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Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 47.

What Then?

Review and Herald

Sep 23, 1915

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 23, 1915

What Then?

An old man, crowned with honors nobly earned, Once asked a youth what end in life he sought. The hopeful boy said, “I would first be learned: I would know all that all the schools e’er taught.” The old man gravely shook his head, “And when you’ve learned all this, what then?” he said.
“Then,” said the boy, with all the warmth of youth, “I’d be a lawyer, learned and eloquent; Appearing always on the side of truth, My mind would grow as thus ’twas early bent.” The old man sadly shook his head. “And when you’ve done all this, what then?” he said.
“I will be famous,” said the hopeful boy; “Clients will pour upon me fees and briefs, ’Twill be my pleasant task to bring back joy To homes and hearts near crushed by darkest griefs.” But still the old man shook his reverend head, “And when all this is gained, what then?” he said.
“And then I will be rich, and in old age I will withdraw from all this legal strife: Known in retirement as an honored sage, I’ll pass the evenings of an honored life.” Gravely again the old man shook his head, “And when you’ve done all this, what then?” he said.
“And then!—why, then, I know that I must die; My body then must die, but not my fame; Surrounded by the fallen great I’ll lie, And far posterity will know my name.” Sadly again the old man shook his head, “And after this, all this, what then?” he said.
“And then, and then!” but ceased the boy to speak, His eyes, abashed, fell downward to the sod, A silent tear dropped on each blooming cheek. The old man pointed silently to God, Then laid his hand upon the drooping head; “Remember there’s a place beyond,” he said.
—Selected.

In the Realm of Relics

By C. M. S.

The Western Watchman (Catholic) of September 2, in referring to the return of the Liberty Bell from the San Francisco exposition and the homage paid it by school children and others along the way, says:—
School children have reverently kissed this cracked old bell, city councils and governors of States have gazed on it with religious awe, and women have wept with gladness at its approach. A guard of honor accompanies the sacred relic everywhere. All this is well; for that which the bell represents is worthy of honor. Have not men died for liberty? Now what we should like to know is, Wherein is sin committed in honoring the friends of Christ and the relics of the saints? St. John says the truth shall make you free.
There is positively no analogy between the way in which the people of the United States look upon the Liberty Bell, and acted toward it on the occasions referred to, and the way in which the Roman Church teaches her members to look upon relics of the dead “saints” and to act toward them. The children who kissed the bell and the people who honored it by their presence at its various stopping places did not do so as an act of worship, nor expect by so doing to receive any aid in the matter of their salvation. Rome can find no excuse in that for what she does with her relics, and teaches her members to do. For instance, the supreme worship of latria is accorded by the consent of leading Roman theologians to all alleged relics of the Passion, such as the nails of the cross, the crown of thorns, the seamless coat; while dulia (a lesser degree of worship) is allowed to relics of the saints. See Dens, Theol., Vol. V, page 45. In the fourth century Ambrose would not consecrate a church which was without relics; in the seventh century the Council of Constantinople ordered altars to be demolished that had no relics; in the ninth century relics were credited with healing virtues, especially with the power to defend the possessors against the assaults of the devil. See “Romanism Analyzed,” page 254. In 1891 Leo XIII promised “complete absolution and remission of all sins,” and “the remission of seven years of the penance imposed on them or otherwise due by them,” to all pilgrims who would visit the church where “the holy coat of Treves” was on exhibition, and pray for the extirpation of erroneous doctrines. Hundreds of thousands did so, and some prayed to the coat for salvation and protection, as well as for the extirpation of erroneous doctrine.
The Western Watchman asks, Where is the sin? We answer, When we worship anything but God, we commit idolatry, and idolatry is one of the sins most frequently condemned in the Bible. Not even angels may be worshiped. The apostle and prophet John says of his own act on one occasion:—
“And I John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things. And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the sayings of this book: worship God.” Rev. 22:8, 9.
The same warning and prohibition against worshiping any being but God is given also in Rev. 19:10. He who knows that God does not allow even the worship of angels, does not need to be told that God will not permit the veneration or worship of the relics of the dead.
The Western Watchman editor concludes: “St. John says the truth shall make you free.” These are not the words of John, but of our Lord himself, as recorded in John 8:32. The truth does make us free. It frees us from bondage to superstitious and idolatrous practices, such as, for instance, the worship of relics and praying to them; the worship of saints and angels and praying to them; the worship of the Virgin Mary, prayers to her, and looking to her as a mediator between human beings and God; belief in the unscriptural doctrine of purgatory; and prayers in behalf of the dead. From these and many other such things the truth will set men free; and if all men everywhere were permitted free study of the Bible, God’s great fount of light and truth, they would not be found indulging in such unprofitable and forbidden practices. C. M. S.

Note and Comment

King of Spain Foresees a World in Arms

WHILE many are declaring that the present war will be the last, and that at its conclusion we shall see a general disarmament of nations, King Alfonso of Spain expects nothing of the sort. An interview with him is reported in the New York Times of September 9, in which he said:—
After the war nations will arm more than ever. When one sees a country like Belgium, neutralized by agreement of all nations, eventually finding no other defense than her own armed force, it is easy to understand that other countries, big and little, will realize that to exist it is indispensable to work in times of peace and surround themselves with the most positive of guaranties. . . . Even the pacifists will recognize after this war that while the instincts of human nature remain unmodified, there are no better safeguards for right in international questions than foresight and strength.

Americans Are Deteriorating Physically

By L. L. C.

THOSE who think the world is getting better are inclined to emphasize the increase of knowledge of means to prevent contagious diseases and to secure immunity by vaccination, while they pass by unmentioned the rapid increase of organic diseases, which spells disaster if it continues. Elmer E. Rittenhouse, president of the Life Extension Institute, in an article in the New York Times of September 7, well states the real conditions:—
Vital statistics indicate that, as a body, Americans are physically deteriorating. If the present indicated trend of physical decline in the power of the American people to resist the wear and tear of modern life continues, the time will come when we shall have to depend upon a weak, soft-muscled, flimsy-fibered people for the defense of the republic and the perpetuity of the race.
There are plenty of people who will say that they have noted no such tendency, but we cannot depend upon observation in our own environment for such information. Nor must we attempt to judge the trend in the nation by our observations in any one class of people. We must take the American people as a body. And when we do this, we find the resisting power of the heart, arteries, and kidneys, which work incessantly from birth to the grave, has steadily declined.
These organs are breaking down and giving way too soon. The increase in mortality in three decades from these causes has been about one hundred per cent, and it is confined to no particular class or element of the population. It is increasing everywhere. L. L. C.

The Spirit Upon All Flesh

By Francis McLellan Wilcox

As never before perhaps in the history of the world does there exist a spirit of reaching out after God. The character of the times in which we live, the events that are taking place on the earth, are opening the minds of men as never before to study and investigation. This is apparent not only among the nations of the West, but throughout the Orient. This, we believe, is the fulfillment of the word of God through the prophet Joel. The Lord declares that in the last days he will pour out his Spirit upon all flesh. Joel 2: 28.
Heaven is making its last great effort to accomplish the salvation of the human family. The day of retribution is fast hastening on. The Lord is exhausting the resources of his grace in an effort to save from the great final overthrow all who will come unto him. His Spirit is searching out the honest in heart. Our workers from every part of the harvest field report that they find men and women whose minds have been deeply exercised over the portent of the times and the meaning of the things which are taking place on the earth. Disheartened by the iniquity which abounds on every side, and with the lethargy which exists in the great Christian church, they are wondering if God does not have a message for this day and generation, as he had for the days of Noah.
The Spirit of God has prepared the hearts of many of these inquirers to readily accept the truth. They do not require prolonged argument or discussion. As soon as they recognize what the Lord says in his Word, they are ready to obey. One of our Bible workers reports the finding of three women, sisters, who had been prepared in this way for the reception of the message. The first call resulted in a Bible study, which lasted throughout that day and was continued the day following. As a result of this two days’ study, these three sisters, most excellent women, decided to take their stand for the truth of God, and are now rejoicing in a knowledge of the soon coming of the Lord.
This is the day of God’s power. He is making many honest souls ready for the reception of his message, and he is also making his people ready to carry the truth to these inquirers. We shall find in many places, perhaps in our own neighborhoods, where in the past there has existed a deep prejudice against this message, that the barriers have been broken down in many hearts, and that some whom we thought unwilling to read or converse about the truth for this time will welcome such effort on our part. We have come to the time when we should attempt great things for God, confidently expecting great things from him. He will not fail us in our expectations. F. M. W.

Fruitage of the Gospel

By C. M. S.

It is a wonderful work to chisel an angel form out of a cold, white, insensate stone. We look upon it and wonder at the skill of the artist and the deftness of the chiseling that brought beauty and a representation of life out of ugliness and the representation of death.
But there is a more wonderful work than that taking place in the earth today. Jesus Christ is taking the ugliest of characters and bringing them back into the likeness of the divine Pattern. Concerning that wonderful work he declares: “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” Isa. 13: 12. So precious are they upon whom this work is performed that they are designated by the strongest term Inspiration can use to show their value. Note this: “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.” Mal. 3: 17.
But the regard of the Lord for his loyal people is deeper than that of men for jewels, however great that may be. His regard is that tender heart sympathy, as well, which the most tender parent feels for the child. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Ps. 116: 15. And precious also in his sight is the life that sets him forth before a world that is forgetting him. Concerning those that reverence Jehovah and think upon his name he says, “I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Mal. 3: 17.
Truly that possession of the Lord’s is a most valued one. Had there been but one soul to make up that possession, we know heaven would have made the same sacrifice that it did for the whole multitude who will finally be among the redeemed in the kingdom of God. Says Jehovah, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.”
Many times when we are in sore temptation or deep discouragement, Satan holds before us the cloud of our own sins to shut out the sunlight of heaven; but it is always when we are looking away from the Lamb of God that we see that cloud. Turn and look to him, and it vanishes. Turn away from him, and we have nothing to look to but the fruit of our own crooked way, the result of our own sinful course. If Satan cannot induce us to commit further sins, he will seek to convince us that those already committed are unforgivable and insure our ruin. Then let these blessed scriptures shine out in all their luster: “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” “Thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” Again: “He will tread our iniquities underfoot; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
The soul striving for a character bearing the divine likeness will meet the subtle suggestion that we are worthless, and that it is impossible that Heaven should care for us individually; that the Redeemer could not possibly understand all our trials. Then let these scriptures occupy the mind and sink into the heart: “For we have not a high priest cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
The sacrifice made, the work accomplished is sufficient for every soul upon the earth. We can have no legitimate reason for discouragement, or for doubt of his ability or willingness to save us. All that he did was done to demonstrate his love and his willingness and ability to save. Doubt it not. Appropriate all that he has done; accept all that he has given; believe him sincere when he invites all to partake of the water of life; believe his word when he says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
If we accept these invitations and act upon these suggestions and admonitions, then we shall triumph. It is not of us nor through any worthiness of ours, but of and in and through him—righteousness only through his righteousness; triumphant in the triumph which he achieved; joint heirs to the eternal inheritance by virtue of his redemption of the usurped dominion. To those who thus accept him is made this blessed and everlasting promise: “He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more.” Rev. 3: 12. That means to be forever with Christ.
“God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved), and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus: . . . for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Eph. 2: 4-10.
That is the glorious work which the gospel of Christ is doing in the world today—out of just such unpromising material as we are, making living stones for the completion of that temple which shall never be destroyed. C. M. S.

Say It

By William Ambrose Spicer

In the early morning meeting a brother arose,—a devout farmer, elder of a country church.
“This morning,” he said, “it seemed as if something said to my heart clearly, ‘Speak.’”
“What shall I speak?” I thought.
“The answer came clearly, ‘Speak a word.’”
“What word, Lord?” I said in my heart. And the answer came, “Love.”
“So, brethren,” he said, stretching his arm toward the congregation, “I say it this morning. I love you all, my brethren.”
It was simply spoken, by a simple farmer brother; but as he spoke the words, “I love you all, my brethren,” there passed over the congregation a spirit of melting tenderness that gave the keynote to a blessed social meeting.
We think it so often—the love of the brethren. Let us say it oftener. “And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another. . . . And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.”
W. A. S.
Durban Camp Meeting.

An Incentive to Greater Earnestness

By Francis M. Wilcox

It is most gratifying to learn from the report of the statistical secretary, Brother H. E. Rogers, that during the second quarter of the present year there was shown a net increase in the membership of the North American Division Conference of 1,831. This is the largest gain ever reported for any quarter. The total number of believers in North America now stands at 75,436. The net increase was obtained by deducting the membership at the beginning of the quarter, plus the number of deaths, removals, and apostasies, from the total membership at the close of the quarter. A much larger number were baptized; namely, 3,025. This shows that on an average more than one thousand persons were baptized every month, or over two hundred and thirty every week during the entire quarter.
This is truly an encouraging showing; but is it the full measure of our power of evangelization?—Nay, verily. Of ourselves we could not have accomplished even what has been done. The more than three thousand souls who were won to Christ during the second quarter of this year were gained because of the workings of the Spirit of God through our poor, feeble efforts. But in the work of the Holy Spirit there are no limitations. God can accomplish even greater results in the future if we will but consecrate ourselves more fully to his service, and become free and open channels through whom his grace can flow out to the world.
What Heaven has accomplished through our feeble efforts, and to a great extent in spite of our comparative indifference and coldness, should be an incentive to greater earnestness on our part. Let us seek for that power which Jacob obtained, the power to prevail with God and with man. Then shall we become true Israelites indeed.
But while we shall fail of the very object of our existence if we do not carry to the world the message which God has given us, and while if we carry that message with the true spirit of consecration and zeal it will inevitably produce fruits in bringing men to a saving knowledge of Christ, yet at the same time we must remember that our real strength does not consist in increased membership. We may report the quarter's work for the encouragement of the believers, we may thank God for the results achieved, but in no spirit of self-glory or satisfaction should we number Israel. Rather should we ever bear in mind the great field which is still untouched, and the much greater results which might have been recorded in the past had we been more faithful in proclaiming the message we bear.
Let us praise God for what he has accomplished in spite of our unworthiness and unfaithfulness. To him belongs the glory for every achievement.
F. M. W.

The Prophecy of Daniel 7

By W. A. S.

Part 3. Beginning of the 1260 Years of Papal Supremacy

COMPRESSED into forty-five words, the age-long story of the workings of the Roman Papacy is thus told by the angel that interpreted Daniel’s vision of the “little horn:” —
“And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” Dan. 7:25.
The spirit of this apostasy was abroad in apostolic days. “The mystery of iniquity doth already work,” said the apostle Paul. 2 Thess. 2:7. And this power is to continue to work until the end, when it will be destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming. 2 Thess. 2:8.

A Prophetic Period

But according to the word of the angel to Daniel, there was to be a period during which, in a special sense, the Papacy was to hold its supremacy over the saints and the times and the laws of the Most High.
“They shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” In the Scriptures the word time, used in this manner, means a year—“at the end of times, even years.” Dan. 11:13, margin. Therefore a time (one year) and times (two years) and the dividing of time (half a year) means three years and a half. According to the Jewish reckoning,—360 days to the year,—this would be 1260 days.
But in the symbolic representations of time in prophecy a day stands for a year. (See Eze. 4:5, 6, and other scriptures.) Thus the prophecy foretold a long period of 1260 years, during which this power was to hold its special supremacy.
When did this supremacy begin? What events, we may ask, mark the rise of the Papacy to acknowledged supremacy, and what events mark the ending of the 1260 years?

A Pivotal Point in History

The answer of history to the voice of prophecy is clear.
The sixth century was a pivotal point in the history of the world. The bishops of Rome had been asserting the claims of that seat (or “see”) above all others. Justinian was emperor of the East. Of Justinian and his time Bury says:—
He may be likened to a colossal Janus bestriding the way of passage between the ancient and medieval worlds. . . . His military achievements decided the course of the history of Italy, and affected the development of western Europe; . . . and his ecclesiastical authority influenced the distant future of Christendom.—“History of the Later Roman Empire, Vol. I, pages 351-353.
Of this turning point in the history of the world, Finlay says:—
The changes of centuries passed in rapid succession before the eyes of one generation.—“Greece Under the Romans,” page 231.
Just here we find the Papacy lifted definitely into acknowledged supremacy. Imperial Rome had already left its ancient seat to the Papacy, the imperial throne being no longer maintained at Rome. The Bishop of Rome was left the chief figure in the ancient seat of the Cæsars. The prophecy of Rev. 13:2 had said of the relation of the old imperial power to the Papacy, “And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” The seat was given, and now imperial Rome was to give to papal Rome the definite recognition of its supreme power and “great authority.”

Papal Supremacy Officially Recognized

In A. D. 533 the emperor Justinian promulgated a letter, having the force of an imperial decree, recognizing the absolute headship of the Bishop of Rome over the churches. It declared:—
We have been sedulous to subject and unite all the priests of the Orient throughout its whole extent to the see of Your Holiness. . . . For we do not suffer that anything which is mooted, however clear and unquestionable, pertaining to the state of the churches, should fail to be made known to Your Holiness, as being head of all the churches. For as we have said before, we are zealous for the increase of the honor and authority of your see in all respects.—Cod. Justin., lib. 1, title 1, Baronii, “Annales Ecclesiastici,” Tom. VII, an. 533, sec. 12. (Translation as given in “The Petrine Claims,” by R. F. Littledale.)
From this decree (for such it really was) the Roman authorities date the official recognition of the supremacy of the Papacy. Some have taken a later decree by Emperor Phocas (A. D. 606) as a starting point. But Dr. Croly says:—
The highest authorities among the civilians and annalists of Rome spurn the idea that Phocas was the founder of the supremacy of Rome; they ascend to Justinian as the only legitimate source, and rightly date the title from the memorable year 533.—“Apocalypse of St. John,” page 172.

The Sword of Empire Cleaves the Way

The “great authority” had been recognized. But at this time heretical Arian powers compassed the papal seat about. The Arian Vandals were persecuting Catholics in Africa, and an Arian Gothic king ruled Italy from Ravenna, his capital. The imperial arms were at the service of orthodoxy. In 533-534 Justinian’s famous general, Belisarius, uprooted the Vandals. The war for the faith and the empire was carried into Italy against the Arian Goths. In 536 Belisarius entered Rome unopposed, at the invitation of the Pope. But next year the Goths rallied all their forces to retake the city. It was a crisis in the struggle for Italy. “If a single post had given way,” says Gibbon, “the Romans, and Rome itself, were irrecoverably lost.” The Goths withdrew, defeated, in 538; and this defeat, says Hodgkin, dug “the grave of the Gothic monarchy in Italy.”
Though the conflict went on for years before the Goths were rooted up, this defeat of 538 was a crucial hour in the history. Finlay says:—
With the conquest of Rome by Belisarius, the history of the ancient city may be considered as terminating; and with his defense against Witiges [538] commences the history of the Middle Ages.—“Greece Under the Romans,” page 295.
And the Middle Ages, roughly speaking, was the age of papal supremacy and power.

A New Order of Popes

Not only was there this telling stroke by the imperial sword in 538, helping to clear the way before the Papacy, but at this same time the first of a new order of popes was placed upon the papal throne by the imperial arms. Pope Silverius, accused of sympathy with the Goths, was deposed by Belisarius in 537. The emperor intervened, and the question of the validity of his deposition was held up by the emperor until 538. In that year, as Schaff says:—
Vigilius, a pliant creature of Theodora, ascended the papal chair under the military protection of Belisarius (538-554).—“History of the Christian Church,” Vol. III, page 327.
With him begins a new order. Though personally he was humiliated by the emperor’s demands, and the Papacy itself was brought into a state of subjection that it had not known even under heretical Gothic kings, yet this very arbitrary use of the papal prerogative by Justinian, strengthened the idea that the Pope of Rome was the supreme authority in religion, to speak for the universal church. In Bemont and Monod’s textbook on “Medieval Europe,” we read:—
Down to the sixth century all popes are declared saints in the martyrologies.
Vigilius (537-555) is the first of a series of popes who no longer bear this title, which is henceforth sparingly conferred. From this time on the popes, more and more involved in worldly events, no longer belong solely to the church; they are men of the state, and then rulers of the state.—Page 120.

A Persecuting Power

Following Vigilius, came Pelagius I (556-560), who ascended the throne by “the military aid of Narses,” then the imperial general in Italy. And Pelagius, who had been set in the papal see by imperial power, began to demand that the sword of the empire should be used against bishops or members in the church who did not give way to the authority of the Pope. His letters on this subject “are an unqualified defense of the principle of persecution.” See “Dictionary of Christian Biography,” by Smith and Wace, article “Pope Pelagius.”
The prophecy declared that the Papacy would be given special supremacy during the period of 1260 years.
In A. D. 533 came the memorable imperial declaration recognizing that supremacy, and in A. D. 538 came the stroke with the sword at Rome, cleaving the way; and there began the new order of popes—“men of the state, and then rulers of the state.”
Thus decisive events clearly mark the beginning of the prophetic period of the 1260 years.
And just 1260 years from the decree of 533, in recognition of the papal supremacy, came a decree, in 1793, aimed against that supremacy; and just 1260 years from that stroke with the sword at Rome in behalf of the Papacy, came a stroke with the sword at Rome against the Papacy. W. A. S.

On the Tented Field

By F. M. W.

FROM the hot, enervating climate of Washington to the bracing atmosphere of the Green Mountain region of Vermont, was a most pleasing and agreeable change for a few days last month. It afforded us great pleasure to meet with our brethren and sisters in the Northern New England Conference during the first part of their annual convocation.
About three hundred were encamped on a little plateau overlooking the village of White River Junction, Vt., in the valley of the Connecticut River. It was a pleasure to greet some of the pioneers in the message, men and women whose hair has grown gray in their loyalty and adherence to this movement. Others were there also, who, as a result of the meetings which have been carried on by the conference laborers, have recently found taken their stand with the people of God.
An excellent spirit was present in this meeting from the very first. One heart and one mind seemed to possess our brethren and sisters as they came from their homes, and that was to obtain God's richer and deeper blessing. For this blessing they eagerly sought, preparing their hearts, by the confession of sin and by the acknowledgment of every wrong, for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The attendance from the outside was very limited; hence the preaching for the most part was of an intensely practical character, dwelling upon the necessity of possessing the truth not alone in a theoretical way, but in its spirit and power.
Elder R. J. Bryant, who had recently come from New York State to connect with the city effort in Rutland, Vt., was elected president of the conference. Brother D. K. Royer, who has served the conference efficiently for several years as secretary and treasurer, was re-elected to this position.
Special emphasis was given at this meeting to the necessity of Bible study and the study of the Testimonies which have come to us through the spirit of prophecy, and a large number of the books of Sister White were sold.
Honorable mention should be made of the Northern New England Conference in the hearty support which it is giving the REVIEW AND HERALD. This conference lacks only two dozen subscriptions of meeting its full quota. It stands, we believe, at the head of our North American Conferences in the support which it is giving our church paper.
It was with regret that we were obliged to leave this meeting when it was about half over, in order to be present at the opening of the camp meeting at Schenectady, N. Y. We must leave to others a report of the fuller results of this most encouraging gathering.
The Eastern New York camp meeting was held at Schenectady, a town of about eighty thousand inhabitants. Elder W. R. Andrews, president of the conference, had held during the summer a tent meeting in this city, and the camp meeting followed his series of meetings, occupying the same grounds. We have never seen a camp ground utilized to better advantage than was done at this meeting. Considering the natural barriers afforded by the field in which the camp was located, an ideal arrangement of the camp was effected, presenting a very neat, inviting appearance from the prominent street of the city, upon which it was located.
This conference has a membership of about eight hundred, and from one third to one half of the members were in attendance at the camp meeting. Here we found the same earnest spirit of seeking the Lord which existed in the Northern New England meeting, and with the exception of the new faces which confronted us, and the changed surroundings, it seemed like a continuation of the meeting in Vermont.
New York was our home conference years ago, and we were pleased to meet at the camp meeting many whom we had known in earlier years, and who are still pressing faithfully onward in the Christian warfare.
The brethren and sisters at this meeting with one heart were led to seek earnestly for a greater measure of the blessing of God. His tender, melting Spirit was present in every gathering. Sins were confessed and put away, and differences between brethren were adjusted. All seemed to feel that we had reached a time in the history of the world when none could afford to longer dally with sin, but that God now required his people to make sure work for eternity.
We took great pleasure in meeting daily with the young people at this meeting. They constitute a valuable asset to this conference. The labors of Sister Bessie J. Rice in behalf of the young men and women in this field have been signally blessed.
The report of the president for the short time he had been in charge of the conference showed an excellent financial gain. Successful tent efforts had been conducted in Schenectady and at Syracuse. The interests of the latter detained Elder J. C. Stevens from attending the Schenectady meeting.
Here also the brethren and sisters heartily rallied to the support of our church paper. Many expressed their great appreciation of the blessings they had received through the years from the REVIEW. One sister reported that every member of the Rome church was either a subscriber to our church paper or had direct access to it from week to week.
We must leave to others the report of the final results of the Eastern New York camp meeting also, as we were privileged to remain only a few days. We were very glad, however, for the opportunity of meeting with our brethren and sisters in these two conferences. Their cordial greetings and fellowship brought courage to our heart, and we shall recall many times the pleasant associations which we enjoyed with them. Both these conferences have had much to discourage them in years gone by. Frequent changes in administration have brought a measure of uncertainty. The future, however, promises rich experiences in God, and with renewed courage and earnest consecration our brethren and sisters are determined to press forward in the work which has been committed to them.
F. M. W.

At a Basuto Baptism

By W. A. S.

ON Sunday, eight more souls were baptized at the Emmanuel Mission, by Elder W. H. Anderson, of the Barotseland Mission, who visited this Basuto station with me. A large concourse of people gathered from kraals far and near.
This step, as all understood, meant a definite break with the old Basuto religion. One candidate was Matsiti, the first Sabbath keeper at this mission. Her story is worth telling, but too long for this note. Through much tribulation, she has kept the faith, and is now free to go publicly forward. Hers is really a beautiful face—“always smiling,” as the workers tell me.
Another candidate was young Muso, who hopes to become a teacher as he grows up. His father was there to see him take the step.
“Is it all right?” the father was asked by Brother H. C. Olmstead.
“Yes,” was the reply of the heathen parent; “I am glad to have Muso go in this way.”
So out of the darkness they come, one of a family, two of a kraal, and every true believer is a witness to the power that actually changes the life.
Surrounded by the heathen of their own kraals, these eight were buried with their Lord in baptism.
As I watched their faces lighted up with joy, and watched the faces of their heathen friends gathered about, I marveled at the courage of these Basuto believers. The step was such a long one away from their past, and those walking this new way are so few! But they have the Word of God abiding in them, and nothing daunted, nothing ashamed, they break with the old life and joyfully put on the new, even though the followers of the new way are but few.
I felt that I was watching transformed souls who gloried in the spirit of the great apostle who said long ago, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
W. A. S.
Leribe, Basutoland.

The Pope and the War

WHILE all the warring nations have made their appeal to the Almighty for success to their arms and assistance in what they call their own righteous cause, the Pope has forbidden the offering of prayers for any of the countries at war. He has forbidden “all representatives of the church in belligerent countries, under pain of excommunication, from offering prayers for victory, from asking blessings for the combatants, or even administering the sacraments to those responsible for a continuation of the war.”

A Triumphant Change

By H. A. ST. JOHN

Seven Great Triumphs — No. 4

A Triumphant Change

H. A. ST. JOHN
SURELY the great change, the miraculous uplift that is given to every resurrected saint, is a triumph so grand and glorious that it cannot be fully described. Methinks that even the realization will be constantly unfolding in blessedness throughout all the endless years of eternity. Jesus had a triumphant resurrection, a glorious and eternal victory over him who is the power of death. He came forth a mighty conqueror over death and the grave. His body, although still bearing the marks of the human, was nevertheless, greatly changed.
By many infallible proofs, for a period of forty days, he showed himself alive after his resurrection. But in the suddenness of his appearances and disappearances his disciples encountered a mystery that was beyond their comprehension. His last disappearance, at the end of the memorable forty days, differed greatly from all his disappearances before. On the day of ascension, on the Mount of Olives, standing among his disciples, teaching them as only he could teach, he suddenly departed. But unlike former occasions, they saw him go this time.
By some unseen power, he was lifted up from them, while in the very act, with hands uplifted, of pronouncing upon them his parting benediction. They gazed upon him as he ascended, until a cloud of glorious angels met him. Just as the cloud received him, he dropped this sweet message into their ears, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
So will it be with all victorious saints. After a triumphant life, a triumphant death, and a triumphant resurrection, they will have a triumphant change. This mortal will put on immortality, this corruption will put on incorruption. This vile body will be changed, and fashioned like Christ’s glorious body. O, what a glorious change! And it will abide forever.
Then we may bid an eternal adieu to all the ills of corruptibility and mortality. No more sorrow, disease, sin, or pain! Every nerve will forever thrill with the music of perfect health. No more will be heard the sad note, “I am sick.” O, the ecstatic joy of every heart as Jesus is seen in his glory, and is recognized as the One who has wrought this great and glorious change. Truly it is a triumphant change.
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