EUROPE is the throbbing heart of the world. Through her wealth, arts, sciences, universities, industries, commerce, and political power, the thought of the world is molded, and the destinies of the nations controlled. The changes which here take place are, in consequence, full of meaning for all peoples.
The Rise of the German Empire and Triple Alliance.
During no period of equal length have so many changes of such varied import taken place in Europe as during the quarter century now closing. Of the more significant, the consolidation of the German Empire ranks among the first. A leading question for Europe has ever been the holding of the balance of power. At the beginning of the present century, France haughtily held this coveted position, filling all Europe with such terror as to drive enemies together for self-preservation.
In the rising Prussian monarchy, France saw the danger of being supplanted by a German federation. To prevent this was the chief object of the war of 1870. The result was the sudden development and firm welding together of the German Empire; since then Germany has moved forward by leaps and bounds, till she is acknowledged to be the first military power of the earth.
Since the formation of the Triple Alliance, Germany, as the leading power of this coalition, has been watched with the closest scrutiny by the world.
Russian Ascendancy—Franco-Russian Alliance.
The Triple Alliance led other nations to seek alliances. France, especially, was on the alert for a powerful ally to enable her to recover Alsace-Lorraine and to avenge her lost honor and her humiliation. Russia continued to increase in power, and extended her empire eastward and southward till in the war of 1877 and 1878 she was about to seize Constantinople, and thus hold the balance of power in Europe. By the united action of the powers, this coveted position was denied her; but in the efforts of the powers to regulate Turkish affairs on the occasion of the recent Armenian massacres, Russia was tacitly accorded the first place among the powers.
France, humbled by Prussia, and irritated by the English, who adroitly robbed her of the Suez Canal and the control of Egypt, saw her opportunity in an alliance with Russia; this must be secured at any price; when the alliance was finally effected, the nation was wild with enthusiasm. In the political world this step was of equal importance with the formation of the German Empire and the Triple Alliance. By these alliances the greatest military forces of the world were arrayed in two hostile camps.
War Preparations—Labor Troubles—Sunday Laws.
While making repeated efforts at peace congresses and disarmament, the last twenty-five years have witnessed unparalleled changes in the weapons of war. The marvelously-developed industries have been put under tribute to perfect the elements of destruction. This feverish haste in the perfection of the implements of destruction is a significant sign of the times.
The increase of armies, and the frequent change of old arms for the improved, have imposed an unbearable burden on the people. Chafing under the load, the toiling millions of Europe have sought relief in social and political organizations. This has resulted in the development of socialism and anarchy among the more desperate. The demands of the laboring classes have been punctuated by strikes and emphasized in parliaments till important legislation has been secured.
Most of the work of Europe being in factories, in proportion as the laboring man has been protected, factories have been curbed. Prominent among the restrictions in factory laws is the clause forbidding Sunday work. The first day is not observed as the Sabbath by the masses of Europe. But prophecy has indicated that it will receive universal recognition. The last twenty-five years have witnessed the literal fulfilment of this in factory and other Sunday laws in nearly every nation of Europe. These Sunday laws partially result from the Sunday-law movement in America. Agitators were sent from America to Europe. This led to organizations to secure a better observance of Sunday, and the multiplication of Sunday literature. Gladstone and the emperor of Germany have taken an active interest in this Sunday crusade; and even Belgian postage-stamps have a Sunday clause.
Ascending Papal Power.
The past quarter century is of note in the history of the Papacy. At the time of the Franco-Prussian War, the dogma of papal infallibility was proclaimed. At this time France, the mainstay of the Papacy, was humbled by Prussia. Then the powerful German Empire, strongly Protestant in sentiment, and exuberant over its great victory, undertook to break the Papal power. Under the bold leadership of Bismarck, the iron statesman of the century, great progress was made in curbing the Catholic power. The Pope's answer was the declaration of the supremacy of the church in ecclesiastical matters, in education, and in marriage. Bismarck's reply was, "We will not go to Canossa," and the noted May Laws. Under these laws Jesuits were excluded, the State took charge of Catholic seminaries, and required priests to pass a State examination before ordination. The Pope declared to the Emperor, "Every one who has been baptized belongs in some way or other to the Pope."
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This controversy concerning the supremacy of the Papacy is one of the most significant of the age under question. Against Rome was the most powerful empire, guided by one of the greatest statesmen of the century. The power of the empire was concentrated to assert the supremacy of the State above the Papacy. Laws to this end were enacted and enforced. What was the result?—From 1882 to 1885 the May Laws were repealed, while the Iron Chancellor was at the helm and the empire in its vigor.15Bismarck went to Canossa.
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The multiplied troubles arising from the organization of labor and capital against each other, and the growing discontent of the masses under the crushing weight of increasing armaments, have contributed much to aggrandize the power of the Pope, and give weight to his claim of being the arbiter of nations. In addition to the repeal of the May Laws, we note that in the most Protestant countries,—Switzerland, Germany, England,—the membership and popularity of the Catholic Church are rapidly increasing.
The recent troubles in Italy further illustrate the rising power of the Papacy; the civil power wrested from the Papacy the affairs of the State, and undertook to manage them independent of the hierarchy; but while its troubles are increasing, the Papacy gallantly unfurls its sails in these State-rending storms, and sails on to victory. Thus in Europe Rev. 13: 3-8, and portions of chapters seventeen and eighteen, are fulfilling.
Abdel Hamid, Sultan of Turkey.
European Colonial Policy.
Another significant change in Europe is the sudden development of the colonial policy. The rapid increase of factories has led to overproduction, and made a larger market necessary. Labor-saving machines have driven many abroad to secure work. First Africa was the object of general grabbing; and next in turn came Asia. By this colonial policy all the earth is being brought under the more direct control of a few leading powers, and these are forming alliances. The outcome is not hard to anticipate. Even the old, dormant nations are seized and shaken up from their sleep of centuries, and drilled for the final struggle.
Spiritualism—the Zionist Movement.
The secret power working behind the screen and bringing about the important changes which are preparing the world for what is soon to take place, is that of Satan. Rev. 16: 13, 14. His agencies, in religious garb, under the various forms of Modern Spiritualism, have manifested new activity and attained greater popularity in Europe during recent years. As in the Sunday-law movement, a wave of Modern Spiritualism swept over Europe from America. Some of the most remarkable manifestations have been exhibitions of its power to control the minds of men distant from the operator. It is specially significant that in spiritualistic circles Napoleon has appeared and conversed with those present.
Another change worthy of note is the increase of Anti-Semitism and the Zionist movement. Besides preparing the world for war, the great deceiver seduces the religious world. While Christians claim to see dawning rays of the temporal millennium, and cite the return of the Jews to Palestine as the first step in the fruition of their hopes, behold, a strong, organized movement of the Jews for the very purpose of returning to Palestine! The Turks refuse to let the Jews enter Palestine. The Jews expect that Christians will aid them in securing their native land. Prophecy shows that one of the last acts to prepare the way for the world-gathering in Palestine will be the drying up of the Euphrates, a symbol of the Turkish Empire. How naturally such a gathering will result from the present situation! Hence this Zionist movement may be regarded as a factor in bringing about what prophecy has long foretold as the last act of earth's history.
The Third Angel's Message.
Finally, we note the arrival of the first preacher of the last warning message in Europe, just twenty-five years ago. From this beginning, the Lord's message of warning has increased till there are now in the leading nations of Europe about 6,000 who are in various ways calling attention to the signs of the times, and declaring the truth concerning the coming of the Lord. Thus these changes in Europe during the last twenty-five years,—the rise of the German Empire, Triple Alliance, Russian ascendancy, Franco-Russian Alliance, multiplied war preparations, labor organizations, Sunday laws, ascending Papal power, colonial policy, Spiritualism, Zionist movement, and the preaching of the advent message,—when read in the light of prophecy show unmistakably that the great day is at hand.
