IN his “Washington News and Notes,” contributed to a recent issue of the United Presbyterian, Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts devotes a paragraph to the postal service in the District of Columbia. He says:—
The city postmaster of the national capital, and probably other postmasters, has ordered that post-office banking, the registration of money letters, shall hereafter go forward on Sabbaths as on other days, apparently oblivious of the fact that recent scandals have shown that there is too little conscience already in the postal service, and that steps should be taken to increase rather than decrease it. To some of us it seems logical that those whom the government taught to break the fourth commandment should also break the eighth. But it is amazing that postal authorities should at this critical time take a step calculated to diminish conscience in the very men who handle the most valuable mail. From a one-hour opening of a few post-offices, with no carrier delivery anywhere, government Sabbath-breaking has gone steadily on for years, the carriers being first sent out with official mail in Washington, following which has come carrier delivery to hotels and Sunday papers, and, in Chicago, to Sunday theaters. As the Sunday mail introduced Sunday trains, Sunday papers, and Sunday traffic, it is logical to start a recovery by insisting that the government shall no longer use the mails as a battering ram to destroy this American Christian institution. London and Toronto prove that all Sabbath work in post-offices may be suspended. Let the labor unions and churches again, as in 1888, demand the entire cessation of Sabbath postal work. Will the time ever come when intelligent men will cease to quote the fourth commandment as a basis of obligation for observing the first day of the week as the Sabbath? There is no more authority in the fourth commandment for Sunday-keeping than there is in the second commandment for image worship. It may be proper for Mr. Crafts to speak of Sunday as “this American . . . institution,” but we must omit “Christian” from the phrase, and forever object to its being defended as a divine institution. We note also that Mr. Crafts is inviting the labor unions, against whose methods the secular press is emphatically protesting, to join with the churches to compel the observance of Sunday. When this is done, we may look for a revival of the times of persecution for the faith.
The Arbitrary Demands of Labor Unions
Some of the secular papers are speaking in no uncertain tones concerning the arbitrary demands of the labor unions, and their assumption of the right to dictate to everybody else, including the State and national governments. The New York Sun calls attention to “two interesting propositions” put forward by the labor unions:—
Two significant positions have been taken by labor organizations in the year now approaching its final period. Certain bodies have forbidden their members to belong to the national guard, and have not hesitated to say that they were in favor of the disintegration of the State militia. Their declared reason for this was the employment of soldiers to put down strikes. . . .
The second position is that taken by the [New York] elevated railway motormen, that an employer has no full right to determine the standard of efficiency for his employees. They themselves are to decide just what tests of physical fitness he may demand; and if he exceeds the limit, they are to quit work.
Brought together, these two propositions mean that the employee is the sole judge of his own ability to discharge his duties; that if the employer objects, the employee shall go on strike; and that if while on strike he resorts to lawless methods to prevent any other man from taking his place, there shall not be maintained by the State any force capable of preventing him from so doing.
It is easy to see that there is a significance in these propositions which may not be fully apprehended even by those who make them. The prophecies of the Scriptures are being fulfilled.
Note and Comment
SPIRITUALISM is fast assuming the garb of religion. At the recent convention of the National Association of Spiritualists, held in this city, a new ritual was adopted. Provision was made for the “ordination” of pastors, or ministers, and a company of believers in Spiritualism was recognized as “a church.” This will be seen by reading the following section from the new ritual:—
No pastor or minister shall be settled over a church or society without first having been formally inducted into office by what has been known from the earliest ages of religious history as the service of ordination. No person can become a candidate for ordination until he has received a call to the pastorate of some church or society, or been appointed missionary by some State Spiritualist Association, incorporated as a religious body in the State in which it is located, or by the National Spiritualist Association of the United States of America. All persons who are candidates for pastorates or for missionary work must have been for at least three years in full fellowship with some Spiritualist church or society and for at least two years a licentiate, commissioned by a State or the national association as a trial speaker. Pastors settled for less than one full calendar year shall be ineligible for ordination.
How long will it be before organized Spiritualism will be duly recognized as a branch of the Christian church? “When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near.” Truly the end is near. Let us redeem the time.
Temperance Reform in the South
THE progress of temperance reform in the South, so far as it is indicated by the legal status of prohibition, is thus summarized by the New York Sun:—
That steady extension of the prohibitory system which has been going on in the South has reached North Carolina. The Raleigh Legislature has adopted a measure making optional in rural towns either total prohibition or the alternative of a dispensary on the South Carolina plan as a substitute for the barroom. There are ninety-seven counties in North Carolina, and sixty of these had already adopted prohibition before the passage of this measure.
Both Texas and Mississippi are now practically prohibition States. A pioneer in the movement was Georgia after the adoption of the dispensary system in South Carolina, and Florida and Arkansas were soon afterward added through the establishment of absolute prohibition in fifty counties of Alabama, thirty of Florida, and fifty of Arkansas.
The most remarkable thing in the temperance movement in the South is that it has been successful without the intervention or even the co-operation of any formally organized prohibition party there. The forces enlisted in the cause in the South are moral, social, and religious.
In Tennessee two thirds of the counties have adopted prohibition, and that State is the next on the program of the temperance men for “ransom from rum,” as the agitation is called in the South.
In view of these facts, it is interesting to remember that the prohibitory law has been repealed in Vermont, and that at the last session of the Maine Legislature an effort was made to do the same thing in that State. Will the South yet lead the North in temperance sentiment?
Promises of Air Travel and Gold
A MAN in Chicago, Schoonmaker by name, promises that we shall soon be able to navigate the air with the ease and safety of birds; another in Merlin, Ore., a chemist and metallurgist, announces that he has discovered a way of making gold from slate.
Comfort Ye My People
By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle
MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE
O comfort my people; their sorrows are deep;
For the sinners in Zion are idly asleep,
And the hypocrite mocks at the chosen of God,
While the voice of the scoffer is sounding abroad.
O comfort my people; and thus shall ye cry:
“Though, stricken by famine, a thousand shall die,
By the hand of Jehovah his own shall be fed,
Though the plague-stricken earth shall be strewn with her dead.”
O comfort my people; my care will I prove,
I will watch o’er mine own with the tenderest love;
For the angels of God shall encompass their path,
And protect my beloved from the enemy’s wrath.
O comfort my people; though dark be the sky,
The beloved of my soul shall not languish and die;
Though the waves of affliction in torrents may roll,
I will say to mine own, “It is well with thy soul.”
Then comfort my people; the morning draws nigh
When the chariots of God shall descend from the sky,
And the trumpet shall sound o’er the universe broad,
And mine own shall ascend to the city of God.
A Personal Appeal to Every Believer
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE
THERE are times when a distinct view is presented before me of the condition of the remnant church,—a condition of appalling indifference to the needs of a world perishing for lack of knowledge of the truth for this time. Then I have hours, and sometimes days, of intense anguish. Many to whom have been committed the saving truths of the third angel’s message fail of realizing that the salvation of souls is dependent upon the consecration and activity of God’s church. As grateful recipients of Heaven’s blessings, believers are to diffuse the light of truth to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. But many are using these blessings in the service of self. Their influence is no better than the influence of worldlings. O how my heart aches because Christ is put to shame by their unchristlike behavior! But after the agony is past, I feel like working harder than ever to arouse them to put forth unselfish effort for the saving of their fellow men.
God has made his people stewards of his grace and truth, and how does he regard their neglect to impart these blessings to their fellow men? Let us suppose that a distant colony belonging to Great Britain is in great distress because of famine and threatened war. Multitudes are dying of starvation, and a powerful enemy is gathering on the frontier, threatening to hasten the work of death. The government at home opens its stores; public charity pours forth; relief flows through many channels. A fleet is freighted with the precious means of life, and is sent to the scene of suffering, accompanied by the prayers of those whose hearts are stirred to help. And for a time the fleet sails directly for its destination. But having lost sight of land, the ardor of those entrusted with the work of carrying food to the starving sufferers abates. Though engaged in a work that makes them co-laborers with the angels, they lose the good impressions with which they started forth. Through evil counselors temptation enters.
A group of islands lies in their course, and though far short of their destination, they decide to call. The temptation that has already entered grows stronger. The selfish spirit of gain takes possession of their minds. Mercantile advantages present themselves. Those in charge of the fleet are prevailed on to remain on the islands. Their original purpose of mercy fades from their sight. They forget the starving people to whom they were sent. The stores entrusted to them are used for their own benefit. The means of benevolence is diverted into channels of selfishness. They barter the means of life for selfish gain, and leave their fellow beings to die. The cries of the perishing ascend to heaven, and the Lord writes in his record the tale of robbery.
Think of the horror of human beings dying because those placed in charge of the means of relief proved unfaithful to their trust! It is difficult for us to realize that man could be guilty of so terrible a sin. Yet I am instructed to say to you, my brother, my sister, that Christians are daily repeating this sin.
In Eden, man fell from his high estate, and through transgression became subject to death. It was seen in heaven that human beings were perishing, and the compassion of God was stirred. At infinite cost he devised a means of relief. He “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” There was no hope for the transgressor except through Christ. God saw that “there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.”
The Lord chose a people, and made them the depositaries of his truth. It was his purpose that by the revelation of his character through Israel men should be drawn unto him. To all the world the gospel invitation was to be given. Through the teaching of the sacrificial service, Christ was to be uplifted before the nations, and all who would look unto him should live.
But Israel did not fulfil God’s purpose. They forgot God, and lost sight of their high privilege as his representatives. The blessings they had received brought no blessing to the world. All their advantages were appropriated for their own glorification. They robbed God of the service he required of them, and they robbed their fellow men of religious guidance and a holy example.
God finally sent his Son to reveal to men the character of the Unseen. Christ came and lived on this earth a life of obedience to God’s law. He gave his precious life to save the world, and made his servants his stewards in trust. With the gift of Christ all the treasures of heaven were given to man. The church was freighted with the food of heaven for starving souls. This was the treasure that the people of God were commissioned to carry to the world. They were faithfully to perform their duty, continuing their work until the message of mercy had encircled the world.
Christ ascended to heaven, and sent his Holy Spirit to give power to the work of his disciples. Thousands were converted in a day. In a single generation the gospel was carried to every nation under heaven. But little by little a change came. The church lost her first love. She became selfish and ease-loving. The spirit of worldliness was cherished. The enemy cast his spell upon those to whom God had given light for a world in darkness,—light which should have shone forth in good works. The world was robbed of the blessings that God desired men to receive.
Is not the same thing repeated in this generation? Many in our day are keeping back that which the Lord has entrusted to them for the salvation of a world unwarned, unsaved. In the Word of God an angel is represented as flying in the midst of heaven, “having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water.”
The message of Revelation 14 is the message that we are to bear to the world. It is the bread of life for these last days. Millions of human beings are perishing in ignorance and iniquity. But many of those to whom God has committed the stores of life look upon these souls with indifference. Many forget that to them has been entrusted the bread of life for those starving for salvation.
O for consecrated Christians, for Christlike consistency, for the faith that works by love and purifies the soul! May God help us to repent, and change our sluggish movements into consecrated activity. May he help us to show by our9words and works that we make the burden of perishing souls our own.
Let us be thankful every moment for God’s forbearance with our tardy, unbelieving movements. Instead of flattering ourselves with the thought of what we have done, after doing just a little, we are to labor still more earnestly. We are not to cease our efforts or relax our vigilance. Never is our zeal to grow less. Our spiritual life must be daily revived by the stream that makes glad the city of our God. We must be always on the watch for opportunities to use for God the talents that he has given us.
I appeal to our church-members to use for God the powers that he has given them. Wherever there is true conversion, there is a reformation, a consecration to God. Every one who with genuine faith believes in Christ enters into his service. Our faith must now be a faith that is constantly increasing. God’s people are no longer to sit at their ease, waiting for an opening, when it is their duty to make an opening and then go to work.
Let every believer ask himself, “What can I do to proclaim the third angel’s message?” Christ came to this world to give this message to his servant to give to the churches. It is to be proclaimed to every nation and kindred and tongue and people. How are we to give it? The distribution of our literature is one means by which the message is to be proclaimed. Let every believer scatter broadcast tracts and leaflets and books containing the message for this time. We need colporteurs, who will go forth to circulate our publications everywhere.
Those who labor for souls need to remember that they are pledged to co-operate with Christ, to obey his directions, to follow his guidance. Every hour they are to ask for and receive power from on high. They are to cherish a constant sense of the Saviour’s love, of his efficiency, his watchfulness, his tenderness. They are to look to him as the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls. Then they will have the sympathy and support of the heavenly angels. Christ will be their joy and crown of rejoicing. Their hearts will be controlled by the Holy Spirit, and they will go forth clothed with holy zeal. Their efforts will be accompanied with a power proportionate to the importance of the message they proclaim.
_Our Message_
By W. S. Cruzan
W. S. CRUZAN
THE message that has been given to this people to be given to the world, is a definite and distinct message, and God is now calling upon us to prepare ourselves for the final effort—the closing of the gospel work to the world. To me it is a very solemn thought that soon the offer of grace and mercy which has been extended to this world ever since sin entered the fair domain of God, is to be withdrawn. The people of this world who have been neglecting and slighting this offer of grace and mercy will soon realize that it is too late to begin the work of character building for eternity. God in his great love to us has permitted us to hear and open our hearts to obey this glorious truth, and his desire is that in all our work there may appear the infinite character of God, and not the character of finite man. The great principles of his divine law must be wrought out in our characters, then “rays of light from the sanctuary above will attend the precious truth” we bear to the world.
This building of character for eternity is the most important work that has ever engaged the human mind, and is to be wrought out through divine power; and when thus wrought out, it will stand before the world presenting in our characters the principles of the throne of the living God.
The Lord is to purge us from every defilement of soul, then he can give to us such a measure of his Spirit as will qualify us to impart to others his saving power.
In every place the third angel’s message must yet be carried. Its light must yet dawn upon every dark place of earth, which has not seen its radiance.
Our faces are to shine with the light of heaven as the third angel’s message swells into a loud cry, and closes up with power and glory. Who is preparing for this?
True Heroism
By D. T. Bourdeau
D. T. BOURDEAU
TRUE heroism is a rare thing to-day, yet it does exist in our world at the present. If it did not, there would be no one in it battling with and overcoming sin, and walking in the progressive way of holiness leading from earth to heaven.
There is much that passes for heroism to-day that is unworthy of that name, because manifested in killing others through sinister motives, especially to build up self and obtain what the generality of mankind call fame. Shame on such a misapplication of terms that should be used for entirely different purposes, and with an entirely different sense attached to them.
O that men and women—the young, the middle-aged, and the aged—might attain unto that heroism which is seen in coping with and overcoming by faith in Jesus Christ, difficulties and obstacles designed by the enemy of God and man to keep them from living righteously in this present evil world; putting forth proper efforts in laboring for their salvation, and for that of those who are perishing in their sins! O that we all, by looking unto our mighty Captain and Saviour for grace and strength, might turn away from self and worldly fame, and fasten our minds on the glory of God, and on that fame and honor which come from God alone, and which will constitute a part of the reward of the humble overcomer!
Here is the battle-ground on which to seek for and obtain true heroism. Here, that courage and those deeds of valor are necessary, and are brought into requisition by heroes of faith, which those are wholly ignorant of who are constantly aping after what the masses call heroism and fame; and who, continuing thus to do, show themselves to be the greatest cowards imaginable by refusing to step on this battle-ground, and to engage in such conflicts with sin and Satan as such an act would involve.
But on this ground millions in the past have become heroes of faith, have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and have even turned defeats into victories. On this ground Noah, notwithstanding the scoffs and opposition of blind unbelief, preached and practised righteousness, and built an ark for the saving of himself and his family. On this ground the father of the faithful and believing raised his knife to sacrifice his dear and only son, but was not suffered to do this because God saw that he loved and feared him, and had learned the lesson of faith that he had been too slow to learn. On this ground Jacob wrestled with the Lord till he obtained the victory, received the divine blessing, and was called a prince of God. On this battle-ground many have become heroes of faith and patience, while suffering from pain and sickness and persecution; and on it myriads have triumphed in God, even in laying down their lives for his truth and the honor of his cause.
“All things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28), and by faith we may under all circumstances honor God by true heroism, and obtain the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.