p. 64 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 4. (11/27/1893)

LESSON X.—SABBATH, DECEMBER 9, 1893

THE INFLUENCE OF LOVE.

15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God abideth in him, and he in God.

16. And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him.

17. Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.

18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19. We love, because he first loved us.

20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen.

21. And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.

QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT.

What relationship exists between God and him who confesses that Jesus is his Son?
What have we known and believed?
What is God?
What follows as a result of this truth?
What is the result of this union?
What confidence will perfect love give us?
What does perfect love exclude?
Of what does the presence of fear give evidence?
Who do believers love?
What charge is made against him who professes love to God but hates his brother?
What is the basis of this charge?
What commandment has been received?

NOTES.

1. VERSES 15, 16.—When Peter confessed that Jesus was the Son of God, the reply of Christ indicated that this truth cannot be discerned by the natural man (Matt. 16: 16, 17), and it is only when Christ, in whom God dwelt (2 Cor. 5: 19), is revealed in us (Gal. 1: 16) that we can confess this truth in the sense of the scripture. Thus the Spirit which is to testify of him (John 15: 26) witnesses through us to his divinity (1 Cor. 12: 3). The love of God can be known only by experience, as it is poured out in the heart. Rom. 5: 5. "Human language can never explain how the love of Christ can take possession of the soul, and lead captive every power of the mind; but you will know it by personal experience." Since God is love, and love is of God, no one can be in love and separated from God at the same time.

2. VERSE 17.—The result aimed at in all God's love to us is that we may be restored to his favor and dwell in his presence (1 Tim. 2: 4), but this involves a testing of the character (2 Cor. 5: 10), and the law demands perfection (James 2: 10). No righteousness of our own (Phil. 3: 9) will give confidence in that day. Those who have "had a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah, and felt the terror of appearing in their guilt and uncleanness before the Searcher of hearts," will desire the robe of righteousness (Isa. 61: 10) as a wedding garment (Matt. 22: 11, 12), clean and white (Rev. 19: 8). "None are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity, and righteousness in Jesus, who died for them. He is waiting to strip them of their garments stained and polluted with sin, and to put upon them the white robes of righteousness."

Our likeness to Christ must begin here. "We must perfect a Christlike character, or we shall never enter into the kingdom of heaven." "The saints in heaven will first have been saints on earth."

3. VERSE 18.—Although there is a certain fear (1 Peter 1: 17) in which we are to live (Phil. 2: 12), yet "not in the distrust of the grace of God, but in fear that self shall gain the supremacy. We are not to fear that there shall be any failure on the part of God, but fear lest of our own sinful inclinations any of us should seem to come short of the promise."

"Here is where we need to watch, to strive, to pray, that nothing may entice us to choose another master, for we are always free to do this." God has given us every reason for assurance (Heb. 6: 17, 18) that he will carry us through (Phil. 1: 6) and enable us to pass the test (Jude 24) if we believe in him (2 Chron. 20: 20).

4. VERSES 19-21.—"We love, because He first loved us," is the Revised Version of verse 19. We should never have known the meaning of love, and never have exercised it toward anyone, if God had not first loved us. If we love God, whom we have not seen (1 Peter 1: 8), then we shall surely love all the objects of his love about us whom we can see. This love is a proof to the world of our discipleship (John 13: 35). Love to God and love to man are inseparably connected (Matt. 22: 37-40), and both will be manifested by the follower of Christ. "There has been too much of a spirit to ask, 'Am I my brother's keeper?' Said the angel, 'Yea, thou art thy brother's keeper. Thou shouldst have a watchful care for thy brother, be interested for his welfare, and cherish a kind, loving spirit toward him.'" "While we cannot fellowship those who are the bitter enemies of Christ, we should cultivate that spirit of meekness and love that characterized our Master,—a love that thinketh no evil, and is not easily provoked."

AN IMPORTANT NEW BOOK ENTITLED

By Editor

"CHRISTIAN EDUCATION."

THIS book contains 256 pages, and is the most complete and comprehensive work on the subject of Christian education that has ever been published. It is composed entirely of articles from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White, which, at considerable labor and research, have been brought together and arranged in a convenient form for reference, a carefully prepared index being added. Much of the material in this book has already appeared in print, but it also contains very valuable matter never before published.

Starting from the period of infancy, it points out the most successful way of preparing the mind of the child for the work of succeeding years, and the duty of the parent toward the child until its education may safely be committed to others; it tells at what age the child ought to be placed in school, the number of hours per day during which it should be confined to study, the nature and kind of studies which are most important for the child to pursue, and dwells on the importance of proper home surroundings and influences, and the considerations which should govern in the selection of homes and associates for the young. It points out the true idea of the marriage relation, and the duty of the parent in regard thereto. It also speaks of recreation, and proper reading for young people, and the principles which should control in these things. All of these questions are answered in the most specific manner, and, generally speaking, no detail in the education and training of children and youth is omitted.

The purpose of the book is not so much to induce parents to place their children in any particular school, as it is to prepare the parents to properly meet the responsibilities resting upon them. No one, however, can fail to be impressed with the fact that it is becoming more and more evident that the education of our children and youth cannot with safety be intrusted to those not in harmony with the great truths for this time.

Any system of education which is not based upon, and carried forward in accordance with, the principles laid down in this work, must necessarily fail of attaining the best results.

We believe that our people will hail this book with delight, bringing together as it does in one convenient volume the important things Sister White has said on this subject. One is much more impressed with the importance of Christian principles in education when he has the privilege of reading connectedly what the writer of this book has said on the subject, than when he reads it in short articles or paragraphs here and there. And, taking into account the valuable new matter that it contains, it makes a book that no family can afford to be without. Get it, and read it, and induce all others that can, to do likewise.

Send your orders to any of our State tract societies. Price, 50 cents per copy, or address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

News and Notes.

By Editor

FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 20.

RELIGIOUS.

—The German Reichstag is again in session, and a resolution has been submitted prohibiting the immigration of all Jews not German subjects.

—Rabbi Voorsanger, of San Francisco, finds that Friday evening services are better attended by those not of the Jewish faith than the regular Sabbath services.

—The New York World says that Father Francis D. Fabris, who accompanied Satolli to this country, is authority for the statement that the apostolic delegate is to be made a cardinal.

—Rev. E. T. Hiscock, D. D., of Mt. Vernon, N. Y., recently read a paper on the transfer of the Sabbath, before the Baptist Ministers' Association of New York City, in which he frankly stated that “whatever ground there may be for observing Sunday, there is no ground in the New Testament for the change of the Sabbath or for the sacredness of Sunday.”

—The Central Christian Church at San Jose, Cal., has appointed a committee to petition the board of supervisors to settle at a special election the question of license or no license. The church committee held a meeting this evening and decided to secure the coöperation of all prohibition societies and church organizations in the county to further the movement.

—A Methodist minister in Niles City, Mont., speaking on the Sabbath question, acknowledged the fact that the Catholic Church changed the day, and said that, although he did not approve of many things the Catholic Church had done, we could not throw away all that it had done, for if we did, what would we have left? This is a significant question for Methodists to ponder.

—The Catholic archbishops, at their last annual meeting, held in Chicago, decided that it was proper to provide, at Washington, D. C., a suitable residence for the apostolic delegate, and all Catholics in the United States are to be called upon for donations. The building has already been provided, and Monsignor Satolli has been installed, but the collection has not yet been taken.

—The Catholic News says: “The Chancellor of the Chester Consistory Court in England has decided that it is illegal for members of the State church to ask the prayers of a congregation for the souls of the departed. The question was raised by the inscription on a monument in Odd Rode Church, which reads as follows: ‘Of your charity, pray for the soul of Henriette Francis.’ According to the chancellor's decision the inscription must be amended.”

—In the published defense of the Catholics against the American Protective Association, by the Protestant ministers of Columbus, Ohio, the defenders admit that of 112 policemen in that city, forty-five were Roman Catholics. Considering the small alleged proportion of Catholic population and capital, this is certainly a very large proportion of Catholic policemen, when we consider the fact that as a general thing policemen (other than Catholics) are seldom adherents of any particular religion.

—Bishop Coxe, of Buffalo, has written a sharp letter to Monsignor Satolli, the papal ablegate in the United States, in which he informs that august functionary that he is “not qualified to expound our Constitution to an intelligent people, nor entitled as an alien to lecture to us on our duties.” The letter further says, “You are not only an alien, but the emissary of a foreign court, and evidently as ignorant of our institutions as you are of our language.” Speaking of the Jesuits, the bishop says: “I am antagonistic of that corrupt society; so are thousands of professed Roman Catholics. . . . It is the duty of all free people to limit and control, if not to banish, the Jesuits.”

—Of the growing liberality of the government of Turkey toward the Catholic Church, the Boston Republic says: “A decree has just been promulgated at Constantinople and sent to Monsignor Matzedoff, bishop of Salonica, making the following concessions to the Catholic clergy: The bishop will be ex officio a member of the provincial council, by which civil and religious questions are considered. Besides, he will have the right to be represented by deputy in all district councils. He can demand an escort in his travels. The government will recognize any title he gives to priests engaged in the work of education. He will be empowered to administer justice amongst Catholics, and his decisions relative to various questions will have the force of law. No priest can be condemned for an offense by the civil tribunals without the consent of the bishop, and if he is found guilty, he will undergo his punishment at the episcopal residence. Finally, the bishop will have the right to defend the faithful in all cases.”

SECULAR.

—Mrs. Grant, widow of General U. S. Grant, has purchased a house in San Diego, Cal.

—The Page Flour Mills at Fergus Falls, Minn., were burned on the 15th inst. Loss, $100,000.

—The Russian Commissioner has contracted for 12,000 square feet of space in the Manufactures Building of the San Francisco Midwinter Exposition.

—Thomas Prunty was killed and two of his children badly wounded by burglars who entered their home in Chicago, on the night of the 14th inst.

—The attorney for the Chinese Six Companies in San Francisco has informed the revenue collector that the Chinese are willing to register immediately.

—The British war ship Champion has gone from Victoria, B. C., to Honolulu, to look after British interests in connection with the Hawaiian imbroglio.

—U. S. Solicitor General Maxwell has ordered the release of all the Chinese held in California for deportation, excepting such as have been convicted of some felony.

—A London dispatch of the 17th inst. says, “A fearful gale has swept the English coast, and many wrecks are reported.” A later report estimates the loss of life at 200.

—Almost everything connected with the projected Midwinter Fair at San Francisco has to be enlarged from the original design, on account of the unexpected interest developing both at home and abroad.

—A general strike has been ordered on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, caused by the company's refusal to recognize anybody as representing the employes of the road who have a line of grievances to present.

—An interstate convention is called for December 5, at Topeka, Kan., in the interest of the scheme for a railroad from North Dakota to the Gulf of Mexico, to be owned by the States through which the road will pass.

—The murderer of Mayor Harrison, of Chicago, is indignant because his attorney proposes to enter a plea of insanity in his defense. He claims that his dastardly act was justifiable, and he wants to pose as a public benefactor.

—The band of thirty Samoan islanders who have been on exhibition at the World's Fair, arrived in San Francisco on the 19th inst. After giving a few exhibitions in that city and vicinity, they will sail for home on a chartered schooner.

—Considerable uneasiness is reported from Centerville, Fresno County, Cal., on account of people being afflicted with glanders contracted from horses. Those afflicted with the disease suffer intense pain. A boy of 16 years died last week in great agony.

—Late dispatches via Brussels report severe fighting in the Kongo Free State. After conquering Kurindo, Captain Ponthier pursued the Arabs and completely routed them. It is said that he captured Bon Abadi, who is responsible for the assassination of Emin Pasha.

—The Lennos Block and adjoining buildings in Memphis, Tenn., were burned on the night of the 13th inst. Four persons lost their lives in the flames, and several were more or less injured by jumping from windows. The property loss is stated at over $500,000.

—A boy aged 13 years was shot and killed at Springfield, Ill., on the 19th inst., while being initiated into a society composed of boys of 12 to 15 years of age. The shooting was accidental, but it is said that the shooter appears to consider himself quite a hero.

—The Pacific Coast has had its windstorm, although it did not quite rank as a hurricane. In the vicinity of San Francisco Bay several buildings on shaky foundations were considerably damaged. At the Midwinter Fair grounds the unfinished Hawaiian building was demolished.

—A citizen of Dallas, Texas, named Parish is accused of hiring a negro to murder his business partner, on whose life he held a $10,000 policy. The negro committed the murder, and afterward admitted that he was hired to do the deed. Parish was arrested, and attempted suicide in jail.

—The ten fugitives from Siberian exile who recently arrived in San Francisco, are in prison, at the instance of the Russian Consul, awaiting the decision of our government on the question of their extradition. Great interest is manifested in the case by the Russian population of the entire country, and also in England.

—A Paris dispatch says: “The French Government has sent three special commissioners of police to the Spanish frontier with instructions to take every precaution possible to prevent Anarchists crossing the frontier. The Spanish Government has pledged itself to take similar action on the other side of the frontier whenever called upon by the French Government. It is understood the German, Austrian, and Italian Governments have sent additional instructions to their frontier police.”

—Some of the colored people down South seem to have caught the lynching spirit themselves. One colored man killed another of his own race last week, at Pine Bluff, Ark., and a mob, composed entirely of colored people, broke open the jail, hanged the murderer to a tree, shot several bullets into the body, and then set fire to it.

—The trial of the last of the fifteen stock “rustlers” who were indicted over a year ago at Colfax, Wash., at the instance of the Protective Stock Association, has resulted in acquittal. In every trial acquittal has resulted, although in this last case the prosecuting witness admitted being an accomplice of the defendant in horse stealing.

—Southern California has had a quite general snowstorm. It occurred on the 17th inst., and was accompanied by rain, and in some places hail. The snowfall on the mountains was heavy, and in the valleys it is the first visitation in many years. Orange growers were considerably frightened for the time, but no great damage is reported.

—The University of Minnesota (that is, the students) is highly indignant because Cornell University declines to make the long journey west to engage in a game of football on Thanksgiving day, for which event great preparation has been made. There is probably no other means with which the students are acquainted of giving national thanks.

—The latest from Rio Janeiro is to the effect that the rebel fleet was still bombarding the land forts, although it is the general impression that their supplies must be about exhausted. It is also reported that Admiral Mello had proclaimed in favor of restoring the old empire, and had named Prince D’Alcantara, grandson of Dom Pedro, as emperor.

—The miners in the Wellington coal mines, at Nanaimo, B. C., recently demanded a ten per cent increase in wages, and quit work until their demand should be allowed. But last week they were notified to remove their tools, as the mines would be shut down. Suffering will be the result, as many families are dependent upon the mines for support.

—The champion bruisers of the United States and England have a hard time to find a place where they can legally settle their international contest. Their last attempt was to have the affair at Jacksonville, Fla. But the governor has directed the sheriff of Duval County to prevent any prize fights within his jurisdiction. Single-handed pugilism is waning before the greater attraction of prospective national bruising.

—Advices from El Paso state that Mexico has another revolution on her hands, and that the revolutionists are in possession of Carrizalitos. A Silver City, N. M., dispatch says: “The Tamochi Indians are in possession of Palomas, Mexico, and have sacked the customhouse and driven everybody across the line into the United States.” Our government has been appealed to for troops to protect American interests.

—A Chinese Court was held in Sacramento last week by two dignitaries of the Six Companies, for the purpose of investigating the faction troubles that have long existed there. It is said the high-binders, who manifest utter contempt for American police courts, will tremble in the presence of one of their tribunals. It is said that trouble there is now settled, and some hard characters will find it convenient to return to China.

—A few weeks ago the new U. S. cruiser Olympia was the fleetest war vessel in the world; but now the new Columbia, just completed, takes the lead. This “Christian nation” is making rapid strides in the preparation of engines of destruction for the enforcement of the “Christian laws, institutions, and usages” decreed by the “image” of the papal “beast,” when the National Reformers shall have accomplished their end.

—The whole country is exercised over the Hawaiian question, principally because nobody seems to know anything definite about the situation. All the newspaper comments are based upon the theory that President Cleveland has determined to overthrow the provisional government and reëstablish the monarchy. While surface appearances indicate such a policy, at this writing it is not definitely known what the design is.

—In Marseilles, France, at midnight of the 15th inst., a dynamite bomb was exploded against the house of General Mathelin, of the fifteenth army corps, cracking the walls and breaking all the glass. Several other bombs were placed in different places, which it was evidently expected would be exploded by the concussion. Adjacent buildings were also damaged somewhat, but no person was injured.

—The treasurer of the Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa Railroad was knocked down and robbed of about $22,000 in cash, at the office of the company in Chicago, early in the morning of the 15th inst. He had left the money in a satchel in the office safe overnight, and went early to catch a train on which he was going out to pay employes. As he was about to leave the office, he was knocked down and beaten till he was insensible, and when he came to, his money was gone. He was unable to give any definite description of the robbers.

The Midwinter Fair and Sunday Laws

By Editor

It may be thought by another article on this page that we believe that it is right to bring pressure to bear on the directors of the Midwinter Fair to close on the seventh day, or Saturday. We believe nothing of the kind. We believe that the directors of the Fair, and every exhibitor, and each and all officials connected therewith, should be allowed to do just as they please, within the province of law, justice, and equality, without pressure being brought to bear upon them by the uncertain and often fraudulent methods of petition, or the tyrannical one of boycott. The opening of the Fair will affect no one's rights. The Presbyterian need not work on Sunday, nor need he attend the Fair that day. There is no law to compel him so to do. The proper appeal of every Christian minister and church to the directors is for the directors to give themselves to God, to yield to Christ; and he who intelligently and whole-heartedly yields to Christ will need no law to compel him to keep the Sabbath. He will keep it, whether there is civil law or not, whether all the world is with him, or whether he stands alone. And it will be the Sabbath of the Lord, the only Lord's day, the Sabbath as expressed in the fourth commandment, which he will keep. Is this what our Sunday law friends are afraid of? Let them not be alarmed; the law of God is a law of liberty to those who are in Christ.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

By Editor

THE following are leading principles in the interpretation of law, and are so recognized by leading jurists:—

"In the case of all law, it is the intent of the lawgiver that is to be enforced."

"When words are plain in a written law, there is an end to all construction; they must be followed."

"When the intent is plain, nothing is left to construction."

These principles are called to mind by an article in the Occident (Presbyterian) of November 16, by Rev. H. A. Ketchum. The writer is a member of the California Synod Committee on Sabbath Observance. At the late meeting of the Synod of California, recently held in this city, a resolution was unanimously adopted, "requesting the directors of the Midwinter Fair to make provision, so far as possible, for closing the gates or doors of the Fair on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, Lord's day, or sabbath." Mr. Ketchum continues:—

"By the precedent established at Chicago, probably by municipal law also, the place of ingress and egress to Golden Gate Park cannot be closed on any day. But buildings may be closed and exhibits may be covered, all unnecessary work suspended so that a proper recognition of the day shall be secured, the command of God, AS EXPRESSED IN THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT, OBEYED, and the most earnest wish of all Christian people not only in California, but throughout the United States and the world, shall be respected."

Now if Mr. Ketchum, and the Presbyterian Synod, which he represents, meant just what he said, his words would be a plea for the seventh day; for thus the law of Jehovah reads:—

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it."

Now apply the above principles to the above commandment. Is it not the intent of the Lawgiver that the seventh day, and not the first day, should be kept? Did not God show that this was his intent for more than forty years, by a constantly recurring threefold miracle, as shown in the giving of the manna? Are not the words plain? Do the words "the seventh day" mean "the first day of the week"? Can they, in common honesty, be made to mean that? Should they not, then, be followed, and the seventh day observed by our Presbyterian brethren, and by all God-fearing people? And, as God has made his intent plain in the Decalogue, in the giving of the manna, and in the example of Christ, what right have men to construe his words to mean something else?

Inspiration shows us in the New Testament, again and again, that the Sabbath is not the first day of the week:—

"In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week." Matt. 28:1. See also Mark 16:1, 2; Luke 23:56; 24:1.

The Sabbath of the Bible, "as expressed in the fourth commandment," is therefore the seventh day of the week, the day just before the first day of the week; and the Sabbath is not, nor can it be, the first day of the week.

Our intelligent readers all know what would be said of a judge who would so construe or interpret a mere human law. By the same methods every safeguard of law and government could be demolished. God has made plain the intent of the fourth commandment of the Decalogue; his words are plain, and they say the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. What right have Presbyterians, or any other body of men, to say that God means otherwise than he has not only said but demonstrated?

The Senate of the United States, in making the fourth commandment the basis of legislation in the matter of closing the World's Fair on Sunday, knew that, to be consistent, the words must be changed, and so they amended it to read the first day of the week. But those who profess loyalty to God and his law seem to feel at perfect liberty to place whatsoever construction they please on God's word. Is it ignorance of that word?—Then let them be learners. Is it blindness?—May God's Spirit enlighten them. Is it willful, persistent misrepresentation?—May God pity them. They are striking right at the foundation of all morality, and "if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" What it is that moves our brethren to place such falsehood before the people we do not know. God is their judge. But their principles, their interpretation, construction, wresting of God's word, is wrong and is contrary to every principle of that word. It is putting the interpretations and traditions of men in the place of God. Thus does the man of sin, the mystery of iniquity. 2 Thess. 2:3-8.

Reader, what will you do? Will you respect man or God? Will you follow that law which men say you ought to follow, or will you follow their perversion of that law? Will you keep the Sabbath of Jehovah, sanctified and sanctioned by Christ himself, a sign of his creative power and redeeming love, or will you keep that pseudo-sabbath wholly of popo-papal origin? Which will you do?

SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONS.

By Editor

NUMBER 116 of the Bible Students' Library is "Sabbath School Lessons. A Study of the Book of Luke." It is for senior classes for the first quarter of 1894. The lesson plan is somewhat new, and the lessons somewhat long, but if the excellent suggestions accompanying the lessons are followed, they will prove of great benefit to the student, and make these lessons of great blessing to his intellectual and spiritual growth. Price, 5 cents. Address the Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., or any of our tract societies.

Pork

By Editor

“Pork.”—The word “pork” comes from the Latin porcus, swine; it is generally used to designate the “flesh of swine used as food.”

Well, we did not begin this little note to write a dissertation on the swine or the edibility, palatability, or digestibility of the porcus. We wish to call attention to a little tract which tells all about it, which should be read by everyone who wants to know about pork, or does not want to know. The subject of the tract is “Pork;” 16 pages; price, 2 cents. Address Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

USEFUL AND INTERESTING BOOKS

By Editor

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PROPHETIC LIGHTS, by E. J. Waggoner, Prophecies of the Old and New Testaments, interpreted by the Bible and history. Paper bound, 180 pages, handsomely illustrated.

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF FOREIGN MISSIONS of the Seventh-Day Adventists, with maps showing location of churches, etc., 294 pages, paper binding.

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Prophetic Lights Premium

By Editor

"PROPHETIC LIGHTS," advertised on another page, is given as a premium with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. See prospectus.

Brother Isaac Baker Imprisoned

By Editor

Brother Isaac Baker is now in the Queen Anne's County (Md.) Jail, convicted of Sunday labor, to be restrained until his fine and costs are paid. Such fines cannot be worked out. One brother has been acquitted, and others are on trial.

The Sabbath Question

By Editor

In our next issue will be some interesting matter on the Sabbath question; but that is not saying that there is not such matter in this. The references to that question in this issue, however, touch more on the Sunday side, while in our next the positive side will be more fully considered.

This Issue

By Editor

This Issue.—Our paper is a little heavy this time, with articles a little longer than usual; but we trust that it will not be less thoroughly read. Some of the articles are of paramount importance. We mention the following as worthy of careful perusal, and full of information: "I Am the True Shepherd" is full of spiritual meat. Professor Magan's article in this number reviews the part which the judiciary has had to act in Sunday legislation in this century, and establishes the fact that all Sunday laws are religious in purpose and spirit. "The Wisdom Religion" will give us a just idea of the principles of Theosophy and its utter inconsistency and worthlessness as a means of salvation. Read the extract from Archbishop Ryan's speech on "Teaching Religion in Public Schools." The matter is well and forcibly put. Our Home and Health department is nearly filled with excellent original matter. We hope that parents have interested their children in "The Unexpected Prize." In our Work and Workers department we have an interesting sketch from the pen of Brother Chapman. Well, read all the paper; circulate it among your friends and neighbors.