ANOTHER STRAW by C. M. S.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 29, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 35.

ANOTHER STRAW.

By C. M. S.

WHEN Admiral Kempf, at Taku, China, drew his war ship out of the zone of fire, refusing to commit an act of war on a nation upon which the Congress of his country had not declared war, a murmur of disappointment ran through the country; and Admiral Remey was soon on his way from Manila to take command on the China station. Cooler thought has vindicated Admiral Kempf's course; but, according to report, he has returned to Manila, to look after certain repair work. In other words, he has been superseded because he would not commit an unauthorized act, an act which the principles of the American Government would have condemned. There is no doubt that, had he fired on the Taku forts with the present military fever in the country, his act would have been praised, he never would have been asked to explain it, and he and his men would have "won glory." As it is, he is not a popular hero. The mass does not think of glorifying such an officer. Fame and popularity are lost to this man for adherence to the principles of his government. All this shows (and it is mentioned for this purpose only) that there exists in this country an uncontrollable drifting away from the principles on which the nation had staked its future. The people, like the Israelites in the time of Samuel, are anxious to be like the nations round about. The military spirit is gaining ground; the spirit of republican simplicity is waning. The forms of the republic remain; but the spirit of the doctrine is running out like water from an open tap. The whole trend of events is toward an intermingling of this country in the complications of the powers.

A few years ago students of prophecy could see no way in which America could become involved in the great battles of the last days. The impossibility of her keeping aloof from them is evidenced now on every hand. With such unswerving fidelity to the prophetic Word are the events of these days shaping themselves, that he who will listen to the Word of God need not be taken unawares. This is but one of the many straws which point the direction of important developments. C. M. S.