Earlier text: Editorial“MY PEOPLE HAVE COMMITTED TWO EVILS.”
By Ellen G. White
“HATH a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For my people have committed two evils : they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” “For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot. Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed; how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? For though thou wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord.” Why is it that the people in this age are so easily drawn away from the observance of God’s commandments? Why is it that they relish the mockery of those who profess to be teachers of righteousness, who yet cast contempt upon the commandments of Jehovah? Is it not because the heart of this people is carnal? In the scriptures quoted the Lord presents his reproof to those whom he terms “my people,” who have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns that can hold no water. “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.” Those who profess to be the children of God, cast contempt upon his law, and trample upon the fourth precept,—“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt742 not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Instead of keeping the commandments of God, and hallowing the Sabbath day, the churches have substituted for God's holy Sabbath, a day instituted by the Papacy, and do not observe the one of divine appointment. The man of sin, who has “exalted himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God,” has thought himself able to change the time and the law of God, and has given to the world a spurious sabbath, thus making a breach in the law of God. The Christian world have accepted the papal sabbath, and have cherished it as a day of divine appointment. Thus they have forsaken the plain commandment of Jehovah, and have honored an institution nowhere approved by the Scriptures. In this, surely, they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water, and have hewed for themselves broken cisterns that can hold no water. The Lord of heaven will inquire of the Christian churches, “Who hath required this at your hands?” The sin of those who have been enlightened as to the origin and support of Sunday, is very grievous in the sight of God, when they cling to the tradition of men, and thus make void the commandment of God. When the binding claims of the fourth commandment are presented, many use every subterfuge to avoid the conclusion that God requires the observance of the day which he sanctified and blessed. When every other argument against keeping the commandments of God is shown to be vain, the opposers of his law take refuge in the delusion that there is no law, that the commandments of God were abolished by Christ at the cross. What an astonishing statement, that God has no law! Kings of the earth have laws whereby the nations are governed, and has the God of the universe no law? Those who advocate this doctrine say they rejoice in the glorious liberty wherewith Christ has made them free; but from what have they been made free?—Not from sin surely, since sin is the transgression of the law, and where there is no law, there is no transgression. If there is no law, then it is right for every man to follow the depraved impulses of his own heart; for there is no standard by which evil can be detected. It is plain from the results of this doctrine who is the originator of such a theory, for it is manifestly of Satan's devising, since Christ came to save his people from their sins. Christ is not the minister of sin, and the idea that he came to give liberty to men to break his Father's law, and to free them from the penalty of willful transgression, is utterly out of harmony with his example and teaching. The world and the church are both standing in a position of rebellion against God in casting aside his law, and trampling upon his holy commandment. The larger proportion of the Christian world accept the observance of Sunday, knowing that it is an institution of the Papacy, and keep the day, that they may be in harmony with the customs and practices of the world, thus choosing to honor the tradition of men rather than the commandment of God. To this state of apostasy the words of Moses under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit are appropriate,—“He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment, a God of truth without iniquity, just and right is he. They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation. Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise?” God chose his people, and planted them a noble vine; how is it that they are turned into a degenerate vine? The description that has been given of the apostasy of Israel, has an application to the churches that have made void the law of God. Isaiah says, “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil doers, children that are corrupters; they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.” The great sin of God's ancient people was their disregard of the commandments of the Lord, and especially their disregard of the day that God had sanctified and blessed. Because of their disregard of his commandments and ordinances, the Lord removed his defense from them, and permitted their enemies to afflict them and scatter them. Has the Lord changed? Did his holy commandments need to be amended?—Not at all. He says, “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that has gone out of my lips.” Has, then, the Majesty of heaven, the Governor of the universe, no law?—Only Satan's sophistry could induce men to entertain such a thought. Jesus was the invisible leader of his ancient people, and every command and direction given to the people through Moses, was the command and direction of Jesus Christ. Jesus has brought before us the importance of giving heed to what has been written in the law and the prophets. In the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, the rich man is represented as begging that someone be sent back to warn his five brethren, that they come not to the place of torment in which he is found, but the answer is: “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” Jesus in the New Testament does the same work as Jesus in the Old Testament did; but men are so determined to do away with the law of God, in order that they may find a way of avoiding the observance of the Sabbath, that they array Jesus in the New Testament against Jesus in the Old Testament. These blind leaders of the blind, who are ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God, pour contempt on the law of God, and at the same time seek to hold up Christ in contrast to the law. But this they cannot do; for Christ gave the law to his chosen people, and in seeking to make void the law of God on the ground that Christ abolished it, they do insult to both the Father and the Son. Jesus says, “I and my Father are one.” The blind teachers of this age, who seek to turn the people away from the law of God, tell the people that the law is Jewish, given only to the Jews, and spoken only for their observance. Where is their authority for such a statement? The prophet says, “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” The Lord gave his law before there was a Jew in the world. Heavenly intelligences were governed by God's law before man was created, and the Sabbath was blessed and set apart for holy use immediately after God had made the world, and had rested from his work of creation. Oh, that I had language to present these lofty themes! I lay down my pen in sorrow that my words are so feeble to deal with grand and awful truth; as I contemplate, I seem to shrink into nothingness before its vast significance. The themes connected with the law and the gospel seem too great for such a weak, ignorant mortal as I to handle. From time to time I venture in the simplest language to present that which has been revealed to me concerning the plan of salvation, but again and again I mourn that my expression falls so far short of the glory of the truth as it is in Jesus. My brethren, be not satisfied with a superficial knowledge of truth, with a surface view of the law of God. Dig deep in the Scriptures of truth, and with an understanding enlightened by the Holy Spirit, dwell upon the holy requirements of the law of Jehovah, until you can reveal to the people their spiritual and eternal character. Your researches have not been deep enough. You need the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to aid you to search into the truth with reverence and awe, bringing your mind to the task with intense desire, that will not be quenched until you see wondrous things out of the law. Dig deep into the mine of truth, and be not satisfied until you have a more perfect comprehension as to what constitutes the strength of the law of God. You need to search and search, and to weep and fast and pray, in order that you may have revealed unto you such a view of the law of God that you will be fitted to go forth and watch for souls as they that must give an account. WHAT A CATHOLIC PAPER SAYS.
THIS is the way the New York Catholic News states the matter. There are some points well put, from which Protestants may learn a lesson, as, for instance, helping the poor. It is from an article on changing religions:— According to the figures furnished by Father Nugent, the most active propagandist parish in New York is that of St. Francis Xavier. During the past twelve months it has made no less than one hundred and fifty converts. Some of these were previously without any religious faith. . . . But the great body of them represented a distinct tide flowing from Protestantism into the elder church. “It is but one step from this to Rome.” To which the high churchman from St. Paul’s responded: “Ah! the Reformation was a mistake—the abuses should have been corrected without a secession of the reformers.” Among the converts which the Catholic Church makes from other communions, Episcopalians are in a large majority. Father Van Rensselaer, of St. Francis Xavier’s, is a conspicuous example. Both communions assert an apostolic succession, and, both historically and sympathetically they are drawn to each other more powerfully than any other denomination is drawn to them. But the Protestant who is attracted by the doctrines and ceremonies of the Catholic Church is to be found, it appears, in every walk of Christian faith, and this is largely due to its practical charity. A priest whose work has chiefly been in the tenemented districts in the eastern and western sections of the city informed the reporter that he had made more converts in one year by distributing bread than he had made by thirty years of pulpit talk. One morning a man came to the rectory and said to him: “Father, I cannot get work to do, and since yesterday I have not tasted a morsel of food. I do not ask for money or bread, but for assistance to obtain some employment. Can you help me?” The good priest did help him and promptly. He went to the proprietor of a dry goods store on Sixth Avenue, stated the circumstances, and begged as an act of charity that he would take the man into his employ. He was set to work unpacking boxes of merchandise, and is to-day regarded as one of the most diligent and faithful employees of the establishment. “Perhaps it would not surprise you to hear,” continued the priest, “that since the Briggs controversy in the Presbyterian denomination began the proportion of converts from that source is becoming greater.” The priest did not think that the conversions which take place from one body of Protestant worshipers to another were significant of anything except the spirit of restlessness and inquiry now so widely observed. The difference between Presbyterians, Baptists, Congregationalists, and Methodists he said are really differences of form not differences of things essential. Like all men, they want to know absolutely what the truth is. They realize that they can’t find it by sitting still. They must get up and hunt for it. So they move across one denominational line after another, and when there are no more denominational lines to cross, they still feel that they ought to keep on moving. SABBATH EVE.
By William D. Wolff
THE light of Sabbath eventide grows dim
As folded into sleep by gathering shades,
While, from the altar of our hearts, a hymn
Ascends to Thee, whose love our life pervades. Sweet Sabbath day! thy hallowed moments come
Like heaven’s balm upon the thirsty soul,
And like fair angel hands to point us home,
And lead our wandering steps unto the goal. In every gift Thy kindly hand doth send,
In constant word of cheer or loving deed,
We see Thy goodness and Thy mercy bend,
To crown our souls with blessings they so need. Accept the service of this day, our King,
The precious going forth, with tears, to sow;
Our faith, oft clouded, still doth sweetly sing
Of garnered sheaves that from the seed shall grow. In early morn, as well at eventide,
Our hands have not withheld the precious seed;
And now, toil weary, we would rest beside
The waters still where thou dost gently lead. Kind Shepherd, draw our wayward hearts to thee,
And let these holy Sabbaths ever prove—
‘Twixt earth’s brief day and heaven’s eternity—
The stepping stones of thy unbounded love. So shall these hallowed Sabbaths ever be
A prelude to unending rest above,
A herald of eternal rest in thee,
A foretaste of our Father’s home of love. Frederick the Great’s Clever Burial Solution
Frederick the Great was not only wise, but also very witty. On one occasion a Catholic priest refused to allow an officer, who had not complied with all his duties, to be buried in consecrated ground. Frederick sent for the priest and asked him, "You say that the graveyard is consecrated ground?" "Yes, your majesty." "How far down does your consecration go?" The priest, somewhat puzzled, replied, "Five feet." "All right, then; the officer shall be buried six feet underground. He will then be one foot outside of your jurisdiction." Sin Unreproved Deceives the Soul
By Thornton
If, like Herod, you have some particular sin, for which you cannot bear reproof, you are deceiving yourself by supposing your joys are a proof of your conversion.—Thornton. THE world says: "Come to me and I will fail you;" the flesh says: "Come to me and I will destroy you;" Christ says: "Come to me and I will give you rest."—St. Bernard. WHAT A SECULAR PAPER SAYS.
THE Colorado Sunday Sun of September 3 contains the following summary of belief and work of Seventh-day Adventists. It is a much fairer representation of our people than the secular press generally gives, owing, doubtless, partly to ignorance:— Since the day of Wm. Miller the name Adventist, or Adventism, has, in the minds of the majority of people, associated itself with that which is weak minded, ludicrous, and fanatical, simply because of a mistake and disappointment connected with his work. In spite of this, however, the world, both religious and secular, has become permeated with the idea, indefinite, it is true, that we are living just before some great event—some crisis in the world's history, and with many the admission at least forces itself upon the mind that that event may be the end of the world—the second advent of Christ. As the attention of the community is now called to this people by their camp meeting in this city, some facts concerning their belief and the nature of their work as given by themselves we deem of interest to the readers of the Sunday Sun. Seventh-day Adventists—a name significant of the two distinguishing features of the faith of this people, viz., the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, as the Sabbath, and a belief in the personal second advent of Christ—have arisen since the movement known as the "Millerite movement." They indorse Wm. Miller and his work, however, believing that his work was of the Lord, and that even his mistake in setting the definite time for Christ to come was a matter noticed in prophecy. God permitted the mistake and disappointment for a purpose—to test, develop, and separate those who truly love the doctrine of Christ's coming from those who might be led to accept it upon the evidence through fear, rather than through love. The stigma which has since rested upon the name Adventist in consequence of that mistake, has constantly worked to this end since that time. Its effect is to prove true disciples now, the same as the reproach borne by Christ when upon earth, proved true disciples. As to the mistake being a fulfillment of prophecy, they cite as a parallel the mistake of the disciples when Christ rode into Jerusalem, and they threw their garments into the way and cried, "Hosanna! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." They verily believed that he was there to take the throne of David and reign king in Jerusalem. All this was prophesied and must be fulfilled, for he said, "If these hold their peace the very stones will cry out." Prophecy must be fulfilled, yet they mistook as to what was to occur. So with the proclamation given by Wm. Miller. It fulfilled its design. It aroused the world on the subject of the second advent of Christ, and from that awakening through all the way along bearing the reproach of the mistake, has grown a work which is world-wide, constantly increasing in power, and is now attracting the attention of the nations of the earth in a remarkable manner. They believe they are simply carrying out the work of reformation begun by Luther and carried on by succeeding reformers, and as successively dropped by the various denominations as they have adopted their respective creeds, thus binding themselves about and precluding progress in the development of all the truth. Seventh-day Adventists have never set a definite time for the coming of Christ, believing that the day or time is not to be known, but that we may know by the fulfillment of prophecy and the signs of the times when it is "near even at the doors." Their work has been in some respects phenomenal. They are not numerous, probably less than 50,000 in the world, neither are they possessed of means generally, yet their work has grown marvelously in all branches. They have something over 1,000 organized churches, nearly 500 ministers, and about as many more Bible readers and missionaries. The ministry is supported by the tithes of the people, which they pay systematically into the various Conference treasuries. The amount of the tithes of the denomination last year was between $300,000 and $400,000. The publishing and educational branches of their work are especially successful. They have extensive publishing houses and branches in London, New York, Oakland, Cal.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Basel, Switzerland; Christiania, Norway; Cape Town, South Africa, and Melbourne, Australia. Many publications are issued in twelve or fifteen different languages. They have seven denominational schools located in various parts of this country, one in Australia, one in South Africa, and the establishment of others is under contemplation. Much interest is taken in the subject of healthful living. One of the largest sanitariums in the world, located at Battle Creek, Mich., and another at St. Helena, Cal., are under the direction of this people. In connection with the one located at Battle Creek a school for the education of medical missionaries is conducted. A hospital and two "homes," one for orphans, the other for old people, are established at Battle Creek, in connection with the Sanitarium, at a cost of over $100,000. Perhaps in no direction is the aggressiveness of the people more marked than in their espousal and promulgation of the principles of religious liberty. They hold most tenaciously to the original principles of American government, believing them to be truly Christian principles upon the question of religious legislation. They maintain that the Constitution, insuring as it does perfect religious freedom, shall be preserved inviolate, and they most strenuously oppose every movement which tends in the opposite direction. They claim when Christ spoke these words—"Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; and unto God the things that are God's," he enunciated in reality the very principle upon which our government was established. It is therefore with deep concern and regret that they witness the prevalence of a departure from these principles, especially among religious bodies, as evidenced by the almost universal clamor for Sunday laws. For years they have published a weekly paper in New York City, the American Sentinel, wholly devoted to the maintenance of these principles and the preservation of the Constitution as it is. At their last General Conference an appeal and remonstrance were passed which set before the world their position upon this question distinctly. The preamble and closing paragraph read as follows:— "WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of these United States, contrary to the principles upon which our government was established, and contrary to the Constitution of the same, has declared this to be a Christian nation; and, "WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States, following in the same course, has violated the Constitution and invaded the rights of the people by legislating upon the subject of religion, deciding a religious controversy and establishing a religious institution in the matter of closing the World's Fair on Sunday; therefore, be it "Resolved, That we do hereby submit to the government and people of the United States this our appeal and remonstrance." Then follows the remonstrance, closing thus: "We, therefore, as Christians, as Protestants, as American citizens, and as men, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, in the name and by the authority of the natural rights of mankind, of the Constitution of the United States, of the history of more than 1,800 years, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, solemnly publish and declare that we are and of right ought to be free and independent of all connection, direction, dictation, interference, or control, of the Government of the United States in matters of religion or religious observance, or institutions of any kind or degree; and that as such, as far as earthly authority is concerned, we have full right to be religious or not religious, to worship or not to worship, to observe a day or not to observe it, according to the dictates of our own consciences and the convictions of our own minds. "And for the support of this appeal, remonstrance, and declaration, and with a firm reliance on the protection of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we mutually pledge to each other and to the world our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." They regard their present work as small, compared with what it will yet be, believing that the messages of the three angels recorded in Rev. 15 are symbolical of the work which is going to the earth to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord, who shall, in the language there used, be found keeping "the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." DECEPTIONS, THEIR TOUCHSTONES.
By M. E. Steward
ASSAYERS of gold sometimes use a hard black stone found in Asia Minor, or black basalt, for determining the purity of gold. Making a mark upon these stones with pure gold and then with its alloys, the amount of alloy is determined by the color of the mark. The Bible has furnished us touchstones by which we may know various deceptions. The root of all evil is selfishness. It was unholy ambition that caused the fall of Satan (Isa. 14:13-15), and the ruin of the human race. Self has always reigned supreme in all the heathen nations of earth. It is the very spirit of the Papacy, and still controls the children of disobedience, whether heathen, infidels, or those professing Christians who are not fully converted to God. It is the great lever of Satan with which he moves the world. It is the deadly poison which will cause the eternal death of all who are lost. As we near the close of this world's history, "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." We may reasonably expect that at this time extreme selfishness will be the prevailing744 element in all that is not of God. This the apostle predicts: "Men shall be lovers of their own selves;" and then he enumerates several sins which are the direct outgrowth of selfishness. On the other hand, disinterested love is and always has been the actuating principle on the side of heaven. "God so loved the world" that he provided salvation for us, and this is the grand element in all he does. In view of the nature of the work of God and that of Satan, it becomes possible, so far as we are acquainted with any particular thing, to ascertain on which side it belongs. We are especially aided in self-examination. Have we the life of Christ within? Then we love to think of him and holiness; we love to do what we believe will please him; we are so vitally connected with our dear Saviour that we realize a oneness with him, and we live with reference to him in all things. On the other hand, does self always come up first, and is it ever present with us, controlling our preferences, influencing our motives and our whole lives? The child of God is often tempted with selfish thoughts and feelings. "The arduous struggle for conquest over self, for holiness and heaven, is a lifelong struggle."—Testimony 32, p. 168. But these temptations are not a part of a real Christian, unless he accepts and harbors them. Pray God to show us our whole hearts. Do we love others so much that every service we can render them, however menial or taxing, is a real pleasure to us? Think carefully. Do we love them better than we do some others because they are more worthy? or is it because they are our friends? It is natural, it is right, to love our families; but we may pray much and earnestly for them and grow more selfish while we pray. Do you ask, "How can I know that I love anything, even the Lord and his people, with an unselfish love?" "True love is not a strong, fiery, impetuous passion; on the contrary, it is calm and deep in its nature. Intellectual and moral strength are involved in this principle."—Testimony 16, pp. 133, 135. Unselfish love is more of a principle than a passion. Here is a Bible touchstone on which we can test our love for God,—"This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." 1 John 5:3. If we yield ourselves to obey him (Rom. 6:16), and are justified by faith in Christ, "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Rom. 5:1, 5. the word of God assures us then that we do love him. And "by this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep his commandments." The Lord comes first with us, since he has taken away our selfishness and become our very life, and we love all other things through him. That is dearest to us which is so to our God; this is the reason why his people stand in our hearts next to himself. Thus careful self-examination, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, which God always gives to those who ask and take it by faith, will enable us to determine our condition with certainty. If at any time we find aught of self about us, we are to give it right to Jesus and take his righteousness instead. Before the close of probation the power of God is to be seen as never before. The gifts of the Spirit, which came "moderately" on the day of Pentecost and immediately thereafter, are to come in all the power they had then added to that of the latter rain. Joel 2:23. Miracles will be the result. God will work in a most wonderful and excellent manner, for he is "wonderful in counsel and excellent in working." Just before Jesus comes we may also expect that the world will be flooded with miracles from an evil source, for whole nations are to be deceived on account of these miracles. Rev. 19:20; 16:13, 14. In the near future "the spirits of devils working miracles are to go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world." Many who profess to be Christians will do wonderful things which seem to be of great benefit to mankind. Said Christ, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? and then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Jesus himself said, "They shall show great signs [to prove they are right] and wonders." Satan will work with "all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish." Will all the people on earth be deceived? Is there no certain way by which the true can be known from the false miracles? There is, thank and praise the Lord forever! It is not "possible" that the "elect," real children of God, will be deceived. Matt. 24:24. "No man," even if he does work supernaturally, "is able to pluck them out of my father's hand." Self is the touchstone which proves the work. If the one through whom the miracle is performed is self-exalted on account of it, the whole work is from beneath; if he feels humbled in view of it and utterly unworthy, while he hides in God and loves him better, it must be right. The presence of self reveals the terrible working of Satan, and the entire absence of self proves the work holy. If we would not be an instrument of Satan, let us hasten to the fountain and be washed clean of self just now. HERE are eight men whose aggregate possessions show a wonderful prosperity of the people, especially of these eight people: John D. Rockefeller, $135,000,000; W. W. Astor, $120,000,000; Cornelius Vanderbilt, $90,000,000; Jay Gould, $75,000,000; Henry M. Flagler, $60,000,000; Charles Pratt, $55,000,000; Wm. K. Vanderbilt, $50,000,000; John Flagler, $40,000,000; total, $625,000,000. Then comes Fred W. Vanderbilt, George Vanderbilt, William Astor, and Louis C. Tiffany, each worth $35,000,000, or worth an aggregate wealth of $140,000,000. These are followed by C. P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, Andrew Carnegie, Mrs. Elliott F. Shepherd, Mrs. W. H. Vanderbilt, Henry Hilton, H. Victor Newcomb, S. W. White, Levi P. Morton, August Belmont, J. Hood Wright, and Jas. B. Colgate, each of whom is worth $30,000,000, and, when taken together, these twelve persons are worth $360,000,000. Then follows the list of those worth $25,000,000 each, whose names are as follows: Eugene Kelly, Wm. Rhinelander, John W. Mackay, Russell Sage, Theodore Havemeyer, Wm. Rockefeller, Oliver H. Payne, Robert Goelot, Ogden Goelot, Austin Corbin, A. Seward Webb, W. D. Sloane, Pierre Lorillard, Robert Chesebrough, Calvin S. Brice, G. P. Morrisini, and Henry Villard, in all seventeen, whose combined wealth is $425,000,000. These are followed by a list of nineteen names who are worth $20,000,000 each, as follows: H. O. Havemeyer, Robert Bonner, H. O. Armour, Piermont Morgan, Louis Morgan, Mrs. Bradley Martin, Louis Lorillard, Mrs. H. McK. Twombly, William C. Whitney, John Jacob Astor, Jr., W. J. Askell, the Misses Furness, John H. Starin, Darius C. Mills, Charles L. Tiffany, Anson Phelps Stokes, Henry G. Marquand, John D. Sleyback, and Henry Hart—an aggregated wealth of these nineteen persons of $380,000,000. Here are sixty persons whose wealth combined amounts to the beautiful sum of $1,930,000,000. This shows a very prosperous condition of at least sixty of the sixty-three million people of our country. The entire circulating medium of the United States is only $1,400,000,000, while sixty citizens of this country have possessions aggregating nearly a half million dollars more than the whole amount of money in circulation for the use of the entire people. Is it any wonder these great barons can control the money markets of the country, and, in controlling the money market, they dictate the price of all other commodities? In addition to the sixty foregoing named persons, there is given a list of twenty-two persons who are each worth $10,000,000, and twenty-seven who are each worth $5,000,000, and fifty-seven who are each worth $3,000,000. In all there are one hundred and sixty-six persons whose combined wealth amounts to $2,456,000,000. This is certainly very strong evidence of the prosperity of our country, especially of the list published in the Journal. The amassing of such fortunes into the hands of a few people puts into their hands a power alike dangerous to liberty and prosperity of the masses. When a few of these barons unite their wealth for any purpose, they are enabled to carry out that purpose, and, since human nature leads most persons to do that which is of greatest advantage to self, these few may not only use the power of their wealth to gratify their whims and pleasure, but they will and do use that wealth to enhance their power, and, as wealth is power, and has always been an oppressive power, when amassed in any great sums, the oppression of the masses is not difficult to account for, with such astonishing accumulations in the hands of the few.—New York Journal, 1890. REMEMBER, though box in the plural makes boxes,
The plural of ox should be oxen, not oxes;
And remember, though fleece in the plural is fleeces,
That the plural of goose isn't gooses nor geeses;
And remember, though house in the plural is houses,
That the plural of mouse should be mice, not mouses;
Mouse, it is true, in the plural is mice,
But the plural of house should be houses, not hice;
And foot, it is true, in the plural is feet,
But the plural of root should be roots, and not reet.
—Selected. LIGHT.
By Francis W. Bourdillon
The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world dies
With the dying sun. The mind has a thousand eyes,
And the heart but one;
Yet the light of a whole life dies
When love is done.
—Francis W. Bourdillon.