Review and Herald, Vol. 79, No. 22. (6/3/1902)

Review and Herald

Jun 3, 1902

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 3, 1902

Meditations on God's Milder Majesty

By Bryant

O God! when thou Dost scare the world with tempests, set on fire The heavens with falling thunderbolts, or fill, With all the waters of the firmament, The swift dark whirlwind that uproots the woods And drowns the villages; when, at thy call, Uprises the great deep and throws himself Upon the continent, and overwhelms Its cities — who forgets not, at the sight Of these tremendous tokens of thy power, His pride, and lays his strifes and follies by? Oh, from these sterner aspects of thy face Spare me and mine, nor let us need the wrath Of the mad unchained elements to teach Who rules them. Be it ours to meditate, In these calm shades, thy milder majesty, And to the beautiful order of thy works Learn to conform the order of our lives. — Bryant.

PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS

AN IMPORTANT BOOK FOR THIS SPECIAL TIME.

An excellent and important commentary on the principal Biblical subjects from Adam to the death of David, and especially essential in the study of the subjects composing the—

INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS FOR 1902.

On account of these lessons being from July 6 through the remainder of the present year, upon some of the principal subjects in connection with the exodus and the general history of the children of Israel, and the thousands of people who will study these lessons being interested in the study of all the subjects especially treated in—

“Patriarchs and Prophets,”

the present time is unusually favorable for the placing of this important volume in the homes of the Bible-studying people of the entire country.

Of its importance, our leading workers testify. The Lake Union Conference general agent says:—

“For a number of years I have been anxious to see ‘Patriarchs and Prophets’ come to the front. The present time is favorable to the sale of this excellent book. It ought to have been in the lead all these years. In my experience in following that book with others, I find people prize it highly. It puts in their true setting those precious lessons so often overlooked in the Old Testament,—truths that are all-important at this time when men are blinded by Satan as to the real character of God, and his ways of dealing with sin and sinners.”

Published in the ENGLISH, DANISH-NORWEGIAN, SWEDISH, GERMAN, and HOLLAND languages; beautifully bound in all the popular bindings; 760 octavo pages. Prices, $2.25-$4.50.

Order of the State Tract Societies.

The Substance and Test of Christianity

By Uriah Smith

PAUL, in Heb. 12:14, lays upon us two solemn injunctions, to which these descriptive terms may be applied. These are his words: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” More fully expressed, his words would read as follows: Pursue peace with all men, and pursue holiness; for without this holiness, or apart from it, no man shall see the Lord. This double exhortation from the apostle, to follow peace, or live peaceably with all men, and follow holiness, contains the whole substance and test of the Christian life. The element, “holiness,” is so essential that without it no one can be permitted to look upon the face of his Lord. This is why these exhortations comprise the whole real substance and test of the Christian life. In his model sermon on the mount, our Lord himself included these two ideas. His words will at once occur to every Bible reader: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matt. 5:9. And again, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matt. 5:8.

Such scriptures, and many parallel passages scattered all through the Bible, are, to the true Christian, pearls of great price. Christians desire to leave behind them a path which will shine as a thread of light through all the dark shadows of the earth, and finally they wish to be admitted with a blessed welcome into the presence of their Lord. Matt. 25:34. The apostle tells us how to secure this. Be peacemakers; “follow peace with all men;” and follow after that holiness without which no man shall see God, and with which, it follows, that all shall see him. And thus the way is pointed out whereby, if we have such a desire in our hearts as that which stirred the heart of the patriarch Job, it may be gratified: “Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!” Job 23:3.

Following the course here marked out, the Christian will be faithful to God and his truth. His testimony will be always against sin and unbelief, against unfaithfulness and hypocrisy in the church. Love is the element of his life, and peace is his characteristic. He loves his brethren, and all men, and can deal with them tenderly and calmly, always praising the

boundless grace of God in which he stands, and by which he acquires that holiness which will admit him at last to the blessed vision of God. The holiness referred to must be the holiness of Christ. “Be ye holy; for I am holy;” and, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect,” is the standard held up for us by the two highest Beings in the universe. 1 Peter 1:16; Matt. 5:48.

Thus it is seen that holiness is an indispensable qualification for heaven; but, as Bishop Huntington observes: “Holiness is not to be confounded with virtue.” And it is no disparagement to virtue to affirm this distinction. “They are names of two things, not one and the same. They do not express the same quality of character. They are fed from different fountains—virtue from moral principle; holiness from communion with God in Christ. Holiness requires virtue; for no man can be holy without being virtuous. But holiness is the essential root; virtue, the essential fruit. And holiness was never obtained by a few desultory snatches of sober reflection, hastily dismissed—a few vague impressions in churches or cemeteries. It must be treated like an interest, a pursuit, a profession. It is the great livelihood of your hearts, the vocation of your souls. It must be begun, followed, and never ended. Resolve, deliberation, and continuous effort are its motive powers. All your members are its flexile instruments. The Bible is its text-book. Morning, noon, and evening are its periods of exercise. Prayer is its rehearsal. God, answering, is its teacher. Christ is its pattern. Special, express, intentional, must the striving after holiness be, in order to secure it.”

The man who has not holiness cannot lay the flattering unction to his soul that he is “about right;” for all his work partakes of his own character as a stream betrays the nature of the fountain, or the fruit the kind of tree that produces it. If a man is not holy, his doings are not holy; and the more of that kind of work he does, the more undone he is. The apostle speaks to the sinner as treasuring up to himself, after the hardness of his impenitent heart, wrath against the day of wrath. Rom. 2:5.

But the same apostle speaks of another class who sow to the Spirit, and of the Spirit reap life everlasting. These are they who follow after holiness. And this is the result to which the Lord calls them; “for God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” For he hath “called us . . . unto holiness.” 1 Thess. 5:9; 4:7. U. S.

Peace and Safety

By Editor

Editorial

Peace and Safety

Among the many beautiful descriptions of the experience of those who triumph over the curse by the power of the gospel is this one: “And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.” What a sense of peace and rest comes over us in the midst of a great forest! Who has not been refreshed in body and spirit by turning aside even for a few hours from heavy cares and wearing anxieties to commune with the trees of the forest? There is a voice in the rustling of the leaves and the sighing of the trees which speaks peace to a troubled soul. And how sweet is the rest, after a time of quiet meditation, which one enjoys when on some mossy bank he lies down to “sleep in the woods!” There is no place where the presence of God and communion with him seem more real than under the grand old trees of some ancient forest.

The River of Life

And the lesson of the woods seems to be greatly emphasized when we rest within sight or hearing of a flowing stream of water. The grand roar of a waterfall, or the quiet gurgle of the stream as it finds its way among the rocks, soothes the wearied nerves, and inspires a feeling of quiet trustfulness. But beyond what might be regarded as a mere sentiment is the actual fact. Every stream is a branch of God’s great river of life. Over every waterfall he is pouring the current of the spirit of life in liquid form. From the current of life thus made visible we can easily pass, by the aid of God’s word, to behold by faith the invisible current, and to become a channel for it. This was the lesson which Jesus taught “in the last day, the great day of the feast.” After the people had witnessed the ceremony of the pouring out of the water by the priests, “which commemorated the smiting of the rock in the wilderness,” they were startled by the cry of Jesus, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive.” We lose the force and benefit of this teaching when we regard this expression as merely figurative. Its plain statement reveals to us the spiritual reality which our darkened minds have failed to perceive in the physical water. When our spiritual sight is restored, we shall be able to see the “pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,” even though we might not be able to splash it with our hands. On the other hand, in the light of the words of the Lord, we may now see in every stream of water the same current of life, even though we do handle it in buckets, and use it in the ordinary affairs of life. With the Lord, even what we regard as the “common, physical things” with which we deal in daily life are spiritual, and they may be so with us, if we will look at them with the eye of faith. The water which flowed for the children of Israel from the rock was just the same as is in the streams to-day, and was just as useful for quenching thirst and for purposes of cleansing, but we read that they “did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” With this lesson in our minds, every running stream of water is to us the visible teaching of the promise, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.” In the light of this teaching is not our frontispiece this week more than a mere picture to you? Does it not teach you the gospel of life and peace and rest?

“Blessed fount the purest known, Flowing, ever flowing! Stream of life from out God’s throne, Flowing, ever flowing!”

Studies in the Gospel Message.

THE subject of the Sabbath-school lesson for June 14, the eleventh in the present series, is David’s Response to the Lord’s Promises, and the special portion of Scripture studied is 2 Sam. 7:17–29.

The Lord had sent a wonderful message to David. This message, as recorded in the first part of this chapter, was the subject of last week’s lesson. We will read it again, as recorded in Ps. 89:19–37, using a translation by Dr. William Kay:—

Then spakest thou in vision to thy saint, And saidst; I have laid help on a mighty man, I have exalted one chosen from among the people: I have found David my servant: With my holy oil have I anointed him: So that my hand shall be firm with him, Yea, my arm shall strengthen him. No enemy shall exact upon him, Nor son of iniquity afflict him. I will beat down his foes before him, And smite them that hate him. And my faithfulness and mercy shall be with him, And through my name shall his horn be exalted. I will set his hand on the sea, And his right hand on the rivers. He shall call to me; thou art my father, My God and the rock of my salvation. I will also give him to be Firstborn, Most High above the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for him forever, And my covenant shall stand faithful to him. And I will establish his seed forever, And his throne as the days of heaven. If his children shall forsake my law, And walk not in my judgments: If they profane my statutes, And keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their offense with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes;— But my mercy will I not withdraw from him, Nor my plighted faithfulness. I will not profane my covenant, And what has gone from my lips I will not alter. One thing I have sworn in my holiness,— Assuredly I will not be false to David:— His seed shall exist forever, And his throne as the sun before me. As the moon, shall it be steadfast forever;— And the Witness in the skies is faithful.

These promises definitely involved the coming of the Messiah to be the seed of David. This is put beyond question by the reference made to them by the apostle Paul while teaching in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia: “He raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will. Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.” And this promise was an oath. “One thing have I sworn in my holiness.” Thus “the oath which he swore to our father Abraham” was repeated to David, and these two men stand out prominently as the fathers of the Seed, who is declared to be “the son of David, the son of Abraham.”

There are three or four things in David’s response which should be especially emphasized. First, there is the sense of his own unworthiness: “Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far?”

Second, there is his sense of the greatness of God: “Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”

Third, there is the recognition of the fact that the promise of the Lord to David is not for him alone: “For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee forever: and thou, Lord, art become their God. And now, O Lord God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it forever, and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be magnified forever, saying, The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.” In establishing the house of David the house of Israel was to be established.

Fourth, there is the recognition of the great truth that it is only through the blessing of deliverance from sin that David’s house can be established forever. “Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee.” The one great blessing which the Lord has bestowed upon the human family is the gift of his Son to be the Seed of David, and thus to save from sin and death. “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy Seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” This was the blessing which David desired for his house, and without this blessing his house could not be established forever.

Because the house of David must be cleansed from sin, if it is to be established forever, there is the definite promise, “In that day there shall be a Fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.”

“Behold a Fountain deep and wide, Behold its onward flow; ’Twas opened in the Saviour’s side, And cleanseth white as snow.”

“Come to this Fountain! ’Tis flowing to-day; And all who will may freely come, And wash their sins away.”

The Law Inscribed on the Human Body

“JEHOVAH has inscribed his law by his own mighty hand on every part of the human body.”

The Jews and the Sabbath

By L. A. S.

AMONG the many noteworthy developments of these eventful times, one of peculiar interest is the present attitude of the Jews in the matter of Sabbath observance. The proposed change on their part from the observance of the seventh day to that of the first day of the week, is one that sets aside the unbroken teaching and practice of many centuries. It means the removal of a distinguishing feature from the identity of one of the most peculiar and historically prominent peoples of all time. It means a tremendous break in an order of things inaugurated by the thunders from Mount Sinai four thousand years ago, and perpetuated almost without interruption from that date. True, the Jews have long since ceased to be the chosen people of God; but none the less is their proposed abandonment of the day given them when they were God’s people a sign of the eventful character of the times.

The proposition is now made to go over to the observance of Sunday, for the sake of business convenience and conformity with the religious majority, and make of the seventh day an ordinary business day of the week. Yet this is only a proposition to do openly and formally what is already an accomplished fact in practice; for in reality the Jewish tradesman no longer ceases from his business activities on the seventh day. Indeed, the virtual abandonment of the Sabbath has become general among Jews of all classes, if we may believe what Jewish authorities themselves assert. Here, for example, is the testimony of Rabbi J. Voorsanger, of San Francisco, who opened the debate on the subject at the recent Central Conference of American Rabbis in New Orleans:—

Sabbath rest, so far as its public character is concerned, is nullified by the exigencies of the times; and the public, as well as the domestic, celebration of the day is affected in consequence. This is a fact that admits of no discussion. We must look it straight in the face, and keep strict account with it. The fact that individuals may keep the Sabbath by no means affects the general statement. The latter is not only true as regards the centers of Jewish population in America, but the same facts may be noted in European centers like Berlin and Paris. Jewish banks and counting-houses are open on the Sabbath. Professional men are busy. Artisans pursue their toil, and the lamentable truth is that even many who theoretically accept the divine authority of the Sabbath commandment ignore it practically, and pursue their daily avocation. Nor is this almost universal secularization of the Sabbath for the pursuit of labor the greatest evil. Far exceeding the latter is that the sanctifying influence of the day is becoming lost. The day has not retained its hold upon the household. Women and children imitate their male relatives. Saturday begins to be a day whereon to discharge all the postponed duties of the week. The crowds of Jewish women who, preferably, do their shopping on Saturday, might testify to the almost hopeless change that has taken place in the practice, if not actually in the sentiment, of our people.

Jewish observance of the Sabbath, antagonistic though the Jews have been to Christianity, has been a testimony through the centuries pointing back to the institution of the Sabbath by the Creator, and to the true reasons for Sabbath observance. But God has other witnesses to-day through whom the world is being pointed to this memorial of his creative and redemptive power, and their testimony is being sounded in the ears of all nations and peoples. It is no longer necessary that the Jews should stand for the observance of the seventh day, and their abandonment of the rest day of their fathers will not blot out the light of the knowledge of the true Sabbath. The whole world must hear the Sabbath truth, as it heard when it shook at the sound of the Voice speaking to mankind from Mount Sinai. The clear, plain message of Sabbath reform must go to every land; and if men should hold their peace, the very stones would immediately cry out. The Jews might have been the chosen people to enlighten the world with the knowledge of the Sabbath truth, but they lost sight of the significance of the day; and when the Lord of the Sabbath came, they did not recognize him. Other people likewise have had their opportunity to bear aloft the standard of Sabbath truth, and failed to improve it. But now the time of the last message has come, and this standard must be raised for the gathering of all those who would keep the commandments of God. The Sabbath is the testing point of allegiance to God in this final controversy of sin and righteousness, and by rejecting it, or ceasing its observance under the pressure of worldly considerations, men show plainly upon which side of the controversy they are standing.

L. A. S.

“General Apprehension”

By L. A. S.

The editor of The Independent (New York City) is moved to speak in a recent issue of that journal on the subject of the signs of the times. Chief among these, he says, is “a general feeling of apprehension.”

It is no small sign of the times when men like the editor of this journal, who do not accept the doctrine of the nearness of Christ’s second advent, are forced by the extraordinary character of passing events to confess that we have indeed reached a momentous period of human history. As regards these evidences we need now hardly do more than quote the words of writers and speakers who are not looking for our Lord’s return, yet cannot escape taking note of the things which signify that that event is at hand. The language of others on this subject has now become as emphatic as our own.

Going on to describe in particular this “general feeling of apprehension,” the editor of The Independent says:—

When the world is at peace, when industry is rewarded with abundance, when no great iniquity shocks the moral sense, when skies are serene, and the heart of man is glad, all signs become a contradiction in terms, they cease to signify. If men linger and dream at the crater’s edge, we know that the volcano slumbers. Its steam and sulphurous fumes do not alarm. If while yet the years are fat, none remembers that once upon a time the seven lean years did come, we know that the works of drought and the unseasonable frosts are not portentous. If the name of war awakens only smiles of incredulity, we know that the growing pains of nations are as yet but twinges.

It is when men look anxiously in one another’s faces, and talk about strange rumblings which have been heard, that signs have meaning. We know that the dreamers would not have awakened, and that the light-hearted would not have grown serious, unless a thousand trifling reminders of some possible change in the aspect of nature or in the affairs of man had all at once become the mutterings of a change impending.

There is no denying that such apprehension, a general and deepening feeling of disquiet, a shivering and mysterious dread, is at this moment creeping over mankind.

Outwardly all is peace in international affairs. The convulsions in China have ceased. The troops have retired. Russia does not press her more radical demands. The German emperor is making himself persona grata to those who not long ago regarded him with detestation. Domestic insurrections and civil wars have nearly subsided. The Filipinos are surrendering. The Boers talk of terms. In business such prosperity was never known as that which overwhelms the power of conception to-day.

Is this peace a portentous stillness before the dread rush of the hurricane? Is this prosperity the storing up of titanic and demoniac forces which will presently explode, like steam in the bowels of Pelée? Who knows?

Who knows? But why do we ask the

question? It is the question itself that reveals a fear. Everywhere, in one or another form, men are asking it, and the asking is the sign that mutterings are heard, that the world is unquiet, that ambitious nations are restive, that oppressions are felt, that injustice is creating resentment, that business methods are creating distrust. . . .

Signs like these have been multiplying of late, multiplying rapidly. Can we wonder that the general sign of apprehension is day by day growing more ominous?

There is, indeed, a “general feeling of apprehension,” and the hearts of many are “failing them for fear,” as foretold in the prophecy of our Lord which he gave in answer to the question of his disciples, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Blessed are those who now, by faith in his word, are able to see in these unwonted events the signs of the coming of a brighter day for all who love God, and to lift up their heads, knowing that their redemption draweth nigh.

L. A. S.

Fruit Born Through Union With Christ

“CHRISTIANS are to bring forth much fruit, not because of peculiar incidental advantages enjoyed by them, not by the favor of circumstances, not in consequence of their social position, or their wealth, or their intellectual endowments, but because they are united to Christ.”

“How many there are who fail to bring forth because they do not go and bring forth fruit.”

In England

By A. G. Daniells

We arrived at Liverpool, Wednesday morning, May 7, at nine o’clock, two hours less than an even week after leaving New York. We were met at the wharf by Elders Ballenger and Altman, who are at present holding meetings in Liverpool, and by Professor Wilkinson and Sister Laura Whitgrove. These dear friends gave us a hearty welcome to England, and rendered valuable assistance in getting our baggage from the ship to the train. At ten o’clock we left Liverpool by special train for London, a distance of two hundred miles. We made but two brief stops, and reached Euston Station, London, at two o’clock. Here we were met by Dr. Waggoner, Professor and Mrs. Salisbury, Brother Bacon, and Brother Joyce. They had secured rooms for our entire company, and in a short time we were all on our way in two large omnibuses to Holloway. Before evening we were all nicely settled, and were receiving calls from our friends. Those of our party who sailed by the “St. Louis” reached Southampton twenty-four hours later than the “Oceanic” arrived at Liverpool. They reached London, Thursday, at noon.

The next morning Brother Conradi and several others arrived from the Continent. At half-past ten we met in the office of the British Conference to plan for the councils to be held during the week preceding the opening of the European General Conference. It was decided to meet each day at 9 A. M. to study the various divisions of the British and European fields. We shall devote one day to each principal division. This will give the American delegates an opportunity to become somewhat acquainted with these fields before the conference opens, and this will make the proceedings of the conference more intelligible and interesting to them. Our canvassers have decided to join us daily in this study.

It is an unspeakable privilege for us to meet the workers on this side of the ocean, and to unite with them in planning for the more rapid advancement of the third angel’s message among the millions for whom they are laboring. The warm, hearty reception we all received, was indeed pleasant. Last evening a praise meeting was held in Duncombe Hall, North London. Our English brethren took this opportunity to express their deep gratitude to God for bringing us in safety to them, and to assure us that we are all truly welcome, and that they desire to co-operate with us in every possible way to make our visit and our labors both pleasant and profitable. At the same time we who have come from the various States in America across the great deep gave God the praise and gratitude of our hearts for his constant presence with us in all our travels. We cannot help but believe that the good hand of our God has been with us. The different members of our company came from the various States, sailed by two different vessels, and all landed in London without a single mishap. Not one was injured, not a single piece of baggage was lost, and no one experienced any sickness, to speak of. We fully believe that in all this the Lord has given us a token of his high approval of this step we have taken to help our brethren in these populous and needy fields. As far as I can see, all who have come are glad in their hearts that they are here. They were surprised to see what a beautiful country England is. Journeying from both Liverpool and Southampton, we came through large cities, bright-green fields, and beautiful groves. Every one expressed delight with the appearance of the country. Over and over again they would express the greatest of satisfaction at being permitted to come to England. We sincerely hope that they will all continue in the work, and meet with abundant success.

The members of the European General Conference who are here are making thorough plans for the conference session, which is to open the 15th. We hope to have this meeting thoroughly reported, either through the REVIEW or in a European General Conference Bulletin. The delegates from America believe that all our people in America should read these reports. One of the delegates stated in last night’s meeting that the two days spent in England had given him clearer ideas of this field and its needs than he had gained during the last ten years by hearing and reading reports. This will be a more important meeting than any ever held by Seventh-day Adventists outside of the United States. Our brethren are coming with well-prepared reports, and with the most earnest calls for help that have ever been made to this people. From what we have already heard, we are impressed with the fact that the Lord is now opening all the doors of the world for us to enter with this message. We are assured by our brethren who have been here the longest that never in the history of our work in Europe has the way been so entirely open for us as at present. The situation is remarkable. It is wonderfully encouraging, and I am profoundly confident that the time has come for this people to arise and give this message with power to all the world, that the consummation of all things may speedily take place. A. G. DANIELLS.

Iowa Prohibition Undermined by Supreme Court Interstate Liquor Ruling

The experiment of promoting temperance by prohibition in Iowa, which has been in progress for many years, and has been a storm center in the great battle waged by temperance people against the forces of rum in this country, seems now to have reached its termination in a victory for the enemies of temperance reform. This unhappy result is due to a decision just rendered by the Iowa supreme court, holding that shipments of liquor into the State of Iowa from other States is sanctioned by the rules of interstate commerce. Of course, if liquor can be freely shipped into the State from without, a law prohibiting its manufacture within the State boundaries amounts to nothing as a preventive measure against its use. Concerning this decision a dispatch from the Iowa capital says:—

The supreme court to-day [May 15] rendered an opinion which practically nullifies the prohibition law in the sixty counties in which it is in force in this State. Decision is in the case of Pat Hanaphy, agent of the Dallas City Transportation Company, who took orders for the shipment of liquor to certain parties in this State. It was held by the lower court that this was a violation of the prohibition law. The case was appealed to the supreme court, and the decision rendered in the case to-day opens up the whole question again. In the decision of the supreme court the following language is used: “These holdings, it is needless to observe, render the power of the State to prohibit the traffic in liquors to large extent nugatory, and leave the agents of nonresident dealers to ply their trade with resident violators of the law without effective hindrance, but we have only to declare the law as we find it. It is proper to add that all these cases under the authority of which this appeal is disposed of have been decided by a divided court.”

The cause of temperance does not appear to be gaining ground, but rather the reverse, which is not strange in a world that is sinking ever deeper into the iniquities that were to mark the last days of its career. The hope of temperance, like every other hope pertaining to a righteous cause, is centered now in the second coming of Christ.

Continue reading: A Warning to the Workers in God's Cause