p. 800 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 50. (10/23/1893)

RELIGIOUS.

—The First Unitarian Church of Alameda, Cal., laid the corner stone of a new church building last week, assisted by the Grand Lodge of Masons.

—Montreal advices state that a petition has been sent to Rome from that city asking that a papal delegate be appointed for Canada who shall have the same powers as Satolli exercises in the United States.

—The case of Prof. H. P. Smith, of Lane Seminary, who was suspended from the Presbyterian ministry by the Cincinnati Presbytery on charges of heresy regarding the authenticity of the Bible, is being considered by the Ohio Synod.

—Henry B. Foulke, known as the president of the Mahatmas, claims to be the Messiah, and says that he has been reincarnated seven times. Concerning the Messiahship the true Messiah said: “Take heed that no man deceive you; for many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ, and shall deceive many.”

—The pope is displeased at the frequent discussions by the press relative to the probability that it will soon be necessary to choose his successor and as to the person who will probably be chosen. Hence he has manifested his intention soon to hold a new consistory to pronounce an allocution on the present conditions of the Holy See, and to note the displeasure alluded to. If that does not stop the annoying discussions of the press, then what?

—At a recent session of the Evangelical Alliance in Chicago, the question of “Christian Union and Coöperation” was discussed at length. Dr. Hyde urged an international arrangement between the churches for spreading the work of the gospel, and proposed the division of the territory in the United States into State organizations. Rev. Dr. Clark, secretary of the Home Missionary Society of the Congregational Church, said that his denomination was “inclined to be tolerant of every form of evangelical Christianity, and eager to coöperate in church extension and missionary work.” Rev. Dr. King and Bishop Fowler represented the Methodist organization, which they said was “ready and willing to meet other denominations more than half way in the interest of perfect union and coöperation.”

Religious Liberty Literature

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No. | Price.

The National Reformed Constitution...................................3 cts.
Evils of Religious Legislation........................................1 "
The Blair Sunday-Rest Bill............................................7 "
The Blair Educational Amendment.......................................3 "
Purity of National Religion...........................................1 "
National Reform and Rights of Conscience..............................2 "
The American Papacy...................................................2 "
The Salem Witchcraft..................................................1 "
National Reform Is Church and State..................................2 "
What Think Ye of Christ?.............................................1 "
Bold and Base Avowal.................................................2 "
The National Reform Movement an Absurdity............................2 "
The Republic of Israel...............................................1 "
National Reformed Presbyterianism....................................4 "
A Lutheran View of the National Reform Movement......................3 "
Religion and the Public Schools......................................4 "
Rev. W. F. Crafts against the Editors of the American Sentinel....10 "
Romanism and Civil Liberty...........................................4 "
The American Sabbath Union and Human Rights..........................1 "
A Civil Sunday Holiday...............................................1 "
Blair's Sunday-Rest Bill and Joint Resolution Introduced December 9, 1889 (exact copies, with notes)......................................1 "
Civil Government and the Deca'logue..................................1 "
National Reform Success Means Religious Persecution.................1 "
The National Sunday Law; revised....................................25 "
A Religious Political Movement......................................1 "
Arguments on the Breckinridge Sunday Bill...........................10 "
Civil Government and Religion.......................................25 "
The Edmunds Resolution...............................................2 "
A Dangerous League...................................................2 "
The Churches and the Public Treasury.................................4 "
An Attempt to Christianize the Government............................2 "
Congress and Sunday Legislation......................................2 "
God and Cæsar........................................................1 "
Sunday Laws of the States and Territories...........................20 "
Should Church Property Be Taxed ?....................................2 "
An Unbiased Arraignment..............................................1 "
The Importance of Maintaining Our Principles.........................2 "
Religious Toleration vs. Religious Rights............................1 "
The Prohibition Party and Freedom of Conscience......................1 "
Jesus, the Church, and the World's Fair..............................2 "
The Union of Church and State in the United States.................15 "
A Christian Nation...................................................½ "
Why Adventists Work on Sunday........................................½ "
Sunday Closing of the Midwinter Fair.................................1 "
The Midwinter Fair—Petitions for Sunday Closing......................½ "

Views of National Reform, pamphlet......................................15 "

Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal.;

Editorial Notes

By Editor

It will be noticed that there are two Sunday school and two Sabbath school lessons in this week's issue. We print the double lessons as there will be no paper next week.

THERE may possibly be held in Oakland some time in the latter part of this month an institute on religious liberty for the benefit of California workers. This is not positive, but hopefully probable. It is not yet decided.

THE Rev. Dharmapala, Buddhist priest from Hindustan, spoke in this city the evening of October 2, on the subject of "Man and His Mission." The address showed neither great intellectual ability nor profound learning; yet his audience were very enthusiastic at times in their applause. Of his teaching we shall have more to say hereafter.

WE publish in our next issue important and instructive articles on "The Christian Ideal of Civil Government," by A. F. Ballenger, secretary of the Religious Liberty Association. Following that it will be shown, by articles from Prof. P. T. Magan, just how this ideal has been degraded, and the principles of liberty abjured by those who should have contended most stoutly for them. These articles, and those published in the past on the Mystery of Iniquity, including the one in this present number, are of vital importance.

THE ritualistic wing of the Protestant Episcopal Church is not merely drifting Romeward, she has all sail hoisted, and is making her way back to port as rapidly as possible. A Catholic authority says that she has more churches in England dedicated to the Virgin Mary than to Christ, and in New York City one recently fitted up is the "Church of St. Mary the Virgin," in Forty-fifth Street. It has recently imported fourteen works of art, illustrating the "Stations of the Cross," or fourteen striking incidents in the last hours of Christ's earth life. The figures are about three-fourths life size and in full relief, made of a stone composition in cream tinting and gold. "Father" Brown, the rector, said:—

Our church is merely going back to the forms of devotion used in the early days of its inception in England. We are experiencing a reaction from what we call the "dead days"—the days of the Georges in England, when the heretics spoke with a loud voice in France, England, and here. It was then the Episcopal Church was shorn of much of the ritualistic devotion in its former exercises.

And with this "going back," manifest in other so-called Protestant churches also, there is coming in spiritual death, dead forms, and persecution for conscience' sake. Christ's church never goes back, but forward.

THE Christian Advocate of October 5 in a double-leaded editorial, entitled the "Need of the Times," says, among other things:—

A wave of demoralization sweeps over the nation. Sunday traveling was never so common. Devotion to amusements was never so intense. Absorption of the people in general questions, never more complete. Political activity, never greater in a nonpresidential election. Gambling pervades the land. Pool selling is common throughout the country. Horse racing gains in popularity and strength; its promoters are more arrogant, and traps for the young in every direction are set with unusual skill and openness. In various States, Legislatures are corrupt, pandering to the liquor and other base interests. The fibers that bind the church together are relaxed, and its energies, such as are available, absorbed in "enterprises" and "causes," while growth in grace and the conversion of souls receive only the remnants of attention. The general report is that prayer meetings are dull and slimly attended, and signs of spirituality few and occasional.

And all this is in harmony with the prophetic word. But, sad to say, the church is turning not to God for power to win souls from these snares and the inevitable ruin which follows, but is seeking to the world. The above is what the editor says. In the same paper H. K. Carroll, LL.D., says of the Christianity of the day:—

I believe that the world has never seen a better type of Christianity. It is intensely practical, and yet spiritual; cultivated, but consecrated; wealthy, but aggressive; broader in its aims, but increasingly zealous in its proclamation of the truth. I do not think it is losing its hold upon the people; I think it is getting its grip upon the whole world.

By the standard of Christ and his gospel let the reader judge. Dr. Carroll is the great religious statistician. But mere numbers are not spiritual power.

THE "SIGNS OF THE TIMES."

By Editor

THE LAST OF VOLUME NINETEEN.

THIS issue of the SIGNS closes the nineteenth volume; and it is safe to say that never before in the history of its existence has it presented to the world more weighty and important truth than during the last year. This is not true because the paper has been better edited, or because of any human means. The present incumbent of the editorial chair, in the vivid memory and knowledge of past editors, realizes keenly his lack. He has naught in which to boast save in the grace of Christ. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES asked for free contributions to its columns last year for the sake of the missionary cause, and some of the best writers among us freely responded. To them, under the great Master, we return our sincere thanks. The paper has been better because, in the providence of God, it was time that it should be a better paper. And this has been true of each volume in the past, and will be true, we expect, till the mission of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is finished, and its last message is given.

The first number of the new volume will bear date November 6; and we believe that in the coming year it will present to the world more truth, more important messages, than it ever has in the past; for God's truth, God's work, is forward. It does not go backward. Christ, the Crucified and Risen One, leads ever on before, and his call is ever, "Come; follow me." By his grace the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will follow, preaching to its great congregation "Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God," the one only Saviour, the manifestation of God's love. The SIGNS will endeavor to faithfully point out the dangers of the perilous times through which we are passing, to warn against the snares and pitfalls of the enemy, and to point to the Living Word of God as the comfort and stay in these days of trial. Our nation is launched upon a new phase of its existence. It has admitted the principle of religious legislation, and its course toward the logical sequence of that principle,—rabid religious persecution,—will be rapid. Of these rapid steps our readers will be apprised according to the best of our ability.

Will not our friends help us more abundantly in the year to come? Will they not interest their neighbors in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. There are many features of interest apart from its "doctrinal news." As a newspaper it contains each week more of the important news of the world, both secular and religious, than the great majority of secular weeklies, and more than do many of the dailies of the provincial towns; that is, one issue of the SIGNS contains more news than seven issues of many dailies, and the news is not served up in a sensational or objectionable form. In the matter of practical, everyday, home-life religion it is what will commend itself to all who love moral cleanliness. Besides these features there are the explanations and expositions of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ for our day. Will not our friends, who have so nobly coöperated with us, put forth extra efforts? Are not the 800 pages of the SIGNS worth $1.50? That is all that it costs for a year. Ask your neighbor to subscribe. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES and "Prophetic Lights," a neat, paper-bound book, by Elder E. J. Waggoner, beautifully illustrated, for only $2.00. Well, we believe that our readers will respond. May God bless them, may he make the SIGNS a greater blessing than it has ever been.

New Sabbath School Class Records

By Editor

Sabbath School Secretaries, and others interested, will please note that the new class records adopted by the International S. S. Association are now ready, and all orders can be filled promptly by the Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. Price, postpaid, 10 cents each.

"CHRISTIAN EDUCATION."

By Editor

We have just received from the publishers, the International Tract Society, Battle Creek, Mich., a new book which we believe will be of great value to all those who desire to obtain a Christian education. The title of the book is "Christian Education," and the author is Mrs. E. G. White. Some of the more important headings under which the subject is treated are as follows: Proper Education, Our College, Pure Education, A Knowledge of God, The Schools of the Prophets, The Teacher of the Truth the Only Safe Educator, The Science of Salvation the First of Sciences, Christian Character Exemplified in Teachers and Students, The World by Wisdom Knew Not God, Books in Our Schools, The Book of Books, The Value of Bible Study, Formality Not Organization an Evil, The Education Most Essential, Home Education, Parental Responsibility, Education and Health, Mental Inebriates, etc., etc. The subject is treated on the broadest basis of the best education, including the physical, mental, and moral man. Neatly bound in cloth, 256 pages, at the very low price of 50 cents, with usual discounts to tract societies and other agents. Address any of these agencies, or Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.