GAMBLING is in the very atmosphere. It is gambling in stocks, in wheat, in corn, in pork, in beef, in nearly all the necessities of life. It is gambling in horse-races, in base-ball, in games of all kinds. Lotteries abound. The vice is become so common that careful indeed must be the Christian if he does not find himself entrapped in some game of chance, some scheme to obtain much for little or nothing, if only he be lucky. The great evil, like that of intemperance, cannot be seen so much in the single act or deed, but in the tendency and result. That is evil, and only evil; and what is evil in fruit must be evil in seed. According to the law and court decisions of Pennsylvania, the sale of candy which contains prizes in some of the packages is held to be a lottery. The only way for the Christian or honest man to do is to be willing to give an equivalent for what he obtains, to engage in nothing which embodies the principle of the lottery.
The Theocracy
By Editor
WE have this wonderful piece of wisdom in an article in the Christian Statesman of September 4, entitled "The Theocracy," by Rev. R. C. Wylie: "The theocracy [of Israel] was originally a republic." But a theocracy is no more a republic than is an autocracy. A theocracy is a government of God. A republic is a government by the people or their representatives. Mr. Wylie attempts to prove that this latter was the case with Israel. But Moses was appointed of God; so were the seventy elders; so was Joshua; so were the judges; so was Samuel; so was Saul; so was David, etc. The advice given by Jethro, which Mr. Wylie quotes, was given only by consent of the Lord. Jethro says to Moses: "If thou shalt do this thing and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace." Ex. 18:23. All these things were, when Israel was obedient, by the direct counsel, appointment, or direction of God. It was no nearer a republic than is Russia to-day. Not that we would compare it with Russia in character. We have no objection to a true theocracy, which, according to the Bible, will never be till Christ shall come again in glory. What we do object to is men putting themselves in the place of government, and saying, We are ruling for God; God is ruling through us. Even so did the Papacy during the Dark Ages. 2 Thess. 2:2-4. Crystallize the theory again, and we have the Dark Ages repeated. The evident reason why Mr. Wylie does not see this is that he expects to be one of the rulers.
CAMP-MEETINGS FOR 1890.
By Editor
The following list of camp-meetings has been announced thus far by the proper authorities. Those marked with the star (*) will be preceded by a workers' meeting, beginning one week before the dates named:—
South Dakota, Swan Lake, Oct. 1-6
Wisconsin (Northeastern), Clintonville, " 1-8
*Kansas (State Conference), Eureka, " 2-13
California (San Luis Obispo County), " 14-21
California (Southern), " 15-28
The Pitcairn Nears Dedication
By Editor
The Pitcairn has already made three trips on San Francisco Bay, besides the trip from the yards to Oakland, and gives perfect satisfaction both to sailors and passengers. Painting and other finishing work is now being done, to get the vessel in perfect trim by the time of the dedication, September 25.
The Oakland Camp-Meeting
By Editor
By the time this number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES reaches its readers, the Oakland camp-meeting will be well under way. Already there is on the ground every appearance, and very much the spirit, of a camp-meeting. Each forenoon the workers meet together for Bible study, and in the afternoon for an experience meeting, when reports are heard from the laborers that have been in the field during the summer. There is a prayer-meeting, also, each morning and evening, which proves a blessing. We confidently expect an excellent meeting.
Victories for the Sabbath
The Christian Statesman notes among "Victories for the Sabbath" the following: The Rochester, N. Y., base-ball club, and also the Syracuse club, have decided to abandon Sunday games. These might be called victories if these clubs did this from moral motives, but, as stated by the manager of the Rochester club, it is "in deference to public opinion and to the construction of the law." So in Syracuse "a strong effort was made" to "evade the law, but it failed;" and now both clubs keep the sabbath. Such will ever be the victories of a church which seeks or uses alliance with civil power,—the victories of force. Such a church is the messenger of law, not of gospel.
Protection for the Salvationists
By Editor
At Mount Vernon, a northern suburb of New York, the Salvation Army has been meeting with much persecution recently. Their ropes have been cut, their tents set on fire and pulled down over the heads of the assembly, and other disgraceful scenes have been enacted. We do not believe in Salvation Army methods, but they certainly have a right to conduct their worship unmolested by mobs. If they are too noisy, their parades may be prohibited by law; but first the many saloons ought to be closed, and the strolling bands and circuses prevented from parading the streets. The Salvationists are entitled to protection.
The Cincinnati Sunday Reform
THE Law and Order Sunday Reform in Cincinnati, about which Sunday-law people have had so much to say, appears to have died out. A series of concerts instituted by the mayor are held in Eden Park, a park at least on Sunday. A recent one was attended by at least 25,000 people. Theaters and saloons are running in the city, says a correspondent of the Presbyterian Banner, and the back doors of the saloons are open to all. And so it will be in every movement which lacks a moral basis. The Sunday movement is very deficient in this respect, otherwise it would need no law to compel its observance by its professed friends.
Parents and Their Pastor
THE following from the Congregationalist is worthy of serious thought. How many parents who deplore their children's indifference to religious exercises realize that they themselves have laid the foundation of that indifference? Let parents take warning from this incident:—
"Those who habitually criticise their pastor in their families, work effectively against their own higher interests. A woman who was known to do this, as she saw her children growing indifferent to the church and to Christian things, said to her pastor, with tears, 'Doctor, can't you help me to save my boys?' He replied, 'Madam, I have no influence with your boys; you have talked it all away.' Speak with respect of your minister, that those whom you love best may honor the truth he proclaims."
Fiji and Samoa
By Editor
THE first number of the Young People's Library, entitled "Fiji and Samoa," is all that has been claimed for it. In outward appearance it is neat and attractive, and gives assurance that the series will be an ornament to any home. But attractive as is its dress, that is the least of its merits. It is packed full of the most valuable information, told in a way that cannot fail to be interesting. It takes the reader to a portion of the world of which comparatively little is generally known, and introduces him to its life and scenes. We give the title of some of the chapters, that an idea may be gained of the scope of the book: Geographical Position of Fiji—Government and Religion of Fiji—The Wonderful Productions of Fiji—Coral Formations of the Pacific—A Cannibal Outbreak—Fijian Traditions—Past and Present Funeral Rites—The Capital of Fiji—The Samoan Islands—Interesting Samoan Topics—Other Wonders of the Southern Seas—Our Relations with Samoa—Cyclones in the Coral Seas.
We believe that this book, with the others that are to follow, will fill just the place that the Library was designed to fill, namely, furnish good, attractive, and instructive reading matter, that will elevate the mind of the reader, and leave no excuse for the young to feed upon exciting trash.
Irreverent Hymns
A union meeting of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor—held we will not say where, except that it was in a noted educational center, on Sunday evening, June 29—prints in its program a hymn containing the following address to the Deity:—
"Our thoughts are one in Thee,"
"Our prayer will ever be,"
"That God will bless the Y. P. S. C. E."
These are the last three lines of the chorus. This is an age of committees. We suggest one entitled C. T. S. I. H., which, being interpreted, is a Committee to Suppress Irreverent Hymns.—Christian Advocate.