OUR LONDON LETTER by M. Ellsworth Olsen

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Nov 15, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 46.

OUR LONDON LETTER.

By M. Ellsworth Olsen

The Anglo-Japanese Treaty.

THE publication of the Anglo-Japanese treaty has given rise to considerable newspaper comment. In England the new alliance is regarded with all but uniform favor. On the continent, France is naturally pleased, but Germany and Russia are evidently ill at ease. It is not unlikely that other understandings or alliances will in time be formed with a view of off-setting the gain in influence and prestige which the present alliance has secured for Great Britain. Meanwhile the latter regards her position as strengthened by the fact that her aims in the Far East are practically identical with those of the United States—the maintenance, namely, of the open door in China and of the status quo generally.

British politics are more and more taking account of the wishes of America, and while it is not necessary to suppose that an Anglo-American alliance will ever be formed, it seems likely that the two nations will act together in most matters, more especially because they agree pretty much in general policy. The friendship of England seems destined to be a not unimportant factor in securing for the Western Republic that position of leadership among the nations which is foretold in the 13th chapter of the Revelation. Certainly recent developments point to a near fulfilment of this prophecy.

Spiritism in Great Britain.

As pointed out in previous letters Spiritualists in Great Britain are rapidly growing in influence and numbers. But one hardly expected that an Archdeacon in the Church of England would come out as an avowed Spiritualist and propose to move at the next Church Congress the appointment of a committee to inquire into psychical phenomena, with a view to the acceptance of Spiritualism as a regular belief of the church. Yet this is precisely what Archdeacon Colley, Rector of Stockton, near Rugby, has done. He claims to have conducted his spiritualistic investigations for some thirty-three years, and thinks he has facts in his possession which will scientifically prove that there is a life beyond the grave. Truly, the church must be in great straits when forced to resort to Spiritualism to prove such a cardinal truth as the resurrection of the dead! But in the light of the general acceptance by clergymen and by the religious press of the extreme positions of “Higher Criticism,” it is not surprising that they should feel the need of some such bolstering up to make their position at all tenable.

Mr. Colley maintains that he has gained his knowledge by “experience and patient experiment and by constant fasting.” He says, moreover, that he feels it a duty to speak; and he can not cease to claim “that these manifestations should be received as being just as credible as Bible incidents in which angels appeared to men.”

Unfortunately he is by no means alone in his leanings toward Spiritualism. There is reason to believe that the church is honeycombed with this last-day delusion, which is the more dangerous as it works so insidiously, and usually under cover of a professed belief in the Bible and the accepted Christian doctrines.

Dangerous Heresies.

Christian science, a close ally of Spiritualism, is also making inroads upon the church, so much so that the Bishop of London, in a recent address before the Christian Evidence Society, thought it necessary to warn Christians against this heresy. He also mentioned in this same connection the dangers to the church from Theosophy and the “Higher Criticism,” and urged the necessity of fighting these foes of Christianity.

Meanwhile, what the Bishop of London and his fellow clergy do not seem to realize, is that loyal acceptance of Bible teaching as a whole, and obedience to every divine command, form the one sure safeguard against heresy.

Human Limitations.

The inherent helplessness of man in the presence of the great mechanical forces which he is supposed to have brought into subjection, is strikingly illustrated in the recent sad accident on the Great Eastern Railway. Altho the track was in excellent condition, and the engine and rolling stock apparently without flaw of any kind, a train running at full speed into Witham station was suddenly derailed and wrecked with considerable loss of life. Thus far all inquiry has left the public entirely in the dark as to the cause. The occurrence remains absolutely inexplicable. Railway accidents are comparatively rare in Great Britain, but the present year has witnessed several appalling ones.

Work continues to be scarce, and the outlook for the coming winter is ominous. What is England to do for her worthy poor? becomes a question of growing urgency and importance.

M. ELLSWORTH OLSEN.