Our Naval number will contain many things of use as reference, entirely apart from its religious instruction. It ought to have a large sale thru the news agencies, especially on the Pacific Coast.
The articles in this issue are all worthy of careful reading. The paper beginning on page 4, by Mr. A. Delos Westcott, will bear a careful study. It will continue thru three issues. It will help to answer some queries in the minds of our readers.
The Royalists carried the elections in Portugal by a large majority April 5, but the announcement of the results was followed by wildest disorders in Lisbon. The mobs were suppressed only by strenuous efforts on the part of troops, and a large number were reported killed. Stormy times are evidently before the little kingdom.
Those desiring to keep well informed in regard to the leading movements in British social, religious, and political affairs should not fail to read our London letters that appear from time to time from our special correspondent. The letter to be found on pages 10 and 11 of this issue is not only instructive but interesting. Since our correspondent mailed his letter, the despatches inform us of the resignation of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, and Mr. Herbert H. Asquith, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has been summoned by the king to form a new cabinet. Sir Campbell-Bannerman's resignation was made at the demand of his physicians who say that the condition of his health renders it imperative that he be relieved from the weighty responsibilities of Prime Minister.
There is a strong temperance agitation in Urbana, Ill., and the sentiment has run so high that it has compelled the students in the state university at that place so to revise their college songs as to take out of them the laudation and praise of wine. Many of the songs sung by the boys in colleges abound in references to the merry-making that accompanies strong drink. Young men who are usually temperate in their habits are frequently compelled to sing these maudlin songs, or else be sneered at by their companions. It is to be hoped that the temperance sentiment will grow strong enough in each university town to compel such songs to be banished from the whole country. The bad influence that such jingles have upon the minds of young men while in school is incalculable. And they should be made so unpopular that no institution would tolerate them anywhere.
The Bible and the Bible Only.—One gentleman writes us that he admires the loyalty to the Scriptures manifest in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, but, he remarks, that we can not, of course, expect him to accept what we say concerning the Sabbath. No, we do not wish this man or any other soul to accept what we say if it is not in harmony with God's word. In all these things we are not choosing our way. Years ago this journal was established to teach the truth of God as it is in His word. Years ago it nailed to its masthead the motto: "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." We have no desire to tear it down. Nay, more, we would emblazon the words anew on our banner and seek more earnestly for the grace and wisdom to live to its noble aim. He who seeks to please men can neither please God nor win men to life. Therefore we choose to abide by our motto, however much we may be misunderstood or misinterpreted. God's word is a good foundation on which to stand. It has been tested thruout the centuries; we have tested it, and it has never been found wanting. Therefore we plead with our readers to stand on the word.