Review and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 14. (4/4/1907)

Review and Herald

Apr 4, 1907

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 4, 1907

The Supreme Religion

By Robert E. Speer

Every great truth in the non-Christian religions is found in a purer and richer form in the Christian religion. It is true that Hinduism teaches the immanence of God; it is true that Mohammedanism teaches the sovereignty of God; it is true that Buddhism teaches the transitoriness of our present life; it is true that Confucianism teaches the solemn dignity of our earthly relationships and our human society. But are not all these truths in Christianity also? And in Christianity each one of these truths is balanced by its just corrective, which is absent from the non-Christian religions. Hinduism teaches that God is near, but it forgets that He is holy. Mohammedanism teaches that God is great, but forgets that He is loving. Buddhism teaches that this earthly life of ours is transitory, but it forgets that we have the assurance of immortality. Confucianism teaches that we live in the midst of a great framework of holy relationships, but it forgets that in the midst of all these we have a living help and a personal fellowship with the eternal God, in whose lasting presence is our home.

—Robert E. Speer.

Our Publishing Work

By Editor

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. Psalm 68:11.

As an example of what can be done in circulating our literature, we quote the following from a letter just received from the secretary of the Southern California Tract Society: “Yesterday was the canvassers’ field day, and about thirty-five students who had been in training at Fernando Academy for two months came to Los Angeles to try their hand at canvassing. All had good success. Only one failed to secure an order, and that was because he did not put in good time. One young lady took nine orders for ‘Home and Health,’ valued at $22.50. This was her first experience in canvassing. She says it beats school teaching (she having been a school-teacher). Others took from three to seven orders for ‘Heralds’ and ‘Seer of Patmos’ during the day. All felt of good courage, and expressed a desire to get fully into the work this spring after school closes.”

THE April number of Life and Health may be estimated by the following outline of its contents: Imaginary Diseases and How to Cure Them—nine tenths of the diseases afflicting the human race have their origin in the mind,—their cure, a change of mind and heart. Dyspepsia—cause and treatment. Numbness of Arm—not always rheumatism, but neurosis—some remedies. A Nervous Breakdown—the treatment of a special case given. A Yellow Shaker—A malaria victim,—quinin injurious rather than beneficial in treatment of malaria. Jesus, the Healer—whether deformed physically, mentally, or morally there is to-day healing in the touch of his unseen hand to all who respond to his call, the same as in the days when he healed the woman bound by an infirmity eighteen years. Who Heals Unbelievers?—God, directly or by his appointed agencies, in conformity to his established laws. Healthful Cookery and Household Suggestions—giving hints on bread making, zwieback, croutons, ground zwieback, hot cakes, fruit bread, dumplings, crisp bread, bread fruit cake, and shortcakes. Mothers’ Department—letters to mothers on the importance of their keeping themselves attractive, teaching politeness in the family, and exposing parental neglect. Current Comment—on such topics as The Public-School Child as a Witness, Intensive Reading, Deadly Effects of Fatigue, The Doctor a Teacher, Sorry Sport, The Passing of the Broom, The Joy of Service, etc. The Medical Missionary at Work—progress of sanitarium work in Australia, Bombay and Karmatar, India, and England; the heroism of daily drudgery in the missionary’s work. Questions and Answers—on Scarlet Fever, Children’s Disorders, Sterilized Milk, Pancreatin, Cottonseed Oil, Lumps Coughed up from the Throat, Cold Compresses, etc. Editorials—some good things from our editor on Filth in Type, Can We Handle to Advantage an Excess of Food? In Place of Meat, Are Japanese Vegetarians? A Remedy Suggested for Baldness, What Is Health Reform? Holstein Cattle, etc. News Notes—three full pages of News Notes, containing much information on general health topics. Subscription price for one year, 50 cents; single copy, 5 cents; 25 copies to one address, 2½ cents a copy, or $2.50 a hundred.

THE 1907 Year-Book is now out of print. No more copies can be secured. Two editions were printed, yet the demand is not supplied. Those who have not received a copy will of course miss the benefits of one of the best Year-Books ever published. Order early next year.

“MIRACLES AND DELUSIONS” is a pamphlet of one hundred pages, divided into thirteen chapters, treating upon the following general subjects: Desire to Know the Mysterious, The Craving for Power, Predicted Manifestations of Power, “The Falling Away,” The Times of Refreshing, Miraculous Workings That Deceive, Spirit Manifestations, Oriental Religions, The Fountain of Life, Truth—a Shield and Buckler, etc. Price, 10 cents, post-paid.

THE new revised edition of the “Complete Sabbath-school Record and Register” is now ready. Several changes have been made in this Sabbath-school Secretary’s book that were suggested by a large majority of the State Sabbath-school officers. These changes materially simplify the work of the secretary in keeping the records of the school. Record “F” (the smaller size) has been enlarged so as to answer for schools having twenty-five to fifty members, and one entire page of the book given to the minutes of each session of the school. The old Record “F” gave only one-half page to each session. This addition has, of course, raised the price, but not in proportion to the improvement in the book. Record “C” is prepared for schools having a membership of from fifty to one hundred and fifty. Only these two sizes of Records will hereafter be published, and the prices will be: Record “F,” 50 cents; Record “C,” $1.

“THE CHURCH; ITS ORGANIZATION, ORDER, AND DISCIPLINE,” by Elder J. N. Loughborough, is now ready. All our readers will appreciate this new, beautiful, and important pamphlet. Its author was eminently qualified to prepare a work on this subject. He has been actively associated with our denominational work from its beginning, and has ever been a close observer. He has made special study of church organization; besides, his manuscript was heartily approved before it was presented to the publishers. This new book, therefore, comes from the press thoroughly sanctioned by those who are expected to pass upon a publication that deals so vitally with the affairs of the denomination. This new pamphlet contains much valuable information on all subjects pertaining to the church and denominational affairs. It will answer many questions that have been rather perplexing to those who have recently connected with this work. The price of the pamphlet is 25 cents, post-paid.

Orders for any publication mentioned on this page may be sent to any conference tract society, or to Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C., or Battle Creek, Mich. Also Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, Cal.; Portland, Ore.; Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tenn., and Fort Worth, Tex.

Editorial Letter

By William W. Prescott

Jottings from the Editor’s Note-Book

On our way from Tokyo to Kobe to attend the general meeting, Brother Field and I stopped over one day at Kyoto, the former capital of the empire. This is an interesting city. Among the things which every visitor desires to see are the Imperial Palace, the Great Buddha and the Great Buddha Bell, and some of the many temples.

As the apostle Paul found the city of Athens full of idols, so we found Kyoto. There are large temples and small temples, there are Buddhist temples and Shinto temples, and in all these temples and in many little shrines there are images of all sorts and kinds. In one temple it is said that there are over thirty thousand images of the goddess of mercy, and as I walked around this great aggregation of abominations, I could but feel the great need of making known to the people of Japan the God of mercy who really has compassion upon those who are out of the way. Such a knowledge would show the utter worthlessness of all these gods “which see not, nor hear, nor know.”

Not the least interesting thing in all these cities in the far East is the city itself and the dress and habits of the people themselves. While their customs, which they have followed for centuries, seem perfectly natural to those who follow them, they seem very strange to one from the Western world, and often appear grotesque, and possibly border on the ridiculous. Many of these things, however, are quite difficult to put into words, as they are the little things of every-day life which depend upon the special surroundings and local color for the right setting.

Our experience at a Japanese hotel at Kyoto may give some insight into the differences in the home life. Having arranged for our stay, we were shown to our room, but it was first necessary to remove our shoes and put on sandals, as Japanese houses are not constructed or furnished with reference to our heavy shoes with the possibility of nails protruding.

Our room was about ten by fifteen feet in size. The floor was covered with mats about three inches thick, made of straw. These mats constitute the floor covering in all Japanese houses, and it is therefore impracticable to use furniture having pointed legs, such as tables, chairs, stoves, etc. The only piece of furniture in our room when we first entered it was a small bureau. Later, however, a small charcoal stove in a wooden case, which suggested warmth rather than furnished it, some mats to sit on (all the Japanese sit on the floor), and the outfit required to make a bed on the floor were brought in. Among the things furnished was a Japanese night-robe, or kimono. A small tray or table, about six inches high, but with no legs, on which we found tea and cakes, was set near our mats. It was impossible to protect ourselves from intrusion at any time, day or night, as three sides of our room consisted of sliding screens which could be moved by any one on either side at any time. We were not disturbed, however. The sheets were fastened to the covering, which is one very thick quilt. The pillows were round and hard, being made by filling a small sack with rice chaff.

Our room opened on to the main street, and was directly opposite the railway station. Just as we were getting up the next morning, and while Brother Field was decidedly deshabille, the Japanese maid slid back the screen on the front side of the room with a cheery “Ohayo” (Good morning), thus bringing us into full view from the street. When we were ready to wash, we were shown to a place fitted up for this purpose, but neither towels nor soap was furnished.

A breakfast of Japanese food served in Japanese style was brought to our room. The basis of the meal was boiled rice, but instead of milk or fruit juice to accompany it, we had various native relishes, some of which I tasted, and some of which I accepted on general appearances without testing them. We also had eggs cooked somewhat after the style of scrambled eggs, but sweetened. No bread was served. We could have all the rice we desired, but a limited supply of the other eatables. Here I had my first experience in the use of “chop-sticks,” the only kind of table silver in use among the native people of the far East. Solving the problem of using these peculiar instruments of pleasure is usually attended with some trying experiences on the part of the foreigner, and I was probably no exception to the rule, but still I was able to handle the food, although it may not have been done elegantly. The bill for our stay was made out in due form, and we left the hotel with a pleasant “Sayonara” (Good-by).

In addition to the usual places of interest which are visited by tourists, we found it worth the while to study life in some of the most busy streets. These narrow thoroughfares are crowded with all sorts and conditions of men, women, and children, while the shops (the most of them are quite small), with their whole fronts open to the street, and usually a good display of wares in the street itself, present interesting sights which are constantly changing. In one of these streets we found a German selling leaflets treating upon health topics. As he could speak some English, I learned from him that he had been in the principal cities of America, but he did not seem to know of our sanitarian work. He stated that he was able to sell quite a large number of the leaflets.

When we arrived in Kobe that evening, we were heartily welcomed by Dr. S. A. Lockwood and his associates, and as I rested in a comfortable bed, I thought that, after all, the Western ideas of home comforts are not to be despised.

W. W. P.

What Might Be

By Editor

Editorial

What Might Be

How rapidly this message might spread if every one of the eighty-five thousand and more who profess to believe it was an earnest laborer together with God! How much new territory might be occupied for this message if the genuine missionary spirit should take possession of all who might respond to the “Macedonian” calls for help! How much money would be available for sending out those who are willing to go to the ends of the earth with this message if all its professed adherents would really follow the Bible plan of tithes and offerings! Will anything short of persecution arouse this people to their God-given duty and privilege? Let each one of us answer for himself.

The Sabbath and God's Seal

By C. M. S.

THE seal of God is the name of God and the badge of his authority. We find it stamped upon his law. We find its impress upon the Sabbath. We find it shining forth upon the foreheads of his victorious saints when their warfare is ended.

As the greater portion of Satan's time is taken up in counterfeiting God's work, we may expect to see him tampering with the seal of God.

That seal is given complete in the law of God, the ten commandments. So it need not surprise us to see an attempt made by a strong power so to emasculate that law as to destroy the seal. That effort is made along two lines. First, the day which the law designates as the Sabbath is displaced by another; and second, the command is taught from catechisms which give but the first sentence, leaving out the name of the Author, his title, and his jurisdiction.

Thus the law of God is made to teach what it does not teach, and is deprived of all its authority to teach or command anything at all. This is a direct fulfilment of that prophecy, which, speaking of the work of the papacy, says: “He shall think to change the times and the law.” Dan. 7:25, R. V.

That expression “the law” can refer to no law but God's law; for human powers are always changing human laws. But here was a human power that was to arrogate to itself the right to remodel the very law of Jehovah. The papacy, in substituting Sunday for the Sabbath of the Lord, has fulfilled the prophecy. That she does not hesitate to claim the right is shown in her declaration that the occupant of the chair of St. Peter is above all law, even the law of God.

When the culmination of the gospel work is at hand, and God is placing his seal upon those who have stood loyal to him, Satan also brings forward a sealing work. Concerning God's sealing work we read:—

“After these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Rev. 7:1-3.

The following tells us what was in that seal: “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.” Rev. 14:1.

When that seal is placed on the foreheads of these people, the Father's name shines forth upon the brow of each victorious saint. That signifies that they were loyal to him, have met his approval; that they are his, and that heaven is theirs; that they have honored his law and kept the faith.

Does that sealing work go on without its counterfeit?—No, indeed. A power arises which “causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Rev. 13:16, 17.

There is the seal and the sealing work of the other power. It is Satan's last counterfeit; for it is a counterfeit of the last work that God will do among his people on this earth. These are the two culminating acts of the two great powers that have contended with each other over the human race since Satan overcame Adam. Inasmuch as the rebellion began in heaven against the government of God, it is but logical that the law of God should be the point of attack in the warfare on this earth. Inasmuch as that law was to be the object of attack, it is but logical that the portion of that law which contained the seal of God's government should be the focal point of attack in that law. That command being the focal point of Satan's attack, it is but logical that the specific thing commanded should be attacked by him. And that is what he has done in substituting Sunday for the Sabbath, and commanding obedience to the mutilated law, and conformity to the substitute sabbath.

Seeing that this is so, let us “bind up the testimony, seal the law,” that the seal of God may be placed upon our foreheads before that solemn work is finished.

C. M. S.

Unconsciously Proving It True

By W. A. S.

THE critic of the Bible often unconsciously demonstrates its truthfulness.

Here is a man scoffing at the preaching of the end of the world. It was necessary that he should come along and scoff just now, for it is written: “There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3: 3, 4. The scoffer himself is fulfilling this sign of the last days.

The open enemy of the Bible often brings up David’s sin as an objection to the Christian religion. The Lord told David it would be so: “By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.” 2 Sam. 12: 14. They are doing it to this day, as the Bible said they would.

When the opposers of the third angel’s message single out the ‘commandments of God’ and ‘the testimony of Jesus’ as the special object of their attacks, they little realize that they are fulfilling the prophecy of Rev. 12: 17.

Again and again as men once with us have turned to fight the spirit of prophecy, we have seen them fulfilling and proving true the very messages against which they were warring. Truly “we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” 2 Cor. 13: 8.

W. A. S.

Weighing the Soul

By C. M. S.

THE world was needing proof that human beings possess an immortal soul. The Bible was lacking in such proof—in fact, was teaching the opposite. So men began to seek a demonstration of an unscriptural hypothesis. There is nothing like weight to prove the existence of a thing, and so they determined to weigh the immortal soul of man. They have done it(?), and it weighs an ounce or less. It was a simple procedure. A person was placed on a special set of scales to die. Immediately after his death there was a difference of about one ounce in his weight. The soul had fled (supposedly), and the body was lighter by that much. But what does it prove as to the point in question?—Nothing. If there had been no difference in weight, what would that prove?—Nothing. As reasonably might we prove the existence of love or hate, righteousness or sin, or any other quality or attribute by the method of weight. We can not weigh thought, energy, sensation, desire, hope, love,—in short, we can not weigh life. The ponderable process of proving the existence of an immortal soul is lacking in the first essential of the demonstration. They must first prove that the soul has weight before they can prove that they have weighed it. To call that fraction of an ounce the weight of the soul, because we do not know what else to call it, is not in any sense furnishing a proof of the proposition.

We do not know what makes the difference in the weights taken ante-mortemly and postmortemly; but we know that the soul dies, and that which dies is not immortal. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

C. M. S.

Organization: A Brief Account of Its History

By A. G. Daniells

Organization — No. 10

A Brief Account of Its History in the Development of the Cause of the Third Angel’s Message

In the midst of the agitation that followed the council on organization, Elder White wrote a stirring article on the subject, concluding with these considerations:—

For managing the amount of capital necessary for the prosecution of this expanding work, and in order to a more equal distribution of burdens, a business organization is necessary. The necessity and propriety of this are seen at once by the great majority; but some are immediately thrown into a panic of fear, or a labyrinth of mistrust. What is the matter here? We ask again, Has the light suddenly gone out? Are the body all at once left to plunge into a course which will end only in destruction? Has the pillar by day and the fire by night been swept away by some storm-cloud of coming evil? If not, do we well to distrust God, and flee at phantoms of our own conjuring? And again, it is found necessary to have some title by which to designate this people. A name, at once simple, appropriate, and indicative of the leading points of our faith, is suggested and recommended; and yet in the eyes of some this instantly becomes a great camel, which they can by no means swallow. How is this? Once more we put the question, Have the leaders, light and truth, suddenly deserted the little flock? Have their eyes all been drawn away by an ignis fatuus from the true light? We do not believe it. We believe that in all these things the church are being providentially guided; that light and truth are still leading the way; and that it will as clearly appear hereafter that these moves are right and in God’s order, as it now appears that past moves, which have been more or less staunchly opposed, have been directed of him. And while we continue to plead earnestly with the Lord to still send out his light and his truth, and to let them lead us, we do not believe he will withhold them from us.—Review and Herald, Vol. XVII, page 188.

April 26, 1861, another conference was called at Battle Creek to take the final steps to complete the organization of the Review and Herald Publishing Association. At this conference the question of organizing churches was given careful consideration, and the following resolution was adopted:—

That the ministers that are assembled at this conference be requested to write out an address on the subject of church organization.—Id., page 189.

This resolution aroused much opposition, and in a short time one of the ministers in the field decided to withdraw from the body, and notified the brethren through the REVIEW. Here is his letter:—

I feel it to be my duty to speak a few words through the REVIEW to the brethren scattered abroad, that they may know how I stand in relation to organization under a name, that brethren may know where to bestow their sympathy. I would not have any deceived in this matter. The Advent people are very dear to me. I have felt that their trials have been my trials, and their prosperity has been my prosperity. But I have not that unison of feeling at present. I feel that the union is broken, for I do not sympathize with the body of Adventists in relation to organizing under the name Seventh-day Adventists, and enrolling names under that head. As I feel, I never could consent to have my name enrolled on any class book, or church book, under any sectarian name. I might give my reasons, but that would be useless. I mean to keep my conscience void of offense toward God and toward man, and I must get the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.

And I would here say that I hold myself no longer amenable to that body of people calling themselves Seventh-day Adventists, nor any connection with them any farther than the Spirit of the Lord connects one Christian with another.—Id., Vol. XVIII, page 52.

Although the believers were generally coming to see the necessity of organization, a letter of this kind from one of the ministers could not fail to make a very unfavorable impression. This led Elder White to point out very clearly the experiences they were passing through. He said:—

On our Eastern tour thus far we seem to be wading through the influence of a stupid uncertainty upon the subject of organization. This is as might be expected from the circumstances connected with the introduction of the subject among us. . . . If all who were convinced of the necessity of organization had spoken out freely, victory would have turned, and the poison of anti-organization would have been at once removed. But our ministers were generally silent. Some exerted a strong influence against organization, while the influence of others fell indirectly through their silence into the wrong scale with dreadful weight, and many of our brethren, especially in the East, stood in doubt. The brethren in Pennsylvania voted down organization, and the cause in Ohio has been dreadfully shaken. It has suffered everywhere. . . . There is everywhere some one to hold back. They have no valid reasons for so doing, still they hold back. The infection was deep and stupifying. . . . The place of worship of the Seventh-day Adventists of Battle Creek is still the property of S. T. Belden. Organization has been postponed by this church until our ministers and people could come up unitedly to the work. There is no party feeling with those who feel the necessity of organization. They do not wish to move forward until all our ministers and people are prepared to go with them. How long shall we wait? . . .

It is a fact that need not be denied, that instead of our being a united people, growing stronger, we are in many places but little better than broken fragments, still scattering and growing weaker. A few years since we could report success and additions to the ranks at every appointment on our Eastern and Western tours. Now these conference meetings are scenes of wearing labor to hold together and strengthen what remains.—Id., page 100.

It was at this point in the controversy that communications from Sister White began to appear in the REVIEW on this subject. The following clear, decided statement is the first that was given in the REVIEW from the spirit of prophecy:—

I was shown that some have been fearing they should become Babylon if they organized; but the churches in central New York have been perfect Babylon, confusion. And now unless the churches are so organized that they can carry out and enforce order, they have nothing to hope for in the future. They must scatter into fragments. Previous teachings have nourished the elements of disunion. A spirit has been cherished to watch and accuse, rather than to build up. If ministers of God would unitedly take their position and maintain it with decision, there would be a uniting influence among the flock of God. Separating bars would be broken into fragments. Hearts would flow together and unite like two drops of water. Then there would be power and strength in the ranks of Sabbath-keepers far exceeding anything we have yet witnessed. The hearts of God’s servants are made sad by meeting, as they journey from church to church, the opposing influence of other ministering brethren. Individuals have stood ready to oppose every step of advance God’s people have made. Those who have dared to venture out have their hearts saddened and distressed by the lack of union of action on the part of their fellow laborers. We are living in solemn times. Satan and evil angels are working with mighty power, with the world on their side to help them. And professed Sabbath-keepers, claiming to believe important, solemn truth, unite their forces with the combined influence of the powers of darkness to distract and tear down that which God designs to build up. Their influence is recorded as those who retard the work of advance and reform among God’s people.

The agitation of the subject of organization has revealed a great lack of moral courage on the part of ministers proclaiming present truth. Some who were convinced that organization was right failed to stand up boldly and advocate it. They let some few understand that they favored it. Was this all God required of them?—No; he was displeased with their cowardly silence, and lack of action. They feared blame and opposition. They watched the brethren generally to see how their pulse beat before standing manfully for what they believed to be right. The people waited for the voice of their favorite ministers in the truth, and because they could hear no response in favor from them, decided that the subject of organization was wrong. Thus the influence of some of the ministers was against this matter while they professed to be in favor. They were afraid of losing their influence. Some one must move here and bear responsibility, and venture his influence; and as he has become inured to censure and blame, he is suffered to bear it. His fellow laborers who should stand by his side and take their share of the burden, are looking on to see how he succeeds in fighting the battle alone. But God marks his distress, his anguish, his tears, his discouragements and despair, while his mind is taxed almost beyond endurance; and as he is ready to sink, God lifts him up and points him to the rest for the weary, the reward for the faithful; and again he puts his shoulder under the

heavy burden. I saw that all will be rewarded according as their work shall be. Those who shun responsibility will meet with loss in the end. The time for ministers to stand together is when the battle goes hard.

The above was written at “Grass River, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Aug. 16, 1861,” and was printed in the REVIEW AND HERALD, Vol. XVIII, page 102.

This message, which was followed by others, giving clear, definite instruction regarding organization, aided greatly to settle the controversy.

A. G. DANIELLS.

Interest in Home and Foreign Missions

THESE are true words which we give below from the Sunday School Times concerning the support of missions:—

Genuine interest in those near at hand insures an interest in those farther away. This truth is missed by those who try to dodge responsibility for the foreign field by professing an absorbing interest in the home field. “I hope,” said a pastor in announcing an offering for foreign missions, “there is no one here this morning who does not believe in foreign missions. But if there is, I hope he will put a great big round sum into city missions.” He won’t, though. It is only an excuse. If home missions depended for support upon those who give nothing for foreign missions, the home mission boards would have to wind up business. There is no such thing as a limited interest in Christ’s cause or in one’s fellows. Unless our interest takes in all, it takes in none.

There is a testimony from the Saviour himself which bears directly upon this matter. It reads: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.” God is no respecter of persons; and he who looks upon the soul of the foreigner as of less worth than the soul of his nearest neighbor, or his own soul, has not yet imbibed enough of the spirit of the Master to make him an acceptable child of God.

Liberty and Equality

MR. CHAS. J. BONAPARTE, the Roman Catholic Attorney-General of the United States, in a lecture at Carnegie Hall, New York City, on March 24, made the following striking declaration in reference to the fundamental principles of our government—the liberty and equality of men:—

As I have said on another occasion, the root of socialism is the doctrine that all men of right ought to be, and should therefore be, made and kept precisely equal. This doctrine is a wholly arbitrary dogma, a pure assumption, justified neither by reason nor by history, and, in fact, contradicted by the daily experience of all mankind; but it is so earnestly and so widely preached by the precursors and apostles of the French Revolution, and has so gravely affected legislation, custom, and public opinion wherever the influence of the revolution extends, that to question its truth even now seems to a certain class of teachers and thinkers little short of blasphemy.

He accounts for the prevalence in this country of the doctrine of the equality of men by stating that it was introduced in the Declaration of Independence along with the demand for liberty. He deprecates the prevalence of the doctrine and denounces it, and declares that the equality of men is inconsistent with the idea of liberty. This is practically the same doctrine that is being put forward by the National Reformers at the present time. It is a combined attack upon the very fundamental principles of our government by a power which has always stood for the enslavement of conscience, and another power that is practising her dogmas under the cloak of Protestantism. Years ago Catholicism would not have been so outspoken against a fundamental American doctrine; but now that Protestantism is such largely in name only, Rome does not fear to let her antagonism to the basic principles of a free government shine forth. This declaration of our attorney-general is in harmony with the pope's expressed determination now to do for the United States what he has done for other nations. He has interfered, through his representatives, to mold other governments into harmony with his ideas of what governments should be. So he has struck early and struck straight at the most vital principle of our national government. National Reformers are attacking the same principle, and seeking to turn all the forces of Protestantism into that attack. When they have succeeded in accomplishing such a grand rally under the banner of Rome, we shall see the prophecy fulfilled which declares that “all the world wondered after the beast.”

Note and Comment

THE “wrath of the dragon,” in its exercise, is not confined to the operations of an apostate church or to the venomous workings of paganism. Madagascar, where the blood of many a faithful Christian has been shed, is now under the control of an atheistic governor. He has ordered all mission schools to be closed. Concerning this the Lutheran says:—

This order is affecting the Norwegian mission very much, for it has one thousand schools under its control, which are of great benefit to the people. The governor did not give the reason for this arbitrary action, nor did he say where he will get the teachers for the schools he is going to build on atheistic sand. The Lord saved the Norwegian mission schools from the Jesuits ten years ago; his hand has not become too short to save them again.

Vegetarian Athletes Show Greater Endurance

PROF. IRVING FISHER, the Yale diet expert, has just made known some interesting facts in reference to recent endurance tests which substantiate the theory that non-flesh-eating athletes outclass those who subsist on a meat diet. The endurance tests consisted in holding the arms in a horizontal position as long as possible, in deep-knee bending, and in leg raising. In each of these contests the vegetarians exceeded the flesh eaters. Only two of the latter were able to hold the arms in a horizontal position more than fifteen minutes, while twenty-two of the thirty-two vegetarians exceeded that length of time. Of these, nine stood out the hour, four two hours, and one more than three hours. In the other tests practically the same results were attained, proving beyond question the superiority of the non-flesh diet in building endurance tissue.

Indiana Liquor License Laws Unconstitutional

PROBABLY the most important judicial decision ever handed down upon the liquor question is that recently rendered by Judge Samuel R. Artman, of the Boon County (Indiana) Circuit Court, in which he held that the State liquor license laws were unconstitutional. He found that, measured by common law, the saloon business is unlawful, and therefore without a legal existence. The judge showed from the decision of other courts that the saloon traffic was harmful and a menace to public morality. The Supreme Courts of Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, South Carolina, and Indiana had laid at the doors of the liquor traffic the responsibility for misery, pauperism, and crime. His conclusion from the evidence set forth and the judicial decisions cited, was summed up in these words:—

If the proposition, that any business, the inherent tendency and effect of which is to destroy the public health, the public morals, or the public safety, is immoral and unlawful, is sound, it must follow, as the day follows night, that the business which is the source of a greater amount of crime and misery in every State, than any other cause, is the most immoral and most unlawful business there is in any State.

The liquor element has refused to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, which would indicate that they feared the wide-spread result of such an appeal. However, the temperance forces are determined to force the issue, and three new cases have been started in three different counties. It is planned to begin similar cases in three different States with a view of taking them up to the United States Supreme Court. In view of this possibility, we may expect to see a grand rally of the forces of the liquor power to keep the disreputable business from complete overthrow.

Continue reading: One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund