p. 512 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 32. (6/18/1894)

Earlier text: International S. S. Lessons

More Principle and Less Politics

The Occident says what ought to be emphatically true: "The Protestant church knows that her strength does not rest on a priest, or pope, or any man, however great. . . . The strength of the Protestant Christian is in pure character, right living, and holy communion with God through Jesus Christ, the Saviour." But the rule of right living is not in man-made creeds. The power of right living is not in the enforcement of religious dogmas by civil law. The rule is God's holy law. The demonstration of that rule is Jesus Christ. And the power of the right living is in the gospel of his grace through faith. Would that the Protestant church really knew this. We would find just now more principle and less politics in the so-called Protestant churches.

A ROMAN PRELATE ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN, of San Francisco, a prelate of influence in the Roman Church, says, as reported in the Examiner of June 5, in speaking of our public schools:—

"Twenty years ago our schools were sufficient. Then we required only an intelligent voter. Now we want a conscientious voter—and it is often very hard to find one."

"We do not say that the schools given us are not good enough, but we require better, and when you see in the newspapers and hear in conversation that the church opposes the public schools, you read what is suggested by ignorance and by bigotry."

And the kind of education which will fit one to be a conscientious voter is, according to the archbishop's belief, the education given by the Roman Catholic Church.

"Man must be able to feel his accountability to God, and while we are anxious to spread education for all, are also anxious that it should be permeated with religion."

Of this education "permeated with religion" the prelate especially lauds the Jesuits. He says:—

"The man who in this nineteenth century asserts that the Jesuit Fathers are not the friends of science is ten hundred years behind the age. He who, seeing these great colleges existing in all parts of the globe, yet says that the Catholic Church does not favor enlightenment, doesn't know the history of his age."

All of which summed up means that, while we like the public schools for a century ago, we demand that now they shall be supplemented by religious teaching, and that Rome shall do the teaching. And this is consistent with Rome's principle. She would doubtless admit it. She is against the public schools for to-day.

"BIBLE STUDENTS' LIBRARY."

By Editor

(Continued.)

READ the following and see if there is not some publication in this list which you wish to read yourself, or which may be of eternal benefit to some friend. The numbers omitted are not now published.

No. 115. Waymarks to the Holy City, a Study of Daniel 7. The title of this tract sufficiently indicates its contents. It is a brief but clear exposition of that important prophecy. Price, 2 cents.

No. 116. Christ Tempted as We Are. This is a tract of 16 pages, by Mrs. E. G. White, and is filled full of valuable instruction and encouragement to the tried and tempted ones. It shows how the Lord Jesus Christ passed through all these temptations in order that he might be able to succor us. Price, 2 cents.

No. 119. The Kingdom of Christ, Its Nature and Subjects, When and Where Established. This little tract of 16 pages, by C. P. Bollman, one of the editors of the American Sentinel, shows the fallacy of the National Reform claim concerning the political reign of Christ. It gives the nature of the kingdom of Christ, when it is set up, and how it is established. It should receive a wide circulation. Price, 2 cents.

No. 121. The Temporal Millennium. This tract of 24 pages gives a clear exposition of those passages of Scripture which are supposed to teach the conversion of the world, and presents in brief form the Bible doctrine of the millennium. Price, 3 cents.

The following two numbers are now in preparation, and will soon be issued.

No. 122. The Perfection of the Law of God. By T. H. Starbuck. This tract presents the law of God not only as his righteousness, but it shows that the law includes in its exceeding breadth God's love and mercy. It sets forth some of the wondrous things of that law. It is a reprint of the articles which have lately appeared in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Probable price, 3 cents.

No. 124. The Manne of Christ's Coming. This tract of 16 pages, by M. C. Wilcox, gives the original Greek for such words and terms as refer to what is called the "comings" of Christ. It conclusively shows that there will be no such thing as is generally called the "secret rapture," but that the second coming, or "parousia," of Christ will be personal and visible. Price, 2 cents.

Any of the above will be sent post free on receipt of price. Order by number not by name. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

Harmony Between Law and Mercy

By Editor

A CORRESPONDENT endeavors to create discord where there is harmony. He quotes the following as antagonistic:—

"The wages of sin [transgression of the law] is DEATH."

"The soul that sinneth [transgresseth the law] it shall DIE."

"The law could CONDEMN but it could NOT PARDON."—E. G. W.

"There is a principle of mercy in the law that forgives."

"There is some principle in the LAW requiring PARDON when the transgressor is penitent."—SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

"The fact that it was necessary for Christ to give his LIFE for the fallen race, proves that the LAW of GOD will NOT RELEASE the sinner from its claims upon him. It is demonstrated that the wages of sin is death."—E. G. W.

There is no inharmony in the above. When our critic's soul becomes attuned to the deeper, higher music of the righteousness of God, he will hear but sweeter music where he now thinks he hears discord. The law is weak to enlighten oftentimes because the flesh is weak in which it must needs operate. Let the Spirit in. For the present we commend the study of such passages as Rom. 8:1-4; Matt. 23:23, a part of the latter of which reads as follows: "Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the LAW, judgment, MERCY, and FAITH." And right in this connection we would suggest the prayer of the Psalmist: "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

Sabbath Prosecution in Sydney

By Editor

The following we clip from the Melbourne (Australia) Argus of May 8. It shows the world-wide agitation on the Sabbath question:—

SYDNEY, Monday [May 7].

A curious prosecution was conducted to-day at Parramatta, when two men named Firth, who described themselves as Seventh-day Adventists, were charged under a statute of Charles II. with exercising their worldly labor on the Sabbath day. The defendants pleaded justification, owing to their religious convictions, and were fined 5s., or in default to be set publicly in the stocks for two hours.

These brethren may be cheered by the words of the apostle, who, in speaking of the devil and his persecutions, says, " Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." The pillory may preach the gospel as well as the stake or the cross. "Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings."

Progress of the Australasian Work

By Editor

In Our Work and Workers department will be found an interesting report from the General Conference superintendent of the Australasian district, Elder W. C. White. Letters from friends in that field also bring cheering stories of the progress of the work under the Southern Cross.

Farewell Service for the Pitcairn

By Editor

In Our Work and Workers department will be found an account of a service held previous to the sailing of the Pitcairn, together with an original hymn sung at that time.

The Christian Ideal of Civil Government

By Editor

We print in our next issue an interesting article from one of the editors of the American Sentinel, Mr. A. F. Ballenger, on the "Christian Ideal of Civil Government."

The Review of Sunday Legislation Suspended

By Editor

A LETTER from Brother Magan informs us that it is impossible to continue his "Review of Sunday Legislation in Century Nineteen" till the close of the college year. He finds himself overwhelmed with work. We regret the break, but it cannot be helped. The next article will be a consideration of the history of the Puritans.

Secular Ideas of Camp Meeting Needs

By Editor

AMONG the advantages of a certain place for a camp meeting the Aberdeen (Wash.) Herald of May 31 notes that there are “ample facilities afforded for fishing, bathing, and hunting.” Is this the secular idea of the needs of a camp meeting? The second is certainly good, but the first and last, well, they might be applied in a spiritual sense.

Presbyterians, Baptists, and Heresy Trials

By Editor

The Interior, a Presbyterian paper, tells a minister of that church that he who wishes to join the Presbyterian Church and desires to be immersed should unite with the Baptist Church, and it adds, "He will get the gospel there as pure as with us." We believe it: but if this is what the Interior believes, why continue its part of the Babylonian din? Why not go to the Baptist Church and help others to do likewise? This might settle some of these heresy trials?