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Worthy of Note
A heated debate is now in progress in the French Chamber of Deputies, over a government bill aimed at the Catholic orders. Papal influence has been brought to bear against it, and therefore the defenders of the Catholic orders are leading a strenuous opposition to the bill. In the debate on January 21, M. Waldeck-Rousseau, the premier, declared that “the bill would be a test point as to whether civil power or religious authority was to have supremacy.” He said it was necessary for the civil power to take back from these religious orders the privilege of teaching the children, because they had ever been seeking, from the beginning of the century, to bring about a counter revolution. “Never,” said he, “have they been more dangerous than they are now. They are trying to gain control of universal suffrage, and to that end they are creating a new electoral congregation; but we are tired of this slavery, and demand emancipation.”
The last report of the governor of Alaska includes a financial report from the clerk of the second district of the fees received in that district during the three weeks ending April 11, 1900. From this report it is seen that, while $45,410 was taken in from liquor licenses, only $11,579 was taken in from all other sources. This shows how the liquor trade of Alaska compares with other business in that district, and incidentally the result of the action of Congress in killing the prohibitory law of Alaska. The governor also declares that there has been much smuggling of liquors to be peddled out to the natives.
Rev. Edwin M. Bliss, in a recent article in the Independent, gives some interesting statistics in regard to the growth of religious bodies in the United States. According to the figures given, a most remarkable growth has been shown by the Christian Scientists. From a membership of 8,724 in 1890, their members have grown to 1,000,000 at the present time. What is more remarkable, according to this statement, their membership increased 920,000 during the year 1900. But this is doubtless largely a showing of former conversions in new organizations.
The relations between the United States and Venezuela have become more and more strained during the week. According to the press despatches, the matter has already assumed a grave aspect. The Venezuelan Government persists in its demands upon foreign business men and corporations, and has seized a number of steamers belonging to them. France, England, and America have war vessels in the vicinity, and the Navy Department at Washington is preparing to send other vessels if the situation grows more serious.
The Red Lantern Society is the name of a Boxer society of Chinese young women which has recently come to notice. The members of this society, after going thru certain rites, claim the power of spirit flight, in which they can go to any place or country, and, as spirits, work against the foreigners, or assist the Boxers in China when in battle with the foreigners. A girl who is about to “fly” simply goes into a trance and remains prostrated, sometimes for days at a time, without moving a muscle or speaking a word.
The act establishing the Department of Public Instruction for the Philippines was passed by the Philippine Commission on January 21. Two of the commissioners sought to have all religious teaching excluded from the schools, as they considered this would be in harmony with their instructions. As the act was finally passed, however, it permits religious instruction in the schools thrice weekly by priests or ministers, to pupils whose parents desire their children to receive such instruction.
Several members of the local W. C. T. U. of Wichita, Kansas, have been energetically wrecking the saloons of that place. Mrs. Nation, the leader of the anti-saloon forces, had been incarcerated some days ago for a raid upon a saloon, but as soon as released was joined by several others, and together they wrecked two saloons, and were attempting to enter a third when arrested. The women threaten to demolish every saloon in Wichita.
During the year 1899 the American Bible Society issued 1,406,800 copies of the Bible. During the eighty-four years of its existence, this society has sold 67,369,306 Bibles, including translations into 58 different languages. Many thousand copies of the Bible are now being circulated in Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Philippines, where their sale was formerly prohibited by the Catholic Church.
At a caucus of the Republican members of Congress held on January 18, it was decided not to take up further consideration of the Nicaragua Canal Bill until England has had time to consider and act upon the amended Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
The total value of exports from the United States for the year 1900, was $1,478,050,854, or $202,582,883 in excess of the record of 1899, which was the highest previous record.
The British Government has decided to send large re-enforcements to South Africa, and the War Office has begun the work of enlisting volunteers. It is reported from South Africa that General De Wet has crossed the Vaal, and joined forces with the Transvaal commandos. If correct, this means the concentration of about 7,000 men for an attack upon some British post. Martial law has now been proclaimed over nearly the whole of South Africa, including Tombuland, Griqualand East, and East and West Pondoland. More heavy guns are to be landed at the cape for use against the invaders. Skirmishes or small engagements continue, but the censorship of press despatches is so rigid that little is known of the present conditions in that part of Africa.
Reports from Europe indicate a decline in industrial prosperity. This is believed to be due to the increase of American manufactures and the fact that nations which had been buyers of manufactured articles in European markets are now manufacturing for themselves or buying from America. America’s entrance into the markets of the world is strongly resented by the European nations, and the talk of a European commercial combination against America is being revived. This commercial competition is adding to the feeling of bitterness between the nations, and is helping to ripen off the harvest of the world.
Half a million dollars was paid recently by the Bell Telephone Company for an invention of Dr. M. I. Pupin, in which ocean cables can be used for telephone purposes. The company has been investigating the claims of the inventor for the past year, and seems to have become convinced that telephoning under the ocean is possible and feasible. The invention consists of the insertion of re-enforcing coils at regular intervals along the cable. The invention will also be applied to land telephone lines, thus reducing materially the cost of long-distance telephone construction.
The new Naval Appropriation Bill was reported to the House on January 19, and an elaborate statement of its plans made by the chairman of the Naval Committee. The bill calls for an expenditure of $77,016,635, the largest amount ever reported to the House by the committee on naval affairs. The bill authorizes the building of two first-class battle-ships and two first-class armored cruisers, each of which is to have a displacement of 14,000 tons, with the most powerful armor and armament.
The Army Reorganization Bill passed the Senate on January 18. All attempts to prevent the increase of the strength of the army were defeated by a strong majority. During the last hours of the debate vigorous efforts were put forth to so amend the bill as to prevent the importation of all kinds of liquor into the Philippines; but the attempted amendments were voted down. The bill as passed prohibits the canteen in the army.
The cadets of the United States Military Academy belonging to all four of the classes have united in a notification to the superintendent of the academy to the effect that hazing will henceforth be discontinued by the students of that institution. This action of the cadets is a result of the vigorous investigation which has been carried on in the academy by the committee recently appointed by Congress.
The fire losses throughout the United States and Canada during the past twelve months amounted to $163,362,250. This, of course, includes only fire losses on property which was insured. It will be seen that the loss for the past year was much more than for the previous year, which amounted to $136,773,200; and this also shows a heavy increase over the fire losses of the year 1898.
Representatives of the Central Catholics, at a meeting in Manila on January 15, urged upon the Taft Commission the adoption of an amendment to the school laws providing for the exclusive employment of native and Catholic teachers in the schools of the Philippines. Judge Taft informed these representatives that the commission could not possibly adopt such an amendment.
A number of kidnappings have been reported as the result of the securing of the large sum of money by those who kidnapped the son of Mr. Cudahy. A case is reported from Georgia, in which a considerable sum of money was paid to the supposed kidnappers; but the child was not returned, and is still in the hands of his captors.
The number of marriages recorded in Indiana during the past year was 27,671, and the number of divorces granted was 4,699, or about one divorce for every six marriages. This high divorce rate is made possible by the peculiarity of the law of that State, which makes the securing of a divorce a very easy matter.
The riot at Corbin, Kentucky, which resulted in the killing of three persons, was taken in hand by the militia on January 18. Several arrests were made, and, although both factions are still under arms, it is believed that quiet has been restored.
The British cruiser Sybille was wrecked off the coast of South Africa on January 17. Her whole crew, with the exception of one man, was saved. This cruiser had been landing bluejackets to intercept the Boers.
Bishop Potter’s plan for the purification of New York City is being carried out in one regard, that is, in the creation of a vigilance committee to assist in the suppression of vice. The committee is now being formed, but the number of persons who will be placed upon that committee has not been announced.
The president of the Tobacco Trust announces that the sale of cigarettes has fallen off thirty per cent. during the last year. Governor McMillan, in his message to the Tennessee Legislature, recommended the enactment of the cigaret law, which has been declared constitutional on a technicality.
The pope has executed his political will, and delivered a sealed copy of the same to each of the cardinals who attended the reception at the Vatican. The seal of the will is not to be broken until after the pope’s death, and he says he has no reason to think that he will live beyond this year.
The information comes from South America that Chile had recently proposed to four other South American republics that they divide Bolivia between them. Peru promptly rejected the offer, and as a mark of her displeasure, requested Chile to withdraw her minister.
A despatch from China states that the dean of the diplomatic corps has received from the Chinese peace envoys the joint note signed by them. It is supposed that this document also bears the great seal of China, tho the fact is not stated.
Astronomers are now at work on the problem of the actual distance of the sun from the earth. The planet Eros and its orbit will be factors in the calculation, and therefore greater accuracy is expected in attaining the result sought.
Twenty-five persons lost their lives by the sinking of the British steamship Kaisari, near the island of Reunion, east of Madagascar, on January 12. The vessel was driven ashore in a hurricane.
The United States revenue cutter Grant is reported to have seized a British sloop in Puget Sound for violation of the smuggling law and the Japanese exclusion law.
The River and Harbor Bill, carrying an appropriation of nearly $60,000,000 for the rivers and harbors of the country, passed the House on January 16.
The British four-masted ship Mueltryvan foundered in the English Channel on January 20, and 11 of her crew were drowned.
ONE DOLLAR GIVEN AWAY!
By Editor
The publishers of the Medical Missionary and Gospel of Health make the following special offer: To each one who will send us his name and address and two one year subscriptions to the Medical Missionary and Gospel of Health, fifty cents each, we will send free a box of health foods worth one dollar at the retail price. The box will contain the following:—
1 Tin Protose,
1 Tin Nuttolene,
1 Large Package Granose Biscuits,
1 Full Package Granola,
1 Full Package Caramel-cereal,
1 Small Package Bromose,
1 Copy Midwinter Number of “Good Health.”
The total value of the above, at regular retail price, is $1.02. This box will be sent absolutely free for two subscriptions to Medical Missionary and Gospel of Health and $1.00. If you are already a subscriber to the journal, send in one new subscription with your renewal for the year 1901.
This is the most liberal proposition we have ever made; it is only made possible by the generous donation of these foods for this purpose by the Battle Creek Health Food Company and the Sanitas Nut Food Company.
Beginning with the January number, the Medical Missionary and Gospel of Health will be enlarged in scope and greatly improved. A new department will be added, to be called “The Mothers’ Council,” which will be under the supervision of the Visiting Committee of the Haskell Home, and will contain practical articles for the home on all subjects relating to the making of a healthy Christian home. Practical lessons in cookery, dressmaking, simple methods of treating the sick, the care of infants, child culture, and physical development, are a few of the subjects which will be treated by able writers, among whom will be numbered Mrs. J. H. Kellogg, for many years national superintendent of mothers’ work for the W. C. T. U., Mrs. E. H. Whitney, Mrs. S. M. Baker, Dr. A. M. Winegar, and Dr. Kate Lindsay.
The next volume will be rich with thrilling reports of actual experiences of medical missionaries in home and foreign fields.
The box is free.
This offer is good for sixty days.
Genuine Oxford
By Editor
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What Uncle Sam Thinks of the Densmore and New Century
During the year 1899, the U. S. Department of Agriculture purchased 25 Densmores; the U. S. Department of Justice, 52 Densmores; the U. S. Interior Department, 71 Densmores; and the U. S. Weather Bureau purchased 50 New Centurys.
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The Drift Toward Rome
The Roman Catholic Mirror is congratulating itself over the fact that while in the beginning of the century they were in this country but 50,000 in number, or one one-hundredth of the population, they now number 12,000,000, or one-seventh part of the population. They also say that, while much of this increase is due to emigration, “at the present time there is an unmistakable drift toward the Church of Rome, and the number of converts from the ranks of ministers of religion and from representative laymen of the denominations, was never greater.” And this we believe to be true, but it is a drift, a drift of perplexed souls, drifting because Protestantism has lost its chart and compass. But it is not progress truthward. It is but a recoil from rationalism to ritualism, from self-dependence to dependence on a mother unable to save.
Why the Law Is Slacked
“The law is slacked,” the prophet tells us. Read the article in another column for one of the reasons. Another will be given next week.
Faith Not Feeling
Read the article beginning on page 2, “Faith Not Feeling.” There is a mine of instruction in the few paragraphs, instruction of priceless value all thru Christian experience.
New York Office Address
By Editor
Take notice now; for we meant to say it weeks ago. The address of the New York office of the Pacific Press Publishing Company is 11 West Twentieth Street, fifth floor, instead of 39 Bond Street. The change is in every way for the better—better building, better offices, better accommodations, better surroundings, better conveniences to express and post-offices and other publishers. The manager, Mr. S. N. Curtiss, will be glad to meet any of our friends or patrons there. Remember the address, 11 West Twentieth Street, fifth floor, New York City.
Signs of the Times Outlook Number
The special Outlook Number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is as good to-day as when first issued. There are multitudes of voices of false prophets predicting for the opening century what can never come: The Outlook Number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES presents the “more sure word of prophecy” of divine inspiration. Thirty-two pages with cover, finely illustrated. Single copies, 10 cents; 5 to 20 copies, 5 cents each; 25 or more copies, 4 cents each. Sent singly to lists of not less than five names at 5 cents each. All these post free. Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
South America and Prophecy
The article in our Missions department, setting forth the trend and feeling in South America, will be read with interest by students of prophecy. There are many unsettled things yet in this world.
Cuba Rejects State Religion
The constitutional convention in Cuba has voted in favor of universal suffrage. It has rejected a proposition that the Roman Catholic should be the State religion. It was decided that the constitution should guarantee freedom of belief and worship to people of all faiths. It seems to have gone a step further, that of freedom to those of no faith, inasmuch as it voted to have no formal recognition of God. And in civil government this is in accord with the Christian idea.
A GREAT RULER GONE.
NEVER since the day that the human race was scattered abroad on the face of the earth was there such widespread and sincere mourning over the demise of any person among so many peoples as there is now over the death of Victoria, the great and good queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India, who passed away on the morning of January 22. Victoria was the only child of Edward, Duke of Kent, by Victoria Mary, fourth daughter of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. She was born May 24, 1819; succeeded to the throne on the death of her uncle, William IV., June 20, 1837; proclaimed queen June 21, 1837; crowned June 28, 1838; married to Albert, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Feb. 10, 1840. Had she lived to May 24 her age would have been eighty-two.
Queen Victoria came to her end like a shock of corn fully ripe, loaded with years and honors. In the threescore and four years of her reign she has seen marvelous progress in the arts, in science, in education, in the spread of the Gospel. And no ruler of modern times has been more friendly to the heralding of the Word of life than has she. From Greenland’s icy mountains to India’s coral strand she will be mourned.
She was no arbitrary ruler. Recognizing the limitations of a constitutional government, she never transcended her rights. Yet her quiet influence on the life of England and all her colonies was tremendous. She was loved as a queen because she was respected as a woman and revered as a mother, herself a mother of nine children. She has seen kingdoms and empires break and fall, but hers has remained stable. While much of the time of her reign England has been—rightly or otherwise—involved in war, her voice has always been for honorable peace, with sorrow and sympathy for the dead and suffering, even of the enemy; and she has ever been a merciful victor. All who truly appreciate her worth will sincerely mourn what could not have been long delayed.
The Prince of Wales succeeds to the throne as Edward VII., at the age of fifty-nine. All who desire the peace of the world will wish the new ruler of so great an empire well, and will pray that in his reign the “Word of God may run, have free course, and be glorified.”
The Sabbath and the Gentiles
A gentleman sends us a leaflet with request to publish it and comment upon its teachings. On the last page of that leaflet is this exhortation, “Let us take God’s teaching, His Word.” That’s good; but on page 5 he endeavors to show, contrary to that Word, that the first day of the week is the Lord’s day, and that the seventh-day Sabbath, “the Sabbath of the Lord,” was “a gift to Israel.” Its author does not know that every promise of God’s Word is of no account to a Gentile only as that Gentile becomes an Israelite thru faith. Every true Christian is a member of the commonwealth of Israel, whatever his fleshly birth.
Quarterly Report
The “Quarterly Report” is the name of the organ of the National Congress of Mothers, the first issue of which is dated September, 1900. Its price is $1.00 a year; single copies, 25 cents. This number contains the addresses of the fourth annual convention held in Des Moines, Iowa, in May of this year, and is a number of interest. The publishers are Woodward & Lathrop, Tenth, Eleventh, and F Streets, N. W., Washington, D. C.
The Only Hope Is Christ
A minister in Oregon City is demanding, in a recently-published address, a return to Puritanism. His address is entitled “Civic Puritanism.” He refers to the apostle Paul as the first Puritan. In the etymological meaning of the word the apostle was a Puritan, “one scrupulously strict in his religious life;” but he knew absolutely nothing of the spirit and methods of modern Puritanism after his conversion. He knew it before that, when he haled men to prison and death who did not agree with him; but after his conversion he knew naught of civic methods or the carnal weapons. His sword was the Word; his power, the Holy Ghost. Mr. Lowell, the author of “Civic Puritanism,” sees the downward drift in Church and State, and sees hope only in a renaissance of Puritanism in both. The only hope in this world is in Christ Jesus. The only hope of church or people is the acceptance of His Gospel. He would save the world now if they would let Him, but they will not come to Him that they may have life. The only thing He can do is to come again, by His presence, destroy sin and those identified with it, and save to immortality all those who are loyal to Him. This may not be man's way, but it is the teaching of the Word.
Methodist Church Reports Membership Losses
The reported net loss of membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church during the last year is nearly 20,000; this is over and above the 257,699 probationers reported. Had there been no loss at all over the previous year’s report, the present membership plus the probationers would have been 3,151,582; but the membership now, including probationers, is but 2,874,037. There were 136 fewer preachers “on trial,” and 246 fewer “local preachers” than a year previous. The report further says: “Whilst 192 new Sunday-schools were added during the year, no less than 2,553 officers and teachers have been lost,” and there are 17,850 scholars less. The Bishop’s address declared, “We are retreating,” and “the lost ground is paved with our dead.” And all this Dr. Moore foretold years ago. The remedy?—It is God’s everlasting Gospel of present truth. There is none other.
Training for What?
Miss E. M. Gay, author of a circular issued by the Humane Education Association, declares that present-day education has so increased the pupil’s capacity for doing skillfully evil as well as good that our prisons are populated by clever men and women. The chaplain of the Auburn, N. Y., State Prison is quoted to the effect that the inmates of that institution formed one of the most intelligent audiences he had ever addressed. The lesson of which is that mere knowledge of the right is not righteousness. The great difficulty of the world always, in the past as now, has not been so much a lack of knowledge of what is right, but a lack of power and a disposition of heart to do the right. But this can only come thru the Gospel of Christ. “It is the power of God unto salvation.” The righteous Lord can alone make righteous. Knowledge without righteousness is always evil.
The People, the Land, and the Book
“The People the Land and the Book” is the name of an illustrated Hebrew-Christian quarterly, treating of Israel, of Palestine, of the Bible, and Jewish traditions and literature. It is published at 436 Carlton Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. Its price is 25 cents an issue, or $1.00 a year. It has much of interest; it breathes a good spirit; but we do not believe that its view of the return of the fleshly seed of Israel is according to the teaching of Christ. Still, much may be learned from the magazine. It is well edited. Send 25 cents for a sample copy.
A Good Work
A Good Work.—Home and Flowers, formerly How to Grow Flowers, published at Springfield, O., is interesting itself in a good work, which it calls “village improvement.” It gives in supplements good suggestions with accompanying photographs which would prove helpful to any one interested in such work. Such beauty—that of flowers and shrubbery—is refining and uplifting. Would there were much more work done in these lines.
