A NON-CHRISTIAN LIFE OF CHRIST.
A NEW Life of Christ, in Japanese, has just been published in Tokyo. It is one of a series of historical studies. The first was on Buddha, the next on Confucius, and now comes the third, on Jesus Christ. Since it is not written by a Christian, the young men of Japan are far readier to read it. The writer gives the leading facts in our Lord's life, often using the very language of the Gospel. The miraculous events he puts down without apology or criticism. He concludes thus: "These are the facts that are believed and accepted by the vast majority of the people of the West concerning Jesus Christ. I have put them down here with no desire to propagate Christianity, but simply to make them familiar to my countrymen. I close with the language of a Jewish teacher concerning Christianity, uttered under circumstances somewhat similar to those now existing in Japan: 'Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do, . . . for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow it, lest, haply, ye be found to be fighting even against God.'"—Examiner. SENATOR HALE, of Maine, in speaking in the Senate on May 23, in reference to the postal frauds in Cuba, gave utterance to the following forcible statements: "It is a natural result. There never has been an instance of the setting up of a supreme government in a colony or dependency that has not been attended with practically the same things that we have seen in Cuba. The Congress is as much at fault as the administration. The administration has selected men who are believed to be good men. We went into it with utter confidence, believing that it was an easy thing. I voted against the peace treaty because I believed colonial dependencies would result in precisely what has occurred." Being asked if he had any doubt that this government would keep its pledge and evacuate Cuba, Senator Hale replied: "I have very grave suspicions. I think that the time will never come, unless something drastic is done by Congress, that the last soldier of the United States will be withdrawn from Cuban soil. I have discovered very powerful influences, commercial, mercantile, and political, that are opposed to our ever withdrawing from Cuba." Much of the time of the Senate during the week has been taken up in discussing matters pertaining to Cuba and the Philippines. THE Western Federation of Miners, in session at Denver, Colo., May 23, passed the following resolution:— "We denounce the spirit of imperialism and commercialism which induced our representatives in the Paris convention to acquire the Spanish right in the Philippine Islands for a money consideration. We deplore the futile efforts put forth by this government to make good the questionable title at that time acquired. The sacrifice of human life and treasure involved in that effort we regard as a distinct loss to humanity, and worthy the denunciation of all civilized people. "The cause of human liberty is the most exalted sentiment in the mind of men, and as an organization, actuated by this sentiment, we denounce as unjust and criminal the war now being prosecuted for the subjugation of the islands. The avarice and commercial greed which have been inflicted upon our people through the unfortunate war in the Philippines we believe to be the dominant influence in our modern civilization, and responsible for the unequal contests now being waged in foreign lands. This federation of workingmen also extends its heart-felt sympathy to all people struggling for rights of self-government." WITHIN the last fifty years the number of Methodists in the United States has grown from 662,315 to 2,893,883 (in 1898), and in the same length of time the ministers of that denomination increased in numbers from 9,138 to 12,112. A few comparisons made by Bishop McCabe in the Christian Advocate show that the total increase in the fifty years is nearly enough to equal the entire membership of the Baptist Church North, is more than twice the membership of the Presbyterian Church North, more than three times the Protestant Episcopal membership, three times that of Congregationalists, and twice that of the Disciples, or Campbellites. More than half of this gain was made during the past fifteen years, and the whole showing is to be compared with the growth of other denominations that have been in the field a hundred years longer than Methodists. But it is worth while to inquire, Have the 2,893,883 Methodists the power for moral good, for soul-cleansing, for soul-uplifting, that the 662,315 Methodists had fifty years ago? It is well for all to remember—Methodist or otherwise—that it is not numbers nor wealth nor "influence" which counts with God, but character. And that will be measured, not by human estimation, but by God's moral law. A DESPATCH from Shanghai states that Russian troops have occupied Wasampho, in Korea, and will allow no other foreigners to enter this territory. A rebellion has broken out in Korea, for which Russian agents are held responsible, it being Russia's intention to offer troops for the suppression of the rebellion, and then continue to keep them in the territory. Her occupation of Wasampho has been accomplished in spite of the direct opposition of Japan, who did not wish a Russian stronghold so near her borders. With a practical lease of an island between Korea and Japan, and with the military occupation of this part of Korean territory, Russia is certainly pushing her advantage to the utmost, and it will not be long before Korea is under Russian dominance, unless she should receive a sharp set-back at the hands of Japan. How a conflict between these two powers would terminate none can definitely foretell. A plan for the defense of Manchuria has been drawn up, and six fortified posts are to be erected by the Russian Government to forestall a Japanese invasion in this territory so recently under exclusive Chinese control. THE firm of Price, McCormick & Co., New York cotton brokers, failed on May 24, the liabilities of the stranded house being placed at $13,000,000. By the provisions of a bill now pending in the United States Senate, the President is to be the sole ruling power in the Philippine Islands from the time that the "rebellion" is suppressed, until such time as Congress may see fit to provide for rule in the islands in some other way. Thus, virtually, tho not in name, if the bill passes, the President will be emperor of the Philippines after the close of the Philippine war for a certain period of time, how long it is not possible to state. The President's rule in the Philippines now is a military rule, he being the head of the army and navy. The provisions of this bill would make him the civil ruler there when the war is finished. It would not be a rule of the people nor by the people, but a rule essentially opposed to the foundation principles of the republic. Eminent men of both parties see this, and wonder what the outcome will be of this retrogression from the principles of liberty. The fact that such a provision could be discussed in an American Congress is one of the most striking signs of the dissolution of the republic. THE Transvaal Government has declared that it has not considered and does not intend to consider unconditional surrender. Johannesburg is to be fortified and defended. The exodus from the Transvaal to Portuguese territory continues, and hasty preparations are being made for the defense of Pretoria, the capital. Lord Roberts' army continues to advance and will soon be in Transvaal territory, altho temporarily impeded by the swollen Vaal River. General Buller's army is still at Laing's Nek repairing railways, preparatory to an attempt to cross the mountains. The rumors that the Transvaal Government has been negotiating for peace have been denied by President Kruger. At Vryburg, on May 2, 800 Boers surrendered. All opposition is at an end along the road to Mafeking. THE strike situation in St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., remains practically unchanged. Riots of more or less importance are of frequent occurrence, and several lives have been lost. Since the beginning of the strike many have been wounded by bullets, stones, or in street fights. The St. Louis postmaster has been compelled to notify the government that the running of the mails has been interfered with, in spite of the federal injunctions recently issued. This has led the governor of Missouri to announce his intention of calling out the militia to suppress the disturbance. THE House committee to which had been referred the Anti-canteen Bill has reported it favorably, notwithstanding the fact that the War Department had submitted much matter in opposition to the measure. This is the bill which the Secretary of War personally opposed, as reported last week, declaring that the Anti-canteen Bill was inimical to the temperance, morality, and discipline of the soldiers. The minority of the committee are expected to bring in a report favoring the continuance of the canteen. WITH imposing ceremonies, and in the presence of 60,000 spectators, two new saints were canonized at Rome on May 24. Pope Leo, in officiating at this function, was attired in his gorgeous state robes and surrounded by his sword-bearing body-guard, a sad commentary on the departure of a church from the simplicity of the One whom they claim to follow. The new saints are Jean Baptiste de la Salle, founder of the Order of Christian Brothers, and Rita de Cascia, a nun of the Augustinian order. SMALL engagements have been reported during the week between the Colombian troops and the rebels, both parties claiming the victory. The revolutionists claim that the government forces are in full retreat, and that the revolution is spreading over the whole country. The disaffection seems to have spread across the border into Ecuador, the malcontents having been dispersed at Tulcan by Ecuadorian troops. A REPORT from Durban, South Africa, states that an East Indian has died there of the bubonic plague. Extraordinary precautions are being taken to prevent an outbreak of the pestilence among the troops. Should such an outbreak occur, the mortality among the two armies from this cause would probably exceed that directly due to the conflict. By the decision of New York Attorney-General Davis, rendered on May 24, the American Ice Company, of New York State, is declared an illegal corporation, doing business in restraint of trade and in violation of law. Proceedings will be begun at once to prohibit it doing business in that State. THE STATE Department at Washington continues its pressure on the sultan of Turkey for the speedy settlement of the missionary indemnity claims. New instructions have been issued to the United States Charge d'Affairs at Constantinople, but the nature of these has not been made public. FRENCH troops have begun work in the hinterland of Algeria, and have captured a native Algerian stronghold. There have been rumors of a holy war in this region and in Algeria, and France is profiting by the unsettled condition of affairs, and expanding her territory. A BROKEN lamp caused an explosion in a coal mine at Cumnock, N. C., on May 22, in which twenty-two miners lost their lives.