The Present Truth, vol. 11
October 31, 1895
“Front Page” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
“People talk of the sacrifice I have made,” said Livingstone, “in spending so much of my life in Africa. Say rather it is a privilege. I never made a sacrifice.” PTUK October 31, 1895, page 689.1
It was a wise saying of Milton’s that we should not judge our cause by our success, but our success by our cause. To do the right is success, whether the results are apparent or not; and to do evil is to make a failure even though the cause of evil may seem to prosper. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 689.2
When Judson had worked in Burmah for ten years he had one church of eighteen converts. The missionary board wrote to him asking, “Well, Judson, how about the prospects?” “Prospects all right,” said he, “bright as the promises of God.” He knew how to find in the promises the results, and all who are familiar with the history of missions know of the remarkable fruits of that apparently fruitless labour. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 689.3
“How Much He Knew!” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
How Much He Knew.-A missionary journal says that a candidate for baptism, at Orissa, India, presented himself, saying with tears:— PTUK October 31, 1895, page 689.4
“I know but little. I am a poor, ignorant man; how can I be expected to answer? If you asked a question about my loom, how I prepare my cotton, how I weave, I could explain it all; but in religion, all I know is that I am a sinner without salvation or any hope of it in myself, that Jesus has died for me, that He is willing and waiting to save me, and that I have given Him my heart; this I know, and nothing more.” PTUK October 31, 1895, page 689.5
“Religious Freedom and Freedom of Religion” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
There is a vast difference in the meaning of these two expressions, although they are usually confounded. The term religious freedom, or religious liberty, is commonly used when only liberty or freedom of religion is meant. Thousands of people are zealous workers for freedom of religion, who have not the slightest idea of what religious freedom is, although they make use of the term. Unfortunately, many people who understand and possess religious liberty often make the mistake of applying the term to freedom of religion, the inevitable tendency being to cause others to think that if they have freedom of religion they need nothing more. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 689.6
Freedom of religion means simply freedom in the exercise of religion. The two countries where it exists in the greatest degree are England and the United States of America, the former country doubtless taking the lead. Here every form of religion and non-religion is not simply tolerated, but is absolutely free. It is true that there is an established church, but that does not at all interfere with the freedom of other churches. The fact that one body is singled out by the State for attention, does not in England nullify the fact that the others are left alone to do as they please. People are free to congregate wherever they please, provided they do not obstruct the public ways, and hold forth any system of belief or unbelief. Even the worst phases of anarchy may be advocated, and the speakers will not be molested, if they do not attempt to put their theories of murder and destruction into practice. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 689.7
In Russia and Turkey freedom of religion is almost unknown, except for the established religion of the country. That is to say, those who form the majority, and who have the power in their hands, are very naturally unhindered in the exercise of their religion. That power, however, they use to hinder others in the exercise of a like freedom. Other European countries have freedom of religion in varying degrees. It depends entirely upon the laws of the country, and is a very pleasant thing to have, although it is not in the least degree essential to religious liberty. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 689.8
Religious liberty is an individual matter; it is granted only by the Lord Jesus Christ, to every one who believes, and cannot be granted, protected, or taken away by the State. The difference between the two things, religious freedom and freedom of religion is clearly indicated in the following portion of Scripture:— PTUK October 31, 1895, page 689.9
“Jesus therefore said to those Jews which had believed Him, If ye abide in My Word, then are ye truly My disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered unto Him, We be Abraham’s seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man; how sayest Thou then, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever; the Son abideth for ever. If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-36, R.V. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.1
THE BONDAGE OF THE JEWS
The Jews possessed freedom of religion. In every city they had synagogues. A long time after this the Apostle James said, “Moses of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogue every Sabbath day.” Acts 15:21. Jerusalem abounded in synagogues, and the temple service was carried on with as much freedom as in the days of Solomon. The Jews were free to come up to Jerusalem to worship from every part of the earth, and to return. So when they understood Jesus to imply that they were not free, they resented it. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.2
Jesus did plainly intimate that they were not free, because He said that if they continued in His words they should know the truth, and the truth would make them free. If they had been free already, He could not have spoken of making them free. Then when they indignantly denied that they were in bondage, Jesus said, “Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin.” A bondservant is a slave; those who commit sin are slaves of sin, as is indicated in Romans 7:14: “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.” The evidence of this slavery is shown by the statement which describes the condition of every enlightened sinner, “What I would, that do I not; but what I would not, that do I.” Verse 15. “I delight in the law of God after the inward man; but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Verses 22, 23. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.3
It was in this bondage of sin that the Jews were. It is the lot of every man who is not in Christ. Only He can give freedom from it. For we read further in the seventh of Romans, the bitter cry of the man to whom the bondage has become a burden, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?” and the reply immediately comes, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Verse 24. And then we have the joyous cry of the emancipated slave, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law sin and death.” Romans 8:1, 2. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.4
Here is religious liberty, of which the apostle says in another place, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” Galatians 5:1. It is the only real freedom that there is in the world, and especially the only religious freedom; for mark the words of Christ, “If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Indeed means in fact, in truth, in reality. Other translations have it, “Ye shall be really free.” He whom the Son of God makes free is really free. What then of him whom the Son does not make free?—Evidently he is not really free; he has at best only an apparent freedom. But of what value is it to seem to be free, or to imagine oneself free, when really in bondage? PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.5
MANY RELIGIONS—ONLY ONE THAT GIVES LIBERTY
There are many different religions in the world, even as there are “gods many and lords many.” But there is only one true religion, even as there is only one true God, and one Lord Jesus Christ. “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.” Ephesians 4:4-6. So as there is but one true God, the religion of Jesus Christ, whom He has sent, it is the only true religion. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.6
But it is only the truth that makes men really free. Everything that is not truth makes men slaves. Therefore since the religion of Jesus Christ is the only true religion, it alone can give religious liberty. False religion is incompatible with religious freedom, because “no lie is of the truth,” and only the truth can make men really free. Men may have freedom of religion,—freedom to practice every form of false religion, and every perverted form of the religion of Christ, or no religion at all,—but they have no religious liberty. That is something that is found alone in Christ. Without this, the man who boasts of his freedom is simply mistaking the clanking of his chains for the ringing of the bells of liberty. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.7
The Jews possessed freedom of religion, but they had no conception of religious liberty. They had made the service of God a yoke of bondage. Their rulers bound heavy burdens, and grievous to be borne, and laid them on the shoulders of the people, while they would not move them with one of their fingers. Matthew 23:4. But that does not show that only the people were in bondage, and that the rulers were free. The fact that the religious leaders led the people into religious slavery, shows that they themselves knew nothing of religious liberty. No man who knows the freedom which Christ gives can ever impose any sort of bondage on another. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.8
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN CHAINS
The apostles and the early disciples, on the other hand, did not have freedom of religion. The laws were all against them, and they were forbidden to teach or preach in the name of Jesus. Their assemblies were broken up, their dwellings were entered by armed men, and they were hunted from one city to another. Yet they rejoiced in the most perfect religious liberty, which they offered to their persecutors. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.9
When Paul stood before Festus and Agrippa, he was bound with a chain. He was in bonds for the sake of the religion of Christ. His freedom of religion was cut off. Yet he was absolutely free in the Lord, and with boldness offered freedom in the name of Jesus, to those who held him captive. They were sitting in all the pomp of the Roman State. They were apparently absolutely free, for they could do what they pleased. Yet if they had been not only almost, but altogether such as Paul was, even including his chain, they would have been infinitely more free than they were. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.10
Paul and Silas rejoiced in their religious liberty while their feet were in the stocks; and from their prison cell they proclaimed liberty to their gaoler. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.11
It is a sad mistake to confound freedom of religion with religious liberty. It is true that even freedom of religion is never granted unless the rulers are influenced, unconsciously in most cases, by the Spirit of Christ; but that is not the end for which Christians are to work. Men may labour with great zeal and untiring energy to secure freedom of religion, and have only a selfish motive in it all. The disciples of Christ have not time to waste in labouring for anything less than the highest results. Suppose they should all unite in working to secure freedom of religion, and should succeed, the work for which Christ sent them into the world would even then remain undone. They would have made little if any progress toward leading men into the religious liberty which is Christ’s one great gift. On the contrary, their labour would have had the tendency to make men rest satisfied with a semblance of freedom, and not the reality. Men may proudly sing, PTUK October 31, 1895, page 690.12
“Britons never shall be slaves,“ PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.1
and at the same time be forging the chains of their bondage. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.2
On the other hand, no man can work for the cause of religious liberty with any selfish motive. He is not seeking anything for himself, because he already possesses everything that he wants, for as He works He sings, PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.3
“Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
More than all in Thee I find.”
PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.4
He must be in this condition, or else he cannot accomplish anything in the cause of religious liberty. It is the very joyousness of this freedom that has the most influence in winning others to the liberty that is in Christ. The joy of the Lord is his strength. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.5
Then let all Christians give themselves to this grand work. If as one of the side results of their preaching of Christ, rulers are sufficiently influenced by His Spirit to grant freedom of religion, let them thank God for that, and labour in the only work that He has given them to do. Let them hold the standard so high that civil rulers will never get the idea that they can by any possibility confer favours on the cause of Christ, but will understand that it has favours for them. Let it be fearlessly proclaimed that the mightiest king who breaks God’s law is but a slave, while the poorest peasant who through Christ keeps its precept is at liberty, even though he be in a prison cell. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.6
“Sabbath Labour” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
The New York Independent notes the fact that the cessation of business on the Jewish Day of Atonement gave some of the principal streets of that city the appearance of Sunday, on Saturday. It then adds:— PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.7
It was proved possible for Jews to keep one Sabbath in the year; and if one why not all? The Russian Jews are said to be the most orthodox of their race, and yet we are informed that the larger part of the Russian Jewish girls work on Saturday, for they “have to.” And we are also informed that irreligion to the extent of atheism is becoming quite common among those Jews. It is no wonder that the rabble say that the Sabbath is the root of the Jewish faith. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.8
The fact that it is possible to keep every Sabbath in the year needed no such proof. In every part of the world, in the large cities, as well as in the villages and the country, there are Seventh-day Adventists, who observe every Sabbath faithfully, and they do not starve. The only thing that makes people “have to” labour on a day which they profess to consider sacred, whether it be the Sabbath or the Sunday, is the fear that they will not make quite as much money as their neighbours. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.9
“The Bible Its Own Evidence” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
“When God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He swear by Himself.” Hebrews 6:13. No one could go security for God, because there was no one greater than He. A man with a very small property would not be asked to go security for a man of great wealth. If we wish security for the fulfilment of a promise, we invariably seek for some one with at least equal power to the one who made the promise. But such an one could not be found to go security for God; so He swore by Himself. He is His own security. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.10
Just as God is His own security, so His word is its own evidence. As no one can be found greater than God, so we can find no work of equal value to His. What folly, then, to look for evidences of the truthfulness of Scripture outside of Scripture itself. Some may say, “What about the fulfilment of prophecy?” Why, that is simply God’s Word fulfilling itself. The noting of the fulfilment of prophecy is not the bringing of evidence in support of the Bible, but is simply the act of looking where it points us. He who does not believe the prophecy from its own statement, will not look where it points, and will not believe it when he sees it fulfilled. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.11
To expect outside evidence and proof of the Bible, is therefore to deny that it is God’s Word, and to dishonour God. It is to deny that God is above all, and ask for a greater than He. Whoever does that, will invariably be deceived, since he is turning to the darkness to find something to augment the light. “Eye have not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10. The Spirit is given to all who believe; therefore “he that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself,” but not from himself. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.12
“Moses and Elias” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
A Spiritualist organ asks, with the air of one who has an unanswerable argument, “How can the appearance of Moses and Elias at the Transfiguration be accounted for, if there is a possibility of intercourse with the dead?” PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.13
Very easily indeed. Elijah never died, but was translated. It is not remarkable that one who never died should be alive and appear on one occasion before the resurrection of the last day. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.14
And as Moses died and was buried, we know that he must have been raised. That he did have a special resurrection is shown by Jude, who describes the controversy which Michael, the Archangel, had with Satan over the body of Moses. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.15
By the same Word of the Lord we know that Spiritualism is what it has always been since the earliest records of witchcraft, intercourse with-not the dead-but the “spirits of devils.” It is such a terrible deception, and is condemned by the Lord as so great an abomination in His sight, that it behoves those who know what it is, and the extent to which its principles are accepted in the religious world, to speak out plainly about it. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.16
“Standing for His Dignity” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
It is very natural for one to feel slighted and offended at some lack of attention or recognition. This is human nature, because naturally man is foolish and wicked. When one who desires to follow the Lord finds himself cherishing such a feeling-whether affront has been intended or not-it is evidence to him that self is not dead and that he must repent of his own wickedness instead of feeling aggrieved at another’s conduct. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.17
This disposition is common to all as men, whether professors of religion or not. It is the universal religion of human nature to display self. But as the Papacy in its very essence is the exaltation of self, it has followed that, as an organisation, it has taken over these natural traits and made a religious system of them. And therefore when the Pope feels that he is not properly recognised he is bound as the head of the system to resent the omission. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 691.18
Of course it is childish and foolish, but the system is founded in opposition to the principles of Christ and that charity which does not take offence. The King of Portugal wishes to visit his uncle, the King of Italy. But the reason why he will not is thus stated by an official organ in Lisbon:— PTUK October 31, 1895, page 692.1
The news that King Carlos would visit Rome induced the Pope to express through its Cardinal secretary, not summons or warning, but only the deep regret with which he would regard the visit of the King to Rome. His Holiness would consider it a personal affront which he did not deserve at the hands of a country to which he had shown so marked a sympathy in difficult circumstances. And in view of this the king of a Catholic nation could not hesitate between a simple and complementary visit dictated by bonds of affection and a gratuitous insult. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 692.2
Thus irritation has been aroused between Italy and Portugal, and friendly relations imperiled. As one of the best informed morning papers remarked, if the Pope acts on this principle “he may one day be responsible for European war.” Many a man starts a little war in his household or neighbourhood by standing for his “dignity,” as his vanity improperly describes it, and it is entirely probable that the dignity of the head of the great Catholic religion will count as a factor in the next great war. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 692.3
“Laying Hold of Man” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
Although Jesus could heal any disease with a single word, He was not content with that when the man full of leprousy came to Him, saying, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” The words, “I will; be thou clean,” would have been amply sufficient to do the cleansing, but more was added. “Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him.” The word showed the power of the Creator, who “spake, and it was;” the touch showed the omnipotent Creator hand in hand with weak humanity. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 693.1
The first definition of the Greek word rendered “touched” is “to fasten, or bind to; to fasten oneself to, cling to, hang on by, lay hold of, grasp, touch.” So we need not imagine Jesus stretching out His hand, and touching the leper with one of His fingers, at arm’s length; but we may see Him coming close to the afflicted one, and laying His hand upon his shoulder, as brother with brother. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 693.2
In this we have an illustration of the statement that “He taketh hold of the seed of Abraham.” Hebrews 2:16, R.V. It showed what was the actual fact, namely, that Jesus, the Son of God, identified Himself with humanity. So in the same chapter which tells of His touching the leper, we read that He healed all that were sick, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” Matthew 8:16, 17. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 693.3
Sympathy lightens suffering, although human sympathy is powerless to take it away. But the sympathy of Jesus is a veritable sympathy; it is really a feeling the same thing. He is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” He takes them upon Himself, that we may be freed from them. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 693.4
“The Word was made flesh.” John 1:14. What flesh was the Word made?—Human flesh, and not the flesh of some particular man or race, to the exclusion of others, but He was made the flesh of human-kind, which is the same in all, for “there is one kind of flesh of men.” 1 Corinthians 15:39. In all things He was “made like unto His brethren.” Hebrews 2:17. At every age of life, at every point of human experience, in every ill and infirmity, He touches us. “Both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one; for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Hebrews 2:11. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 693.5
There is healing in the touch of the Lord. He comes down to our level, that He may elevate us to His level. And He did not sever His connection with humanity when He ascended on high. The same flesh that He had during His earthly ministry, was nailed to the cross; it was that very flesh that was not allowed to see corruption; in that flesh He rose from the tomb; and to all eternity the scars in His hands and feet, and the wound in His side, will show Him be “the Man Christ Jesus.” PTUK October 31, 1895, page 694.1
He was made to be sin for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21. Therefore we can come to Him in confidence, even in our lowest state of degradation, knowing that He cannot despise us, since He is one with us. That is His name, “God with us.” Let us gladly receive Him, that from the companionship we may receive all the blessing that God designs for us. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 694.2
“Items of Interest” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
-The Russian press is said to be showing more than usual unfriendliness to the country. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 702.1
-The Government of Ceylon is contemplating the bridging of Polk’s Strait, separating the island of Ceylon from the mainland of India. The Strait to forty-one miles broad. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 702.2
-Big-gun practice on the coast is said to so terrify lobsters that their claws drop off from sheer fright. Other fish leave the locality of the range in millions to take refuge in the deep sea. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 702.3
-Last year’s drink bill in Victoria was ?3,739,000 for 1,174,000 population. A Melbourne justice reckons that this comes to ?16 per year for each adult male, exclusive of members of abstaining societies. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 702.4
-The Times last week published nearly a page on the Russian persecution of the sect which refuses to bear arms. Count Tolstoy says that more than 460 families have been banished from their homes. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 702.5
-The insurrection in Central China is giving the authorities something to do, and apparently more than they will overdo. The imperial troops sent to quell it number 60,000, while their foes are 800,000 and well armed. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 702.6
-An army of locusts was seen a short time ago on the frontiers of Idaho and Utah in the United States, about twelve miles long and half a mile broad, devastating the country it passed through. Streams were crossed by swimming, or willows were climbed, the weight of the insects bearing down the twigs to the bank on the other side and forming a bridge. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 702.7
-Reports from Turkey show that the trouble there is causing grave anxiety daily. Agitation is under way among the Turks for reform of administrative abuses, and altogether the Sultan is threatened on every side. And the Powers must sustain him or fight among themselves for his possessions. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 702.8
-Cruisers are gathering about the Korean coast to be ready for any emergency there. Russia is bound that no other country shall gain controlling influence in Korea. In Japan the feeling is said to be growing in favour of alliance with Russia for the division of Korea between the two countries. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 702.9
-At the beginning of the reign of Queen Victoria the population of the British Empire as a whole stood at sonic 124,000,000, of whom 25,650,000 inhabited the British Isles, whim the Colonial subjects of European descent numbered some 1,900,000, and the Asiatic race in India some 96,000,000. In the jubilee year the total was some 307,000,000, of whom 37,000,000 inhabited the British Isles; the Colonial subjects of European descent numbered 9,000,000, and the population of the Indian Empire was 256,000,000. During the same period the area of the Empire has increased from some 5,000,000 square miles to quite 9,000,000, of which 1,570,100 were included in the Indian Empire, 7,000,000 in the Colonial, and the rest in various protectorates. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 702.10
“Back Page” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
Reports from Matabeleland state that our missionaries there are hard at work and of good courage. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.1
This is patriotism in Russia. The organ which often directly inspires the Czar’s policy declares: “As soon as we clearly comprehend this and detect England with all the might of our national genius, then will our national genius and growth begin.” PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.2
The Hungarian House of Magnets, after serious deliberation, and by a very narrow majority, have decided that it is permissible to leave or join any communion, or to make a declaration of not professing any particular creed. Only fancy the religious condition of a people every one of whom is compelled to profess a religion! PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.3
Last week the Managing Director of the International Tract Society, Ltd., which publishes the PRESENT TRUTH, was served with fourteen summonses for violations of the Sunday clause of the Factory Act. He is required to appear in court to answer them on Friday, November 1. This will be the third prosecution for Sunday labour. The next issue of PRESENT TRUTH will contain a report of the trial, and in that and following issues we shall again set forth some of the principles involved in the case. We ask our readers to aid us in giving them a wide circulation. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.4
“An Offer Refused” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
The Grindelwald Reunion Conference last summer made a reply to the Pope’s letter to the English people, and the President of the Conference, Dr. J. S. Lunn, has been to Rome to present it to the Pope. The reply bore the signatures of Deans Farrar, Freemantle, and Pigou, and the Presidents of the Free Church Congress and the Baptist and Congregational Unions. Dr. Lunn had an interview with Cardinal Rampolla, who undertook to convey the address to the Pope. The letter expressed his gratitude for the very kind expressions contained in the address, and said that as far as the union in prayers was concerned he was at one with the Conference; but he could not receive the address on account of its doctrinal errors, nor could he receive Dr. Lunn in his official capacity, although he should be glad to receive him personally. The Pope has thus given the Grindelwald Conference a very polite snub. The zealous but misguided workers for reunion must learn that the only way they can unite with Rome is by giving their personal allegiance to its doctrines and to the Pope. They are in a fair way to effect the union they desire, and the Pope knows it, but he proposes that it shall be done according to his plans, and he usually has his way. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.5
The address of the Grindelwald Reunion Conference to the Pope, which is signed by the leading Protestant ministers of England, including representatives of the Anglican, Presbyterian, come Congregationlist, Baptist, and Methodist bodies, is couched in the most affectionate terms, Leo. XIII. being constantly called “your Holiness.” PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.6
In the address the following expressions are found: “We desire to acknowledge the Christian courtesy and the devout aspiration of your Holiness’s letter.” “We acknowledge with gratitude to Almighty God the evidence of a real spiritual unity underlying our differences.” “And lastly, we implore the Father of all mercies that He would in His infinite compassion increase in us all that spirit of brotherly love for our fellow-Christians, which breathes through the letter addressed by your Holiness to the English people.” PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.7
It is true that the address recognises the fact that “our Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the only possible centre of Christian unity,” and that it demurs to “the absorption of Christians in any one communion of the divided Catholic Church;” but this faint demurrer is qualified by the statement, already noted, that spiritual unity does now really exist. Their appeal for reunion, therefore, really amounts to a proposal for a federation. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.8
These ministers are of course at liberty to make what proposals they please, and we do not dream of criticising them for it. But we do wish to call attention to the significance of their action. It shows that Protestantism is rapidly ceasing to be more than a name, and that even the name is being repudiated. Two hundred years ago, and even much later, there was a vast and irreconcilable difference between Protestantism and Catholicism. Catholicism has not changed, and if Protestants are seeking reunion with it, they have only to apologise for the course taken by the Reformers. As the Daily Chronicle says: “Either English Nonconformity and English Churchmen have some account to render of themselves for having adopted distinctive forms and beliefs, or else they are in a position to fall into the hands of the great Roman communion.” The latter seems to be the case. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.9
“A Rising of Christians” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
A Rising of Christians.-A Reuter’s telegram of October 23 says: “The state of affairs in the provinces of Aleppo and Adana is such as to inspire grave fears of a rising of Christians, and consequent bloodshed.” Impossible. When Christians rise no blood is shed, not by them at any rate. A real “rising of Christians” would be a grand thing in any part of the world. Indeed such a rising is absolutely necessary, for the Scripture says to them: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3. That is the only rising that is possible for Christians. If there is a rising of people, and consequent war and bloodshed, it may be set down as a fact that no Christians have any part in it. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.10
“Some Costly Letters” The Present Truth 11, 44.
E. J. Waggoner
Some Costly Letters.-It is often the case that old letters of some distinguished man who has passed away, bring quite large sums of money, and are thus valuable, in a pecuniary sense, to their owners. But the costly letters to which we refer are the letters “D.D.,” after the name of a minister. It transpires, in connection with the refusal of the Bishop of Norwich to receive the degree, that the fees for gaining the right to place those two letters after one’s name, amount to ?78. The Bishop wisely thinks that he can use his money to better advantage. PTUK October 31, 1895, page 704.11