—A fire-damp explosion occurred in the colliery of Recklinghausen, Westphalia, on the 19th inst., and thirty men were killed.
—Subscriptions to the new Spanish loan have run up to 591,180,000 pesetas, of which over half was subscribed in the provinces. Only 400,000,000 pesetas was called for.
—According to the official report the yield of the principal cereals in European Russia, and the Caucasus in 1896 is 16,250,000 quarters below the average of the last thirteen years.
—A Singapore despatch says that Li Hung Chang has become disgusted with the treatment he has received at the hands of his government since his return from a tour of the world, and has threatened to retire to private life.
—A press despatch from Managua says that the Nicaraguan Government has signed a contract with two Americans to build a railroad from Lake Nicaragua to a port on the Atlantic Coast. A large land concession has been granted.
—The steamer Memphis, from Montreal, was stranded on the rocks in Dunlough Bay, Ireland, and nine men were drowned. The steamer was sunk till only the upper masts were visible. A number of cattle were washed ashore.
—Rev. R. P. McKay, foreign secretary of the Canadian Presbyterian Church, reports a letter from a missionary in India which tells of great distress and suffering because of the failure of the wheat crop in that country. He says that people are on the point of starvation, parents are selling their children for bread, while some are leaving them to perish for want.
—The latest reports from the Philippine Islands state that the rebels against Spanish rule are gaining ground. The Spanish troops now in the islands number 3,000, but it is said they are not equipped for field service, as the commissary and medical departments are the merest formality. A large estate within ten miles of Manila, the capital, had been occupied by the rebels.
—While counseling American missionaries to remain at their posts in Anatolia, Turkey, Minister Terrell has induced the removal of the children of missionaries to places of safety. The official summary of reforms to be put into execution by the Turkish Government in accordance with its promise to the powers has been published, and it is announced that the provincial authorities have received instructions to execute them immediately.
—There is said to be alarm in the government circles of Spain that if the campaign against the Cuban insurrection prove a failure, there will be rebellion at home, and the possible overthrow of the queen regent's administration. There is also said to be a fear lest President-elect McKinley will carry out the declaration of the Republican platform in favor of recognizing the Cubans as belligerents, which would virtually mean their eventual success.
—A St. Petersburg telegram states that several prelates of the Orthodox Church are urging the government to prohibit Jews, both in towns and villages, from carrying on trade on Christian holidays. Their efforts are believed to have every prospect of success, in view of the great influence which the high clergy at present exercise upon the government. When we have succeeded in fully establishing Sunday observance by law in the United States, how long will it be before the other "Christian holidays" will demand a like recognition?
—The Vatican official journal prints the text of the letter recently received by the pope from King Menelik, of Abyssinia, which was brought to his Holiness by Mgr. Macaire. In his letter King Menelik protests his devotion to the pope, and maintains that since the Italian Government continues in its attitude of hostility towards Abyssinia he is unable to sacrifice the sole guarantee of peace he holds by restoring to liberty the Italian prisoners he has taken and now holds. Menelik also expresses the hope that the pope will intervene in the interest of peace and thus accelerate the liberation of the prisoners.
—The action of the Russian newspapers in appealing for the relief of the starving Hindus is received in London with suspicion, especially as it is suggested that the Russian Government should superintend the buying and dispatching of grain to India. There is suspicion that politics rather than charity is at the bottom of the movement. And a Berlin paper professes to see the situation in the same light. The Zeitung says: "The famine has given the Russians the opportunity of recommending themselves to the Hindus as helpers in time of need and as generous friends, whereas Great Britain must seem impotent, as soliciting aid from Russia."
—The National Armenian Relief Committee is just in receipt of the following cable despatch from Philippopolis, November 14, signed by W. W. Peet, treasurer, from the International Armenian Relief Committee at Constantinople, Sir Philip Currie, Chairman:—"Spencer Trask, 63 Bible House, N. Y. Harpout, the center of the desolated district, estimates forty thousand people destitute; needs twenty thousand pounds for food, twenty-five thousand more for bedding, clothing, cooking utensils. We fed eighty thousand people in this district last year. Preparing careful estimates of other districts. Our committee expects calls for one hundred thousand pounds for the winter's needs."
—A Rome despatch of the 15th inst. says that it is officially stated that King Humbert has received a telegram from Menelik, Emperor of Abyssinia, stating that a treaty of peace between Abyssinia and Italy was signed on October 26. The new convention abrogates the Uccialli treaty, by the terms of which Italy claims a protectorate over Abyssinia and recognizes the complete independence of Ethiopia. Menelik declares free all Italians taken prisoner by his forces in the campaign, but Italy will indemnify him for their support while in captivity. Major Nerazzi, the special envoy sent to Menelik by General Baldissera, governor of Erythrea and commander-in-chief of the Italian forces in that colony, signed the treaty on behalf of Italy.
—The subject of dueling in the German army has been the subject of recent discussion in the Reichstag. The minister of justice said, in the debate, that "it is most difficult to draft new statutes against dueling, as the sentiment underlying the practice is stronger than kings or laws. Religion alone can overcome dueling." Count Von Mirback declared that "there are cases where it is impossible to follow religion." This last remark is worthy of consideration by people who hold that Christians may occupy any position made necessary by the conditions of this sinful world. It is simply impossible to follow the Christian religion into the army at all. The Christian religion may follow a man into the army, or anywhere else, and pluck him "as a brand from the burning," but if a man follows that religion he never will be led into the use of carnal weapons.
DOMESTIC.
—Hon. Alexander Stephens Clay has been elected United States senator by the Georgia Legislature.
—At Columbus, Miss., on the 18th inst., a negro charged with assaulting a white girl was taken from the constable by a mob and hanged.
—Dr. H. Maxwell gives it as the result of fifty years' investigation and experience that cancer is chiefly caused by eating too much meat, and especially pork.
—Captain John D. Hart, whose alleged connection with the steamship Laurada has made him conspicuous, has been indicted by the Grand Jury of the U. S. District Court of Philadelphia for alleged aid rendered the insurgents in Cuba.
—An effort is to be made in the next Congress to levy an additional tax of $30,000,000 on beer. The proponents of the measure argue that the traffic can stand it, and that it will not add any extra expense to the government to collect it.
—Rev. O. Miller recently told the Presbyterian Union of San Francisco that money raised by fairs, bazaars, entertainments, and suppers has not the blessing of God upon it. He contended that these things are demoralizing, and destroy the spirituality of the churches.
—The New York World says: "The famine in India has not yet reached the acute stage, but at Sholapur the police have been compelled to fire on a mob of 5,000 starving victims who attempted to seize a stock of grain. It is to be feared that there is a great deal of suffering ahead for the poor people in the famine district."
—Western Washington has suffered great destruction of property by floods during the past two weeks. The floods were caused by a heavy snowfall in the Cascades, followed by copious rains. There has been much suffering by residents of the mountain regions. The railroads and ranches have been greatly damaged by washouts.
—The town of Wallace, Idaho, was badly damaged by floods last week. A very heavy snowfall in the mountains was succeeded by warm rains, which caused the disastrous floods. Of six railroads running into the town, only one could send out trains on the 17th inst. Buildings were swept away and their places occupied by driftwood, while on two blocks the soil was washed off to bedrock.
—The steamer Alameda, which arrived in San Francisco from Australia on the 19th inst., brought $2,068,262.50 in gold to the San Francisco mint. There have been two previous shipments, amounting to $4,500,000. This will probably be the last for a while, as the assistant U. S. treasurer at San Francisco has been authorized to accept not more than $7,000,000. All this gold comes in English sovereigns, and will be received into United States double eagles, and then deposited in the subtreasury.
—A New York press despatch says that at a revival meeting in that city last week, Mr. Moody attacked mission churches, and said that "were all the churches swept away it might not be a misfortune, for then we could begin anew with more of the Holy Spirit in our souls. I don't believe in mission churches. I want to see one vast mission church all over the world. Roman Catholics, at all events, make no distinction between the rich and the poor—they have no mission churches."
—The National Armenian Relief Committee have sent another appeal throughout the United States and Canada for contributions. The circular says: "It is the testimony of the 170 American missionaries throughout Turkey, of the foreign consuls, and of Miss Clara Barton and her Red Cross agents, who personally investigated the situation, that the suffering and death by starvation and exposure during the coming severe Armenian winter will equal that of last year unless the funds already sent be equaled by fresh contributions." Donations may be sent to Brown Bros. & Co., bankers, 59 Wall Street, New York City.
—Schrader, the "divine healer," turned up at Bayonne, N. J., on the 2d inst. Great crowds flocked to see him and to receive his "blessing." Among the number was a representative of the Sunday World, who proposed an interview of the "healer" with a minister, a lawyer, and a physician. Schrader consented, but his "manager" did so rather reluctantly, saying that it would be impossible, on account of the crowds, until two days later. The design of the newspaper man was to have the "healer" submitted to a thorough test; but when the time for the interview arrived, the reporter and his committee found that Schrader and his manager had left the town. The reason for the departure was that the Lord had called them away.
—During the great railroad strike in 1894, S. D. Worden was charged with wrecking a train, causing the death of an engineer and several soldiers. He was tried in Woodland, Cal., and sentenced to be hanged; but, on account of appeal to the Supreme Court and other characteristic California legal delays, the sentence is not yet executed. Petitions are now being sent to the governor asking that sentence be commuted to life imprisonment. Among the petitioners are President Cleveland, who was formerly a personal friend of Worden's mother, and C. P. Huntington, president of the Southern Pacific Company, under whose auspices the prosecution was vigorously assisted; also U. S. Senator White and Congressman Maguire. A reprieve has been granted until next April, and it is probable the convict will not be hanged at all.
—The Presbyterian Board of Home Missions has issued a circular letter to presbyteries regretfully announcing a reduction of ten per cent on the basis of last year's appropriations. This causes considerable comment on the part of Presbyterian journals, inasmuch as the Methodists, Baptists, and Episcopalians have been enabled to overcome the hard times through the special help of their more generous members. The New York Evening Post accredits Dr. Ellinwood with the statement that "the financial decline is due to the Dr. Briggs trouble, and various other matters—perhaps the new Presbyterian building on Fifth Avenue for one thing." It is freely admitted in many circles that the "higher criticism" leaven in the church has worked a great deal of disaffection, which, though comparatively quiet just now, has made deep inroads on the contributions to the work of the church. It must be that any influence which creates doubt as to the inspiration of the Bible will have a disparaging effect upon missionary labor.
—General Miles, in his annual report to the Secretary of War, renews his former recommendations for an increase of the army on the grounds that it has not kept pace with the increased wealth of public and private interests, and he suggests that the enlisted strength of the army be fixed at one soldier to every 2,000 people as a minimum, the maximum strength not to exceed one soldier for every 1,000 of population. But if "this is a Christian nation," as is asserted by the Supreme Court, what does it want with any army at all? Christianity's motto is, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Surely the nation does not want any other nation to fight it; shall it then fight any other? And no part of the nation wants any other part to fight against it; shall it then fight? Christianity says: "Resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." What use, then, has a Christian nation for an army? Or, rather, is not the "Christian nation" theory a bald absurdity?
SURE WORD OF PROPHECY. A study of the book of Daniel.
A concise study of this important prophetic portion of the Bible. Fully illustrated. Paper covers. 96 pages. Bible Students' Library No. 131. Price, 10 cents.
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FIGHTING AGAINST GOD
By Editor
Is the title of a sixteen-page tract just issued as No. 41 of the
Religious Liberty Library
In which PICTURE, POETRY, and PROSE unite in teaching Christian principles of freedom of conscience
7 FINE HALF-TONE ILLUSTRATIONS 7
The pages shown below are reduced facsimiles of pages 6 and 7 of this tract
CAN NATIONS CONTEND WITH GOD?
"At his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation."
For a nation to compel a subject to disobey the laws of a foreign nation, when it knows it is powerless to protect him in so doing, is but to murder its citizen in cold blood, and merit international contempt.
Will the government attempt to protect its citizens against the wrath of an offended God? Will it declare war on the King of kings? Can it marshal its hosts and hurl its serried columns against the Eternal City?
"WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN."
"WHEN they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; he suffered no man to do them wrong : . . . saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."
If God had intended that his children should submit to governments in matters of conscience, he would not have protected Daniel in the lions' den, the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace, nor have delivered Peter and John, Paul and Silas, from their prison cells, where they were placed for disobeying human enactments.
GOD AND THE POWERS THAT BE.
"RENDER therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
God has ordained that governments should exist among men. To these governments he has commanded his people to render tribute, honor, and respect. He has commanded them to be obedient to every ordinance of man, not for fear of punishment, but for the Lord's sake. So long as a government enforces ordinances of men,—such laws only as are necessary for the protection of men in the enjoyment of their equal, natural rights,—they will not come in conflict with the Christian.
Wilt thou rally thy legions to battle,
And march on the City of Light,
Whence angels excelling in power
Were hurled to the regions of night?
Wilt thou compass the city eternal,
Its towers and battlements raze,
And train thy batteries brazen
On the throne of the Ancient of Days?
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CYCLONE WASHER.
VICTORIA, B. C., 4 James St., Sept. 28, 1896.
MESSRS. COON BROS., Battle Creek, Mich.—Gentlemen: I have succeeded in convincing a great many people that the Cyclone is first-class. I have testimonials of its merits. I still think that I can put out a good many in the province. Trusting to hear from you soon, I am
Yours truly, SAMUEL BARTLETT.
CHICAGO, Ill., Oct. 31, 1896.
MESSRS. COON BROS., Battle Creek, Mich.—Gentlemen: It is now a long time since I received the Cyclone Washer you sent me, and now I am able to tell you how I like it. My wife used it a good many times before she could agree with all that was in the testimonials that you have in your circulars, but now she believes them all. She says that the Cyclone Washer is not praised too much. Everything that is said about its excellent working is true. The more I use it the more I like it. Wishing you success in your work, I am
Yours truly, ZACH. SHERRIG.
Cen. Gen. Agt. for Seventh-day Adventist Publications.
THE article on "The Papacy in Prophecy" is rather long, but we did not wish to break it, and thus destroy its connection. As stated in that article, we do not war with Roman Catholics, or with those who believe in the systems and principles under review. It is against these principles and the system of which the Papacy is a part that we warn our readers. That there are many honest, sincere people connected with the system we doubt not, and who are not honest and sincere does not rest with us to say. The judgment of all rests with God. But we may know that the principles are evil and tend only to evil. As opposed to these we raise the Gospel standard, free salvation by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, a personal, precious, present Saviour.
A FALSE WITNESS.
By W. N. G.
It is said of the witnesses who testified against our Lord, "But neither so did their witness agree together." Mark 15:59. This was proof that they testified falsely. We have before us the testimony of but one who is in the same condition as were those who witnessed against Jesus. But neither so does his witness agree together.
We refer to an article, entitled "The Day Changed from Saturday to Sunday—the Prophecy fulfilled," in the Sunday Reform Leaflets, of August, 1896, published by the Sunday League of America, at Columbus, Ohio. The proof which the writer brings for this change is Eze. 43 : 27, which reads: "And when these days are expired, it shall be that upon the eighth day and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt-offerings on the altar, and your peace offerings, and I will accept you saith the Lord." Upon this the Leaflets remarks:—
"Here is a plain statement that the offerings should be made on the eighth day, corresponding with our Sunday, the first day of the week; and unless the worship on the eighth day refers to the Christian dispensation it has not been fulfilled. In no where do we find it fulfilled in the services of the Jewish temple. In no where do we read of the Jewish nation changing the day and their worship from the seventh to the eighth day."
If the reader will turn to Ezekiel 43 and read from verses 18 to 27 he will see that the directions given are not for any weekly worship whatsoever, but are instructions for dedication and purification of the altar in the proposed temple. It gives specific instruction as to what was to be done, not on each day of the week, but on each day of that ceremony. "Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves," and then follows the verse above, which simply states that on the eighth day and thenceforth the altar was ready for the usual daily offerings. That eighth day, so far as that altar was concerned, was to be just like the days which followed it. The only reason why that text was taken that we can see is that the term "eighth day" is spoken of, and some early "father" refers to Sunday as "the eighth day." But the two have no more connection with each other than the Fourth of July has with Wednesday of this week.
Then this Leaflets, after showing, we presume, to its own satisfaction, if a leaflet can be satisfied, that the Sabbath was changed "from Sabbath to Sunday." It says:—
"The merits of a lawsuit is the same whether it is tried on Monday or on Tuesday, and the merits of the Sabbath is the same altho the day is transmitted by the divine Lawgiver from Saturday to Sunday. 'Ah, but we are commanded,' says one, 'to keep the seventh day of the week.' We are commanded to keep the seventh day, but in no where in the Bible are we commanded to keep the seventh day of the week. And as the Bible does not tell us on what day to commence to count, then we commence to count on Monday, and when we come to Sunday it will be the seventh day."
Wonderful logic! The express command is nothing, but our count of the days as applied to Sunday is all-sufficient! Well, let us see. The Sabbath is expressly mentioned in connection with "the first day of the week," in three of the Gospels (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1, 2; Luke 23:56; 24:1), and in every case the Sabbath "according to the commandment" is the day just before "the first day of the week." Is it not then the seventh day of the week? But neither "the first day" nor "the first day of the week" is anywhere commanded in the word of God. The seventh day of the seven, which the passages above referred to show to be the seventh day of the week, is commanded over and over again, was kept by patriarch, prophet, and apostle, and by our Lord Jesus Christ. What more can be asked?
The witness of the Leaflets agree not together. It is yea and nay. Not so the word of God and the example of Christ.
The Devil's Signature.
Two prominent Catholics of Europe, the editor of the Cologne Volkszeitung, the second leading Catholic paper of Germany, and the Catholic Director Künzle, of Feldberg, in the Tyrol, the editor of the Pelikan, are quarreling over the genuineness of an alleged signature of the devil. Künzle believes it genuine and the Volkszeitung declares it to be superstition to believe such a thing. According to a pamphlet published at the office of the Pelikan, "the devil Vitru appeared Oct. 18, 1883, in a Freemasons' lodge room in Rome, and, accompanied by prominent members of the lodge, such as Crispi, Lemmi, and others, he made public declaration that Sophi Sapho, who was then present, would on the 29th of September following give birth to the grandmother of the antichrist. In testimony of these facts a document was then and there drawn up and signed by those present, on which document the devil then and there present signed himself as 'Sanctus Daemon Primarius Praesas' (first presiding holy demon)." Whether it be the signature of the devil or not we have no means of knowing, nor do we care. We do know this, that Satan has written his signature all over this sin-cursed earth, in the faces and lives of the vicious, the vile, the falsehearted, upon and in all who will yield to him, as well as upon every system of false religion. But we also thank God that the blood of Jesus Christ will obliterate it all if the sinner will but let it be cleansed, and in its place he will write the name—the blessed character—of Eternal Righteousness. For this we contend. Is it not worth contending for?
Invading the Rights of Conscience.
In support of Sunday laws the Christian Statesman quotes Judge Cooley, author of "Constitutional Limitations," as saying that "no one can complain that his rights of conscience are invaded by enforced respect to a prevailing religious sentiment." Inasmuch as this expression is quoted approvingly, the editor as well as the judge thereby logically endorse all the religious persecutions of the past, as also all that may come in the future. "Prevailing religious sentiment" is the only power that ever did invade the rights of conscience by enforced respect to its behests. When a recognized legal text-book, the judges of most of the state courts and of the United States courts, and the masses of the church element in the country, endorse such a sentiment as this from Judge Cooley, is it too much to expect that the prevailing religious sentiment will yet succeed in enforcing its pet dogmas by law? But the ideas of the Sunday law advocates in regard to invading the rights of conscience are quite variable. They have all along been claiming that their rights of conscience are invaded because everybody will not keep Sunday. If it should happen that the prevailing religious sentiment insisted that all should observe some other day, we would soon hear a different cry about the invasion of the rights of conscience.
Bible Students’ Library Notices
By Editor
Read the notices concerning Bible Students' Library numbers in Our Work and Workers department.
Cardinal Satolli Congratulates McKinley
Cardinal Satolli writes a flattering letter from Rome to Archbishop Ireland, telling him that he had had an "audience with the Holy Father," and sends his congratulations over the election of McKinley to the Presidency. Rome has great interest in the United States.
California Sunday Law Agitation
By Editor
"The Sabbath Observance Movement will be greatly aided in its work by the Christian Endeavor societies of the state, who have determined to make a fight for a Sunday law. Their great desire is to have such a law before their great National Convention meets here next year, so the next Legislature will be besieged by them asking for a Sabbath law." So says the Pacific Ensign. We wonder if the people of California are ready for a Sunday law. It behooves the friends of religious liberty to awake.
Thanksgiving Day and State Religion
By Editor
How long will it be before we have as many National "holy days" as were in vogue during the medieval ages? Elsewhere is set forth the progress in Thanksgiving-day proclamations. In connection with that an exchange notes that "the Methodist ministers of Chicago have petitioned the ones in authority, asking that no arrangements will be made for match baseball and football games on Thanksgiving day, and that if such games are held the hours will be such as not to inflict with divine service." The church which has lost power with God always seeks the aid of the state.
