New Series and Important Matters
By Editor
We have made some changes in our make-up this week. It may not be permanent, but occasional. In noting the donations on the Earthquake Fund in our issue of September 12, the amount given was too much by $5,614.75. This was included in items numbered 2 and 4. We begin in this issue two series of articles. The first is a subject of great importance, "The Papacy in Prophecy." It ought to be studied. We should know the meaning in God's surer light of the events now occurring. The other series is, "The Great Salvation," always a subject of paramount importance, treated in these articles in a new form. Our report of the American Federation of Catholic Societies closes with our last issue; but this is not the last of the Federation discussion. The subject has come to stay, and he who would deal with the signs of the times must give heed thereto. The articles on "The Papacy in Prophecy," by Abdiel, will help us better to understand the character and future of Federation. On the point of paying debts, we find this item going the rounds, and deem it worth often repeating: "Neglecting to pay debt will ruin anybody's spiritual influence, blind the soul to clear moral distinction, undermine any religious life, and render a person unfit to be used by the Lord, in spite of the greatest gifts or the most thrilling experiences in religion. If any who read this are slack about paying their debts, begin at once to pray earnestly that the Lord will awaken you to its true magnitude, and to inspire you with perfect integrity to begin at once the settling up of all your financial matters in perfect righteousness, and you will find God will begin to bless you both inwardly and outwardly." It is a conglomeration of sentiments to raise a banner with the following inscription: "One Flag, One God, One Country, No Saloon." What about the other fellow who lived under another flag, the Union Jack, for instance? Could we not have "one God" with him? Is He the God of the Americans only? Should the flag be placed before God? What is such a god worth? Is he god of that flag and country alone? Then he is not the true God. If it is a selfishly patriotic banner, let it be content with "one flag, one country." If it is purely religious, let it be "one God." If purely temperance, emblazon "no saloon," and ask the world to help you, liquor sellers and all. But don't seek to make such a mixture. They make an indigestible and highly noxious compound. The Pope Wants More Money.—A press despatch of September 25, says: "The pope will soon issue an appeal to Catholics throughout the world to come to the financial assistance of the Vatican and increase their contributions. In view of the French crisis and falling off in income from that source, Cardinal Vannutelli has started the ball rolling in Germany, where the response is liberal. It is expected that every bishop in America will also appeal for aid in replenishing the Vatican deficit through enlarged contributions to the Peter Pence fund. The Jesuits' order, reputed to be the richest in the world, will now send a yearly contribution to the Vatican, to be added to the subscription started by their Roman organ, the Civilita Cattolica, and a similar movement has been started in Austria." As soon as France sees an increased liberality on the part of Germany, Austria, and the United States, there will be started a reaction there that will surprise those who are not counting on the fulfilment of prophecy. The time is at hand when no country will want to be left behind in the race for papal favor. Renaming Indians.—Dr. Eastman, himself an Indian scholar, is renaming all that are left of the Sioux tribe. In some cases we do not see how he is helping it. For instance, Tatcyohnakewastewin signifies She-who-has-a-beautiful-house. Dr. Eastman renamed her Goodhouse. Why not call her Kewastewin, or Wastewin, or Yohnakewa. None of these are hard to manage, and they retain the musical Indian sound. How much better would it have been if we had the state of Takoma instead of the state of Washington. How beautiful are most of the Indian names of our lakes and rivers! How soft and smooth they flow,—Mississippi, Ohio, Chautauqua, Oneida, Tennessee, etc. How beautifully Mrs. Sigourney has expressed it: "Within the forest, brave and bold,
There rings no hunter's shout.
But his name is on the waters yet;
You can not wash it out."
Let the musical, beautiful Indian names live.