The Present Truth, vol. 12

October 1, 1896

“‘The Amen’” The Present Truth, 12, 40.

E. J. Waggoner

There is probably no other word of importance in the language, that is used with less thought as to its meaning than the word “Amen.” PTUK October 1, 1896, page 625.1

It is used in prayer by all Christian people, no matter what their nation or language, and it is worthy of note that it is used only in Christian worship; yet to most it probably means little if anything more than a sign to indicate that prayer is ended. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 625.2

True, there is so much knowledge of its meaning, that it is often used as an expression of assent to what is prayed or spoken by others, yet in the main people use it as the close of a prayer much as though they would say, “Now I have finished.” PTUK October 1, 1896, page 625.3

The word itself is simply the Hebrew root signifying “to be firm or established.” It conveys the idea of stability and certainty. As a noun, we find it signifying “foundation,” and in one form of the verb it signifies “to believe,” as in the statements, Abraham “believed in the Lord, and He counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6); and, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.” Isaiah 28:16. The words believe and “believeth” are from the Hebrew word amen, which, in the form here used signifies to build upon, thus holding the root idea. To believe in God is to build upon Him as a sure foundation. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 625.4

“Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11. In Him are all the promises of God (2 Corinthians 1:20), therefore whoever accepts and follows His words is said to build on the rock. Matthew 7:24, 25. Everything depends on Christ, for He upholds all things by the word of His power. Hebrews 1:3. In Him all things are created, and in Him all things consist. Colossians 1:16, 17. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 625.5

Read now Revelation 3:14: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” Christ is the Amen, the sure foundation, because He is all creation’s source and supporter. When we pray in faith,-and the prayer of faith is the only real prayer,-we pray in the name of Christ; for the promise is that when we ask anything in His name we shall receive it. If we do not ask in the name of Jesus, we have no promise of receiving anything; because to ask in His name is simply to ask for only such things as God has promised in Christ. It is to ask according to the will of God, and not according to our own fancies. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 625.6

When we pray in such a manner, then we may be as sure of receiving the things we ask for as we are that God lives. Then we have a right to the word amen. The man who doubts when he prays, who is not sure that he is asking according to the will of God, and who doesn't know whether or not he will receive the things that he has prayed for, has no right to close his petition with the word Amen. His prayer is simply an experiment, and for him to say “amen,” is to take the name of the Lord in vain, for “Amen” is one of the Lord’s titles. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 625.7

He who uses the word amen understandably, closes his prayer in a tone of triumphant confidence. He has already the thing asked for. “For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” The Lord as universal King possesses all things, He has all power and it is His glory to do deeds of kindness, and therefore we are sure of our requests as we are that Christ is the eternal Foundation. Amen: “so it shall be,” is what we say, because Christ, the Amen, is the one in whom all things are. As long as the sun and moon endure, so long we know that His word of promise is sure. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 625.8

The Christian is the only one who has this confidence. The heathen cannot know the word, for they are “without Christ” “having no hope, and without God in the world.” Truly, “their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.” PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.1

“Preaching the Life” The Present Truth, 12, 40.

E. J. Waggoner

“The life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life.” 1 John 1:2. Jesus did not teach as the scribes. They taught a lifeless formula. And when the form of the truth itself is held without the spirit of it, human theorising inevitably clothes it in human definitions, until the traditions of men obscure the truth of God. Jesus swept all this aside, and manifested the life, which was life indeed to the perishing. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.2

And so, too, the disciples were sent out, not to bear witness to lifeless theories, but to preach the doctrine of life, which can only be received as it is translated into life in the believer. When the angel of the Lord brought the disciples out of the common prison into which they had been thrust the command was, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” And to all times the church of Christ is to persevere, without murmurings and disputings, “holding forth the word of life.” PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.3

“A Curious Survival” The Present Truth, 12, 40.

E. J. Waggoner

The halo or nimbus which appears in Ecclesiastical art about the heads of saints and martyrs was an idea borrowed from paganism. One may see the same thing in the ancient and modern pictures of Oriental heathen “saints.” Its use as a symbol of the sun and moon was connected with the most ancient religions of the East, and with the church became corrupted by paganism and the mithraic sun worship, the symbolic halo which had appeared about the heads of heathen deities was transferred to the Catholic saints. One curious development of this symbol appears, according to the following paragraph from a trade journal, to be responsible for the superstition about the horse-shoe, as an emblem of good luck:- PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.4

“The Chinese have their tombs built in a semicircular form, like the horse-shoe, and the Moors follow this to a considerable extent in their architecture. The nimbus or halo, which in old pictures and over the wooden images of the patron saint was a crescent of bright metal, often remained long after all the rest had crumbled away, when it became regarded with a very high degree of veneration, and was looked upon as possessing, at least to some degree, the peculiar powers attributed to the saint or deity the painting or image had been believed to represent. The elevated positions in which they were placed, and the custom which followed of putting up the halo without the image, led in those localities to the use of the gilded or brightly-polished horse-shoe closely resembling the small halos that for a time were made and sold expressly for putting up over the doors.” PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.5

“An Indictment” The Present Truth, 12, 40.

E. J. Waggoner

The following extract is from the leader in one of our prominent London daily papers:- PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.6

“Will some Member of Parliament next session move for a return of the number of murders and suicides in this country during the present year? And will he also ask for returns of the number of lunatics admitted into our public and private asylums during the last, say, ten years. Should he do so and get the returns, he and all interested will find that murders, suicides, and lunatics are alarmingly increasing in England.... PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.7

“We are continually boasting of our commercial and intellectual progress; but are we advancing morally and socially in like proportion? We think not. It is quite possible to multiply schools and newspapers, and to achieve, after a fashion, educational conquests, and yet make no corresponding progress. Take, for instance, gambling, to which we made particular reference yesterday. This gambling has vastly increased in the face of a vast system of School Board education, in the face of a conspicuously revived Church activity, and in the face of a universally diffused Press. The gambling spirit has vitiated the national heart, and particularly those parts of it engaged on the Stock Exchange and in high places, such as the Chartered Company, and in the promotion of companies on rotten foundations, on the race course, and drinking saloons, and industry. The same desire for wealth at all hazards, for luxury, display, and titles, is everywhere manifest; and we see some of the results in multiplied murders, suicides, and lunatics. The fact is, and it cannot be too often proclaimed, that certain vices are allowed to eat into the heart of our splendid civilisation.” PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.8

This is a serious indictment, but it should not be filed, necessarily, against England alone. It is true. But it is also a fact that there is no country on the globe of which it is not proportionately true. The organised murder in Turkey is but an example and an evidence of the spirit of people which is in greater and still greater degree possessing the peoples of all countries. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.9

The facts narrated in these reprinted paragraphs show the steady development of a field here which only bides its time to be fruitful after its kind in general violence and slaughter. The madness of a Satanic possession is fast overtaking those who have denied God and refused His overtures of mercy. For those who say in their heart “There is no God,” or, acknowledging His existence, disobey Him, there is no escape from this fate. The prospect is not a pleasant one, but the wages of sin is death. Yet at the last it will be seen that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, and that the God of all the earth has done right. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.10

“‘Wars and Rumours of Wars’” The Present Truth, 12, 40.

E. J. Waggoner

One of the not least remarkable features of the Queen’s reign, says the Daily Chronicle, considering its eminently pacific character, is the enormous number of wars, “little and big,” that have marked its progress. Scarcely a twelvemonth of this period has passed indeed without finding our country at war in some part of the world. The following is a list of them:-Afghan War, 1838-40; first China War, 1841; Sikh War, 1845-6; Caffre War, 1846; second war with China; second Afghan War, 1849; second Sikh War, 1848-9; Burmese war, 1850; second Caffre War, 1851-2; second Burmese War, 18 to 52-3; Crimea, 1854; third war with China, 1856-8; Indian Mutiny, 1857; Maori War, 1860-1; more wars with China, 1860 and 1862; second Maori War, 1863-6; Ashanti War, 1864; war in Bhootan, 1864; Abyssinian War, 1867-8; war with the Bazotees, 1868; third Maori War, 1868-9; war with Looshai 1871; second Ashanti War, 1873-4; third Caffre War, 1877; Zulu War, 1878-9; third Afghan War, 1878-90; war in Besutoland, 1879-81; Transvaal War, 1879-81; Egyptian War, 1882; Soudan, 1884-85-89; third Burmah War, 1885-92; Zanzibar, 1890; India, 1890; Matabele Wars, 1894 and 1896; Chitral Campaign, 1895; third Ashanti Campaign, 1896; second Soudan Campaigns, 1896. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 626.11

“The Promises to Israel. The Song of Deliverance” The Present Truth, 12, 40.

E. J. Waggoner

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, PTUK October 1, 1896, page 627.1

I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously;
The horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and song,
And He is become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him;
The Lord is a Man of War;
The Lord is His name.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his host bath He cast into the sea;
And his chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.
The deeps cover them;
They went down into the depths like a stone.
Thy right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power,
Thy right hand, O Lord, dasheth in pieces the enemy.
And in the greatness of thine excellency Thou over-throwest them that rise up against Thee;
Thou sendest forth thy wrath, it consumeth them as stubble.
And with the blast of Thy nostrils the waters were piled up,
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil;
My lust shall be satisfied upon them;
I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them;
Thou didst blow with Thy wind, the sea covered them;
They sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Thou stretchedst out Thy right hand,
The earth swallowed them.
Thou in Thy mercy hast led the people which Thou hast redeemed;
Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to Thy holy habitation.
The peoples have heard, they tremble;
Pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.
Then were the dukes of Edom amazed;
The mighty men of Moab, trembling hath taken hold upon them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away.
Terror and dread falleth upon them;
By the greatness of Thine arm they are as still as a stone;
Till thy people pass over, O Lord,
Till the people pass over which Thou hast purchased.
Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Thine inheritance,
In the place, O Lord, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in,
The sanctuary, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.
The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.” Exodus 15:1-18. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 627.2

And now let us see what instruction and encouragement and hope there is in this record for us. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 627.3

1. The power by which the Red Sea was divided, and the people passed over in safety, was the power by which their enemies were to be kept from attacking them. Compare Exodus 15:14-16 and Joshua 2:9-11. If they had gone forward in the faith that they had at the moment of their deliverance, there would have been no need of their fighting. No enemy would have dared to attack them. Now we can see why the Lord led them the way He did. By one final act of deliverance He designed to teach them never to be afraid of man. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 627.4

2. In this same power they were to make known the name of the Lord-to preach the Gospel of the kingdom-in all the earth, as a preparation for the end. That was a work which they had to do before the promise could be completely fulfilled. If they had kept the faith, it would not have taken long to complete the work. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 627.5

3. The object of their deliverance was that they should be brought in and planted in the mountain of the Lord’s inheritance-a land of their own, where they might dwell for ever in safety. This had not been fulfilled in the days of King David, even when his kingdom was at its height; for it was at the time when he had rest from all his enemies, and proposed to build a temple for the Lord, that the Lord said to him, “Moreover, I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more as before time.” Compare this also with Luke 1:67-75. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 627.6

4. God’s plan in delivering Israel from Egypt was thus set forth in the inspired song: “Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, in the sanctuary, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.” No man can build a dwelling-place for the Lord, for “the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” Acts 7:48. “The Lord’s throne is in heaven.” Psalm 11:4. The true sanctuary, the real dwelling-place of God, “which the Lord pitched, and not man,” (Hebrews 8:1, 2), is in heaven upon Mount Zion. This is in harmony with the promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and which led them to count themselves strangers on this earth, and to look for a heavenly country, and “for a city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:10. This long-deferred hope was now about to be fulfilled, and it would have been fulfilled speedily if the children of Israel had kept the faith of their song. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 627.7

5. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the dividing of the Red Sea is the encouragement of the people of God in the last days of the Gospel, when the salvation of the Lord is gone forth. These are the words which the Lord teaches His people to say:- PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.1

“Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art Thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art Thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head; they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Isaiah 51:9-11. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.2

If the ancient Israelites had gone on singing, and had not once stopped to murmur, they would speedily have reached Zion, the city whose builder and maker is God. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.3

6. When the redeemed of the Lord do at last stand on Mount Zion, having the harps of God, they will “sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy; for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest.” Revelation 15:3, 4. It is the song of deliverance, the song of victory. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.4

7. Even as the children of Israel sang the song of victory while upon the shore of the Red Sea, before they reached the promised land, so the children of God in the last days will sing the song of victory before they reach the heavenly Canaan. Here is the song, and as we read it, compare it with the opening part of the song of Moses by the Red Sea. We have already read that when the Lord sets His hand the second time to recover the remnant of His people, “there shall be an highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left from Assyria, like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.” Isaiah 11:16. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.5

“And in that day Thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise Thee; though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say. Praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for He hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.” Isa. xii. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.6

This is the song with which the redeemed of the Lord are to come to Zion. It is a song of victory, but they can sing it now, for “this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.” Only as they proclaim the salvation of the Lord, they do not share it. While being conducted to Zion, they learn the song that they will sing when they reach that place. Thus PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.7

“when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the NEW, NEW SONG,
',Twill be the OLD, OLD STORY
That I have loved so long.” PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.8

“Sunday Laws Opposed by a Catholic” The Present Truth, 12, 40.

E. J. Waggoner

IN THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENT

The confused condition of things in the theological world has lately been illustrated in Canada, where we have seen a Roman Catholic leading the party opposed to endowing Catholic schools in Manitoba, and winning the election against the opposition of the Catholic clergy. And when, some time ago, a professedly Protestant member introduced a bill for a more rigid Sunday law in the Dominion, it was a Roman Catholic member, Hon. G. Amyott, who most strenuously opposed it, in the name of civil liberty. After showing that the only ground for the Sunday was Catholic tradition, and that if the introducer of the bill followed the Bible as authority he must keep the seventh day, and not the first, he concluded:- PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.9

“As for us Catholics, Mr. Speaker, we shall celebrate our Sundays as we please, provided we do not interfere with your civil rights, and, if we do, go to the provinces and you will receive protection. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.10

“The honourable mover of this bill says he wishes to protect the rights of conscience. Is he doing that when he wants to impose upon the Jews the obligation of keeping the first day instead of the seventh? Does he respect the rights of conscience when he wants to compel the Seventh-day Adventists to celebrate the first day of the creation instead of the seventh? Does he protect the rights of conscience when he wants to compel a great number of his fellow-citizens to disobey the word of God and to obey the words of a church of which they do not approve? PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.11

A ROYAL PROCLAMATION

“The honourable gentleman must remember that in proposing his bill he acts not only contrary to the constitution I read a moment ago, but also contrary to the general understanding which prevails in this country and which is summed up in a proclamation by her Majesty the Queen in 1858, which is as follows:- PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.12

“‘Firmly relying ourselves on the truth of Christianity, and acknowledging with gratitude the solace of religion, we disclaim alike the right and the desire to impose our convictions on any of our subjects. We declare it to be our royal will and pleasure that none be in anywise favoured, none molested or disquieted by reason of their religious faith or observances, but that they shall alike enjoy the equal and impartial protection of the law; and we do strictly charge and enjoin all those who may be in authority under us that they abstain from all interference with the religious belief or worship of any of our subjects, on pain of our highest displeasure.’ PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.13

“These are the words not only of the Queen, but of the Parliament of Great Britain. This is the rule which should be recognised in this country. Everybody should enjoy complete liberty, provided that liberty does not interfere with the liberty and civil rights of others. But the honourable gentleman wants to force those who are not of the same belief with himself to observe as the Sabbath some other day than that which they believe to be the Sabbath, and even to force those who, like himself, desire to observe Sunday, to observe it in the way he believes in, and not in the way they believe in themselves. That is not protection of civil rights; it is interference with civil rights.” PTUK October 1, 1896, page 628.14

“Items of Interest” The Present Truth, 12, 40.

E. J. Waggoner

-In Japan, we are told, children are taught to write with either hand. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.1

-A rich discovery of gold is reported from Grahamstown, South Africa. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.2

-It is estimated that over one-tenth of male Matabelee have been killed. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.3

-The Queen’s descendants now occupy or are destined to occupy seven thrones. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.4

-One-third of the female population of France are engaged as labourers in agricultural pursuits. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.5

-A strike of miners in Colorado led to such violence that the State troops were called out last week to suppress it. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.6

-Among the warlike tribes of the Soudan the unwritten law of the desert forbids any settlement around the wells, as they are common to all. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.7

-Many wrecks were reported along the coast last week, the gale raging with wintry violence. Gallant rescues by the lifeboats were also reported. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.8

-Railway accidents have been unusually frequent in England this summer. Last week a collision at March killed one person and injured many. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.9

-The expedition to Spitzbergen reports having discovered a mountain nearly 6,000 feet high, which is composed almost wholly, apparently, of marble. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.10

-The ratable value of the Metropolis, according to the quinquennial valuation now operative, has increased during the last five years by 21 millions, making a total of nearly ?36,000,000. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.11

-Over a million tons of machinery and plant, dredgers, and locomotives are rusting and rotting along the Panama canal. The gigantic failure is said to be pitiful as one gazes at the “awful scene of chaos.” PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.12

-The Russian and Japanese Governments have agreed to exercise a mutual protectorate over Korea, but Russia as the greatest Power is quietly building up her interests in that important peninsula. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.13

-It was thought the Dervishes would make a stand at Dongola, but the approach of the British force led them to flee into the desert and up the Nile, the cavalry pursuing and killing what they could. Many Dervishes are surrendering. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.14

-It said that the Japanese are encouraging the revolt against Spain in the Philippine Islands, as these islands are greatly desired by Japan, which feels the need of more room in which to plant its crowded population. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.15

-Last week the Queen had reigned longer than any previous British sovereign, or European ruler. Her Majesty has seen the reigns of five Prussian monarchs, four of Russia, Denmark, Spain, and Portugal, three of Sweden and Holland, two of Austria and Belgium, and she has seen tremendous changes political and otherwise in the history of her reign. All members of the House of Peers that saw her coronation are dead, and but one member of the House of Commons who was a member at that time still retains his seat. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 638.16

“Back Page” The Present Truth, 12, 40.

E. J. Waggoner

We hear that the medical missionary of our Society in Raratonga has been requested to take charge of the Government hospital in that island, which will doubtless give him better facilities for carrying on his work for the suffering, bodily and spiritually. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.1

The Salvation Army female rescue department reports 13,768 cases dealt with in homes, of which nearly eighty per cent. have continued well thus far in their new life. The work of rescue has been accomplished at a total cost of not more than ?2 per person. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.2

It is worth remarking that two young Christian Chinese ladies have just completed a medical course in an American university, and have returned to China, the first native female physicians, hoping to be able to do much for the women of China, ministering to physical and spiritual needs. China has one skilled physician to 2,500,000 of her population. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.3

Change, restlessness, strife are the characteristics of the time. Now Thibet is waking up, and the head of the religion of the country, the Grand Lama, is ordering his lamas to take the field and lead the people’s revolt against Chinese rule. At the very time when the great Powers are deliberating as to how China shall be divided, the empire itself is being rent by rebellion. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.4

Our readers are perhaps aware that the greater proportion of those connected with the work of our Society in Turkey are Armenians. So far as heard from they have suffered no harm and the terrible scenes recently enacted. Needless to say, Seventh-day Adventists in Turkey simply preach the Word, and they have taken no part in armed insurrection or political strife, and the good providence of the Lord has watched over them. Even though some were killed we know they would not die calling for the death of their enemies. That would be a denial of Christianity. The freedom for which they work in Turkey is religious not political, and religious liberty is freedom from sin and its power, which no human power can deprive one of; nor can principalities or powers, or life or death, or any other creature separate the Christian from the love of Christ which is his support and life. Christians are needed in Turkey now. May the terrible times develop and increase them. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.5

Every gail about our coasts brings out the heroism of the coastguardsmen. The character of courage developed in the fight with the elements to save men’s lives is of an entirely different stamp to that developed in war to take men’s lives. The lifeboatman is disappointed when the fierceness of the gale hinders him from rescuing those imperilled, while frequently, as in despatches the other day from the Soudan, we hear of the disappointment of troops when the enemy runs away and does not stand up to be killed in fierce combat. It cannot be too often repeated that the spirit of war in which is drilled into men is the very spirit of Satan. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.6

The journals which have all along urged greater expenditure on armaments are preparing to make use of the spirit of militarism which is sweeping the churches into their camp. They notice that it is those who formerly opposed so great expenditure for war and bloodshed who now cry most loudly for war; and if there is to be war, guns, and boats, and men, and money must be ready, and the more the better if war is a remedy for any evil under the sun. Not till the last great conflict, when all the armies of the nations will be destroyed by the hosts of heaven, will the world recover from this hot wave of militarism. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.7

For a long time many Anglicans have been begging the Pope to pronounce on the validity of their orders. So the Pope says, “We pronounce and declare that ordinations carried out according to the Anglican rights have been and are absolutely null and utterly void.” If those who have appealed value the opinion of their chosen judge they have not an opportunity to show it. But fancy asking the Pope to tell who can obey Christ “orders,” “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.8

The Papal Bull on Anglican orders is a long document, but we find only two references to Scripture in it, and those merely incidental, and not a part of the argument. It is not a Bible question but an ecclesiastical quibble with those who argue it. The Rabbis in the time of Christ spent their time discussing fine points of human definitions, and when Christ came speaking the words of God they questioned His “orders” and authority. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.9

Old earth groans under the weight of transgression bearing heavy upon it, and the pent-up forces stored within it for the last great day (2 Peter 3:7, R.V.) are shaking its surface here and there, as though to warn all who put their trust in it that the foundation of one’s hope must be laid on something more secure. Mail advices regarding the recent earthquake in Iceland show how powerless man is when the earth beneath his feet gives way:- PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.10

In places the ground opened as if to swallow the little turf houses that are dotted over its surface. One of these chasms is many miles in length, but not very deep or broad. Great rocks and big landslides tumbled down from the mountains. It was as if the earth was writhing in agony. All these movements were accompanied by terrific rumbling noises underground, as loud as heavy peals of thunder. The women cried and wrung their hands. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.11

A Roman Catholic shop-keeper, who sells horsehair belts and barbed instruments to wear next the body as disciplinary agencies, says that he sells three to Church of England people to one to a Catholic. A Protestant book-seller in Paternoster Row has created considerable excitement by exhibiting a set of these instruments of self-torture in his window. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.12

“What Is the Commission?” The Present Truth, 12, 40.

E. J. Waggoner

What Is the Commission? -Great enthusiasm has prevailed amongst the churches to avenge the slaughter Armenians. But Christ has commissioned the church to go and preach the Gospel to every creature, even the Turk, and God has expressly said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” Unsanctified human nature has always been more ready to try to do the work which God reserves for Himself than to do the work which God commands men who know Him to do. It is easy, apparently, to rouse religious people to enthusiasm to hire other men to go and vent their natural feelings of wrath upon wrong-doers, but has anybody ever heard of any great popular enthusiasm to carry the Gospel to Mohammedans? It is not a question of what wicked men deserve, but of what God sends Christians into the world to do. PTUK October 1, 1896, page 440.13