PERHAPS, if there is one thing in which our world is unique among the numerous inhabited planets of the universe, it is in the fact that it is a fallen world, and it may be thus designated by the inhabitants of other worlds. Certainly, this is not an enviable title nor one in which we can find occasion for boasting.
The subject of the original fall of man is known, freely discussed, and, to some extent, comprehended by every one who has any knowledge of the Bible history of the race. Not so with the subject of our brief sketch, "The Fall of Babylon."
This article will not need to explain the meaning of words and names pertaining to the subject, as previous articles in this issue of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES define terms.
The Ancient City a Model.
The literal city of ancient Babylon is a model of wickedness, pride, and corruption, as full, perhaps, as the world's history can furnish; in these particulars and in the fact of its utter ruin and final overthrow to rise no more, it is employed in Sacred Writ to illustrate, in parallel complete, the career of its infamous antitype, spiritual Babylon.
The query naturally arises, What caused the fall of Babylon?—Inspiration answers, "Because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." She intoxicates the nations by her false doctrines. A careful study of the history of "Babylon the great, the mother of harlots," must convince any candid mind that the description is not of a literal city, but rather of a religious body, or bodies, bound together by cherishing, in common, certain doctrines and practises. Therefore, the fall of Babylon must be a spiritual, or moral, fall. Her fall immediately precedes her final overthrow, as a heavenly voice appeals to God's people who are found within Babylon, saying, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."
The Mother Church in Confusion.
The so-called "Mother-church of Christendom," is in a state of confusion, both in doctrine and practise, and yet she claims to be the one church approved of God, the only gateway to heaven. She is in possession of that which has power to heal—the life-giving word—but she refuses the remedy, and hence her fall is inevitable.
In reality the Papacy has, to a large extent, been in a fallen state ever since it became a church with a pope at its head and entered into a co-partnership with Paganism. The specific fall of Babylon must include the great so-called Protestant bodies, who have, all too fully, adopted the errors which caused the moral ruin of the papal church. Yet there are thousands of God's accepted children within the environment of Babylon, else a voice of mercy would not call them out.
The Sins of Spiritual Babylon.
An entire chapter of the book of Revelation (chapter 18) is devoted to a description of the awful sins of spiritual Babylon, and, in consequence, her certain downfall and final punishment. With this descriptive chapter and numerous other clear Scripture references before us, we need make no mistake in our identification. Observe a few of her cherished sins, even while sitting, in her own estimation, as a "queen," above all churches. She made traffic of the bodies and souls of men, the latter by selling indulgences and by granting absolution from sin, and thus imparting a false peace, professing to pardon sins, unpardoned still, and permitting her devotees to leave this "world secure to bliss, to find, too late, themselves deceived, him [the pope] fallible, and all their passports and certificates a lie." She reveled in corrupt fornication with the kings of the earth, deceiving all nations by her highly educated priesthood, her wealth, pomp, prestige, and false doctrines, and in her, under the scrutiny of the divine eye, is "found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth."
What is the condition in the just application of the term "harlot" to a married woman?—She has left the home, protection, support, affections, and counsel of her lawful husband and illegitimately joined herself to another. Apply the definition and the principle to "Babylon the great, the mother of harlots." She professed to be the only true church of God in all the earth, the only lawful spouse of Jesus Christ. Yet she committed fornication with the kings of the earth, "and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication."
Is Protestantism Waning?
She has daughters. Would not the same course pursued by the daughters as by the mother give them the same character and entitle them to the same name as the mother? May it not be possible that so-called Protestant bodies are to some extent guilty of the sins of the mother, and thus included in the fall of Babylon? Was there not a time when there was less pride, less love of dress and display, less strenuous effort to secure the riches of this world, and more of the riches of Christ, than is found among the great Protestant churches of to-day? Do the Protestant bodies cherish the word of God as they once did? Are they true to the principle which was the key-note of the Reformation,—"The Bible and the Bible only" as the foundation of all faith, as opposed to the doctrine of the "mother church," "the Bible and tradition," and the latter more to be depended upon than the former?
Have not the Protestant churches fallen from grace in adopting many of the doctrines of the Papacy which have their foundation in the traditions of that church, and also in courting the power of the State instead of basing their faith and doctrine upon the word of God, and their dependence upon the power inherent in the Gospel, rather than upon the prestige secured by coalition with civil power.
As a significant example of departure from the word of God, let us inquire, Where is the Protestant authority for Sunday-keeping? Certainly there is no divine precept for it. Have they not taken papal authority for their faith and practise in this matter, and are they not, therefore, identifying themselves with that apostate body whose declaration is that "the pope has power of altering Scripture, of increasing it or diminishing it according to his will"?
Possibly we have discovered the reason for the woful announcement of the fall of Babylon, in that both mother and daughters are guilty of the sin of forsaking God's word.
Result of Forsaking the Word.
Any church or individual who forsakes the living word for tradition, or who courts the arm of the civil law for the enforcement of religious tenets, is in a fallen condition in the sight of God, and the only hope for such is in prompt repentance.
The influence of the union of Church and State is not only corrupting to the church, but intoxicating to the State as well. Where can be found a nation to-day which is not tinctured with the corrupting influence of "Babylon the great"?
Since God attaches the same sacredness to His word as to His character and to the stability of His government, is it any wonder that He declares a church to be in a fallen condition which perverts His word, and gives all authority to the word of mortal man instead, even tho the man may bear the title of "pope"? What a heinous crime to corrupt God's truth and to make the nations drunken with pleasing fables.
Message Rejected Results in Fall.
When Jehovah has a message, in fulfilment of prophecy or otherwise, to give to a people who claim to be His people, and they reject that message, then is their fall at hand. The rejection of the all-important message found in Rev. 14:6, 7 would result in the fall of Babylon.
The vital point for each individual who lives is to be certain of the definition and identity of Babylon, and then to be sure that he will not be found within her shadow or under her influence when the judgment of heaven is visited upon this, the most guilty of all organizations masquerading under the livery of Christianity.
An important consideration for every one living is, Does the message, "Babylon is fallen," have application in our time? If so, how shall we relate ourselves to it? Always, in the history of this world, there has been opportunity to rise again after a fall. The prophet said, "When I fall, I shall arise again." When "Babylon the great" goes to her ruin, there will be no hope of a rise to righteousness and good works, for the Seer of Patmos saw in prophetic vision her hopeless overthrow in the figure of a mighty angel who "took up a stone and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus, with violence, shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all."
It will certainly be a terrible thing to be found identified with, and a part of, "Babylon the great" when she receives her doom already pronounced, as is written, "And great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." Note the parallel. She "made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication;" God in full justice gives unto her the cup of "the wine of the fierceness of His wrath."
Thus is described her last resistless plunge into utter despair because the units which compose great Babylon are really found arrayed in battle against God and the government of heaven.
Fellow-pilgrim, are you in any manner in heart or church affiliation identified with spiritual Babylon? Have you in any degree forsaken the true Head of the church, Jesus Christ? Some of God's true children, honest in heart and having a desire to do His will, are to-day in Babylon, else the Lord would not sound the cry, "Come out of her, My people." Are you in any degree intoxicated, infatuated, deceived, with the doctrines of "Babylon the great, the mother of harlots"? Then heed the call!
Lawmakers—Herodians.
By Max Hill
“And the Pharisees went out, and straightway with the Herodians took counsel against Him, how they might destroy Him.”
In the days when the Saviour was on the earth, the Pharisees considered themselves to be the people of God, the only ones worthy of the favor of God, the only ones in fact who received the blessing of God. But Jesus taught the publicans and sinners, the low and the outcast, as well as the scribes and Pharisees and the great of the earth; therefore His doctrines displeased them.
The jealous Pharisees were utterly unable to meet the arguments of the new Teacher. With all their logic, backed up by tradition of long standing, they could not answer His charges or reply to His questions. The common people heard Him gladly, for He taught as one having authority, one who knew a “Thus saith the Lord,” or an “It is written,” for every blandishment of the enemy; one who met all the accusations brought against Him with such skill and unerring truth and power that His enemies acknowledged themselves defeated.
One course lay before them—they would call another faction to help them. The Herodians were courtiers, or servants, of Herod, King of Galilee, and would therefore have no little influence with the Roman government; indeed, they might be said to represent the government. To these men the Pharisees gave the task of getting Jesus out of the way. They themselves were unable to do it, lacking the skill and authority, so the civil power was called upon to assist them. In the end they accomplished their purpose upon Him.
There is to-day a class of people who claim the presence and power of God, who worship Him with great show of devotion. The church, at ease and satisfied with the traditions of the fathers, rich and powerful, no longer seeks the Saviour for spiritual guidance; but as in the days of old when the Pharisees approached the Saviour to question Him concerning civil matters,—the paying of tribute,—they leave their sphere, the simple Gospel and its promulgation, and turn their attention to making laws for the nation. There is a form of godliness, to be sure, but it is in the form of legislation on religious matters—matters not in the province of the church at all.
Having lost the power of the Gospel, the professed people of God have turned to the arm of the law for power. They seek to confuse the Saviour, in the person of His people, thru the “Herodian” lawmakers; and thus their cry, as of old, is, “Away with Him! away with Him!” He does not teach according to the traditions of the fathers, therefore He must be silenced. They do not worship as we do, do not keep the “Lord’s day” as we do, therefore they must be put out of the way. The parallel is a striking one.
God’s institutions will stand, His truth will prosper and triumph. Tho every State in the Union, with the exception of two, has laws to compel men to observe Sunday as the Sabbath, the true light will shine, and men will stand for truth. That Sunday sacredness is founded on nothing more than tradition is evident from the very fact that its advocates dare not leave it to God Himself to protect, but must needs extend the puny arm of man to assist the God of the universe to sustain a day they call by His name!
MAX HILL.
Luther’s Comforting Letter to Tetzel
During Tetzel's last illness in a Dominical cloister, Luther wrote him a comforting letter—an evidence of the nobility of soul and large-heartedness of the great Reformer.—Rein.
Have Faith in God
HAVE faith in God; think noble things of God; be sure that trust in the righteous God means the ultimate triumph of good over evil. —Farrar.
Keep Character Bright
CHARACTER must be kept bright, as well as clean.—Lord Chesterfield.
Federating and Combining.
THIS is preeminently an age of federations and combines, but can it be said to be an age of any real union? We have had our combines of capital for many decades, and we have seen how these combines have crushed the small property owner. This is a matter of fact and of history, and it needs no argument nor any further statement to elucidate it.
To meet these combines of capital there have been called into existence the combines of labor, and they have become strong and influential. They have reached the point where the capitalist is required to reckon with them. But has this combining and federating of labor produced industrial peace? The papers for the past few months especially have had daily accounts of the strikes that are threatened or that are in progress in the various parts of the country. The outlook is for anything but industrial peace.
Within the last few weeks this paper has contained some very significant reports from some of our special correspondents in regard to the federating spirit that is also taking hold of the religious bodies of the world, and furthermore an international federation is being strongly urged by influential persons at The Hague Peace Congress. The federation, the combine, the union, seem to be the war-cries and the watchwords of the hour.
The facts are everywhere apparent to show that the foregoing paragraphs set forth the conditions of this time. It is not necessary to present the evidence; all that is necessary is to call attention to it, for the evidence is to be seen on every hand in all the world.
The fact that we have in the world to-day so many combines and unions, and, furthermore, that the very spirit of the age is that of federation is a significant symptom. It shows that there are conditions that many good people are trying hard to remedy, and they hope that by confederating everybody they will be able to accomplish their ends. But they do not make any provision for those that they can not persuade to join with them in their confederacy, except it be that they exterminate them. And this is what makes the outlook anything but hopeful, looking at it from the standpoint of those who are engaged in this federating business.
Love to mankind, and the betterment of mankind is freely talked, but when any portion of mankind can not see its way clear to fall in with the prevailing spirit, it is immediately suggested that something should be done with such so-called offenders, which would suggest that there is more sentiment than reality to this talk of the love for mankind.
There is an associating together that the word of God warns against, and it would be well to look to it that in our federations and unions we are standing on principles and foundations that God can approve, otherwise the whole scheme will, in the end, be brought to naught. The words of warning in the Bible are the following:
“Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand; for God is with us.
“For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, a confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” Isa. 8: 9-13.
The foregoing words of the prophet bring before us a time when there will be a general call to a “confederacy” among the people. And the time when this prophecy applies is made plain in the statement in verses 16 and 17. They read:
“Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples. And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth His face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for Him.”
God’s law and His testimony have been so disregarded in the time of this general confederating that it is necessary for the exhortation to be given to bind and seal them among the Lord’s own disciples. And, by the way, this is the only time that the word disciple occurs in the Old Testament Scriptures. Isaiah, who is called the New Testament prophet, is talking in the New Dispensation terms. Note, too, that the text directs our minds to a time when we may be looking for the Lord.
But, leaving every other suggestion to the side, we know that there was never a time when the spirit of confederacy and combine was so strong as now. And it should be no difficult matter to see that selfish purposes and personal ends are at the bottom of the most of it. And the God of heaven has said to all who will receive His word that they must not fall in with the confederacy idea, neither are they to be annoyed by the fear of the people who are calling for the confederacy.
We have entered days that will call for the most courageous work that the people of God have ever done in all the ages. We will have to meet great popular movements, and in doing it will run the risk of being constantly misunderstood. But the work must be done fearlessly, lovingly, and courteously. We must have no quarrel with the men we oppose, but we must rather do all in our power to save them from the results of the course that they have adopted.
T.
Power Is Not Measured by Noise
Power is not measured by noise or display. The blare of a trumpet or the blast of thunder would not lift a stone that is thrust up by the growing plant; neither would it split the rock which the little wedge of wood and the little water rend apart.
Notes by the Way.
We left San Francisco, the morning of July 7, over the Southern and Union Pacific by the way of Ogden. Our mission was twofold; namely, to attend the convention of young people and Sabbath-school workers at Mount Vernon, Ohio, and to visit Eastern cities in the interest of this journal.
Nothing of moment occurred on the way to Chicago. There were, however, two things quite manifest, not only on the first part of our journey, but thruout its course. The first was the demoralization of railway traffic and transportation. We have ridden over several great railway lines, over many miles, in many trains, and we recall but one or two trains which were not late, some so late as to lose their place in the schedule and be cut out for the next regular train. Then we have missed several important connections. The great roads centering in Illinois are needing thousands of men to operate the roads as they should be operated, and are putting many thousands of dollars into a school for the purpose of educating men for the railway service.
The second observable feature of note was the universal lateness and more than frequent lightness of the crops. The season is about a month behind what we are told everywhere. The fruit and hay crop will not reach fifty per cent of general average in the sections where it is best, and in many places there is none at all. Some fruit growers in New York are confidently looking for five dollars a barrel for apples and pears, and it looks as tho they would get it. The old earth is, in the language of Holy Writ, waxing old like a garment, and the aberrant seasons may be expected more and more.
Our young people's convention in Mount Vernon, Ohio, was a grand meeting, packed full of good things from beginning to end. Representative workers were present from all parts of the field, among whom were A. G. Daniells, president of the General Conference; G. A. Irwin, vice-president; W. A. Spicer, secretary of foreign mission work; G. B. Thompson, head of the department of Sabbath-school and young people's work, and others whom we have not space to mention; for it would be difficult to stop. Suffice to say, a detailed report of the good meeting will be published in printed form for general circulation.
The papers and discussions in the convention covered all practical phases of young-people's and Sabbath-school work. They were generally thoughtful, able, instructive, and helpful. The consecration and devotional meetings were good and strong, and the reports from various parts of the field showed a coming up to the help of the Lord on the part of the young men and women among us, and the infusion of a missionary spirit, which are exceedingly hopeful. It was also clearly manifest that good, strong workers are developing among the young people thruout the field.
Two interests were united in this convention, both of which have been conducted under the one department of the General Conference. But it was thought best to create a new department for the young people's work alone, a wise thing to do. The head of this department is Prof. M. E. Kern, and the secretary is Miss Erickson, the address of both being Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. The local organization is to be known as the Seventh-day Adventist Young People's Society of Missionary Volunteers. This, as we remember. There were several forms suggested, forms for general, State, and local use, and the above term may not exactly express it. But the name for short will doubtless be, "Missionary Volunteers."
We look for great blessing and results in and from this better organization of our young people. Work for their associates, work for those who know not Christ, education in religious and missionary lines, and the inculcation and fostering of a truly missionary spirit will be the prime objects of the work of the future. Let them walk humbly and meekly with God, and He will lead in safe paths and give glorious results.
In the Sabbath-school work much good was accomplished. Able papers were read, free and full discussions of methods and plans of Sabbath-school work and lessons were held, and plans for the future were approved. There are active workers who would very much like to have more ideal methods obtain in our lesson studies, and plans were suggested which would be almost ideal under certain conditions, but on fuller consideration they were felt to be impractical for the whole field, and the general plan was heartily approved. We look for union and hearty cooperation in the future.
The writer spoke several times, and especially concerning the future of this paper, and the young people pledged us their hearty cooperation. It was a striking thought, emphasized by President Daniells, that while this convention for the furtherance of God's last great Threefold Message was holding, at Indianapolis the Roman Catholics were organizing under one control all the Catholic young men of America. It will be the sons of Zion against the sons of Greece, the weapons not carnal against the weapons which are. But the glorious outcome is assured. The very conflict ought to be an inspiration to zeal and devotion. The human forces may seem overwhelming in numbers, organization, and power, but they who fight with God are more than all who can be against them. The great conflict of the future is between the forces who range under the banner "Might makes right," and those in whose hearts are inscribed the eternal principle "Right is might." God is with the right.
Decadent Society.
KINDNESS to the brutes is one thing; exalting them to the brotherhood of man is quite another; and where money is lavished upon them in life and death, which the poor creatures neither appreciate nor enjoy, to the neglect of suffering humanity, such kindness and devotion becomes positively cruel, not to say disgusting. Many is the “society” woman who would not be seen caring for her own children, who voluntarily acts as nurse-maid and lady-in-waiting to some wretched canine, with the same devotion that the ancient Egyptian followed the sacred bull Apis. Just recently cable despatches tell us that London “society” ladies have adopted a New York fad—that of taking one’s pet dog out to dine. Some women, it is said, go so far as to refuse invitations to dinner when the honor is not extended to the canine pet. The despatch says:
“The intrusion of dogs in the dining-room is a source of much embarrassment to the butler and footman, while everybody who is not a devoted dog-worshiper scrupulously avoids houses where the four-footed guests are allowed at table.”
We think we should adopt the poet’s sentiment:
“Wilt with me abide? Leave thy dog outside.”
Following the law of gravitation in the mental and moral world, things and minds sooner or later find their level. Yet many of these “society” women have no more useful work to do. They could find, most of them, doubtless, enough of it among the children of the poor in the very shadow of their own houses.
Just recently a dog was buried in a fine grave, and a monument erected to his memory. Another dog was buried at sea with the American flag wrapped round him. A pacing mare was buried with elaborate ceremonies, according to the Louisville Times, and “a burial service was read over her by a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church.” The pacing mare won $2,500, it is said, and this was given to the M. E. Church Home Mission Board. The wretched morals and gambling of the race-track exalted with the poor, innocent mare. All these brutes may have been more worthy, or less unworthy than many humans, but that does not touch the case. The man who makes himself a brute is capable of more; he has within himself the glorious possibilities of God’s promises. Low as he may be, he should be regarded above a brute. Then what shall we say to brute-worship?
In Germany the ease of wealth, the idle lives of even scions of nobility and royalty, have developed into unspeakable rottenness and infamy; and the German emperor, a family man, be it said to his praise, is endeavoring to purge his court of the unspeakable corruption. Some have been banished. Several have committed suicide.
It has been pointed out that these vices—the lowest and most degrading—flourish especially among the rich. So it was in Sodom. “This was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom: pride, fulness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Eze. 16:49, 50. As it was in the days of Sodom, “after the same manner shall it be in the day that the Son of Man is revealed.” See Genesis 19; Luke 17:28-35.
The corruption of society, the festering masses in our large cities connived with by the authorities, winked at by men in high position, more and more regarded indifferently by people in general, is rapidly bringing the world to Sodom’s condition. We could not, if we would, print the constant evidences which come to light of the condition existing under the veneer of every-day life. We have no desire to do it. We point to it now as an evidence that God’s word is true when it predicts just such conditions in the last days.
There is salvation from even this unspeakable, unmentionable rottenness, in Jesus Christ our Lord. He can and will save every repentant sinner who cries to Him with “the whole heart” “out of the depths.” He will take the feet from the mire and the clay and set them upon the Rock and establish their going. O soul, whoever you are, in the chains and the slime of lust, will you not turn from corruption to the clean, mighty One, who longs to save you?
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Then why should they appeal to civil government to protect them from persecution? If all power in heaven and earth belongs to Christ (Matt. 28:18), and His followers are therefore to go into all the world with the Gospel, from what other source should they seek assistance in their work? “Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.” Luke 12:4.
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Central California has organized an intermediate school for those who desire to have their children taught the Bible and its principles of morality, as well as the usual branches of learning. The school has been in operation for the past year, and has met with success. It will soon be time for it to open again for its year’s work. If interested, address, B. L. Howe, Armona, Kings Co., Cal.
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A fanatical movement has sprung up in many different parts of the country over the “gift of tongues.” The adherents of the movement claim that unless a person “can speak with tongues” he has not received the Holy Ghost. And while claiming that they speak with tongues, there is no evidence that any one of them has ever been given, in a miraculous way, a language that any one can understand. Rev. Jasper A. Huffman has analyzed the movement in a pamphlet, and has given the Scripture teaching upon the subject of “the gift of tongues.” The little treatise is clear and plain, and it shows a good spirit of fairness and kindness in dealing with the fanaticism. As Mr. Huffman suggests, it is well-nigh hopeless to redeem any one from this delusion when he once gets into it; but his pamphlet is a splendid help in enabling any one to see the unscriptural and unreasonable grounds that are claimed, and hence will serve to keep people out of the delusion. And of course it will help those who have been ensnared by it to get out if they will only heed the plain teaching of the word of God that is presented. We are so well pleased with the pamphlet that we have ordered a supply and have them on sale at this office. Price, ten cents.
Unrest in India and Its Causes
(By Our Own Correspondent on the Ground)
THERE is at the present time unrest among the people of India. Mutterings of dissatisfaction with the government have grown into louder denunciations of the English, and in several places open riots have occurred, the rioters assaulting English officials and doing damage to property. During the last few months there have been riots in different places. At Rawalpindi, in the north of India, a Hindu mob burned buildings and destroyed property. At Allahabad, a local magistrate and other Europeans were assaulted. At Delhi, hatred toward the English Government was shown by defacing the statue of her late Majesty, Queen Victoria, and the crown of its head was broken off. In Bengal and in Madras disturbances have also occurred and the military has been called out.
The movement of unrest is wide-spread, and there is a feeling on the part of some that India is bordering on a revolution. The English Government, both at home and in India, is not a little concerned. The Secretary of India in the Home Government said in Parliament that disorders had assumed a very grave aspect and had created a feeling of uneasiness in all parts of India.
As to the causes of the present unrest, there seems to be no general agreement. The bureaucracy of the government, the partition of Bengal, the victory of Japanese arms, the awakening of the mental faculties of the people due to the extended facilities for education during recent years, are each assigned as reasons. The Prince of Wales in his Guild Hall speech pleaded lack of sympathy in the administration. In the words of Mr. Morley, he said: "The danger in India is the creation of a government of bureaucratism, competent, industrious, and faithful, but likely to become mechanical, lifeless, and soulless."
Undoubtedly Japan's success has awakened the whole East to new hopes and desires. The news of each Japanese victory in the late war went thru India like an electric shock. Never before has the East met and defeated the West. And the Indian says: "Why should India not be independent? If the Japanese with their own weapons have gained an honorable place among the nations, why can not Indians do the same?"
Perhaps the cause which lies back of all other causes is education. Schools and colleges provided by the government and various mission societies have produced a large class of educated Indians who want a voice in the administration. Their education has not had the practical turn. They have not been taught to be successful farmers and tradesmen, but to wield the pen at some clerical profession. Hence the desire for office. Their place in the government has been hitherto subordinate. The administration of India, outside of the native states, rests almost wholly with the English Parliament, the Secretary of State for India, the Viceroy, and his advisors, who are mostly Englishmen. Educated Indians now demand a voice in governing the country and with how much they will be satisfied is a question.
The Agitators.
The Ruling Princess of India. Those Governing Native States Have Some Power, Others Little or None.
Agitators are springing up in many places, and with voice and pen are taking strong positions. Articles of an inflammatory character have been written by men of influence against the government. At first the officials winked at these dissemblers, but now editors of seditious papers are being tried, and in some instances their papers suppressed.
What the outcome will be is hard to say. The cry of Asia for the Asiatics is not a cry of peace. Should the winds of strife be let loose and the millions of India provide themselves with arms and ammunition, it would not take long to drive the few white faces of this country into the sea.
The native Hindu becomes a wild animal in time of war. That fact was shown in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, just fifty years ago. Then the uprising was among native soldiers, or Sepoys, who began at Meerut, slaying their officers, and made their way to Delhi, which became the headquarters of the uprising. Their first success led the Sepoys to think that they could throw off British rule. At Cawnpore there was a terrible massacre. The history of that time reads like a hideous dream. In speaking of the outrages at Cawnpore and Lucknow in the days of the Mutiny, a writer in a current magazine makes the following statement: "At Cawnpore they succeeded by treachery in isolating the women and children. These they imprisoned in one building and sent in butchers with axes to cut them to pieces. Not one human being escaped; but the floors, ankle deep in blood, and the fragments of flesh told the awful story to the brave rescuers who arrived too late to prevent the massacre. At Lucknow, the women and a few soldiers and a number of faithful natives barricaded themselves, and, after a long struggle with hunger and plague, were saved by Colin Campbell and his brave Scotchmen. Delhi held out to the last, but thru the bravery of Nicholson and his little force, it, too, was taken."
May God now spare India from another like experience. His work is not yet finished. But few of India's millions have heard the Gospel, and scarcely any know of the second coming of Christ and the grand truths connected with it. The angels which stand upon the four corners of the earth must still hold in check the elements of destruction until the glad tidings of salvation are sounded in the farthest corners of India's heathenism.
British rule in India is, no doubt, serving the wise purpose of God in protecting His servants and furthering their efforts while advancing the knowledge of Christ in the strongholds of India's darkness and superstition. Thru her, peace has been maintained for more than half a century. Thru her, railways plying to all parts of the country have been built, a postal and telegraph system effected, and schools and colleges, turning out yearly thousands of youth, have been established. All these are for the advancement of knowledge, and are mighty agents in the furtherance of present truth.
As in centuries past, God sets up kings and removes kings to suit His own purpose. The Babylonian nation was granted power to take the Jews captive because of their disobedience, and Nebuchadnezzar, whom God called His servant, was sent to lead them into captivity. When the seventy years expired the time came for their return, and Babylon was overthrown and another nation was granted power to perform His will. "Cyrus," says Isaiah, "is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure; even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."
So England is God's servant in India, and we may be safe in saying that no other nation could have done what she has done. Like sentries on commission, she holds at bay the elements of death while the sentinels of truth flash forth the light and complete the purpose of God in giving India the Gospel of Christ.
There is a time coming when the Orient will arise with the cry of war, and we are now hearing but faint mutterings of the coming storm. India is awakening from the sleep of centuries, she is coming in touch with the warlike spirit of the West which will terminate in the great struggle of the ages. The present hour of peace is but the call of God to His servants to finish the work. "The night cometh when no man can work."
