It is sad to see men of large talents, and who are capable of exerting a mighty influence for God and his Word, fall into the pitfalls of higher criticism, and turn their influence against the cause of Christianity. Many are doing this at the present time.
One of the latest recruits of higher criticism is Dr. Charles Aked, of San Francisco. Much was made of his departure from the East several years ago to take up work in the great metropolis of the Pacific Coast. Many hoped great things from his ministry. He was received with open arms by the church people of San Francisco, and was honored with the position of president of the federated churches of that city. But now he openly declares that he cannot longer support the doctrine of the miraculous conception and birth of Christ. Of his position the Christian Observer of February 11 says:—
Dr. Aked's drift toward Unitarianism has been rapid. Now he has aligned himself with those who would rob Jesus of his divinity and would declare that "there is divinity in us," and that the difference between men and Jesus is a "question of quantity and not of quality." This heresy has been paraded in all ages of the world's history, and it is passing strange that a man with the opportunities that Dr. Aked has had of study and observation should align himself with the enemies of Jesus, the divine Saviour of men. Veiled praises of the Christ as the highest type of man and yet as not divine, cannot avail to stem the torrent of sin that surges through the hearts of unregenerate men.
Dr. Aked's position is in harmony with that held by many religious leaders. We are glad, however, that there are some clergymen in San Francisco who widely dissent from his utterances. The Presbyterian ministers of San Francisco demanded that Dr. Aked resign from his office, threatening that if he continued as president they would withdraw from the federation. When the matter came to vote, according to the Pittsburgh (Pa.) Post of February 18, seventy-four members of the federation voted declining to accept his proffered resignation, and only nineteen voted for it. If this vote indicates the drift of religious faith and belief among the clergymen of San Francisco, the situation is truly painful as well as deeply significant of the trend of religious faith at the present time; for undoubtedly the same line-up of religious teachers would be made in other cities as has been made in San Francisco if similar occasions were to arise. Of Dr. Aked's position the Post above referred to, says:—
A preacher who refuses to accept the Bible in its entirety is getting out of his element. A lawyer can attack the constitutionality of a statute and appeal to a higher court, but with a preacher it is different. The law which serves as his guide is accepted by civilization as divine revelation, and to deny any of its theories is calculated to shake the faith of those who listen to his teachings.
In the refusal of the federated churches of San Francisco to accept Dr. Aked's resignation, the Congregationalist of Boston declares that he received a "handsome and merited vindication." While not indorsing his views, this representative journal of the church to which Dr. Aked belongs, believes that "a Christian minister should be accorded liberty," and that "belief in the virgin birth should not be a prerequisite of admission to the fellowship of evangelical churches."
On the other hand, the United Presbyterian thinks that Dr. Aked in holding such doctrines should "fall out of the ranks in which he has been marching, and take his place with those who prefer a humanistic and rationalistic religious fellowship."
The Herald and Presbyter considers that the church faces a crisis, and declares:—
The Presbyterian Church stands for comity and federation, but neither comity nor federation will long stand if we are to have attacks from Methodist and Congregational ministers on the essential doctrines of the gospel.
The Catholic News, in reviewing the question, relates the following dramatic incident as indicating the influence of such teaching:—
Dr. Aked, of San Francisco, who has been proclaiming doctrines contrary to Christian teachings, was forcibly reminded of the damage he is doing to religion when, the other day, in San Francisco, a well-dressed young man made his way through a crowd attending the laying of the corner stone of the First Congregational church in that city, and tore into pieces a marked Bible, throwing the leaves at the feet of the pastor, Dr. Aked. The Bible's cover was tossed on the corner stone. The man then retreated and disappeared in the crowd. The cover was tagged with texts referring to followers of new doctrines, and the inside was marked "Property of the San Francisco Church Federation." Dr. Aked is president of that organization. One of the cards with which the cover was tagged read "Tekel." This word was printed in large red letters. Its meaning, as translated in the book of Daniel, is, "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Dr. Aked and clergymen like him are certainly tearing the Bible to pieces by the denial of essential Christian doctrine, and it is not surprising that he has been taken to task so conspicuously.
In the Public Ledger Dr. Aked defends his position by the pitiful statement—pitiful if it is true, as we do not question—that "these views of mine passed unchallenged in the more orthodox circles of New York Baptists."
Silently and insidiously but none the less surely the enemy of all righteousness is undermining faith in God and in his Word. Fittingly does that Word inquire, "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Some—a rapidly lessening number—appreciate the drift of religious thought and teaching, but the majority are fast drifting upon the rocks and shoals of unbelief.
It is for us to exalt in our lives and teachings the blessed Word. We serve a living God; we have a divine Saviour. By the overshadowing power of the Spirit, whereby he was begotten of the Father, we may become changed into the likeness of his character. He is able to do for us "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." We may safely rest our salvation in his hands.
A Foreign City in America
THE Italian-speaking population of New York City is greater by more than 86,000 than the population of Rome: 549,444 persons in New York City report their native language as that of Italy; Rome, according to the last census, has a population of 462,783. The persons in New York City reporting German as their native tongue number 841,889, equal to the combined population of Munich and Hanover. Other nationalities, of course, are very liberally represented.
One has only to go through the foreign settlements of our great cities to be impressed with the fact that the very world has been brought to our doors. We believe that this has been done in the good providence of the Lord. For these different nationalities earnest labor should be put forth. Among them will be found many who will receive with gladness the message for this generation, and who in turn will become light bearers to their own countrymen at home.
West Africa
By L. R. Conradi
L. R. CONRADI
FROM some points of Europe the northern shores of Africa are visible, and it was therefore but natural that workers should go from Europe to Egypt and Algeria at an early date. The work in Germany grew in strength, and attention was then, of course, directed to the German colonies in Africa. As German East Africa is the most populous, work was commenced there in 1903. Later on, the Abyssinian Mission was begun on the east coast, and then the Victoria-Nyanza Mission, both British and German. The mission board had meanwhile directed its attention to the West Coast and established permanent work in Sierra Leone. Missionaries were sent from time to time to the Gold Coast, where a native church had been established. In view of the malarial climate on the West Coast, a health station was established on the Canary Islands. Since West Africa consists mostly of European colonies, it was but natural for the mission board to turn over the West African missions to the European Division.
A glance at the map, however, shows us the immensity of the West Coast of Africa. One can readily see that the establishing of two permanent mission station in the Canary Islands was but as church on the Gold Coast, and a health station in the Canary Islands, was but as a drop in a bucket. There is only one independent government, the little Negro republic of Liberia, and it rests on a rather weak foundation. The French republic alone owns, in Africa, territory two thirds as large as all the United States, with about 27,000,000 people, and most of this is on the West Coast. The Kongo State, now a Belgian colony, is about one fourth of the size of the United States, containing 15,000,000 people. Great Britain has nearly as large a territory on the West Coast, with another 20,000,000 inhabitants.
Only a very small beginning had been made. How could these immense territories be opened? It looked as if it might be a long time before we should even have a commencement, much less a solid foothold, in all these countries. But God's ways are not our ways, and his promise that this message must go in this generation even to all the countries of West Africa, as well as other parts of the Dark Continent and the world, stands sure. Today we see the problem much nearer solution than six months ago.
During our recent visit in Sierra Leone, plans were laid for establishing permanent work in the largest English possession, Nigeria, and also at the Gold Coast. There was also a call from a company in Liberia for one of our workers to commence operations there, and the brethren will visit the place on their way down to Nigeria. In Sierra Leone, where we had only two stations, at Freetown and Waterloo, our brethren had been employed finding two large tracts of unoccupied mission territory in the hinterland, one among the Timnes and the other among the Mendis. The way is further opening up in the German colonies on the West Coast. On the German boat going to Freetown and back I had an excellent opportunity to gather information concerning German Kamerun. I learned also that the governor of this colony was home on furlough, and arranged an audience with him as soon as possible. He received me very kindly at his office in Berlin, and stated in his very first remarks that he was favorably impressed by the mission work of Seventh-day Adventists, and on a visit to our stations in German East Africa, had met our missionaries, and become acquainted with our work. Later he expressed once more by letter how extremely satisfied he was that we as a mission society planned to enter the country in the near future, and he gave us valuable hints as to the localities we should occupy, etc. At present we are securing the proper men to enter this open door as soon as possible.
While attending the East German conference, I learned from a brother who had been in German Southwest Africa for some time, and had returned to Germany to attend our school in Friedensau for a short time, that a friend of his urged him to return to Southwest Africa to take charge of his large estate while he returns home. He married before leaving, and in my conversation with him, he informed me that his real object in going was to become still better acquainted with the country, people, and language, and then he would be quite willing to render us service as a missionary. Thus two German colonies will probably be occupied during the present year.
Further, we are laying our plans to enter the Kongo from the east rather than from the west. The Germans have just completed a railway, about 800 miles in length, from Dar-es-Salaam to Lake Tanganyika. The Belgians are finishing a railway to Lake Tanganyika, on the other side; in a short time it will take but a few days to reach the very heart of the Kongo from Dar-es-Salaam.
From the information secured, I find that that portion of the Kongo has but comparatively few missions, and is quite healthful. The only real gap is in the French possessions, and we hope that erelong suitable workers can be found to make a beginning there also. God does not only open doors, but he provides means. The 50,000 marks jubilee donation will surely furnish ample means to start in the German colonies. In Sierra Leone there is every possibility of our being able to sell the mission property in Freetown at a good price, which will give us the necessary cash to establish our work in the interior of Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast, and Nigeria.
We are hard at work to find more men, and, if possible, some tried Africans. We are seeking to use to the best advantage those we already have. Elder D. C. Babcock, with some native workers, will take hold of Nigeria. Elder W. H. Lewis, with some native assistants, will take hold of the Gold Coast. Elder R. S. Greaves, who has thus far labored in Asia Minor and Greece, will join Dr. E. W. Myers in Sierra Leone, in place of Prof. T. M. French, who was compelled to return to America on account of the sickness of his wife. We have also several workers in German East Africa, who have gained an experience there for the work in Kamerun and Kongo, and we are looking around for others to join them.
Our greatest lack seems to be in English-speaking workers. Our English work in Europe being rather weak, we hope that we can secure about half a dozen sturdy, consecrated, bright young men from the States, who will enter the English fields, both in Europe and Africa, and thus furnish us the so much needed material.
We are grateful to the Lord that the prospects are good for the opening up of the West Coast during 1914-15. May we have the prayers of God's people and their support in the great undertaking before us.
Japan
By F. H. De Vinney
F. H. DE VINNEY
WE are now holding what we call an "institute," for lack of a better name; but we cannot hold exactly the same kind of meeting here that we would call an institute at home. We are spending time each day in praying together, and in seeking the Lord for a new experience and a better fitting up for his work. I have been working for the past eighteen months on a series of Bible studies to be used in tent meetings or home studies. We spend two hours each day on the study of these subjects, taking the entire time of one session for one subject. Then in the evening we invite the public to our meeting, and one of the laborers is chosen to present that same subject as a sermon. After the outsiders have gone, we spend at least half an hour in talking over the manner of presentation, correcting mistakes, etc., all taking part.
These meetings have been on my heart13and mind for months, and while at home on furlough I could hardly wait to get back here and for the time to come when we might begin them. We are more than repaid already for all the labor. I have had some good times presenting the message in days gone by; but never in all my work have I personally felt the power and the Spirit of the Lord, no, nor the love of the truth, as I have since we have been studying together with these workers who are so intensely interested in preparing for better work.
Sabbath, after the morning services, I started out for a walk along one of the little, crowded streets near my home. On approaching a little open space where a small canal joins the street, I heard loud talking. I was about to leave the street in another direction when something familiar in the voice attracted my attention, and I went on until I could see the speaker. I found three of our laborers and a canvasser holding a street meeting, with a goodly number around them listening to the word. I stood unobserved, and my soul went out to God in thanksgiving for this manifestation of the spirit of love and labor for souls that is coming in among our Japanese workers.
The spirit of depression and anxiety which sent me out for the walk, left me in an instant when I saw what was before me in the street, and I made up my mind that God is able to care for his own work, and that he wants me to trust him and rest. This little incident may not seem very great, but to me it is an indication that the Lord is giving a burden for souls, and a desire to reach them with the saving message, which is going to bring victory to our work in Japan. I never have been of so good courage as I am today, thank the Lord, for I know that he is on the giving hand, and is with us to bless our labors.
Tokio.
Palestine
By W. C. Ising
W. C. ISING
I HAVE just returned from my long journey to Bagdad and Mosul, ancient Nineveh, which took some nine months in all.
It is a pleasure to us to know that the brethren in America take such an interest in us. We certainly follow closely the development of the work over in the States, and especially the opening up of new fields.
There are interesting items I should like to write about, but Sabbath is drawing on, and the fact that I plan to leave for the East Jordan tomorrow evening with Elder Henry Erzberger, does not leave time to write all I should like to.
Later we shall be able to send on some good reports. Mrs. Ising can furnish some interesting material of her work among Moslem women and children. While I made my long trip of nine months, I sent my wife and daughter to London. My wife took a course there, and has passed her examinations successfully in the institution she attended.
Photo by Underwood & Underwood, N. Y.
At the same time she has wonderfully improved in the English. Little Thea, who is now more than six years of age, went to a sort of kindergarten, and speaks the English now as readily as any little English girl. This was indeed a practical arrangement. They reached Beirut a week ago, a few days after my return. Mrs. Ising's work among Moslem women will help me in my evangelistic lines here in the East. Without anything substantial like this, in my opinion, it gives satisfaction neither to the people nor to the worker to simply teach the people religion, for you have nothing with which to meet prejudice.
A work on lines similar to that which we are now carrying on successfully in German East Africa and other foreign lands, is certainly very advantageous. The same could be done here, only on a somewhat different scale; but quite a large percentage of the expenses could be secured. The medical work is certainly the most suitable, but it does not suffice to have it done by a nurse while even native doctors abound. My observations on the trip in the interior have strengthened my convictions in this respect. In our methods we have no competition at all here in the East, although the Americans are carrying on an extensive medical work.
Mission Notes
In speaking of how itinerary work must be done in Hunan, Brother R. F. Cottrell in a recent letter says: "At present Brother Lillie is away on a trip to the outstations. When he returns, I am planning for a trip in another direction. With our other work, it keeps us quite busy to get around to all of our thirteen outstations twice a year. Some of the nearer ones we can visit oftener. Last spring we both went at the same time, but as we have been visited by thieves three times during the past summer it has not seemed best for both of us to be away at the same time. On two occasions, the thieves had their booty from our cottages wrapped and tied to carry away, but some one was awakened each time to frighten them, so that the thieves were not richer for all their pains."
Over in Turkey, where Brother Z. G. Baharian is laboring among the Armenians, from Gurin, in the province of Sivas, where there are about 2,000 Armenian homes, the following was written: "To prepare the way, I sent Brother Ashikian, our colporteur, who sold books. Two began keeping the Sabbath. Later I came, and together we began gospel meetings. At present a good interest has been awakened, and several souls are in the valley of decision. Persecution is also hot, but God is protecting us. Brother Ashikian was beaten when he was returning from a visit. Another young man has accepted the truth. God is making up his people, though slowly. We have no reason for discouragement."
The Christian in the World
“A TRUE Christian living in the world is like a ship sailing on the ocean. It is not the ship's being in the water which will sink it, but the water's getting into the ship. So the world with its love of pleasure getting into the hearts of Christians has ruined its millions.”
Flies
By E. D. Haysmer, M. D.
E. D. HAYSMER, M. D.
As we are rapidly approaching the time of the year when fly-borne diseases are encountered, it is well for us to pause a moment and consider the gravity of the situation and the means at our disposal for eradicating the cause of these disorders. Can disease actually be prevented or lessened by getting rid of flies? The answer is, Yes, much can be accomplished.
That flies spread many diseases is no longer doubted, and the "typhoid fly" is known everywhere. Typhoid fever, however, is only one of the fly-borne diseases. The germs of diphtheria, tuberculosis, cholera, diarrhea, "summer complaint of children," and possibly those of scarlet fever, meningitis, and other diseases are carried by the fly.
Flies are disease carriers. They are given to living on filth, and it may be said that where there is no filth there are no flies. Flies require nourishment, and when food is denied them, they either die or seek quarters elsewhere.
The ordinary domestic house fly is one of the most dangerous members of the animal kingdom, and presents to mankind today as great a problem as the much-spoken-of and dreaded mosquito. In civilized countries we no longer dread the larger animals, as those that are dangerous have become extinct, and those that are useful have been domesticated; but we, nevertheless, have a problem on our hands, as it has been proved time and again that many of the smaller pests are far more dangerous to the life of a community than were ever the larger animals.
While the mosquito transmits malaria and yellow fever, yet, with the application of our knowledge along preventive lines, these diseases are rapidly becoming rarities, and some of the formerly most-infected regions in the world are fast becoming "health resorts." This is all due to the fact that the relation existing between the mosquito and disease is known. Today we know the relation that the fly bears to disease, and now this knowledge is being used as a great aid in the eradication of these fly-borne diseases.
On every hand are seen the pernicious effects of typhoid fever, tuberculosis, etc., and it is easy to see that the prevention of these grave maladies is of the utmost importance.
The fly will feed on the most obnoxious germ-laden filth, and then take its dessert from the baby's milk bottle. Flies carry germs on their legs. They wade through and feed on filth and excretions, and then fly away to do their deadly work in the home. They have been observed on the dining table with lime on their legs which had been used to disinfect the excretions deposited in near-by military camps. When their legs are bathed and the water examined by a microscope, germs are seen by the thousand. Milk that they have had access to is soon found to be teeming with germs. Should a fly become laden with disease germs, the result is that some one is exposed to a disease, if the fly is allowed to come in contact with food.
The fly has been depicted as the bearer of the skull-and-cross-bones ensign, and this is very appropriate, as there are many, many graves that trace back in origin to its contaminating presence. Children are most liable to the ravages of diseases due to milk contamination, and yearly thousands are taken sick and die from preventable diseases, because we tolerate the house fly. For years pure food has been regarded as one of the greatest essentials to a healthy existence, yet only lately has it been thoroughly understood that flies may so contaminate what would otherwise be good food that it may be positively harmful or the cause of some definite disease.
It is time that we realize as never before the fact that flies are our enemies, and that every effort should be made toward their extermination. To rid the country of its mosquitoes, while a tremendous task, is yet easier than to rid it of its flies. A government may drain swamps, etc., but the individual effort is the element that counts in this battle that is now being waged against the fly.
As flies breed and multiply greatly in the early part of the warm weather, and continue to do so until it is very cold, it may be seen that for every fly that is killed now a whole generation, sometimes amounting to many thousands, may be prevented. The season has now come that will give the most success in this great exterminating campaign. During the early spring days some cities are offering bounties on flies. Says a dispatch from Fort Wayne, Ind.:—
"After examining statistics showing that a fly permitted to live in March becomes the progenitor of 93,312,000,000 flies in August, the Woman's Clubs League of Fort Wayne has offered a bounty of one cent for each fly killed and brought to the headquarters of the league. After 5,000 March flies have been brought in, the bounty ceases. At that time, the league figures, it will have been responsible for a shortage in the fly crop of 466,560,000,000,000 flies."
Similar crusades are being conducted in other cities. There should be carried on everywhere a vigorous antifly campaign, the results of which will depend on individual effort.
The most successful means of ridding one's premises of flies is to keep everything out-of-doors scrupulously clean, allowing no filth whatever to accumulate, no water to stagnate, and securing the benefit of all the sunlight possible on the ground. Barns and all outhouses, as well as the dwelling house, should have all windows and doors screened. Stable litter and all like material, in a word, everything upon which flies feed, should be either done away with or screened.
Every fly that gains entrance to the inside of the house should be hunted out and killed. This is of the utmost importance, as it is the fly in the house that is usually responsible for the disease.
Outdoors, flies may be caught in traps, which, when properly constructed, will permit of a wholesale destruction of these pests. For indoor use, the most popular methods are the use of the fly swatter, fly paper, and various poisons. Of these the fly paper and the fly swatter are to be recommended most highly.
It is very desirable that during the year 1914 more flies be killed than ever before, and that a most earnest cooperation be obtained which will result in the furtherance of this swat the fly campaign. A great reduction in fly-borne diseases is certain to be the result of intelligent, earnest cooperation in this undertaking.
Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium.
An Evening Pslam
By Mrs. L. R. Reynolds
DAY dons her slumber robe at eve,
Rich draperies of glorious hue;
Serenely then she takes her leave,
The western gateway passing through.
With folded wings she's gone to rest;
Night draws the curtain round her bed;
We see no form, but o'er earth's breast
We see a shadow darkly spread.
The stars that deck the evening sky,
Like sentinels their vigils keep;
White fleecy clouds go drifting by,
Like shepherd-tended flocks of sheep.
The zephyrs, soft as angel's wings,
The drowsy landscape floating o'er,
A tribute, rich and rare, they bring
From dewy field and fragrant flower.
O beauteous eve, like some sweet psalm,
From earth to heaven allures our eyes!
The holy hush, the Eden balm,
All seem a glimpse of paradise.
While moonbeams light the scene below,
The tender and impassioned gaze
Of myriad stars, with softer glow,
All seem to say, Give God the praise.
He spread this beauty all abroad,
And taught the morning stars their song.
Let every creature worship God,
And every tongue his praise prolong.
The mountains and the hills break forth,
The trees and fountains clap and sing,
O praise the Lord, yea, all the earth;
Let every creature tribute bring.
Wichita, Kans.
E. L. CARDEY
By E. L. Cardey
ALBANY.—This city is one of the greatest political centers in the United States. It is here that we see the fine hand of the Papacy working, not only for State control but for national control.
Since our open conflict with the Papacy last fall, we have labored on quietly except for a few large public protest meetings. What we may expect when the "beast" has the power to cause men to worship him was impressed upon me only a week ago. I was in a quiet gathering of thirty or forty men (some prominent men of the State), when one of the gentlemen said that only lately he was talking to a Knight of Columbus man who had a ticket on which appeared my name in connection with an address given on a certain date. Another minister's name also was on the card. This man said, "We will get them yet!" It behooves us to labor untiringly while it is day.
During the winter, souls have been added to the church here. One feature of the work of special encouragement is the fine class of men who have embraced the truth during the past seven or eight months. The papal boycott is worked here, and in some cases it has been tried on these men when they have started to keep the Sabbath; nevertheless, more men have taken their stand here than at any other place I have ever labored. Although some have lost excellent positions, with a salary of from twenty-five to forty dollars a week, yet in a short time other positions have come to them with good pay. God still lives, and rewards those who obey him.16
It would be interesting to relate how a number of persons lately took hold of the Sabbath truth, by hearing it one day for the first time, and keeping the Sabbath the next; and they have proved faithful ever since. All about us in these large cities are to be found men and women who will gladly forsake all to accept God's truth, and make the needed preparation for the coming of Christ. The crying need is for every church member to go and search out these lost ones. To some extent our people are doing it here, and the Lord is rewarding their humble efforts. At present we are having many interesting experiences in cottage meetings. Pray for the work in this city, that God may have his way in gathering out the remnant for his name.
E. L. CARDEY
New York
By R. B. Clapp
WATERTOWN.—We came to this city early last January. This is not a new field, work having been done here more or less for the past quarter of a century. A church company has been here for years, and the general impression prevails that this is hard territory. Notwithstanding all this, we felt led of God to locate here, and, with much prayer and seeking God, began the work. Our first problem was to secure a suitable place to hold meetings. Our people had a good church building, but it was located in such an out-of-the-way part of the city that it could not be utilized for aggressive work.
CHURCH BUILDING RECENTLY PURCHASED AT WATERTOWN, N. Y.
The Lord met us in our extremity in a very clear way, and brought us in touch with a church building well suited to our use. After counseling with the conference president, Elder W. H. Holden, we bought the property. The price paid was $4,600, which was just about one half the amount put into the property when it was built, about ten years ago. The spirit of devotion among the people here was so strong that some borrowed the money to help meet the payment. The conference furnished $500, and the church raised $1,100, and by securing a loan from the savings bank of $3,000, we secured the property. It is a nice church building, with seating capacity for about 250 persons.
It has with it a fine corner lot on Clay and Academy Streets, with no building, which we plan to use for a tent meeting for the summer effort. The bank appraised the property at $6,000, which, you understand, must always be a very conservative estimate.
Elder Holden preached the opening sermon of the present series of meetings, on Tuesday evening, February 24. We have been holding six meetings a week since. Elder F. C. Gilbert was with us March 17-22, and rendered valuable aid. The interest has been developing slowly but surely. Precious souls are beginning to show deep interest, and we are getting into the solid, testing truths of the third angel's message. One, a young man, has given his heart to the Saviour; old Sabbath keepers have been reclaimed, and all have felt a special blessing. We expect to see persons taking hold of the Sabbath in the immediate future. We especially rejoice that when we were at our extremity for a place to hold meetings, God gave to us just what we needed. Our church members here have been very loyal in all the work and plans. United in God, we shall see many souls saved to the Master.
R. B. CLAPP.
"The Freedom of Religious Faith"
By G. B. Thompson
DURING the recent session of the Pacific Union Conference, under the above heading, there appeared in the Oakland (Cal.) Bulletin of March 19, 1914, the following editorial:—
"There is in session in this city a body of men the superiors of whom in industry, orderliness, loyalty, honesty, good repute, and all that makes for the best citizenship, we think it would be difficult to find. These are the Seventh-day Adventists, now holding their biennial conference.
"The members of this church observe Saturday as the Sabbath, and no matter whether this is sound theology or not, it is their belief and their undoubted Constitutional right as citizens and free men and free women, so to keep the seventh day as holy.
"Observing the seventh day as the Sabbath, it is at once a violence offered to their faith and an unreasonable business hardship to compel them by law to observe also the first day of the week as a day in which they shall not labor or carry on their usual business and professional vocations. And upon these grounds these good people are strenuously opposed to all so-called Sunday laws.
"We think they are absolutely right in their contentions for their civil privileges under the guaranties of the Constitution. They have an indefeasible right to their faith. They are entitled to religious liberty. And it is impossible to say that a citizen who is compelled to keep as the Sabbath a day which is not holy to him and which he believes it sinful to keep as the Sabbath, enjoys religious freedom within the true intent and the full meaning of the Constitutional guaranties.
"The Supreme Court of the United States has decided that it is within the police powers of a State to make and enforce laws forbidding work to be done on Sunday. But, as a matter of justice and fair play, such laws should expressly exempt all citizens who honestly and as a matter of conscience observe another day than the first of the week. It is manifestly unfair to compel a man who conscientiously refrains from all labor on Saturday, also to refrain from labor and amusement on Sunday, simply because there are more persons who believe that the first day is the Sabbath than there are who believe that the seventh day is holy.
"In the theological dispute we are not greatly interested. But in the maintenance of civil and religious liberty we are earnestly and always interested. Without those noble and precious liberties life is not worth the living. And we most assuredly believe that the Seventh-day Adventists are right in contending for those liberties, and heartily do we wish them courage in their good fight."
If all newspaper editors would, in the same clear, concise, and fearless manner, contend for the Constitutional principles of this great republic, they would indeed do much to stem the tide that is setting in in the direction of tyranny and religious despotism. That backward movement is threatening to extinguish the torch of liberty which has long been shining on these shores, and would revive again the "good(?) old colonial times" when Baptists and Quakers were whipped for their faith, and religious intolerance sent into banishment those who dared to exercise the right to think.
G. B. THOMPSON.
Early Impressions
By Albert Weeks
My grandfather Weeks lived with us during my early boyhood days. He was a servant of God, a man of prayer, and his godly life did much to direct my mind to the things of heaven. Sometimes as I went about my work I heard a low, tremulous voice, and knew that grandfather was communing with God. He had a hope and source of help with which I was not acquainted. He possessed that which seemed to satisfy a heart longing for the better life. I desired to enter into this experience. Thus my grandfather's consistent Christian life led me to strive to walk in the narrow way. As I sought the Lord, he gave me the light of truth, and enabled me to walk in it. I thank and praise the Lord for all his great kindness, and the desire to be found doing faithfully his will at all times.
ALBERT WEEKS.
