p. 4 | Review and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 16. (4/18/1907)

Review and Herald

Apr 18, 1907

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 18, 1907

All Things Are Now Ready

¶ “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” ¶ “And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” ¶ “Come; for all things are now ready.” ¶ “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” ¶ “Son, go work to-day in my vineyard.” ¶ “To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” ¶ “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” ¶ “The harvest is the end of the world.” ¶ “The time is at hand.” ¶ “And, behold, I come quickly.” ¶ “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Publishers' Page

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The Church: Its Organization, Order, and Discipline

AGAIN we call the attention of our readers to the pamphlet entitled “The Church: Its Organization, Order, and Discipline,” by J. N. Loughborough. This is one of the most important publications recently issued. It contains matter that all members of the denomination especially need at this time. It will answer many questions that have in times past been rather perplexing. It will prove of great value to all. Price, 25 cents.

The House We Live In

THE plan of this book is conversational—a mother talking with her children. It is a book for home reading, and will be of great assistance to mothers in teaching their children how to care for themselves physically, and how to avoid the evil effects of narcotics and stimulants. It sets forth in an interesting and attractive manner the wonders, uses, and functions of the human body in its various parts. It might be termed a child’s physiology, with special applications illustrated through nature. It contains 218 pages, and nearly 150 illustrations. Bound in cloth, price, $1.

Our Little Folk’s Bible Nature

THIS child’s kindergarten book has recently been revised and enlarged. It is composed of simple graded lessons in Bible nature, beginning with the narration of the events in the week of creation and continuing the Bible story in the order given in the Scriptures. It is a beginner’s graded book on the sentence-method order. Each subject is thoroughly illustrated with new drawings made especially for the book. It is also illustrated with fifteen beautiful colored plates, and contains 159 pages, bound in board and cloth covers. Besides being a book for general use in the home, it is adapted to church-school work. Price, 25 and 50 cents.

The Great Advent Movement

THIS is a timely publication, accurately citing the progress of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination from its beginning to the present time. The author, J. N. Loughborough, having been connected with the denomination from its beginning, is well qualified to prepare a book giving the history of the rise and progress of this denomination. With the exception of “The Church: Its Organization, Order, and Discipline,” this is one of the most important publications for REVIEW readers at this particular time. It will strengthen the faith and confidence of every individual who reads it. Its readers will have a more perfect knowledge of the dealings of God with this special people and of the message they are giving, and they will be encouraged to continue their efforts in advancing this great work. Let all not only read it, but study it. Price, $1.50.

Uncle Ben’s Cobble Stones

THE purpose of this book, in addition to the useful information it contains, is soul culture. Every page gives forth a moral fragrance that will impress young minds in the right way. The book is made up of talks with boys and girls about the common articles of every-day use, such as air, water, sunshine, fire, smoke, glass, coal, salt, paper, matches, etc. More than 100 different topics of the above nature are given, and each is interspersed with happy thoughts that bring good cheer to young and old. It contains 221 pages; bound in board; price, $1.

The Seer of Patmos

THIS thrilling book contains a story on the prophecies of Revelation, written in simple narrative form, and contains a new setting of the important messages recorded in John’s prophecy in the book of Revelation. It will be found to be interesting, instructive, and essential to all Bible students. It is illustrated with original engravings especially prepared for the book. Being written in story form it is especially attractive to the young; no better book could be placed in the hands of a young man or young woman than the story of “The Seer of Patmos.” Price, $1, post-paid.

The New Testament Primer

THIS is a new book for children, composed of simplified nature and Bible topics, and sparkling with bright, two-colored illustrations. Arranged in four graded departments, beginning with a Scripture alphabet, the first letter of the Scripture text being printed with two colors, and decorated with vines that grow in Palestine.

The second department is a nature display of trees, flowers, animals, birds, and insects, with a slate exercise in writing, drawing, and stick-laying.

The third and fourth departments contain simple stories of Christ and some of the leading disciples. The entire book is admirably adapted to attract and to teach the children—clean, cultured, and convincing. Beautifully bound in board and cloth covers, 25 and 50 cents.

Daniel and the Revelation

THIS excellent book, by the well-known author, Uriah Smith, can be placed in the homes of the people better to-day than at any previous time, because the public mind is constantly having brought before it facts that impress the solemnity of the predictions made in the prophecies of the books of Daniel and Revelation. The people are interested in its prophetic teaching. Its verse-by-verse study of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation renders it especially attractive, and reveals many of these prophecies fulfilled, and discovers to the reader others still in the future. It is a large, handsome book of 557 pages, appropriately illustrated, and substantially bound in cloth, library, and morocco, ranging in price from $2.25 to $4.50, post-paid. It is also printed on thin paper, without illustrations; bound in plain cloth, $1; in paper covers, two volumes, 25 cents each.

The Story of Daniel the Prophet

THIS work is a biographical, historical, and prophetic book, revealing in the life of Daniel and his close connection with God, all the vital principles of the gospel message for the present time. It contains a clear, concise treatise on the prophecies of Daniel, together with an interesting study on the sanctuary and its services. The book will prove to be a delight and a source of information to every student of prophecy. The story of Daniel, while interwoven with historical facts, is presented in so pleasing a manner that it may become attractive to any, and Daniel’s example is so impressed that no person can read the book without receiving from it valuable lessons. Price, $1, post-paid.

The Scholarship Plan

THE problem of getting an education is now practically solved for all active, energetic young people who would make use of an education after it is acquired. The solution of this hitherto perplexing problem is found in the scholarship plan now offered by the majority of our principal schools. There is an arrangement between our schools and the different conferences in their respective territory whereby students may earn a scholarship for one year by selling a certain number of our subscription books at retail price, and turning the whole amount into the tract society treasury. The rate of the scholarship is so low, and the terms with the tract society are so easy, that any ambitious youth can earn it in a few months. Any one who desires to investigate this plan should write to the tract society secretary of his conference.

The Coming King

Published in English, German, Swedish, Danish, and Dutch

“THE COMING KING” is a book that every one likes on account of the practical and intensely interesting manner in which it treats themes that are of the greatest moment to men at the present time. Beginning with creation, it treats briefly, yet clearly, the development of the plan of salvation down to the time of Christ. Then taking up the Saviour’s own outline of the future history of the world, beginning with the overthrow of Jerusalem, the fulfilment of his word is traced down through the Dark Ages to the time when the King of kings will come to bring an end to the reign of sin. Special consideration is given to the great questions and problems that are now stirring the hearts and minds of men. The English edition has been recently revised and brought up to date. Printed in tints, profusely illustrated, and rendered in every way attractive; neatly and substantially bound in cloth, $1; presentation edition, gilt edges, $1.50; foreign editions at the same price.

Orders for any publication mentioned on this page may be sent to any conference tract society, or to Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C., or Battle Creek, Mich.

Also Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, Cal.; Portland, Ore.; Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tenn., and Fort Worth, Tex.

Editorial Letter

By W. W. P.

Jottings from the Editor’s Note-Book

As already stated, the general meeting at Kobe was attended by all the workers connected with the Japan Mission, and also by the members of the local church and some isolated members. The general program was as follows: the Japanese and the foreigners met separately for an early morning meeting; at 9 A. M. I gave a Bible study in English; at 3 P. M. there was a business session, in which the proceedings were translated into Japanese; in the evening there was a preaching service, which was also translated.

The Bible lessons which I gave in English were afterward given in the Japanese language by Brother T. H. Okohira, who attended school at Healdsburg, Cal., and has a good knowledge of the English. On the whole, this proved to be a more satisfactory way of teaching than to translate my studies as I spoke them. I was able to present my thoughts more freely, and Brother Okohira had a better opportunity to digest the subject, and then to handle it in a way better adapted to the Japanese idiom. The time not occupied by public services was devoted to committee meetings and other meetings for counsel about the work in its different phases. Thus every hour was filled, and the days seemed all too short.

In the Bible studies I presented the vital truths of the everlasting gospel in the setting given to them in Rev. 14:6-14, and tried to make it clear that the message for this time is Christ and his righteousness so preached as to meet the needs of this generation in view of the fact that the second advent of our Lord is just at hand. It thus became evident that this message is not a new gospel, and that this second advent movement is not isolated from the whole history of the gospel, but rather that in this generation we are to gather up all the light and all the experience of past generations, correct all perversions of the truth, and minister to the people the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ as the only genuine preparation for the coming of the Lord. From this standpoint we studied some portions of the Scriptures, and the Lord greatly blessed us with a fresh experience in the truth. The workers seemed to be helped and encouraged, and to be hopeful that they would be able to teach the message with greater simplicity and power as the result of our opportunity together.

In the evening services I presented the same gospel in a somewhat different way, aiming especially at directness and simplicity. Results were apparent from the very first meeting, when one backslider was so impressed that he took his stand again the next day. Others were helped in the succeeding meetings, and after my last talk on the coming of the Lord, a Salvation Army worker decided to unite with us, and is now receiving special instruction for future service. These results were very encouraging to all.

In the business sessions various recommendations relating to the educational, evangelical, medical, and publishing work were presented and discussed. The measures which were adopted will doubtless be reported in due time, and so I will merely say that they all contemplated a more rapid advance in the work, and an extension of the old and new workers into new territory. As this was the first meeting of this kind ever held in Japan, it seemed to be best to give special attention to right methods in the conduct of our business, and to an explanation of the relation between a mission field and the Mission Board. A spirit of the utmost harmony prevailed in all these meetings.

One feature of the meeting was a study of our mission work in all lands. It was first shown why this message must go to all countries, even though other missionaries had preceded us, and then a brief statement was made of the progress already made in preaching this special message “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” A large missionary map was used, and the believers in Japan were interested in seeing how this same truth which had come to them was being carried to the other lands also.

A glimpse into one of our committee meetings will illustrate the experience through which workers in distant lands often pass. There were present four Americans, one Japanese who understood English, one Korean who understood Japanese, and one Korean who understood only the Korean language. A point was first discussed in English; the discussion was then translated into Japanese for the benefit of the Korean brother who understood Japanese, and he in turn then translated it into Korean for the benefit of the Korean brother who understood only that language.

The progress was slow, but we hope sure, and we were strongly impressed with the inconvenience caused by the necessity of confounding the language at the time of the building of the tower of Babel. I might add that one of these Korean brethren was the first to start the movement in Korea which has resulted in bringing out about four hundred Sabbath-keepers in a short time. Both of these brethren seemed to enjoy our meetings, and to get new views of the truth which they had so recently embraced. I hope they will be able to present it with greater clearness and success as the result of the opportunity which they enjoyed with us.

As the steamship service from Korea to North China is not frequent in the winter, I was compelled to leave the Kobe meeting before its close, in order to have only a week in Korea, and yet reach China according to appointment. I left with mingled feelings of thankfulness and regret—thankfulness for the privilege of meeting with the believers in Japan, and for the benefit enjoyed together, and regret that the time together was so short. It is remarkable how this message binds together those who receive it, regardless of race or country. What a glorious reunion that will be when those with whom and for whom we have labored in all lands meet to speak a common language in the earth made new!

Brother W. R. Smith and his wife, and Sister Mimi Scharffenberg, our

workers in Korea who had been attending the meeting, accompanied me on my journey, and a large number of the brethren and sisters were at the station to see us off. The personal good-bys were said, and hearty good wishes were expressed for each other’s prosperity in the truth, and then as the train pulled out, there was a chorus of voices saying, “Sayonara” (good-by), and our visit was at an end. We earnestly hope that some results of this visit to the Land of the Rising Sun may appear in the great gathering day. W. W. P.

The Storm, the Anchor, and the Sifting

By C. M. S.

EVERY element in the physical, political, and spiritual world is telling us that we are nearing the end of a mighty and tempestuous voyage. The harbor is near at hand. The storm increases as we near our promised haven. We have many times been compelled to cast anchor until the fury of the gale had spent itself.

The question is often asked on shipboard, while faces are white with fear and anxiety, “Will the anchor hold?” Life or death is in the answer. No wonder the cheek is blanched and the lips parched, and the tongue almost refuses to articulate.

But does your anchor hold now while every embattled element of sin, strife, confusion, and deception is striving to throw you upon the rocks of eternal destruction? Eternal life or unending death hangs on the true answer to that question. If it holds, God’s purpose in you and for you will be accomplished. If it fails to hold, then defeat is written over all that you might have been. Every wind of doctrine that Satan can cause to blow will be struggling to snap your anchor chain or break your anchor hold. They will assail your bark from every point of the compass, and try every possible wrench or strain to throw your bark upon the rocks.

Sea captains, in times of exceptional danger, have been known to slip their anchor chain to escape it, but not when the tide and the wind are setting strongly toward the rocks.

This is such a time.

The danger is great; but it is not a danger that we can escape by slipping our anchor chain. If your anchor is fast in the Rock, Christ Jesus, no storm can destroy you. If you let go your hold, nothing can save you. Christ will never allow the storm to break your hold on him. He will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able to bear—above what he can strengthen you to bear. But he will not hold you against your will; he will not strengthen you for a stand you are unwilling to make. If you drift from his holding, it is because you have let go your hold on him.

There is blessed peace in being in that place where you can say, “I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day.” If we commit our soul—our life—to him, he is able to keep that, to guard that, to guard and keep us.

The Rock to which you anchored when you accepted Christ can never be moved though the islands sink in the sea, and the earth be shaken out of its place. Never waver, never doubt it. Do not for a moment weigh anchor, thinking to cast it in some surer spot. Do not slip your anchor chain for one moment, thinking thus to run from some danger that seems to threaten. Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” “In none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. Verily, “the foundation of God standeth sure.” “Other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus.” 1 Cor. 3:11.

So outside of him there is no hope; so outside of him there is no anchorage for the soul. The last great storm of the long voyage is now on. You are riding it out at anchor, and the rocks are near. Eternal life depends on whether you maintain your anchorage in the eternal Rock—whether you choose to trust your all to him and rest in his keeping, or whether you let go your hold on him and seek by your own power and wisdom to work your way out of the terrible maelstrom, out of the foaming breakers, out of the very jaws of death itself. If Satan can induce you to do that, he has compassed your overthrow, for the maelstrom is his, the storm is his, the breakers are his, and you have taken yourself out of the hands of Christ, and are drifting into Satan’s. You can not afford to do that.

Furthermore, you can not afford to withdraw yourself from that movement instituted under the direction of heaven for the culmination of God’s great work in the earth. There is no message to follow the great threefold message of Revelation 14. That message has been committed to a people to give. They are giving it—are penetrating with it into all the nations of earth. A perfect line of communication is maintained between headquarters and every mission and outstation in the world; and by this means, and by this means only, can an intelligent giving of this message be accomplished. God has not forsaken the people to whom that great trust has been committed. He has approved the organization under which they are operating.

It is therefore the part of wisdom to beware of any teaching that tends toward the disintegration of that movement. He who works against that movement is working against him who has instituted it, and given it its work to do. Be not deceived by glowing phrases or eloquent words. This fact stands out indisputably that God has committed his last great work to a small and humble people. They are doing that work under his direction and approval, and when it closes, time will close, and our Lord will come. The great sifting process so long expected has come, and is doing its work. Some will stand through it, and some will be shaken out. Our attitude toward our personal Saviour, toward his Word, his message, his approved plan of giving it to the world, the humble servant through whom he admonishes—all will help in determining whether we shall be shaken out or stand victors among his triumphant people. C. M. S.

The Time Has Come

By W. A. S.

THE evidence that we are in the time of the latter rain and the loud cry of the message multiplies on every side.

The other day letters came in from workers in three far-separated quarters of the earth — China, Africa, Central America — all speaking of experiences of the latter rain.

From China: “As we see these manifestations of His power, we can but feel that the time of the ‘latter rain’, has indeed come.”

From Sierra Leone, West Africa: “It is a shower of the ‘latter rain.’”

From Central America: “It seems to me that everywhere there is the moving of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of men.”

We know it; the time of the latter rain has come. The long, dark night is nearly past. The time of the finishing of the work is at hand.

But all these years we have known that the time of the latter rain would also be the shaking time, the time of testing and trial, when every element not of the message would be shaken out of it. We can never have the time of the latter rain without also the shaking time. We do well to reflect upon this as we see apostasy in our midst, men turning from the truth they once built up, and seeking to tear it down. The time has come when, if this message is of the truth, just such a development must come.

If we did not see evidence of the latter rain and the rapid progress of the message through all lands, we would be forced to conclude that the end was still afar. If we did not see developing the experiences described in the Scriptures and by the spirit of prophecy as of the shaking time, we would know that there was still this mile-stone before us.

But with all these things before our eyes, we know that the time has come —

the time of the latter rain, and the shaking time. The last things are being done, and the end of the advent pathway is but a little way ahead.

Now let all loyal hearts “hold fast” that which they have. Those who keep the word of his patience, Christ will also keep. As an unpublished communication through the spirit of prophecy says: “The work will advance more and more as we humble our hearts, and bring our wills in submission to God. Some will place themselves under Satan’s rule, but we will not fail nor become discouraged.”

W. A. S.

Our Days and the Days of Old

By C. M. S.

EVEN secular papers are comparing our days to the days of old when wickedness was so rife that destruction must come. There have been numerous comments in the press recently concerning the scarcity of righteous men in our large cities. A committee was appointed in one large city to ascertain if they could find as many righteous men in that place as Lot was asked to find in Sodom. They report having found but twenty-eight persons upon whose names the whole committee was willing to pass. The press of other cities have taken up the matter and declared their disbelief in the ability of a committee to find that many righteous persons in their own cities. Of course the whole matter is a farce. God alone is able to judge of the righteousness of human beings. But the incident does show the similarity between our times and the days of Lot and Noah, even the people themselves being judges. The iniquities of the days of Noah culminated in the flood—the destruction of the world. The iniquities of Sodom and Gomorrah culminated in their destruction by fire—an ensample unto them that after should live ungodly.

The great cities of the world have become organized societies of plunder—of sin, of ungodliness. How long God will hold back from them the fires of their destruction, he only knows. Take San Francisco for an example—and San Francisco does not stand alone in this by any means. The same systems are working in each and all of them to some extent. From an exchange we take the following summary of conditions believed to exist in San Francisco:—

So far as facts already at hand indicate, the authorities at San Francisco have been bribed by the following public interests. The San Francisco Gas and Electric Company paid members of the board $750 each. Two telephone companies bid against each other for the supervisors’ votes. The Pacific States Telephone Company paid to ten supervisors $5,000 each. The Home Telephone Company paid to ten supervisors $3,500 each, and then outbid its rivals by giving seven supervisors $6,000 apiece in addition, and by presenting Abraham Ruef and Mayor Schmitz with a sum estimated at $150,000. For the franchise itself, worth in the neighborhood of $1,000,000, the company paid the city $25,000. The United Railroads Company paid each supervisor $40,000, and to Schmitz and Ruef $400,000. Beside these figures the $500 paid each of the supervisors by the so-called “Fight Trust,” which operated a vicious resort, is a bagatelle.

The furnishing of the new Capitol at Harrisburg, Pa., has brought to light the dark manipulations of the hand of graft. These are but samples. Place them in connection with the organized municipal system that conspires with fraud, robbery, and immorality to pile up gold at the cost of everything good, and you have a condition of things that is crying more loudly to heaven than Sodom and Gomorrah ever did. Those suffered the vengeance of eternal fire. How long shall outraged justice wait on these?

And still many of our religious contemporaries profess to believe that these revelations of corruption “indicate a healthful reaction against underground currents of evil.” Nay, verily; these things are not working out in that way. The Word of God does not promise any such reaction. We have had terrible exposures of corruption in recent months. But each exposure seems to leave still more to expose. “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,” says the Word. If these exposures truly indicated a healthy reaction, the above words of Scripture would not be true.

This wicked world is ripening for its reaping; and they who pin their faith to a reaction toward righteousness, are planning for themselves a bitter disappointment. C. M. S.

Organization—No. 12

By Arthur G. Daniells

A Brief Account of Its History in the Development of the Cause of the Third Angel's Message

It will be of interest to learn how the steps taken by the brethren at the fall council of 1861 toward organization affected our people. The first published expression came from Brother Dexter Daniells, who wrote as follows:—

I want to say that I fully approve of the doings of the Battle Creek Conference upon the subject of organization. Although it startled me a little at first, after a moment's reflection all was settled in my mind, because there can be no kingdom or church on the earth that can exist without organization. Without organization any kingdom or church must go to pieces. If God is the leader of this people, there will be order; for there will be order in God's house. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Cor. 14:33. . . . This work of order is not of the enemy. No, no! He would be glad to have it broken up; for he is a disorganizer; he loves confusion; and if he can not make us stumble at the holy law, he will try to make us stumble at the organization of this house, or at something else. He is on the lookout for all the weak and feeble ones. But I would say to all the fearful ones, Come, let us go up of our own free-will and help build the house of the Lord. This voice sounds to me like the voice of the Good Shepherd. This will shut out all impostors. I rejoice in this house of order.

I was at the Wilbraham Second Advent camp-meeting one year ago this fall, and there I saw a sample of the no-organization system. Such confusion of sentiment I never witnessed before. No two agreeing, it was contention all over the camp. It was Babylon truly. We have been so much afraid of Babylon that Satan will try to make us believe that anything like order is Babylon. I think that I have learned something of his devices in my experience, and I will try to profit by it.—Review and Herald, Vol. XVIII, page 194.

This statement was followed by one from Brother Meyers. He wrote:—

We were at first startled by the proposition of a legal organization, and until we plainly saw its necessity, we looked upon the subject with suspicion and dread. But after it was set before us, its object and necessity clearly set forth, we dropped our objections, and came to look upon the subject with favor, and as a necessary movement for the advancement of the truth. We have seen enough of no-law, no-order, and no-responsibility.—Id., page 205.

Elder J. N. Andrews sent this encouraging statement to the REVIEW:—

I trust that the work of organization will be completed by establishing State conferences, where they do not now exist, and general conferences that shall represent the whole body of the brethren. In this way we can act with efficiency; but otherwise we shall be thrown into confusion every time that concert of action is especially necessary. The work of organization, wherever it has been entered into in a proper manner, has borne good fruit; and hence I desire to see it completed in such a manner as shall secure its full benefit, not only to each church, but to the whole body of the brethren and to the cause of truth, so dear to all.—Id., Vol. XX, page 52.

Writing from the State of New York. Elder R. F. Cottrell said:—

We need a State conference organized in this State. Shall we have it? Who will respond? I believe the cause is impeded in its progress for want of it. It should be attended to without any unnecessary delay. We invite ministers to come and labor in the State. Whose business is it to see that their wants are supplied?—In the present state of things it is every one's, and consequently no one's. He may keep accounts; but there is no one to audit them. He may be ready to report and give an account of his labors and his stewardship, but he has no one to whom to report. I have labored a number of years as a minister, and no one has ever known, but myself, how much I have received any given year or years, and consequently whether I have had more or less than I needed—whether I have been economical, or have squandered the Lord's money. These things ought not so to be, and the sooner we reform, the better. In

our present state, we are not prepared for the great work which is before us.—Id., page 165.

Elder S. N. Haskell supported organization as follows:—

I long for the time when there will be such a complete state of organization that every gift in the church will stand in its proper place, and its influence be felt in favor of the truth. . . . If we wish to see the message go with power, souls coming into the truth, and the loud cry be given, we should stand in the place where God can work through us. We must away with doubts and fears in relation to organization, and the gifts that we already have, and press together, if we ever expect to see prosperity.—Id., Vol. XXI, page 14.

While these articles of approval in behalf of organization were passing through the REVIEW, the ministers and brethren generally were busy in various States organizing churches and conferences. Iowa, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont led the way, giving organization a great impetus. So great was the change of sentiment following the organization of the Michigan Conference in October, 1862, that within six months a general council was called to meet in Battle Creek, May 20, 1863, to consider the advisability of organizing a General Conference.

In giving reasons why a general council should be convened and a General Conference be organized, Elder White made the following observations:—

The Michigan Conference, whether assembled or through its committee, will not think it advisable to bestow labor in a field where there is not enough of the element of order and organization to secure the future prosperity of the cause. As a people we have too long worked at the miserable disadvantage of having the injudicious, inexperienced, self-sufficient workers tear down what the more experienced and judicious labor to build up. . . . In Michigan all are trying to help each other build, and we are loath to labor where the chances of having our work torn down are nine out of ten.

If our friends in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut think themselves qualified to manage the cause, and choose to suffer inexperienced men, who are comparative strangers, to lead off, they probably will not be disturbed in their opinions. If the sad experience in the past, connected with men whose names we forbear to mention, is not enough to satisfy them of the folly of every man's running an independent train of his own, then let them have more of this kind of experience, but not at the expense of those who wish to labor where united brethren understandingly help each other to build up the cause.

If the General Conference should appoint men to labor in those portions of the Eastern States where there is no organization, to take the oversight of the work there, to encourage those who should preach, and discourage those who should not, then we could hope that something permanent would be accomplished. But should it be decided that every man should labor where he pleases, and as he pleases, without reference to the labors and views of others, and that the REVIEW should be open to every man's appointments, opinion, and report, then the hope of the prosperity of the cause dies, and we wish to make a timely retreat from the scene of confusion. At present we utterly refuse to publish appointments and reports of the meetings and discussions of those who are not acknowledged as preachers by some organized body of Sabbath-keepers. As long as we have connection with it, we shall object to the REVIEW's giving influence to self-called or untried ministers.—Id., page 116.

It was to relieve the cause of the many embarrassments and perplexities which were continually arising through lack of system and organization, that led the leaders to press the question of organization.

A. G. Daniells.

Satan Can Become Religious

The author of a recent book on spiritualistic phenomena tells of a certain séance at which the purported spirit of Dr. Hodgson counseled his old friend Professor Hyslop to pray for help. The author of the book seems to think that this should settle the question as to whether spiritualistic communications are really from the departed or are dictated by satanic agencies. He says:—

Prayer implies faith in the All Creator. Can the church afford to overlook anything that brings materialists to their knees in this materialistic age? Just how will my Seventh-day Adventist critics and other good church people, who have been writing me warning letters, reconcile exhortations of this sort with their theory of evil spirits as the source of all spirit communications?

Satan is willing that men should pray if he can keep them inside the fold of Spiritualism while they are doing it. We have been told that we need not think it marvelous if Satan should transform himself into an angel of light. 2 Cor. 11:14, 15. Satan has no scruples against joining the church if thereby he can lead some souls to share with him his ruin. Satan can become religious and quote Scripture when it suits his purpose—and it does at times. Our Saviour was not deceived when Satan quoted Scripture to him. Let us not be deceived when he urges us down upon our knees to pray. He is the same evil spirit in whatever garb he wears. Christ did not say, “This must be an angel, for he quotes the words of God.” He said, “Get thee behind me, Satan,” and so will his followers say to-day when “the spirits” advise them to pray. We do not need counsel from that source; and it is only given that it may ensnare, deceive, and ruin. “And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? On behalf of the living should they seek unto the dead?” Isa. 8:19.

Note and Comment

IN discussing “The Reason for Church-going,” The Congregationalist states a fact which is often overlooked by those who are attempting to secure legislation in behalf of Sunday. It says: “Sunday depends for its distinctive atmosphere and vitality on Christians, not on legislators.” Those who observe the true Sabbath of the Lord do not desire any legislation in behalf of that institution, but only the privilege of worshiping God according to the dictates of their own consciences without any interference on the part of the state. If those who wish to observe Sunday would be content to take the same ground, there would be an end of all demand for Sunday laws. Any religious institution which depends upon the laws of men for its support does not deserve to maintain its hold upon men. How much better it is to rest upon a “Thus saith the Lord”!

Divorce and the Pleasures of Sin

The days of Noah were days given over by the great majority of the people to the pleasures of sense. How true a type of our day! The pleasures achieved never satisfy those bent on pleasure. So he who takes great delight in money-getting sees always ahead of him the glittering fingers of the greed god beckoning him on. It is true of every other line of carnal appetite. The following summary of the work of the “divorce mill” in this country speaks volumes in corroboration of these statements:—

According to the report just issued by the census bureau a divorce suit is filed every two minutes and a divorce granted every three minutes in the United States.

During the twenty-year period from 1867 to 1887 there were thirty-three divorces for each one hundred thousand inhabitants, and during the twenty-year period from 1887 to 1907 there were seventy divorces to every one hundred thousand inhabitants, a net increase of more than one hundred per cent.

Some put the blame for this condition upon the teachings of Socialism, which are weakening the ties of the marriage relation. The Socialists declare the charge unfounded, and hold that the capitalistic class is responsible because of their luxurious and ofttimes profligate lives. Neither is wholly responsible. The cause lies in the abounding sinfulness of the human heart. “Without natural affection” is one of the reasons given by Inspiration for these sorrowful last-day conditions. It is not that men and women are without affection; but sin has turned true affection into channels which lead to ruin.

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