands than she could if she had to deal with a Filipino government direct. The treatment which the Roman Church has received at the hands of Mexico, France, Portugal, and even Spain, has made her feel the necessity of having a strong government to do her bidding and keep her own subjects from turning upon her. That is why so many feel that Rome would like to see the United States take control of Mexican affairs. With the United States in control of the Philippines, Mexico, Cuba, and Porto Rico, there would be as many Catholics as Protestants under the American flag.
Slow Church Progress for 1912
According to the annual statistical statement of Dr. H. K. Carroll, the church-membership figures for the year 1912 show a much smaller gain than for the year 1911. In the latter year the gain in membership in the United States was 859,000, but in the year 1912 the gain was only 579,000. It was expected that last year the figures would be larger, owing to the work of the Men and Religion Forward Movement, in which a million dollars was expended. It ought to have been, and that it was not so, is due in large measure to the work of evolution and the higher criticism.
From the Balkans
By C. M. S.
AFTER a struggle of some forty years, the island of Crete has at last been freed from Turkish rule. The Greek flag has been raised over this island of 350,000 inhabitants, most of whom are Greek. With the possession of this island and others in the Ægean Sea which will doubtless come to her when the Balkan war is finished, Greece may yet be a power to be reckoned with in the control of the Suez Canal. The allies are now planning a combined military and naval attack on the Dardanelles from both shores. If they can capture this stronghold, the way will be opened for the bombardment of Constantinople by the Greek fleet. There has been severe fighting between the Turks and Bulgarians on the Gallipoli Peninsula, in which it is stated that about 3,500 have fallen on each side. Fugitives from Gallipoli report that food is very scarce among the Turks. The difficulty between Roumania and Bulgaria has not yet been satisfactorily adjusted, and there is still danger of war between these two powers. It is reported that in an attack on Scutari the Servians have lost 4,000 men and the Montenegrins 6,000. It is reported that Turkey has asked England to take steps to bring about another peace conference between representatives of Turkey and the allies. The Greek premier, however, declares that there will be no peace now until Turkey begs for it on her knees, and that Turkey will be compelled to pay a very large indemnity. C. M. S.