Our next issue of the "Signs of the Times" will be of special interest. It deals with one of the most vital subjects now affecting American state-craft. This is not boodle or graft, tho that is bad. That, however, affects principally people's pocket-books.
The question which the "Signs" will discuss in the next few issues will deal with something more precious than money. It will have to do with liberty.
This nation, this government, from the very beginning stood for a separation of church and state. With the religious sphere the civil authorities and law had naught to do. The church and the state were separate.
But persistently mistaken religionists and reformers have sought to introduce in some form religion into the fundamental law of our government and in statutory enactment. Under temperance subterfuges, under pleas for workmen, under various forms and guises, has the evil principle been thrust forward.
Later all disguises have been thrown off. Men are boldly demanding that the church shall enter politics and control legislation. The Inter-Church Conference, held in New York a few months ago, was called with this idea as one of its prominent features.
The last days of July another great meeting was held in Buffalo. A less carefully planned meeting it was, but a far more united assembly. It represented mighty forces in the politics of America to be swayed by a single head.
We refer to the American Federation of Catholic Societies. We shall tell you their purposes in their own words. We shall set before you the opinion of our own representative who attended both great conferences on Federation. We shall illustrate these articles with photographs of prominent men.
More than this we shall tell you what the prophetic Word says about these things. We shall set forth these things candidly, fearlessly, faithfully, kindly, with malice toward none, and with charity for all.
Never was there a better time to subscribe for the "Signs of the Times." Forth from its baptism of fire it enters upon a new era.
The times demand such a paper. Not less than 100,000 copies ought to go forth every week to the people of the world.
As we write this, news is coming to us of the awful earthquake and fire calamity on the west coast of South America. We have cabled our friends in Valparaiso to send us authentic reports and views of the calamity. As soon as they can reach us, we will present the facts to our readers.
The articles on the great Federation movements will probably cover five weeks, perhaps more. Send in twenty-five cents as a subscription to your friends and neighbors, or to yourself if you are not taking the paper. This amount will cover the time. The price of these numbers will be five cents each. In copies of five or more numbers in one wrapper to one address, three cents each. Address the "Signs of the Times," Mountain View, Cal.