p. 144 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 9. (1/1/1894)

Earlier text: EARNEST PREACHING REQUIRED

News and Notes.

By Editor

FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 25.

RELIGIOUS.

—The Society of Liberty and Loyalty (Catholic) has been organized to counteract the work of the American Protective Association (anti-Catholic).

—At Prineville, Or., there is a church with seating capacity of 250, which a writer says "was built by the whisky element, and is used by all denominations."

—The Occident says: "It is a noteworthy fact that the largest contribution per member to the cause of foreign missions last year among churches of San Francisco was made by the Chinese Presbyterian Church—$2.20."

—Of late the pope has been particularly favorable to republican government; but would he be content with the presidency of a republic as a restoration of temporal power? Some Catholic journals have advocated a republican government in Italy, excepting that Rome be under the monarchical rule of the pope.

—A New York Herald dispatch from Rome, Italy, says that the pope is much displeased because Americans have presumed to criticize his ablegate, Satolli. A high authority in the church at the Vatican says that the appointment was made for the "good of America," and "in a truly American spirit," and that he will not be recalled until he is made Cardinal. His successor may be an American. Really, it would seem that Americans are the better judges of what is American.

—In an address to Italian pilgrims the pope remarks that if Italy had followed his advice, she would not now be bowing her head in disgrace. And the Catholic News says, "There would have been no demoralizing bank scandal to disrupt the government, if Italy walked in the path the Holy Father has often pointed to her." This is just the argument that will strongly be brought to bear upon all the European governments in the near future, and their "perplexity" (Luke 21:25) will lead them to accept it.

—The Occident says that God sanctified Sunday. There are three questions on this assertion that should be answered: When? In what manner? and, Where is the record? In connection with the sanctification of the seventh day all these points are prominent. There was conspicuous formality in the sanctification. The time and place are plainly recorded, namely, the Garden of Eden, and at the completion of creation. The manner and the reasons of the sanctification are clearly set forth in the Scriptures. Gen. 2:2; Ex. 20:11; Mark 2:27, 28. Besides there are numerous references to the institution and its sacredness, calculated to impress it upon the minds of the people. But all these essential facts are utterly lacking with regard to any other day. Therefore the claim that God ever sanctified any day but the seventh is without any authority other than human assumption.

SECULAR.

—A late press dispatch announces the discovery of a gold mine near Burlington, Iowa.

—It is reported that fire destroyed property valued at $130,000 at Waxahatchie, Texas, on the 20th inst.

—Four train robbers were each sentenced, at Austin, Texas, last week, to thirty-five years' imprisonment.

—A Chicago dispatch last week quoted wheat at 52 cents a bushel, the lowest price reached in twenty-three years.

—A dispatch from Vienna says that a considerable quantity of dynamite has been stolen from the navy yard at Polen.

—A Chinese merchant in Sacramento has become so far Americanized as to seek and secure a divorce from his wife in regular American style, in order to marry another woman.

—Archbishop Reardon, of San Francisco, truthfully says, "It is a shame to hear so much talk about hard times, when so much might be done by men of means to make it otherwise."

—It has been announced that the Carnegie Iron and Steel Works at Homestead, Pa., will shortly be closed, regardless of contracts with the government for armor plates for naval vessels.

—The report of Secretary of the Treasury Carlisle shows that during the first five months of the present fiscal year the expenses of the government have exceeded the receipts by nearly $30,000,000.

—Hon. Wayne McVeagh, who was Attorney General under Garfield's administration, has been appointed ambassador to Italy, and Hon. John P. Irish, of this city, naval officer at San Francisco.

—On account of a rumored effort to assassinate President Heureaux, of San Domingo, and fears of a popular uprising, the U. S. war ship Kearsarge has been sent there to look after the interests of Americans.

—Some enthusiastic people in Los Angeles, Cal., proposed to furnish a company of volunteers to go to Hawaii and help to sustain the Provisional Government, but the offer has been declined with thanks.

—The Sicilian Deputy in the Italian Chamber has announced that Sicily will decline to pay any more taxes. The announcement caused a sensation, and the question now is, What will the government do about it?

—When a Southern Pacific train reached Liberty, Texas, on the 18th inst., the express messenger was found dead in his car and the car robbed. He had been killed with an ax, but there was no clue to the murderer.

—Press dispatches announce that the French vice consul at Pekin has obtained the punishment of the Chinese who committed the outrage on Christian missionaries in Hupeh, and has secured a large indemnity for the sufferers.

—The first Chinese registration under the Extension Law was made in San Francisco, on the 21st inst., when Lee Kim, wife, and six children received certificates and went directly on board the steamer Oceanic for a visit to China.

—The problem of caring for the poor is also agitating the authorities at Sydney, N. S. W. An official tour of the streets on a rainy night is said to have disclosed the fact that over 900 people were shelterless, trying to sleep on doorsteps and other recesses of buildings.

—The largest stamp order ever made by the Post-office Department was transmitted to the contractor by the department December 25. It called for 251,768,100 Columbian stamps, valued at $45,170,922. These will be placed on sale in about 3,000 presidential offices.

—All the Chinese department cases on appeal in the U. S. Supreme Court have, on motion of counsel, been dismissed. It is now impossible to review the constitutionality of the Geary Law until after the expiration of the six months' extension of time for registration.

—There is joy at Fall River, Mass. Recent heavy sales of print clothes have relieved the overstocked market, and orders have been received that will keep the mills running all winter, thus giving employment to 25,000 idle hands, and through them sustenance to 40,000 in all.

—There will shortly be a good opportunity for government contractors. The Secretary of the Interior has authorized the purchase of a large amount of beef and 138,000 pounds of flour for the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians in Oklahoma, who are reported to be in a needy condition.

—The city council of Jacksonville, Fla., has declared for prize fighting by passing an ordinance permitting "glove contests" with five-ounce gloves. They could not resist the big advertisement of the city that would come of an international contest. The popularity of collegiate football contests, with all the brutal bruising and accompanying rowdyism, has by comparison given a new air of respectability to the single-handed slogging matches.

—Austria having provided for a 50 per cent. increase in the Landwehr (citizen soldiery, or militia), her neighbors will of course have to do something in the way of increased assurance of peace. In the kingdom of Christ "peace on earth means good will toward men," not a continued increase of facilities for killing them. Yet it is a popular idea, even in professed Christian circles, that righteousness can be enforced by the arm of civil government, whose dernier resort is carnal weapons.

—A correspondent says the most prominent topic in New Zealand at the present time is the recent enactment of a law enfranchising women. There is great activity in enrolling the names of those who expect to vote at the next election. The Prohibition party hail the act as a harbinger of final triumph. It is feared, however, by those opposed in political religion, that the women will be unduly influenced in this direction. Already influences are at work to create a sentiment favorable to Sunday laws.

—The great Santa Fe Railway system was placed, December 25, in the hands of three receivers, appointed by United States Circuit Judge H. C. Caldwell. The application was made by the Union Trust Company of New York, trustees for the bondholders of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe, and the Mercantile Trust Company of New York, trustees for the bondholders of the St. Louis and San Francisco. J. W. Reinhart, president of the Santa Fe; J. J. McCook, general counsel of the Santa Fe, and Joseph C. Wilson, clerk of the United States District Court at Topeka, are the receivers named. The total liabilities are said to aggregate $240,000,000. This above action was taken to protect the road, in the uncertainty following the death of George C. Magoun, the representative of the English bondholders.

—It is asserted that public opinion in Great Britain will compel the government to increase the power of the navy.

—A great fire occurred in San Francisco on Christmas day, taking in the old printing-house region between Sacramento, Clay, Liedesdorff, and Sansome Streets. The estimated loss by fire and water is $300,000.

—It is said that the Hova tribes of Madagascar are in revolt, and brigandage is carried on in nearly all parts of the island. The foreign residents express dissatisfaction with the government, especially the tyranny of the premier. The French would long ago have endeavored to conquer the island if it had been deemed worth the cost.

—During the Chilean rebellion President Balmaceda shipped by an English steamer to a London bank $650,000 of government money, to keep it from falling into the hands of the rebels. The insurrectionary power finally succeeded, and became the government of the country. Then a suit was instituted by the new government against the steamship company and the bank to recover the money carried away for the former president, and the Court of Queens Bench has just decided in favor of the defendants.

—The New Zealand Insurance Company, of San Francisco, complains that because there is no law in California (outside of San Francisco municipal ordinance), forbidding the sale of low-grade illuminating oils, the Standard Oil Company has been making the State a dumping ground for such refuse as cannot be sold in other States. The insurance companies, it is alleged, are frequently losers through this mode of business, this company having paid within a year losses by eleven fires, occasioned by the explosion of low-grade oils bearing high-grade labels.

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The Papacy’s Claim to Peace

The assumption of the Papacy never grows less but greater. In a recent address in the Vatican to cardinals, prelates, and bishops, the pope is reported to have said: "In conformity with your wishes we ardently desire to be, as many of our predecessors were, the minister and messenger of peace to Europe and the world. We are its authorized zealous defender, because peace among individuals and among society is the daughter of Justice, which, according to Holy Writ, lives by faith and the supreme priesthood of Christianity. Being the guardian of faith and the defender of justice, invested with apostleship for unity and peace, this apostleate must be given freedom of action, and its words must be accepted without suspicion and carried home to the hearts of private citizens and governments. Then tranquility will flourish again. If peace and charity

have disappeared because sight of heaven has been lost, we must not despair. Days of rest are returning through the religious awakening of the people, for at the moment marked by misery germs of faith will revive, for Christ will not abandon the humanity he redeemed."

In the above is the whole system of the mystery of iniquity, which has never brought peace and never can bring peace to the world nor to any heart. This man of the Tiber says, I am the "guardian of faith;" the apostle Paul says, "Not that we have dominion over our faith." But the Bible faith and Catholic faith are entirely distinct. The one is founded in God and his word, the other simply means the dry, dead dogmas of the church.

Question Corner.

By Editor

"If ye will inquire, inquire ye." "But avoid foolish questions."

[From time to time we will reply under this head, if deemed advisable, to such candid inquiries as may be sent us. Correspondents wishing a reply to their questions must give their full name and address, not for publication unless they wish, but as an evidence of good faith on their part, and to give us opportunity to reply by letter if deemed best. It is always well to inclose stamp. Let the questions be short and pointed, and such as may be answered in limited space. The questions will be numbered continuously.]

127. NATURAL CHRISTIANS.

When Christ says there is more rejoicing over one sinner that repenteth than over ninety and nine just persons, that need no repentance, does he mean that some persons are natural Christians? This question was asked by a person claiming that a strictly honest, moral person would be saved, as they had nothing to repent of.

There are no "natural Christians," nor "strictly honest, moral persons." "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." "There is none righteous, no, not one." See Rom. 3 : 9-23. All by nature are carnal or fleshly, and the "carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8 : 7. The only way for man to become moral is to become a partaker of the divine nature (2 Peter 1 : 4; John 3 : 3-5; 2 Cor. 5 : 17); but then it will be God working in him to will and to do (Phil. 2 : 13), and his righteousness is of God through Christ (Isa. 54 : 17; Jer. 23 : 6; Rom. 3 : 22). What then did Christ mean? He did not mean that there was not gladness over those who remain true, but there is more joy over those snatched from Satan's power. So there is more joy in heaven over the redemption and recovery of one lost soul or lost world than over the unfallen beings in the universe and the unfallen worlds. All in this world are among the sinners. Will we not give Heaven joy by yielding to God?

American Sabbath Union Annual Meeting

By Editor

The reader will find an interesting article on the annual meeting of the American Sabbath Union. This report is not made up from the daily press, but was written by an acute observer and an eyewitness.

A Constant Spirit

MUCH stress is always laid on New Year's day, making new resolutions, turning over a new leaf, making a new start, etc., etc. Why not make every day, every hour, the beginning of a new year? Why not live the new life constantly? Why not let the prayer be, "Create in me a constant spirit, O God"? Happy indeed will be the coming year of him who lives each moment for Christ as in his presence.

Georgia’s Sunday Law Penalty

By Editor

The penalty attached to Sunday violation in Georgia, under which Brethren McCutchen and Keck will be tried, is "a fine not to exceed $1,000, imprisonment not to exceed six months, to work in the chain gang on the public works, or on such other works as the county authorities may employ the chain gang, not to exceed twelve months, and any one or more of these punishments may be ordered, at the discretion of the judge." Mild, isn't it?

Catholic Politics and State Dominance

By Editor

The Christian Statesman gives this "pointer" to "our friends of the Papacy:" "If you want to practice your religion in peace in this land, and persuade the people that you mean well for all, then you must, somehow, get your fingers out of the politics of the country, and do as other denominations of Christians are doing,—attend to your own business, and not try to overturn the sacred institutions cemented with patriot blood and tears." On reading this "pointer" we were forcibly reminded of Rom. 2:1: "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." There is not a people in this whole land who attend more exclusively to their business than the Catholics. Their business everywhere, politically and religiously, is to bring about church dominance of the State, and in this, their business, their most pertinacious allies are the National Reform Association and the American Sabbath Union.

Exclusion from the National Reform Convention

By Editor

NOTWITHSTANDING that the official call of the National Reform Convention sent out by H. H. George, Field Secretary of N. R. A., stated that "all Christian societies and communities are invited to send delegates," Dr. A. H. Lewis, Seventh-day Baptist, was debarred as a delegate. He was allowed by scant courtesy to speak a few minutes, but was not as a delegate permitted to take part in the discussions. But all this is characteristic of the principle of the movement. We do not object to their shutting out from their conventions any person they choose, but we do object to the assumption that they are the only Christians, or that a "mass meeting" belongs to them.

THE CATHOLIC EDUCATION BILL OF NEW YORK.

On Sunday, November 19, 1893, in The Sunday Democrat, a “Weekly Family Journal devoted to the Propagation and Defense of Catholic Truth, Irish Home Rule, Literature, Politics, &c.,” published in New York City, there appeared the following text of a proposed law:—

A REMEDY FOR EDUCATIONAL GRIEVANCES.

The following bill will be proposed by a Republican senator at an early session of the next Legislature:

AN ACT FOR THE PROMOTION OF EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(Drafted by Denis A. Spellissy, of the New York Bar.)

The people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:—

SECTION 1. That whenever any individual, or body, or association of individuals, or any organization of persons, incorporated or unincorporated, shall have established a school for the free education of youth in the primary branches of education, to wit, reading, writing, and arithmetic, and such school shall have been in existence for the term of at least one year, with not less than fifty pupils in regular attendance, and shall have been submitted to a satisfactory inspection and examination thereof by the State or local board of school trustees, or such other persons as may from time to time be designated for the purpose, the person or persons, association or organization conducting or managing such school, shall be entitled to receive from the State (or city, or county, or district) each year a share of all State and other moneys now directed to be apportioned and distributed among the common schools, the same to be apportioned and distributed among them as directed to be apportioned and distributed among the common schools by chapter 555 of the Laws of 1864.

SEC. 2. Such sums shall be paid annually from time to time; provided, that such school shall be always open at reasonable times for inspection, as aforesaid, and that the pupils shall have passed a satisfactory examination at such stated times as may be determined by the board of school trustees in accordance with usages and regulations in force for the public schools of the State.

SEC. 3. The provisions of this act shall apply only to primary and grammar schools, or schools in which the course of study is substantially equal to that in use in the public schools of the State.

The same paper contains a copy of a petition to the Legislature of New York asking that body “that the school fund be distributed in due proportion to every school whose efficiency in secular education shall satisfy the Education Department of the State.”

The Columbia Desk Calendar

The Columbia Desk Calendar, which is issued annually by the POPE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, of Columbia Bicycle fame, is out for 1894, much improved in appearance. It is a pad calendar of the same size and shape as those of previous years, having a leaf for each day, but its attractiveness has been heightened by the work of a clever artist, who has scattered a series of bright pen drawings through its pages. It also contains, as usual, many appropriate and interesting contributions from people both bright and wise. Like the Columbia bicycle, the Columbia calendar is of the very best.

All Around the Year

By Editor

ALL AROUND THE YEAR is a beautiful calendar for the year 1894, published by Lee & Shepard, Boston, Mass. Designs in color by J. Pauline Sunter. Each month is printed by itself on heavy cardboard, with gilt edges, silvered chain, tassels, and ring. The designs have quaint little figures in all attitudes, appropriate to the months and seasons of the year. It is neat, dainty, and highly artistic—a very dainty holiday souvenir. Price, neatly boxed, 50 cents. Address as above.