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Review and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 40.

Special Mention

Review and Herald

Aug 10, 1916

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 10, 1916

Special Mention

By E. R. Palmer

Increased Cost of Paper

The situation in the paper market is not improving. It is growing worse. The time is rapidly approaching when paper contracts will expire. It will then be necessary for publishers in general, who have not already done so, either to cut down the size of their periodicals or to increase subscription prices. It will be necessary also to increase the prices of books in all cases where new editions are required, which must be printed from paper at the advanced prices. Nearly all publishers are doing this. Notice has been sent out by publishers of periodicals and standard books, such as encyclopedias and Bibles, that on a certain date prices will be raised from 25 to 100 per cent.
In a brief article on page 2, of the REVIEW of June 15, some facts were presented concerning the situation. It will doubtless be of interest to learn some of the causes of this situation, and the prospects for the future. Two questions are of primary interest: 1. What are the causes of the increase in the price of paper? 2. Is the price likely to go down in the near future?

The Cost of Paper

The manufacturers of paper find themselves confronted by a situation far more serious than that which printers are having to face, for they are under contract for a certain period to furnish the principal part of their product at low prices. A number of these paper makers have already been forced into bankruptcy. The following are some of the conditions they are having to meet:—
1. Scarcity of labor, brought about by a falling off in immigration; the exodus of so many of our laborers to the European armies; and the demand for an increased number of men in nearly all lines of industry.
2. An increase in wages, ranging from five to twenty-five per cent. This increase is not greater than the increase in the cost of living, but it becomes an important factor in the cost of paper making.
3. Sulphite and soda pulp, two of the principal factors in paper making, now cost two and a half to three times the prices of last year.
4. Rags and other material used in the manufacture of high-grade paper have gone up from 300 to 400 per cent.
5. In the manufacture of smooth finish, high-grade papers, used in book-making, the fine, smooth surface is produced by the use of a certain quality of white English clay not procurable except in Great Britain. This clay serves very much the same purpose in paper making that starch does in the laundering of linen. Since the European war broke out, shiploads of this clay have been lying on the wharves in Great Britain, with no ships to take it to market. One of the enterprising American paper makers, from whom we obtain a large portion of our book paper, finding that he could not get this clay in the usual way, chartered a ship and sent it to Great Britain for a load of clay, which cost $100,000. It was impossible to get the ship unloaded within the contract period, and it was necessary to pay $700 a day for the extra time required.
6. Some of the materials which previously have entered into the making of paper are now used in the manufacture of explosives, thus cutting down the supply and increasing the price.
7. Important sources of the world's supply of paper under normal conditions, have been closed up; and many countries are now looking to the United States for paper. For example, we are now supplying paper to our mission printing offices in South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, the West Indies, and India, where the market price of paper is much higher than in the United States.
8. The countries now involved in war have placed an embargo upon materials that can be used in the manufacture of paper, thus cutting off from the United States several of its previous sources of supply.

The Future Cost of Paper

The future no one can tell. If we knew what conditions would prevail a few months hence, it would then be easier to decide what to do to meet the situation. At the present time it appears that prices will go higher rather than lower.
The situation is so acute that the United States government has appointed a Federal Trade Commission to make an investigation. The government has also issued a circular which contains the following interesting statement:—
“Old papers and rags are used in very large quantities for manufacturing paper. Part of this material is collected in the United States, although the imports are about 50 per cent of the amount used each year. Imports of rags and old papers during the past few months have decreased to such an extent that there is now a serious famine of paper-making raw material. The decrease in imports is very largely due to conditions abroad. Several foreign governments, realizing the scarcity of paper-making material, have forbidden its export to other countries. This condition is widespread in its effect, and as the demand for raw material is greater than the supply, prices have rapidly increased. The prices of these raw materials have increased from 50 to over 400 per cent above normal prices and are still advancing.”
“The effect of this rapid increase in cost of all paper-making raw materials has been to make corresponding increases in the cost of all kinds and grades of paper. Prices of paper are advancing, and apparently there is as yet no prospect in sight of any decrease in price to the ultimate consumer. All indications tend toward still greater increase in price.”
On an average the prices of paper in the United States have not quite doubled, but it is a well-known fact that if paper mills were today buying their raw materials, such as rags, white pulp, dyestuffs, bleach, and other chemicals, at market prices, they would go bankrupt if they were to sell their product even at the present high-selling prices of paper. It is only because these paper mills have contracts for raw materials, made last year and expiring in December of this year, that they are able to operate and sell paper at present prices. Therefore, if the war continues, there is every reason for believing that the prices of raw materials will continue to increase, and that paper makers must pay market prices for raw materials after the expiration of their present contracts.
Every day it is getting more difficult for workmen to live on the present scale of wages. If the cost of living continues to advance, wages must certainly increase. With the United States still at peace, and having great resources upon which to draw, and with many great countries looking to the United States for their supply, it seems probable that this will be a country of high prices for some time to come. We cannot be positive, however, concerning this trying situation. No one knows what is before us in the markets of the world. We can only trust all features of our work in the hands of God, who knows the end from the beginning. We can only judge from appearances what the future has in store, and what steps may be necessary to meet the situation.

What Should be Done

It is, we believe, the unanimous purpose of our publishing houses to meet the situation, so far as possible, without increasing the prices of books and periodicals. If the situation continues as it has been for the past few months, something will of course have to be done in the near future, and we know that our people will meet with faith and courage whatever may be necessary.
In the countries that are at war, where materials are very scarce and expensive, restrictions have been placed upon the size even of newspapers. In France a law has been passed restricting daily newspapers to four pages, and Sunday papers to six pages. When such extraordinary measures are necessary in other
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Increased Cost of Paper

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countries, it would not be strange if we here in America should find it necessary to make some important adjustments during the next few months.
But we are persuaded that the Lord's work will not be hindered. It is moving forward with greater success every day, notwithstanding the terrible things that are going on in the world. The time has come for God to finish his work. His people should be of good courage, and should press the battle with greater earnestness as the difficulties and dangers in the world increase.
E. R. Palmer.

Buried Alive

By F. M. W.

To be buried alive is a terrible experience. We have known of many persons who have for years cherished the dread that they would be thus buried. We were reading recently of a man who provided that in event of his supposed death the arteries in his wrists should be severed to secure him against any possibility of being buried alive. It is safe to say, however, that but comparatively few, in these days of medical science and accurate death tests, ever meet this experience. There is much greater danger that men and women who profess the name of Christ and go forward in the ordinance of baptism will be buried alive. And this spiritual experience, when its far-reaching results are considered, is even more terrible to contemplate than the experience of the physical man.
We must admit that there are many in the church of Christ who have never really died to sin. They have gone through the form of baptism, but have exemplified no death of the “old man” in their lives. Their affections and desires and purposes remain practically unchanged. They loved the world before baptism, and they love it still. They were the servants of sin, in bondage to the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life, passion, temper, etc., before baptism; they are having the same experience at the present time. Rising from the watery grave did not mean to them walking in newness of life.
There is no power in baptism of itself to change the heart. This ordinance is an outward symbol representing the union of the believer with his Master. The marriage ceremony does not unite the hearts of the man and woman. It is a formal statement to the world that their hearts and lives have been united in the bonds of love and affection.
What is our experience? Were we buried alive at the hour of our baptism? Have our lives since that event been of a nature to show to the world that we were indeed baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? The possession of his name means the possession of that for which his name stands. The name “Jesus” means salvation from sin. If we truly profess his name, we shall know his saving power in our lives. It is a terrible thing to have a name to live, and yet after all be dead, to profess to be Christ’s while in our lives we deny him. If this has been our experience in the past, let us reconsecrate our hearts to him, asking that his Spirit cast down every idol and enthrone the Lord Jesus Christ chief and foremost in all our affections.
F. M. W.

The Value of the Denominational College

By L. L. C.

THE Pilgrim Fathers understood the value of education. In 1636, or sixteen years after their landing on the American shore, they founded a college, which they named two years later after their clergyman, Rev. John Harvard. Referring doubtless to this establishment of Harvard College, Rev. Cotton Mather said, “A college was the best thing that ever New England thought upon.”
One of the founders of this college said:—
“After God had carried us safe to New England, and we had builded our houses, provided necessaries for our livelihood, reared convenient places for God’s worship, and settled civil government, one of the next things we longed for and looked after was to advance learning and perpetuate it to posterity.”
Eleven years after the founding of the Harvard College, public schools had been established. This public school system is now so widespread that high schools are found in every town, and universities in every State, and it can be said without danger of contradiction that the United States largely owes its greatness to its educational system.
Seventh-day Adventists early appreciated the importance of having a denominational school, and in 1874 Battle Creek College was established. In this school most of our older workers received training. This fact was very strongly brought to the attention of the delegates at the General Conference in 1913, when plans were being made which resulted in the organization of the Battle Creek College Association. At one general meeting a rising vote of all those who had received some training in Battle Creek College was called for, and the large number of our workers who responded was indeed striking.
As public schools were established soon after the founding of Harvard College, so denominational primary schools grew up soon after the establishment of Battle Creek College. These primary schools have increased from one in 1880 to 611 in 1914, while our advanced schools have increased from one in 1874 to 67 in 1914. It is very interesting to note also that this period of growth in the educational system marks the period of greatest growth in the denominational membership. The membership in 1874 was 7,000; in 1914 it was 122,386. If one will take the early catalogues of our first school, and run over the names of the students, he will find an argument for the denominational college which cannot be answered or overdrawn. We shall never know till we reach the other side how largely the advancement of the message throughout the world has been, humanly speaking, due to the work done by our educational system.
With the development of the public school system and the great State universities, denominational colleges have, in the consideration of some, lost favor. Many educators, however, recognize that in many respects the small college has great advantages over the large State universities. William Rainey Harper, former president of the University of Chicago, once said:—
“It is a mistaken notion that the larger the institution, the more efficient the education given. There is an increasing sentiment in behalf of the small college. The large institution cannot give the same intimate attention to the students that the smaller one does. Necessarily, in the large university, much of the instruction is committed to young, inexperienced instructors. In the smaller college, the student comes into intimate relation with the administrative officers and the heads of departments, who are capable of rendering personal counsel and help when it is needed. For this reason many of the best institutions of the East are restricting attendance to five hundred, and some to even less.”
A former chancellor of the University of Nebraska said that his personal advice to any young man would be to takeat least his first two years of college in the small denominational college, where he could receive more personal help from the teachers than would be the case in a large State university.
It is well for our people to think of this value of the small denominational college, in addition to the Christian atmosphere which surrounds the student and makes for development of Christian character in the young man or young woman.
One of the evident signs that this message is soon to be finished in the earth, is the great increase in the number of college graduates within the last few years. Our work is beginning to attract the attention of the educated classes of this country, and in God’s providence he is preparing workers, thoroughly trained, to meet these opening opportunities. Let us take courage, and pray very earnestly for our schools, that they may be blessed of God to the training of many workers who may soon finish the work in the earth.
L. L. C.

The Greatest War

By G. B. T.

WRITERS refer to the present war as the greatest in all the annals of history. Viewed from their standpoint, their conclusion is doubtless correct. But the greatest warfare on earth is that of overcoming evil. Its history is not written in books by any human scribe, but is written in the books which will be opened at the last day. The apostle Paul, speaking of this great contest, says:—
‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ Eph. 6: 10-18.
This is indeed a mighty contest, waged between the forces of good and evil, between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. The servant of God has given us the following striking picture of this great contest:—
‘In vision I saw two armies in terrible conflict. One army was led by banners bearing the world's insignia; the other was led by the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel. Standard after standard was left to trail in the dust, as company after company from the Lord's army joined the foe, and tribe after tribe from the ranks of the enemy united with the commandment-keeping people of God. An angel flying in the midst of heaven put the standard of Immanuel into many hands, while a mighty general cried out with a loud voice: ‘Come into line. Let those who are loyal to the commandments of God and the testimony of Christ now take their position. Come out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters. Let all who will, come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.’
‘The battle raged. Victory alternated from side to side. Now the soldiers of the cross gave way, ‘as when a standard bearer fainteth.’ Isa. 10: 18. But their apparent retreat was but to gain a more advantageous position. Shouts of joy were heard. A song of praise to God went up, and angel voices united in the song, as Christ's soldiers planted his banner on the walls of fortresses till then held by the enemy. The Captain of our salvation was ordering the battle, and sending support to his soldiers. His power was mightily displayed, encouraging them to press the battle to the gates. He taught them terrible things in righteousness as he led them on step by step, conquering and to conquer.
‘At last the victory was gained. The army following the banner with the inscription, ‘The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,’ was gloriously triumphant. The soldiers of Christ were close beside the gates of the city, and with joy the city received her King. The kingdom of peace and joy and everlasting righteousness was established.’—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. VIII, pp. 41, 42.
This is designed to represent primarily the mighty conflict as it closes, and the struggle through which those who cling to the message will need to pass. And it should be observed that the mighty General of the heavenly army calls to his people, ‘Come into line!’ No time for companies to be struggling apart from the organized body. Those who thus lead the people of God directly invite destruction, not only for themselves, but for those who are so blind as to follow them. But regardless of the fierce opposition of the enemy from without and the distracting influence of blind leaders from within, the company bearing aloft the banner with the inscription, ‘The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,’ triumphed gloriously.
I desire especially to impress the personal conflict through which we must all pass. ‘The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.’ Gal. 5: 17.
This describes the warfare waged in the heart of every Christian. The struggle against sin is a real and mighty contest. None knows it so well as the one who is fighting the depraved and unclean impulses of the flesh. But here we are not left to fight alone. The Holy Spirit comes to our aid. All heaven is on the side of the soul that is struggling against wrong passions, and calling on God for strength to win. Thank God, we are not left to fight alone. We win by surrender, by laying down the weapons of our warfare, and yielding wholly to God.
G. B. T.

Old Testament Illustrations of Gospel Order

By W. A. S.

THE account of the efforts of Balaam to curse Israel throws an interesting side light upon the influence of unity and order as a testimony to the world and a protection to the church. By two means the children of God bear witness to the world of the divine origin of the church,—by the purity of their faith and by their unity. These two features are mentioned in Christ’s prayer: “Sanctify them through thy truth,” and, “That they all may be one.” Paul refers to the same points in Col. 2: 5: “Beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith.”
When Balaam sought to bring a curse upon Israel, he found that their thorough organization interposed a barrier to his hopes. The Spirit of prophecy says:—
“As Balaam looked upon the encampment of Israel, he beheld with astonishment the evidence of their prosperity. They had been represented to him as a rude, disorganized multitude, . . . but their appearance was the reverse of all this. He saw the vast extent and perfect arrangement of their camp, everything bearing marks of thorough discipline and order. He was shown the favor with which God regarded Israel, and their distinctive character as his chosen people.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 447.
This order was evidence that God was with Israel, and Balaam was constrained to say, “The Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.” Thereupon he set himself to corrupt their faith. These have ever been the two lines of attack,—to introduce error and to break up the unity.
The Lord does not design that his children shall be isolated from one another, each going his way independently of others. In fellowship is strength, and “in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” When the children of Israel became settled in their land, the families and tribes were not to maintain themselves in isolation. By their annual gatherings they were brought together, not only to worship before the Lord at Jerusalem, but to have the benefit of association. In commenting on this arrangement, the Spirit of prophecy says:—
“We sustain a loss when we neglect the privilege of associating together to strengthen and encourage one another in the service of God. The truths of his Word lose their vividness and importance in our minds. . . . In our intercourse as Christians we lose much by lack of sympathy with one another. He who shuts himself up to himself is not filling the position that God designed he should.”—Id., p. 541.
No individual, no church, no section, can prosper, severed voluntarily and by intent from the body of believers.
The description of the band of men who brought David to his throne teaches a lesson in organization. We read (1 Chronicles 12) that among them were “the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” The fact that they all knew what Israel ought to do in that critical time was assurance that they would, in the language of Paul, be subject one to another, choosing earnest leaders to secure harmonious action, in order that every man’s work might count for the most. Of the entire body gathered from different tribes of Israel, we read: “All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart.” The disposition and ability to keep rank and work loyally together in fellowship comes with the “perfect heart” as a gift of God. All together they were “a great host, like the host of God.” “And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.” 1 Chron. 13: 1.
In the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the captivity, Nehemiah gave an illustration of the strength there is in union of effort. The work was systematically planned, so that each company knew exactly the portion of the entire task for which it was directly responsible. Yet no one’s work was finished until all was done. As the work drew toward completion, the enemies of Israel without the camp and within frantically renewed their efforts to throw the work and workers into confusion, and to break down the organized effort. But as the people prayed and watched, and more thoroughly organized their forces, the counsels of the enemy were brought to naught. While half the people wrought at the work, the other half were on guard. “The people had a mind to work,” and they cooperated as one man. Signals were arranged by those having general supervision, so that all could rally to the same point in a crisis. Nehemiah said to the leaders and people: “The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.” Neh. 4:19, 20. It was one work, one wall, one people; and a united effort at last achieved success.
This lesson is written for our learning; for the work of the gospel message that is to gather out the residue of God’s people, including the remnant church, from every land and nation, is likened by Inspiration to the building up again of the ruins of the tabernacle of David, which had fallen down. Acts 15:15-17. With our lines extending throughout the whole earth, and the enemy ever watching to break up the forces and weaken the hands of the workers, more than ever at any time in the history of God’s work is there need for such thorough organization as will enable the whole body of believers to strengthen one another’s hands in the service. It is one world-wide work, and a united people is to do it. The Old Testament prophets, who in vision saw the final triumph of the church, bear witness to this. “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Isa. 52:8.
W. A. S.

Startling Atmospheric Conditions

By F. M. W.

EVERY year is marked by startling changes in atmospheric conditions. The terrific heat waves which have been passing over the country during the last few years have been unparalleled. It is most unusual for temperatures in the Middle West to reach such readings as have been recorded during the last few summers, particularly during the last few days. The Washington Post for July 31 published the following dispatch from Chicago regarding the suffering caused in that city:—
“As a result of the protracted heat, culminating in a maximum of 102° at 4 P. M. today, the human death rate reached a point where county morgue officials said there was no more room in the institution for bodies.
“Prostrations increased greatly, riotous scenes at lake shore beaches among the thousands seeking relief in the lake made necessary the services of extra police, while the health department announced that hundreds of horses were lying in the streets, where they had fallen dead from heat. . . .
“Out of the 185 deaths reported today, upwards of a hundred were said to be due directly or indirectly to the heat. Dr. John Dill Robertson, health commissioner, said fifty babies had died of heat in the twenty-four hours ended yesterday morning.
“Police reserves who answered a riot call failed to control the riotous crowd which stormed the Clarendon municipal bathhouse on the north shore, after thousands of persons had stood in line for hours without gaining admission.
“Women and children swooned from the heat and excitement of being caught in the crush. Order was restored only after police used their clubs.
“Similar scenes occurred at other beaches. Police estimated that more than 100,000 persons battled for admittance at four beaches on the north shore after thousands of others had stood in line since early in the morning, waiting a chance to get relief in the waters of Lake Michigan from the excessive heat. Mounted police were used to clear the streets leading to the beaches.
“Sidewalks in the congested districts of Chicago were lined tonight with men, women, and children seeking sleep on the pavements. Hundreds of persons slept in the parks.”
The same general conditions could be reported from many other cities in the Central West, and from other sections of the world. Radical temperature changes are being noted everywhere. Unusual appearances of the heavens are causing wonderment and terror. These conditions, instead of bettering as time goes on, will increase in intensity. As we near the time of the seven last plagues, power will be given the sun to scorch men with fire, and men will be scorched with great heat. Rev. 16: 8, 9. Joel refers to the seed as rotting under the clods, the corn withering, the beasts groaning, the herds of cattle perplexed because they have no pasture, the vine drying up, all the fields withering, and joy “withered away from the sons of men.” See Joel 1:15-18.
We shall witness unusual scenes in the days to come,—unusual scenes in the atmospheric heavens and in the world around us,—scenes which will cause the hearts of men to fail for fear and for looking after the things which are coming upon the earth. Luke 21:25, 26.
To the children of light it is given to know the meaning and significance of these signs. They may understand the times and the seasons. 1 Thess. 5:1-4. May Heaven grant that we shall be the children of the light, and not the children of darkness. Committing our ways unto God and hiding under the shelter of his wing, we need not fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. It is our privilege in the midst of earth’s turmoil to be still and know that above is God, our Father, and that we are safely encompassed in the citadel of his love and power. See Psalm 46.
F. M. W.

Publishing Work Advances in Atlantic Union

SENDING an article to the REVIEW, Brother V. O. Cole, field missionary agent in the Atlantic Union Conference, says of the work in that field: “Our courage is good in the Atlantic Union, and the publishing work is making splendid headway. Although we made a large record last year, and some thought we could hardly reach those figures again this season, yet a few days ago, in footing up our sales for the past six months, it was found that we had made a gain of 44 per cent over last year’s sales for the same period.”
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