The American Sentinel 13
May 19, 1898
“Notes” American Sentinel 13, 20, pp. 305, 306.
IT is better to know how to live, than how to die. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.1
INTOLERANCE is always glad to shake hands with error. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.2
IF you do not have religious liberty to grant to others, you do not have it at all. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.3
TO submerge individualism in nationalism, would be like trying to have dollars without cents. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.4
NOT “Remember the Maine,” but “The faith of Jesus,” is the watchword of Christian warfare. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.5
A SINGLE dollar saved for eternity is better than a million dollars saved for a few years of time. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.6
A CHRISTIAN loves peace; a “Christian power” loves piece, and is always willing to fight to keep it. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.7
THE choice is laid before every person in the world, of denying self or denying God. He must do one or the other. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.8
IF this nation should acquire the “big head” by victory over Spain, it might be worse in the end than if it were now to suffer defeat. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.9
IF the papacy can harmonize with Spanish government in Spain and Cuba, she can, and would, harmonize with Spanish government in the United States. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.10
GOD could destroy the whole world in a moment of time, but his wisdom is made known in the gospel by which he would save the world. True wisdom seeks to save life, not to destroy it. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.11
THE barbarians conquered Rome, but the principles of Rome conquered the barbarians. Shall those principles now conquer the Anglo Saxons? If, so then the overthrowing of Spanish armadas will have been a useless task. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.12
“THE powers that be are ordained of God.” So saith the Scripture; and strangely enough, this text is used to justify obedience to the “powers that be” in opposition to the commands of God. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.13
Can the thing ordained be superior to Him who or-ordained [sic.] it? If not, as is self-evident, then cannot the command of men be superior to the precept of Jehovah. “His kingdom ruleth over all.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.14
IT is declared by both Catholics and Protestants in this country that “this is a Christian nation.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.15
NOW it is a fact that Catholics do not admit that Protestantism is Christianity. Even the stoutest defender of Catholic “liberality” must admit this. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.16
When Catholics, therefore, say that “this is a Christian nation,” they mean that it is a Catholic Christian nation. Whatever Protestants may mean by the expression, it is certain that this is the meaning, and the only meaning, it has for Catholics. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.17
Roman Catholics and Protestants, therefore, are arrayed against each other in this claim for national recognition,—each one claiming to be the party which makes the nation Christian, and the Catholics at least, denying the position of the Protestants. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.18
The Supreme Court decision raised this controversy, and now it “will not down.” It is here and must be settled. That it is not very prominent as yet does not lessen the significance of the fact. It will grow more and more prominent as time goes on. AMS May 19, 1898, page 305.19
And what a bitter controversy must ensue before it is settled! More than this: what a change its settlement must effect in the principles of this Government! for it can be settled only in accordance with papal claims. The principle of both claims is papal. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.1
HE who engages in war, must obey absolutely the commands of his military superiors. This is the first principle of military discipline. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.2
NOW there is a command of God which says, “Thou shalt not kill:” and another which says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” In time of war the soldier must disregard both these precepts at the order of his commander. He must kill men of the opposing force, and must do this, if so ordered, on the Sabbath day. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.3
Is it not plainly evident, therefore, that the soldier must have another god than the Author of the Ten Commandments? Is it not evidence that the Government stands to him in the place of God? AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.4
But what man can afford to make this exchange? God has not authorized it, and the eternal interests of every man forbid it; for what James Russell Lowell wrote of war is the truth,— AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.5
“If you take a sword and dror it, AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.6
And go stick a feller throu’, AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.7
Guv’ment aint to answer for it; AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.8
God’ll send the bill to you.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.9
Alas for him who expects government to answer for his misdeeds at the bar of God. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.10
THE salvation of God is brought to the world in Christianity. That which is Christian will be saved from the final dissolution which is to come upon earthly things. All believers in Christianity agree to this. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.11
It is said by leading representatives of the state and of the church in this country, that “this is a Christian nation.” This nation, therefore, will be saved in the kingdom of God. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.12
Every citizen of the United States is a part of this nation. The salvation of the nation must of course include the salvation of its parts. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.13
To secure salvation, therefore, an individual needs only to become a part of this nation. If already such, he needs only to remain in it; and if not, he can become such by taking out papers of naturalization. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.14
He may believe in Christianity, or he may not; he may be a Jew, or an agnostic, or an atheist; it matters not. His salvation is certain, yea, unavoidable, if he remains a United States citizen. And all this by virtue of Christianity! AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.15
Such is the logic of the National Reform doctrine that “this is a Christian nation.” It simply makes the gospel of God of no use to the individual, as such. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.16
And this being so, that doctrine is as clearly anti-Christian as anything that ever emanated from the “father of lies.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.17
WHEN we point to the atrocities perpetrated upon Christians in times past in various lands, and call it religious persecution, some are ready to exclaim, “Oh, no; it was the civil power that inflicted penalties upon them. They suffered for political reasons, and for that the church is not responsible.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.18
Yes; very likely they did suffer for political reasons. But how came such reasons to be political? How came matters of religious belief to be mixed up with politics, so that political measures had to be instituted against people on account of Christianity? AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.19
Oh, it was because the church went into politics. It was because religion and the state became united. And then religion found its way into the laws of the land, and people who opposed that religion were persecuted and put to death by the civil power, for disobedience to the civil law. And that was only a political proceeding, of course! AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.20
If the church had kept out of politics, Christians would never have been persecuted for political reasons. And when the church goes into politics, persecution for political reasons is sure to follow. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.21
Let the church keep out of politics. That is the plain lesson taught by the history of every land where Christians have been put to death by the civil power. AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.22
“The Papacy and the Monroe Doctrine” American Sentinel 13, 20, pp. 306, 307.
A PART of the scheme of Archbishop Ireland and the pope, as announced, is that “The wisdom of the Monroe Doctrine will be acknowledged; but the incidental responsibility of the United States thereunder will be defined and demonstrated.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.1
This statement is worth some examination. It was in direct antagonism to a scheme in the interests of the papacy, and at least of which the papacy was a willing party, that the Monroe Doctrine was announced. And now it is announced on the part of the papacy, and as a part of a scheme guided by the papacy, that “the wisdom of the Monroe Doctrine will be acknowledged.” Does the papacy really intend now to acknowledge the wisdom of that act which defeated a cherished plan to which she was a party? In other words: Does the papacy intend really to confess to the whole world that she was wrong—even once? AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.2
About 1820, a certain “Holy Alliance” was formed by the “powers” in Europe, to maintain and propagate the absolute monarchial government in Europe. And what holy alliance of European powers ever was, or ever could be, formed without the coöperation and benediction of the papacy to give to it the character of “holiness”? as for instance, the “Holy Roman Empire.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 306.3
In 1823, this “Holy Alliance” was about to exert its power to bring all the South American colonies back in full subjection to Spain, and so to confirm and enlarge the dominion of Spain on this continent. And this of course would open the way for the planting or extension of the power of the other parties to the “Holy Alliance” on this continent also: also extending here their absolute monarchial governments: and with it all would be the extension of the power of the papacy which alone could give to the alliance the character of “holy.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.1
Information of this scheme was conveyed by England, which was not one of the allied powers, to the United States Government. Whereupon President Monroe, in his annual message of the year 1823, published the following sentences:— AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.2
“We owe it to candor and to the amicable relations existing between United States and the allied powers, to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.3
“With the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power, we have not interfered, and shall not interfere; but with the governments which have declared the independence and maintained it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and just principles, acknowledged, we could not view an interposition for oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny by any European power, in any other light than as a manifestation of an unfriendly desposition toward the United States.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.4
He also declared in another place in the same message that “The American continent should no longer be subjects for any new European colonial settlement.” And it is said on authority that “Tese words of President Monroe were addressed especially to Spain and Portugal.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.5
That is the Monroe Doctrine, and such was the occasion that called it forth. And that Monroe Doctrine is the things, the “wisdom” of which the papacy now says “will be acknowledged.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.6
Yet this is to be done with a “but.” It is not to be a plain, open, and free acknowledgement. It is to be an acknowledgement with a string to it: “The wisdom of the Monroe Doctrine will be acknowledged; BUT the incidental responsibility of the United States thereunder will be defined and demonstrated.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.7
That is to say that the papacy will acknowledge the wisdom of the Monroe Doctrine, “but” she will interpret the doctrine of the United States. She and her proposed “congress of nations” will acknowledge the wisdom of the Monroe Doctrine, “but” she and her “congress of nations” will define” it, and also will “define and demonstrate the incidental responsibility of the United States under it” as thus defined and interpreted by herself an her “congress of nations.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.8
And thus it is that the papacy assumes and publicly announces the prerogative of supremacy over the United States, to interpret the most cherished doctrine, and to decide the most important affairs of this Government. AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.9
Again, we say, When the papacy takes this bold stand at the very beginning of complications between the United States and a European power, what will she not do when complications have deepened, when other European interests have become involved, and when in it all settlements must be made? AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.10
In this affair between the United States and Spain, there are more points of interest and solemn importance than the movements of the army and navies. AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.11
A. T. J.
“The Last War Scene” American Sentinel 13, 20, pp. 307, 308.
PUBLIC interest centers just now upon the news from the seat of war. People would like to know in advance what is going to happen during the continuance of the conflict; but this not being possible, they scan the “extras” and the bulletin boards to get the news of an event as soon after it has happened as the facilities of modern science can set it before them. AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.1
What events may transpire before the present war is concluded, no one can foretell. What other conflicts between the nations may be inaugurated, and what results may attend them, are matters hidden behind the veil which no human hand can draw aside. It might not be of any benefit to us if we could know them. But there is one thing we can know, and it is the thing we would naturally want to know most, and which it would be most to our benefit to know; that is, what is to be the final outcome. How does it all end,—all the war fervor and all the vast preparations made by all the powers for an expected conflict? We may know the answer to this question because the Word of God has set it plainly before us. AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.2
Turn to the 19th chapter of Revelation. There is given a description (v. 11 and onward) of One who comes forth from heaven upon a white horse, followed by the armies of heaven, down to the earth. The description leaves no room for doubt that the One who thus rides at the head of the armies of heaven is the Son of God. He goes forth to war, and “out of his mouth,” says the Scripture, “goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations”; and all the fowls of the air are called to come and eat “the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.” And what of the nations at that time? What will be their attitude? The chapter says (v. 19):— AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.3
“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 307.4
The prophet saw the “kings of the earth and their armies,” gathered in battle array against the Son of God and his army. Whatever power we may believe to be represented by the “beast,” there can be no uncertainty as regards “the kings of the earth and their armies.” This is a plain reference to the powers of earth,—the great powers—the nations of Europe, and of America as well. These are found, with their armies, arrayed against the forces of heaven. It is a “holy war,” but the holiness is not on the side of the power of earth. AMS May 19, 1898, page 308.1
Of course there can be but one result. The prophet describes it:— AMS May 19, 1898, page 308.2
“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” AMS May 19, 1898, page 308.3
This is the last war scene in earthly history; this is how it all ends. And there is no discount on this “news.” No sensational rumor or “fake” of “yellow journalism” is this, but a strictly “official” announcement from headquarters. It is absolutely reliable. Now, we see all the world arming for war. We see the war spirit overtopping every other sentiment. We see everywhere the “kings of the earth” getting their armies in readiness to take the field. Nothing like it was ever witnessed in the earth before. Never such a general preparation, such a general sound of war, was known before in human history. It is the beginning of the end, and the prophetic description tells us what the end will be. The final gathering together of armies and navies will be to make war against the forces of heaven, in the great day against the forces of heaven, in the great day of the second advent of the Son of God to the earth, in power and glory. AMS May 19, 1898, page 308.4
It is certain that no Christian will be found in the armies of the kings of the earth at that day. No Christian will be found fighting against God. Every Christian must, before that day comes, draw out from the military forces; he must renounce the spirit of war and fighting, notwithstanding what may be said by ministers of the gospel in its favor. And since he who is a Christian, or would be one, must do this sooner or later, or be found ere long on the side of opposition to the Commander of heaven, is it not obvious that the best time to take the step is just now? Since the Christian must separate himself from all this, as being contrary to God, the separation cannot be made too soon. AMS May 19, 1898, page 308.5
The Word of God throws more and surer light on this subject than can be derived from any other source of information. AMS May 19, 1898, page 308.6