Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 25. (6/21/1905)

Signs of the Times

Jun 21, 1905

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Jun 21, 1905

THE LAW OF GOD

And God spake all these words, saying, I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I Jehovah thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation, of them that hate Me, and showing loving-kindness unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath unto Jehovah thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore Jehovah blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.

Thou shalt not kill.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Thou shalt not steal.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.

SOMETHING NEW

By Editor

Signs of the Times Leaflet Series

A NEW SERIES of leaflets covering vital phases of Bible truth for this time has recently been prepared and published.

Various writers who have made a special study of their subjects have prepared matter, which has been examined and criticized by a committee. Suggestions and criticism have also been invited from the outside, and the matter revised and rearranged accordingly. Appropriate headings for each were drawn by an artist, which adds materially to the attractive appearance of the leaflets.

In view of the careful, thorough work done in the preparation of the leaflets we believe the truths covered have been presented in a way that will be generally appreciated, and that will prove satisfactory and convincing to the reader.

The leaflets contain two pages each, and the titles are as follows:

THE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY
PROPHETIC HISTORY OF THE WORLD
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
SIGNS OF OUR TIMES
THE SANCTUARY
THE 2300 DAYS
THE LAW OF GOD
THE SABBATH OF THE BIBLE
THE FIRST DAY IN THE BIBLE
WHO CHANGED THE SABBATH?
THE GREAT THREEFOLD MESSAGE
THE SEAL OF GOD AND MARK OF THE BEAST
CHURCH AND STATE
LIFE AND IMMORTALITY
THE GREAT JUDGMENT DAY
THE HOME OF THE SAVED

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POINTERS TO SUCCESS

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Missionary Book Canvassing.

BY E. R. PALMER.

THE PACIFIC PRESS has just issued a booklet of 72 pages with the above title, containing a systematic arrangement of helpful suggestions for our canvassers. The principles set forth cover every phase of canvassing, and are the fruit of long experience and observation in several countries and with many agents. It should be in the hands of every one entering the canvassing work.

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Signs of the Times,

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A Word of Appreciation

By O. C. Godsmark

Somehow the SIGNS seems better than it ever has before.

O. C. GODSMARK. Chattanooga, Tenn.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

By Mrs. E. G. White

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

We are to strive earnestly to reach the standard set before us. Not as a penance are we to do this, but as the only means of gaining true happiness. The only way to gain peace and joy is to have a living connection with Him who gave His life for us, who died that we might live, and who lives to unite His power with the efforts of those who in this life are striving to overcome.

Holiness is constant agreement with God. Shall we not be that which Christ so greatly desires us to be,—Christians in deed and in truth,—that the world may see in our lives a revelation of the saving power of truth? This world is our preparatory school, and while here we shall meet with trials and difficulties. But we are safe while we cleave to Him who gave His life as an offering for us. The whole world was gathered in the embrace of Christ. He died on the cross to give the death stroke to Satan, and to take away the sin of every believing soul. He calls upon us

to offer ourselves on the altar of service, a living, consuming sacrifice. We are to make an unreserved surrender to God of all that we have and are.

In this lower school of earth we are to learn the lessons that will prepare us to enter the higher school, where our education will continue under the personal supervision of Christ. Then He will open to us the meaning of His word. We can not afford to miss the privilege of seeing His face. Shall we not put our whole souls into the work of preparing for admission into the higher school, where we shall see Christ face to face? Shall we not be determined to obey the word of God? Or shall we choose our own wisdom, and trifle away the day of gracious opportunity, wasting the years and months so rapidly passing into eternity.

Life is too short, the hours of probation too precious, for us to make a mistake in our religious life. Earnest men and women, filled with courage and devotion, are needed in the Master's service. The call comes to us, "Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." As we obey this command, the power of the Holy Spirit will come upon mind and body, bringing us into conformity to the will of Christ, and renewing us in His likeness. The hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong will die, and Christ will be formed within, the hope of glory. It will be seen that we are indeed followers of Christ.

The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the strength of the hills is His also.

We are not to trust in our own wisdom, but in the wisdom of God. This will bring into the character the patience, kindness, and love of Christ. And we are to remember that in doing well the work nearest us, we shall be preparing for a wider field of usefulness. There is to be constant growth in grace. We are to make constant advancement in preparing for the future, immortal life. We shall leave behind no knowledge that in this world we have gained of God and heaven. This mental and spiritual wealth we shall take with us when we answer the call, Child, come up higher.

Let us strive to help those connected with us. To this work let us devote our tact and ingenuity. Let us reach higher and still higher for purity and devotion, our hearts filled with a desire to know the will of God. Let us consecrate our all to the service of humanity. We shall receive our reward in the future life. Reveal the living charm of the Saviour's love. Represent Christ by revealing faith and hope and love. In short, copy the Pattern. Let your light shine forth in good works. Christians have no need or desire for the billiard table, the theater, the dancing hall, or the many other forms of worldly diversion. A Christian does nothing which he can not do to the glory of God, upon which he can not ask the Lord's blessing.

Work as in the presence of heavenly intelligences. God calls for loyalty, for faithfulness; for we have been bought with a price. Stand firm for the right, and you will be more than conquerors through Him who loved you and gave His life for you.

It is faith and prayer that cast out evil spirits. We may ask Christ with full assurance of faith for enlarged capacity for service, for increased power to help souls. But let us remember constantly that it is through the Holy Spirit that we receive power and efficiency.

He who makes advancement in the school of Christ here below will at last pass through the pearly gates of the city of God, to enter the higher school, there to receive instruction from the divine Teacher. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."

GOD IS NOT LIMITED.

By G.

THE prime minister—or secretary of state—of any civil government may possibly be a servant of God. But if he be in office simply because he is a politician, and use his office for the special benefit of any dominating party, or in the interest of any special class, his partiality must preclude his being a child of God.

The Scriptures tell us of three men who were prime ministers of the leading governments of their time. These were Joseph in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon, and Mordecai in Persia. But these men were all slaves of the kings whom they served, and were placed in office by their masters, not because of their politics, but because of the ability and personal integrity they had acquired through faith in their God.

In each case the welfare of God's people was at stake, and in His providence these tried servants were brought into prominence for the furtherance of His cause in the earth. In each case there was missionary work for the world; for, because of God's control of these men who stood next to the thrones of their respective governments, the knowledge of the true God was heralded to the ends of the earth.

These men did not get their positions through political intrigue, or party politics, or even by the will of the people; but by the providence of God. Not one of them sought the office, or ever imagined it possible. Nor were these governments republican in form; they were absolute monarchies, absolutely heathen in religion. Yet God was able, through His humble servants in captivity and in exile, to send His message of truth to the world through the instrumentality of these heathen monarchies.

With a Joseph near the throne in Egypt, the knowledge of the true God went to the world in one generation. See Gen. 41:55-57. With a Daniel next to the thrones of Babylon and Persia, the knowledge of God went to the world twice in one generation. See Dan. 3:29 to 4:3; 6:25-27. With a Mordecai next to the throne of Persia, proclamations emphasizing the power of the God of Israel went broadcast throughout the regions of the empire whose domination was deemed universal.

So, if the Lord has decreed that the last message of mercy shall go to the world in this generation, it will go—regardless of what men may do, or fail to do. It is not a question of what His professed people may do, or fail to do, but of what God Himself will do. Men may fail, but God never. It is, however, a serious question, How shall the professed servant of God fare in the judgment, if the Lord shall be obliged to do His work without that servant? "That servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many stripes."

CONFORMED OR TRANSFORMED.

By S.

THE success of worldly enterprises has often led the professed followers of Christ to pattern some part of their work after the methods which made that worldly work a success. We have seen it in the introduction of modified theatricals in the church. Pastors who have compared the size of their audiences with the throngs which patronize the theater have introduced "attractions" to increase their attendance. The theater has its "attractions," and they draw the masses. The worried pastor reasons that they will do the same for the church. They have been added to the church service, and the pews have had more occupants. But the additional occupants came to see the curious and spectacular. They get what they came for, and probably depart satisfied.

But they who come to hear the voice of God through one set to utter it, what do they get? —A theatrical performance. Refusing to go to the theater, their pastor permitted the theater to come to them in the house of God—into the sacred edifice where they had met God, and expected to meet Him again and again. The theater came into their sanctuary, displacing the Word, disorganizing the service, and lowering the respect of both saint and sinner for the house, the pastor, and the pastor's influence. Thus what is gained in numbers is lost in real heart work, in real, positive influence for good. The church which resorts to such means will soon find—and too many have found already—that it must add new attractions, as the theater does, or see its audiences dwindling away.

Such a course is in direct opposition to the counsel of the Spirit: "Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Rom. 12: 2. Conformity to the world will never win the world; will never bring men and women out of the world and into the fellowship of Christ—and it never has. Conformity to the world is a yielding to the ways of the world, forming our ways and words and actions in harmony with the words and ways and actions of the world. It is not our winning the world, but rather our yielding to the world, our conversion to the world. They who come to a church in response to its attractions, come for the attractions, not for salvation, not to hear the Word,—come because they recognize themselves in that church, not because they recognize God in its members or its pastor. They go to the theater to be pleased, amused; they will go to such a church for the same purpose. When the theater pleases and amuses people, it makes them satisfied with themselves.

But it is the business of the church to make men and women dissatisfied with their condition when that condition is out of harmony with the ways of God. It must teach truth, no matter how straight it may cut, for only the truth can save. When men are entirely dissatisfied with their unsaved and unrighteous condition, then it is that they can find the true satisfaction that there is in Christ and in sins forgiven. It is the business of the church to do God's work; and that is not, and never has been, seeking the pleasures of this world.

Here, then, are two institutions, each doing a different work. The theater can not accomplish its work by teaching the Word of God and by influencing its patrons to lead lives of unselfishness; for that never has been pleasing to human nature. It accomplishes its end, however, and that by its own means. It is not reasonable to suppose that those same means can be used to accomplish an object entirely different, even if employed in an edifice hitherto sacred. The church can not accomplish its object in the world by using means designed especially for the purpose of thwarting that work, means which are antagonistic to that work, and promote only the service of self.

Conformity with that which is evil is, in the end, conformity with the evil itself; and that is what is bound to be when we use the instruments of the world in attempting to do the Lord's work. "Be not conformed to this world;" that would mean ruin of soul and body. "But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." That means a transformation out of self and into Christ. It is accomplished through the renewing of the mind, not by conformity with the world. There is salvation in heeding this admonition, or command, of the Lord. There is death, everlasting death, in refusing to do it. While the great drift of the tide to-day is toward conformity with the world, the Christian must set his face against it resolutely, and seek for that transformation which will lift him out of self and into the service and life of Christ. S.

"BLESSED IS HE THAT WATCHETH."

By G.

THE Russo-Japanese War is frequently referred to as probably the war of "Armageddon" mentioned in Rev. 16:13-16. It may be a precursor of that event, but it is not that war itself. We quote from the American Revised version:

"And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs; for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. (Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame). And they gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon."

This record says nothing about a battle between nations. The "spirits of demons" gather the "kings of the whole world" together. Whether they have a battle among themselves is not stated, altho this is the general conjecture. At the time indicated men are already

blaspheming God because of the former plagues, and, for anything the record says, it is just as logical to suppose that the rulers of earth come together under Satanic influence for some united purpose, thinking that in some way they may overcome the plagues. Being under the deception of demons, they can be made to believe anything. But even then a general battle may result.

It is the pouring out of the sixth plague, whatever that may mean, that dries up the river Euphrates, supposed to be the Turkish Government, so that there is no longer any hindrance to the coming of the kings from the sunrising. Whether these kings assemble for war among themselves or not, it is God's occasion for war upon all of them. It is "the war of the great day of God, the Almighty," that is the great event to take place at Har-Magedon.

It is under the sixth of the seven plagues that are to fall on the earth after probation ceases, when this great gathering takes place. Immediately follows the seventh plague, in which we are shown the character of the war of that "great day."

Now the people who are clamoring for the expulsion of the Turk from Europe, and the European rulers who are scheming for the absorption of all the territory of the Turkish Government, would do well to note that if by the river Euphrates is meant the Turkish Government, then that government will in some sense stand until probation ends, and until the dire judgments of God are being poured out in the earth.

Moreover it is most important of all to note that in this connection the Lord says: "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." No one who heeds this warning will be harmed by the terrible "war of the great day of God, the Almighty." He that confesses and forsakes his sins, putting on the garments of Christ's righteousness, will not have his former corrupt life exposed to the gaze of the universe. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." G.

CHRISTIANITY VERSUS POLITICS.

By G.

CHRIST is the Christian's example. He left the world's politics to the world; therefore that is the wise thing for the Christian to do. When Christ was on earth, the world's politics was very much in need of purifying, and He would have gladly seen a betterment of civic conditions. Did He endeavor to ameliorate the corrupt civic conditions?—He certainly did, but not by any political method. He never taught, either by precept or example, that wading in a muddy pool would tend to clarify it. The only remedial agency He ever offered to the world was the Gospel.

The apostle Paul gives us this lesson: "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." And God's soldier is provided with an armor of which the only weapon is the Word of God, "the sword of the Spirit."

As "we wrestle not against flesh and blood," but against "spiritual wickedness" (margin, "wicked spirits"), therefore the human weapons used in the political conflicts of the world—being in the main inspired by the Christian's adversary—are but hindrances in the Christian's legitimate controversy.

Our Commander says, "Preach the Word." It is sin and its instigator that we have to contend with, and, in whatever form we have to contend with these, our tactics is simply to "preach the Word," and do good to all men. The controversy in which the Christian is engaged is against the root and author of sin, and not against the poor, unfortunate victims. Our aim is to rescue them, not to fight them. It is not the Christian's business to execute the law; but to call sinners to repentance. G.

“NOT OF WORKS.”

By G.

MEN are not saved because they keep the commandments of God; they keep the commandments because they are saved. That is, because by faith in Christ their sins (transgressions of the commandments) have been forgiven, and by His grace through faith they are kept from further transgression. His positive word is, “Without Me ye can do nothing.” The man who does not by faith keep the commandments of God is not saved from sin.

Neither do men grow in grace because of their good works; but they abound in good works when they have been purified from evil works by faith in Christ. He “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” The evil spirit must first be cast out of the sinner before the Holy Spirit can dwell in him; and not until he is possessed of the Holy Spirit can he accomplish anything that will be placed to his credit in heaven. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

No work that any one does with a primary view to personal gain will ever be recognized in heaven as a good work. Christ “went about doing good,” but not for Himself. His sole aim was the glory of God and the benefit of His needy fellow-creatures. And it is well to reflect that a growth in grace is intimately connected with a growth “in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” To know Him is eternal life. Whoever abounds in the knowledge of Christ—the personal, experimental knowledge of Christ—will also abound in good works.

Some one has truthfully said, “If the amount of energy lost in trying to grow were spent in fulfilling the conditions of growth, there would be a far greater increase of spirituality than is now experienced in the church.” To make a special effort to grow for the sake of personal benefit is nothing short of selfishness, and will lead one to attempting self-measurement by the rule of good works, and this is always deceptive. When one attempts to measure his own growth by what he does, or by what he is attempting to do, he is then looking away from Christ, and his own stature becomes unduly magnified.

All the credits that men get in the ledger of heaven are because of their faith. Abraham was given credit for righteousness, but it was because of his faith. Only through his faith did he ever do anything that was counted creditable in heaven. Of all men, Christ alone perfectly kept the commandments of God, and His righteousness is imputed to the child of faith. Therefore the commandments of God are the standard of righteousness, and obedience is the proof of faith. “All His commandments are righteousness,” and “we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

“By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.”

NOTES ON THE CONFERENCE.

By Editor

WE can not attempt in these notes to present statistics. These must be gathered out of the official reports and presented by others in our home offices. We are attempting to give general impressions of the conference, general features, and incidents which show the decided trend of this gathering. In fact, it is impossible to give details and statistics now, as the work of nearly every department is as yet in an unfinished condition, and will be till nearly, or quite, the close of the conference. The work has grown to such an extent during the last two years that the time and program plan has been too short and insufficient to accomplish what has been desired.

THERE have been what have been called three "surprise parties" at this conference. And thus they have been from the beginning, not from the character of the meetings, but from the results. A quiet little chapel service one morning in the Pacific Press presented a voluntary offering for foreign missions and the work in Washington. About the same time an earnest appeal was made in the Review and Herald.

AS STONES cast into the great calm lake send forth their impulses wave upon wave to the farther shores, so the influence of this offering and this appeal swept either way across the continent from church to church, from conference to conference, and the delegates came to Washington bringing their gifts for the beloved work. Many more gifts came through the mail. The result of the three "surprise parties" to the present has since May 1, for the Washington work, amounted to $25,586.28, and for this we thank God, and take courage. The exact amount for foreign missions we have not yet learned. It is about the same. This has greatly cheered our overburdened brethren in Washington, and our missionaries from abroad.

THE last Sabbath of the meeting was the best of the three. The early morning meeting was a recounting of God's special leadings and marked providences in connection with this work in the home and foreign fields, and in individual experiences. President A. G. Daniells and Prof. W. W. Prescott spoke briefly of the wonderful working of God in moving from Battle Creek, Mich., to Washington. They told of how the way was opened, how God led, how His providence was manifest at every step, and finally, what a hearty, encouraging response came from the brethren throughout the whole great field. The meeting closed with many on their feet anxious to speak. This meeting was continued in the afternoon.

IN the morning after an excellent Sabbath-school conducted by Elder Geo. B. Thompson, head of the Sabbath-School Department, Elder George I. Butler, president of the Southern Union Conference

and for many years, in his prime, president of the General Conference, gave a powerful sermon on unity among brethren and in the home, basing his instructions on John 17, and the figures used by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 5 and 1 Corinthians 12. It was a grand, sweet sermon from one of the grand old patriarchs of the cause.

IN the afternoon Mrs. E. G. White gave a powerful address in clear, ringing tones on vital, uplifting, practical religion in the home, among parents and children, and in the church. In these days of the perversion of truth by every form of sophistry and error, it behooved the Christian to stand true to his God and to every principle of truth. Children are to be taught so to stand. While laboring for others, while kind, considerate, and broad minded in such labor, no part of truth was to be compromised. Loyalty to Christ and the Bible must be maintained. It was a grand appeal from this aged servant of the Lord, and presented as clearly, as strongly, as anything we ever heard from her lips. Appeal was made to them to be faithful to baptismal vows. It was asked how many would take their stand for Christ and His kingdom, and nearly all in the great congregation arose to their feet. It was a blessed, impressive service.

THE MARYLAND TOLERATION ACT.

By John D. Bradley

BY JOHN D. BRADLEY.

THE Roman Catholic claim that Roman Catholics established religious liberty in Maryland and passed the Act of Toleration of 1649, was brought to the attention of the Washington public some months ago by its indorsement, at an important public Roman Catholic celebration, by the president of the board of commissioners for the District of Columbia. A very successful and conclusive challenging of that indorsement and claim was at once made by several correspondents of the Washington Post, who, bringing the facts of history to view in the matter, left the claim not a peg to stand upon.

Recently the matter has been still more conspicuously brought to the attention of the Washington public. On May 10 the proceedings of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, in session at the Church of the Ascension, "were enlivened by an attack by Rev. C. Ernest Smith, pastor of St. Thomas' Church, on what he termed an attempt to teach in the public schools that Maryland was founded by Roman Catholics, and that the Toleration Act of 1649 was the work of the Catholic Church." The large number of lay and clerical delegates in attendance applauded loudly as he introduced the following resolution calling for the appointment of a committee to investigate the matter:

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to study the various histories in use in the public schools of Maryland and the District of Columbia with reference to the teaching given them concerning the religious beliefs in founding Maryland colony; and that if such teachings be found erroneous and misleading to bring the same to the attention of the District and State of Maryland authorities, with a view to the making of a correction in accordance with the true facts of the case.

The laymen and clergymen followed carefully the reading of the resolution, and then Dr. Smith read from a book which he held in his hand, which proved to be MacMaster's School History of the United States, statements which he declared to be untrue. Among other things he said:

It is well known that the Roman Catholic claim that Maryland was founded by them as a refuge for all those persecuted in the Old World on account of their religious faith. But this is absolutely untrue. The original settlers were almost all members of the Anglican Church and not of the Roman Catholic faith. Out of the 300 settlers only twenty were of the latter belief, and of these two were Jesuits who had been smuggled aboard. Yet this heresy is published in the school books, and is poisoning the minds of the children of the State of Maryland.

The Roman Catholic Church also claims that they were the original teachers of toleration in Maryland, where, as a matter of fact, in the Toleration Act of 1649 most vigorous measures were resorted to against those who did not believe in the Trinity. All the enactments of that time, good or bad, were framed by the Anglican influence and not by the Roman Catholic. They made a great deal of noise, of course, as they always do, to which the Jesuit priests gave the whole tone, but they were heathen to God's work, and came merely for what there was in it, for money and lands which they might secure.

These statements were "greeted with applause." The next day, after the adoption of an amendment providing that the committee report to the convention instead of appealing directly to the authorities of Maryland and the District, Dr. Smith's resolution was adopted. The committee "will immediately commence their work of investigating the teachings of the school histories on the points in question, and will report to the convention when it meets one year hence." In a further statement regarding the matter to a representative of the Post, Dr. Smith said:

The matter was brought up at this time because of statements made during the celebration of Maryland day in March. I found the statements rank heresy. It is time to make a protest. Half truths are the worst of lies, and the school books that teach them should be expurgated. The whole claim that Roman Catholics were tolerant is absurd. Being in the minority, they couldn't be otherwise. The act concerning toleration was passed to save Roman Catholics from persecution. Of this the proof is in the final clause, which states that no Roman Catholic shall be persecuted. The act of 1649 was passed by a Protestant assembly, when Cromwell was Protector of England.

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