Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 3. (1/18/1905)

Signs of the Times

Jan 18, 1905

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jan 18, 1905

"TRUST IN GOD AND DO THE RIGHT"

By Norman Macleod

Courage, brother, do not stumble, Tho thy path is dark as night; There's a star to guide the humble: "Trust in God and do the right."

Let the road be long and dreary, And it's ending out of sight, Foot it bravely, strong or weary, "Trust in God and do the right."

Perish "policy" and cunning, Perish all that fears the light, Whether losing, whether winning, "Trust in God and do the right."

Trust no party, church, or faction, Trust no "leaders" in the fight; But in every word and action "Trust in God and do the right."

Trust no lovely forms of passion; Fiends can look like angels bright; Trust no custom, school, or fashion; "Trust in God and do the right."

Some will hate thee, some will love thee, Some will flatter, some will slight; Cease from man, and look above thee; "Trust in God and do the right."

Simple rule and safest guiding, Inward peace and inward light, Star upon our path abiding, "Trust in God and do the right."

—Norman Macleod.

MORE ABOUT THAT

By Editor

TEN THOUSAND INCREASE

TWO weeks ago we spoke of a proposition that had been made to add ten thousand members to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES family circle during the next ninety days, and asked those who wished to take part in such an effort to sign a little statement to that effect.

In replying many of our friends did not feel satisfied with simply signing the promise to help, but took time to tell us how much the SIGNS OF THE TIMES has helped them, and how glad they would be to see it in the homes of many more than even the ten thousand. We will quote some of their expressions.

"The paper ought to have a million circulation. There is no other religious journal as good as the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, to my mind."

"I am sure the securing of new subscribers to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is splendid work. It is a paper that ought to be in every home."

"Our church is willing to do all it can to help circulate the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. It is a fine paper indeed, and sells well in this part of the field. You may depend on the Ridgefield church to stand by you."

"The wonderful times in which we are living certainly demand the wonderful truths contained in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES from week to week. We will do all we can to help circulate it."

"We will endeavor to secure fifty subscribers here in the next three months. Have sold four hundred of the special numbers with good results. Work enlivens so we enjoy it. Hope to see the SIGNS OF THE TIMES circulation raised to a million in another year."

Well, we will not give more now, but in a short time will give the names and addresses of those who are thus banding together.

Perhaps you have not yet joined this company. If so, would it not be well to do so now? Sign the little coupon below, tear out and send to us, and we will place you on the list of those to whom special information and suggestions will be given, or if you do not care to tear the paper, state the fact in a letter.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

By Editor

Mountain View, California

COUPON

By Editor

To the SIGNS OF THE TIMES:

I will do what I can to increase the subscription list of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES by 10,000 copies within the next ninety days.

Signed __________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________

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Story of Daniel the Prophet

"The Story of Daniel the Prophet," by S. N. Haskell, is the Book of Daniel told in a simple story form. It is the fruit of many years of diligent study. The Scriptures narrating the story are printed in the margin, together with 4,048 other Bible references. There are also given over 2,200 questions covering the contents of every chapter of the book. These are not intricate questions, but bring out many important and practical facts which otherwise would likely be overlooked.

Being written in story form, this book interests many who would not be interested in a more argumentative study of the Book of Daniel. It is beautifully illustrated with full-page half-tone engravings. It gives a splendidly arranged diagram of the Sanctuary, with Scriptural references and notes. The "General Index" enables one to rapidly refer to any subject treated in the book that may be desired. "The Story of Daniel" contains eighteen chapters, 369 pages, and is bound in cloth back and corners, with marble paper sides, title printed in white ink, making a durable and artistic cover. Price, $1.00.

Education

Development and service are here shown to be the greatest blessings that can be experienced, for they give the highest type of joy in this life and impart a fitness for the joy of a wider service and the "higher course" in the school of the hereafter. Looking at the subject of education from these standpoints, every one is interested in it, and so they will be in this book when it is shown to them. 320 pages. Cloth, $1.25.

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing

A beautiful and sympathetic interpretation of the Master's blessings pronounced upon the disciples and the multitude—and us as well—long ago. The text, the printing, the illustrations, and the binding, all unite in making this volume a real "gem," as it has so often been called by its many readers. 218 pages; cloth. Price, 60 cents.

Power for Witnessing

Brimful of experiences of what the power of God through His Holy Spirit has done for men, women, and children in every walk of life. Truly, as one reader said of it, "The book is alive." Contains 201 pages; cloth, 75 cents; paper covers, 25 cents.

Things Foretold

A fully illustrated series of lessons on prophecy. Although written especially for children, older people thoroughly enjoy the direct manner in which the author treats the different prophecies which are supposed to be so hard to understand. Contains 113 pages. Price, 50 cents.

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By Editor

Suits the children. Contains 222 pages, beautifully illustrated. Price, 75 cents.

ADDRESS PUBLISHERS OF THIS PAPER

The Gospel of God

“The Gospel of God.”—The word “Gospel” means glad tidings, or good tidings, or good news, and especially refers to the good news of salvation to fallen man. Thus it was that the heavenly messenger announced the Gospel to the shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem: “Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10, 11. This is the blessed message of rest, healing, and joy to the weary-laden, tempest-tossed, sin-sick, and mourning souls of earth. It declares there is rest; there is healing, and cleansing, and forgiveness; there is righteousness, and peace, and joy.

“Of God.”—The Gospel is of God. So are all other good things. He is the Fount of all blessing. “To us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things.” He is the Source of all, because creative power is His. It is called “the Gospel of the grace of God.” It is the good tidings of His infinite favor which man has not merited, yet which is freely given. God “gave His only-begotten Son,” that sinful man might not perish. He gave Him in the beginning when man fell. He promised Him in the seed of the woman which will bruise the serpent’s head. In every lamb and kid that God required as a sacrifice was a promise of the coming Saviour. But He was no more given when the angel announced His birth to the Judean shepherds than He was when hope was held out before our first parents.

Expression of His Love.—The giving of His Son was the expression of the love of God for the race. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.” It was the most that Infinite Love could do without destroying the government of the universe. But that would destroy all within the universe, and would not be love. In giving Christ Jesus, God did all that Infinite Love could do for fallen man. The love was there before Christ came. It is the same love ever since. But when Christ came, it was manifested. Words had said it before: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” But when the Son of God was tempted, suffered, died, deeds said, See how much God loves.

All in Christ.—All other gifts are given us in Christ Jesus. “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things and we by Him.” 1 Cor. 8:6. He was the active agent in creation. He was associated with the Father in all the work, but He stepped down from the great creative and law-making firm, if we may so speak, and became a substitute for man. When, therefore, God gave the One by whom all things were created, He gave in Him all things. The all-inclusive Gift is a pledge of all things else. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Rom. 8:32. What a pledge of God’s love! What an assurance of His continued love! Surely we may take to ourselves the comforting words of the angel, “Fear not.” Not only this, but we may rejoice at the glad news.

“The Gospel of Christ.”—It is not alone the Gospel of God; it is the Gospel of Christ as well. And yet, either the Gospel of God or the Gospel of Christ expresses it all; for Christ and the Father are One. It is only theology or infidelity which separates them. “I and My Father are One,” says Jesus in John 10:30. And in many ways the Lord has taught us the same thing. How many times did Jesus say of His teaching, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me.” The Father speaks and says, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.” The Holy Ghost, or the Holy Spirit, is the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. It is the same Spirit which breathes from both. The love which actuated the Father in the giving of the Son, actuated the Son to give Himself. Notice the union expressed in the following: “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is He that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” God can lay to our charge that which will hold; He is the only one who can. Christ condemns us by His own blameless life and example; He is the only one who can. But, to the praise of infinite and indivisible love, the one justifies, the other pleads. God counts us miserable that He may grant us mercy. He points out the disease that He may heal. He shows us to be sinners that we may know and claim His righteousness. “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” What wondrous love!

The Good News.—Having this love for the children of men, the Lord must tell it. The good news must be given; and so the Gospel is sent unto the world to all people. It is preached in the sun and moon, in the stars at night, in the mighty mountains, in the sparkling dewdrop, in the blush and fragrance of the rose, in the pureness of the lily, and, clearer than all else, in His Word. And the news comes to you, sinner, in this, that God loves you. He has preserved you thus far; He longs to be your eternal Saviour. He has wisdom; He knows how to save. He has power; He is able to save even to the uttermost. He has love; He is willing and anxious to save. It all rests with you. Will you not accept the news? Will you not cast yourself upon His mercy? Will you not submit to His will? Will you not let Him be your Saviour? Will you not let infinite love move your heart to repentance, reform your life, that it may mould your entire being? Then, indeed, you may say: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

UNWILLING TO BE WARNED.

By S.

THE backslidden church behaves very much like the backslidden individual. It prefers to stay where it is. The Lord, speaking through Jeremiah, says even of Babylon: "We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed." She did not want to be. She preferred to go in the way that carnal desire dictated; and so the Lord was compelled to abandon her.

Just so it will be with the "daughters of Babylon" in the last days—the creed-bound, world-loving churches. The Lord will be compelled to leave them to their own ruin, even as He was compelled to leave the great mother in ages past. Occasionally one of the Lord's servants speaks out in warning. A few may hear; but the pleasure-loving throng press on, and not infrequently they seek to hush the voice that sought to warn them.

An instance of this kind is witnessed in the setting aside of Bishop Foster of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He did not take a roseate view of spiritual conditions in that church body, and, in the hope of bringing the people to a sense of their true condition, he published a warning in the Methodist Journal. There is food for thought in what the bishop said to his fellow church members; and the fact that he was set aside when he had given his warning, makes the hopelessness of the conditions all the more apparent. He said:

The church of God is to-day courting the world. Its members are trying to bring it down to the level of the ungodly. The ball, the theater, nude and lewd art, social luxuries, with all their loose moralities,

are making inroads into the sacred enclosure of the church; and, as a satisfaction for all this worldliness, Christians are making a great deal of Lent and Easter and Good Friday and church ornamentations. It is the old trick of Satan. The Jewish Church struck on that rock, the Romish Church was wrecked on the same, and the Protestant Church is fast reaching the same doom.

Our great dangers, as we see them, are assimilation to the world, neglect of the poor, substitution of the form for the fact of godliness, abandonment of discipline, a hireling ministry, an impure gospel, which, summed up, is a fashionable church. That Methodists should be liable to such an outcome, and that there should be signs of it in a hundred years from the "sail loft," seems almost the miracle of history; but who that looks about him to-day can fail to see the fact?

Do not Methodists, in violation of God's Word and their own discipline, dress as extravagantly and as fashionably as any other class? Do not the ladies, and often the wives and daughters of the ministry, put on "gold and pearls and costly array?" Would not the plain dress, insisted upon by John Wesley, Bishop Asbury, and worn by Hester Ann Rogers, Lady Huntington, and many others equally distinguished, be now regarded in Methodist circles as fanaticism? Can any one, going into the Methodist Church in any of our chief cities, distinguish the attire of the communicants from that of the theater and ball-goers? Is not worldliness seen in the music? Elaborately dressed and ornamented choirs, who, in many cases, make no profession of religion, and are often sneering skeptics, go through a cold, artistic or operatic performance, which is as much in harmony with spiritual worship as an opera or theater. Under such worldly performance spirituality is frozen to death.

Formerly every Methodist attended class, and gave testimony of experimental religion. Now the class meeting is attended by very few, and is, in many churches, abandoned. Seldom the stewards, trustees, and leaders of the church attend class. Formerly nearly every Methodist prayed, testified, or exhorted in prayer-meeting. Now but very few are heard. Formerly shouts and praises were heard; now such demonstrations of holy enthusiasm and joy are regarded as fanaticism.

Worldly socials, fairs, festivals, concerts, and such like, have taken the place of the religious gatherings, revival meetings, class and prayer-meetings of earlier days.

How true that the Methodist discipline is a dead letter. Its rules forbid the wearing of gold or pearls or costly array; yet no one ever thinks of disciplining its members for violating them. They forbid the reading of such books and the taking of such diversions as do not minister to godliness, yet the church itself goes to shows and frolics and festivals and fairs, which destroy the spiritual life of the young as well as of the old. The extent to which this is now carried on is appalling. The spiritual death it carries in its train will only be known when the millions it has swept into hell stand before the judgment.

Now, this bishop's statement of conditions in his own church is just as true of the other large church bodies in general. It is the condition of the great church world to-day—a form of godliness with the power lacking, and the zeal and love that once were so evident now waxing cold, while the easy professor turns to pleasures and pursuits of his own liking. Seeing the conditions as they exist now, and knowing that they were divinely foreshown as indications of the last days, how can the child of God turn to the allurements of the world, and refuse to believe that the coming of our Saviour draweth nigh? We must heed the warnings, we must push the battle to the gates, we must divest ourselves of every clog of selfishness, every tie that would bind us to the service of the world.

NOT A MATTER OF CONVENIENCE.

By G.

THE inconvenience of it, is the plea that many people make when confronted with the duty to keep the Sabbath "according to the commandment." This is the plea of men who admit that the obligation is plain, and that the seventh day of the week is the only weekly Sabbath enjoined in the Word of God, and the only Sabbath of any kind bearing the divine sanction in the present dispensation.

It is evident that those who make such a plea regard their own convenience and the good opinion of their fellow-men as of more importance than obedience to God. Many people would serve God (or imagine that they would) if it involved no sacrifice of worldly goods and comforts, or of the good opinion and friendship of friends and neighbors.

It was many times demonstrated in the days of Christ that multitudes would have become His disciples had it not been for fear of persecution or the loss of reputation. Even "among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagog; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." John 12:42, 43.

Worldly convenience and favor are to such people paramount to all other claims. Many look to the course of the multitude, to the opinions and dictum of the majority, as the criterion of right judgment, and therefore as their proper rule of action. Yet the positive Word of God is, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil."

The ancient servants of God whose example the Spirit expressly commends did not regard duty so lightly. The world mocked and scourged them, but they did not yield their faith. When tortured they accepted not deliverance at the cost of turning away from the Lord. And their only hope of reward was in the resurrection of the just. "Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment; they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented (of whom the world was not worthy); they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise; God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Heb. 11:36-40.

Had they sought their own convenience, or cared for their reputation in this life, they could have avoided all this; but at what a cost!—even the loss of eternal life. Like the apostle Paul, they reckoned all worldly advantage as the merest refuse, that they might win Christ. And the same principle was illustrated in the humiliation of Christ, when He "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Phil. 2:7, 8.

Now the Spirit is saying to us, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." If we are to be followers of Christ, we must manifest this same disregard of the estimate the world will place upon us, or of the inconvenience it will entail, if we boldly step out to "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Moreover, the real condition of the one—whether professor or non-professor of Christ—who sets temporal convenience or deference to the world before duty to God, is portrayed by the apostle John, who says, "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Conforming to the world, instead of to God's law, manifests a love of the world above the love of God. And Jesus lays down this principle as an axiom, when He says, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." Obedience is therefore the test of love and of true allegiance.

"IS THE WORLD GROWING BETTER?"

By Editor

"Ye know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that ye know not how to interpret this time?" Luke 12:56, A. R. V. These are the words of our Saviour to the religionists of His day. There were among them the wise theologians and doctors of the law. The conservative element was strongly represented in the Pharisaic sect. The liberal, rationalistic element was found among the Sadducees, the "higher critics" of their day. Deeply versed were these men in their various systems of theology and philosophy.

The ordinary operations of nature were well understood. Certain indications foretokened storm. Certain other signs were indicative of fair weather. But, while they could read the physical signs and interpret the meaning of the face of the earth and sky, with all their profound philosophy, all their ancient traditions, all their religious erudition, they could not tell the meaning of their own time. They could see no evidences of the disintegration of their nation, no signs of spiritual decay, no manifestations of the great flood of infidelity sweeping over the "chosen people" to their destruction. They scoffed and laughed at the solemn warnings. They prided themselves on their progress and liberality. They said, "If we had been in the days of our fathers, we should not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets." Yet that very people and those very teachers, who considered themselves the most enlightened of earth, rejected the Lord of life and glory, put to death the Perfect Man, who pointed out their sins that He might save them. The prophets had foretold it all, but they could not see the simple truth. It did not accord with their philosophy and tradition.

We are now living in an age of great enlightenment. In physics, in demonstrative science, in mechanics, in letters, in inventive genius, the world has made wonderful strides. In all moral standards it is far above the Dark Ages. Owing to the influence of Christianity many evil laws have been repealed, and many better laws have taken their place. In civil freedom the time clock of the world struck broad day at the birth of the American nation. It struck high noon when the emancipation

proclamation broke the fetters from three million enslaved human beings.

But since that time, in the great nation of earth,—and others are following in her frothy wake,—decline and deterioration have increased in geometrical progression, till now what candid, thoughtful person is not alarmed at the future of his country and the world? for upon America's doom hang the destinies of all the world.

The condition of the religious world is sufficiently set forth in our Outlook department and elsewhere. The shimmering sheen of higher criticism, which has blinded the world and robbed them of a Guide and Saviour, hides but thinly the pall-cloth of death. The great tidal wave of infidelity is engulfing all Christendom. And yet we hear the siren song, "The world is growing better."

The contrast, reader, is not between the idolatry of heathenism and the civilization of to-day, but between the zeal of primal Protestantism and the Protestantism pandering to the Papacy; between the devotion and piety of threescore years ago in connection with limited advantages, and the awfully-rapid decline since then under far greater light.

Upon the civil world in professedly-Christian lands like this, is the reflection of the powerlessness of the church and the message she preaches. But what is the condition of the civil, the political, world?

This is answered by such articles as those of Mr. Ray Stannard Baker, Mr. Lincoln Steffens, and Ida Tarbell, by the investigations in St. Louis by Folk, by the investigations of the postal frauds, the Ship-building Trust, the land frauds, and the revelations of Mr. Thomas W. Lawson,—involving in their wholesale bribery, grafting, peculations, gambling, dishonor, crime of all sorts, municipal officers, state legislators, judges, and grave senators, most of whom are members of churches "in good standing."

What can save a nation in such an appalling condition? What but the power of the Gospel of God in Christ Jesus. But the preaching of this Gospel God has committed to His church, "the light of the world," "the salt of the earth." But the light unfed by the oil of His Word and Spirit has gone out. The salt has lost its savor; and the mass of growing corruption will soon involve the whole structure.

And yet, O the pity of it! souls will not see the peril. They will not see the growing lawlessness and sin in church and state. God has writ it large in His blessed Word; He has abundantly forewarned of the evils; He has given the remedy in "the everlasting Gospel" of an impending judgment and soon-coming kingdom; but the church and the world slumber spiritually, rush on mentally in the mad race of pleasure and gain.

Call us alarmists if you will; but God's message for this time is: "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is nigh at hand." Joel 2:1. "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and declare unto My people their transgressions." Isa. 58:1.

May God help our readers to heed His messages of warning and mercy.

Love and Self

"WHERE love seems to fail, it is where self has stepped between and dulled the potency of its rays."

A CAUSE OF ALARM.

By S.

As an indication of the trend of teaching in popular pulpits, popular religious colleges, and a great portion of the religious press of the world, we quote below some statements from an article in the Bible Student and Teacher, by Dr. E. Fitch Burr (Congregationalist). The writer is a staunch upholder of the Bible as the Word of God, and, tho he speaks only for Congregationalists, intimates that the conditions he reveals are by no means confined to the body he represents. He says:

The condition of things among us is very serious—so serious that it would be the height of unwisdom to blink it. Beneath the fair crust of Christian forms and professions, boils and tosses an amazing amount of unchristian and anti-Christian thinking. We do not know exactly how much; but that it is formidably great, we do know. Every now and then eruptions occur which startle us as with a blow. Latterly, these outbreaks have sometimes come in groups, and with almost volcanic violence; and the impact on us has been as when the smith with both hands smites the anvil. We are shocked—shocked at the mass of destructive material belched out from most unexpected quarters; from pulpits noted for orthodoxy; from seminaries supposed to be bound to the old Gospel by more than seven green withes, which not even a Samson could break; from associations, Presbyteries, conferences, where grey heads listen patiently to attacks on the Bible, which a few years ago would have raised a storm of astonishment and protest.

Lo, the new departures of a few years ago have expanded into the "New Christianity" of the higher criticism, the destructive criticism of the Bible. Under the egis of the Christian name, this unwelcome immigrant has come to great estate among us. Its shadow covers and chills great denominations, great presses, and great educational institutions. To multitudes the Old Testament is gone, and the New Testament is either gone or going. Not a few deny or question fundamental Christian doctrines—the Messiahship of Jesus, His miraculous birth and incarnation, His miracles, His atonement, His resurrection and ascension, and even His reliability as a religious teacher. Many whose standing in the ministry is still unchallenged, question all these doctrines; and very many more are plainly feeling their way in the same depths of various stages of descent. These men, even the most radical of them, are preaching their views without hindrance in our churches and presses. They occupy chairs in our colleges and seminaries. The defection is so great that no ecclesiastical discipline is attempted.

The leading colleges of New England invite to their chairs and pulpits the most radical Unitarians, Universalists, and Rationalists; and, as if the home supply was not large enough, are at the trouble of importing them. Whole associations, Presbyteries, conferences, are dominated by views of the Bible which defy all the Protestant confessions, and which would, a few years ago, have been met by storms of protest and excommunication.

In view of this general situation, the friends of the old Bible naturally look with anxious eyes to see where stand their missionary societies. What do they find? I will speak only for Congregationalists. Other Protestant denominations must speak for themselves. They find that the higher criticism now sits at the council board and swarms in the constituency of each of their three missionary societies. Whoever sees that much, sees reason for grave apprehension. All these societies are on the brink—liable to be crowded over at any moment by the pressure from behind.

For some reason the shepherds have not spoken, or have spoken the wrong thing. Even watchmen who have clearly seen the enemy entering the gates in force, and have deplored the fact, have not seen their way clear to put a trumpet to their lips. Wonderful silence!

Another fact gives us even profounder concern, gives vast weight and exasperation to our other sources of anxiety. If all our educational institutions were in the hands of believing and faithful men, backsliding missionary societies would not mean so much. They must soon retrace their steps or die. But, as matters now stand, they threaten to go from bad to worse by reinforcements from behind. All the leading colleges in the East, and all our technical Congregational seminaries, both East and West, are in active sympathy with the principles and methods of the higher criticism—as is shown either by the position of those who control them, or by publications of their professors, or by the reports of their students, or by the radical critics invited to their lectureships, and decorated with their honors.

The fact is, that the misgivings and anxieties warranted by the present condition of our colleges and seminaries and denominational societies, great as these anxieties are, should be much enhanced when we consider that our churches, generally, are not aware of the extent of the ministerial apostasy, have lost the ancient safeguards against it, and are now being attacked from within by enemies who swear by all the evangelists that they are best of friends.

Such a condition of things in the religious world should be indeed cause for serious thought and prayer and warning. Are the conditions overdrawn in any way? Are not the statements in perfect accord with what we know to exist—not in the Congregational Church alone, but in all the great religious bodies to-day? Satan's most effective adjutants are cleverly ensconced within the church body itself, assailing the very foundations upon which the church rests. This condition of things is indeed cause for alarm—not that there is any danger of the cause of God being overthrown; but there is the certainty of thousands of souls being shipwrecked who might have triumphed with the triumph of the cause of truth and righteousness.

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