News and Notes by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 2, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 46.

News and Notes.

By Editor

RELIGIOUS.

—It is stated that “at the recent English Church Congress the discussion on the topic of ‘The Church and Amusements’ showed the predominant tone to be in favor of a more indulgent spirit toward the better class of dramatic and musical entertainment.” We are a little curious to know how that church can be “more indulgent” toward “dramatic and musical entertainments.”

—The New York Commercial Advertiser says: “We are not discouraging or sneering at foreign missions, but some day Christians may wake up to the fact that New York is one of the largest pagan cities in the world, larger than Bombay, Singapore, or Kioto; that more men and women are dying in sight of Christian spires and in sound of Christian bells than are dying outside of Christian influence in any part of those heathen centers named.”

—The New York Times says that by the death of the Marquis of Ailesbury, his son, Lord Savemake, becomes the owner “of eleven livings of the Church of England.” This son is a frequenter of concert saloons and betting rings—“a cross between a professional pugilist and a betting tout”—but under the laws of the Established Church he is the owner of eleven pulpits and of the revenues that support them, and may sell the same to the highest bidders.

—Under the caption, “Misleading Spirits,” the Golden Gate (Spiritualist), of August 7, says: “Whoever surrenders his individual judgment and places his trust implicitly upon the communications of spirits, as given through promiscuous mediumship, is almost certain to be deceived.” It would not be amiss to say, “is absolutely certain to be deceived;” for we read (Rev. 16: 14) that “they are the spirits of devils, working miracles.” And again, the apostle Paul describes Spiritualism as working “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.” 2 Thess. 2: 9, 10. The only safe course for any one is to follow the rule laid down in Isa. 8: 19, 20.