The Present Truth, vol. 13

July 29, 1897

“Unity and Uniformity” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

Unity and Uniformity .—There may be the most perfect uniformity without the slightest approach to unity. A lot of marbles may be exactly uniform as regards size and shape and colour but there is no unity among them. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 465.1

So there may be uniformity among people, without unity. Since the days of Constantine strenuous efforts have been put forth by the ecclesiastical politicians to produce uniformity, and these efforts have been thought to be in the interests of Christian unity. In some cases uniformity has been attained, but there has been no more unity than there is in a gross of buttons fastened together by a string. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 465.2

The Bible is full of the idea of unity in the church of Christ, but we do not read so much about uniformity. This unity is to be the unity of life and growth, and not a mere outward connection. In Christ's prayer to the Father, for His disciples, He said, “And the glory that Thou gavest Me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one.” John 17:22, 23. Here we see that the glory of the Lord is to effect the union of believers, and the union is to be that of the Father and the Son. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 465.3

The union of the Father and the Son is union of Spirit. We cannot comprehend this union, but we may know that it is not a forced union, but that it results from their very nature. They have one life. Their thoughts and purposes are the same, not because they come together and compare notes and agree to be alike, but because one life is in them both. So the union of believers is to be a vital union, or it is not any union at all. It is not accomplished by strife and debate and decisions of majorities, but by yielding the mind to Christ and hearing His voice. They are to be united by the mind and Spirit of Christ. The life of the Father and the Son in each member of the church wilI produce the most perfect union in the whole body. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 465.4

For the human body is the most perfect example of unity, and it is the example that the Bible gives us. Christ is the Head of the body, the church. Ephesians 1:22, 23. Colossians 1:13. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” 1 Corinthians 12:13-14. In the human body there are many members, and each member has a different office from the rest; there is not uniformity of action among the members, but there is the most perfect unity. All work together in perfect harmony for one object. So it is in the body of Christ. “There are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” PTUK July 29, 1897, page 465.5

This gives no ground for the idea that there may be divisions in the church of Christ, one division believing one thing, and another division believing and practising another thing. God has tempered the body together, “that there should be no schism in the body.” 1 Corinthians 12:24, 25. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6. The apostle's exhortation is, “that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10. But let it be borne in mind that this union is not artificial, but natural; not the human nature, however, but the Divine nature. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 466.1

The unity of belief in the church is not forced by the church coming together and the majority defining the creed to be believed. The church cannot define doctrine, nor make laws for itself or anybody else. The church of Christ is made up of all who obey the Lord's commands, not a body to issue commands. The Head directs, the body obeys. God speaks; each one must listen to His voice, for faith comes by hearing the Word of God, and no one can give faith to another. “It is the gift of God.” PTUK July 29, 1897, page 466.2

While Day Lasts .—“The sun of Christ's Gospel remains moveless in the midst of heaven till the world's day is closed, and makes it to every sinner a day of salvation and an acceptable time.” But the night cometh. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 466.3

“Lessons From the Book of Hebrews. Angels: Their Nature, Power, and Work” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

Our last lesson from the first chapter of Hebrews was upon the power and greatness of Christ. He is infinitely superior to the angels,-seated on the right hand of the Majesty on high,-“being made so much better than the angels as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” The study of the greatness of Christ is not for intellectual amusement, but for spiritual upbuilding; for since He has given Himself for us,-for our sins,-we know that all His power and glory are put forth for our salvation. Therefore the Apostle Paul prayed, PTUK July 29, 1897, page 466.4

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church.” Ephesians 1:17-22. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 466.5

All Christ's greatness and power therefore are for the benefit of the church. This is why we rejoice in His exaltation. He is far above all principality and power, so that when God brought the first begotten into the world, He said, “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” Yet of these being, so infinitely inferior to Christ, we read that God “maketh His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire.” Hebrews 1:7. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 466.6

It is astonishing what a misconception people in general have of the angels of God. There are not a few who think that they are the spirits of departed men, forgetting that angels existed before man was created. Man was made a little lower, or, for a little while lower, than the angels (Hebrews 2:7), which is sufficient evidence that angels are not dead men, and that men never become angels. When God laid the foundation of the earth, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Job 38:7. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 466.7

A knowledge of this simple fact would save people from much danger; for there are “angels which kept not their first estate, but left their first habitation” (Jude 6), and these busy themselves with men, so that we must needs “try the spirits (1 John 4:1) to discern whether they are of God; for if “even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14, R.V.), “it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed into ministers of righteousness.” And since they have such power, it is no wonder that they fashion themselves into the form of the departed friends of those whom they would deceive. God's angels are angels of light-flames of fire; but whoever speaks not according to His Word has no light. Isaiah 8:19, 20. Now God's Word says that “the dead know not anything” (Ecclesiastes 9:5), and that when a man's breath goeth forth, “he returneth to his earth,“ and “in that very day his thoughts perish” (Psalm 146:4); therefore the very fact that spirits come professing to be departed friends or illustrious men, is in itself sufficient evidence that they are not angels of light, but are of the evil one. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 466.8

But we will now consider only the angels who are God's ministers. He makes them “winds.” Think what wonderful power that implies. We cannot see the wind, but we can feel it, and can see the results of its working. How the wind lashes the sea into fury, so that nothing can resist it except the barriers that God Himself has set for it, saying, “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed.” Job 38:11. How in its course the wind fells whole forests, uprooting giant trees as easily as a man would pluck up a blade of corn. Before the might of the wind, cities tumble into ruins, and the proudest structures erected by the art of man are as though they were made of straw. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.1

“But do you mean to say that this is the work of God's angels?”—Not by any means. The power of the winds simply show us something of the power of those beings. Destruction and death are the work of Satan, who is “the prince of the power of the air.” Ephesians 2:2. Whenever God permits him (for he cannot go beyond God's limit) he brings whirlwinds, and destruction. See Job 1:9, 19. In the destructive power of the wind, we see the power which angels possess even though fallen, and thus get an idea, although not perfect, of the power of the “angels that excel in strength” (Psalm 103:20), and “are greater in power and might.” 2 Peter 2:11. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.2

“His ministers a flame of fire.” The angel that came in answer to Daniel's prayer “was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass.” Daniel 10:6. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.3

At the resurrection of Christ, “there was a great earthquake; and the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.” Matthew 28:2-4. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.4

Peter was in prison in an inner cell, “sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison” (Acts 12:6, 7) and Peter was instantly freed from his chains and led forth in safety, an evidence of the fact that “the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.5

John in vision saw a “mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire.” Revelation 10:1. And, more wonderful still, he saw “another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Revelation 18:1. So mighty and glorious are the angels of God, who are nevertheless far inferior to Christ, the Saviour. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.6

These wondrous being, are “all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall he heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 2:14), or, as in the Revision, “sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation.” An instance of their ministering we have already seen in the case of Peter. There was a time when the king of Syria sent a whole army to capture one man-Elisha the servant of God. “And they came by night and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the God.” “And they came, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said Unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray Thee open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw; and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:14-18. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.7

The result was that the one man captured the army, because he had an invisible host with him. We are not told whether Elisha saw the angels before the young man did or not. He may have seen them, and he may not; but whether he saw them or not, he knew that they were there; and we may have the same confidence, for the Word of God assures us that these messengers of tire camp round about us, being sent to do service for us. Therefore we may say with David, “Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.” Psalm 27:3. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.8

On another occasion Jerusalem was threatened by the Assyrian host, whose officers, sure of their prey, mocked King Hezekiah, and ridiculed his confidence in God. See Isa xxxvi. and xxxvii. But Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, whom Sennacherib and his servants had blasphemed and derided; and He promised deliverance.” Then the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand; and when men arose in the morning, behold they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib, king of Assyria, departed.” Isaiah 37:36, 37. A wonderful example that, of the power of the angel of the Lord, who encamps round about His people. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.9

Jesus was here on the earth as a man. He was “in all things” “made like unto His brethren.” Hebrews 2:17. He “was in all points tempted like as we are” (Hebrews 4:15), and since it was only for our sakes that He thus suffered temptation, we may be sure that we shall have the same help in temptation that He had. He Himself gives us the assurance that the Father laves us even as He has loved Him. John 17:23. The fact that Christ was given for us, is proof that God loves us even as He loves His only begotten Son, and that therefore He will do as much for us as for Him. When Jesus was tempted, and by the power of the Spirit resisted the devil so that he departed from Him, “behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.” Matthew 4:11. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.10

On that Iast night, when Jesus was betrayed, when He was tempted as never before, “there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him.” Luke 22:43. Later on, when the mob had surrounded Him,and Peter zealously but vainly began to defend Him, Jesus said unto him:— PTUK July 29, 1897, page 467.11

“Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:52, 53. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 468.1

Everything that the Father would do for Jesus, He is willing to do for us, for we are sons with Him, and He loves us with the same love. Therefore in any time of need we have “more than twelve legions of angels” ready to go forth to do service for us. Jesus would not call for them to deliver Him from the hands of the mob, for He came for the express purpose of suffering what was now before Him; but we have the assurance that when we put our trust in the Lord, more than twelve legions of angels stand ready, if necessary, to preserve us from anything that is contrary to His will. Let us try to get a little idea of what this means. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 468.2

A legion was composed of six thousand men. Twelve legions would therefore be seventy-two thousand. There are therefore more than seventy-two thousand angels ready to do service for every oppressed child of God. How many more we have no means of knowing; we only know that “round about the throne” of God there are “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” of angels (Revelation 5:11), “that do His pleasure,“ “hearkening unto the voice of His word” (Psalm 103:20, 21), ready to go like the lightning to the succour of those who are in need. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 468.3

Think now what a host they could withstand, even at the lowest human calculation. A single angel destroyed one hundred and eighty-five thousand men of war. At the least, then, an angel is equal to so many armed men. Of course an angel has inconceivably greater power than that, but we will take that as the standard. Seventy-two thousand angels would he therefore more than a match for over thirteen thousand million armed men; and we have “more than twelve legions of angels” waiting to do service for us. Therefore when the Lord says to us, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee” (Psalm 50:15), we know that at the very lowest calculation we have at our disposal a force more than ten times greater than all the inhabitants of this earth! Surely, “it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” Psalm 118:8, 9. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 468.4

But there is yet another lesson for us to learn from the angels, besides that of confidence. Think of these glorious beings going forth to be servants of those who shall be heirs of salvation. Angels of God acting as servants, helpers, to puny men, and fallen men at that! And not only are they content to do this service, but glad to do it, because it is the will of God. There is no complaining, no proud objection that such work is beneath their dignity. No; their very power and dignity, like that of their Master, comes from their humility, and their love of service. These mighty angels see the work of the Gospel committed to men, and instead of sulking because the high honour is entrusted to such inferior beings, they gladly act as servants to men, and rejoice with unaffected joy at the honours that God bestows on them. Who that contemplates this can have any other feeling than that of humility? Who can stand on his dignity and refuse to do certain kinds of work because it is “menial”? Who can refuse to do the work of a servant, even though somebody lower in position and wealth (after the world's standard) is in the place of honour? We may be unspeakably glad in the Lord for all the help He has provided for us, but when we truly appreciate it, we can never let pride hold us back from saying, “Here am I, send me,“ because the work is menial, and the place of service so obscure that no eye but God can see it. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 468.5

“The Demands of the Australian Churches” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

While the churches in Australia presented to the Federal Convention (met to frame a constitution for the union of the Australian colonies) a petition praying for the insertion of a religious clause, recognising God and religion, our Society there put in a petition signed numerously by all classes, setting forth the principles of Gospel liberty, and asking that the Convention might not take a step that would open the way for religious legislation and persecution and strife for political power on the part of religious factions. For it is apparent that as soon as a State professes a religion, the struggle inevitably follows to see whose and what religion it shall be. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 468.6

The Convention wisely refused to meddle with religion, and introduced a clause prohibiting any colony from making religious laws. They decided that it would only make trouble if a political body interfered with religion. But the churches with one accord-although there are amongst their members very many who stand by Gospel principles in the matter-threaten to make trouble if their demands are not met. One leading Australian divine wanted to know if the churches were going to allow “a little parcel of Seventh-day Adventists” to defeat their wishes. The superintendent of our Society's work in Australia writes of the efforts now being made to reverse the decision of the Convention; and this by the very churches which here at home are supposed to be opposed to a union of Church and State. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 468.7

It shows, what is very apparent at home, that a large part of the opposition to the Establishment is not because they regard such a thing as wrong in principle and contrary to a Gospel that is established only by faith in the power of God, but because they want a share in making the political religion. Every religious law is establishing religion by law. This is what our friend says:— PTUK July 29, 1897, page 468.8

“The action of the Convention in rejecting the petition of the churches has greatly incensed the church leaders. In all parts of the colonies they are threatening the delegates with vengeance. In public addresses, newspaper correspondence, and in the meetings of the various organisations, the people are being called to arms. It is proposed to bring pressure to bear upon each local parliament to insert the religious clause, and then when the Convention meets for final adoption of the Constitution to bring special pressure to bear upon the delegates. To accomplish this lectures are to be delivered on the question in different parts of the country. Protestant ministers are urged to preach special sermons on this theme. Newspaper correspondence is to be carried on. Emissaries in all parts of the country are to test the members of parliament to see just where they lean, and all are to understand that any man who will not pledge himself to carry the measure proposed by the churches, will stand no chance of election to parliament.” PTUK July 29, 1897, page 468.9

“God's Armour” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

“Put on the whole armour of God.” The apostle says we need it because the fight is against principalities and powers and wicked spirits. When David was to fight Goliath, they put Saul's armour on him. It did not fit him, he had not “proved” it, and so he laid it off. Really he fought in the armour of God. He had proved that. Now, God's armour has been fitted to every man. “The Man Christ Jesus,“ was God made flesh, and He, “for every man,“ fought the battle against the enemy and won it. It is this armour, tried and invulnerable that Christians are to wear. Think of fighting in God's own armour! There is safety in that. And the shield of faith is “the faith of Jesus,“ and the sword is the Word, “the sword of the Spirit.” PTUK July 29, 1897, page 471.1

“Drug-Drunkenness” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

The House of Commons Committee on the Drink Question favour giving magistrates power to order the detention of habitual drunkards. And they have consulted the Council of the British Medical Association to get a definition of “habitual drunkenness.” PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.1

The medical men say that the term should include not only those enslaved to alcoholic drinks, but those who take drugs of a narcotic nature without restraint. They say that drug-drinking and taking is seriously on the increase, specially among women. It very often begins by doses to relieve sleeplessness or headaches, and the habit for the drug is quickly established. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.2

“Items of Interest” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

-Alcoholic liquors are still sold illegally in the House of Commons. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.3

-Turkey is negotiating with German builders for the construction of new warships. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.4

-It is stated that every year the railway servants of Great Britain get no less than ?300,000 in tips from the public. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.5

-The Austrian army is soon to be armed throughout with a new rifle, which weighs Iess and is more effective than the old arm. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.6

-Mullhall gives the money of the world ?2,437,000,000, of which ?846,000,000 is paper ?801,000,000 silver, and ?790,000,000 gold. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.7

-At the beginning of the week it was estimated that about 40,000 men were idle in consequence of the engineers lock-out and strike. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.8

-Earthquake shocks are reported from various parts of Southern Europe nearly every week. Vesuvius has been in a state of violent eruption also. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.9

-China is preparing a vigorous railway building programme, and is to have its navy strengthened by this country and Germany, and is to have army drilled and organised after the German model. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.10

-The Queen's Jubilee present from the British residents in the Transvsaal is in the form of a gold shield, weighing thirteen pounds. The address which runs to 260 words, is engraved thereon. It is adorned with 132 fine diamonds. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.11

-A great strike in the telegraph department was narrowly averted this week by the intervention of members of Parliament, who have arranged a conference between the operators and the Government authorities. It is a sign of the popular of the strike when even civil servants threaten it. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.12

-Twenty-one years ago Japan had no newspapers whatever. Now there are seventeen in Tokio, the capital city, with a circulation 40,000,000 copies per year. In all the country there are now 700 newspapers. The awakening and growth of Japan in modern arts is one of the wanders of this generation. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.13

-According to the Registrar-General's latest returns, the proportion of Englishmen who now get married but are unable to sign their names is 4.6 per cent.; the proportion of English women, 5.4 per cent. At the beginning of the Queen's reign 38 per cent. of the men who married in England could not write, and 40 per cent, of the women. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.14

-The find of gold in Alaska is on the Canadian side, although the gold-bearing reefs is run across the United States side. As the boundary is not definitely established there is some danger of difficulties arising. All boats going to Alaska are filled with miners, and the district is rapidly growing in population. It is so far from supplies that some predict that there will be a food famine shortly in the gold field. All food now sells at famine prices and possibly thousands will find that it costs more gold to live there than they can find in the earth. But the deposit is said to be rich, and several million dollars’ worth has already be taken out. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 478.15

“Back Page” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

The Church Missionary Society is sending out eighty new missionaries to mission fields this year. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.1

The steam locomotive has for long awakened the echoes in Palestine, and now a railway to and up Mount Sinai is being planned. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.2

“I have kept Father's commandments,“ said Jesus, “and abide in His love.” John 15:10. And as for us, “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.3

“Always explaining Scripture by Scripture,“ said D'Aubigne, “this was the great principle of the Reformation.” “Comparing spiritual things with spiritual” is the rule given in the Word itself. Not guessing, not speculating, but listening with the heart to hear what God says. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.4

The sentiment of many correspondents of Protestant journals is that the Queen ought to use her authority to “put down Popery.” On the same principle Catholics in some countries appeal to Catholic sovereigns to put down Protestantism. Why will not Protestants see that Popery is the natural religion of every heart, and that the only way to put it down is to preach the Gospel that can save both professed Protestants and Catholics from the papal spirit. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.5

The Herold der Wahrheit, our Society's German organ, says that the general meeting of Seventh-day Adventists, just held in Berlin, was the largest and best meeting they have ever had. Representatives were present from all parts of Germany, and from Holland, Russia, Bohemia, Hungary, and Switzerland. During the year eighteen new churches were added to the German Conference, with 280 members. From the same paper we learn that our German friends are preparing to publish a monthly health journal next year. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.6

The physician in charge of our Society's medical mission and sanatorium in Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, reports that the institution “is filled to overflowing with patients, and all connected with it are kept exceedingly busy in caring for the sick who come to them for relief.” PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.7

“The truth cannot be burned, beheaded or crucified. A lie on the throne is a lie still, and truth in a dungeon is still truth and the tie on the throne is on the way to defeat, and the truth in the dungeon is or the way to victory.” PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.8

“Protestant Churchmen Protest” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

Protestant Churchmen Protest .—A petition signed by nearly 40,000 persons was presented in Parliament the other day, which was to the effect that out of thirty-four bishops twenty were Ritualists, and not more than five Evangelical clergymen, of whom Lord Salisbury had nominated thirteen Ritualists and only three Evangelicals, while clergyman with Romanising tendencies were appointed in preference to others. (Cheers from the Irish Nationalists.) Very few Evangelical clergymen had received appointments. Such a method of exercising Church patronage was calculated, in the opinion of the petitioners, to seriously affect the Protestantism of the people. (Nationalist cheers.) The petitioners prayed for an inquiry by the House of Commons as to the exercise by the Prime Minister and bishops of their ecclesiastical patronage. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.9

It shows the sorry plight to which Protestant Churchmen are reduced by their assent to the union of Church and State, If they would take their stand on the Word, and protest, as did those reformers whose protest gave the name Protestantism to the world, against any meddling of the civil power with the religion of Jesus Christ, which can be received only by faith and advanced only by preaching the Word, they might accomplish something. But when they assent to making religion a branch of politics, and thus establish a modification of the Roman Papacy, and then protest because the system grows more papal from year to year, their protest can have no lasting result. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.10

“The Gospel of War” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

The Gospel of War .—While Satan is busy in all the world preparing the hearts of all peoples whom he can influence for the battle of the great day (Revelation 16:14), he does not forget the children. The juvenile literature of fighting increases, and some of the wickedest of it goes out in the name of religion. Thus in a book for children, just published, the crosses on the flag are made to teach this philosophy:— PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.11

Our brave soldiers and sailors who go out to do battle against the enemies of England, fight and die under the banner of the Cross.... The Union Jack is the Crucifix of the Empire, the Cross that gleams ever resplendent in the glory of sacrifice before the glazing eyes of the heroes who, in bloody field or on stormy sea, have given their lives for England. And as Christ's death redeemed and glorified the Cross, so it can redeem and glorify your life and mine, and the lives of all men, until all that is worst and wickedest in the world becomes changed into the glory and radiance and happiness of Heaven. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.12

Dying in battle, with the blood of human beings upon one's hands, is, according to this gospel, a way of salvation. When the author says of Nelson, “He is a kind of patron saint of our navy, the guardian angel of England,“ clever children will not be slow to get the idea that physical courage in battle glorifies a life of gross immorality. And this, which reflects the temper of a great part of Christendom, is in the name of the Cross of Christ, which stands for a life laid down for its enemies, and for salvation from sin, without respect of persons, race, or colour. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.13

“Guns and Gospel” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

Guns and Gospel .—Here is another bit from this book for children:— PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.14

The power of the fleet is great. Its machinery is wonderful. The great guns can smash everything that they come within five miles of.... The men are the soul of the fleet. It is because they are ready to die that the navy is able to carry the White Ensign in triumph over all the Seven Seas. And this brings us back to the first story of this little book, the Story of the Cross. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.15

The effect of this kind of teaching in all countries can only be to make war a religion. No wonder there is more spirit of fight than of piety in Christendom. And along with this mixture of the things of the kingdom of Christ with the carnal warfare of earthly kingdoms, there comes the idea of the religious State, enforcing its religious decrees by the power of its great guns that can smash things at the five-mile range. What shall Christians do?—“Preach the Word.” Nations can only maintain themselves by war, but the children of this world will fight the battles of the kingdoms of this world. PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.16

“Starlight and Sunlight” The Present Truth, 13, 30.

E. J. Waggoner

Starlight and Sunlight .—“Twenty years ago,“ says Regions Beyond, “a traveller in Burmah left a copy of the Psalms at a house where he stayed. A native read the book, resolved to cast away his idols, learnt Psalm li., and used it as a daily prayer. At last a missionary visited his village and gave him a New Testament. The story of salvation filled him with joy. ‘For twenty years,’ he said ‘I have walked by starlight; now I see the sun.’” PTUK July 29, 1897, page 480.17