Earlier text: Be Strong and of Good CourageTo the Fields in 1914
By William Ambrose Spicer
The record of outgoing missionaries in 1913 was exceptional. That was the year of the General Conference, which made heavy appointments to the mission fields. The total list for 1913 was 153, including, as usual, those going out from Europe to the farther missions, and from Australasia and other colonial bases. It was felt at the time that that was so large a reenforcement of the fields that the next year's record might be expected to drop below the average; not because 153 workers could supply the need, for that number spread over the whole earth meant only one family here and another there, dropped down among millions of people, to represent the message. But the need of the fields is so pressing, the calls of God's providence so urgent, that there can be no halting of the movement of missionaries toward the fields. The list for 1914 is another remarkable one. It is as follows:— W. M. and Mrs. Crothers, to Jamaica, West Indies. Miss M. A. Yarnell, to Singapore, East Indies. B. C. and Mrs. Haak and family, to Argentina, South America. A. D. and Mrs. Fowler, to New Zealand. H. Stacey and family, from Australia to Japan. A. E. Wright, from Australia to the New Hebrides Islands, South Pacific. J. S. and Mrs. Yates, to Sumatra, East Indies. C. E. and Mrs. Moon, to Porto Rico. Miss Jessie Butler, to Porto Rico. W. G. Kneeland, to Panama. F. O. and Mrs. Stuckey, to South Africa. R. S. and Mrs. Greaves, from Europe to West Africa. J. A. Westermeyer and family, to Chile, South America. R. L. and Mrs. Hiner, to Jamaica, West Indies. A. Matter and wife, from Europe to British East Africa. Miss Lina Barho, from Europe to German East Africa. R. Lusky and wife and family, from Europe to German East Africa. Peter Drinhaus, from Europe to German East Africa. F. A. Detamore (returning) and Mrs. Detamore and children, to Singapore. Allen and Mrs. Thompson, to Singapore. Roy and Mrs. Mershon, to Singapore. Paul Badaut, from Europe to the island of Mauritius. H. Streeter and wife, from Australia to the Cook Islands. H. A. Hill and wife, from Australia to the Cook Islands. L. O. and Mrs. Corwin, to the Bay Islands, Central America. W. H. and Mrs. Sterling, to Argentina, South America. Blanche Davis, to Brazil, South America. G. F. and Mrs. Jones, from Australia to the Solomon Islands. Earnest E. and Mrs. Morrow, to India. A. G. Christiansen and family, to Denmark. Miss Florence Shull, to China. J. P. and Mrs. Casey, to South Africa. Mrs. W. G. Kneeland and son George, to Panama. Sister Vai Kerisome, from Australia to Niue (Savage Island). E. J. and Mrs. Giblett, from Australia to Niue (Savage Island). T. Baker and wife, from England to Sierra Leone, West Africa. Miss Helenia Richards, to Porto Rico. Miss Minnie Martin, to Porto Rico. H. M. Blunden and family, from Australia to China. Mrs. A. U. Cochran, to Cuba. Robert H. Treible, to Bermuda Islands. Miss M. E. Tamka, to Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands. Enriques Mangold, from Germany to Ecuador, South America. Eugene Leland, to Bermuda Islands. A. E. and Mrs. Holst, to Jamaica, West Indies. J. P. and Mrs. Redding, to Jamaica, West Indies. G. G. and Mrs. Coffin, to Bahama Islands. E. R. and Mrs. Johnson, to Mexico. K. M. and Mrs. Adams, to Singapore. Miss Florence Wilson, to China. F. E. and Mrs. Bates, to China. P. V. and Mrs. Thomas, to China. I. F. and Mrs. Blue, to India. Miss Grace White, to Cuba. E. A. Curdy and family, to Haiti. Mrs. Almeda Nelsen, to Bahama Islands. A. P. and Mrs. Tarr, from the Cape, South Africa, to Tsungweai, Rhodesia. E. W. H. Jeffrey, from the Cape, South Africa, to Kafirland. Fausto Jornadal, to the Philippines. Mrs. May Williams-Martin, to Mexico. D. C. and Mrs. Ludington, to Burma. M. B. Butterfield and wife, to Trinidad, West Indies. Geo. F. and Mrs. Furnival, to India. C. F. and Mrs. Innis, to Cuba. This list totals up 103 missionaries, not counting the children, who entered the fields during 1914. They have gone out from the North American Division, from the European Division, from Australasia, which carries the burden of evangelizing the island world of the Pacific, and from the South African Union, which supplies workers for its missions to the natives in the regions beyond. It is not a complete list, probably less complete than those of former years, for at the recent Australasian Union Conference more than the usual number of appointments were made to the island missions, and doubtless quite a number of workers have been going forward during the last month. Just as it stands, without comment, this list is a striking testimony to the fulfilling prophecy of Revelation 14. The prophet in vision saw in the last days a people keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, hastening on to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people with the last message. Month by month and year by year we see the messengers going forth toward all the nations and peoples of earth. Prophecy is fulfilling before our eyes. Nor must we omit to mention one vital feature. It is by the gifts of the believers—in the churches, in the Sabbath schools, and the isolated ones—who love this message that this movement of the missionaries into the fields is kept up. This dedication of means to God for the hastening of the message to the world, places this people in the North American Division, numbering but a few thousand as we do, tenth in the list of the great missionary societies of America. The amount given for missions groups our denomination among those that number their adherents by the million. And abroad it is the same. And it surely ought to be, for to whom else has the Lord in his providence committed this message of the coming of the Lord, which is to be quickly carried to7every tongue and people. It is the Lord's own hand leading his people forward. The Federation of the World
By C. M. S.
WONDERFUL are the prophecies of the divine Word! They are like the building specifications of a master architect. Though made centuries ago, as the building of his purpose progresses, the walls, the towers, the architraves, the ceiling timbers, the roof, cornices, doors, windows, lintels, and altars all come into place in exact conformity with his specifications and delineations. We look on in wonder as we see every separate part coming into its place, and marvel at the comprehension of the mind that thought the wonderful combination through to the end. We read of his work in the creation of the universe, that “he spake and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast.” But in the prophecies of his Word he spake, and each separate item comes into place when the time or condition arrives with which that item corresponds. Prediction and fulfillment are the complements of each other, and fit to each other when the time arrives for them to do so. We have seen fulfillment meet prophecy in so many particulars and in so many events that we are coming to look upon them, to some degree, as almost commonplaces. We almost forget that in each fulfilled prophecy God is telling us over again, lest we forget, that he is God himself, the true God, who is able to tell the end from the beginning, and is doing it that we may have evidence upon evidence of his existence, his love, and his purpose. We have seen these fulfillments in many events that have taken place before our day. These are interesting and convincing; but a peculiar thrill accompanies the fulfillment of prophecy when we see it actually taking place before our eyes. The peace movement and the movement for world federation, both going on while the worst war the world has ever seen is taking place, — and that paradoxical fulfillment an evidence of the ripening of the world for the judgment, — these constitute a striking and a thrilling fulfillment of the divine Word. For a generation past the great nations of the Old World have been girding themselves for the shock of a mighty war which they felt was surely impending, and they have associated themselves together by treaties and compacts and concordats, and ententes cordiales. But most centuries ago the divine Word said:— “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.” Isa. 8:9. That word is to the nations of our day. They have been doing what the prophecy said they would be doing, and yet they are now being broken in pieces as the prophecy said they would be, in spite of the fact that they have been girding themselves for war as no nations ever before had done, and have associated themselves in groups to protect themselves from one another. But another admonition the Word of God gives us in this connection; and the fact that God gave that admonition in immediate connection with the prophecy above quoted, shows that it will be applicable at the time when the other applies. It reads: — “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Verse 12. Moreover, verse 17 of the same chapter shows that these words apply at a time when the people of God are looking for their Lord’s return. Today we have the peace movement in full blast and at the same time the greatest war of earth’s history in full swing. We have the nations associated together and yet in actual process of being broken in pieces. And what else have we? We have the first steps now being taken for a world-embracing confederacy, the very thing against whose false hopes Jehovah warns his people. The accompanying photoreproduction of a page from the Christian Herald of December 23, is, in and of itself, an event of the utmost significance; and yet something of that nature was certain to come if that prophecy was to meet its fulfillment. The United States of the World would be a federation of the world or a confederacy of the world. Such a combination of earthly powers is bound to come if ever there is a power in this world which can say “to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” in Rev. 13:14. We also read of this same power, which wields a world influence,10that it “causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” Verse 12. A world federation, formed by religious influences, is necessary to the fulfillment of that prophecy. The suggestion to President Wilson and the demand made upon him in the accompanying reproduction from the Christian Herald show how that may be brought about. Such a confederacy, when formed, will be dominated by religion. It will have a head, and that head will be the head of some religion. It will issue religious decrees; for it will be a confederacy dominated by ecclesiastics. The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America have already gone on record as favoring the enforcement of the false sabbath. What more natural than that such a confederation should declare for a Sunday sabbath obligatory upon all the people of the world? The Federal Council has made one urgent request of President Wilson, which was of a religious nature, and he complied with it, and called the nation to a season of prayer. The churches could just as well have done that themselves; but they chose to have the head of the government do it, forgetting, or not caring, that in doing so they were repudiating the fundamental principles of the government, the separation of church and state. Now comes this urgent request, declaring in itself that it represents the churches of Christ in the United States, a direct appeal of religion to the government. It shows the way for the formation of a power which will make possible the fulfillment of Revelation 13. We cannot tell whether the head of our government will take the step he is importuned to take; but some President will take it when the time is ripe; for the churches will not cease to importune until it is done. The rest will be but a matter of detail. The United States, according to the prophecy, is to lead the world in bringing to a head that movement which must culminate in that universal decree which demands the worship of the beast on pain of death. We see it getting ready to take the step which will lead to that great climax. The prophecy is fulfilling before our eyes. C. M. S. An Appeal to the President from the Christian Churches of the United States
By Dr. Frank Crane
The Church of Jesus Christ to the President of the United States, GREETING: WE ARE at an unexampled crisis of history. Civilization is in danger. The world points with scorn at the amazing outbreak of violence among so-called Christian nations. Twentieth century States are fighting with the ferocity of Huns, with the cruelty of ancient Rome, with the unreason of medieval fanatics. Never in time has such horror been let loose on earth. Unnumbered corpses of men lie mangled in the fields. Thousands of women are widowed, their lives blighted. Houses everywhere are darkened. Poverty stalks in all lands. Pestilence follows. The judgment of Christ therefore shows the wretched ignorance of nations: “They that take the sword shall perish by the sword.” The United States of America is the only one of the great powers of the world that is at peace. Under your wise guidance we have so far avoided disastrous entanglements. But how shall we use the privilege of our fortunate isolation? Shall we merely take advantage of it to capture the markets of the world and make money out of the distress of other nations? WE BELIEVE that you believe that States are as morally bound to do right and to act solely as are individuals. From your public utterances we know that you reject the pernicious doctrine that the nation’s only morality is expediency; its only righteousness force. You have often spoken of this country’s duty to “serve mankind.” Is it “serving mankind” to stand aloof when brother nations are in extremities, or get gain from their disaster? There is but one way to serve the world at this juncture. That is to take such steps as will eliminate the possibility of future wars. And there is but one way to do this. It is to begin the formation of the Federation of the World. It is to substitute the court of law for the arbitrament of war in settling the disputes of nations. It is to have one army and one navy, under the orders of this court, whose duty it shall be to prevent war and not to make war, even as city police prevent and not make street brawls. THE fundamental error is that each nation now is the judge and executioner of its own case. This is practical anarchy. And international anarchy is as horrid as anarchy among private citizens. To continue to make treaties with separate nations is useless so long as each nation is its own judge, backing up its decrees with its own guns. The absurdity of this to be realized needs only to be stated. The Federation of the World is not Utopian. It does not have to wait for the millennium. It is practical right now. It is not necessary to “change human nature.” All that is needed is to substitute law for violence. This we have already done in all civilized communities; and what has been accomplished in Holland and in Ohio is feasible for the whole world. Some nation must begin the movement. This is the nation. We are the richest country on the globe, the most powerful in the resources of men and money. We are not mixed up in any of the complications, jealousies nor rivalries of the Old World. At the close of this war we shall have probably the naval supremacy of the world. A proposition coming from us would command the respectful attention of all the earth. We therefore earnestly petition you to do this one thing in the name of that Christ whom you and we desire to obey. CALL upon Congress to invite all nations to join us in a World-Federation, that shall leave to each land its entire independence and that shall confine itself to the adjudication of international disputes. We need not wait for all to come with us. Let us encourage the Federation with any who will come in. We believe all the American republics will join us. We believe that China is ready. We believe that, as the war wears on, the European States will be glad to escape from their deadlock and unite with us. We are not peace fanatics. We do not stand for cowardice nor dishonor. But we do stand for law as against anarchy; and for an intelligent government of the world as against such gigantic ignorance and folly as have led the European nations into this sacrilegious whirlwind of waste and wickedness. AND you, Woodrow Wilson, are the man to act. We elected you. We believe you want to serve us. We believe you are listening very closely to hear the will of this great people and to do it, in the fear of God. It is our will, and also the will of all the peoples of earth, that war shall cease; war, the supreme misgovernment, the prime stupidity; for we know that justice comes not from trial of arms, and that while princes sometimes profit from war the people never do. Let our Congress issue its call to the nations. Let it back up this in sincerity by placing our armament at the disposal of this Federation. Let us spend hundreds of millions, not in fortifying our coasts, Panama, the Philippines, but perfecting the Federation. Let us send our most representative men abroad to preach world-unity; such men as our ex-Presidents and others whose ability and distinction entitle them to a world-hearing. WE WOULD not so address you did we not believe you have the courage, the vision and the high statesmanship requisite for this, so great a matter. Lead us! The great American people are with you. Proclaim the United States of the World! Christ and the Law
By F. M. W.
THE law of ten commandments is an expression of the divine will. It defines the relations which should be observed by every human being toward his Maker and toward his fellow men. Indeed, the principles expressed in the law are the very outgrowth of these relationships. As soon as the first responsible being was created on this earth, it became necessary in the very nature of the case that the relationship of that being to his Maker should be defined. This is comprehended in the first four commandments. As soon as a second being was created, it became necessary that the relationship between these beings should be made known. This is clearly defined in the last six precepts of the decalogue. The principles of this holy law were recognized before sin entered the world. They will be recognized after sin has been swept out of existence. Sin is a violation of these holy principles. 1 John 3:4. Sin caused a separation between man and his Maker. The atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ was to effect a reconciliation. Christ died to save man from the curse of the broken law, from the death penalty which the violation of the law imposed. But the acceptance of this divine sacrifice does not nullify the law in the experience of the believer. The apostle Paul inquires, “Do we then make void the law through faith?” He replies to this, “God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour from sin, the acceptance of him as the substitute to receive in the sinner’s stead the penalty of the violated law, shows that the law is a living, active force. But, having been redeemed from the condemnation of the law, it is not for the believer to continue in sin in order that the grace of God may continue to abound toward him. Regarding this the apostle Paul declares: “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Christ as man’s substitute not only paid the penalty which the law imposed by his death on the cross, but in his own life he met perfectly the requirements of the law of God. Rom. 3:21, 22. His death not only brings justification for the sins that are past, but through the impartation of his life the believer is enabled to live in harmony with the divine requirements. Says the apostle Paul in Rom. 5:8-10: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” We shall be saved by Christ’s life only as that life dwells within us. It is our privilege to say with the apostle, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” With this experience we shall be able to say of the law of God, as the psalmist declared the Lord would say of it: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” War and a Revival of Religion
By Francis M. Wilcox
WILL the present conflict in Europe bring about a revival of religion in the Eastern Hemisphere? This some writers would have us believe. A Paris correspondent of the London Times writes that one result of the war has been a distinct revival of religion in France. The Times declares editorially:— No feature of the war has been more striking than the religious feeling it has evoked. We shall be surprised if the war and the pro-spiritual emotions it has kindled are not attended by a quickening and deepening of the religious feeling in England as well as France. Prof. August Lange of the University of Halle, in Germany, writing to a correspondent in this country, says:— The churches are full and overflowing as they have not been for decades. Religious sentiment, which seemed to have been among the masses, has taken on a new lease of life. A tourist who has recently returned from Russia declares:— The land is alive with religious zeal, the people of all classes and both sexes flocking to the churches with every evidence of earnest devotion. It is not strange that such feelings should be awakened under the influence of the stress of the times which have fallen upon Europe. Naturally in hours of danger and distress the minds of men turn toward a higher power, and they reach out to lay hold of something more stable than the changing things of this world. Such a revival of religious feeling we are told swept over the United States, both North and South, at the time of the great Civil War. Time proves the test of the genuineness of such religious awakenings. God stands ready to bless mankind whenever and under whatever circumstances they turn to him. We doubt not that amid the terrors of earthquake, the roar of the tornado, the peril of the ocean storm, he has heard many cries which have ascended to him, and some undoubtedly under these conditions have found God. But the lull after the storm has afforded the time of testing. With the great multitude, God was forgotten in hours of peace. Some have emerged from scenes of danger and disaster to follow on to know more perfectly the One who revealed himself to them in their distress. Let us pray that such may be the experience of many who are reaching out toward God in the troubled regions of the great political upheaval in the Eastern world. F. M. W.