p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 35. (9/8/1909)

Catholic Newspapers in Germany

In 1861, a Jesuit priest tells us that the total number of subscribers to all the Catholic newspapers in Germany put together did not equal the number of Catholic priests in the country; but that now there are over a hundred subscribers to Catholic papers where there was one in 1861, the total number of subscribers actually standing at nearly seven millions. The Catholic population of Germany in December, 1905, stood at 22,094,492—more than 36 per cent of the total population. No wonder that the Catholic Center in the Reichstag is stronger than any Protestant forces. A very large element in the German Empire to-day is Socialistic and infidel.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ Is Free

It is a Roman Catholic who describes, in the Roman Catholic Tablet of July 17, what he saw in two London Catholic churches. In one church during a solemn high mass he was asked by a church official if he had paid for his seat; in another church two ladies had scarcely knelt in a seat when a verger came jingling his coins. The ladies had forgotten their purse, and they were requested to leave their seats, not needed by others, and walk out. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is free, and church offerings ought always to be voluntary.

Keep Young Girls Away from the Theater

Anna Held, the popular actress, says that she has made millions on the stage, but advises young girls to keep away from it. Let them keep away, too, from the theater itself. The great drama of every-day life ought to be of more interest than all theaters; for in this drama we are all participants. The devotees of the theater make mighty poor actors or actresses in life's great drama.

Iowa Court Permits Swearing by Telephone

The Iowa Supreme Court declares that swearing, in a moderate degree, is permissible in that state over a telephone, on the ground, presumably, that there is no law against it ordinarily. Swearing, profane or “wooden,” is a wretched habit. It does the swearer no good, and is painful to others.

Egyptian Inscription Records Seven-Year Famine

An exchange states that Professor Brugsch has deciphered an inscription found in Egypt. It bears the date of B.C. 1770. It is written in hieroglyphics, and records the seven years of famine. Moses is right. The spade and pick confirm his Genesis record.

The Bible

The Bible.—There are twenty-eight volumes in the index of the British Museum Library noting books which have to do with the Bible. The true greatness of England is founded in her regard for the Book.