p. 12 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 49. (12/17/1912)

Conditions in the Balkans

By Editor

N our last issue, at the time of the writing of the note, we stated that an armistice had been signed between Turkey and the Balkan allies with a view to peace. We were a little premature in saying that. The next day it looked as if the whole matter of the armistice was off. But at this present writing, the armistice has been signed by Turkey and all the allies except Greece. Greece is still using her naval power to secure some advantages in the rear of Constantinople. But the tone of the despatches from the East is that doubtless Greece will acquiesce, and peace conditions will be considered.

It is very difficult, indeed, to get anything upon which one can depend, from the seat of war. We have had it stated over and over again that Austria is mobilizing its forces on the Servian frontier, and as many times denied. So it has been stated that Russia is gathering her forces near the Austrian frontier, but this has been denied. The latest is that 300,000 Austrians are ready to enter Servia at a moment's notice, and that the Servians have called out all of their reserves, old men and boys; and this may be denied to-morrow. One report will say, as it does on the day on which this note is written, that there is great danger of war between Austria and Servia; and the same day and in the same paper is another report that the great powers of Europe are generally agreed in giving Austria a commercial port—not a military one—on the Adriatic Sea, and that this, it is thought, will heal the Balkan troubles and secure peace; and in this arrangement Albania, or at least a part of Albania, will be given its independence. All these things are conjectural.

The proposed peace conference is to meet in London. When that is over, we shall know just what may be depended upon for a little while. And it is only a little while. We have had patched-up peace contracts between the powers of Europe and the Balkans again and again, made, seemingly, only to be broken.

Francis Joseph, the venerable Emperor of Austria-Hungary, who has been disturbing the tranquillity of Europe by his demands upon Servia

It takes such a little thing for an excuse to break through all such compacts, especially on the part of such powers as Russia, Turkey, and the Balkan allies.

It has also been reported that Bulgaria and Servia are anxious that Turkey shall become one of the allies. This, of course, implies a great limitation of Turkey's territory, giving to her Constantinople and Adrianople, a center held by Turkey before she conquered Constantinople. And this, too, is conjectural. After all, the Turkish government is evidently disposed to do as near right as many of the other governments of the East. Her great difficulty lies in the conglomerate mixture and the inconsistent system of government which she possesses. Her worst foes for hundreds of years have been her own pashas and beys and minor officers, who are so independent in their own territory as to oftentimes utterly reject any actions which may be taken by the general government.

Great Britain's new Ambassador to the United States, Sir Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice, the successor of Mr. Brice. He is fifty-three years old, and has had a distinguished career in diplomatic service. He was in Washington, in 1886, as third secretary, and there again in 1893. He has held posts at Brussels and Tokyo, Cairo, Berlin, Constantinople, St. Petersburg, Teheran, and Stockholm. (From "Harper's Weekly")

A survey of the whole situation, however, shows this, that what God has said in Jeremiah 25, in Joel 3, in Revelation 16, and other prophecies is preeminently true; that we are living in that time when the whole earth is preparing for war, when not only the great powers, but the little powers, are preparing, when the world-wide cry is going forth: "Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong."

The nations are becoming awakened. They are all tending toward that last great war which the Word of God calls Armageddon. The Holy Land itself will be the scene of the last great conflict, centering there, but world-wide in its influence. Only those whose faith is placed in the Lord Jesus Christ will pass through these final calamities in safety. For these wars are not simply of one nation against another, but they are all against God and His truth. For it is said, "These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings; and they also shall overcome that are with Him, called and chosen and faithful." Rev. 17: 14.

Wilhelm, Emperor of Germany, who, while mobilizing his troops, is said to be working for peace

Mrs. Eddy’s Son Challenges Christian Science

Mrs. Eddy's son, George A. Glover, of South Dakota, is trying in another way to break the will of Mrs. Eddy, contending that Christian Science is not a religion, but a privately owned business conducted for money profit. If his petition is allowed, it will cause the bequests, estimated at $3,000,000, it is said, to revert to the natural heirs.

The Cost of Pampered Dogs

The "Christian Herald" tells us of a well-known wealthy woman going to a first-class hotel in New York, engaging a suite of four rooms and three baths,—a living room, a room and bath for herself, the same for her maids, and a room and bath for her "babies,"—three dogs, a Pekingese and two Japanese spaniels. They are bathed in perfumed water, fed on cream toast and lamb chops, chicken, ice-cream, etc., etc. Their fare is $10.00 a day, or $3,650 a year. Then think of the real human babies who are dying of want!

Religion and Life Eternal

There are said to be 2,000 Presbyterian churches in America without pastors. In Illinois there are 1,700 abandoned churches, 1,000 in Missouri, and about the same in Iowa and Kansas. From this Elbert Hubbard concludes: "A religion that interests itself largely in man's condition after death, has been outlived and is now outworn."

More's the pity. There is a possibility of a life eternal before every man after death. It is certainly proper that man should give it its due weight. If attained it means righteous character; and righteous character means right living here—doing duty to God and man. The man who takes the right view of eternity, is the man who other things being equal is the most useful man here.

Breeding Social Revolution

By Editor

"Breeding Social Revolution" is the title of an editorial in the Wilkesbarre Record of November 22, in which it recites the fact that after the death of a dog in Cincinnati, the carcass was laid out in the best room of the palatial mansion of its owner, in a coffin that cost as much as the casket of a well-to-do human being. A profusion of flowers was sent in by friends of the distressed mistress, and the carcass was conveyed to the cemetery in a hearse followed by a procession of carriages. Four veterinary surgeons were in attendance at the sickness of the dog, and the cost of treatment footed up three thousand dollars. In addition to this, it notes that in Chicago a few days ago a society matron issued invitations to a dog party. The guests took their pets to the home attired in costly robes, and bejeweled with diamonds—that is, the dogs were. Nurses attended the animals, and a line of automobiles was in waiting. And the Record asks the question, "Is it any wonder that there is an ominous condition of unrest against the accumulation of vast wealth, and that Socialism is menacingly on the increase?"

The Woman's Baptist Missionary Union meeting in Augusta, Georgia, November 14, expresses in a resolution the great humiliation they feel in the present styles of dress among American women, which in many cases are destructive of health and comfort, are immodest, suggestive of evil, and therefore inconsistent with the character of America as "a Christian nation;" and the union pledged itself to throw the whole weight of their influence toward the rejection of frivolous and changing fads in dress, and toward the adoption of a modest form of dress which will be beautiful, and at the same time above criticism and ridicule, which now assail the dress of women in "Christian America." All of which is splendid, if they will drop the "Christian nation" and "Christian America" idea. It is these styles of dress, together with ten thousand other evils on the part of both men and women, which demonstrate to a fraction that America is not a Christian nation. God does not convert by nations, but by individuals.

The French Association for the Advancement of Science has been investigating the question of sitting positions in writing, and has found that the attitude necessarily assumed in vertical writing causes curvature of the spine,—in fact, a double curve, compressions on the upper and lower groups of vertebrae. The article states that there is not a board of education in the country but what, if its members knew how this vertical system of penmanship actually deforms the tender spines of the children, would order the system changed without a day's delay. The investigation was carried on by X-ray photographs.

Remains of a very large bird have been found in Wyoming, thought to be the largest bird that ever existed in North America or the world, somewhat the same as the New Zealand moa. The scientific guess is that it existed something like three million years ago. The great probability is that it was among the animal life that was overwhelmed at the time of the Deluge.

A British "lady" is over on this side, a society writer tells us, with a supply of six hundred cigarets, smokes them, and boasts of her smoking of them. And she tells us that good people are smoking them everywhere, and more and more will we see women smoking them. Cigaret smoking has meant degeneration in boys and men. Will it mean less than this on the finer nerves of women?

A Vain Hope.—Dr. Washington Gladden, of Ohio, recently lectured on the Pacific Coast. He is predicting a great world's commonwealth, in which he believes public wars will be outlawed. We can understand how men who do not believe in evangelical Christianity can look upon such a thing as possible; but for a gospel minister, one belonging to an evangelical church, to look for such an ideal government in this world, is a practical denial of the Word of God and its positive declarations. If all the world were converted to Christ, this could be. Man is unregenerate; and as long as he is unregenerate, the great scheme of selfish spoliation will go on. Men have always admitted their folly, just as statesmen are admitting the folly of war to-day; but man has always gone on in his follies, just as the nations will go on in war, and just as the Bible declares that they will.

M. Poincare, the French Prime Minister, at the left, and M. Sazonoff, the Russian Premier and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the right, discussing conditions in Europe. The two governments have affirmed the fact that complete agreement prevails between them, and both are using their power and influence to preserve the peace in Europe. The Russian Premier is said to be an ardent supporter, not only of the alliance with France, but of the Triple Entente which includes England.

The "Christian Science Monitor" of November 8, 1912, says that the International Time Congress now being held at the Paris observatory has, according to the "Matin," arrived at a decision which will give immense satisfaction to France, in making Paris the great time center, connecting with the Eiffel Tower various stations all over the world by which the time can be communicated; altho the official time will still continue to be that of the meridian of Greenwich, and from this the local time will be determined at the various stations by astronomical observation. The stations selected are Paris; San Fernando, Brazil; Arlington, United States; Mogadisco, Coast of Somali; Manila, Philippines; Norddeich, Germany; Massaoah; and San Francisco. This is not universal as yet. Ireland holds to Dublin time, and Greece to that of Athens.

There is a very illuminating article in the Watchman, of Nashville, Tennessee, in its December issue, on the Berlin Congress, which is of special interest just now, in view of the troubles in Europe.

A Pertinent Question.—The Christian Science Monitor, editorially, raises the question, "Will American educational and religious interests flourish better when Slavic and Greek adherents of the Greek Catholic Church rule where the church has so long held sway?" Russian influence has steadily worked against American institutions in the Near East, and against American commercial advance as well; hence it may be that with a strong Balkan federation controlling what is now European Turkey, the United States may face diplomatic complications more serious than any which have perplexed pioneer educators in Turkey, whether men like Hamlin, Washburn, and Bliss, or diplomats like Angell and Straus.

Perversions of Protestants.—The work still goes on in England among the high church men. The "Western Watchman" of October 24, in its "London Letter," says: "The conversion of the Rev. W. Hewison, B. A., an Anglican clergyman, well known among the poor of Birmingham and London as a preacher and worker, has caused a stir in Anglican circles. He was received a few days ago by the Dominican fathers of Haverstock Hill, and will shortly commence his studies for the priesthood. It is rumored that his conversion will soon be followed by others still more unexpected." Referring, then, to the remarks and position of the archbishop of York, the writer says, "Many people feel deeply distressed at the thought that it may one day come to something more than plain clergymen whom Rome fiches from them—who knows?"

Austria, who is at present making its big bluff at Servia, has not the strongest coherents as an empire. It is simply endeavoring to hold together a great mass of nationalities, more or less of whom are dissatisfied. For instance, she has twelve million Germans, nine million Magyars, eight million Czechs and Slovaks, five million Serbs and Croats, four million Poles, four million Rhutenes, three million Rumanians, a million and a half of Slavonians, and a million and a quarter of Italians and other races. And these are sometimes hopelessly divided. For instance, the Czechs alone have seven political parties among them.

It would seem that a type of insanity possesses one branch of the suffragettes in England which would serve to prolong indefinitely the day when they would be allowed to vote. The last criminal act on their part is pouring into mail-boxes black, sticky fluids, or corrosive acids, thus injuring mail and in some cases burning the mail. Such acts are decidedly disgraceful as well as criminal. How could such persons be trusted with government?

A report from Ashtabula, Ohio, tells us that in a school in that vicinity the pupils came to school with guns. The teacher protested, but the parents defended the children. The teacher, in her letter of resignation, remarked that "I can not sacrifice my life and happiness for people who do not need a teacher, but instead a person who can enforce the laws of Ohio."

The fashionable hotel in Jersey City, the Fairmont, admits dogs, but an expected baby was positively prohibited there. The management has made an ironclad rule against children.

A report from Manila, of November 21, says that a typhoon has razed many homes and wrecked steamers in the Philippine harbor, killing many persons.

Notes

There are many ways of getting around law. Many of the bootblacks in this country are Greeks — Greek boys — and one paper tells us that they are under a slavery far worse than the Negroes were. The padrone, or the one who governs them, engages them in Greece, furnishes them money for their passage, and they are compelled to work a year to pay that $50 or $60 advanced, rising at about five o'clock in the morning, making a breakfast of dry bread and black coffee, and a scanty lunch of bread, cheese, and olives; and do not get to bed until 9:30 or 10 o'clock at night, packed into crowded beds to rest. And this goes on for seven days in the week. A Presbyterian paper of New York wants something done to abolish this peonage, or practical slavery; and there ought to be.

It will be well for our readers to note that the "holy war" in the Balkans was first cried by the Bulgarians, and that the Turkish slogan was in response to that. Really, there is nothing holy about the war, on the one side or the other. It is wicked, and only wicked. The true holy battles that are fought are those which men are fighting within their own lives, against sin and the inherent corruption of humanity. As the Springfield Republican remarks, "It is not a holy war; it is a crisis in an age-long struggle, in which religion has a part, but also racial, economic, and political rivalry, and we need not assume that all the right is on one side, and all the wrong on the other."

The British Royal Commission on Divorce extends the basic grounds for divorce throughout the kingdom. Archbishop of York dissents. Divorce cases may be heard by the judge alone, and the public excluded. The extension of the grounds for divorce, the commission believes, will not tend to lower the standard of morality, but will have a contrary effect. It recommends that the sexes be placed on an equality before the law, with regard to the fidelity, desertion for three years, incurable insanity after five years' confinement, and habitual drunkenness found to be incurable after three years.

One of the charges brought against Governor Woodrow Wilson before his election, was that he was a member of the Knights of Columbus; but the American Citizen, of Orange, New Jersey, publishes a letter from Dr. Wilson in which he repudiates it. He says: "I have not been asked to join the order, either as an active or honorary member, and am not eligible, because I am not a Catholic." "I am . . . trying to treat every creed and class with impartiality and respect."

Philadelphia public grammar schools are teaching boys how to cook, and the lady in charge is enthusiastic. She says they have literally taken her by storm. They are not so timid as girls; they are more willing to risk something; that they handle cooking utensils with more adroitness, and in originating dishes, the test of the real cook, the boys are far ahead of the girls. It certainly is not a bad thing, in teaching the boys how to cook.

Homer R. Dill, of the University of Iowa, declared in an address November 16 in New York that thousands of albatrosses are imprisoned to die of starvation, by Japanese feather poachers in the Hawaiian Islands. The National Audubon secretary, T. Gilbert Pearson, says, "There seems to be no limit to which the feather manufacturers will not go in their desire to get bird feathers with which to trim women's hats."

It is a hard sort of story, if no more than one tenth of it is true, that McManigal the dynamiter is telling in Indianapolis in the trial there for the dynamite conspirators, and it looks as if it might involve some of those who are high up in the unions. If men refused to unionize a plant, explosions followed, and the men who were carrying them on did not seem to be confined to the McNamaras alone.

While Italy has Tripoli, she has not by any means peace there. When Turkey turned it over to the Italian government, she did not insure peace with the Mohammedan Arabs, and nobody knows when peace will be obtained. Italy doubtless has a long, slow conflict with the desert tribes, which are naturally led and inspired by fanatical Mohammedan priests.

Friction

By E. R. Allen

To get the most out of life's working time, we must learn to avoid friction. By this I do not mean ill feeling between individuals, but the things which get in our way. To accomplish the most in a given time, we must have a clear road. A small stone on the track may cause as serious a wreck as if it were a boulder. It is the little things that are too small to bother to move, that hinder us the most in our daily work.

It is significant that most of the things which hinder us, and cause friction in our daily tasks, could be easily removed. I once read of a man who plowed around a stone in his field for many years. One day he thought to see how large it really was, and found that he could lift it onto his wagon. I am reminded of a housekeeper who would seldom move the chairs from the middle of the dining-room floor, until the work of the day was done, and she "straightened up." This room also served as kitchen, and this good woman walked around and stumbled over those chairs in her countless trips to and from the stove, pantry, etc. In this way there was needless wear and tear of the vital machinery, that might have been spent to better advantage.

It is the same in every walk of life. I have seen carpenter shops where the sawhorses, lumber, half finished work, etc., stood in the way to be walked over and around all day long. I once worked in a printing-office where the machinery and furniture were so crowded together that an immense amount of strength and nervous energy was consumed in accomplishing the day's work. If two workers in this room started to cross the floor at the same time, one had to wedge in between machinery or furniture, while the other passed. One visitor remarked of this particular place that "it was so small one had to go out-of-doors to change his mind."

Many people are traveling through life with sand in the bearings. A little forethought will remove most of these hindrances, and leave us free to make the trip in ease and comfort. We have all noticed that some persons will accomplish much more in a day than will others. This is not a matter entirely of health or physical or mental strength. It is more often the difference in preparation for work, and the keeping of all hindrances out of the way. A

few moments spent in planning the day's work, and in putting things in their places and out of the way, is time well used. One can almost rest while at work if everything is in its place and things run smoothly.

There are other than material objects which are allowed to hinder our advancement in the things of this life, and also in spiritual growth. It is folly to allow some little things to shut us away from the highest successes of which our lives are capable. Let us clear the King's highway, as well as our own.

Port Hope, Ontario.

HOME AND FIRESIDE

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Home Studies

WE will place the Bible first, because it is incomparably superior in every way to any other and every other book. First of all, we should study it because it contains the only reliable story of the earth life of Jesus of Nazareth. All other written mention of His life must be judged only as it agrees with this.

The story of Jesus forms the backbone—the framework, as it were—of the entire Book; for all the complex system of rites and ceremonies of the Old Testament pointed forward to the Coming One, and in Him met their wonderful and complete fulfillment.

The prophets prophesied of Him; the inspired poets sang of Him; the ministration of the priests typified His earth life and His death. In Him were met perfection of life and perfect purity of character, as well as infinite wisdom and infinite majesty and goodness. He is our only pattern. He is our only hope. His merits and His blood are the only ransom that will be accepted at last. For this reason, if for no other, it is desirable and necessary that we study His perfect life.

And so also, all books that treat of this Perfect One, reverently, Scripturally, and humbly, are books that it is always safe and profitable to bring into our home studies.

The study of the Bible Christianizes, elevates, refines, and ennobles. It stands without a peer as a brain developer and a character builder.

"But," some one protests, "it is entirely unreasonable to confine our young people to that alone."

Yes; so let us provide other books as well, but let this Book be the guide in our selection for books of study as well as for general reading.

Nothing outside sacred literature is more interesting and profitable for home study than books of natural history. But even here, of course, we must still allow the Book of books to stand sentinel. Children always have been and always will be interested in the study of animal nature.

Well, they should be encouraged in this. Let the little ones learn to be observing. Ask Mary to tell you all she has ever learned about the squirrel. If the children have ever been able to watch the antics of these little animals, you will be surprised to find how much valuable information the observing little ones have acquired about them.

Let Johnny and Sammy study to their hearts' content about bears and lions and tigers and elephants. They will learn much that is profitable.

Did you ever notice that in the last few chapters of the book of Job, the Almighty Himself gives most wonderful instruction in natural history? What an astonishing description He gives—and in language so simple that a child can understand it—of the lions and the ravens and the wild goats and the unicorns! And then, as if the Most High would have us know that He delights in beauty, He mentions the beautiful plumage of the peacock and the ostrich.

The description of the horse is sublime in its simplicity. But even the humble grasshopper comes in for its share of notice, as well as the hawk, and the sharp-eyed eagle and her lofty nest. Behemoth and leviathan receive far more mention and notice in these wonderful chapters than even the whirling planets swinging by His almighty power through the boundless depths of space.

As if He would impress His servant Job with the fact that His eyes are open to the needs of His humblest creatures, He stops short, in His majestic mention of the Pleiades and Orion and Mazzaroth and the fiery Arcturus with his sons, to speak in tender thoughtfulness of His providing food for the tiny and helpless fledglings of the raven.

It is well, also, to study the history of men and nations. This will be more interesting, perhaps, for the youth and the older members of the family, than for the little children. And still, if the history of great and good men be followed from their childhood, it will be found very profitable and interesting even for the children.

And here, again, the Book of books must take the lead. It is always well to have certain hours set apart for home studies—studies in which all the family can take part. If such a plan is followed, and followed persistently and studiously, it will be a matter of astonishment and delight to note the steady growth of real, helpful knowledge.

I have already had much to say about Bible study. But I must emphasize the absolute necessity of a thoro understanding of the precious doctrines of the Word, by the youth and children, if we would have their young feet planted upon the solid rock of God’s eternal truth. They must be able to resist the temptations and false doctrines of these tempestuous and perilous days. The snares and pitfalls set for young feet by the cruel and cunning enemy are many.

Spiritualism, with its seductive delusions and its satanic suggestions, must be met and conquered in the name of the Lord. How are the young people of our homes going to be able to meet it?—"His truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Precious promise! But of what use would it be to possess the "buckler and shield," if we neither used them nor understood how to use them?

Vice and Wickedness are rampant. Higher Criticism lifts her unbelieving voice; and even "Science, falsely so called," beckons our young with alluring finger. Unbelief and Skepticism, with blatant voice and brazen forehead, intrude their hateful presence in every community. No home is too sacred, no heart too innocent, for their insinuating suggestions to take root.

Where, then, is our safety? I repeat: There is safety only in a careful study of the Guide-book. And even then, we must assimilate as well as study. Its sacred truths must be inwrought into the very warp and woof of our being. Then shall we be able to meet the cunning fables of the enemy, with a "Thus saith the Lord."

Then whatever lines of home study are taken up, let them be in harmony with the grand truths of the Bible, which alone are able to make us wise unto salvation; and may we not forget that—

Good books are friends to guide our wandering feet In paths of righteousness and pastures sweet. Other than these, true wisdom never knows. Other than these are never friends, but foes.

Signs of the Times Magazine

By Editor

(Published Monthly)

The Magazine with the Message

DEVOTED to the study of present-day affairs, world-wide. The place of these events in the great plan of God as revealed in His Word. The right setting for each. The Bible furnishes the only dependable solution of present world problems. You ought to know their meaning. Several evenings of real, uplifting study for thinking people every month. There is a satisfaction in studying these subjects of world-wide import from this standpoint. It is the satisfaction of knowing — knowing something that can be depended upon.

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Co-operation Corner

By Editor

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Immortality

By Editor

We would recommend as a brief help in study of the immortality question, "Is Man Immortal?" Apples of Gold Library, No. 86. Single copy, 2 cents, post-paid; $1.00 a hundred. This office.

Those who are making an investigation of the Bible teaching on immortality should secure the tract "Thoughts for the Candid," Bible Students' Library, 47. Single copy, post-paid, 2 cents; 50 cents a hundred. This office.

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