“IMPRESSIONS made upon the minds of the young are hard to efface.” Let us thank the Lord that this is so, and ask him to let some of his plain “doctrinal” texts make such an impression upon the minds of the little ones that they shall serve as an anchor to hold them amid the storms and tempests so soon to rage around them.
We can well learn a lesson from the Catholics on this point. Often I have known a Catholic neighbor to call her little child in from play that she might teach him the catechism. If they so diligently teach error, should we not even more diligently teach saving truth? If they so faithfully point out the change that their church has sought to make in the law of God, shall we fear to teach, even our little children, the immutability of that law?
Why is it that so many of our youth take no interest in the glorious truths we hold?
I answer, Because they do not know them; and not knowing them, how can they see their wonderful force and beauty? They have not been taught. Some one has failed to do his God-given duty. “These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.” If this instruction had been heeded, we should see fewer, far fewer, of our youth taken captive by the world.
While the study of Old Testament history is important and by no means to be neglected, the study of the special truths for this time is absolutely essential if we would have our children with us in the kingdom.
There are few children who can not be intensely interested in the beautiful descriptions of the new earth and the holy city, in which they hope to have a home, and surely these subjects are no more difficult of comprehension than the study of the land of Palestine and the holy city of the Jews.
Even the subject of the sanctuary engages the closest attention of the children, and fills them with an earnest desire to have their names recorded in the book of life.
Through the spirit of prophecy the Lord says: “The third angel’s message, the great testing truth for this time, is to be taught in all our institutions. We shall have to stand before magistrates to answer for our allegiance to the law of God, to make known the reasons of our faith, and the youth should understand these things.”
“When properly conducted, church-schools will be the means of lifting the standard of truth in the places where they are established; for children who are receiving a Christian education will be witnesses for Christ. As Jesus in the temple solved the mysteries which priests and rulers had not discerned, so in the closing work of this earth, children who have been rightly educated will in their simplicity speak words which will be an astonishment to men who now talk of ‘higher education.’ As the children sang in the temple courts, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord,’ so in these last days, children’s voices will be raised to give the last message of warning to a perishing world. When heavenly intelligences see that men are no longer permitted to present the truth, the Spirit of God will come upon the children, and they will do a work in the proclamation of the truth which the older workers can not do, because their way will be hedged up. Our church-schools are ordained of God to prepare the children for this great work. Here children are to be instructed in the special truths for this time, and in practical missionary work. . . . By them God’s message will be made known, and his saving health to all nations.”
LENORE E. HOWE.
Busy Work
It is often a difficult matter to provide sufficient busy work for the little ones. The following selections from the Normal Instructor and Teachers’ World show what a little thought will do in this line. May we not have other suggestions from our own teachers?—
“Every teacher knows that when a definite amount of work is assigned the class, the brightest, quickest children will get through before the others, and be left with nothing to do, unless some provision is made especially for them. The amount of time which our children thus quietly waste is something appalling; and still more appalling is the habit of idleness which they form in this way. Yet only so it is quietly done, too often the teacher has no word of remonstrance.”
“A ‘busy work table’ goes a great way toward solving this problem. It contains reading-matter of various sorts, cut up problems and pictures and questions to be answered, a box of pasted letters, another of words, an amount of toy money, some good picture-books, and half a dozen numbers of Babyland. Sometimes it is stipulated that they shall touch only the number work cards, or the question box; always, that they shall never go to this table until they have finished and carefully looked over the work which was first given them to do. If any one fails to fulfil this condition, it is easy to bring him to terms by depriving him for a short time of the privilege.”
“Last year I found myself in a position where I had great need of material for busy work, and no opportunity and no money to procure it. But near by were quantities of dried prairie grass, and the children liked to gather the long golden straws, and breaking them into equal lengths served to keep active hands and minds busy. The older children used these in their arithmetic work, as counters and for making bundles of ten, etc. The little ones enjoyed making letters and forms with these straws, making squares, hexagons, pentagons, triangles, etc. Some of them built a home, making house, fence, etc., of the straws.”
“An ordinary bit of printed paper and a pin were used by very little tots, who were told to stick the pin through the a’s or the o’s.”
“Forest leaves serve as patterns for little ones to draw.”
“For busy work to give the little ones during their first days in the primary department, cut from pretty cardboard many designs. Have as many various shapes as possible, but do not let the children see them all at once. There should be patterns of elm leaves, maple and oak leaves, a woodbine leaf, triangles, circles, birds, cats, dogs, sheep, cross, heart, apples, cherries, clover leaves, and others.”
“Let the little ones place these patterns upon pieces of blank paper which you give to them, and trace around the edge of them with pencils. Then, if nicely drawn, they may be allowed to color their leaves red, yellow, crimson, or green, with colored pencils, or if older, with water-colors.”
“When they can do this neatly, give to them papers five inches wide and eight inches long. Let them place these papers with long side next to them, and draw two horizontal lines two inches apart from end to end. Then give to them patterns which take up two inches in width and height. Tell them to lay these on so that they will touch, thus making a pretty border, which they will be delighted to color with crayon or water-colors.”
The Teacher's Aim
THE true teacher is not satisfied with second-rate work. He is not satisfied with directing his students to a standard lower than the highest which it is possible for them to attain. He can not be content with imparting to them only technical knowledge, with making them merely clever accountants, skilful artisans, successful tradesmen. It is his ambition to inspire them with principles of truth, obedience, honor, integrity, and purity,—principles that will make them a positive force for the stability and uplifting of society. He desires them, above all else, to learn life's great lesson of unselfish service.
These principles become a living power to shape the character, through the acquaintance of the soul with Christ, through the acceptance of his wisdom as the guide, his power as the strength, of heart and life. This union formed, the student has found the Source of wisdom. He has within his reach the power to realize in himself his noblest ideals. The opportunities of the highest education for life in this world are his. And in the training here gained, he is entering upon that course which embraces eternity.
In the highest sense, the work of education and the work of redemption are one; for in education, as in redemption, “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”“It was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell.”—“Education.”
Translating the Bible Into Experience
THE best translation of the Bible is the translation of its precepts into human experience,—your own experience.
“Save the Boys”
By Editor
WHAT are we doing to save them? “In one State’s prison, where many young men are confined, inquiry proved that the majority were there on account of strong drink, and that more than eighty per cent had been Sunday-school pupils, and yet only one per cent had been asked to sign the pledge in the Sunday-school.”
Mr. Eaton, in The New Voice, says: “Never existed so many reasons for outlawing the saloon; never such an appalling increase of drunkenness and crime; . . . never such abject prostitution of public men to the thralldom of the saloon power; and the ministry, divided or silent, and the church, until recently, apathetic or indifferent.”
Doubtless, there are twenty millions of boys and girls in this nation alone who are exposed to untold temptations to untold evils. They are all around us. What are we doing to save them? Surely, we should be doing a hundredfold more than we are now doing. Let us arouse to the situation, lest the blood of souls be found upon our garments. Come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty foes of rum and tobacco.
The writer is trying to do something, but he can do many times more if the reader will co-operate. Wm. J. Boynton says that the journal Save the Boys should be in every Seventh-day Adventist home; and all should work to place it in the hands of their neighbors. We are trying to make it worthy of all this. It is illustrated; contains sixteen pages. Send five cents for sample copy, or 40 cents for a year’s subscription. Order a club of 10 copies to one address before the first of February, at $2. We have yet a few thousand of the twenty-four-page anti-tobacco booklet, at reduced rates—65 cents a hundred, post-paid. Address Save the Boys, Washburn Park, Minneapolis, Minn.
A Good Time to Enter
By M. E. CADY
THE first semester of Walla Walla College will soon be in the past. We have about one month before the closing of this semester, and the second one will begin January 10. This date will be a good time to enter the college to receive the benefits of the last half of the school year, which will be four and one-half months in length. The college year is now divided into two semesters, four and one-half months each, or nine months for the entire school year.
Several new classes will be formed at the beginning of the second semester, January 10, and this makes it an excellent time to enter the school. Classes will be formed in subjects that have been carried on through the first semester, provided there is a sufficient number to warrant it. We are glad to report a very large attendance at the college this year. At the present time we have an enrolment of one hundred and eighty pupils. About forty-five of these are in the first seven grades, composing what is known as the Normal Department. The remaining one hundred and thirty-five students are in the eighth grade and above. We feel very grateful to the Lord for this large number of children and youth who are attending the school this year. There is an excellent spirit of work in the school, and we hope this year will be more prosperous than any preceding one in the history of the college. Why should not each succeeding year be the best?
Students can enter to advantage any time between now and the beginning of the second semester, and can take up to advantage several lines of study. We speak especially of the Bible-doctrine class, which affords an excellent opportunity for the study of the truths that apply to our time, thus giving to the student a knowledge and preparation for the giving of the last message to the world. Several classes will be started in the various sciences, and a good opportunity will be given to take up bookkeeping. Those who may desire to learn how to keep books in connection with Sabbath-school work and our missionary societies, as librarians, will obtain just the instruction they need. We believe that every student who comes to the school will be able to find here those direct28lines of work that will qualify him for service in the Master's vineyard.
Time is short. The Lord is soon coming. And why should we not improve every opportunity to fit ourselves for some place in the closing work for this time? Now is the time for our youth to make haste in the work of preparation for service. Unless we are very vigilant, and faithfully walk in the light the Lord has given us, we shall find ourselves drifting into the world, and Satan will have our talents employed in his service, and we shall be deprived not only of the privilege of working for God, but of a home in his kingdom. This we can not afford. Seek God earnestly that you may be able to find your place in his work, and find it quickly.
Those desiring further information regarding the college and its work, should address Walla Walla College, and a calendar of the school will be sent to them.
M. E. CADY, President.
Current Mention
—An indictment against the leading coal companies of Cincinnati, Ohio, has been brought by the grand jury in that city.
—Great Britain is preparing to add to her great navy battle-ships of the 20,000-ton class, larger than any now existing, as “a direct reply to the latest scheme of the German admiralty.”
—From its headquarters in New York City the International Typographical Union has issued its ultimatum to the book and job employing printers. In a sixteen-page circular, its position is thus defined: “We propose to sell to the employer eight hours out of twenty-four, and we will do as we please with the remaining sixteen.”
—Mr. John P. Holland, the inventor of the Holland submarine boat which has been quite extensively tested by the United States and other governments, announces that he will produce a flying-machine which will enable people to fly from New York to Washington to see the next presidential inauguration, and return the same day.
—Reports from Moscow state that five thousand people have been killed and a much greater number wounded, in the fighting between the revolutionaries and the troops there. Many of the killed were women and children. In many instances women joined with the men in fighting the government forces. Many houses were destroyed by cannon fire, and large portions of the city were burned.
—Dispatches which reach Europe from Japan state that China is to maintain a permanent garrison in Manchuria of 100,000 men, under command of Japanese officers. Europe, it is stated, is viewing with some alarm the enormous strides China is taking toward becoming a military power. “The imperial army some years hence,” it is stated, “will consist of 1,250,000 men. Every man will serve three years with the colors and six in the reserve. With the new year this trained army will have reached 400,000 men, all provided with magazine rifles, modern field guns, and European equipment. The cost of the army will be $40,000,000 annually. China now has a million rifles on order, and will eventually possess 300 modern batteries.”
—Trouble for foreigners appears to be brewing in China. A Peking dispatch says: “The most conservative and best-informed foreigners agree in expressing apprehension at the constantly growing irritation of the Chinese against foreigners, which for months has been gradually spreading through the country. ‘China for the Chinese’ summarizes the object of the movement, among the chief promoters of which are male students educated abroad and newspapers conducted by Chinese who have been educated in America and Europe. These papers are beginning to gain great influence. The anti-American boycott has been followed by a discussion of China’s wrongs at the hands of foreigners generally, and a determination to redress them. The hostility first shown against Americans has now extended to all foreigners.”
NOTICES AND APPOINTMENTS
By J. A. BURDEN.
Medical Missionary Training-School
A SPECIAL training-school for medical missionaries will be organized the first of January, 1906, in connection with the Loma Linda Sanitarium of Southern California. It is designed to make this a training-school for all branches of medical missionary work, the nurses’ course forming only one line of the studies. Those desiring to enter this training-school should send for further information at once. Address Loma Linda Training-school, Loma Linda (Redlands), Cal.
J. A. BURDEN.
The Central Union Conference Association
By E. T. Russell
THE first meeting of the Central Union Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in the Seventh-day Adventist church, corner Fourteenth and Michigan Sts., Kansas City, Mo., at 9 A. M., Friday, Jan. 19, 1906. This meeting is called for the purpose of electing officers, and for transacting such business as may demand the attention of the constituency.
By order of Board of Trustees,
E. T. Russell, President.
The Central Union Conference
By E. T. Russell
The second biennial session of the Central Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will convene in the Seventh-day Adventist church, corner Fourteenth and Michigan Sts., Kansas City, Mo., Jan. 18-20, 1906. The first meeting of the session will be held at 9 A. M., Thursday, January 18. The basis of delegate representation is as follows: In addition to its president, each conference is allowed (a) one delegate for every one hundred members in the conference; (b) two representatives from each organized denominational institution located in its territory.
Elders A. G. Daniells and G. A. Irwin, president and vice-president respectively of the General Conference, will be in attendance during the entire session. In connection with the regular business of the conference, topics of great importance will be considered. We earnestly desire that the blessing of the Lord may be manifest in this meeting, as we need his Spirit, his counsel, and his sustaining grace.
E. T. RUSSELL,Pres. Central Union Conf.
Annual Conference in Northern Illinois
By Wm. Covert
THE third annual session of the Northern Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is appointed to be held in Chicago, South Side Forty-sixth Street church, Feb. 8-11, 1906. The conference officers for all departments are to be elected during this session, and such other business transacted as usually comes before a meeting of this character. The churches composing this conference are hereby advised to elect delegates to attend the conference, each church selecting one for its organization, and one additional delegate for every fifteen members belonging to the church.
The Northern Illinois Conference Association will also hold its annual election at the same time and place, and its business will be attended to by the same delegates elected to attend the conference. A board of seven members will also be elected to have charge of the business pertaining to the Tri-City Sanitarium at Moline; also a board of five members for the Intermediate School at Sheridan.
Wm. Covert.
Obituaries
Grace.—Died at Carthage, Mo., Dec. 4, 1905, Joyce Grace, the nine-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Grace. She suffered of spinal trouble, which developed into dropsy. She was an invalid for eight years, but was very patient, and from her we all learned a lesson in patience and love.
W. L. GRACE.
Forkner.—Died at Concordia, Kan., Nov. 23, 1905, Albert Forkner, in his seventy-fourth year. Brother Forkner accepted present truth under the labors of Elder O. S. Ferrin in April, 1894, and remained faithful until his death. He leaves a companion and four children, besides relatives and friends, to mourn their loss. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer, assisted by the Christian minister in his church.
A. E. JOHNSON.
Stenberg.—Died at College View, Neb., Nov. 3, 1905, of heart failure, Herald A. Stenberg, little son of Brother and Sister H. L. Stenberg. Herald was born in Clinton, Iowa, April 10, 1901. He was of a very gentle, good disposition. His parents miss him sorely, but they look forward to the glad reunion of the resurrection. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer from 2 Sam. 12:16-23 and 2 Kings 4.
C. C. LEWIS.
Higley.—Died in Wright township, Michigan, Dec. 3, 1905, Mrs. Elizabeth Allen Higley, aged 72 years, 9 months, and 18 days. Sister Higley accepted the truths of the third angel’s message in 1865 under the labors of Elder I. D. Van Horn, and had since been a faithful and consistent follower of the Lamb. Tubercular spinal meningitis was the immediate cause of her death. The funeral discourse was given by the writer from 1 Cor. 15:55.
M. N. CAMPBELL.
Meizer.—Died of consumption, Nov. 29, 1905, Mary E. Meizer, aged 29 years. Sister Meizer was the wife of George O. Meizer, elder of the Cambridge, Md., church. She was baptized and united with the church April 24, 1904. In her death a husband and one child are sadly bereaved, and the church loses a consistent member. She fell asleep in full assurance of a part in the first resurrection. Ps. 116:15; Rev. 14:13 were the basis of remarks at the funeral.
JOHN F. JONES.
Smith.—Died at a private hospital in Burlington, Vt., Aug. 6, 1904, Henry N. Smith, aged 54 years, 2 months, and 12 days. Brother Smith accepted the truth under the labors of Elders D. T. Bourdeau and A. S. Hutchins in West Bolton, Vt., in 1870. He never expressed a doubt in regard to the truths which he then heard, and died fully believing the message which he then received. He leaves a wife, a son, a mother, one brother, and three sisters to mourn their loss. The funeral discourse was given by Rev. O. T. Barnard (Methodist); text, Ps. 34:19.
P. F. BICKNELL.
Alcock.—Died at Albany, Ore., Nov. 22, 1905, Sister Ellen Alcock, aged 48 years. She was a devoted Christian. She and her husband embraced present truth in Gladstone, Manitoba, Canada, and were the only family to hold up the light of present truth in that city for many years. Their home was the home of our workers, many of whom remember their Christian hospitality and kindness. Eight children survive the mother’s death. The funeral service was conducted by the writer, and we laid her to sleep on the banks of the beautiful Willamette River, till Jesus comes.
DANIEL NETTLETON.
Smith.—Died at Council Bluffs, Iowa, Oct. 14, 1905, Sister Lizzie L. Smith, aged 44 years, 9 months, and 19 days. Sister Smith united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church when eighteen years of age. She led a faithful and conscientious Christian life, and her loved ones have the assurance that she rests in the arms of her Father, and will come forth in the strength of immortal vigor at the resurrection. A husband, two children, and a sister, with other relatives, are among those who mourn her loss. The funeral service was conducted by the writer.
FRANCIS M. WILCOX.
Tryon.—Died at Wayne, Neb., Nov. 30, 1905, of heart failure, Betty Tryon, only child of Earnest L. and Mary E. Tryon. Betty was born Dec. 21, 1903. This blow comes with sudden and crushing weight on the hearts of the father and mother, but they place their trust in the Lord, and are reconciled to their affliction. The funeral was held at the home of the grandparents, Brother and Sister Deming, South Bend, Neb., and the burial was at Glenwood, Iowa. Words of consolation were spoken by the writer from 2 Thess. 2:16, 17.
C. C. LEWIS.
Jenkins.—Died at Boulder, Colo., Sept. 17, 1905, Sister Anna Rice Jenkins, aged 45 years, 10 months, and 18 days. At the age of fourteen Sister Jenkins united with the Presbyterian Church. The summer following her marriage in 1884, she became impressed with the truths held by the Seventh-day Adventists, and united her interests with this people. Sister Jenkins was a noble woman, a helpful, loving wife, a kind, devoted mother, a faithful friend and neighbor. In the series of sicknesses and serious operations through which Sister Jenkins passed during the last few months of her life, she gave all into the hands of God, hoping to be spared to her family, but willing to relinquish her life if providence so ordered. We look forward with confidence, if we are faithful, to a meeting with the beloved wife and mother and sister in the never-ending kingdom of our God.
FRANCIS M. WILCOX.
Powell.—Died at the residence of his son-in-law, F. P. Collins, at Eden Mills, Vt., Nov. 18, 1905, George Nelson Powell. The deceased was born in Richford, April 24, 1823. In 1853 he married Matilda B. Stone, daughter of the late Elder Albert Stone, and came to Eden to live in 1869, having purchased a farm on the North Road. Here they have always resided until within a few months. He was a man much respected in the town, and will be missed here and at North Hyde Park, where he frequently met with those of like faith. He was an earnest Christian, looking steadily for the blessed appearing of his Saviour. He leaves a wife, three sons, and three daughters, besides several grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, and one brother. The funeral was largely attended, Rev. Daniel Gregory, of North Hyde Park, officiating.
Publications Wanted
THE following persons desire late, clean copies of our publications, post-paid:—
Mrs. A. McKinnon, Fort Payne, Ala., Signs, Life Boat, Save the Boys.
Jennie E. Brown, Mariaville, Neb., Signs, Life Boat, Life and Health, Youth’s Instructor, tracts, etc.
Paul Curtis, Box 428, Edmonton, Alberta, a large number of our denominational periodicals.
T. R. Tyer, 516 South 11th St., Paducah, Ky., REVIEW and other papers suitable for missionary work.
Jas. W. Miller, Box 392, Bartlesville, I. T., REVIEW, Signs, Watchman, etc., also Family Bible Teacher and tracts.
M. W. DeLhorbe, Box 54, R. F. D. 5, Spartanburg, S. C., Signs, Watchman, REVIEW, Life and Health, and tracts.
Esther Levy, Cornwall Landing, Orange Co., N. Y., copies of any of our periodicals or publications in all languages.
Mrs. T. J. Butler, Palestine, Tex., REVIEW, Signs, Watchman, Little Friend, health journals, and tracts on the Sabbath, religious liberty, and second coming of Christ; also “The Celestial Railroad” and “Appeal to the Clergy.”
Miss I. S. Hubbard, Trinity School, Athens, Ala., Instructor and Little Friend, a few copies of the REVIEW and the Signs, and other suitable reading-matter for a colored school of sixty pupils from eight to twenty years of age.
Addresses Wanted
We desire the post-office addresses of the following-named persons, members of the Seventh-day Adventist church of Indianapolis, Ind.: Sarah Riceton, Louie Valentine, Cora Lange, Geo. Redwine, Eliza Richardson, Geo. Morgan, Walter Hadley, Minnie Wilson, Kate Seals, Stella Huntington, Ruth Huntington, Mary Foscus, Anna Halsenbeck, Clara Nicum, Mamie Hadley, Ellen Morgan, Geo. Shields, Arline Shields, Myrtle Rucker. Any one knowing the address of one or more of the persons named above, will confer a favor by addressing Miss Mayna Miller, Church Clerk, 1709 Central Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.
Business Notices
Brief business notices will be published in this department subject to the discretion of the publishers. A minimum charge of one dollar will be made for one insertion of forty words or less. Three cents a word will be charged for each additional word, and remittance must accompany each order. Initials and figures count as words. Name and address must be counted.
All persons unknown to the managers of this paper must send satisfactory written recommendations whenever submitting notices for insertion in this column.
In the case of poor persons who wish employment, the charge may be remitted, but in order to secure this concession a letter from the elder of the local church of which the advertiser is a member, or from one of our well-known ministers, must accompany the advertisement.
EVERY reader should try our absolutely pure and rancid-proof peanut butter, only 10 cents a pound. We pay freight on 100 pounds or more east of Rocky Mountains, at 12 cents a pound. Address Vegetarian Meat Company, 309 Bond Building, Washington, D. C.
WANTED.—Mrs. Hattie Lobdell, 318 West 134th St., New York City, formerly a resident of California, would like to receive orders for crocheted slippers, knitted rugs, fancy work, etc. Her condition of health prevents her from engaging in more active work.
FOR SALE.—Pure vegetable cooking oil; odorless, fine shortener, good keeper, splendid substitute for olive-oil. Prices, freight prepaid east of Colorado, west of Ohio (to farther points ask for prices), one 5-gal. can, $3.50; two cans, $6.50; three cans, $9.25. Address R. H. Brock, Arkansas City, Kan.
Abuse of the Franking Privilege
Attention has been officially called to the abuse of the franking privilege by Rev. W. F. Crafts, of National Reform Bureau fame, and the Washington Post has expressed its view of the case as follows:—
We fail to see, however, that blame can rightly be attached to Mr. Crafts in this particular affair. . . . Everybody says that he is an earnest, unworldly servant of reform, laboring in and out of season to purify the morals of other people—chiefly by removing temptation from their pathways. He has had a call to rescue mankind from sin, to lift them up to the dizzy altitudes upon which he habitually roosts, and generally to make them nearly as good as he is, if he can. We have no right to require of him the smallest familiarity with profane things.
. . . The Rev. Crafts is toiling for the salvation of mankind. Sometimes we wish he were doing it to the heathen in distant and inaccessible lands — say, darkest Africa or the Solomon Islands, for instance — but nobody can make us believe that he used those franks unrighteously or with any thought of private gain.
Either the Post is indulging in a happy vein of irony or it regards Mr. Crafts as an irresponsible reform crank. In either case his influence with Congress is not increased. We have no malice toward Mr. Crafts, but we are not in sympathy with his ideas of reform, nor with his methods of conducting his campaign.
The Forces of World Revolution
The following outline picture of what may be called the forces of revolution existing in the world to-day, is drawn by Mr. Jack London, the novelist and a leading Socialist, who is no doubt well informed on the subject. Mr. London has been lecturing on the theme of the coming world revolution before large audiences in the cities and at the universities of New England:—
I received a letter the other day from a man in Arizona. It began: “Dear comrade,” and ended, “Yours for the revolution.” My reply began and ended the same. In the United States there are over 400,000 men, and altogether 1,000,000 men and women, who begin and end their letters the same way. In Germany there are 3,000,000, in France 1,000,000, in Austria 300,000, in Belgium 300,000, in Italy 250,000, in Switzerland 100,000, in Denmark 55,000, in Sweden 50,000, in Holland 40,000, in Spain 30,000—comrades all and revolutionists.
To-day the seven million revolutionists cast seven million votes in the civilized countries of the world. They are fighters. They love peace; they are unafraid of war. They intend fighting to die, to destroy existing conditions and to take possession of the whole world. If the law permits, they will fight for this peaceably at the ballot box. In the United States we are enabled to carry on this revolution peaceably. In Russia it is not so. If the law does not permit peaceable destruction of society, they will resort to force themselves. They will meet violence with violence.
In Russia there is no civilization. The government executes the revolutionists.
I am a revolutionist, yet I am a fairly sane and a normal individual. I speak and think of these assassins in Russia as my comrades. So do all the comrades in America and all the seven million comrades in the world. This is shown by the fact that we do back up all comrades in Russia. They are not disciples of Tolstoi, nor are we. We are revolutionists.
The time has come for the revolution to demand compensation. It has fastened upon every country in the civilized world. With the introduction of the machine in Japan, socialism was introduced. Socialists marched into the Philippines shoulder to shoulder with the soldiers. Vastly more significant is the fact that in all the countries the revolution has fastened upon, in none has it relaxed its grip.
On the contrary, its grip has closed by years. In 1867 its voting strength in the world was 30,000. In 1871 it had increased to 100,000. Not until 1884 did it pass the half-million point. In 1889 it had passed the million mark. It had then gained momentum. In 1902 it was 5,253,000, and in 1905 it had passed the seven-million mark.
The first four years of the twentieth century in the United States were considered prosperous years, yet in that time more than 300,000 men added themselves to the ranks of the revolutionists. In California one man in ten is an avowed and respected socialist. One man in ten votes the straight socialist ticket.
The reader will note that according to Mr. London, and the socialistic program for which he speaks, the coming revolution will be accomplished peaceably if possible, but forcibly and by bloodshed if necessary. To which alternative is the logic of events to lead?
Religious Liberty Bureau Meeting in New York
ELDER K. C. RUSSELL, chairman of the Religious Liberty Bureau, spent last Sabbath and Sunday in New York City, attending a meeting of the workers of the Greater New York Conference.
A Protest Against Liberal Theology
Now and then a strong voice is heard uttering a protest against the perversion of truth by the advocates of a liberal theology. Such a protest, made by Dr. A. T. Pierson, will be found on the ninth page, and it is worthy of a thoughtful reading.
The Bible or Tradition?
THE last issue of The Bible Students’ Library bears the title, “The Bible or Tradition? Dr. Torrey and the Sabbath. A Review.” It is written by Elder C. H. Edwards, president of the Greater New York Conference, and is a very forcible presentation of the absurdities and contradictory positions involved in the effort to defend Sunday-keeping while claiming to be true to the Word of God. The full-page illustrations speak powerfully to the eye. This tract can be obtained through the usual channels.
Can We Have Unity?
HARMONY in this denomination is certainly a very desirable thing, and much has been sacrificed in recent years to keep up even the outward appearance of unity as long as possible. But unity can not be maintained at the expense of principle. We are forbidden to depart from the faith in order to preserve an outward union with those who persistently disregard warnings and counsels which are designed to maintain the integrity of this advent movement. In refusing to abandon the original platform of this message we can not justly be charged with causing a schism in the denomination. In following the instruction given through the spirit of prophecy we can not be held responsible for separating from those who are determined to follow their own way.
Our present position is thus stated through the spirit of prophecy in instruction dated Nov. 20, 1905:—
The Lord now calls upon every soul to be wide-awake. We need not be deceived. Christ in his humanity was able to withstand the wily foe. Those who understand and believe the truth are to be faithful guardians. When they see the Lord's people exposed to temptations, they are to lift their voice, in warning.
Some who have received warning and instruction from God have deliberately turned from the messages sent to them. They have as it were walked, blindfolded, into Satan's prepared snares. Satan is playing the game of life for their souls. And some who might be in a position to help these ensnared souls have themselves become ensnared as captives to the arch-deceiver. . . . Now, just now, the Lord's people are to show their loyalty. The time has come when the Lord would have all who will honor him take their stand firmly on the side of truth and righteousness.
We need clear discernment now. Many have become so confused that they do not seem able to perceive even the clear light. We need to have the courage to act upon our convictions, refusing to compromise the interests of God's cause. These are perilous times, and we require a daily experience in the fellowship of God's Spirit in order that we may not be taken in the snares of the enemy.
Let us lift high the banner of truth, and stand firmly for the fundamental principles of this message as God gave it to this people. This is the only basis for unity.