DANIEL was especially anxious about the symbol of the “dreadful and terrible” beast, the fourth in the series presented in the vision of this chapter. He “would know the truth of the fourth beast,” or kingdom, which was to work such havoc in the earth. Following is the answer given to him regarding the meaning of the symbol itself:—
“Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise; and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.” Verses 23, 24.
Like the fourth kingdom of chapter 2, this fourth kingdom continues until the everlasting kingdom is set up. See verses 9–14, 26, 27. As the mixture of iron and clay—ingredients that will not cleave together—in the fourth kingdom of the image indicated permanent division, so the ten horns of the fourth beast indicate division. But, as we have previously noted, the Lord tells His prophet more than He told the heathen king. He tells the prophet plainly that this kingdom shall be divided into ten kingdoms. True, He says, “the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise;” but, that we may not get the idea that these are ten successive kings, the beast-symbol presents the ten horns all at once. Where ten separate kings are reigning all at once, there must be ten kingdoms—another evidence that the term “kings” and “kingdoms” are used interchangeably in these prophecies.
It must be remembered that while Babylon had sway all over the earth, the kingdom proper was comparatively limited. There were other kingdoms, but they were tributary to Babylon and powerless for a time to resist her dominion. This was because “the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men,” and He had given this universal dominion to the king of Babylon. When Babylon was overthrown, the opposition was started outside of the kingdom proper. The same may be said of Medo-Persia and of Grecia. The immediate territories of these kingdoms were limited, but their universal control was because there was none able to cope with or resist them rather than because they actually occupied all the earth. All other powers admitted their superiority and yielded to the inevitable. But the seat of empire or pre-eminent territory of each was different from that of its predecessor.
So when Rome, the fourth kingdom, rose up against the universal dominion of Grecia, the uprising took place in territory outside the kingdom proper of the predominant power then holding sway over the earth. And when Rome became the dominant power in the earth, and had subdued its predecessor, its territory proper and seat of power was in Europe, west and northwest of the territorial empire of Grecia. While its authority came to be extended over the countries of its predecessors in universal dominion, they are still recognized in the prophecy. “They had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.” Persia and Greece are still recognized kingdoms, but of very small consequence. Babylon, tho not known as a kingdom, wields a more extensive influence in the world through its ancient mythology, especially its astro-theology, secret divinations, etc.
In the image of chapter 2 the stone cut out without hands, which represented the kingdom of heaven, smote the image on the feet, at the very end of human empire, but “then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, . . . and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them.” And so must it be with the beasts, for this vision of Daniel is the complement of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar.
Reverting to the ten horns, or kingdoms, it is to be noted that they are on the beast itself, and not on any of its dependencies; all human governments of any notable influence have dependencies. The beast stands for the kingdom proper, which included southern Europe west of Greece, central Europe, and Great Britain and Ireland. Then here is where we must look for the ten horns or kingdoms. Has such a condition ever existed in that territory of the Roman Empire? There is no question that the old empire is all broken up both in the kingdom proper and in the territory over which its influence extended, known in history as the Eastern Empire. But the ten horns must be in the Western Empire.
Rome remained intact until the middle of the fourth century, when the breaking up process began. Neither space nor the purpose of this article will permit details of the establishment of the various kingdoms comprising ten at any one time. But others have made brief compilations from history, from which the following is selected because it is the only one that agrees with another important feature of the prophecy yet to be noted. This is all taken from Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,” which was written without reference to the fulfilment of prophecy, and is therefore without bias as to any theory of that character. Here is what is gathered concerning these kingdoms from that eminent authority, showing the time of their attacks on the empire, and the localities and dates of their establishment as permanent powers:—
ALEMANNI, A.D. 351, Swabia, Alsace, and Lorraine. (Gibbon, chap. 10, par. 26; 12: 20; 19: 20; 36: 5; 49: 22.)
FRANKS, A.D. 351, N. E. Gaul. (Id., chap. 19, par. 20; 36: 5.)
BURGUNDIANS, December 31, A.D. 406 (Id., chap. 30, par. 17); in Burgundy A.D. 420 (Id., chap. 31, par. 39).
VANDALS, December 31, A.D. 406 (Id., chap. 30, par. 17); in Spain A.D. 409 (chap. 31, par. 36); in Africa A.D. 429 (chap. 33, par. 35).
SUEVI, December 31, A.D. 406 (Id., chap. 30, par. 17); in Spain, A.D. 409 (chap. 31, par. 36).
VISIGOTHS, A.D. 408 (Id., chap. 31, par. 2, 14); in S. W. Gaul, A.D. 419 (chap. 31, par. 39); in Spain A.D. 467 (chap. 36, par. 22; 38: 2, 29).
OSTROGOTHS, A.D. 453, in Pannonia (Gibbon, chap. 35, par. 16); in Italy A.D. 489, final conquest A.D. 493 (chap. 39, par. 7, 8).
LOMBARDS, A.D. 453 in Pannonia and Norricum, banks of Danube (Weber’s Universal History, sec. 180; Gibbon, chap. 42, par. 2; Encyc. Brit., art. “Lombards”); in Lombardy, A.D. 567–8 (Gibbon, chap. 45, par. 5–7; Machiavelli, History of Florence, chap. 1, 2).
HERULI, A.D. 475–6, in Italy (Gibbon, chap. 36, par. 28–33).
Thus we have unbiased historical authority for the fulfilment of the prophecy. There is no question that Rome was the fourth and last power having universal recognition as the mistress of the world. There is no question that she had the characteristics of the “strength of iron” and the disposition to “break in pieces and bruise.” And here we have the best historical proof that the ten horns feature of the beast has had its fulfilment—that between the years A.D. 451 and 476 the Western Empire of Rome was broken into just ten kingdoms. History records the sequel of prophecy.
This evidence regarding the identity of the kingdoms presaged by the ten horns will be strengthened as we consider the “little horn” that came up among them, in another article.
W. N. G.
CHRIST IN CREATION AND REDEMPTION.
By E. Batterson
1. JESUS was one associated with the Father in the beginning.
Gen. 1:26: “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.”
2. Christ was with God before creation.
John 17:5: “And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.”
3. Work of creation by Christ.
Eph. 3:9: “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.” Also Heb. 1:2, 10.
4. Our Creator is our Redeemer.
Isa. 43:1: “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.”
5. Our Redeemer because our Creator.
Col. 1:14, 16: “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by Him, and for Him.”
6. Redemption is creation.
Eph. 2:1, 10: “And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins;” “for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
7. We become new creatures.
2 Cor. 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
8. This is what availeth.
Gal. 6:15: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”
E. BATTERSON.
ETERNAL LIFE.
Actual, Conditional, Absolute.
A FRIEND writes us relative to a question answered some time ago. The question is asked, “Does 1 John 5:13 teach that we have eternal life now?” and the answer given is, “It does.” Our correspondent seems to think that there should be a proviso attached to our reply. But why? The text reads: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life.”
God is “eternal.” His Spirit is the “eternal Spirit.” His life is “eternal life,” the “endless life.” It could not be conceived that an eternal Being had any other life than eternal life. And “with Him is the fountain of life.”
That eternal life God gives to all, to bird and beast, to insect and fish, to earth and plant, to angel and man. It all flows out from the great living central Heart of life to every creature. It is received by that creature and operates in that creature according to the law of the being of that creature planted in it by its Creator.
In each life it is perpetuated after its own order. God’s law or righteousness is “everlasting” or eternal. It is absolutely unchangeable, because His character is unchangeable. And the eternal life of the eternal God flows out from the great Fountain in harmony with the eternal law of God. “The commandment was ordained to life.” “In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” If all the universe had lived forever in harmony with God’s law, there would never have been any other life known than eternal life. It would have flowed out from the great Fountain, and the life-pulses of God would have beat uninterruptedly to all parts of His boundless dominion.
So far as this earth is concerned, the highest being upon it is man. The earth was made for his home, and he was given its dominion. The law of his being is the highest law, the moral law; abstractly it is the expression of God’s character. If man had been faithful to God, his life would have continued endlessly.
But man sinned, and with sin came death. “The commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.” Why?—Man refused to let that life flow into him according to the true law of his being, the holy law of God. It therefore became death to him, and the life as respects himself came to an end.
As he yielded himself to sin, sin became incarnate. It took up its dwelling in the flesh, where for nearly six thousand years it has perverted and brought to an end in man the eternal life of God. And while that life flows out from God eternal life, it becomes in the sinner, immediately it enters his being, a perverted life, which in a little while, at the longest, ends in the shades of death. As man had dominion over all in the earth, when he sinned, all under him came under the same perverted law. “For the creation was subjected to vanity [death] not of its own will, but by reason of him [the sinner] who subjected it.” R. V. Man—unregenerate man—has not therefore in himself eternal life.7
But there is One who has lived God’s eternal life in the flesh, triumphant over sin, namely, Jesus the Son of God. The commandment in Him did not work out death, but life. The law in the sinner means death. In our Lord it was indeed “the law of the Spirit of life.”
He yielded wholly to God’s law. “Lo, I come,” said He, “to do Thy will, O my God; yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Yielding wholly to God’s law, God gave to Him in the fullest sense His own life.
All who will yield to God through Christ will have the same life. All whose hearts are yielded to God’s law by faith in Christ, as that law was manifest in Christ’s life, will receive the outflowing life as it comes from the Fountain,—eternal life. And every such one can truly say: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Christ dwell in you. . . . And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Therefore “he that hath the Son hath life.” “These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.” R. V.
But may we not lose this life?—Yes, by yielding to sin. We hold it by faith. But, and here is the point, the life is not less actual because it is conditional. Jesus was as actually present in the synagog at Nazareth as He was in the house of Zaccheus. To him who truly yields now is the life actually given now; and it is given that by “the power of an endless life” the sinner may bring every thought, every fiber of his being, into subjection to God’s law and life. If we continue faithful till characters are formed, then when Jesus comes is eternal life bestowed absolutely and forever. Our flesh, our being, will never again pervert God’s law. God’s law molds the man; the man does not pervert the law.
O soul, adrift on the great stormy sea of life, out of harmony with God and dying, will you not yield to the law of life? Will you not live, and not die? Will you not choose righteousness and life rather than sin and death? Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Do you not wish the abundant life?
“TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU.”
By T.
THE very interesting question was asked the Saviour, “What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matt. 24:3. In view of the directness of this question it is most significant that the words of the Master’s reply should be, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” “For,” He continues, “many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matt. 24:4, 5. And, proceeding, the Lord points out the evidences by which it may be known when His coming is near, as well as to tell the disciples how it was possible to know when the destruction of old Jerusalem was at hand. But commingled with this evidence of His coming He continues to warn against deceptions. “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matt. 24:11. And again in the same chapter, “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Verses 23, 24.
The Lord would not place so many warnings against deceptions, in the very midst of the evidence of His coming, unless there was danger. And the simple fact that He is so particular to give repeated warnings should cause us to be on our guard every moment. And we should never lose sight of the fact that the first thing the Lord said in answer to, “What shall be the sign of Thy coming?” is, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Then, whether we realize it or not, our Lord knew full well that many deceptions would beset us in these last days, and He warns us so that we may avoid them if we will.
The apostles also had the danger of deceptions in the last days wonderfully impressed upon their minds by the Spirit of God. Says Paul: “And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming; even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thess. 2:8-12. The “Lord shall consume” “that wicked” and shall destroy him “with the brightness of His coming.” But His “coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders.” How clear this language is! Satan works with “lying wonders” in a most extraordinary manner when our Lord’s coming is near.
Further it is stated that his working is “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.” Here is revealed, not only the “deceivableness” of Satan’s working, but also the channel through which he works. It is “in them that perish.” And they perish “because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” So then the Lord sends His “truth” to graciously save men. But they do not love it, and so turn away from it, and are taken by the “delusion.” God will not permit a single soul to be thus deluded by Satan without sending him the truth and doing all that infinite love can do to warn him of the ensnaring evils of these last days.
In Rev. 13:11 a prophecy is introduced by the symbol of a “beast” that had “two horns like a lamb.” In Rev. 19:20 this same beast is spoken of again under the name of “false prophet,” as any one will readily see who will take the time to compare this verse with the latter part of Revelation 13. But of this “false prophet,” it states that he was “cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Rev. 19:20. Then the “false prophet,” or “beast” with “two horns like a lamb,” is still “alive,” an acting, moving power, when he is “cast” “into a lake of fire.”
And while this power is alive and acting, note that “he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” Rev. 13:13, 14. So, then, here is a text which shows that the masterly work of deception in these last days will be carried to the point where fire is made to “come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” What could be a greater display of power? And should we believe in the one exercising it?—Ah, the Lord has pointed out these things as deceptions, and we should beware!
Reader, are you fortified against these delusions that Satan is preparing for the last days? When he “maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,” are you prepared to promptly reject the great snare of the evil one? And when all around us may be seen the “working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish,” can you say, I am sheltered by my heavenly Father from all this? And as the false christs, and false prophets, arise, and “show great signs and wonders,” can you say to them all: “No, I do not accept you? My Master has warned me against you, and I am trusting in Him”?
God is now sending His Gospel message to the world. He is offering His truth freely to all. And His truth is so clear, and so perfectly is it light itself, that no one who receives and keeps it may ever be captured by any deception that Satan can invent. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:4, 5, 9. Have you received this Light? If so, He will safely guide you past every deception, no matter how cunningly it may be devised. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Ps. 119:105, 130. T.
Question Corner
“Enquire and make search and ask diligently.”
NOTE.—We wish those who ask questions to take particular notice: (1) Only such questions will be answered here as we believe to be of general interest and information. (2) We can not undertake to explain from four to a dozen scriptures, as in one sentence we are often requested to do. (3) Do not ask to “explain” a certain text or passage. State clearly the point in question. (4) Give full name and address, not for publication unless desired, but as evidence of good faith, and to give us the privilege of replying by letter if deemed best. (5) Unsigned communications of any kind find the quickest way to the waste-basket. (6) It is always well to inclose stamp. (7) “Foolish and unlearned questions avoid,” also those that minister to mere curiosity. (8) Study the Scriptures yourselves.
Please explain Dan. 12:11, 12. What is the abomination that maketh desolate? F. S. S.
The “abomination that maketh desolate” is the mystery of iniquity which crept into and perverted the Christian church, generally known as the system of the Papacy. The 1,290 days or years are supposed to begin in A.D. 508 and end in 1798; and the 1,335 days begin in A.D. 538 and end in 1843. See “Daniel and the Revelation,” by U. Smith.
How and when did Christ preach to the spirits in prison?
Prison indicates a condition of bondage. The sinner is taken with “his own iniquities,” and is “holden with the cords of his sins.” Prov. 5:22. He who is “under the law”—in a state of condemnation—is “shut up” in a prison of which faith in Christ is the only door. It has been the mission of Christ to open the prison door of sin in all ages. He did this by His Spirit in the days of Noah to the souls in the bondage of sin there. He did it when the long-suffering of God was waiting, “while the ark was a-preparing.” 1 Peter 3:20. The Gospel was preached by the Spirit of Christ through Noah. 2 Peter 2:5.
It is utterly rejecting the calls and evidence and manifest work of the Spirit of God, so that the heart becomes so hard that the Spirit of God can not impress it. The Jews sinned against the Holy Ghost when they attributed to Beelzebub the miracles of Christ. Mark 3:28–30.
What does God mean by saying: “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.” Are not these men dead?
Yes, these men are, so far as all earthly power is concerned, dead; but in God’s purpose they live, because they will be raised from the dead. This is what this scripture proves. It does not prove that these men live apart from their bodies, and therefore they do not need a resurrection; but it does prove that, God being their God, and the God of the living, they will be raised from the dead. They live in His purpose. See Luke 20:38 and Rom. 4:17.
“A VAST SYSTEM OF SUN-WORSHIP.”
By Editor
We give place to the following letter, with the above heading, for the proofs it presents, merely remarking that we are sure that none of the people whom this paper represents are members of this ancient cult. Many have been. They once joined, as thousands of others have joined, believing these secret orders to be good things in a benevolent, social, and commercial way. But when they came to know Christ, His teachings, His fellowship, His Spirit, and His fulness, they found no room for aught that the world in its ancient or modern lore could furnish. The only way to meet sun-worship or Sunday laws is in the presentation of that better worship of the great Creator through the everlasting Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sun-worship is, after all, but a form of nature-worship. It is only one of the religions which spring from the natural heart of man. Here is the letter; it will speak for itself:—
EDITOR SIGNS OF THE TIMES: Sabbatarians in their discussion of Sunday observance should not overlook the vast system of sun-worship, set up and running full blast within the shadow of every church, chapel, and cathedral in the United States. It is right to worship the true God every day in the year, and it is idolatry to worship the sun any day. If it is a principle involved, then we must pass beyond Sunday to an examination of sun-worship itself. To stop short of this is inconsistency and insincerity. There are papers and people opposing Sunday observance and Sunday laws that are silent as the grave about the great temples, altars, rites, and ceremonies of Sabaism all about and around them. Many Sabbatarians are actually practising those ancient pagan forms.
Albert G. Mackey, the Past General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of all the Masons in this country, on page 100 of his “Lexicon of Freemasonry,” says that Masonry is a philosophical development of sun-worship, not something like sun-worship, but of sun-worship. A. T. C. Pierson, present Grand Secretary of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Minnesota and Grand Captain-General of the Grand Encampment of American Masonry, in his “Traditions of Freemasonry,” page 87, assures us that the sun as an object of worship and symbolization has always formed an important part of Freemasonry; and he proves that every rite and ceremony is a reproduction of ancient sun-worship. Dan Sickels is the great Masonic publisher of New York City, and Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction of the Masons of the United States. On page 56 of his “Freemason’s Guide” he says:—
“Accepting the symbol, have we lost its sense? Our rites will be of little value to us if this be the case. It is our duty, then, to make Freemasonry the object of a profound study. We must consult the past. We must stand by the sarcophagus of the murdered but restored Osiris, in Egypt, enter the caverns of Phrygia, and hold communion with the Cabiri; penetrate the ‘Collegia Fabrorum’ of ancient Rome, and work in the mystic circles of Sidon.”
Every Master Mason knows that the lodge can never be regularly opened or closed without stating that the Master and Wardens represent the sun at rising, at meridian, and at setting. The three lights and three principal supports also represent the sun. Robert Morris, the Past Most Worshipful Grand Master of Kentucky, the Poet Laureate of the Order, and a Masonic Sovereign Grand Inspector-General, in his “Dictionary of Freemasonry,” page 296, declares: “The Worshipful Master himself is a representative of the sun.” Not something like the sun, but of the sun. To speak the word “worshipful” is worship in the lodge. And thus evidence in abundance can be produced, proving beyond all cavil that Freemasonry is actual, real sun-worship, just as in the days of Jehu and Elijah. What America needs to-day is one grand home missionary crusade against this heathenism, the worship of Osiris and Isis—the sun and moon.
The other orders in their preparation, ritualism, marching around an altar, obligations of secrecy, signs of recognition, etc., are patterned after Masonry, and are a revamping of all this ancient pagan worship. M. N. BUTLER.
Kansas City, Mo.
UNQUESTIONING OBEDIENCE.
It makes a difference whether the one we obey is man or God. Man’s law is often extremely short-sighted, and obedience results in disaster, defeat, or death. Here is an illustration on the ridiculous side, told in the Christian Work:—
Numerous complaints had come before a certain official in regard to the quality of food served to the inmates of one of the public institutions, and he determined to investigate for himself in order to see if the matter really required attention.
Making his way to the particular building in question just about dinner-time, he walked straight over to where the kitchen is located. At the very door he encountered two muscular-looking men carrying a huge, steaming boiler.
“Put that kettle down,” he ordered brusquely, and the men at once obeyed. “Get me a spoon,” he next commanded.
The man who brought the spoon was about to say something, but was ordered to keep silent.
“Take off the lid,” was the next command; “I’m going to taste it.”
The two men were utterly cowed by the official brusqueness, and, wondering, watched him gulp down a good mouthful.
“Do you mean to say that you call this soup?” the official demanded. “Why, it tastes more like dirty water!”
“So it is, sir,” replied one of them respectfully. “We were just scrubbing the floors.”
But God gives no such senseless commands. Some may appear to unbelief as senseless, but to faith is open all power to do God’s will. Be sure the command is from God, and then obey.
Preach the Word
“PREACH the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 4:2.
WANTED! A CHRISTIAN PARTY
By T.
Such is the caption of a neatly-printed little leaflet that has just reached us from a gentleman in Iowa. His leaflet is “A Call to the Christian Voters, and to the Press of Our Country” to join in forming a “United Christian Party.” He thinks that such a party is “the need of our day and age” and “the only political remedy.”
We have a high regard for those who are seeking in every way they can to bring about reforms. And when the crime and political corruption of every degree and grade that are so rapidly filling the land are taken into account, it is not surprising that men should be seeking means by which the engulfing tide of evil may be stayed. But in seeking for a remedy there is danger of putting instrumentalities into the hands of knavish demagogs that will enable them to do still worse things than they are doing now.
Christ, our Master, stands at the head of His church, and He recognizes His church as the great agency through which He carries on His work in the earth. And we have no intimation in the Word He has left to guide us that He would ever use His church as a political party, or a mere adjunct to a political party. But, on the contrary, “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My kingdom not from hence.”John 18:36. It would be impossible to construct language so as to express anything more clearly. And since the Lord utterly refuses to preside as king over this wicked world, what is the use of Christians trying to make Him do what His infinite wisdom declares to be wrong?
A man must be a novice, indeed, in history who does not know that untold millions have been most cruelly tortured and killed in the sacred name of Christianity. It was persons seeking to direct the state through a “Christian party” who built the dungeons, and invented the inhumane instruments of torture that mangled and bruised the bodies of men, women, and even tender children during the bloody reign of the persecutions of the past. And the conscience should not be quieted by the oft-repeated statement that “O, it was the Catholics who did that!” For he has only read one side of history who does not know that degenerated Protestantism has burned men at the stake and as inhumanly tortured them as did ever a Catholic—and that, too, all in the name of Christianity.
Humanity is the same now as ever. And a “Christian party” in name, for it could be only in name, would furnish a worse channel than any of the old political parties through which the corruption of politics would rush along. A failure to recognize the great fact taught by Jesus that “My kingdom is not of this world,” has been at the bottom of all the blood shed by the martyrs of the past, and to fail to recognize the authority of these same words now, will provide the same horrible results as in days gone by.
T.
PROTESTANTISM IN CATHOLIC COUNTRIES AND IN THE UNITED STATES.
By W. N. G.
“A very truthful statement bearing upon the Protestant denominations’ sustaining missions in Italy, is made by a correspondent writing to London from Rome. The desire that Vatican rule shall be the dominant factor in politics, science, literature, and religious works, operates as largely as ever in the Catholic mind, and to that end it ceaselessly strives. It has come to see that, territorially, it has small chances if it confines itself to so many acres of land; hence the desire to acquire the rule over the individual man, always getting hold of the mind and will, so as to bend both in that direction which shall serve the ends of the body corporate. Vigorous and determined effort to enlighten the conscience is needed, if Italy is to be strong among the nations; and the strongest support, both morally and materially, may well be given to the evangelical churches which are standing up manfully for freedom of thought, and are endeavoring to promote among the people a sense of personal responsibility, first to their Maker, next to their country and their neighbor.”—N. Y. Christian Advocate.
We often hear that Catholicism is practically a very different element in countries entirely under its rule from what it is in the United States. The same may be said of so-called Protestantism. In Italy, for instance, as noted above, the “evangelical churches” are very solicitous for the inculcation of free thought; that is, that Protestantism may gain the ascendancy and recognition now held by Catholicism. While Catholicism is more Romanistic in Catholic countries, Protestantism is more Protestant; real Protestant principles are more pronounced, and free thought on the lines of civil and religious liberty for the masses is a more prominent issue.
But in the United States, where Protestantism has had full sway from the beginning, we find its nominal votaries urging the government with every available resource to adopt measures—through Sunday legislation and otherwise—that can only have the effect of curtailing free thought. And, strange as it may seem, they manifest great anxiety for Roman Catholic co-operation in this unprotestant work. For this reason Protestants in the United States are becoming more and more unprotestant, and Rome is continually gaining influence in the government. She is fast becoming the “dominant factor in politics” and in religion, simply because a waning, weakening, compromising Protestantism has adopted Roman methods of acquiring power and influence, and has thereby placed herself on Roman ground. And this is all that Rome asks of anybody; she is always master in her own field.
In support of the position that Protestantism is adopting Roman methods in the United States—leaning upon the “arm of flesh” and seeking political domination—we submit the following as only one of the many current indications:—
“CHICAGO, Jan. 18.—“The great tendency in the Congregational Church is toward the union of religion and the State. The church has before it a splendid opportunity to assert love for country and to fill itself with patriotic spirit. The time is coming when we shall put obligations of citizenship into our creed and teach them in the churches.’
“These were the words of Rev. Dr. Chas. A. Lamson, the president of the American Board of Foreign Missions, in an address before the Chicago Congregational Club last evening. He was speaking of the great tendencies manifest in the development of his church, and when he had reached the part of his remarks telling of the power the church would have in civic and national affairs in the future, and uttered the words above quoted, his entire audience burst forth into cheers.” W. N. G.
