Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 44. (11/2/1905)

Review and Herald

Nov 2, 1905

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 2, 1905

The Message in Stone

An Entrance to the Nurnberg (Bavaria) 'City Hall

Over the portals leading into this public building is found an interpretation, delineated in enduring stone, of the prophecy of the four beasts recorded in the seventh chapter of Daniel. A view of one of these portals is given this week, and the other will appear next week. For a full explanation read the article “The Message in Stone” on the tenth page.

The Seed and the Sowers

By Editor

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

ANY publication mentioned on this page may be ordered through your conference tract society or from any of our publishing houses or their branch offices. See last paragraph on this page for addresses of our publishing houses.

TWENTY-SIX copies of Life and Health sold in two hours is the record of a little girl in Washington who had never canvassed before. Surely there is something that every one can do in spreading this message at this time. Life and Health for November is especially good for circulation by the children, as it is a School Children’s Number. See full notice on the last page.

THE Nebraska Conference recently ordered 20,000 sets of religious liberty leaflets; 14,000 of these leaflets have been so far distributed in the city of Lincoln. Sunday law issues are being pressed in many places, and efforts of this nature will be more and more frequent as the conflict deepens. The Nebraska Conference is setting a good example for others to follow in meeting these Sunday law issues. The set of four religious liberty leaflets covers the ground quite thoroughly, yet briefly, and they should be used liberally wherever there is need of such literature. Any of our publishing houses can supply them.

As an evidence of the success of our agents in selling Life and Health, we quote the following from a lady who has recently begun work with the journal: “I have received the 100 copies of the October number of Life and Health, and sold them in a short time. I now enclose post-office order for $3.75 for 150 copies of the same issue, which I hope you will send me as early as possible, and on the nineteenth you may send me 100 copies more.” Another agent writes us as follows: “I wired you to-day for 150 October Life and Health. If the November issue is ready, please mail me 200 copies of that number also. If it is not ready, I will take 100 copies more of the October issue.”

ANY reasonable person who will candidly consider the state of society at the present time, the spirit of selfishness, rivalry, and hatred that is growing among the nations, and the condition of the world in general, can not help longing for the dawn of a better era. “Heralds of the Morning” reveals such an era about to begin, and as ushered in by the coming of the Son of man. The prophecies being fulfilled all about us are attracting the attention of many minds. To these prophecies “Heralds of the Morning” calls special attention. The wonderful increase of knowledge, the marvelous developments of the past century, the increase of crime and evil, the conflict between capital and labor, the increase of anger of the nations, the prevalence of war, the awful struggle to excel in the invention and manufacture of the most destructive weapons the world has ever known, the increase of storms, floods, and disasters of all kinds,—all these, and many more, are treated in a Scriptural light, and will be of great help to the Bible student. Those of the readers of the REVIEW who desire to set before the people a clear revelation of the prophetic events of this time can do no better than to place “Heralds of the Morning” in circulation. Price, $1.50, post-paid.

WHEN you begin to sneeze, it may be too late to stop a cold, but you can alleviate the trouble by rational treatment. In “Colds: Their Cause, Prevention, and Cure,” Dr. G. H. Heald gives instruction for thorough, practical home treatment for colds, also many suggestions on how to keep from taking cold. You can not afford to be without this valuable little book. The price is only twenty-five cents.

ONE of the oldest readers of the REVIEW, Wm. Penniman, of Iowa, recently wrote of the importance of the REVIEW, as follows: “I rejoice to know that there is another campaign in behalf of the ‘Good Old REVIEW.’ It seems to me that the REVIEW is growing better every week. Some to whom I have spoken have promised to take it, and I hope to write to some isolated Sabbath-keepers to induce them to take it. I think the spirit of prophecy says that in any church where there are those who are not able to take it, those who are able should raise a fund so that all can have it.”

IN these days of home-seeking and home-making, when the minds of the people are constantly perplexed over temporal necessities, it is little wonder there are so many who gladly welcome the suggestions of “Our Paradise Home.” The human heart often grows weary of life’s struggles, and needs the inspiration of the themes presented in this book. The 60,000 copies sold during the past two years is evidence of its merit and popularity. Those who read it recommend it highly. A weary business man recently said of it, “It contains more helpful inspiration than any other little work I ever saw.” It is very attractive in appearance, and contains matter especially important to all classes. It brings to them the gospel for this time. The price is also within the reach of all, being only 25 and 50 cents a copy, post-paid.

THE second number of the Third Angel’s Message series of The Signs of the Times is now ready. It contains a vivid portrayal of the sanctuary question. Among the leading articles might be mentioned the following: “The Gospel in Type,” by Prof. J. A. L. Derby; “The Sanctuary and Its Lessons,” by Mrs. S. N. Haskell; “The Priesthood in Type and Antitype,” by E. J. Hibbard; “The Closing Work of Our High Priest,” by W. N. Glenn; “The Great Apostate Powers of Revelation 12 and 13,” by A. T. Jones; “Signs in the Heavens,” by Prof. G. W. Rine; “The Only Power that Can Save,” by Mrs. E. G. White. This number will prove fully as attractive as the first in the matter of illustrations. Order the whole set so as not to miss any of this most important series. Single sets, 20 cents each; 25 or more sets to one address, 10 cents a set. Address Signs of the Times, Mountain View, Cal.

ORDERS for any publication mentioned on this page may be sent to any conference tract society or to any of the following: Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D. C., and Battle Creek, Mich.; Pacific Press Publishing Company, Mountain View, Cal., also Portland, Ore., and Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tenn., and Fort Worth, Tex.

Editorial

By Editor

The Infallible Word

THERE is only one safe guide in dealing with the invisible things of the kingdom of God. We can rest with certainty upon the revelation which the Lord himself has made in plain language. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The men through whom this revelation was made did not evolve their statements from their own imagination, neither did they reason them out through a course of philosophical study, but “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” God has spoken to us in the language of men so that we may understand his relation to us and the provision which he has made for us. When therefore we wish to know concerning these things, we must go to the Word of God. Some foolish men, puffed up with a sense of their own importance, are claiming that the words of some of the so-called great thinkers of to-day are just as much the revelation of God as the writings of prophets and apostles, and thus in their opinion “there are new Words to-day, and there are more Words to come.” Substituting reason and research for inspiration, they declare that “we have the ever-present Spirit which speaks essentially the same word that was spoken in the days of Isaiah and of Jesus.” This really destroys the special inspiration and authority of the Scriptures, and places the words of men and the Word of God on the same level. We unhesitatingly assert that this is the work of Satan, who is doing his utmost to prevent us from building upon the sure foundation. Do not be deceived by such satanic philosophy, no matter how high a standing the men may have who advocate it. Men are not writing Bibles in these days. God is not inspiring men to-day to write what contradicts the revelation given through Moses and the prophets. Let us not exchange God’s words for men’s words. “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” Hold fast the faithful word.

Rebellion and Witchcraft

WHEN Samuel reproved Saul for disobeying the voice of the Lord in his dealing with the Amalekites, he said: “Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” Saul had received explicit instruction from the Lord through the prophet concerning his course, but his desire to exalt himself and to make a great material display as a proof of his success led him to depart from this instruction. When rebuked for his disobedience, he sought to justify himself by declaring that he had followed the general tenor of the Lord’s command, and that any seeming departure from it was simply for the purpose of glorifying God. That which he had done for self-exaltation he professed to be for the purpose of making a sacrifice to the Lord. But God is not deceived by any wordy pretensions, and he designated Saul’s conduct as rebellion. But why was this act of rebellion classed with witchcraft?—Evidently because by “his presumptuous disregard of the will of God” Saul had entered upon the path which led him to the house of the witch of Endor. The success which had attended his course so long as he followed the counsel of the Lord departed from him when he refused to obey the words of the prophet, and in his extremity he had sought help from one of those necromancers from whose wicked practises he himself had attempted to purge the country when he was walking in the light. How had the mighty fallen! The lesson is for all time, and applies with special force in these last days. The snare of spiritualism is now set for those who determinedly refuse the way of the Lord; and the mere fact that a person has at one time denounced spiritualism when his spiritual vision was clear, will not prevent him from embracing this deception when he has fully set himself in rebellion against God. The path of whole-hearted obedience is the only safe path.

Missionaries or Pirates?

By Editor

A COMMITTEE authorized by the legislature of the State of New York has been conducting an investigation into the methods employed by the officials of three of the leading life insurance companies of New York City. The disclosures have greatly shocked the moral sense of the whole country. The highest officials of these companies have unblushingly admitted such evasions of the laws, such manipulations of the funds for their own profit, such use of the policy-holders’ money for political purposes, and such raids upon their treasury in the form of extravagantly liberal salaries, as will doubtless furnish a basis for criminal prosecution. But in the face of all this, one of the witnesses, whose salary is one hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year, declared it to be his belief that a life insurance company was of the nature of a philanthropic or missionary enterprise, and that it was his duty to extend insurance even at the expense of the policy-holders. That a man who has proved false to the trust reposed in him, and who really confesses that he has treated those who have done business with him as a highway robber treats his victim, should try to shield himself under such a pious subterfuge has raised a perfect storm of protest throughout the country.

Publications which have the reputation of being conservative are speaking with startling plainness of the terrible condition of things recently revealed, and the utter collapse of moral character. Conspicuous among these is the Outlook (New York), which prints an editorial on this subject under the significant title, “Hoist the Black Flag.” From this editorial we quote the following paragraphs:—

Recent disclosures of low moral standards, cheap deceits, and callous indifference to the rights of others on the part of men of financial and business prominence have sorely hurt those who

long for a decent world to live in; . . . The shame of the United States Senate, with several members who have been under indictment or known to be unscrupulous corruptionists; of department officers of high station selling information as if it were produce; of men entrusted with vast funds for purposes which ought to make their custody a sacred charge, greedily using the money of other people for their own benefit,—these things are ominous and menacing in the last degree. . . .

The time has come for frankness with ourselves and the world; if we can not be decent, let us at least be truthful. Let us purge ourselves of dishonesty and hypocrisy, and be what we pretend to be; or let us preach squarely the doctrine of greed and success without scruples, and keep on doing what we are now doing. Let United States Senators stop talking about national ideals, or let them cease to disgrace the country by corrupting legislatures, dividing profits with land syndicates, and accepting from corporations salaries which they have not earned; it is time for them to make their choice; the country is in no mood to stand further hypocrisy. It demands that the thieves take their hands off the sacred things of the nation; let them ply their trade if they must, but let them forbear to touch with polluted speech the ideals, the aspirations, and the hopes of the nation; they have done their best to destroy these things.

And it is high time for the officers of some life insurance companies to cease talking about the duty of providing for one’s family, the solemn obligation of a man to think of the welfare of his children after he is gone, the beauty of present self-denial for the sake of the dear ones dependent on one’s exertions. If the gentlemen whose dealings with the vast funds committed to their care have recently come to the light have any sense of honor, they will put an end to the sham philanthropy which they have preached for business purposes, and make their appeals for patronage with manly frankness. If they can not be honest, let them at least drop the mask of honor, and deal squarely with the public. Let them make an end to all the sentimental nonsense about widows and orphans, and say bluntly: “We want your money; pay us the largest possible premiums, and we will give you the smallest possible returns.” . . .

It is high time for plain dealing; the country is weary of scandals in high places; of men of reputation who are suddenly discovered to be without character; of moral sham and humbug among the eminently respectable. There are too many pious schemers; far too many well-behaved self-seekers. If we can not be honest, we can at least stop pretending to be what we are not. Let us hoist the black flag, and stop sailing as a missionary ship.

This editorial was made the leading feature of the issue, and attention was directed to it by printing on the front of the cover and in large letters an announcement of it under the sensational heading, “Shall We Hoist the Black Flag?”

Sober, conservative men, who would disavow any sympathy with this advent movement, are compelled to recognize the seriousness of the situation which is being discovered to them. Those who in past years may have jeered at what seemed to them to be the fanatical and pessimistic interpretation of the prophecies made by Adventists are being brought face to face with a condition of things which answers to the specifications of those prophecies as the face in a mirror answers to the man who stands before it. There is spreading abroad a kind of sickening fear which may well be regarded as the beginning of that experience described by our Saviour in the statement, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” The times are certainly ominous.

What does all this mean to us? The time is short. The end is near. There is a great work yet to be done. The warning and saving message is to be given in all lands. The significance of this peculiar intensity from beneath should be intelligently explained to all who will hear. The standard of obedience to the commandments of God must be uplifted, and the power for obedience must be ministered. Those “who long for a decent world to live in” ought to be informed concerning “a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

The missionary flag should be nailed to the mast by those who have truly embarked on the old ship Zion, and officers, crew, and passengers should be true to the flag.

Let us be missionaries rather than pirates.

For a Quick Work

By W. A. S.

ALL along through history Providence has planned in advance the agencies for special times. When we read of the closing days of God's work in the earth, that he will finish his work and cut it short in righteousness, “because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth” (Rom. 9:28), we may know that as truly as we live in the last days, we may see about us preparations for a quick work in carrying the witness of the gospel to the world.

That is exactly what we do see as the characteristic of our time. Everything is moving rapidly. Divine providence has supplied facilities for quickly getting over the ground with the message of the coming kingdom. Given the old-time power and consecration, with the new-time shortening of distances and the multiplication of facilities, and truly we shall see the word fulfilled that at the last a very short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

A missionary writer has said:—

The extension and improvement of the steamship service has benefited the church as well as secular enterprises. Europe is twenty days nearer America now than sixty years ago, five days nearer than twenty years ago, and two days nearer than ten years ago. Sixty years ago it required sixty days for the mails to go from Bombay to London; now it requires considerably less than one third that time. It took Carey nearly five months to go from Dover to Calcutta in 1793. One can make the trip now in three weeks. Judson's trip from Salem to Calcutta in 1812 consumed eleven months; and as late as 1859 it took Bishop Thoburn four months to go from Lynn to Calcutta. Now one can go from New York to Calcutta in a month. Moffat was three months in 1817 on the way from Gravesend to Cape Town; now the voyage lasts less than two weeks. These developments mean an immense saving of time to the missionary force.

And now railway enterprise is turning earnestly toward the great unevangelized regions of Asia and Africa. It all points toward a soon-finished work in the evangelization of the world. The postal facilities are such that for a cent, a copy of this paper may be sent to a reader in Calcutta or Zanzibar as cheaply as into the next town.

The most inaccessible parts of the world are being rapidly brought within the world's postal area, regardless of expense. Thus, the Postmaster-General recently wrote to a correspondent in northwestern Alaska regarding this government's effort to supply that region—not long ago an unknown country—with regular postal service:—

It must be remembered that in the winter time such mails must be carried on sleds drawn almost exclusively by dogs, or by reindeer in a few instances, and that, too, in a climate where the thermometer goes down to fifty degrees below zero, or lower. A few years ago, when the department first undertook to send mail to Nome and other western Alaskan points in the winter, the only feasible route was from Seattle, Wash., to Skagway, Alaska, by steamer, thence across Canadian territory, via Dawson, to Eagle, Alaska (a part of which was by dog-sled), and thence from Eagle, near the eastern boundary line, to Nome, on the western coast, by dog-sled. The cost of such transportation is very considerable. If we give no consideration to the cost of carrying mail by railroad from New York City to Seattle, 3,235 miles, or by steamer from Seattle to Skagway, 1,000 miles, or from Skagway to Eagle, most of this across Canadian territory, about 600 miles, and have regard only to that part of the haul which is entirely on Alaskan soil from Eagle to Nome, 1,163 miles, all of which must be covered by dogs, with a limit of about four hundred pounds a trip, we find that the cost is three dollars a pound. Of course, you are aware that the revenue which the department receives for carrying magazines and newspapers from publishers in New York to subscribers in Nome, a distance of about six thousand miles, is one cent per pound.

The advent warning is to be published in every tongue. The literature bearing the message is to fall like leaves of autumn in all the world. The Lord has raised up a world-wide advent movement, and his providence has brought into being such facilities for heralding the message as our fathers never dreamed of. We whose salvation depends upon having a part in the closing work must act quickly. W. A. S.

The End of “This Generation”

By L. A. S.

For half a century and over Seventh-day Adventists have been giving to the world the message that the end of all things is at hand. They have not announced any date for that event to take place, for the Saviour has plainly stated that such a date is unknown even to the angels of heaven; but it is just as plainly stated in the words of Christ that his followers are to know when his second coming is near, even so near that he will be “at the door.” It is plainly stated that they will know when they have reached the time of the last generation that is to exist upon the earth. The Saviour foretold signs which would appear in the heavens and upon the earth, expressly to announce the nearness of the end. He said that the generation which should witness those signs should not pass from the earth till all things should be fulfilled and the end come.

Upon these prophecies of Christ the message of Seventh-day Adventists has been based; and now for more than half a century they have been giving that message to the world. If that message is true to-day, it was true half a century and more ago; at that distant date it was true, therefore, that the generation had been reached which should not pass from the earth till Christ should come.

It is evident without argument that the end of this generation is now almost reached. “This generation” to which the words of Christ referred is now represented only by hoary heads and feeble frames. They have reached the place in life’s journey where death gathers his harvest from their number rapidly. A few more years at most must terminate the natural span of life for the few who yet remain. There remains only a brief part of the brief period which constitutes “this generation.”

Yet in this small remaining fragment of time great things must occur. Some prophecies remain to be fulfilled. The power symbolized by the two-horned beast of Revelation 13 is to perform great wonders, “so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,” and in connection with this the same power is to enforce upon all men the worship of the “beast,” or of the “image” to the same, and the reception of his “mark.” These are not to be insignificant events secretly or quietly accomplished, but events which will mightily stir the world, and will be performed by one of the great world powers. They mean a great world-wide religious upheaval, of which to-day only the surface indications are to be seen.

This great power described in the prophecy of Revelation 13 is the United States, which is to speak “as a dragon,” when it shall have apostatized from those principles of freedom upon which it was founded. Protestantism in this nation is to have relations with spiritualism. It is reaching across the gulf to clasp hands with Rome, and it will yet reach across the gulf which separates it from spiritualism. “Under the influence of this threefold union, our country” is to “repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government.”—Testimonies, Vol. V, page 451.

Such a change is to come over public sentiment in this country with respect to spiritualism, that it will be considered blasphemy to speak against it. See “Early Writings,” page 50.

As the final crowning deception, Satan is to appear on the earth in the form of an angel of light, personating Christ himself. He is to be seen by multitudes, who will be taken in the deception, and will hail him as the expected Christ, come to set up his kingdom. A false teaching concerning the return of Christ is to prepare the world to be deceived by this counterfeit of his appearing.

All this means that mighty, world-wide changes, of the most startling character and affecting multitudes and nations of people, are to take place; and they must take place in the few remaining years of “this generation.” Is it not plain, therefore, that we have reached the time when tremendous forces are to be let loose upon the earth, the like of which was never seen before? Is it not evident that deceptions are to rise and sweep over the people like a tidal wave sweeping over the land, carrying everything before it? How else can the prophecies be fulfilled? How else can such tremendous changes be accomplished while the few hoary heads of “this generation” remain on the earth?

But the question is, Are we prepared for these things? Are we ready for this sudden and unparalleled working of Satan? Can we resist these delusions and withstand the influences which will sweep other minds before them like chaff before the wind? Are we prepared for the “working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness”? Are we ready also to be filled with the power of God which is to be poured out in measure sufficient to accomplish the mighty work that remains to be done in the proclamation of the gospel? These are important questions connected with the subject of “this generation.” L. A. S.

My Visit to the European Field

By A. G. DANIELLS

Scotland

At the close of the union meeting held at Birmingham, I attended a general meeting of our brethren and sisters in Scotland. In making the journey to Scotland we traveled through the eastern part of the kingdom, a section I had not seen before. This is called the agricultural part of England. Although the farms are not so large as many in the United States, and the land has been cultivated for centuries, yet the crops were heavy. The bright-green pastures, and the golden fields of wheat, oats, and barley presented a beautiful scene to look upon. The farms in England are kept in excellent condition.

On our way to Edinburgh, we spent one night at New-Castle-on-Tyne. Here we met Elder D. H. Parsons, who went from California to England. He and Brother Gilliatt were conducting a series of tent-meetings in the city. They had already brought out one company, and were just beginning a second series of meetings. Elder Conradi spoke to the congregation the night we were in the city. We were pleased to meet at this place Brother and Sister Brandt, who were numbered among the company of canvassers who went from the States to Great Britain in the spring of 1902. They have been faithful, successful workers, and are loved by our brethren in England. At present they are operating a hygienic restaurant in New-Castle-on-Tyne. They use this opportunity of meeting the people to place the third angel’s message before them.

Our visit to Edinburgh, the city of John Knox’s fearless, strenuous life, was full of interest and satisfaction. We visited the birth-room in Edinburgh Castle of King Edward First, and the church of St. Giles, founded by Knox, in which he preached until his death. But the most interesting and impressive place in Edinburgh is the home of Knox, where he lived, prayed, wrote, and died. The interior of the house is well preserved. The following resolute statement which he had painted as a border around the top of the walls of his general sitting-room is still perfectly legible:—

I am in a place where I am demanded of my conscience to speak the truth, and therefore the truth I speak. Impugn it whoso list.

A little room called “Knox’s praying room” helps to reveal the secret of this earnest, zealous Reformer’s successes in Scotland in those stormy days.

The general meeting was held in Paisley, a manufacturing city near Glasgow. It might almost be considered a suburb of Glasgow. The most of our people in Scotland attended this meeting. They came from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Kirkcaldy, and other

parts. Our meetings were held in the tent that had been used during the summer in that city. It was a great pleasure to meet these earnest brethren and sisters of Scotland. They were hungry to hear the message, and were eager to arrange the best possible plans for its rapid and successful proclamation in their native land. They are selling our Present Truth, our British health journal, and our denominational books, with most encouraging success. Sabbath-keepers are being raised up at different points, and here and there a church is established. The people are conservative, and slow to take a stand with us; but when they do come out, they come to stay.

Our work in Scotland is in its infancy, but it has taken firm root, and will never retreat. The experience of our ministers, Bible workers, and canvassers shows that earnest work along the lines we generally follow in other countries will reach hearts and lead them to embrace the truth. Hence in the counsels and proceedings of the meeting our usual plans of work were carefully considered, and steps were taken for aggressive work in all directions.

It was truly enjoyable to meet in Scotland workers whose acquaintance I had formed in other countries. There were Brother and Sister MacLay of Nebraska, Brother Earnest Taylor of Texas, Brother Wm. Knight of Australia, Brother Appleton and Brother and Sister Bacon of England. These dear friends are pressing the battle in Scotland. They love their work and the people for whom they are laboring. I was very glad to meet Elder Gauterau and his wife, and to find them enjoying the best of health and of excellent courage in the Lord. It was arranged for Brother Gauterau to make the North England Conference his field of labor.

Elder MacLay was elected superintendent of the mission, with a good advisory committee. Brother MacLay will make his headquarters in Edinburgh, the cleanest, and in many respects the finest, city in Great Britain. Our brethren in Scotland welcome our American workers; they thoroughly appreciate all that has been done to establish and build up the work in that field, and ask us to do as much more as we can for Scotland.

Let us pray for our workers and work in that part of our Master’s vineyard. Scotland will yet furnish sturdy, self-sacrificing, persevering missionaries for mission fields in British colonies.

A. G. DANIELLS.

The Biennial Union Conferences

By G. A. Irwin

DEFINITE word having been received from all the union conference presidents, we are now prepared to announce the time and place of these meetings, as follows: Atlantic, November 1-9, South Lancaster, Mass.; Southern, January 4-14, Nashville, Tenn.; Central, January 18-28, Kansas City, Mo.; Southwestern, February 1-11, Keene, Tex.; Pacific, February 15-25, Portland, Ore.; Northern, March 1-11, Minneapolis, Minn.; Lake, April 19-29, Berrien Springs, Mich.

It has been arranged for Elder Daniels and the writer to attend all these meetings, and at some of those nearest the headquarters other members of the General Conference Committee will be in attendance. Many questions that have an important bearing on the future prosperity of the work in these different conferences, as well as the field at large, will come up for consideration at these meetings. Hence, we hope to see a full attendance of delegates and leading brethren.

These meetings should also be a time of special spiritual refreshing. We all need a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to obtain and maintain complete victory in our own lives. We need it to enable us to plan wisely. We need it to unify our hearts and minds and the varied interests of our work. And last, but not least, we need it in our ministry that we may do effectual and acceptable work for the Master.

So do not come to these meetings merely to get help for some local enterprise, but come with the primary object of receiving and imparting spiritual blessings, trusting to the Lord and your brethren to make provision for all essential home interests.

We trust that both union and State conferences will give timely and ample notices of the time and place of the meeting in their respective districts, and urge a full attendance.

G. A. Irwin.

An Unjust Cause

By L. A. S.

THE cause which is unfair, which can attain its ends only by the perpetration of injustice, is a bad cause. By this test let us examine that cause in behalf of which Sunday laws are passed and enforced.

The religious world is divided over the question whether the first day of the week or the seventh day is the Christian Sabbath. Many people adhere to the seventh day, because that is the day specified in the fourth precept of the decalogue. They conscientiously observe that day as the Sabbath. The individual of this class is required by the Sunday law either to abandon the day he has formerly observed, and which he believes to be the Sabbath, or to observe two days in each week. He must choose one of the two horns of this dilemma, or suffer the penalties of the law. Shall he give up the observance of the seventh day, which he conscientiously believes to be the Sabbath? Shall he deliberately violate each week what he believes to be a plain command of Jehovah? To force him to pursue such a course would be most unjust; this all will admit. It is not the purpose of those advocating Sunday laws, say they, to force people to discontinue the observance of the seventh day or to do violence to their consciences. If the Sunday law required such a thing as this, it would be contrary to every principle of fairness, and would merit only condemnation. This is beyond dispute.

Suppose, then, that he undertakes to observe two days of rest in the week. This involves at once the sacrifice of one seventh of his time; and if he has a family to support, this becomes, merely from a financial standpoint, a very serious matter. If he can barely provide a living for his family by working six days in the week, what will happen to them if his working days are reduced to five? In this case the Sunday law requires that a man shall either violate his conscience or see his family reduced to want. These laws allow, indeed, of works of 'necessity or mercy,' but to provide a living for one's family by working six days in the week, including Sunday, is not regarded from the Sunday law standpoint as pertaining either to necessity or mercy.

The Sunday law, therefore, either requires a man to set aside his conscience and make himself a transgressor before God, or it imposes on him a tax amounting to one sixth of his working time. Reduced to money, this would be in the case of the average working man a far heavier tax than that assessed by the state upon his property. Is such taxation fair? Is it fair to compel an individual either to submit to such a loss or to abandon his religious belief?

But more than this: the Sabbath commandment separates the Sabbath from all other days of the week. It sets the seventh day apart from all the others, making a distinction between them on the point of rest. The seventh day is the rest day, the other days are working days. The Creator made this distinction at the beginning, and commands man to preserve it. Hence there can be but one Sabbath day, one rest day, in the week, and to observe two weekly days of rest is to break down the distinction by which the Creator honored the Sabbath. The fourth commandment requires that the seventh day be observed as the Sabbath, and that all other days of the week be regarded as working days. Hence the idea of observing two weekly days of rest, even if it involved no financial robbery, would fail on the ground of conscience, for it could not be carried out without breaking down the

distinction set up by the Creator. The seventh day observer is therefore compelled, in any case, either to violate his conscience or to break the law. He is compelled to choose between setting aside the law of God or the law of man. Naturally, he chooses to incur the wrath of man rather than that of God.

Is such a law fair? Is it just? Is it in accordance with the spirit of liberty which has made the American people a great nation in so short a time? Is it in accordance with gospel liberty? Is the cause which it is made to serve a righteous cause? These are questions which the people of this land should candidly consider. L. A. S.

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