At this writing, the European war has been in progress two weeks. A writer in the London Daily News says that the balance of power between the European nations is the great focal point, and it appears to him that the greatest danger lies in the possibility that when the war is over, there will be an overbalance in favor of Russia. Hence he thinks that England will be under the necessity of striking hard blows, so that upon the division of the spoils, she will be able to obtain her just share.
There are some very interesting problems for the student of prophecy, in connection with this overbalancing power of Russia. The state religion of Russia is Greek Catholic; and the prophetic Word makes it clear that the great Catholic powers will unite as one, right at the close of the struggles of earth, immediately before the second coming of Christ. And when the Catholic power is thus united, she will find supporting her, all the Protestant governments of the world.
There is no branch of heathenism that will not submit to Catholic influence, except Mohammedans. These have always opposed the papal church. In the middle ages the marauding Mohammedan hordes were the terror of Catholicism. In one time, when a comet was conspicuous in the heavens, one of the common prayers of Catholic Europe was, that the Lord would save them from the devil, the Turk, and the comet.
At the last, when the papal power is struggling for supremacy, and when degenerate Protestantism is aiding her, she will find the only rebellious influence to be this consistent enemy that has opposed her through the centuries. Hence we may expect a terrific clash between united Catholicism federated with a Protestantism that no longer protests, and the incorrigible Mohammedan, who insists that there is only one God, that Mohammed is His prophet, and therefore that the pope and his images of saints are altogether out of place.
That great clash between Mohammedanism and nominal Christianity may not be the immediate outgrowth of this war; but before this war is over, we will doubtless see developments that will be manifestly working toward that great end.
This is a time when men should be studying God's word, earnestly and prayerfully, so that they may gain an intelligent conception of the meaning of the great world events, as they stand so clearly outlined against the background of prophecy.
Socialist Activity
THE socialists of America have devoted one week, beginning September 6, to a special campaign for the propagation of their doctrines through lectures, the circulation of literature, etc. Great mass-meetings are to be held in cities, villages, and rural districts. One special feature be an effort to secure enrolment of members in their organization.
In a similar manner, a week was recently devoted to their work in Germany. As a result, they increased their membership in that empire by one hundred and fifty thousand, and took over one hundred thousand subscriptions to their party papers.
The activities and success of the socialists furnish much subject-matter for reflection. Were it not that conditions are becoming more and more unbearable in the world, the socialist would not get such a ready audience and so many readers for his literature. The success of his work is an unmistakable symptom of the social disease that is sapping the vitality of every nation on earth.
Special Temperance Number
Our Special Temperance Number bears the name of September 1. We printed a first edition of twenty-five thousand. But a single order of five thousand from our North Pacific Conference, together with numerous smaller letters, has exhausted that edition, and a second edition is on the press.
C. W. Flaiz, president of the North Pacific Union Conference, writes that our people in that section are enthusiastic over the temperance question, and are pushing the circulation of literature with vigor, and are doing everything else they can do for the advancement of the good cause.
We have received many words of appreciation for this temperance special. It is packed full of important and telling facts. The plan is, to push its circulation until the time of the elections this fall.
This Temperance Number has already been mailed to our subscribers, so they have opportunity to see it for themselves. We are encouraged by the hearty efforts that are put forth to give it a wide circulation.
Many Do Not Know
MANY people in this time are greatly perplexed over world problems and the difficulties and distress they see arising on every hand.
This perplexity could all be removed if these individuals would only take time to study the clear word of God. They are terrified because of the spirit of war that they know exists everywhere; but did these same persons know what the prophets have said concerning this, and what it portends, they could find a means of quieting their fears.
Then there is the great strife between capital and labor, and the consequent rioting and internal revolutions that are threatened in every nation of the globe. This is causing many people to quail with fear. But this condition created by the conflict between the capitalist and the laboring man is also a matter of definite prophecy.
Vice and corruption and fraud, as well as robberies and murders, are alarmingly on the increase. We have also the increasing number of storms of every character, including earthquakes.
All these things have passed under the review of the prophets, and the meaning has been foretold.
In fact, the meaning of all the conditions in the world to-day that are causing uneasiness of mind has been made clear in the inspired Word. And they are not foretold in ambiguous prophecies that are difficult to understand, but in the clearest way God has made known that these things would exist in this generation.
If you are standing in the light of God's prophetic truth, and if you have learned to know the divine Father and His blessed Son, our Saviour, none of these things give you any fear or anxiety, for you know what they mean, and with thrills of joy that are indescribable, you are looking forward to the great event of the second coming of Christ, of which all these things are tokens and signs.
CERTAIN brewers and distillers appear to be very nervous lest prohibition may destroy the grape and the hop industry. But instead of destroying these industries, the success of prohibition will destroy the most merciless, unscrupulous, and greedy trust of this or any other age. The liquor trust is the one thing that will be affected by prohibition. But the men who are concerned in that organization, already have more money than they know what to do with, and are therefore not entitled to our sympathy.
THE Church Peace Union has called a world conference, to meet in Constance, Switzerland. At the same time, a Roman Catholic peace conference will convene at Liege, Belgium. So says the Independent of August 3. Whether these peace unions meet or not is a grave question, considering Europe's unpeaceful attitude at this time. And thus again we are reminded of the Scriptural statement that many will cry, "Peace, peace; when there is no peace."
L. A. R.
THE pope calls alcoholism "the terrible scourge, the enemy of souls and bodies, which drags after it so many moral miseries." "It ruins" "health, intelligence, conscience, and liberty."
