p. 176 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 11. (1/16/1893)

News and Notes.

By Editor

FOR THE WEEK ENDING JANUARY 9.

RELIGIOUS.

—Archbishop Ireland recently dedicated a church for colored Catholics in Minneapolis, Minn., which cost $78,000.

—In a colored mission in Chicago, at a meeting held Christmas night, a man named Williams became conscience stricken and confessed to having committed murder in Ontario. The matter is being investigated by the police.

—Dr. McGlynn asserts that no retraction was required of him by the pope's representative as a condition of his restoration to the church and to the priesthood. This is a severe thrust at Archbishop Corrigan, and will account for the latter's alleged hostility to Satolli.

—The report that the czar has ordered the Ministry of the Interior to transfer to the Holy Synod the administration of all Russian Church affairs is confirmed. This is certain to result in putting further vexatious restrictions on non-orthodox religions, and will probably lead to persecutions. It is feared the chief sufferers will be the Lutherans, who are mostly Germans or of German descent.

—The California College is a Baptist institution. The Leader is a Baptist paper. The following, from its editorial items, would indicate that the Baptist "shell" is becoming somewhat softened: "A California student from a Presbyterian family was two years ago skeptical. Now he cheers his friends with his Christian firmness and conviction. The faculty are rejoiced to hear of his quiet decision to enter the Presbyterian ministry after his college work is over."

—New York dispatches say that an ecclesiastical turmoil is quietly working in the Catholic Church on account of the mission and actions of Monsignor Satolli, the papal legate to America. A strong party is opposed to some of his positions and discussions, while others are equally determined to sustain him. There is enough American sentiment and jealousy in the church to feel quite sensitive over the appearance of a foreigner, other than the pope himself, to settle disputes in this country.

—Dr. MacArthur, of Calvary Baptist Church, New York City, is reported to have said: "The Catholics want this country, and it would not surprise me to find a Roman Catholic presuming to aspire to the presidency." This is an extreme of bigotry worse than that of the Catholics. Why is it any more presumption for a Catholic to "aspire to the presidency" than for a Protestant? Freedom of conscience, religious liberty, and equality before the law, are guaranteed by the Constitution to all citizens alike.

—Mexico is a Catholic country, and Christmas is a Catholic festival. We would naturally look to such a country for the highest type of celebration. Here is a significant dispatch from the prominent city of Queretaro: "Thousands of people from the City of Mexico and other cities are here in attendance on the most successful of all Christmas cocking mains and bullfights. All the leading bullfighters in Mexico are to display their prowess. In the fights yesterday three banderillos were severely gored and several fine horses were killed."

—The vote in the New York Presbytery on the charge of heresy against Prof. Charles A. Briggs, of Union Theological Seminary, shows that the Presbyterian ministry are much divided on the questions at issue. There were six votes taken on as many different charges of heresy, and, although the accused theologian was victorious on every ballot, the votes were quite close. The case will again be appealed to the General Assembly. It seems that the more this celebrated case is prosecuted, the more unsettled the ministry becomes in regard to what constitutes heresy.

—The pope has made another new departure and addressed an encyclical to the Italian people in their own tongue. This fact is said to create more attention than the document itself, because it is the first instance of the kind on record. An influential cardinal says that "the monarchic era of the administration of ecclesiastical affairs is passing away, and is being succeeded by a popular and democratic era." But be it remembered that this policy is deemed expedient in order that the influence of Rome may be extended. The supremacy of Rome is the object sought; how it is obtained is comparatively a small matter.

—A dispatch from Shepherd, Mich., says: "It is learned that Miss Loomis, who died recently, was placed wholly under the care of a Detroit Christian Science priestess named Adams and was not permitted to have any medicine. Nothing but so-called praying was done for her, and she soon became a raving maniac, so that several powerful men had to hold her in bed most of the time. The priestess, with the aid of some of the girl's relatives and friends, prevented anything being done for her. They drove all disbelievers away from the house. In her sane as well as her raving moments the girl kept up constant prayer until she became exhausted."

SECULAR.

—Typhus fever is said to be epidemic in New York City.

—The California Legislature indorses the Nicaragua Canal project.

—A fire in Denver, Colorado, on the 5th inst., destroyed property to the value of nearly $300,000.

—The Omaha (Nebraska) Printing Company's establishment was damaged $100,000 by fire last week.

—Intense cold is reported in Russia. Four soldiers were frozen to death near Cronstadt, December 31.

—Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, had a disastrous fire on the 5th inst. Loss estimated over a quarter million dollars.

—A fire in Memphis, Tennessee, on the night of the 3d inst., destroyed property to the extent of $150,000.

—A disastrous blockade is reported on the Canadian Pacific Railroad, owing to snowslides in the Rocky Mountains.

—Two passenger trains collided at Kaniza, Austria, on the 4th inst., and eight persons were killed, while five were fatally and ten seriously injured.

—At a fire in the large printing house of Donahue & Henneberry, Chicago, on the 4th inst., a dozen firemen were injured by gas explosions, two fatally.

—A Warsaw, Poland, dispatch says that a man named Weirzinski, while out riding recently, was attacked by wolves and both himself and horse were devoured.

—Trials of the aristocratic French criminals connected with the Panama Canal scandal, have begun, and will be the center of Parisian interest for several weeks.

—There is a continued rush to the new gold fields of San Juan County, Utah. Advices to the 4th inst. estimated 7,000 miners in that region and 600 new arrivals daily.

—A London dispatch of the 4th inst. says: "Severe frosts prevail to-day, and the Thames is full of floating ice. The cold is causing much suffering among the poor."

—Scores of women work in the brickyards in Springwell, Mich., digging in the pits and carrying bricks, and some of them carry their babies on their backs while at work.

—Participants in the Russian cholera riots of last fall are still being dealt with by the government. Twenty more have been sentenced to death, and twenty-two to hard labor.

—Rev. J. M. Rollins, a Southern Methodist missionary stationed at Kobe, Japan, has been sent home in disgrace, charged with assault upon a brother missionary's wife.

—At Cincinnati, on the night of the 8th inst., an ice gorge broke, and forty-five loaded coal barges, sixty empty ones, and a towboat were completely destroyed. Loss over $300,000.

—A recent dispatch from Vienna, Austria, says that many parents have reported to the police the loss of daughters eight to twelve years of age, and a criminal conspiracy is suspected.

—The famine in North Finland is increasing. Many villages are snowbound, and it is feared that whole communities have perished, as nothing has been heard from them for a number of days.

—In Puttlingen, Russia, last week, a mob of 200 striking miners raided the houses of men who would not join them, dragging out and beating several victims, and smashing the windows of their houses.

—A Japanese war steamer, the Kon-go, was in San Francisco last week. Her officers took a great interest in the trial trip of the new U. S. coast defense ship Monterey, just completed at a San Francisco shipyard.

—There is said to be extreme depression in the English shipping industry. Report enumerates 479 steamers laid up in English and Scotch ports, and 100 in colonial ports. This means hundreds of thousands of idle men.

—Europe is said to be experiencing cold weather. On the 3d inst. violent snowstorms prevailed throughout Austria and Hungaria, and it is further stated that all the lakes in Germany, France, and Austria were frozen over.

—The Australian labor unions are agitating for a law prohibiting the importation of contract labor, more particularly that of Polynesians, Asiatics, Russians, Poles, and Hebrews. West Australia is now more Asiatic than Caucasian.

—N. H. Young, the Deputy United States Marshal, who has had an office in Santa Barbara, Cal., for the last four months, for the purpose of registering the Chinese under the new law, has returned to San Francisco, not one Chinaman having registered during the whole time.

—The chief of police of New Orleans was recently directed by the district attorney to arrest the proprietor of a saloon for keeping his place of business open on Sunday. The chief declined to make the arrest, and was tried for misdemeanor. The jury disagreed, and the accused officer was discharged.

—The cause of the recent burning of the station at Brighton, Sacramento County, Cal., and the death of Miss Ayres, telegraph operator, in the flames, is still a mystery, and many stories are abroad. A railroad engineer is charged with the deed, and there is also a suspicion that it was the result of suicide.

—Egyptian advices state that the Dervishees who recently attacked Gemai were overtaken on the 2d inst. by Egyptian cavalry and a fierce battle ensued. The Dervishees were defeated with heavy loss, but an English captain and forty-five Egyptian soldiers were killed, and many others wounded. The Dervishees greatly outnumbered the Egyptians, and made several furious onslaughts.

—During the late cold spell in Europe a train was stalled in the snow near Fiume, Austria, for eighteen hours, and the passengers were famishing and half frozen when released. A cottage at Hertzogemburg, occupied by eight persons, was buried under a mass of snow, and they were without fire for three days. When found by rescuers, two were dead and the others so prostrated that some were not expected to recover.

—It is said that the Italian Government views with some alarm the proposed American restrictions of emigration. In the first place, the traffic of going and returning emigrants adds appreciably to the needed revenues of the government; but the chief point is that many Italians, having become wealthy, return to the old country enlightened and better citizens and enter profitable business, which yields large revenues to the government.

—The Legislature of California convened on the 3d inst. The Senate is Republican and the Assembly is Democratic. On a strict party vote on joint ballot, eight Populist members hold the balance of power. An effort was made to abolish "The Well," a notorious eating and drinking house in the basement of the capitol, but, notwithstanding the fact that liquors (under cover of "cold tea") are sold in violation of law, the resolution failed to pass.

—President Harrison has issued a proclamation granting immunity from prosecution to all Mormons who were liable to the penalties of the law prohibiting the practice of polygamy, or unlawful cohabitation, prior to November 1, 1890. This amnesty is conditioned on their continuing to abstain from such practice, and is based on the assertion of the church authorities that such practice has been abandoned, and upon petition.

—The most disastrous lynching affair on record occurred at Bakersfield, N. C., on the night of the 3d inst. A mob of 400 men attacked the jail, which was defended by the sheriff and a posse of seventy-five. Ten of the sheriff's men and twenty of the mob were killed before the prisoner (a murderer named Snipes) was secured. He was then taken out and hanged. Friends of the posse then raised another force, and the mob army was increased, when another battle resulted in twenty-five more deaths.

—At Indianapolis, on the 6th inst., the general agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad called twenty of the union freight handlers into his office, and in the plainest terms told them they could not be loyal to both, and it was for them to say whether they were ready to give allegiance to the company which paid them their wages or to the union. Fifteen stepped to the company's side, and the five who stood by the union were paid off and discharged on the spot. The union men say this movement by the Pennsylvania company is the opening of united action by all the roads of the country in anticipation of trouble during the World's Fair.

Election of Sunday School Officers

By Editor

A WRITER in a prominent religious paper thus remarks on the election of the officers of Sunday schools: "I have been thinking lately about the yearly farce of the election of teachers and officers. Why is it any wiser to put the choice of Sunday school teachers into the hands of the children and young people than it would be to allow the boys and girls of our public schools and colleges to elect their instructors? Imagine the trustees of a university calling together the students in the chapel to elect the faculty!" And worse still if this election comes quarterly. It would not, however, be the case that teachers and officers were elected by the children if the adults of the church were as interested in Bible study as they should be. There is one church we know where nearly all the adult members belong to the Sabbath school, and this is the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Religion: Its Future

By Editor

"Religion: Its Future."—The Literary Digest has an article from the Rev. Dr. Momerie, condensed from the London Fortnightly Review, on the above title, which contains many good things. It may be taken as an indication of the feeling of unrest and uncertainty—unrest because uncertainty—there is in the minds of many as regards the future of religion. "Christ and Christianity," says the writer, "are

as wide as the poles asunder. What is now called Christianity has for its foundation pre-Christian paganism, and for its superstructure past Christian metaphysics." The writer then shows how the pagan idea of God has come in through the doctrine of endless torment, and how the orthodox doctrine of the atonement had invested God with hatred and enmity toward man instead of love. The religion of Christ, he says, will never die. Of Christ he remarks:—

"He has lain buried for centuries in the tomb of theology; but his resurrection is at hand."

Of the church he says:—

"She will live if she become in reality what now she is but nominally—the church of Christ. . . . She must take a fresh start from Christ. She must be born again. To go back to the simple Christianity of Christ would be to get rid at once of all her corruption. Then true worship would begin—the worship of a Deity who is only good; while in every worshiper would be enkindled an enthusiasm for righteousness, a passionate resolve to 'work together with God' for the elevation and the amelioration of the race."

And the great obstacle to all this our writer points out thus:—

"It is we clergy who are the great obstacles in the way of such a change. The great majority of the clergy are so saturated with the spirit of ecclesiasticism, so wedded to the religion of the past, that their conversion seems almost hopeless. The church will never be reformed until her clergy have learned the lesson—which any 'infidel' could teach—that righteousness is man's first and only duty."

This witness speaks true, and righteousness, the only righteousness, is found, oh, so freely! in the Lord Jesus Christ, who invites all to come. Reader, look to Christ and him alone.

LITERARY NOTICES.

By Editor

From the National Religious Liberty Association we have received No. 1 and No. 2 extra of the Religious Liberty Library, price 50 cents a year. No. 1 is a pamphlet which we have noticed before, and which should be widely circulated, entitled "Due Process of Law and the Divine Right of Dissent," a review of Judge Hammond's decision in the celebrated King case, in which the defendant, R. M. King, was tried for breaking the Sunday law of Tennessee, contrary to the guarantees of the Constitution of that State. Price is not given. No. 2 extra is a 12-page tract (price 2 cents) entitled "Religious Intolerance in the Republic—Christians Persecuting Christians in Tennessee," and is a reprint of an article by Mr. B. O. Flower, the editor of that live magazine, The Arena. The article should be circulated by the thousands. Address 267 West Main Street, Battle Creek, Mich., or 43 Bond Street, New York.

Two volumes come to us from Laird & Lee, 263-265 Wabash Avenue, Chicago, entitled "The Son of Man." It is sad enough to hear the mutterings of the insane, without putting them in print, for these two volumes are but the senseless maunderings of an insane man on the subject of religion, written by one who believes himself to be the Christ. We do not know which is most to be pitied, the poor deranged man who wrote the book, and who threatens to humble in the dust those who despise it, though he leaves no life after this in which to do so great a work, or the publishers who would put such books as these before the public for gain.

"Drummond's Addresses"—"The Greatest Thing in the World, Pax Vobiscum, The Changed Life, 'First!' A Talk with Boys, How to Learn How, What Is a Christian? The Study of the Bible"—in one very neatly bound little volume in white muslin and silver gilt lettering, almost too dainty for everyday handling. R. H. Woodard & Co., Baltimore, Md. Price seventy-five cents. These lectures are some of them excellent, and all contain some good, helpful suggestions, with the exception of the last, "The Study of the Bible," the tendency of which is evil and only evil and annuls some of the good rules found in the forepart of the book. It puts the Bible on the same level as any other religious book or books.

From the University of California—College of Agriculture—comes a "Report of the Viticultural Work during the Seasons 1887-89," prepared under the direction of Prof. E. W. Hilgard. This extended report of nearly 350 pages is part of the report of the regents of the University. From the same source, "Methods of Fermentation and Related Subjects," during the years 1886-87, by Prof. E. W. Hilgard, illustrated by diagrams.

WE wish we had time and space to notice all the fine holiday issues of our contemporaries which have been sent us. The daily Examiner, of San Francisco, surpassed itself, as did also the Tribune, of this city. We think it is better perhaps to say one good word for all, newspapers, household and housekeeper's magazines, and periodicals, and our great monthlies, and the papers for the children.

The True Sabbath of God

By Editor

The Rev. A. H. Norcross, D.D., at the Pennsylvania Sabbath Association Convention, held in Pittsburg, last month, in speaking on the Sunday question, said:—

We want no Jewish, Continental, or American sabbath, but that of God, invested with the moral sanctions of the Decalogue, enthroned in the glory of Christ's resurrection—a pure Sabbath, divested of all human accretions. Its authority is divine. The question of Sabbath observance is not one of mere interpretation, already accomplished by our forefathers, but perfectly understood and recognized.

Now, if this is the Sabbath which Dr. Norcross and those with him want, why do not they accept it as given by God in the Decalogue? The Sabbath of the Decalogue, and the only one which has "the moral sanctions of the Decalogue" is the seventh day, not the first. But another day has been chosen by man, and those who have thus chosen do make its observance one of "interpretation." The fourth commandment has been interpreted and perverted by the friends of Sunday till men have learned to despise, not only that precept, but all the others of the law. Those who have so persistently mis-interpreted the law as to make seventh day mean first, are largely responsible for the lawlessness in the world. And yet they accuse those who hold to the words of God as he gave them, of troubling Israel, even as Elijah was accused by idolatrous Ahab. If we desire the true Sabbath of God, why not take the one God says is his?

BIBLE STUDENTS' LIBRARY.

By Editor

THIS Library has now reached one hundred issues. No. 97 is "The Sun of Righteousness" (by Elder H. A. St. John), a pamphlet in two parts, giving a brief resumé of the two advents of Christ, and the prophecies which cluster around those great events. The work is illustrated by two plates, which serve to assist the reader in the study of the prophecy and fulfillment. Special attention is given to the disappointment of those who were looking for Christ to come in 1844, and a parallel is drawn between their disappointment and that of the wise men who came seeking Christ at his birth. Price, 10 cents.

No. 98 is Sabbath school lessons on "The Word and the Spirit," before noticed. Price, 5 cents.

No. 99 is the reprint and revision of an article in the Signs of a short time since, entitled "Prediction—Interpretation—Fulfillment." It gives the prophecy of Rev. 13: 11-17, the interpretation given of that prophecy forty-one years ago, and the rapid fulfilling of it at the present time. It presents mighty evidence of the truth of the message, especially among those who are not prejudiced against the truth. Price, 2 cents, 16 pages.

No. 100 is by Rev. Ernest H. Russell, of New York City, and is entitled "Seducing Spirits." It shows the danger of all those leadings which would draw us away from the word of God. Price, 1 cent, 8 pages.

For the above, order by number of the Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal.

The Pope and European Arbitration

The Present Truth of London, England, has the following: "The members of the Centre party in the German Reichstag are said to be drawing up for presentation to that body a measure in favor of the establishment of a tribunal of arbitration and disarmament, under the presidency of the pope. The pope, it is said, warmly approves the scheme. Undoubtedly, to be in a position to exercise control over the affairs of Europe is the one object of his life."

A Cathedral and Worldly Pride

The great Episcopal cathedral now building in New York will cost $10,000,000. Services will be held every Sunday in seven different languages. Bishop Potter's idea is that it will be a wonderful protest against the materialism of the age, but others "fear," says the Advance, "it may be taken as a large sacrifice to the spirit of worldly pride." And how many such great monuments are piled up to perpetuate names other than the name of Jesus!

Important Truths in This Week’s Paper

By Editor

WE ask a careful perusal of our paper this week. In all our departments there are mighty truths discussed which are of great importance. The two longest articles in our home department will commend themselves to parents and cooks. Elder Lane, of New York, speaks a good word for our paper under the title "Our Able Minister." We extend him our thanks. Do not pass over the S. S. lessons. Both are important.

Opening the World's Fair on Sunday

The Advance of January 5 states, on the authority of Washington Hesing, a candidate for mayor of Chicago during the year of the World's Fair, that 25,000 out of the 28,000 stockholders of the World's Fair are in favor of opening the Fair on Sunday, and that forty out of the forty-five directors also favor opening on that day.

Millions of Pages Ordered

By Editor

OVER two and one-half millions of pages of the Bible Students' and Sentinel Libraries were ordered last week. These publications should be largely scattered.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Editorial.—Notes and Comments—Knowing Christ after the Flesh—Let Us Do More—Thoughts Worth Thinking about....................................................................161, 162

Doctrinal.—As God Commands (poetry)—The Three Messages of Rev. 14 : 6-14 (No. 3—Mr. Miller's Work and Mistake a Subject of Prophecy)—Broken Cisterns—Study of the Bible, Its Importance and Benefits, No. 3—Christian Development.....................................................................................162-165

Miscellaneous.—Am I a Soldier of the Cross? (poetry)—"Seek Those Things Which Are Above"—History Repeating Itself—Power from on High—The Worship of an Institution, Idolatry and Hypocrisy—Is Sunday in the New Covenant?—Strength for Temptation..................................................................................165-169

The Home Circle.—Family Prayer (poetry)—To Whom Does the Child Belong? (2, To God)—They Agreed Then and After—Think before You Strike—Madame Loyson on Cooking—Cruel Fashion—Mild Words......................................................................................169, 170

Health and Temperance.—A Place Where the Hog Is a Blessing—Startling Statistics from a School—Bathing—The Effects of Tobacco on the System—Notes....................................................................................................170, 171

Mission Fields.—The Song of the Gospel Sickle (poetry)—Aggressive Christianity in England—The Influence of Character—Notes.............................................................................................................................172

Our Work and Workers.—A Kind Word (poetry)—"Our Able Minister"—Field Notes...................................................................................................................173

International S. S. Lessons.—The Spirit of the Lord (Lesson 5, Sunday, January 29)—Power of God's Word, Continued (Lesson 5, Sabbath, January 28).....................................................................................................174

News and Notes.—Religious—Secular..........................................................................175

Editorial.—Various Notes and Comments...................................................................176