Less than a century ago a desperate attempt was made to blaze a trail through forests, over mountains, and across lone sandy plains to the western coast with the ox train, later to be followed by the "iron horse."
To-day a desperate attempt will be made to blaze an aerial trail across the continent, and if successful leave in its wake the encouraging possibilities of aerial navigation in transcontinental tours. To encourage this initial attempt Mr. Hearst is offering a prize of $50,000 to the successful aeronaut. The offer is good for one year, and the flight is to be made from New York or from Boston to San Francisco or to Los Angeles, or vice versa. Any one may participate in this contest with any type of self-propelled aeroplane which is heavier than air. Stops may be made as often as desired en route, and any necessary repair of machine may be made. But the flight must be accomplished under the foregoing conditions within thirty days from the date of starting.
The variety of atmospheric conditions will be a severe test in the great cross-country flight of over 3,000 miles; and this prize of $50,000 is the highest ever offered to aviators in America.
The marvelous and rapid progress in aeronautics in the last two years is indicated in the following achievements: Glenn H. Curtiss, at the speed of fifty miles an hour, flew 140 miles from Albany to New York. A few days later Aviator Chas. K. Hamilton made a more daring flight from New York to Philadelphia, during which he carried a letter from Mayor Gaynor of New York to Governor Stuart of Pennsylvania. The route he took was 82 miles and he made a speed of 47 miles an hour.
Walter Brookins, a pupil of the Wright brothers, won the $10,000 prize offered by a Chicago newspaper for a successful flight between Chicago and Springfield, Illinois. He raced the entire distance of 185 miles with a special train, and had no trouble in beating it, making an average speed of forty miles an hour.
In England, Paulhan traversed the 148 miles between London and Manchester in an aeroplane. Le Banc, Auburn, and Weymann soared from Paris to Nancy on the German frontier and back to Paris again, a total of 500 miles.
Another notable flight was made by an American aviator from Paris to London. This feat was demonstrated because such a flight was challenged as impossible. Leaving Paris, the daring air-cleaver succeeded in bridging the channel and was well on his way to London before he was compelled to stop temporarily. Resuming his flight he alighted on the grounds of the Crystal Palace, London.
Another remarkable flight, which has cost the life of George Chavez, a French-Peruvian aviator, was his frigid journey by monoplane over the jagged and icy peaks of the Alps.
In an aeroplane meet at the Squantum Aviation Field, Boston, Massachusetts, 100,000 spectators witnessed some of the most remarkable aerial maneuvers that have ever occurred. Some of the "stunts" were—sharpshooting at a target two hundred and fifty feet below, hurling mimic bombs at an imaginary battle-ship, endurance and distance flying, biplane racing, and accurate landing. Surely the art of aerial navigation is making rapid strides, developed by the keen competitive interest of aviators.
Dixon ready for a flight in a dirigible, at Boston
At least one machine has been equipped with wireless apparatus, and the following message will suggest possible developments which our forefathers may have indulged in only as a fairy tale: "Horton: Another achievement is recorded in the sending of a wireless message from an aeroplane in flight.—McCurdy."
The Murray air-ship now building in San Francisco is said to be far and away ahead of the Zeppelin air-ship. It is not lighter than air, as is the Zeppelin air-ship; in fact it is a little heavier than air, but it has that connected with it which will enable it to rise from earth or water at any time. It can light where it will. It can remain stationary in the air for any length of time; and the men who have invested in its building, and military experts, expect more from it than from any other dirigible built, or from aeroplanes either. It really is a combination of the principles of aeroplane and dirigible. The air-ship which will soon be tried is 140 feet in length, 12 feet beam, 52 feet high, and 180 horse-power. One of its lifting powers is six helicopters.
Many have read or heard recited "Darius Green and His Flying-Machine." Darius said, "The birds fly, why can't I?" "Are the bluebird and the phoebe smarter than we be?" Darius, however, came to grief. But his dream is true. Our picture is of a meeting between Mr. J. Trowbridge, author of "Darius Green," and Grahame-White. We may be sure it was of interest.
In the question of aerial progress, England, France, Germany, and the United States have about the same standing, altho Germany seems to be in the lead in dirigibles, having established a passenger service and mail route. In both continents these daring air-cleavers outspeed express-trains, flying at an altitude of one mile. Mr. Walter Wellman, the well-known newspaper man, proposes to cross the Atlantic in a motor balloon which was tested in the Arctic region.
While aviation is still in its infancy, scientists are wondering what influence its development will have upon the tremendous preparations for war. It seems that every invention which science has made possible is being forced into military service, until the very forces of nature are arrayed against each other as mediums employed by men for the destruction of their fellows. And so as aeronautics develop, instinctively men begin experimenting in aerial warfare, each nation struggling for supremacy or equality in military power. New inventions call for new modes of defense, and so new guns must be specially constructed for the purpose of bringing down these angry war birds in times of battle. This in turn leads to the question as to what type of air-ship can be used to the best advantage in defending itself and at the same time be able to pour its fiendish fire on its enemies below.
Ralph Johnson in the Wright biplane at Boston. The man bird in the clouds
An instance of smuggling by aeroplane presents a serious problem for the civil authorities to solve. It seems a pity that in the wonderful progress being made in aeronautics, some minds turn so instinctively to war and crime.
Is It Peace?
By Editor
WE receive from time to time circular letters and appeals from peace organizations, accounts of meetings in the interests of peace, etc., etc. We need not say that we sympathize with the noble souls who are working for the peace of the world, for the disarmament of the nations, for arbitration in the settlement of difficulties between nations. Doubtless some wars have been avoided by arbitration, which ought to commend itself to every man in private and in public life. Would to God that the principles of peace might triumph. But to be true to our convictions and to the teachings of the Old Book we have no faith in the triumphant issue of the peace movement. We have reasons for our want of faith, among which are the following:
1. While we have all this splendid peace talk we have at the same time such stupendous preparations for war as the world never before witnessed. The vast expenditure of means increases from year to year. The nations' representatives meet in peace congresses, talk sweetly of peace, and their respective governments appropriate additional millions for constructing bigger guns and building bigger battle-ships.
2. This very condition for these very days is predicted in the Word of God. Read the prophecy of the son of Pethuel, uttered eight centuries before Christ:
"Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. . . . Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat. . . . Put ye in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe: come, tread ye; for the wine-press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision." Joel 3:9-14, A.R.V.
The great God not only predicts the universal, unparalleled preparation for war, but His Word also predicts the great conflict of Armageddon, the universal strife to which the war preparations are trending. See Jer. 25:1115-26; and Rev. 16: 14, 16. The war will come, for God has declared it.
3. The very cry of peace is itself a precursor of war. We are told in Isa. 2: 2, under the figure of mountains and hills, that in the last days the Christian religion will be exalted above all others, even as was the religion of Jehovah in the time of the Exodus and in the days of Solomon. An ungodly world, thinking to make a gain of godliness, noting the strength of so-called Christian nations, will turn to Christianity nominally, and then unite in a great peace cry. The reader will note that prediction of peace is by the many people, and the prediction of God is that the many people shall proclaim a groundless peace.
"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isa. 2:3, 4.
But what does God say of the people who raise this cry? — It is that God has forsaken His people, "because they are filled with customs from the East, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the children of foreigners." Verse 6. And the remainder of the chapter is a graphic setting forth of the humbling of man and the exaltation of Jehovah of Hosts. Referring to this very time the apostle Paul thus warns us:
"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape." 1 Thess 5:3.
The world can not know peace till it knows righteousness; for true peace is found only in righteousness. Men can obtain righteousness only at the feet of Jesus; but that they will not do. Peace will come, however, when Jesus Christ shall come, wipe out the wicked nations of earth, raise the righteous dead of all ages, cleanse and purge the earth of sin, and reign with His own. Then "the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever." Isa. 32: 17. And in Christ Jesus there is peace for every soul now. Rom. 5: 1.
Moving Picture Shows
By Editor
The Pope and the United States.—Through Cardinal Vannutelli, the papal legate, now in America, Pope Pius X sends by way of the Hearst papers a message to the Catholics of America. We take the following from that message in the San Francisco Examiner of October 7, dated New York, October 6:
“The Holy Father is commencing more and more to regard your wonderful United States as the favorite daughter of the church. Catholicism has here made more wonderful strides than anywhere else in the world. Your bishops and priests and teachers have built up a magnificent church organization. Under your government of freedom and personal liberty, the church and its individuals have prospered splendidly.”
There is more along the same line. We have only this to say: Let Pope Pius X and all other Catholics, and all the people of the United States, for that matter, remember that the thing that made the United States what it is, apart from its natural physical resources, is its religious liberty, its true Protestant principle of religious liberty. Under that egis the Roman Catholic Church has had the freedom which she has denied to men of other belief in other lands. There the fruitage of her work for centuries is now recoiling upon the system; while in this country, men judging her by her modified appearance, instead of taking her at her true estimate demonstrated by centuries in other lands, are turning to her fold. This would not be if the Protestant churches had not failed to protest, and failed to protest, because they have turned from the Bible as the Word of God.
Moving Picture Shows
A RECENT investigation of moving picture shows in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, revealed the following facts: Of 290 films examined, 40 per cent represented robbery; 13.1 per cent, murder; 8.2 per cent, indecent suggestions; and 5.8 per cent, domestic infidelity. Others represented suicide, kidnapping, and loose ideals of marriage. It was also found that more than one fifth of the evening audiences was under eighteen years of age.
These conditions in Cleveland are not exceptional, but may be considered fairly typical of conditions in other cities. The influence of suggestion is generally recognized and acknowledged; and information gathered from police court records, reveal the moving picture shows as schools of crime that require immediate attention at the hands of the proper authorities. Almost daily there is brought before the children’s court in New York for a violation of the law, some juvenile prisoner whose act was inspired by moving pictures.—Christian Endeavor World.
The Science of Poetry and the Philosophy of Language
“The Science of Poetry and the Philosophy of Language.” By Hudson Maxim. Illustrations by William Oberhardt. Price $2.50 net. Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York, London.
The name of Hudson Maxim is one to conjure with in military ordnance, high explosives, smokeless powder, and military engineering. The public forgot if it ever knew that he was ever in the printing and publishing business, much less that he was a literary student and critic. The above noted volume will dispel the uninformation. Mr. Maxim in this volume, as in his inventions, is highly original. He says truly what has before been said, that “verse and poetry can not be the same thing, and that poetry must depend upon something other than these properties of sound — rhythm, meter, rime, reading flow, or pitch, duration, loudness, and tone-color — altho in the expression of poetic thought these properties of sound may be used just as they are used in the expression of any other thought. And they aid in the expression of poetic thought just as they aid in the expression of ordinary thought.” He therefore concludes that “verse, and not poetry, is emotional,” because “the emotions find expression in the character of the sounds uttered.” “Poetry is based on the meaning of words, while verse is based on the sounds of words, and upon the way those sounds are marshaled in a sentence to stimulate and qualify the mind of the hearer for the perception of thought, by inducing a mood in harmony with the thought expressed.”
Our author ridicules the idea of Shakespeare’s poet with eye in “fine frenzy rolling;” does not think that “divine afflatus” is necessary to poetical productions. Mr. Maxim states thus the object of his book:
“The main object of this book is to provide a practical method for literary criticism and analysis, and a standard of uniform judgment for determining the relative merits of literary productions, and further, to supply a more practical and efficient means than we have had heretofore for the standardization of poetry, whereby any poem may be assayed, and the amount of its poetic gold determined and separated from the slag and dross. . . . The more I have studied, the stronger has grown my conviction that no other subject of equal interest and importance to mankind has been so neglected by science, so abandoned to the chaos of misunderstanding. There is, indeed, no general agreement as to what constitutes poetry. There are as many opinions as there are critics. Often the worst poetry is pronounced the best, and often the best the worst, by some who are considered leading authorities.”
The author gives us his own original definition of poetry, and also coins a new word as expressive of its peculiar power; namely, “potentry.” To the literary student the volume will be highly helpful; and we wish that it might be studied to profit by the would-be poets who write neither poetry nor passable verse.
Mind and Voice: Principles and Methods in Vocal Training
By Editor
“Mind and Voice. Principles and Methods in Vocal Training.” By S. S. Curry, Ph.D., Litt.D. Price $1.25; to teachers $1.10 post free. Expression Company, Pierce Building, Copley Square, Boston.
The author suffered for several years on account of wrong voice training from twenty different teachers, till he reached the nadir of his career, voice failure. He then began to search more diligently in this country and in Europe till he found the cause and the remedy. His thirty years’ experience he gives in this book. He places voice training on a broad basis — the proper coordination of the powers of the whole man. The relationship of mind, body, throat, lungs, breathing, to the voice, are clearly set forth. Shailer Matthews, D.D., of the University of Chicago, says of the author:
“He has never been a teacher of young men and women who wished to declaim funny pieces or who wished to be coached as to tears and gestures; but in Harvard, Yale, Boston University, Newton Theological Institution, and in his own school of expression in Boston, he has educated preachers, public readers, and, above all, teachers.”
So far as we have been able to examine it we find it par excellence.
Getting and Holding
By Editor
“Getting and Holding.” By William H. Hamby. Price 50 cents. The Sunday School Times Company, 1031 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
This is Number 9 of the “Times” Handbooks for S. S. Workers. The object is to help the teacher to get and hold a class. It is divided into three parts; namely, Getting; Teaching; Entertaining and Other Things. It has many good suggestions, but we do not endorse all his methods, especially in getting and entertaining. We believe some of them would tend to lower true ideals of class members.
Songs and Ballads of the American Revolution
"Songs and Ballads of the American Revolution." Preface by Prof. Henry L. Williams and notes and illustrations by Frank Moore. Hurst & Company, publishers, New York.
There are 72 poems and ballads covering the revolutionary period, and reflecting the spirit of the times. They show, often crudely, the love of liberty. The notes are full of information.
Stories from Famous Ballads
"Stories from Famous Ballads." By Grace Greenwood. Illustrated. Hurst and Company, publishers, New York.
This little volume does not print the ballads of "Patient Griselda" nor "Chevy Chase" nor "Auld Robin Gray" nor eleven others, but the author tells the stories of these ballads in her own admirable way.
BOOK NOTICES
The New Testament and Psalms. Standard American Revised Version. Pica type, India paper. Thomas Nelson & Sons, Fourth Avenue Building, New York City.
The Standard American Revised Version, completed in 1900, is making its way as the standard Bible text. It is now carried by Bible societies, is the text-book in Bible schools throughout the country, is used by many ministers and Bible students, and is being used by a constantly increasing number. Its conformity to the common version in style, simplicity, and dignity, with its greater uniformity of rendering from better original texts, endears it to all who use it. The publishers have editions now in whole or in part in various styles of type and binding to the number of 200. For a handy pocket volume of large type to carry with one the little book named at the head of this review is unexcelled. The size is 5 x 7 x 5-8 inches.
Plot to Assassinate Japan’s Emperor
A plot has been discovered to assassinate Emperor Mutsuhito of Japan. The conspirators are under arrest.
Tribal Battle in Asiatic Turkey
It is reported from Constantinople that 2,000 Arabs were killed and wounded in a battle between warring tribes in Bassora, Asiatic Turkey. Many of the tribesmen had modern firearms, and the fight lasted several days.
The National Municipal League
The National Municipal League is doing a great deal of good in the betterment of our cities, especially along the line of making the cities cleaner, more beautiful, and more wholesome. If the league will steer clear of all Sunday or religious legislation, it will do well, and ought to receive the strongest encouragement.
England’s Cotton Spinners Declare Lockout
The Federation of Master Cotton Spinners of England have declared a lockout of 130,000 operatives, and 700 mills have been closed. This tying up of the Lancashire industry is the result of a dispute arising from the discharge of a single employee at one of the mills. The total number of men idle in England as the result of labor differences is now 200,000. Unless there is an early successful settlement hundreds of other men will soon be out of employment.
Floods in Japan
By Editor
We have already referred to floods in Japan, especially in Tokyo and vicinity. A letter from Pastor F. W. Field informs us that neither our native people nor mission workers or property suffered from the flood. Our sanitarium is on higher ground than the flooded districts, a wise precaution in building. He is grateful for the responses to the appeal for a church building in Tokyo. From his letter we gather the following interesting facts concerning the floods in Japan:
Flood in Mikawajima, east suburb of Tokyo
In Asakusa Park, East Central Tokyo
"The floods in Japan are said to have been the most serious that the country ever suffered within the memory of the oldest inhabitants. About six miles of the railway between Tokyo and Yokohama was under water for several days, interrupting traffic. In other places the earth has been washed away from beneath the railroad ties, leaving the ties attached to the rails but with no foundation. In still other places stretches of the track have been washed clear out of place, and tipped up on edge over low embankments. Landslides in the mountains were also seen at various places along the route. Large areas of rice fields were flooded, and the crop more or less injured.
"Considerable loss of life and property is reported. The largest and best-known summer resort of foreign missionaries suffered severely. The Home Department of the Imperial Government reports the following: Number of dead, 1,058; injured, 238; missing, 383; houses destroyed, 1,443; bridges destroyed, 1,578; landslides, 901."
In Honjoku, eastern part of Tokyo
Effect of Flood in Temple Grounds, near Tokyo
Our Work and Workers
By Editor
Six have received the rite of baptism at Exeter, Ontario.
THE first Seventh-day Adventist Church was recently organized in New Guinea.
FIVE souls were recently buried with their Lord in baptism at Duluth, Minnesota.
AT Sipe Springs, Texas, two have taken their stand for the truth and five have been baptized.
A CHURCH of fifteen members was recently organized at Mason City, Iowa. Five others will unite soon.
AT the close of a camp-meeting at Syracuse, New York, fifty went forward in the ordinance of baptism.
SEPTEMBER 24 six were received into the Kansas City second church. Four others are keeping the Sabbath.
FIVE persons were baptized at Rowell, New Mexico, recently. Later others will follow in the ordinance.
ELDER C. S. WEIST reports seventeen baptized as a result of the tent effort in Reading, Pennsylvania, this summer.
NINE have signified their intention to obey the Sabbath truth, as a result of tent meetings held in Omaha, Nebraska.
FOUR persons have taken their stand at Tyler, Minnesota, to "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
As the result of the labors of a tent company at Cottage Grove, Oregon, in all thirty-four have taken a firm stand for the truth.
ON the last Sabbath during the recent camp-meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas, eight persons received the ordinance of baptism.
THE tent company at Kalispell, Montana, reports a good interest. Fourteen have accepted the message as the result of the summer's work.
SIX at Miles City, Montana, have promised to observe all the commandments of God, and there are bright prospects that others will follow.
ELEVEN persons in one town in Colorado have accepted the truth as the result of an individual's effort to interest readers in this journal.
THE missionary report of our work in Mississippi for the last year shows that forty-one have been baptized and thirty converts have not yet received baptism.
SIX candidates were baptized at the Barotseland Mission in South Africa recently. Brother C. Robinson is making a tour to open up two or three new stations.
AS the result of services held at Allentown, Pennsylvania, Evangelist C. S. Baum states that nine have fully accepted the truth and many more are interested.
A CHURCH of eleven members has been organized at Ringgold, Louisiana, nine of whom received baptism. The auxiliary Sabbath-school is composed of thirty-four members.
THE following foreign missionaries have recently sailed for their respective fields of labor: Brother S. A. Oberg and wife, formerly of the Foreign Mission Seminary, to Danish West Indies; Brother13(Continued on page 15)
Our Work and Workers
(Continued from page 12)
Esta Miller and wife, of the Mount Vernon (Ohio) College, to Shanghai, China; Miss Rachel Wendell, of New Hampshire, as a teacher, to the West Indies; Miss Ida Thompson and her sister Gertrude Thompson, to China. Miss Thompson returns with assistance to resume her work in the Canton Girl's School. Brother W. E. Gillis, formerly of the Pacific Press, has also sailed for China to connect with the publishing work.
It is stated in the annual report of the Nebraska Conference that 142 have been baptized and received into the church during the year. During the year the Oklahoma Conference added 137.
AMONG other literature translated into the Chasu language of German East Africa, is the complete Gospel of Matthew. This is the first portion of Scripture ever printed in that tongue.
IN our issue of September 27 we gave notice of a little pamphlet entitled "Gems of Truth: Man's Reward," by Mr. M. C. Israel, Oakland, California. His address should have read Oakdale, California.
CALLS from the hungry hearts of the colored people of the South are coming faster than can be responded to for lack of means. Nearly one hundred have accepted the message during this season's effort.
THE sale of literature by our publishing house has increased about five hundred per cent among the Spanish people of Mexico and South America for the first eight months of 1910 over the same period last year. The sales thus far this year amount to over $58,000.
THE good report comes from North Dakota as follows: "A tent effort was conducted near Rock Lake, where five persons accepted the truth; these were baptized and joined the church. Three persons accepted the truth as the result of a tent effort among the Scandinavians at Grand Forks; others are still interested. Twenty-seven persons united with the church at Willa, west of the Missouri River, and there were twenty-eight accessions among the Russians in the vicinity of Dogden. This makes eighty-three converts since the camp-meeting."
A very neat catalog comes to us from the International Publishing Association, College View, Nebraska, which prints in several languages, and carries publications in still more. The catalog that has come to us is Danish, Norwegian, and English.
Baptisms in Greater New York
ABOUT one hundred have already been baptized this season in Greater New York, and a number of others have begun to keep all God's commandments.
