Note and Comment

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1905

The war in the far East has continued until such a change has been wrought in the government of Russia that its people will hereafter enjoy a considerable measure of civil and religious freedom, and serious obstacles have been removed from the way of the progress of the gospel of the kingdom in that country. Among all facts which have a bearing on the sudden and unlooked-for advent of peace, we believe this is not the least. Japan had her interests to serve by the war and to secure at its termination; Russia had hers; but He whose throne is in the heavens and whose kingdom ruleth over all, also has interests to be served in the affairs of men, higher interests than those with which nations concern themselves, and the securing of these is the real point, though unseen, upon which the issue turns.

The Civil War hung like a black cloud over the United States until the abolition of slavery, when it immediately began to lighten, and the end of the conflict was soon in sight. God had his purposes to be served then, which were paramount to everything else, and no less is it true now that wars begin and cease and events follow one another upon the stage of the world powers only as the interests of his work permit or demand. He has a message to be proclaimed to-day to every people and nation and tongue, and no war or other adverse condition must be allowed to bar the way of the speedy completion of this work.

The circumstances under which the ravages of war in the far East have been made to cease, will contribute much to the prestige of this government among the nations, which is fast coming forward to occupy that commanding position among earthly powers in which it will do the work assigned it in the predictions of inspired prophecy.