GOOD FRIDAY, like Easter, is coming to be recognized quite generally by Protestant people everywhere, as well as by the Catholics. Out of deference to this sentiment, business in many localities is practically suspended on Good Friday, and the day is made a holiday.
There are many Protestant people who enter into this celebration not knowing that Good Friday, Easter, and Lent are among the institutions that have been handed over to the world by the Catholic Church. These, like many other church days, have no Bible authority and therefore no Bible origin; but the way things are going now, it will only be a question of time until the observance of Good Friday and Easter will be demanded through the growing strength of the papacy, the same as she will demand the observance of Sunday.
The voluntary observance of any day or of any institution is something for the individual to decide for himself. But we should understand the meaning of these things, and see how their development is growing toward an ecclesiastical demand. At first, business is suspended on these holidays through fear of losing trade, and in this way sentiment is created. Then as soon as the sentiment becomes strong enough, that which is first conceded out of respect is required under pains and penalties. The demands of ecclesiasticism are something that grow into a nation so stealthily that we are ground down beneath their tyrannies before we know it. And it is not merely because these things are institutions of the Catholic Church that they forebode dangers, but because they belong to the realm of ecclesiastical notions that are demanded. When Protestants go wrong on these questions, they tyrannize just as cruelly as does the papacy itself.
The value and necessity of individual freedom must be seen, and such freedom must be protected. If a man wishes to observe Good Friday and Easter, it is his right, and he should be protected in doing it; but the place should never be reached, by an aggregate of sentiment, where another individual will be coerced into observing them, or ever be made to feel uncomfortable if he does not observe them.
The church federations of this time, and the growth of ecclesiasticism that is seeking to dominate, need to be studied, and we should be on our guard concerning them. The prophecies in the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of Revelation, which tell of world-wide ecclesiastical powers that will seek to compel all to bow to their mandates, should be studied as never before.
World-Wide Struggle and Its Significance
By Editor
THE despatches of April 20 tell of a battle between the striking miners in Colorado and the state militia. This Colorado controversy has been in progress now for something like a year, and things of this character are becoming so numerous that they occupy only very small space in the news of the day. Such an occurrence thirty or forty years ago would have had front page space in the papers, and big headlines.
The conflict between the laboring man and the capitalist, which is the real issue there in Colorado and elsewhere in so many parts of the world, is growing in intensity. But is the true significance really appreciated? The rights and the wrongs that are argued on both sides of this question are receiving a great deal of discussion. But are the people realizing that the world is marching on with an irresistible progress to revolution and anarchy? Do they realize that the only power that can meet this situation is that which will be displayed by Christ at His coming? Do they realize that the prophets of the Bible have foretold these conditions clearly, and presented them as tokens of the great climax to this world's history?
Even the mocking jeer of those who deride the doctrine of the soon coming of Christ has received attention from the prophets, showing that the great multitude will not believe it. But there stands the evidence in all its clearness to those who are willing to accept it.
Quarreled, and Shot
By Editor
THE heading to a recent news item was, "Quarrels, Is Shot to Death in a Saloon." This is a very common items of news. Quarrels and scenes of that kind are very common in the saloon; but why do we not read items about people quarreling and shooting each other in dry-goods stores, grocery stores, hardware establishments, and the like? People in places of this character are sober, and are not tempted to be quarrelsome. But the saloon, by dispensing poison which the individual takes into his system, thereby dethrones his reason; and with his reasoning faculties confused, he is liable to do any kind of dastard and criminal deeds. There are plenty of things of this character that can be said against the saloon and the liquor traffic; but where is the individual that can truthfully say one thing in their favor? The challenge is out. Why do not men reply to it? The simple reason is that there is no reply to be made.
Poisoned by Wood-Alcohol
IN New York City recently three women died and two more were made dangerously ill from drinking home-made wine at a wedding feast. The wine was made by the bridegroom himself, and the two hundred guests partook of it. The recipe was sugar, water, alcohol, and red and green coloring matter. At first it was thought that the victims were suffering of ptomain poison, but critical examination discovered the fact that wood-alcohol had been used in making the wine.
The Journal of the American Medical Association uses this incident as an occasion to sound another note of warning against the "criminal ignorance of the general public in the use of wood-alcohol, and its injurious effects, not only on eyesight, but on life itself."
The effect of wood-alcohol on the optic nerves is very disastrous, to say nothing about the other evil effects of the drug. In a former warning, the Journal called attention to the fact that oftentimes wood-alcohol is used in concoctions that are served at soda-fountains; and in view of the dangers, people should be careful to know what they are drinking.
The Saloon and Taxation
When the saloons were voted out of Minooka, Illinois, a few days ago, those who were still in favor of them were left in power, and they claimed that the city revenue was so seriously cut by the "dry" victory that they would have to dispense with street lights, discharge the police and the city attorney, and that the city treasurer would have to serve without pay. This is one of the old tricks of those who are still holding on, for selfish reasons, to the exploded notion that in order for us to get along in this world we must have the revenue that comes from taxing the saloons. But in every place where a fair trial has been given to prohibition, the taxes are always lowered, and many institutions, like insane asylums, jails, and the like, are not needed in such large numbers. Those who are fully informed upon this question understand that the saloon is a hindrance, and only a hindrance. In the place of helping to pay our taxes, it makes our taxes higher by far than they otherwise would be.
Washington Missionary College
For young men and women who are desirous of securing a good literary and scientific training under strong Christian and moral influences, there is no better institution than the Washington Missionary College, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. Special attention is given, in this college, to the training of young men and women for gospel work. Particular attention is given and special help afforded those who have a burden to labor for Christ in the foreign lands, particularly in the dark countries of heathenism. The 1914-1915 calendar is just out, and may be had by addressing the president, John L. Shaw, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.
The Future of Wireless Telephony
Marconi's experiments in wireless telephoning are now sufficiently successful that he is confident transatlantic wireless telephone service will be achieved, and that possibly before a great while. In connection with his other wireless achievements, he has succeeded in connecting phonographic recorders with his apparatus, and has recorded telegraphic signals from two different points, the one being two thousand miles distant, and the other four thousand miles.
Preparing for War
General Robert Wankowske, brigadier commander, National Guard of California, says that "absolute peace can not come during the present generation," and that "America should be prepared for the sterner realities which may arise." In view of this, he urges that the students' camp which the government conducts in July each year should be made popular by employers' and all others' urging the men to attend.
Both Comings Alike Literal
THE people are agreed that Christ's first advent was literal. They regard Him as a literal being who literally appeared to do a definite work.
The prophecies are specific and very abundant which promise His literal return to this earth the second time. His second advent is the culminating theme in which all the great themes of the Bible center.
In view of this clear evidence, why is it that some people will insist upon saying that His second coming is not literal, but that He comes in some kind of spiritual or mystic way? Some day it will be too late for us to correct such mistakes of doctrine. Soon He will appear in all His glory. If we would be ready to meet Him in that time, we must not spiritualize away His plain words now. "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, amen." Rev. 1:7.
Such plain scriptures as this do not admit of a mystic interpretation. God's Spirit impresses them upon our minds as the literal truth. Let us correct our errors of faith now; for just before the great day, there is issued a decree, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:11, 12.