HE who refuses forgiveness, breaks the bridge over which he must pass, for all need forgiveness. Are there any of us who can look back on wrong and injury done to us by our fellow-men? This, if we were wise, we would not wish to forget. For more noble is it to remember in full, and yet forgive; to retain our sensitiveness unimpaired, and yet to take the offending brother to our hearts as if he had done us no wrong.—A. P. Peabody.
Thoughts About the Future
By Horace Fletcher
MEASURE and weigh well your thought about the future; if it partake of fear-thought, expel it from the mind, for it is evil; if it be filled with strength and confidence, nurse it tenderly, for it is good.—Horace Fletcher.
Trusts and Covetousness
It used to be seriously affirmed that the great tornadoes that have done so much damage to life and property in the Western States would never visit the old, stable East. But such storms as the one that visited Little Falls, N. J., on September 24, are rapidly showing the prediction to be false. That storm of September 24 is by no means the first one that has visited that part of the country this year. And it will be seen as the months go by that no part of the world is immune from storm and hurricane and earthquake. The prophet of God has declared: "I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by His fierce anger. For thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end. For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black; because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it." Jer. 4:23-28. The foregoing9text tells very plainly how extensive will be the storms and general physical disturbances in these last days. The mountains will tremble, and "all the hills" will move lightly. "All the cities" are to be broken down, "and the whole land shall be desolate." This whole earth will become a great "storm belt," and there will be no place of shelter except for those who have learned to trust in the arm of the Lord.
EVERY hotel in New York City was filled to overflowing at the time of the recent reception of Admiral Dewey at that place. It is estimated that there were about two million visitors to the great metropolis to greet the admiral on his return. The Prince of Peace is about to return to this earth again, to receive all that are ready for Him. He will give a reception—it will be the marriage supper of the Lamb—when He takes the redeemed home to the New Jerusalem. All are invited guests to that great supper, and every one who accepts the invitation and gets ready will be permitted to attend the greatest reception that all the universe of God in all the ages of eternity has ever witnessed. What great possibilities there are before us now! It would be well for us to turn aside from the glittering shadows of this time to the enduring substance of the eternal reward that will be given so soon.
Trusts and Covetousness.
On September 20 there was convened in St. Louis, Mo., a meeting of governors of States and State attorney-generals to consider the question of what can be done with the trusts. A few days before that a notable meeting was also convened in Chicago to consider the same subject. There was much discussion in both meetings, and all seemed agreed that something must be done with the trust if national prosperity is maintained, and a national calamity is averted. Paul tells us that the last days shall be made perilous because of covetousness and self-love. See 2 Tim. 3:1-5. James tells us that men will heap treasure together in the last days, and that the cry of the laborer will be heard in the land. See James 5:1-8. Study both of these scriptures closely and mark how literally they are being fulfilled.
It is currently reported that a new combination has just been formed that will own over a billion dollars' worth of property. And this new combine will not have very many men in it. It will merely combine two of the large family fortunes of the present time. If treasure is not being heaped together in these days, then what could be called the heaping together of treasure? And if this grasping of wealth does not show a gross spirit of covetousness and self-love, then pray tell where you could ever look to find such things.
RUMSELLING AND SABBATH DESECRATION.
In a recent speech in Rochester, N. Y., Mr. Clinton C. Howard said:—
"I stand here to say that the laws against immorality, against sabbath desecration, against Sunday rumselling, ought to be enforced by the small army of men who draw their salaries for doing that sort of work, and the Christian voters of this city have it in their power in the coming election to place a man at the head of this municipal government of Rochester, who will see that it is done."
No State, city, or town has any right to either make or enforce a law against "Sabbath desecration." The observance of the Sabbath is a duty that we owe to God and not to our fellow-men. And the Lord is the proper one to call men to account for Sabbath desecration.
And when the great Judge of heaven and earth calls men to account, He will judge them according to the Sabbath law that He has made, and not according to the one that is made by the men of this generation. God's Sabbath law reads that the "seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." But these modern human laws say that Sunday, or the first day of the week, is the Sabbath. There will be a great deal of work done to get people to observe Sunday. Laws will become more and more stringent to compel those to rest on that day who otherwise would not. This is a matter of prophecy, and the SIGNS OF THE TIMES has again and again pointed it out.
But when we come to stand before the great white throne, God will judge us according to His law, just as He made it, and unless we want to meet with confusion and eternal loss in that time, we should regard God's law now rather than these human laws that are talked so much about, and that we are told should be enforced, so that all will keep Sunday.
ST. JOSEPH, Mich., is a neat, beautiful little town on the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan, and about four or five hours' ride by boat from Chicago. During the summer season thousands of people, especially on Sundays, take advantage of numerous excursions to visit the place and spend a day or so there enjoying a recreation. But during the past summer the town has been made famous by the large number of people who have gone over there from Chicago to get married. Young couples who have started out in the morning with no other thought than a ride across the lake, have made a match on the way, and as soon as they reached shore, hastened to a justice of the peace or a minister to get married. It is reported that the county clerk, and some of the justices of the peace, and one or two so-called ministers of the Gospel, have conspired and combined to make it exceedingly easy for these parties to get married as soon as they reach St. Joseph. The sacred responsibilities that center in the marriage contract are being grossly lost sight of in many places and in many minds. And these hasty marriages open the way for just as hasty work in the divorce courts. There is nothing that marks the lowering of the moral standard more fully than the sentiments and practices that prevail in regard to the marriage institution. The Lord has told us in His Word that a reproduction of the sins of Sodom would be one of Satan's master strokes, and that when it is seen, it will be a sure sign that we are in the last days. What think you of the conditions of to-day? What do they portend?
In these days when England is talking of going to war with the Boers in the Transvaal there is much said of secret alliances between various governments and Great Britain. There is also much talk of other alliances that are being proposed. Be this as it may, and let these alliances come out as they will, it all shows that war is in the very air, and that none of the nations feel safe, and are consequently doing all they can to strengthen themselves for what they look upon as the inevitable. Let no one be confused or deceived by the false cry that is being raised of "peace and safety." The Lord tells us distinctly that "when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them; . . . and they shall not escape." What else but "sudden destruction" could come upon those who insist upon saying, "Peace, peace," when the very atmosphere that we breathe is surcharged with war? Every one should know that the world stands just before the great battle of Armageddon. The thing for us to do is to see the situation and get ready for the issue. And the one preparation that is needed is the "Gospel of peace." Do you possess it? Do you know the Saviour, who is the Author of it?
ON March 10, 1899, Delaware passed a law that is very favorable to the organization of trusts. Under this new Delaware law, trusts can be organized there and operate anywhere they please, and no questions are asked them in regard to the manner of conducting their business. It is considered the most favorable law to the big money combines of any in existence. The object that the little State had in passing such a law was to collect the fees from the organizers of these trusts to assist her in meeting her State expenses. And her success in drawing trusts to that State is shown in the fact that during the first six months after the passage of the law, big monopolies were organized there, which combined and consolidated capital to the amount of about $235,000,000, or nearly a quarter of a billion. This represents the trusts that were formed in Delaware alone during that time. And the activity in this little State has not stopped the same work in other places. These facts are very significant. Have you ever studied into the meaning of them?
A CABLE despatch to the New York Sun states that the Hamburger Nachrichten, a German paper, while concurring in the general view that Germany will not interfere in the dispute between Great Britain and the Transvaal, says: "What Germany must do is to watch whether a possible British reverse there will be a signal for an outbreak in British possessions elsewhere. That would be Germany's opportunity, which she must not let escape. France, too, will seek revenge for Fashoda, and Russia will undoubtedly increase her pressure in the East." Thus do we see how the affairs of the nations are complicated. All the powers of the world are watching England, and that which seems very small on the surface may result in complications that will embroil the whole world in war before it is over with. This is not a time to be proclaiming "peace and safety," when there are so many different things that possess all the possibilities of starting an international war. He who is looking to this old world for any more permanent peace is leaning upon a vain hope.
THE Anglo-Venezuelan arbitration tribunal has completed its sittings in Paris. The result of the arbitrament of the contentions between England and Venezuela, over the boundary between the latter country and British Guiana, is what might be termed a compromise decision. The territory in dispute, amounting to 60,000 square miles, has been divided equally, and while Venezuela retains control of the mouth of the Orinoco River, England is to have the privilege of free navigation. It will be remembered that before this tribunal the former president, Benjamin Harrison, argued the cause of Venezuela, and a Russian diplomat, M. Martens, presided as judge of the court. It was over this boundary issue that considerable animosity was stirred up between the two English-speaking nations while England was pressing her claims against Venezuela and before she agreed to submit the matter to arbitration.
REPORTS from Washington, D. C., state that the troops considered necessary to prosecute the war in the Philippines are about all recruited. The insurgents in the Philippines are seeking to take advantage of the removal of the United States troops that have just returned from there, and are doing all they can to stir up a revolt in Malabon, a city of about 30,000, some five miles distant from Manila.
THE reports from the Philippine Islands for the last two weeks have begun again to savor of active hostilities, such as small battles and lively skirmishes. The American troops are preparing to begin operations again within a short time, and are pushing out from their bases to "feel" the opposing forces. At each advance they find the Filipinos, and a skirmish ensues, with more or less loss on both sides, the natives usually retreating and keeping up their fleet-footed mode of warfare. The reports do not indicate any appreciable lessening of the "independence" spirit among the native population, and how long the scourge of war will continue to afflict the two peoples none can tell.
WE have already made mention of the severe earthquakes that have recently visited Asia Minor. The latest despatches state that whole villages have been destroyed, and that it is estimated that 1,500 persons lost their lives. One consequence of the earthquake is the subsidence of the level of the Aidin district by two yards. Sulphurous springs burst out in the valley of Noander, and the country between Aidin and Denizli became full of crevices, out of which rushed black, muddy water with sufficient volume to wash away a flock of 1,000 sheep.
CAPT. OBERLIN M. CARTER, who was convicted of misappropriating $1,750,000 of government funds, has been sentenced to five years' imprisonment at hard labor, and a fine of $7,000 in addition. The extent of his punishment, to say the least, is not very great in proportion to the enormity of his crime.
THIRTY thousand well-armed troops have gathered on the Natal border, and hostilities between the British and the people of the Transvaal are liable to break out any day. Let us pray that such a crisis may be averted.
CHRISTIANIA, Norway, is undergoing a financial panic. Several of the oldest and what have been considered the strongest firms in the place have had to suspend payment of their obligations.
AN exploring party is reported to have found rich deposits of gold, silver, copper, iron, anthracite, lignite, gypsum, and cinnabar on the east shores of Hudson Bay.
THE plague is still spreading in Portugal. The authorities are doing all they can to keep it quiet, but it is impossible for them to keep the news from getting out.
JAMES HARLAN, the last surviving member of Mr. Lincoln's cabinet, is lying at the point of death at Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
JAPAN has decided that no religion shall be taught in her public schools.
SUNDAY LAW IN SAVANNAH
By Editor
Sir Walter Pierce, agent general for Natal in London, recently said: "The attitude of the Orange Free State means its inevitable acquisition by Great Britain. Peace in South Africa can only be accomplished by war. In order to make pacification effective Great Britain must assume absolute control over the whole of South Africa." Thus some of the public men in England are ready to speak out what they have in mind. Great Britain's policy is colonial, and a colonial policy means conquest. And so long as there is just one great power in the world like England that has a colonial policy, it will be impossible to have absolute peace; for such a nation will always see something that she thinks will help her to extend her empire; and thus wars will be constant. But the United States is now a colonial power, and she too will find, as at the present time, that it may be necessary for her to keep up some fighting in order to hold her conquests. And then France, Germany, and even Russia seem to have some notion of extending their dominions in various parts of the world. While nations thirst for empire, there will be wars. It is the philosophy of all history, and every one who takes the time to think about it knows that it is so. Then where is the chance for a universal peace? Such a thing is a moral impossibility in the present condition of the world.
SUNDAY LAW IN SAVANNAH.
Savannah, Ga., a town notorious, a correspondent tells us, for its wide-open dens of infamy, has a spasm of moral virtue and demands that these disreputable places shall be closed—on Sunday. The Savannah Press of September 25 says:—
"The Bryan Street clothing and shoe dealers, and even the Greek and Italian fruit venders, observed the sacred character of the day. . . . God-fearing and respecting people have rights, and if reverence for the day does not inspire some people to observe the Sabbath, then the law should see, as it did yesterday, and compel a consistent observance of the day."
All of which shows the utter lack of discrimination between things that differ, always manifest in connection with Sunday laws. All who observe the "sacred character" of the Sabbath will keep the very day God has enjoined,—the seventh; they will keep it in the way He has enjoined,—holy; and they will therefore do it, not because of civil law, but because God has commanded it. No law can compel a consistent observance of a single command of God unless that law is written in the heart; and then it will compel only the one in whose heart it is written. "God is Spirit." His "law is spiritual." Its only "consistent observance" is spiritual, and this no civil law can enforce. Why can not ministers and religious people see the difference between divine and human, between spiritual and temporal, between moral and civil?
THE TEMPORAL POWER OF THE POPE.
It has been thought by many Protestants, and intimated by some Catholics, that the "temporal power of the pope" is no longer desired. Of course any one knowing the teaching of that church knew to the contrary. Others need assurance from time to time from Rome herself. This is what a Jesuit father has to say upon the question, in an August issue of the London Daily Telegraph, as quoted in the Catholic Mirror of September 16. After discussing the strength and vitality of the Papacy, the success achieved in England, France, and Germany, the writer says:—
"But, anxious as Leo XIII. has ever shown himself to cultivate peace and amity with foreign sovereigns, there is one tremendous exception. With the kingdom of Italy, as such, he will have no friendship. There his attitude is sternly uncompromising. There he utters an unfaltering non possumus. The pope demands, and in conscience must demand, such a position as shall subject him to no power which can trammel his action, and shall leave him in possession of true and real freedom for the due governance of the church. In the first year of his pontificate the pope set down his foot with unmistakable decision, and never for a moment has he withdrawn it. In the first place, that we may assert to the best of our power the rights and liberty of this holy see, we shall never cease to contend for the obedience due to our authority, for the removal of the obstacles which hinder the full liberty of our ministry, and for our restoration to that condition in which the counsels of the Divine Wisdom first placed the Roman bishops. We are not moved to demand this restoration by ambition or the desire of dominion, but by our office and by the religious oaths which bind us, and because this principality is necessary to preserve the full liberty of the spiritual power, and because it is clear that the cause of the public good and the safety of society are involved. Hence we can not omit—because of our office, by which we are bound to defend the rights of holy church—to renew and confirm by these our letters all the declarations and protests which Pius IX. published and reiterated against occupation of his civil principality and against the violation of the rights of the Roman Church."
And thus he closes:—
"For Italy to persevere in her hostility to the holy see means certain ruin. With a disunited people on one side and bankruptcy on the other, she can hardly last long. But the remedy is in her own hands, and both justice and expediency are clamoring for its application,—the restoration of the pope to his temporal power."
THE CHURCH AND THE SOCIAL PROBLEM.
By T.
IN a recent issue of the Mansfield College Magazine, Mr. Percy Alden, the warden of the Mansfield College settlement, said:—
"But before long the great majority of the religious teachers of England will have to face the question, 'What is my relation to the labor movement and the organized workers of the country, and how far am I justified in insisting only on spiritual truths and neglecting the hard facts of social environment?' The religious man who thinks can not escape the social problem. It follows one as closely as the Black Care of the Roman poet. It is seated close behind us, it never quits us, and it never will quit us until Christianity is not only preached but applied, until we have learned the lesson that man is his brother's keeper, not merely from the spiritual but also from the economic point of view. The duty of the church, it seems to me, is very positive; it has not come to destroy, but to fulfil; its policy is a constructive one; it must have a clearly understood and defined moral tone for politics, for industry, for poverty, and for all the social inequalities and miseries of the age."
The thing that the church people of to-day need to do is to study Jesus of Nazareth closely. For it is said of Him that "the common people heard Him gladly." It is the "common people" that the church talks so much about trying to reach. They gravely say, "What shall we do with the labor problem and the other social problems that are confronting the world to-day?" But when Jesus was here the people thronged to hear Him, for He came to them as the Son of man as well as the Son of God.
What all of the ministers in all of our churches need is to learn more of what the Bible means when it speaks of Christ as the "Son of man." He was a man among men. He wore common clothes like common people. He went to the homes of the common people. He took their little children in His arms, and there was something so sympathetic in His nature that their little hearts could drink in from Him more than a father's or mother's love.
O, what we need is the Christ life, the Christ love for humanity! and then we will see that anything that relates to humanity is a question with which we have to do. We will not wait for the church to be driven into taking a hand in this or that problem, but as individual Christians we will be ready at all times for every good work.
There are men and women to-day who are hungering for great, warm-hearted Christian sympathy just as much as there were in the time of Christ's earthly ministry. What we need is to come into a living vital connection with the Master so that we can love as He loved, and feel as He felt, and sympathize as He sympathized, and then we will be ready to do a work for the masses. Then we will be able to show the people the meaning of all these labor troubles, and capital troubles, and every other social ill, and at the same time point them the way out.
O, that every one that has named the name of Christ might be baptized into His spirit of devotion to distressed and suffering humanity! T.
STRIFE BETWEEN CAPITAL AND LABOR.
By J. W. Collie
IN recent years the struggle between capital and labor has been growing more intense, until at the present time it is breaking out into open revolt, and it is only a question of time until there will be a general uprising throughout the entire country.
The writer does not express the above statement from a pessimistic standpoint, but from a standpoint of personal observation. The rich are growing richer, and while the plea is made that better wages are being paid than ever before, it is a fact that the smaller merchants and manufacturers are being forced out of business by the larger concerns, and gigantic trusts of to-day are in a position to manipulate not only prices, but wages as well. Men of good minds and executive ability have been swallowed up by their competitors, or forced to accept some minor position that does not allow their full development, and thus a growing discontent fills their minds.
In the last few months we have had a noticeable illustration of the strife between capital and labor, in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. The street-car employees to the number of 800 went out on a strike because of certain well-defined propositions. The company were not disposed to listen to them, and other men were employed. Then began a series of disturbances on the part of sympathizers, that has placed Cleveland in a very bad light before the world. Riots of the most serious kind have occurred; cars blown up by dynamite; thousands of dollars' worth of property destroyed; and yet no concessions have been made by the company. A general boycott was ordered against the company by labor organizations, and the receipts of the company fell short about $3,000 a day. Merchants were told that if they sold goods to persons riding on the cars of the company, they would be placed under the ban of the relentless boycott. Wagons of all descriptions were placed in service to parallel the street-car lines, and yet the company has gone along quietly, as if there was no such thing as this disturbance, right in their midst, and directed against them.
What is the reason for this?—Capital can stand the great pressure brought to bear against her, for her weapon of warfare is a mighty one. The weapon of the laboring man is already wearing itself away, and in a short time will only be a matter of history. Our sympathies are always with those who are oppressed, but not to the extent of the use of any unlawful means.
The Word of God says, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." That is the only thing that will settle these perplexing questions, and we say, Hasten on, glad day, and bring deliverance to the sons of men.
Cleveland, Ohio. J. W. COLLIE.
"COME; FOR ALL THINGS ARE NOW READY."
By R. D. Quinn
WHILE we watch with intense interest the unfolding events in the political world, which point so unmistakably to the crisis just before us, when the combined agencies of Satan will at last be fully united against God and the laws of His government, let us also note with as much interest the rapidly fulfilling prophecies of Jesus which point to the same end. We have at last reached the eleventh hour. The word is going forth, "Come; for all things are now ready." The servants are now giving the last call to the marriage supper of the Lamb. "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city," and "into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled."
This message has with it a compelling power, because the servants who are sent are vitalized by the unction of the Holy Spirit.
May none underestimate the work now being done for the poor and outcast by the helping hand and medical missions which have so recently sprung up in nearly all our large cities. Isaiah tells us, "If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday."
A work of this kind was begun some time ago in Butte, the great need of which will be apparent to all when the conditions are known. Butte is a great center for workingmen, who flock here in large numbers, and only a few comparatively get work. This gives us an excellent opportunity to show a helping hand.
Three Views of Helping Hand Mission, Butte, Montana.
Idleness and a neglect to strengthen the hand of the poor will always bring about a veritable Sodom. Hence we see everywhere the soul-destroying agencies of Satan. There are in this city three hundred saloons, many large gambling-houses, crowded day and night, beer halls, variety shows, dance-houses, and many other vile haunts, well patronized by both men and women. Saddest of all is the fact that one whole section of the principal part of the city is set apart for fallen women, the number of whom is nearly three thousand.
Thus far we have been greatly hindered by not having a favorable location, but just now there is being erected a building such as we desire in the very midst of this stronghold of Satan. We believe that God would have us plant the standard of His righteousness on this battle-field and pour forth the straight truth. Such efforts require a sacrifice. We are thankful that God has raised up consecrated workers in this place who are willing to go without the camp, bearing the reproach.
Are there not some who will hold up their hands by giving of their means? We need one hundred dollars just now to fit up new quarters and place the work on a self-supporting basis. How many will send one dollar or more, thus becoming a part of this good work, the results of which will stand as a monument throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity?
Address all mail matter to R. D. Quinn, 553 South Main Street, Butte, Mont.
TRUE MISSIONARY WORK.
By W. N. G.
WHATEVER of expediency there may be in this or that nation-seizing territory by physical force, the plea of advancing Christian missionary work by that means will not hold good. There is no such idea contained in the commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." Moreover, those who are actually engaged in missionary work have not advocated the doctrine of the expansion of any government's jurisdiction for the sake of its missionary influence. The Missionary Herald says that only fanatics would entertain the idea of seizing territory for the purpose of propagating any form of religion. In addition it says:—
No missionary board and no missionary that we have ever heard of has had any wish of this sort. Individuals identified with missions have differed in opinion as to the expediency or inexpediency of ratifying the treaty drafted at Paris, but whether favoring such ratification or not, they repudiate the suggestion that opinions on the subject have been formed in view of any supposed advantage in connection with missionary work. Well-informed persons recognize no such advantage as accruing from the political supremacy of the United States.
The Herald is the organ of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. And the apostle Paul says, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." 2 Cor. 10:4. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood," therefore we have no use for carnal weapons. Ours is a controversy with a spiritual enemy, so we need the "whole armor of God," which consists of spiritual weapons, the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), and the feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. See Eph. 6:10-20. W. N. G.
A WORKER'S PRAYER.
"May every soul that touches mine,
Be it the slightest contact,
Get therefrom some good,
Some little grace, some kindly thought,
One aspiration yet unfelt,
One bit of courage for the darkening sky,
One gleam of faith
To brave the thickening ills of life,
One glimpse of brighter skies
Beyond the gathering mists,
To make the life worth while,
And heaven a surer heritage."
The Promise of Christ’s Companionship
"Lo, I AM with you always." This promise is predicated upon the command, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." It is therefore a conditional promise; therefore, to insure the companionship of Christ, one must go forward with His work. He is the leader of His work, and no one can stand still and retain the blessing of His company, for His work never stops. It is first obedience, and then companionship. Every individual can not go in person to all the world; but he can go in spirit, and that implies the use of whatever means is at his command.
Idleness of the people of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed them; and this sin, with gambling, drinking halls, and
Native Bible Women in Methodist Missions
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church has upon its rolls seven hundred native Bible women, who go from home to home in the cities and villages reading the Bible and teaching Christ.
