Earlier text: A PrayerNote and Comment
By Editor
A FEW weeks ago there appeared in these columns a quotation from another publication which gave the impression that religious liberty had been granted in Russia, and that all denominations were permitted to carry on their work without interference. It appears, however, that while many statements in the article were correct, yet it did not convey the right meaning as a whole. We have recently received from one of our ministers in Russia, Elder J. T. Boettcher, a letter upon this subject, from which we take this extract:— There is no liberty whatever to do missionary work as we are doing it elsewhere. I mean by this, that we are not allowed to go into a city where we do not have fifty Sabbath-keepers and open a place of worship, much less rent a hall, advertise and conduct a series of meetings. For instance, one of our ministers has been in Odessa ever since last October. Although he has rented a hall and is paying for it, yet he is not allowed to hold meetings; therefore he is obliged to work in secret until he gets the required number necessary to petition the governor. The above-mentioned brother has even telegraphed to the prime minister, but without avail. This is the difficulty with which we are confronted everywhere. It is true that where we already have an organized company at our own place of worship, we can hold as many meetings for our own people as we wish, and as many strangers may come as wish to, provided they come of their own accord; but as to real evangelical work, it is not allowed. While a larger degree of freedom is granted than formerly, yet it will be clear from this quotation from Brother Boettcher's letter that genuine religious liberty is not yet enjoyed in Russia. We hope that the steps already taken in the right direction will soon be followed with the grant of perfect freedom. The United Societies’ Threat
THERE is an organization of liquor dealers in Chicago, calling itself The United Societies, which has been greatly stirred by the temperance agitation throughout the country, and to such an extent that it has thought it necessary to pass the following resolution:— And it should be understood that any man who belongs to a temperance organization and advocates either local option or prohibition, no matter on which ticket he may be placed, will be opposed by the members of the United Societies. We stand broadly for the personal rights of the individual as guaranteed by our Constitution, and to this end we shall support only those candidates who will answer squarely and fully the questions which we shall propound to them, and sign the pledges which we shall present. Concerning this very plain declaration the Northwestern Christian Advocate says:— The “personal rights” for which the United Societies stands are the rights of saloon-keepers to nullify the law, and to debauch boys and girls by the sale of liquor at so-called dance halls, which are the most degrading class of saloons. By these resolutions the United Societies serves notice upon all candidates for office that they must be willing to sacrifice their manhood and the welfare of the homes and the young people of the State if they wish to escape the unrelenting opposition of the United Societies. Time will show how many candidates will do that. The saloon and its allies are willing to go to any length to protect that lawless and treasonable institution. The most lamentable feature of the prospect is that so large a portion of the political place-hunters are numbered among the “allies” of that organization already. It is a bold stroke for an organization so notorious in its defiance of law to declare its intention of going to the very source of the law and polluting that. But nothing in its past career would lead us to imagine it would hesitate even at so great an insult to the people of the land. A Protest Against Darwinism
The hundredth anniversary of the birth of Darwin has given occasion for much discussion in the public press of his theory of evolution, and in most cases it is frankly acknowledged that the hypotheses of Darwin have largely superseded the old-time views concerning creation and the history of the earth. There is an occasional exception and an almost isolated protest against conceding all that is claimed by the followers of Darwin. Here is one:— If blind adherence to unproved assumptions constitutes mental freedom, one might readily understand the significance of the glowing tributes which are now being paid to Darwin’s memory. Those eulogists are guilty of the same fault which they attribute to the supernatural believer. The man of supernatural faith believes on the authority of God the revealer, things which can not be proved. These modern disciples of Darwin accept things without proof because of an overweening confidence in the superiority of their own intellect, which makes them believe that they see, when in reality they do not see. . . . The whole theory of evolution on its rational side is based on a series of assumptions for which no definite proof is forthcoming. Not only is it unable to indicate the start of life, but it fails utterly to explain the origin and growth of the noblest sentiments with which human nature is endowed. FREEDOM of the press, which Rome has never favored, and freedom of speech, which she has anathematized, are standing that church in good stead just now in France—if it can be said that anything which contributes to Rome’s success is a blessing to her. Rome has lost much in France by her method of riding over the rights of the people. Now she is earnestly endeavoring to regain her lost prestige by the very means which she has so often condemned; that is, freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Says The Presbyterian:— The Roman Catholic Church in France is making great and apparently successful headway in regaining her influence over the people by means of periodical literature.
Two million copies of the papers are issued, and the priests make vigorous efforts to induce the people to take and read them. It may be noted, in passing, that had the papal church unrestricted sway, the general public would not be able to read these periodicals. In a work entitled “Liberalism and the Church,” by the Catholic historian, Dr. O. A. Brownson, he says, speaking of the Dark Ages:— Always will the period from the sixth to the end of the fifteenth century stand out as the most glorious in the annals of the race.—Page 182.
If that be the case, then it is certain that Rome will never cease to do all in her power to bring back the conditions which characterized that period. Notes of Travel
By Ellen G. White
The annual session of the California Conference, held in Oakland, was an important meeting. The question of who should be president of this conference for the year 1909 was decided. Elder S. N. Haskell was elected to the office, without one dissenting vote. Elder Haskell and his wife work together harmoniously, and their united labors are much appreciated by this conference. The results of their efforts for the past year show that much good has been accomplished in many lines. I did not attend any of the business meetings, but was able to give advice in some lines. We were much pleased with the spirit of harmony that pervaded the meetings held for counsel and for the laying of plans for future work. On Monday, February 8, the Lord gave me a plain message for the people, and all present had evidence that the voice of the Holy Spirit was in the message I bore in the name of the Lord. I presented before our people principles that were sacred and holy, principles which the Lord expects his people to carry out. This discourse was reported by one of my workers, and will appear in the REVIEW. At the conference meetings I presented to our people the need of pledging ourselves for advance work in our religious experience. God's people are to seek now, as never before, to be purified and sanctified, a holy people, who, by the exemplification of truth in their words, their purpose, and their actions, communicate their knowledge of truth, and do honor to the One who died that they might be a praise among all people. The grace of Christ alone can bring this about, making believers not only professors of the truth, but men and women who live the truth, and thus reveal the principles of the gospel. God can make his people a praise in the earth only as they allow themselves to be sanctified by their belief of the truth. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and was revealed in the words that were given me to speak. I asked those present who felt the urgency of the Spirit of God, and who were willing to pledge themselves to live the truth and to teach the truth to others, and to work for their salvation, to make it manifest by rising to their feet. I was surprised to see the whole congregation rise. I then asked all to kneel down, and I sent up my petition to heaven for that people. I was deeply impressed by this experience. I felt the deep moving of the Spirit of God upon me, and I know that the Lord gave me a special message for his people at this time. I realized that I had with me the presence of him whom the Jews took and crucified, but who rose from the dead, and declared to his followers, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: . . . and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Praise the Lord, O my soul! After this meeting I felt that my work was finished, and we decided to return home the following day. Elder J. D. Rice drove us to the railway station in his carriage. I carried a cushion with me, thinking to sleep in the cars on the homeward journey; but my mind had been so powerfully wrought upon that I could not sleep; and during the journey I silently offered my prayer to God, asking him to give me physical and spiritual strength to reach the people with the message of life that Christ has given his faithful shepherds to proclaim. Christ declared to his disciples that they were to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. His life of unselfishness and love was to be copied by them. In his name they were to give to the world unselfish service. The knowledge of his suffering on Calvary's cross and his unchanging love for mankind was to be made known to all people. And Christ further declared, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” “But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” God's people are to be constantly reaching up to him in prayer. It was after the early disciples had spent ten days in supplication, after all differences had been put away, and they had united in deep heart-searching, and in confession and putting away of sins, and in drawing together in holy fellowship, that the Holy Ghost came upon them, and the promise of Christ was fulfilled. There was a wonderful outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly there came from heaven the sound as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. “And the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” These disciples did not confine themselves to any class of people or place. “They went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Notwithstanding the fierce opposition that the disciples met, in a short time the gospel of the kingdom had been sounded to all the inhabited parts of the earth. In the providence of God great multitudes were gathered at Jerusalem at this time, and many were converted. These, returning to their homes, carried the wonderful news to every place. The commission given to the first disciples is given to those who in these last days have received increased light from heaven. It was God's desire that all nations should be aroused to repentance and obedience by the working of the Holy Spirit. The message of saving grace is to be preached to all nations and kindreds and tongues and peoples. Let every soul now follow the movings of the Spirit of God; let the truth go forth as a lamp that burneth. Not all can fill the same place; but every one who yields himself to the consecrating influence of the Holy Spirit will be under the control of Christ; and for consecrated men and women God has made full provision. Actual service will determine the character of the work of those ordained of God to bring salvation to human hearts and minds. The work of God needs the gifts and offerings of his people. These are to be bestowed for the advancement of his kingdom. Just as long as men and women will be led and guided by the Holy Spirit for the magnifying of God's law and the advancement of the kingdom of grace, the work will go forward. Just so surely as they give evidence of the fruits of the Spirit in heart and life and character, souls will be reached and saved. Go to all nations, Christ says; my Spirit shall go with you; and angels of God that excel in strength will be present to aid every soul who by living faith will make God his strength. I pray that every soul may see the necessity of using every capability in wise, earnest work for God. Let none be held back by any forbiddings of men, but let all seek the Lord with all the heart and with all the soul, and work in the spirit of Christ. Consequences of the Rejection of Light
By George I. Butler
Various evidences have been presented that the term Babylon (i. e., the state of “confusion,” “mixture”), a descriptive title which God has used in his Word to designate religious bodies having some truth interwoven with considerable error, must include not only the Roman Church, but all churches of like character and conditions. The Roman Church, as the leading, most ancient church, stands conspicuous as being the greatest in numbers, and the most influential of all; hence it is spoken of as the “mother” in the description given in Revelation 17. This title necessarily implies that others have come out from her communion, and these “others” are unmistakably the great popular religious bodies who have called themselves Protestant,—those who have protested against the9 tyranny and doctrines of the “mother” church. This title is often used by Catholics to designate their own church, and thus express her superiority in age and influence. This admission strongly corroborates the fitness of the inspired title, especially when Protestants use it. The coming out of these bodies was a great and blessed event. God was in it. The Protestant Reformation has brought about a vast improvement over the darkness and tyranny of Catholicism. Great light has shone upon the world through its agency. Liberty and civilization have been wonderfully advanced thereby. Multitudes of precious souls have been instructed in heavenly things, and will be saved in the kingdom of God by this blessed light. Noble reformers and large numbers of able and godly men have been raised up, and have blessed the world by their ministry. Through these precious agencies the Bible, the Word of the living God, has been circulated in all parts of the world. The truths of the gospel have been made known even unto the darkest corners of the earth. The great Reformation was all right as far as it went. God was honored by it, and he gave the blessings of his Holy Spirit in large measure to its advancement. The one prominent fact concerning it to be regretted is that this great Reformation did not go far enough to meet God’s full designs. We feel sure that any discerning, God-fearing Protestant will, in his own heart, admit that there is much improvement to be desired in the great Protestant world. We know that God’s Word teaches that another great work of reform will take place previous to the coming of Christ. This must necessarily and certainly be so. We have reached the point, and passed it, in the great Protestant historical movement when the greatest faith in God’s Word was manifested in Protestantism, and when the greatest spirituality existed in its ministry and membership. Unmistakable evidences of the decline of Christian fervor and spirituality abound. A tremendous leaning toward worldliness, pride, pleasure-loving, fashion, and practises inconsistent with the doctrine of Christ and genuine godliness, is too apparent to be denied. These conditions are in evidence the world over, and multitudes of honest, sensible people in the churches will themselves freely admit it. What is the inevitable conclusion? It is that light has been rejected. God-given light, designed by the Creator to benefit the cause of God, has been treated with neglect and disrespect. “Walk while ye have the light,” says Jesus, “lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.” Christ’s coming to this world will be the stumbling-stone over which the great religious bodies of professed believers in Christ will stumble and spiritually fall. The Jewish people made this terrible plunge into spiritual darkness over Christ’s first advent. Because he did not come in just the way they expected; that is, as a great national deliverer, they would not accept him. He came as the humble Nazarene. Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, poor in this world, the great and popular saw nothing desirable in him. Though he spake as never man spake, wrought wonderful miracles, brought the dead to life, preached the most precious doctrine man ever heard, exhibited before them all a lovely and perfect character, yet they rejected him, put him to death, and persecuted his disciples. They would not have this man to be the promised One. They said, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” The wonderful predictions of the prophets concerning his first advent,—predictions demonstrating his Messiahship,—had all been fulfilled to the letter. But because he did not come in worldly glory, and to exalt their national glory in the world, they spurned their blessed Redeemer, and made their final plunge into darkness. How awful it all seems to us,—this terrible mistake! Their glorious city was destroyed. Their beautiful temple was burned; not one stone was left upon another. They were driven like a flock of sheep without a shepherd, before the Romans into slavery, and were scattered among the nations. Modern Israel has been making a still worse mistake. The fulness of time has come when the blessed Son of God is about to appear to earth’s inhabitants “without sin unto salvation.” Did the ancient people of God make a mistake in rejecting the prophecies pertaining to his first advent?—They surely did. Modern Israel is making the much greater mistake of rejecting a greater array of prophetic predictions relative to the nearness of his second coming. Some thirteen distinct lines of prophecy, each and all, demonstrate that we are in the last days of time. They are all being fulfilled, or have been fulfilled, in a plain, literal manner before the eyes of this last generation. Eminent religious teachers of this age not only refuse to consider them, but, still worse, scoff at prophecy as something impossible to be understood, and do their best to keep those under their charge from considering them at all. While one of the apostles whom they profess to accept as an inspired man declares prophecy to be a “light in a dark place,” till the day of Christ shall dawn, they boldly declare that prophecy is a mystery, and can never be understood. And what is the outcome of all this? Foolish notions of the world’s being converted before Christ’s coming, are extant; the mass of the clergy are banding together to manipulate the school of politics and secure laws to force men to keep Sunday as a sabbath, a requirement for which there is not a scrap of evidence of Scriptural authority. Church-and-state union is easily discernible in the near future. The Bible’s inspiration is being questioned in the great schools of theology, and as a book of authority in religious matters, is losing its hold on the great mass of the people. The foundations of Bible religion are being shaken. Catholics and Protestants are coming closer and closer together in sentiment and feeling. The terrible apostasy and sin are more and more manifest, and moral restraint is losing its hold upon the masses. Yet we are glad we can still say that all are not falling in with this current. God has yet a people in all the churches. The final outcome of it all is plainly evident,—that “Babylon is fallen, is fallen,” and that the time has come for the cry to go forth, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partaker of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” THROUGH all the earth abroad,
Wherever man has trod,
Send forth thy Word, O God;
Thy kingdom come. O Christ, my Lord and King,
This is the prayer I bring;
This is the song I sing:
Thy kingdom come. Baptismal Robes
By Mrs. S. N. Haskell
BAPTISM is a very sacred ordinance, and one that means much to the child of God. It is the privilege of every child of God to claim special blessings from the Lord; for God has promised, if we comply with his requirements in repentance and baptism, “Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 1: 3, 8. The spirit of prophecy has given very definite instruction in regard to the preparation for this ordinance; and that everything may “be done decently and in order,” we are instructed to prepare the baptismal robes. The Saviour’s example affords us excellent instruction in proper order. When he awoke from death, obedient to the call of his Father, with the holy angels awaiting to escort him from the tomb, he did not leave his grave-clothes in disorder. “The grave-clothes were not thrown heedlessly aside, but were carefully folded, each in a place by itself. . . . It was Christ himself who had placed those grave-clothes with such care. . . . As the angel from heaven rolled away the stone, the other [angel] entered the tomb and unbound the wrappings from the body of Jesus. But it was the Saviour’s hand that folded each, and laid it in its place.”—“Desire of Ages.” It was not because he would ever need those clothes again; but as an example for his followers. What lesson is there in this for us? Does it not teach us how we should care for the clothes worn by those who are “buried with him by baptism”? The plan followed by one of our churches is worthy of imitation. Twelve baptismal robes were made of a good quality of black serge. These robes were made neatly, belted at the waist, and, when wet, they would not cling to the form. The lower seams were weighted with lead to sink readily in the water. The church likewise provided celluloid collars and cuffs for use with the robes. The candidates are prepared for the ceremony before the opening song, and are thus enabled to quietly enjoy the service, and go forward at once when the proper moment arrives, without tedious waiting.10 After each use, the robes are dried, pressed, and laid away for the next occasion. This plan could be followed to excellent advantage in all our churches. Those who accept, at the hands of the church, the office of deaconess obligate themselves to spend time to attend to the things pertaining to the Lord’s house. We would be shocked, if, when celebrating the ordinance of humility, the towels were given out crumpled, soiled, neither pressed nor folded. Why is not a proper care of the baptismal robes just as important, or more so? If the robes belonging to your church have been neglected so long that they can not be made to look respectable, dampen them thoroughly, and press with a heavy iron, and you may be surprised at the results. If you find them past reclaiming, would it not be a good plan to purchase other robes, and give them the care the Lord bestowed upon his clothes worn in the grave, of which baptism is a memorial? Law a Laughing-Stock
By F. D. STARR
RECENTLY one of the popular magazines of the country published this statement: “Law is a laughing-stock.” The truth of this assertion may be known by considering the utter disregard of law manifested in so many localities, in positions high and low. Is there not a cause for this? Indeed, the law of God is so treated even by the clergy before the public. A short time ago I listened to two sermons by a bishop of a popular church, in which he ridiculed the decalogue in a most unsparing manner. He endeavored to show that the commandments could not be kept. He stated that the Jews, by trying to observe the second commandment, made of themselves a very stupid nation; that they did not dare to cultivate any of the arts in which the making of anything like a picture was involved, the commandment positively forbidding them to make any object that looked like anything that was in existence. This will be readily detected as a flagrant perversion of the words of the Most High. What the commandment forbids pertains to the matter of worship: “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.” That the commandment does not forbid the making of objects that resemble something else, is plainly to be seen by such scriptures as Ex. 26:1; 28:33, 34; 36:8, where we find that the people obeyed the command of God in making such objects as cherubim, bells, and fruit upon fabrics used in the sanctuary service. These were repeatedly said to be wrought in a “cunning” manner, which shows that the Israelites had become dextrous in the practise of the fine arts. In reference to the sixth commandment, the speaker stated that no one could keep that precept and kill an ox, a sheep, a mosquito, or even a weed in the garden. He declared that the commandment says, unqualifiedly, “Thou shalt not kill,” and said, “It does not say what you shall not kill.” But is it not plain enough to what the prohibition refers? How does our Saviour quote that commandment in Matt. 19:18?—“Thou shalt do no murder.” Is the man who prepares an ox for the market arrested for murder? Who will say that he ought to be arrested for murder, or that destruction of insect or plant life is to be classed as murder? The fifth commandment was also held up to ridicule, and of course the fourth did not escape, as the defamer of God’s law proceeded with his discourse. He certainly succeeded in making a laughing-stock of the divine law; for he had the most of his congregation merrily laughing at what they thought were witty remarks concerning the folly of trying to keep the ten commandments. It was stated that it was a great misfortune that such men as John Wesley, and other founders of the leading denominations, had fallen into the error that the ten commandments were binding in this dispensation. Surely the time has now come of which the psalmist spoke: “It is time for thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law.” Ps. 119:126. When ministers in the desk make a laughing-stock of God’s law, is it a wonder that judges on the bench, lawyers, and jurors in the court-room, criminals in the street, and mobs and lynching parties make a laughing-stock of human enactments? The one would naturally follow as a consequence of the other. Critics and Criticism
By W. M. HEALEY
THIS is an age of critics and criticism. History, art, science, and religion are all lined up to take their share of the darts that any one may choose to cast at them. It must not be presumed that one needs any great knowledge of the subject to constitute him a critic. A dog barks at the moon without knowing much about astronomy; the moon, however, seems so conscious of its superior position that it smiles blandly, and moves along in its regular course. By criticism the child learns to speak its first word correctly. By it the musician, the artisan, and all others reach their highest attainments. There are two great and opposing systems of criticism,—one headed by Jesus Christ, the other by Satan. Both search for every fault, but for different purposes. Christ would discover and point out every wrong, that it may be removed. He even takes the fault as his own, and suffers for the mistakes of others, that they need not suffer on account of them. Satan, on the contrary, is an “accuser of the brethren;” he criticizes that he may have charges against them. He is ever ready to catch at a word or single act, and hide his eyes from every good expression, motive, or intention. He will magnify an apparent evil, and hide a real good. He is ever seeking to tear others down, and build up himself. This kind of criticism has only two prominent letters in the spirit of its alphabet,—the great I and a little u. The child of God does not indulge in it. The work of his Master’s Spirit is the kind pointed out in Rom. 8:26: ‘Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered.’ A little boy listened one evening to earnest conversation upon the evils of drinking intoxicating liquors. As he said his prayer by his mother’s knee, he asked to be kept from drinking liquids. Did the Holy Spirit make light of that prayer, and did the angels seize that misspoken word and dwell upon it to show how much more they knew than that little boy?—No, no! They are not of that family of critics. The Holy Spirit presented that prayer as the boy meant it; and heaven smiled its love and approval. To what party of critics do you belong? Turn from that kind who exalt self, and seek the kind that desires to help others. That spirit comes from above. Faithful Service
By H. A. ROBINSON
CHRIST our Saviour is enlisting men for the great war with sin. Victory is sure. You and I have enlisted under his banner, and he expects faithful service, and that only. At the very start of our Saviour’s work on this earth, he called men for service. His words to Levi were, “Follow me.” This was a call for immediate service. No length of time was stipulated. It was an open call. You will notice that no questions were asked regarding the nature of the work. No reward was requested. We have consecrated ourselves to do certain things for the Lord, and it is only left for us to carry out our vows. We can not do this of ourselves, but the Lord is willing to help us in all things. Record is being kept of all our words and actions, and we shall have to answer for them. We now have the privilege of doing much work for Christ, but soon, if the opportunity is not improved, this privilege will be withdrawn from us. Everywhere, and all the time, there is work to be done. Daily some are dying for want of a cheering word, a word we might have spoken. Faithful service always brings pleasure to the servant, and also to the Master. “Well done, good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” The reward of faithful service will be a home in the New Jerusalem. Let us all prove true, and with God’s help go through to the end, for he is able to save. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”