Review and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 16. (4/16/1908)

Review and Herald

Apr 16, 1908

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 16, 1908

The S. D. A. Year-Book for 1908

Judging from the way the orders are coming in, our stock of “Year Book” will not last long. We hope, however, to have enough to supply every one who wishes a copy. In order that you may not be delayed, it would be well to order at once.

What It Contains

Statistical tables showing the area, population, membership, and number of churches of every conference and mission field.

Directories giving names and addresses of our institutions, ministers, physicians, and conference officers.

Seventeen outline maps showing the territory of each union conference and mission field, also giving the location of the conference headquarters and the institutions in its territory.

Statistical tables of our institutional work, showing valuation, number of employees, number of buildings, capacity, output, etc.

Send for a copy at once. A better investment could not be made. You will “thank God and take courage” as you see this year’s progress. Remember the price—twenty-five cents.

“Well Pleased”

A lady recently purchased a copy of “My Garden Neighbors,” and in acknowledging the receipt of the book she says: “Have just received the book ‘My Garden Neighbors,’ and am well pleased with it.”

You would be “well pleased” with a copy also. Why not send for one to-day?

The lesson of perseverance taught by the sparrow in the chapter entitled “A Neighborhood Quarrel” can not but appeal to every young person who reads it.

“No bird is any more interesting to study and get acquainted with than the bluebird. If you have not learned to know and love him, you should set about doing so at once.” The chapter entitled “Invitations to Birds” will tell you how.

The book will be sent post-paid for $1.

SPECIAL OFFER: A free copy will be sent to any one sending four subscriptions to the Youth’s Instructor, three of which must be new, and one may be a renewal; or the book will be sent with one new subscription to the Instructor for $1.50. This offer is limited to the United States.

“In the Home Churches”

“Instruction in regard to conducting the Sabbath-school should, to a large degree, be given in the home churches.”—Mrs. E. G. White.

“Testimonies on Sabbath-school Work” will help you in studying the perplexing questions which are weekly confronted in the Sabbath-school. It will be welcomed by every officer, teacher, and scholar.

The instruction given in this little book is simple, concise, and practical. The various subjects are arranged in a logical way, and the book will prove effective both for study and reference.

Many State Sabbath-school secretaries are making this book the basis for a course of instruction on Sabbath-school work, and find that it proves a most valuable text-book.

We have selected a special paper for the printing of this book, and you will find that it will give excellent service. Those who are in the habit of marking the portions to which they wish especially to refer, will doubly appreciate the texture of this paper.

Bound in cloth, 25 cents, post-paid; in leather, 35 cents.

REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSN.

New York City WASHINGTON, D. C. Battle Creek, Mich.

Righteousness and the Inheritance

In connection with the Sabbath-school lesson for April 25, “The Call of Abraham and the Inheritance,” we may profitably consider the relation between righteousness and the inheritance.

The plan of salvation is not an arbitrary arrangement, but is rather in line with God’s eternal purpose and is in harmony with fundamental principles. God created the earth that it might be inhabited (Isa. 45:18), and created man in his own image and gave him dominion “over all the earth.” Man’s ability to exercise this dominion was the result of his relation to God, in whose image he was formed. His character was his crown and his righteousness was his scepter. When through sin he lost the image of God, he was necessarily deprived of his crown and his scepter, and his dominion passed to another. Through the loss of righteousness man lost his place as ruler of this world, under God, and through the restoration of righteousness the dominion will be restored.

The righteousness which enabled man to represent the king of the universe in dominion over the earth and all living things upon it, was bestowed in the original creation. Through the gospel this righteousness, forfeited in disobedience, is again brought to man: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith.” And inasmuch as the righteousness provided in the gospel is received by faith; it is perfectly logical that to Abraham, the father of the faithful, whose faith was reckoned for righteousness, the promise should be made that he should be the heir of the world. Let us then read the scripture: “For we say, To Abraham his faith was reckoned for righteousness. How then was it reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them; and the father of circumcision to them who are not only of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham which he had in uncircumcision. For not through the law, was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they that are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of none effect: for the law worketh wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there transgression. For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” Righteousness by faith made Abraham the heir of the world.

Again we read: “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise: but God hath granted it to Abraham by promise.” The inheritance was a gift to Abraham and to his seed.

Righteousness is a gift and the inheritance is a gift—the latter gift being bound up in the former gift—and the gift of the inheritance is consequent upon the gift of righteousness. But we have already found that righteousness by faith is simply another view of the new birth, the new creation, and as the gospel provides for the creation of a new man, so it provides for the creation of a new earth as the abode of the new man. This is foretold in the prophecy: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” In harmony with this prophecy, and connecting therewith the necessary idea of righteousness, we have the assurance through the apostle Peter: “According to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” So said the prophet Isaiah: “Thy people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.” Righteousness and the inheritance are inseparable.

Remembering that the truly meek are those who are made righteous by faith and that those who are truly righteous by faith are the meek of the earth, we find these same truths taught in other words: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” “The meek shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” As he who was meek and lowly in heart has been highly exalted, so those who receive his character of meekness-righteousness become inheritors of the earth in him and through him.

All this, and much more, is found in the gospel of righteousness by faith, and the day of reward is near at hand. “If ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.”

Character and Obedience to God’s Law

THE highest standard of character is exhibited in obedience to the commandments of God. This is the revelation of divinity in humanity, and can be attained only through faith in the grace and power of the risen Saviour. “Blessed are they that are perfect in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, that seek him with the whole heart. Yea, they do no unrighteousness; they walk in his ways.” “The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul.” It is a glorious truth that God’s law is unchangeable. Complete conformity to the will of God, as expressed in his law, is the acceptable preparation for a home in the heavenly Jerusalem. “Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.” There is nothing so valuable as character, and there is no character so valuable as the character of Christ,—a free gift to all who choose it above all other things. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Christ Must Be Lord of All

ONE of the mottoes at a recent missionary convention was this: “Unless Christ is Lord OF ALL, He is not Lord AT ALL.” This is a striking paraphrase of the Master’s own words: “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he can not be my disciple.” Christ does not rule a divided heart. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.”

Editorial

By Editor

It is man's exalted privilege to recognize God as God, to be thankful to him, and to yield an intelligent service to him. The capacity for this fellowship with the eternal God, the Creator of all, distinguishes man from the other members of the animal kingdom; but a refusal to employ these higher powers of his being will result in their loss, and will reduce him to the level of the brutes. This gives an impressive force to these words: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will counsel thee with mine eye upon thee. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding.” The possibility of association with heavenly beings, and of being “laborers together with God,” is held out even to the humblest who are ready to accept purity of character as heaven’s gift, and to submit to that King who will reign in righteousness. “Be not like dumb, driven cattle.”

Anarchy and the Government

By C. M. S.

Not since the Chicago Haymarket riots of 1886 has the country been so stirred over the depredations of anarchists as at the present time. Up to 1886 anarchy had been regarded by Americans as a propaganda indigenous only to foreign soil, and incapable of making any headway in this country. There were known groups of anarchists in Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and a few other places; but they had, up to that time, made no open war upon either the government or individuals. The hanging and imprisonment of the leaders of the Haymarket riot seemed to cause a lull in anarchistic activity for several years; but with the increased immigration from countries where anarchy is most active, and with the marvelous increase of millionaires on the one hand and of unemployed and discontented on the other hand during recent years, the campaign in behalf of anarchy has become more open and aggressive.

At the time of the assassination of President McKinley a wave of indignation against “the reds” swept over the country, and some very radical legislation was proposed to stamp out the growing evil. In 1901 President Roosevelt recommended to Congress that laws be passed dealing with anarchy and anarchists. Action was taken, but only in a limited degree. Later a law was passed excluding anarchists from the United States, and authorizing the deportation of such persons within three years of the date of their entry to this country. About the same time both Germany and Russia recommended that the United States Government take joint action with them in resisting the progress of anarchy. The invitation was not accepted, except in so far as the federal government has been co-operating with European governments in locating various anarchists.

The recent murder of a Catholic priest in Colorado at the altar of the church by an avowed anarchist, with threats by other anarchists against the lives of other priests, the unprecedented activity of “Black Hand” societies, and the bomb-throwing incident in New York City on March 28, have combined to arouse the whole country to the necessity of making some provision to repress the activity of the anarchists. The question of what measures to take is puzzling officials and lawmakers in both hemispheres. Anarchy has seemed to thrive on repression in the Old World, and to increase the hosts of its adherents there with every harsh measure taken to suppress its activity. In many cases the innocent have suffered with the guilty, and this has helped to fill up its ranks. Working in the dark, its adherents schooled in secrecy through years of dangerous practise, there is no question about the seriousness of the problem they have created, or the difficulty of finding an adequate remedy therefor.

President Roosevelt has recommended the suppression of the anarchist paper La Questione Sociale, printed at Paterson, N. J., if this can be done in accordance with law; and the postmaster general, holding that freedom of the press does not necessarily guarantee freedom of the mails, has ordered this publication excluded from mailing privileges. It is also intimated that before the close of the present session of Congress, laws will be passed dealing with the question of anarchy.

The present situation with regard to this matter is a striking one indeed. The necessity for laws against anarchy in a government “of the people, for the people, and by the people,” indicates a growing deterioration of the moral fabric of the mass; an increasing disregard for the fundamentals of organized society; and gives a very tangible reason for these words of our Lord in foretelling these times: “Men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world.” Luke 21: 26.

But there are anarchistic demonstrations in this country which are not originated or carried on by those styling themselves anarchists. Anarchy means against law. It is manifest in hangings contrary to law, in burnings at the stake, in riotous demonstrations of unemployed, in graft and fraudulent practises in government and municipal contracts, in the protection of vice and illegal practises for pay, in the creation of trusts to govern prices and products, in the boycotting of legitimate business, and in the depredations of the “white caps” and the “night riders.” All these are breaking down respect for law, and making fertile soil for the growth of genuine anarchy.

Concerning these alarming conditions the United Presbyterian of March 26 says:—

In no way has there been a greater change from the good, orderly life of the earlier days of our country than in the disregard for law. . . . The greatest danger before us is the spirit of anarchy. We meet it everywhere; in the home, in the school, in the church, and in the state. At the present time, in view of the terrible anarchistic crimes, we are almost in a panic. . . .

There are “Black Hand” letters written by American-born citizens. Our criminals are from every class. Nihilism develops under the tyranny of Russia, the Mafia seems native to Sicily, but all forms flourish on American soil. . . .

The law’s delay, and the uncertainty of conviction for crime which prevails in our legal practise, create a want of confidence in the just administration of law, and the mob supersedes the court.

It is of just such a time, and of just such conditions that inspiration speaks: “In the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, . . . without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors. . . . But evil men and imposters shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3: 1-13. The world has entered upon its “grievous times,” and these very conditions indicate that “the coming of the just One” draweth nigh.

Every government will undertake to prevent the pernicious activity of these different classes of anarchists. The fundamental law of our country guaranteeing freedom of speech and of the press, its legislators have been loath to formulate laws for the suppression of anarchistic teaching; but because of the increasing activity of that organization, government officials are beginning to feel the necessity of taking repressive measures against it. But in the legislation that will be enacted there lies danger also.

The tendency to paternalism, already manifest, and the cry of the church for state aid in accomplishing her purposes, make it almost inevitable that, once the government has started upon the course of restricting freedom of speech and of the press, its measures of restriction would not be confined alone to those who were actively opposing government. Religious zealots in position to control or influence legislation would soon bring such or similar measures to bear upon those propagating religious teachings not in harmony with their ideas. Especially would this be true of teachings and practises out of harmony with the present Sunday laws. The activity of the anarchist would thus become the agent of Satan in bringing about conditions inimical to the progress of the third angel’s message. The trend of present-day legislation, the persistence of certain religious forces in the realm of legislation, and the activity of elements that are truly antagonistic to the public welfare, while the gospel of the kingdom is fast going into the darkest portions of the earth;—these all point with unerring finger to the climax of the conflict, and the ushering in of God’s everlasting kingdom.

C. M. S.

An Unusual Book

It is very rarely that we find a book dealing with evolution which we are able to commend to our readers, but one has recently come to hand which is an exception to the rule. While we are unable to agree with the author in all his statements, yet as a whole it is one of the best answers to the evolutionist which we have ever seen. An intelligent idea of the general tenor of the arguments may best be gained from some extracts:—

The man who can give no account of his own existence is a fool; and he who denies a God can give no account of his existence. In the old time men whispered their folly within their own hearts; nowadays they proclaim it on the house-tops, or, to translate the Oriental figure into its Western correlative, they publish it in printed books. But philosophy is not folly, and folly has no right to call itself wisdom. There is a God—that is certain: what then can reason tell us of him? . . . Since reason shuts us up to belief in God, let us have the courage of free thought, and instead of taking refuge in a vague theism, let us acknowledge a real God—not the great “primordial germ,” but the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

In dealing with the evolutionary theory of development from the lower to the higher plane the author says:—

We shall gain nothing by misrepresenting facts, and no fair person will pretend that experience warrants the hypothesis that any race of men, that any individual even, ever advanced in the scale of life save under the constant pressure of favoring circumstances. But while culture will, so far as our experience teaches us, account for an advance, the tendency to degenerate seems universal.

A striking argument, which will appeal to the common mind, is made against the general theory of development which confesses missing links, and appeals to the fossils as a means of bridging over these gaps. This is introduced by a telling paragraph on the “immeasurable epochs”:—

It is significant that naturalists who suppose new species to be originated by evolution “habitually suppose the origination to occur in some region remote from human observation.” These results are supposed to have been produced during “those immeasurable epochs,” “untold millions of years” before “beings endowed with capacity for wide thought” existed on the earth. To which the skeptic [the scientific skeptic, not the theological skeptic] will make answer: First, that there is no proof that this earth has so long existed in a habitable state; it is a mere inference based upon a certain geological theory which is wholly unproved and by no means universally accepted. And, secondly, that as neither the course of nature within known periods, nor the skill of man, has ever produced a species, we may be merely stultifying our minds by dismissing the difficulty to a mythical past about which we may conjecture and romance, but concerning which we know absolutely nothing.

But let us for a moment assume these “untold millions of years,” these “immeasurable epochs” of an “abysmal past,” during which the evolutionary process has been developing. Further, let us concede that the supposed process is so slow that no appreciable change may be looked for within the period of historic time. In fact, let us, for the sake of argument, admit everything assumed by the evolutionist, excepting only the hypothesis of evolution itself, and we can at once subject that hypothesis to a practical test of the simplest kind, which will either establish its truth or demonstrate its falseness.

Suppose our world was visited by a being of intelligence, able to converse with men, but wholly ignorant of an existence like ours, marked by development and decay. Brought face to face with puling infancy, vigorous manhood, and the senile decrepitude of extreme old age, such a being might express incredulous wonder on hearing that these were but successive stages in human life. And he might answer fairly with shrewdness, “If such a statement be true, then there must be individuals in the world of every possible age, from a minute to a hundred years, and manifesting every imaginable degree of growth and decline.” To which the unequivocal reply we should of course be able to offer would put an end to his skepticism.

But suppose we were to make some such answer as this: “True it is that never a moment passes but that some new life enters the world, and some blighted or withered life disappears from it; the processes of ‘generation and growth and decay are all unceasing and constant; but yet we can not satisfy the test you put to us. We can show you large children and small adults, smooth-faced boys and full-bearded men, types of failing manhood and of hale old age, but there are ‘missing links’ which we can not supply. Of some of these we have ‘archeological evidence,’ there are fossil specimens in our museums; and the learned tell us that others no doubt exist and will yet be found; but of living specimens there are none, though all the resources of nature and of science have been appealed to in the effort to produce them.” With such an answer our ephemeral visitor might well return to his celestial home perplexed with grave misgivings respecting our honesty or our intelligence.

And so here. The cases are entirely parallel. If the processes of evolution have been in operation during the infinite aeons of time, and be still at work, “missing links” are out of the question. The naturalist will, of course, be able to point to types of every imaginable stage of development, from the simplest and humblest to the most exquisitely complex and perfect. But the naturalist can do no such thing. . . .

Let us then keep clearly in view, first, that evolution is merely a philosophic theory; second, that it is unproved; third, that it is inadequate; and fourth, that (as will appear more plainly in the sequel) it is unnecessary, except of course with those scientists who cling to any plank that will save them from having to acknowledge God.

These extracts, all taken from one chapter, will indicate the general position held by the author, and will suggest the interesting nature of the contents of the other chapters.

We regret that the author does not accept the days of the first chapter of Genesis in the literal sense of twenty-four hours each, but apart from this we find ourselves in a general way in accord with his views, and believe that his book will be found helpful in meeting many of the arguments of an infidel science. The book can be supplied by this Office.

In One of the Byways

By W. A. S.

THE call to the feast is to be sounded not only in the world's highways, but in the byways as well. And what an inspiring spectacle it is to see the message reaching into the uttermost corners of the earth.

Twenty years ago a sister in San Francisco was impressed one Friday to make a special effort to get a lady whom she had met to attend a Sabbath service in the San Francisco church. The lady came and accepted the message. She

was Mrs. Elizabeth Gautereau, formerly of the island of Ruatan, away in the Caribbean Sea, near the coast of Honduras. She wrote her home people of the new-found truths, and later visited them, leaving an interest that led us into that field of the Bay Islands and Central America. Some of her people were in attendance at our recent camp-meeting in Ruatan, rejoicing in the truth.

This Central American region is not populous, and is off the main highway of the world's great movements. But this message of the Lord's soon coming, first sounded there twenty years ago, has accomplished a good work, and has started a movement that has in it the vitality to keep on expanding and enlarging.

That is the characteristic of this message. Not only in the great and populous countries of the world, but in the uttermost regions, there is continual and blessed progress—not because of the many workers or great facilities, but, plainly enough, because here is a truth that must go to all the world, and the special providence of God is giving power and vitality to it.

Here in Central America, where a conference has just been organized, the last year's report of Elder E. L. Cardey, the one ministerial laborer, shows a gain of one hundred seventeen in church-membership, with fifty-eight converts baptized during the year. The tithe increased from $914, in 1906, to $1,261 in 1907; the offerings from $140 in 1906, to $648 in 1907.

These are small figures, for this is a small field, and the resources are limited; but the report is a cheering testimony to the fact that wherever this third angel's message is received, in the byways as well as the highways, there growth and progress are seen.

The work is moving forward everywhere. East or west, north or south, in well-known fields or in regions off the common lines of travel, wherever our eyes turn, we see that this message of the coming of the Lord is rising in the loud cry.

If there be any special message, any hope of the Lord's soon coming, anything of any value in religion, this is the kind of report that must come from all the world to-day. And this is the report that does come to our ears from every side. There is a special message: there is a “blessed hope;” and there is a saving gospel for the world. This sound of the rising message that comes from all the ends of the earth is what we love to hear and listen for as the note rises and mounts higher and higher. “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.”

“How blessed are our ears That hear the joyful sound, Which kings and prophets waited for And sought, but never found.

“How blessed are our eyes That see this heavenly light! Prophets and kings desired long But died without the sight.

“The Lord makes bare his arm Through all the earth abroad: Let all nations now behold Their Saviour and their God.”

Let not one true heart falter in the faith that we have reached the time foretold: “The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” Isa. 52:10. W. A. S.

A Great Forward Movement in Behalf of Foreign Missions

By A. G. DANIELLS

OUR first foreign missionary, Elder J. N. Andrews, sailed out of New York harbor for Switzerland in 1874. From that year until now, our movement in behalf of foreign missions has steadily increased in volume. To-day we have the largest number of missionaries in foreign lands that we have ever had. Last year our contributions to missions was the largest ever recorded in our history.

But while our movement has made wonderful growth, the openings for missionary service have multiplied greatly. To-day doors are open in all lands for us to enter. Earnest calls for help come to us from nearly all the mission fields of the world.

The situation we face at this time has so appealed to the men in our cause who have been chosen to bear the chief responsibilities in the various conferences, that they have united in a great forward movement in behalf of foreign missions. This movement is expressed by the following preambles and resolutions:—

Whereas, The Lord has gone before this people, opening doors in all nations, so that there is opportunity to teach the truths of the third angel's message to all the world; and,—

Whereas, We believe that this message is to go to all the world in this generation; and,—

Whereas, The funds received by the Mission Board are not sufficient to warrant the enlargement of our missionary operations as the opening providences of God seem to demand; therefore,—

1. Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to endeavor to greatly increase the donations to foreign missions.

2. That we undertake to raise for foreign mission work an amount equal to ten cents a week per capita for our church-membership.

3. That we assume the responsibility of collecting the above specified sum of money in our territory, and forwarding the same month by month to the Mission Board treasury.

4. That in each union and local conference a missionary secretary be appointed, whose work shall be to write articles for the papers, hold public meetings, and to correspond with individuals and churches in helping to raise this large foreign mission donation.

5. That for the present we favor the Sabbath-school donations and the annual and midsummer offerings of each conference being applied on the above fund to make the average of ten cents a week for each church-member.

6. That in each church a person be elected by the church to be known as the missionary secretary, whose duty it shall be to take charge of the distribution and collection of the missionary envelopes, and in every way to encourage the church in systematic giving for foreign missions.

Whereas, The Scriptures teach that the tithe is reserved by the Lord for the gospel ministry; and—

Whereas, The union and local conferences in the United States recognize the importance of sharing their tithes with the mission fields of the world; and,—

Whereas, It is evident from the tithes reported by different conferences that our funds for mission fields would be largely increased if a full tithe were paid by all the members in our conferences; therefore,—

Resolved, That we urge each conference in this union to make a most earnest effort to secure the payment of a full tithe in every church; and, further,—

Resolved, That a special appeal be made by every conference to the officers of all the churches to give to this matter personal, prayerful attention, until they are assured that every member is paying a true tithe to the cause.

These resolutions have been adopted during the last three months by all the union conferences in the United States. In a few instances there has been a slight change in the wording, but the essential features of each resolution have been adopted. And they have been passed with a readiness, a courage, and a determination which means that they will be carried out. The discussion of the reasons for taking such an advance step created the most lively interest. No other question so aroused the delegates as did this in most of the conferences. Presidents of union and local conferences, members of committees, ministers, school men, physicians, and laymen,—all united in giving this proposal the most hearty support, and in giving assurance that the resolutions will be carried out.

If these resolutions are carried into effect, the contributions now made by our churches in the United States will be doubled. This will mean a wonderful strengthening of our forces in the regions beyond.

Surely the hearts of our missionaries in all lands will be cheered by this announcement. And the joy and courage of all our people will be increased: for

all are anxious to have the third angel's message proclaimed to all nations, and to see the work of God finished.

Next week we shall explain the meaning and the scope of the resolutions more fully. Our ministers and church elders should preserve these resolutions for study and reference in presenting the plan to the churches.

A. G. DANIELLS.

The Same Papacy

If any have entertained the idea that the papacy was growing more tolerant and that it would no longer utter its thunders against so-called heretics, they ought to note that the decree of major excommunication has been pronounced against Abbé Loisy by the Inquisition. The Roman Catholic correspondent of the Church Times (London) refers to this matter in these words:—

The principal feeling of the general public is one of amusement, mingled with some indignation, at the attempt of the pope to inflict a boycott on M. Loisy. The “consequences” mentioned in the decree of the Inquisition would not be amusing if Rome had the power to enforce them. No one would be allowed to hold any communication of any sort with M. Loisy, to supply him with food, drink, firing, or shelter, or to perform any service for him. If the pope's writ ran in France, M. Loisy would starve by the wayside unless he submitted. The fact that this will not happen in twentieth-century France does not diminish the significance of the amiable and Christian intentions of this decree “by express command of our holy father.” There is no longer any doubt that it is not lack of the will, but merely lack of the power, to persecute that restrains Pius X from resorting to the remedies for heresy that flourished in the palmy days of the Inquisition. It is a fact for reflection. Even among those who would regard the infliction on M. Loisy of the spiritual penalties of excommunication as justifiable, there are many—for the credit of Christianity one may hope that they are a majority—who feel something more than uneasiness at this gratuitous and futile revelation of the spirit of the papacy.

It is a very long time since any excommunicated person was sentenced to the full penalties of a vitandus. I am not sure whether Lamennais was in like case; if so, he must have been the last; some say that there has been no instance since Napoleon I, but I have not looked up the point. Even Victor Emmanuel was toleratus, though under sentence of the greater excommunication; that is to say, Catholics were not bound to boycott him. I understand that any Catholic who does not boycott M. Loisy will be, ipso facto, excommunicated. The situation is likely to become complicated now that ipso facto excommunications can be so easily incurred.

If the papacy should at any time or in any place regain the power to persecute, we should see a repetition of the scenes of the Dark Ages. The excommunication of Abbé Loisy is a clear demonstration of this assertion.

The Uncertain Future

At a meeting of the Young Men's Christian Association held in London last week, Ambassador Reid made a speech on receiving a bust of the founder of the Association for the New York Headquarters. From the report of his speech in the daily press we take this paragraph:— In accepting the gift, Mr. Reid expressed his appreciation, and said the present was a period of great unrest. Things which had been considered as absolutely fixed and durable as the eternal hills seemed to be breaking up. On every side beliefs, morals, social order, property, and business relations, and government, all seemed to be crumbling. Thoughtful men looked on the future with great apprehension.

This expression concerning the outlook for the future, made by a man of affairs who is not moved by any desire to show the fulfilment of prophecy, is worthy of note. It is a testimony that we are drawing near to the time foretold by our Saviour, who foresaw “men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world.” Students of the signs of the times, who are not blinded by creed and tradition, will agree with Ambassador Reid. Only those can interpret correctly the present situation who look at it in the light of the sure word of prophecy, which is “a light that shineth in a dark place.”

Note and Comment

The Decline of Religion

CARDINAL GIBBONS was recently asked whether he believed that the people of America were growing better, from a religious point of view. In reply the Cardinal said, in part:—

It is hard to answer that question on definite lines. In their respect for religion I am afraid the people of America are not what they were fifty or sixty years ago.

The fact stated by Cardinal Gibbons is so patent to any unprejudiced observer that it is difficult to understand how intelligent men can make any claim to the contrary, and yet some are asserting that the millennium is just at hand. It certainly can not be the millennium of righteousness.

Temperance and the Negro

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, in an address at New Rochelle, N. Y., on March 1, told of the good results following prohibition in the South. He declared that the abolition of the barroom had proved a blessing to the negro second only to the abolition of slavery. He said in part:—

Two thirds of the mobs, lynchings, and burnings at the stake are the result of bad whisky getting into the stomachs of bad black men and bad white men.

The great temperance movement which has swept the South, has been without parallel in history. Now that I have lived to see the whisky shops and open barrooms done away with, there is no telling what other reforms may take place anywhere. You little realize how much it means to the colored race.

Without the expenditure of money a mighty revolution has been accomplished. To-day we find only thirteen counties in Kentucky where whisky is sold under licenses; in Tennessee in only four cities and two towns. In the State of Florida there are only fourteen counties where saloons and barrooms exist. They are almost extinct in North Carolina.

After next Christmas every barroom in Mississippi and Alabama will close up. Already every barroom in Georgia has gone out of business, and for the first time in forty years the Atlanta Journal came out and said that not a single black man was in the city prison.

Herein, then, is a tangible reason for the decrease in the number of lynchings reported last year.

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