The Present Truth, vol. 12

July 9, 1896

“A Long Sermon” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” PTUK July 9, 1896, page 433.1

A Long Sermon .-When Cain killed Abel because his own works and worship were evil and his brother’s according to the direction of the Lord, he doubtless thought he had silenced Abel’s testimony for truth. But Abel “yet speaketh.” For six thousand years Abel has been testifying to the world that it is good to follow the Lord. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 433.2

The Work of Faith .-The life of righteousness and the work of faith and the labour of love never cease to bear fruit so long as the world stands and there are sinners who can be saved, and souls to be encouraged. Every life not lived to itself starts a circle of influence for good that continues to widen until it touches the shores of eternity. Abel’s gift of the firstlings of his flock was a small one, but God still testifies to the love and the faith which prompted it. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 433.3

A Successful Life .-Abel was so young, and his life was so suddenly cut short that it might appear at first thought that he had accomplished little in the world, notwithstanding his faithfulness. But God, who does not measure the influence of men’s lives according to the world’s standards, has made Abel’s simple life a blessing and encouragement and a sermon to millions. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 433.4

“The Call of Abraham. The Promise and the Oath” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

The sacrifice had been made; Abraham’s faith had been tested and found perfect; “And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son; that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply¹ thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of His enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:15-18. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 433.5

In the Epistle to the Hebrews we learn the significance of the fact that God swore by Himself. The reader will at once see that the following Scripture has direct reference to that which has just been quoted:- PTUK July 9, 1896, page 433.6

“When God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He swear by Himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater; and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:13-20. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 433.7

The oath was not for Abraham’s sake. His belief in God was complete without the oath to back the promise. His faith had been shown to be perfect, before the oath was given. Moreover, if it had been given for his sake, there would have been no necessity of putting it on record, since he was dead long before the record was written. But God was willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, and so He confirmed the promise by an oath. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 433.8

IN CHRIST ALONE

And who are heirs of the promise?-The next clause tells us. The oath was in order that “we might have a strong consolation.” The oath was given for our sakes. This shows that the covenant with Abraham concerns us. Those who are Christ’s are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise; and this oath was given to be an encouragement to us when we flee for refuge to Christ. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 434.1

How plainly this last reference shows us that the whole of the covenant with Abraham, with all of its included promises, is purely Gospel. The oath backs the promise; but the oath gives consolation to us when fleeing for refuge to Christ; therefore the promise has reference to that which is to be gained in Christ. This is also shown in the text which has so often been repeated, “If ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” The promise had nothing else in view but Christ and the blessings which are bestowed through His cross. Thus it was that the Apostle Paul, whose determination was to know nothing but “Jesus Christ and Him crucified,” could also say that he stood and was judged “for the hope of the promise made of God unto the fathers.” Acts 26:6. The “hope of the promise made of God unto the fathers,” is “the hope set before us” in Christ, and which is made “more abundantly” sure by the oath of God to Abraham. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 434.2

The oath of God confirmed the covenant. The oath by which the promise was confirmed gives us strong consolation when we flee for refuge to the sanctuary where Christ is priest in our behalf, after the order of Melchizedek. Therefore that oath was the same as the oath that made Christ priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. This is clearly set forth in the statement that Christ was made priest “with an oath by Him that said unto Him, The Lord sware, and will not repent. Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:21), and that He is able therefore to save them to the uttermost that come to God by Him. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 434.3

Still further, The oath by which Christ was made priest after the order of Melchizedek was the oath by which He is made surety of a “better covenant,” (verse 22) even the new covenant. But the oath by which Jesus was made priest after the order of Melchizedek was the same as the oath by which the covenant with Abraham was confirmed. Therefore the covenant with Abraham is identical in its scope with the new covenant. There is nothing in the new covenant that is not in the covenant with Abraham; and no one will ever be included in the new covenant, who is not a child of Abraham through the covenant made with him. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 434.4

What wonderful consolation is lost by those who fail to see the Gospel and the Gospel only in the promise of God to Abraham. The “strong consolation” which the oath of God gives us, is in Christ’s work as “a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” As a priest He presents His blood, through which we have redemption, even the forgiveness of sins. As a priest He not only provides mercy for us, but “grace to help in time of need.” This is assured to us “without respect of persons,” by the oath of God. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 434.5

“STRONG CONSOLATION”

Here is a poor, timid, trembling soul, cast down and despondent by a sense of sins committed, and of general weakness and unworthiness. He is afraid that God will not accept him. He thinks that he is too insignificant for God to notice, and that it would make no difference to anybody, not even to God, if he were lost. To such the Lord says, “Hearken to Me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord; look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and to Sarah that bare you; for I called him alone [when he was but one, R.V.], and blessed him, and increased him. For the Lord shall comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” Isaiah 51:1-3. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 434.6

Look to Abraham, brought up a heathen, and see what God did for him and what He promised to him, confirming it with an oath by Himself, for your sake. You think that it would make no difference with the Lord if you were lost, because you are so obscure and insignificant. Why, your worthiness or unworthiness has nothing whatever to do with the matter. The Lord says, “I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” Isaiah 43:25. For His own sake? Yes, certainly; because of His great love wherewith He loved us, He has placed Himself under bonds to do it. He swore by Himself to save all that come to Him through Jesus Christ, and “He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 434.7

Think of it; God swore by Himself! That is, He pledged Himself, and His own existence, to our salvation in Jesus Christ. He put Himself in pawn. His life for ours, if we are lost while trusting Him. His honour is at stake. It is not a question of whether or not you are insignificant and of little or no worth. He Himself says that we are “less than nothing.” Isaiah 40:17. He says that “we have sold ourselves for naught,” (Isaiah 52:3), which shows our true value; but we are redeemed without money, even by the precious blood of Christ. The blood of Christ is the life of Christ; and the life of Christ bestowed upon us makes us partakers of His worth. The only question is, Can God afford to break or forget His oath? And the answer is that we have “two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie.” PTUK July 9, 1896, page 434.8

Think of what would be involved in the breaking of that promise and that oath. The word of God, which brings the promise, is the word which created the heavens and the earth, and which upholds them. “Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; He calleth them all by name; by the greatness of His might, and for that He is strong in power, not one is lacking. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, my way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed away from my God?” Isaiah 40:25-27. The preceding part of this same chapter speaks of the word of God, which has created all things, and that it shall stand for ever, and the words are quoted by the Apostle Peter, with the additional statement, “And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:25. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 434.9

It is the word of God in Christ that upholds the universe, and keeps the innumerable stars in their places. “In Him all things consist.” If He should fail, the universe would collapse. But God is no more sure than His word, for His word is backed by His oath. He has pledged His own existence to the performance of His word. If His word should be broken to the humblest soul in the world, He Himself would be disgraced, dishonoured, and dethroned. The universe would go to chaos and annihilation. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 434.10

Thus the entire universe is in the balance to ensure the salvation of every soul that seeks it in Christ. The power manifested in it is the power pledged to the help of the weak. So long as matter exists, so long will the word of God be sure. “For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89. It would be a sad loss to you if you should fail of salvation; but it would be a far greater loss to the Lord if you should fail through any fault of His. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.1

Then let the aforetime doubting soul sing:- PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.2

“His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.” PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.3

“Roman Catholic Growth” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

According to a recent writer in the English Churchman, Roman Catholic statisticians themselves vary as to the number of Roman Catholics in the world from 195,000,000 to 250,000,000,-making a small discrepancy between their own figures of 55,000,000. This fact is used to show that no reliance can be put upon their own estimates. This writer then brings forward his own figures which show that there were in 1893, throughout the world 208,000,000 of Roman Catholics. He then says, “No one save a bigoted and uninformed Roman Catholic will deny that Romanism is not making any headway.” PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.4

To substantiate this he brings the statement of Mr. Gladstone in his pamphlet “The Vatican Decrees” in an article in the Contemporary Review for October, 1878. In this Mr. Gladstone shows, by a comparison of the marriage statistics, that the proportion of Roman Catholics to the entire population, in Great Britain, between the years 1854 and 1878, had decreased about one-half of one per cent. It will be seen that this will allow for a large numerical increase in the Roman Catholic denomination, and still permit the slight decrease in proportion to the whole population which the marriage statistics show. In fact, in view of the rapid increase in population and other conditions, it would seem that these figures were very favourable for the Roman Catholic denomination. If the comparative statistics of the last twenty years were at hand, there is but little doubt but that they would be still more favourable. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.5

But these this writer does not give. He does say, however, that the “Statesman’s Year-Book” gives the number of Catholics in 1893 in England and Wales as 1,135,400. In 1851 their number, calculated upon the basis of the marriage returns, was 758,800, but at the same time the number of their places of worship, and their wealth, has increased in far greater proportion, and the number of their priests and religious orders has also multiplied greatly. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.6

This writer then repeats certain statements made in Catholic papers in the United States in 1836 and 1874 to show that Roman Catholicism is waning in the United States. These articles are merely a collection of extravagant figures and statements as to what the Roman Catholic Church in America might have been had none of its members ever neglected their church relationship, and all their children, comprising the entire number of the natural increase, been added to the church in their turn. Such an imaginary possibility as that for the growth of the religious denomination is of course entirely Quixotic. And yet the number of Roman Catholics in the United States at present is variously estimated from six to twelve millions. However, the strength of the Roman Catholic power is not to be estimated by statistics so much as by the political evidences of its influence which are now abroad in every land, and, in this country, the present willingness, if not desire, of the Anglican Church to affiliate with Rome if it could but do so upon its own terms. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.7

“Spoken to You” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

The Bible is the language of the Spirit of God spoken through men. The Spirit of God, who knows the human heart and its needs, as well as the Divine gifts, has put language into the mouths of certain men, which may be used by all. So when we read the words of David, “Bless the Lord, O my soul,...who forgiveth all thine iniquities” (Psalm 103:1-3), we are to appropriate that language as our own. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.8

We may indeed believe that God spoke to and blessed David and Paul; but if we do not make that language and blessing our own, we do not really believe the Word, for it is addressed to us. If you wish to know if you really believe the whole Bible, you may test yourselves by this text:- PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.9

“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.” Galatians 2:20. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.10

If you read this merely as Paul’s experience, then you have not learned to believe the Bible. But if in reading it you can speak that word “I” as meaning yourself, and can repeat the text intelligently as the language of your own heart, as the Spirit of God meant you should, then you really believe not that verse alone, but the whole Bible, and the joy of God’s salvation is yours. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.11

“Increase of Organised Murder” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

The reported discoveries in connection with a murder lately committed in Paris are startlingly suggestive of the systematic development of method in the perpetration of crimes of violence. It is said that the police have learned of the existence in Paris of a company of young men, organised for the purposes of crime. It is believed that not less than twenty-five had personal knowledge of this particular murder, in which the victim was an aged and titled woman of wealth. In this company of criminals are a number of young men belonging to respectable families of some position. All claim to be students and live in the Latin quarter, holding frequent gatherings for the purpose of planning their crimes. Murder is openly advocated in these meetings, and planned for by them as but an incident necessary to the successful prosecution of their crimes. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.12

It is not long since a similar murder was committed in Brussels, the victim being also an old and wealthy woman. In this case it was found that the instigator of the crime was a person high in police authority, who was using his knowledge and experience, gained in long service, to carry out a series of such robberies and murders, and, by means of his official position, conceal and screen the actual perpetrators, sharing with them the proceeds. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.13

Four murderers have just been executed in London, the story of whose deeds are familiar to readers of the daily papers. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.14

These are but samples of the individual deeds of cold-blooded slaughter, among those which come to the light, in which we call civilised countries. But consider the wholesale slaughter which is taking place at the same time in Cuba, in South Africa, in Egypt, in Crete, in Armenia. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 435.15

To remedy these conditions, or to do away with them, is not within the power of man. The tares will grow until the harvest, and just as long as the tares and the wheat are together the tares will strive with one another and crowd and choke the wheat. From this there is no escape until the end. The noble work of arbitration committees and peace societies will have their beneficent effect here and there, but it is not reasonable to look to them for any appreciable amelioration of the evil days which have come upon us,-for the continuance of which, until the Prince of Peace Himself shall come, we have the sure word of prophecy. But it remains for us to “follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.1

“An Apology for Sunday Laws” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

The Christian has recently done the Sabbath truth a distinct service by exhibiting the hopeless confusion of ideas that prevails amongst those who defend the substitution of Sunday for the Sabbath. The editor recently visited South Africa, and in letters home showed considerable concern at the growth of the work of Sabbath reform in Cape Colony. His criticism of those who, in fighting the Sabbath, resort to a denial of any Sabbath obligation whatever, brought a reply from a Baptist minister of Cape Town, printed in the Christian of June 18. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.2

NO BIBLE FOR SUNDAY OBSERVANCE

This reply is interesting, as it chose the grounds on which Baptists-who have been historically against religious legislation-are ready to base Sunday laws. He first shows how necessary it is to take the no-Sabbath position if one is not to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. He says to the editor:- PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.3

The only passage you quote of general import is, “The Sabbath was made for man; not man for the Sabbath.” That passage surely cannot contradict all the passages in the Old Testament, which distinctly state that it was given to the children of Israel as a sign to separate them from the other nations, and as a memorial of their deliverance from Egypt. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.4

We hardly need remark, in passing to the argument for Sunday laws, that, so far from there being many passages which “distinctly state” that the Sabbath was given as a sign to the children of Israel “to separate them from other nations,” there is not one which does so. It is distinctly and repeatedly stated that it is a sign between God and His people. “Between Me and you”-not between them and other nations. Nor is it anywhere said to be a memorial of the deliverance from Egypt. God asked them to keep His Sabbath, as He asked them to do justice and judgment, and to keep all His laws because He had delivered them from bondage. The event of which the Sabbath is a memorial is named in the commandment itself-the creation. It is “the Sabbath of the Lord thy God”-not the Sabbath of the Jews; and when God becomes our God, and the observance of His Sabbath becomes the sign that we accept Him as such. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.5

Proceeding, the correspondent shows why he is forced to take the current no-law position:- PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.6

Now, the Sabbatarian says: “You believe that Sunday is the Sabbath? Show me in the Bible where the day was changed? Show me where we are commanded to keep the first day instead of the seventh? Show me where the seventh day law is binding on the first day of the week?” And you can show him none of these things. If the Sabbath remains, it must be kept according to instructions. There is nothing in the Bible about a change of day. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.7

THE “CIVIL” ARGUMENT

Yet while confessing that there is nothing in the Bible about a change of day, the usual familiar references are made to the disciples meeting on the first day, although the Scriptures show that they attached no significance whatever to the day. “The example of the early church bids us observe it,” says the writer-an argument that places him distinctly upon the Catholic ground, and it is not surprising that he then passes on to justify the enforcement of Sunday laws on the very principles by which Romanism has justified the enforcement of this, and other of her ecclesiastical institutions, from the days of the apostasy down. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.8

To those who recognise themselves as the Lord’s, no Act of Parliament is needed to enforce the observance of the State. Those who do not yield themselves to the Lord, we have no right to enforce, on religious grounds, to observe what is essentially a religious day. We cannot extract religious observance by Act of Parliament. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.9

Sunday is “essentially a religious day,” and it is to be enforced-but not on religious grounds; for that would be religious persecution, a phrase which has a bad sound. But on whatever ground it is alleged to be enforced, the fact remains that it “is essentially a religious day.” So that the man who is compelled to recognise it is compelled to recognise a religious institution. What difference, then, does it make to the man who conscientiously objects to recognising the day on what grounds it is sought to be enforced? If one were commanded to fall down and worship an idol what difference would it make to him whether the man with the sword asked to do so on the ground that it was good for his health, or his civic duty, or whether he came out frankly and commanded him to recognise idol worship? The act sought to be enforced is the thing, the compulsory recognition of “what is essentially a religious day,” and when the churches of the day joined in pressing Governments into the enforcement of Sunday laws they are repeating the history of Rome. And this is how they are to ask for the enforcement of “a religious day” and preserve the Protestant profession:- PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.10

We do not go as Christians to Government and ask it to help us to observe the day that we freely grant should be observed by us, and which we esteem it a privilege to observe; neither do we ask Government to persuade men by force to observe a day, whom by religious arguments we cannot persuade to observe it. But we go as citizens, taking common ground with the rest of our fellow-men, to ask that in the interests of the community there may be a weekly respite from work. If we ask for legislation on religious grounds we have granted the principle of the right of the State to legislate on religious matters, a principle which we are not inclined to grant. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.11

But even here Rome has forestalled Protestants in the use of this argument-which is not new with our Baptist friends, but may be taken as representing the plea on which Protestants in all lands are urging forward Sunday legislation. Long ago Rome invented this theory of dual personality and responsibility. The Church of Rome never persecuted, say they; they merely turned over the offender to “the secular arm.” The Church secured the laws, the clergy decided what was dangerous to the body politic, and “as citizens” may even have helped the “secular arm” execute the penalty, but it was not the Church which did these awful deeds! PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.12

The whole thing is transparent. What difference does it make to a man if I am seeking to compel him under penalties to recognise an “essentially religious” institution, in which he does not believe, if I tell him it is not as a Christian but as a citizen that I am punishing him? Our Baptist friends, above all peoples, ought to understand these principles. “The Anabaptists,” says the historian, “were the first of Protestant sects to feel that even the reformed churches could rival the intolerance of Rome.” Amongst the first victims burned in Smithfield were Baptists, and all through the later struggles in the sad history of intolerance Baptists knew what it was to suffer for the truth, charged with violating laws established for the good order of the commonwealth. “In the interests of the community” has always been the cry in the enforcement of religious institutions. Here is a dialogue which Neal gives in his history of Puritanism, which illustrates the principle. One White, before the Lord Chief Justice, objected to being forced to attend worship in which he believed it idolatry to take part. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 436.13

Master of the Rolls.-These are no part of idolatry, but are commanded by the prince for civil order, and if you will not be ordered you show yourself disobedient to the laws. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.1

White.-I would not willingly disobey any law, only I would avoid those things that are not warranted by the Word of God. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.2

Master of Requests.-These things are commanded by Act of Parliament, and in disobeying the laws of your country you disobey God. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.3

That was the controversy, over and over again, centuries ago. Apply the same principles to Sunday laws, and it is readily seen why it is that Sabbath-keepers cannot be forced to pay regard to the Sunday, which stands as the mark of Rome’s assumed authority. One of the latest utterances on the subject by a prince of that Church, Cardinal Gibbons, is to the effect,- PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.4

Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act. It could not have been otherwise, as none in those days would have dreamed of doing anything in matters spiritual and ecclesiastical and religious without her. And the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.5

Now Sabbath-keepers do not acknowledge that authority, nor can they acknowledge the mark which that power has set up as a rival to the Sabbath, the sign or mark of allegiance to God. The closing message of Revelation 14:6-12 is God’s warning against the recognition of this mark of Rome’s authority, and God’s call to men to rally round “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.6

The theory that men can do “as citizens” what would be wrong to do “as Christians” is a thoroughly bad one, responsible for much wickedness and other things than religious legislation. When God judges the man, according to his holy law, where will the citizen be? “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” is the command of the Lord. Whatever is to the glory of God men can do as Christians, and when they want to do something which they cannot do as Christians, we may assure them it is an un-Christian thing. Sunday laws are distinctly anti-Christian, and their history runs parallel with that of a persecuting Church from Constantine’s day down. No juggling with names and phrases can alter their nature. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.7

We appeal to all who know the nature of spiritual ordinances and worship against the employment of carnal force in religious matters. And we appeal, in the name of the Lord, and by his Holy Word, to all who range themselves on the side of God’s law and the Divine government at this time when the principles of the Papacy are leading on to the formation of the very image of the Papacy in lands which have been called Protestant. The Word is the guide, and the Word is the power, and the Word will stand. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.8

“Formosan Idolatry” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

Formosan Idolatry .-A traveller who writes of Formosa says of the religious life of the people:- PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.9

Many of the Chinese, especially the women, are devout worshippers; many others are sceptical, and the majority are careless. Idolatry has a powerful hold on their minds, but it is only when reverses and troubles come that the average man will resort to the temple. They believe the gods have power to help or to injure them, but so long as things go well they are careless about their devotions. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.10

Human nature is alike the world over. Many in more enlightened lands reserve their thoughts of God merely for accidents and emergencies, having no more idea of spiritual worship than the idolatrous Formosan. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.11

“Rome’s Position Restated” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

The Pope’s new encyclical on the unity of the church has appeared. It is addressed to the dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church by their different titles, and deals with the question of the attitude of the Catholic Church towards those who reject any of its doctrines. The position taken is uncompromising. It holds that the Roman Catholic Apostolate is commanded “to the end of time to teach and rule the nations,”-and that Christ “ordered the nations to accept their teaching and obey their authority,” as the successors of Himself and His apostles. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.12

This is definite, and leaves no room for any negotiations as to the validity of Anglican orders except through the acknowledgement of complete and unquestioned Roman Catholic supremacy. That there need be no room for doubt left as to the absolute completeness of the surrender required, these words are used: “There can be nothing more dangerous than those heretics who admit nearly the whole cycle of doctrine, and yet by one word, as with a drop of poison, infect the real and simple faith,” etc. The idea which the encyclical enforces is the divine right of the Papacy to rule the world and the religious duty which the world is under to subject itself unreservedly to its authority. The soul of Leo longs for unity but only on the basis of papal supremacy by divine right. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.13

“Religious Animosity in Political Life” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

The American correspondent of the London Baptist Freeman expresses the hope that the coming presidential campaign in the United States may be free from religious controversy. Such a suggestion, even, has a very sinister sound. It shows that such a thing as the mingling of bitter religious controversy with American political strife is not only possible but probable. This writer thinks, however, that trouble is likely to come only from the American Protective Association, which is a secret organisation aiming to boycott the Romanists as enemies to national life. With the Democrats they will have no chance, but the Republicans will need to go carefully, especially as a new order has been started for self-protection by the Roman Catholics. No candidate for the Presidency who will not assure them that he has given no promise of support to the A.P.A. will stand any chance of votes from this body. There is no concealing the fact that if organised for political purposes the Romanists would control the situation. They constitute about a third of the religious communicants of the country, and number as many as the combined strength of the Baptists and Methodists, the principal Protestant denominations. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.14

The matter-of-fact way in which this is stated shows how thoroughly the public mind in the United States is becoming accustomed to the idea of political religion, and how largely religious prejudices and animosities are already beginning to make their influence felt in political life. It is true that which makes itself most apparent is the antagonism between this organisation, which calls itself the American Protective Association, and the Roman Catholics, but it is not here that the real danger lies. It is far deeper than this. Where the root of the actual danger is may be seen from the fact that Mr. McKinley, the Republican nominee for the Presidency, was approached, previous to his nomination, by certain representatives of so-called orthodox religious views, and sounded as to his position upon the enforcement of such religious laws as are already on the statute books. It is claimed by them that he gave to them his unqualified assent. This fact is already used among the churches in Mr. McKinley’s favour politically. These things, together with the condition mentioned in the extracts quoted, shows a complete revolution already taking place in religious and political affairs in the United States. That separation between religion and the State, which has been proclaimed the pride and glory of the American governmental system, is to be thrown aside, indeed is already ignored, and religious prejudice and ignorant zeal is to be made a part of political wire-pulling, trickery, and chicanery. The untoward results of such a change as this cannot fail to make themselves quickly apparent. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 437.15

“A Swiss School” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

In Switzerland the school laws are very strict, and in some of the cantons administered with a consideration for those upon whom they may work a hardship. Attendance is required at school for six days in the week, without any exemption for Seventh-day observers. These people have suffered fine and imprisonment, in one case even several days close confinement on bread and water, for refusing to send their children to school on the Sabbath. Every means was tried to satisfy the school authorities, by extra work during the week and paying the teacher for the overtime given to the children that they might be excused from the exercises on the Sabbath, but without avail. The school authorities vetoed all that was tried and that could be done, and finally stated positively that the school programme as laid down must be implicitly followed. This of course necessitated the establishment of a school of their own. This was done last autumn, and their first school year has just closed with a very successful record. The accompanying cut shows the main edifice, but fails to do justice to the picturesque surroundings, or to show the accompanying buildings which go to make up the facilities of the school. The chateau occupied by the school, and which the Seventh-day Adventists have purchased, is situated in a commanding position overlooking the valley which runs down to the lake of Bienne, and has in connection with it park, meadows, and orchard, of about twenty-four acres. In the rear of the building and its park are the government forests and the Juras rising precipitously several thousand feet. Certainly the buildings and the location are most admirable, and it is an exceedingly satisfactory thing to see that success has been attained the first year. About thirty pupils have been in attendance this first term and nearly if not quite double that number will seek admission the coming year. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 438.1

“Items of Interest” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

-Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, famed as the author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” died on July 1, aged 85. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.1

-Great rains in India have resulted in many landslips which have occasioned very serious damage to property and some loss of life. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.2

-For the second time the Anglesey Quarter Sessions has had a blank calendar. A similar condition characterised last summer’s assizes. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.3

-Within the past few weeks very serious hail storms have occurred in Southern Russia; children have been killed and cattle injured by the hail-stones. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.4

-As many as thirty journals are written, printed, and published in American prisons, by the inmates. One, the Ohio Penitentiary News, has a circulation of 2,500. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.5

-Preparations are being made to send 40,000 men from Spain to Cuba for the prosecution of the Cuban war. Twenty steamers will be used in the transportation of the troops. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.6

-The Queen of Portugal, the most beautiful crowned head in Europe, has taken Rontged photographs of the waist of her Court ladies to demonstrate the evils of tight lacing. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.7

-Following the loss of the Cape liner a few weeks ago, two other steamers have just been lost. One in the Red Sea went down with sixty souls, and a Japanese steamer sunk with 178 on board. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.8

-An American publisher has brought out a Bible for the coloured people in which all the angels are represented as negroes. The coloured people are buying up the Bibles as fast as they can get them. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.9

-In 1874 the exports of British and Irish produce to the British possessions were, exclusive of India, worth ?48,000,000. They ran up to ?52,000,000 in 1889, but in 1894 they had fallen to 244,000,000. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.10

-It is said that a physician has collected the details of over seven hundred eases of burial while in a condition of trance or catalepsy. The same physician has written a book contemning suggestions for the prevention of such tragedies. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.11

-An orange-coloured shirt has been strongly recommended for tropical wear by a Royal Engineer in India, who declares that he fell frequently ill after duty in the sun until he treated himself as a photographic sensitive plate and surrounded his body with yellow light. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.12

-Hot water is to be supplied in the streets of Liverpool on the penny-in-the-slot principle at a halfpenny a gallon. The heating agency is fitted to a street lamp. When a halfpenny is passed in a flash-jet lights the lamp, and the water in a copper coil is instantly heated to 194 degrees. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.13

-A telegram from Shanghai states that disorders continue to prevail in different parts of the Chinese empire, and that the Mussulman insurrection is the Kansu province is assuming more and more grave proportions, while the secret societies are again exciting the people against Europeans. Famine and the plague are raging in the southern provinces. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 446.14

“Back Page” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

During the thirty years of his work for the children, Dr. Barnardo’s Homes have received from 30,000 to 40,000 waifs from the streets and desolated homes. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.1

The question of Sunday rest for the Paris Exhibition of 1900 has been before the French Government, with the result that the authorities have refused to name Sunday as a day of compulsory rest. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.2

Complaint is often made of the increase of the School Board rate for London. But the amount spent on schools is trifling compared with London’s drink bill. The schools cost about two and a half millions yearly, while the amount spent for drink is twenty millions. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.3

Our friends who are engaged in medical missionary work in Samoa find so much to do that increased facilities are necessary to care for those who ask help. A site has been purchased for a sanatorium, the work on which is already under way, we understand. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.4

An old soldier, who is now a Christian, said to the writer a few days ago, that the chaplain in the army made him an infidel. The spectacle of a man professing to represent the religion of Jesus Christ actively participating in, and encouraging war is enough to make infidels of those soldiers who have any perception of the difference between spiritual and carnal things. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.5

Speaking of the thousands of troops everwhere about Moscow, guarding the Czar and others during the coronation, the superintendent of our Society’s work in Russia writes:- PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.6

Laws of iron may conquer the world, but it is only where the gentle Spirit of God conquers the heart and plants the law of love, that none need to fear. We are glad of the blessed hope, and that soon will take place the coronation of Him who alone is worthy to rule the world, and whose kingdom is one of everlasting peace and righteousness. May it soon come! PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.7

Contrasting military with missionary methods of dealing with uncultured tribes the Christian World says: “As pioneer in a world then unknown, David Livingstone set as a splendid, an heroic, an apostolic, a Christ-like example. Trusting solely to the fascination exercised over humanity, even its lowest social phases, by a true reflection of the image of Christ, not in word only but in life, he ranged from shore to shore of the Dark Continent, solitary but supreme by the grace of God.” PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.8

One of the objects of the Theosophical Society, as stated in a meeting lately held in New York City, is “to discover the psychic powers latent in man.” PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.9

For the purpose of such a discovery how would it do to undertake a thorough study of the Bible? All earnest investigators should desire facts rather than theories. The Bible contains the only perfectly reliable record of these facts. This textbook is no doubt within reach of all these Theosophists. Let them hasten, then, to avail themselves of the information it contains. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.10

The name does not determine the character of anything, nor does a change of name change the nature. If, therefore, the only thing preventing corporate reunion between Rome and the larger body of the Church of England clergy is the recognition of Anglican “orders,” it is evident that, so far as doctrine is concerned, there is practical agreement. The other is only a technical question, which would be no practical barrier whatever if it were not for State establishment. However it turns now, we may expect to have the Roman faith taught in the future as it has been in the past, in thousands of Church of England pulpits. What it is called makes no difference. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.11

The statistics of crime in Germany develop a very surprising fact, namely, that there is one-fifth less crime in proportion to population among the Jews than among the people of Germany at large: and also that as crime increases with increasing population the increment is three times greater among the people at large than in the Jewish section. Such facts as these should cause the Jew-baiter to stop and think. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.12

Dr. Cheyne, the late Physician-General of the Death Rate, once made the following statement: “The information of twenty years has convinced me that were ten young men on their twenty-first birthday to begin to drink one glass (equal to two ounces) of ardent spirits or a pint of port wine or sherry, and were they to drink this supposed moderate quantity of strong liquor daily, the lives of eight out of ten would be abridged by twelve or fifteen years.” PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.13

Dr. Laffin, a West African missionary, says that in Central Africa, during the last twenty-five years, 250,000 people have been taught to read the Bible in their own tongues, and that not “a missionary, with tact and discretion, and a knowledge of the people, can, if unarmed, travel almost anywhere he chooses, preaching the Gospel as he goes.” His most dangerous ground is in the track of armed explorers and traders who are “opening” Africa to civilisation. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.14

“What It Means” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

What It Means .-The Chronicle, in commenting editorially upon the Pope’s latest encyclical, says:- PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.15

What the Encyclical does mean is that the Anglicans now have fair warning of the terms on which absolute reunion, including common orders, common faith, common jurisdiction, can proceed. Reunion is simply another word for absorption in Rome. Those Anglicans therefore who are prepared, as we imagine some of them are prepared, to accept these terms, will not be deterred by the Pope’s Encyclical. Nay, their action might even be hastened by it. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.16

It remains to be seen what course those will now take who have interested themselves in this movement. However, it will be clear that all those who continue to agitate and favour it, are intelligently and intentionally working in the interest of the Roman Catholic Church, and with a view to merging the English Church with that body. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.17

“‘The Spirit Itself Maketh Intercession’” The Present Truth, 12, 28.

E. J. Waggoner

“The Spirit Itself Maketh Intercession.” -It may well send conviction to men’s hearts to know that God searches the heart and knows every secret there. But God tells us this in order to encourage us-not to discourage, or to keep us away from Him. “The Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints.” Romans 8:26, 27. God searches the heart only that sin may be discovered to us and put away, and the Holy Spirit follows the conviction of the sin by the Divine comfort of intercession in behalf of the sinner. It is a blessed thing that God knoweth the hearts. PTUK July 9, 1896, page 448.18