THESE articles are published under the heading which they bore in the Mirror, "The Christian Sabbath," with a subhead, "From a Roman Catholic Standpoint," as No. 113 of Bible Students' Library. The second edition is now on the press. There has been an extensive call for them, and they should be widely circulated. They are Rome's confession that the "holy day" of her making has no authority from God's word, but rests solely upon the authority of that church. The writer also shows that Protestants are on Catholic ground, while the only true Protestant is the seventh-day Sabbath-keeping Christian. Price, 4 cents. Address, Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, Cal. ; 43 Bond St., New York; or 18 W. Fifth St., Kansas City, Mo. ; or our State tract societies.
Sunday Rest and Religious Faith
By Editor
The Rev. H. A. Ketchum in the Occident desires 'that petitions be circulated, signed, and forwarded to the directors [of the Midwinter Fair], asking that this exhibition, in which we all feel a deep, genuine interest, and which we all wish to attend, may be so conducted that all who desire may rest from their labors on Sunday, that toil and tumult may be reduced to the minimum.' But may not 'all who desire' now 'rest from their labors on Sunday'? Is a religious regard for Sunday of any worth if it will not lead a man to rest from secular labor when there is no law to prevent him? Is that religion of any worth which will not enable a man to do what he believes to be right, even though there is law against it? If Sunday is all that is claimed for it, is it not worth dying for? Would it not be well to inspire a little of the spirit of faith and endurance in those who desire to 'rest from labors' on that day? If the Christianity they have is not sufficient to enable them to keep Sunday when there is no law to compel them to do otherwise, have they enough to save them? Is there not more need of gospel work in the churches than for political work outside? But if these petitions are heeded, according to Mr. Ketchum—
'Then the favor of God may be expected to rest upon the Midwinter Fair, because his command is obeyed, 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.''
But if the directors heed God's command, they will never close Sunday, and Mr. K. does not want them to heed that command, but his construction of it. He says in effect, Just close Sunday; it does not make much difference what else is done, how much wickedness is wrought on other days, only close Sunday, and God will bless the Fair. Great is the Sunday Diana.
A Missionary for the Pwo-Karens
By Editor
We call the attention of our readers to the interesting article in our Mission Fields taken from the pen of Rev. L. W. Cronkhite, on the Pwo-Karens. The writer speaks of one tribe of this interesting people which has no missionary among them; and he says, "I cannot write this without a prayer that the eye of their future missionary may rest upon it." And it is our prayer that some one or more of our many readers who believe in the message of "the everlasting gospel" may feel burdened to say, "Here am I, Lord, send me."
Religious Conventions and the Sabbath
The Christian Statesman suggests a series of religious conventions around the world in the year 1900 A.D. First, a World's Convention of Christian Reforms at New York or Pittsburg during the closing week of the nineteenth century and the opening week of the twentieth; a World's Missionary Conference at Bombay in the latter part of the winter; Evangelical Alliance at Jerusalem in the early spring; a World's Sunday School Convention a month later at Cairo, Egypt; a World's Y. M. C. A. Convention in Rome in early summer; a World's Endeavor Convention in London in the latter part of summer, Epworth League and other societies joining. In the first of these conventions, at New York or Pittsburg, "Christians of all creeds," says the Statesman, "could unite without embarrassment." In order for this to be, a change would have to take place; for at the present time nothing so embarrasses a National Reform Convention as the presence of one or more earnest Sabbath-keeping Christians. Would the Sabbath keepers at that time be all perverted to Sunday by the coercive methods of National Reformers, such as the chain-gang, etc.? Or would the Sabbath keepers be all killed off? Or would they in that day, as they are now declared to be, be counted as infidels? We know that the Statesman does not anticipate any such good thing as that the great mass of Sunday keepers will turn from the pa-papal day to the Sabbath of the Lord, for it proposes to hold a Sunday school convention. Or will it be at that time that Christ the Lord will be reigning with his saints in the New Jerusalem? We do not know; but this we do know, that as long as the present situation of things exists, just as long as the professed church of Christ walks contrary to the teachings of Christ and his word, just so long the truth of God will embarrass them.
History of the Preparation of the World
A NEW edition of Dr. David R. Breed's "History of the Preparation of the World for Christ," has just been issued by the Fleming H. Revel Company. In this work is traced the rise of the different nations of ancient times, their development in civilization and culture, their subsequent gradual disintegration, and final subjection to Roman rule. The formation of the Roman Empire, uniting all civilized nations under one government and in the use of two languages, and making possible intercourse between them, is shown to have been a necessary preliminary to the coming of Christ. This edition has been enlarged and partly rewritten, being thus brought into agreement with the latest scholarship, and is thoroughly and adequately illustrated with maps, charts, and photographs.
Railway Accidents and Casualties
The entire loss of life of passengers carried on the railways of this country during the year ending June 30, 1892, according to the report of the Interstate Commerce Commission, was 376 against 291 for the previous year. The passengers injured were 3,227 in 1892 against 2,992 in 1891. There were 2,554 employers killed, or one to every 322 employed. There was one passenger killed to every 1,491,910 carried. The greatest cause of death was collisions and derailments.
The railway accidents of the present year have been even more startling. From January to October 20, twenty-four accidents foot up the number of 201 killed and 548 injured. Besides these there have been scores of minor accidents in which the loss of life would more than aggregate the above.
Thanksgiving—Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving—Giving Thanks.—Not for one day but for all the time, is the principle of the true Christian. He who gives thanks for God's bounties only one day in the year, gives not thanks at all. "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus." "Giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father." And say, reader, there is no better way to show our gratitude to God than to give to those who are in need.
The National Sabbath Law
A circular from the "Annual National Reform Convention," held in Pittsburg, Pa., November 14-16, says that "special attention was given to the Sabbath question, and the influence and labors of the association were pledged to the advocacy of a National Sabbath Law, as the next great forward step to be taken by the friends of the sabbath in the United States." This, of course, means the National Reformers' sabbath.
The Roman Curia
By Editor
The “Roman Curia,” or College of Cardinals, is the subject of an article on another page, which presents the best description of the pope and his staff we ever remember to have read. The writer, Lord Robert Montague, was for many years a Roman Catholic, and a friend of leading Catholic prelates.
Review of Religious Legislation
By Editor
We regret that we have not Brother Magan's paper on "Review of Religious Legislation in Century Nineteen" for this number. Fortunately, the break comes just when it can best be borne. It will be continued, the Lord willing, in a week or two.
History
By Editor
We call the attention of the reader to a series of four articles on "History," the first of which appears in this number.
Articles Crowded Out
By Editor
Some articles promised in our last number have been crowded out. They will appear next week.