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Freruary 1, 1900 of worldly business with sectarian Christians and others. The Apostle seems to imply this point in 1 Cor. 5:10, But we would sincerely regret to be understood as advising countenancing or having any sympathy with the kind of boys’ clubs described by our sister’s letter. Far better that the Christian boy should have no use of gymnastic appliances, or ZION’S WATCH TOWER (51-52) that he should construct some for his own use; far better that he should never mingle with other boys at all, than that he should run the least risk of having his heart polluted; for we remember how broadly applicable are the Apostle’s words, “Evil communications corrupt good manners.”—1 Cor, 15:53. —Eprror. | VoL. NXT ALLEGHENY, PA., FEBRUARY 15, 1900 4 > He VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER PULPIT VIEWS ON THE MILLENNIUM The Philadelphia press recently interviewed the ministers of Pennsylvania and New Jersey on the subject of the Muillennium, asking:—Do you believe that the Biblical Millennium as at hund? The majority of the responses denied faith in a Millennium, some expressed an expectation that the churches would bring it about by missionary effort, and a few declared faith in a reign of Christ nea: at hand, as follows:— Rev. William MeNally, Harrisburg, Pa., has made a careful study ot the “Millennium” question. He says:— “J believe that the millennium period is near—that we are living in the ‘last days,’ foretold in the Bible. The prophecies are all heme tultilled and the signs of the time all indicate it. There are ‘wars and rumors of wars’ now; there is moral laxity everywhere; the average church attendance is startlingly small, only 36 people out of every 100 attend any church in this country. There ig moral and political corruption. “All of these things indicate the approach of the millennium, as anyone may see by looking up the references in the Bible on this subject. ©The niliennium will not be brought about by any human agency. We alc not growing better.” Rev. Clarence E. Eberman, Lancaster, Pa., pastor of the Moravian church and president of the Pennsylvania Christian Endeavor Union said:— “Sentiment or speculation can decide very little on this great question, The Bible alone offers the authoritative teaching. 1 believe confidently that Christ is coming again and that his second advent will usher in his kingly reign of a thousand years upon this earth.” Rev. George Fulton, Lebanon, Pa., pastor of the Fourth Street Presbyterian church, said:— “I believe that the evidence of the nearness of the millennium 1s stronger than ever before. Signs have been found in every generation since Christ’s ascent that pointed to his coming. The principal proois are wars and earthquakes, distress of nations, sea and waves roaring, lawlessness and iniquity prevailing to an alarming degree. The Bible says ‘When the Gospel of the kingdom shali have been preached to all the world as a witness unto all nations, then cometh the end’ This is a sign. It belongs only to our own age and the evidence here is strong. Another sign is the prophetic movement.—the restoration of Israel which has begun.” Rey. Svdney N, Ussher, West Chester, Pa., rector of the Church of the Sure Foundation, said:— “The Millenmum is a divine conception, with Scripture the only source of light and authority. No definite time is stated therem. I believe, however, the world is fast preparing for it.” Rev. William J. Houck, Carlisle, Pa., pastor of Grace United Brethren church, says:— “[ believe that the Biblical millennium is at hand.” Rev. M. E. MeLann, Bloomsburg, Pa., pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran church, says:— “IT am certain that a great change is imminent. Everything points clearly to a mighty social and religious upheaval and reconstruction. The very fact that this subject occupies men’s thoughts so largely and that the ‘secular press’ asks the question is proof of it to me.” Pastor F, Jonte Stanley, of the First Presbyterian church, Atlantic City, N. J., believes “that the signs of the times, as [ read them, point to the millennium as not being far off. One of the indications is the gathering of the Jews at Palestine; another that the Gentiles hear the Gospel the world over, and still another is that the nations are coming together commercially, intellectually and religiously.” Rev. W. W. Moffett, D. D., Lambertville, N. J., pastor of the Centenary M. E. church, says:— “The trend of revelation on the subject of the millennium seems to teach that a time will come in the history of the world when the Gospel shall dominate all nations and Jesus shall reign in the majority of human hearts. To the close student of the world to-day there seem to be many indications that this happy period may be enjoyed in the near future.” Rev, Dr. James Lisk, Bordentown, N. J., pastor ot the Baptist church, says:— “As to your first question, I certainly do so believe. However students of the Word may interpret your phrase ‘Biblieal millennium,’ there can be littie doubt that some icat change is soon to take place. The divine programme is beng rapidly completed, so iar as the present order of things 1» concerned. Prophecy is rapidly being fulfill-d.”’ * * * The majority of those who saw no evidence of a Millew nium meant that thev saw no evidence of tle speedy conversion of the world to such a condition that God's will would be done on earth even as in heaven. And in this we must commend their judgment as sound. But alas! that so many should be so deluded by human theory as to so misunderstand the plain statements ot God's Word—that Christ’s Millennial reign is for the very purpose of svbduing all things. (1 Cor. 15:25, 26, 28) False ideas of the “kingdom” and of the “Judgment day,” and imperfect views of the character and scope of the atonement, are at the bottom of this blindness to the signs of our times. METHODIST FIGURES FOR 1899 Rev. A. B. Sanford. D. D., editor of the “Methodist Year Book,” says in “The Philadelphia Methodist,”— “Your readers may be interested to hear concerning the total membership of the church for 1899, as the statistics have been prepared for the new “Methodist Year Book,” now passing through the press. In some measure, the result is preliminary, since the receipt of the figures fiom a few recent fall conferences will slightly change the additions thar later appear in the General Minutes. The “Year Book” totals will not, however, be greatly affected, and show a decrease in members and probationers during the past vear amounting to 21,934. In the analysis of this result, several interesting facts appear, “1, The increase in full members through the whole church has been but 6,661. It is a serious fact that such strong bodies as the New England, the New York. the Philadelphia, the Central Pennsylvania, the New Jersey and the Wilmington Conferences suffered considerable losses, the decrease in these instances varying from the minimum of 1,368, to the maximum of 2,436. “2. The decrease of probationers in the year 1899 has been 28,595. “3. This decrease in members and probationers is accompanied by a decline in Sunday School scholars during 1899 of 16,716. It is a noticeable fact that the decline in Sunday School scholars thus oceurs in the spring conferences. which as a body contribute a total loss in probationers of 22 572. “It may be said in conciusion, that the net decline in members and probationers of 21.934 is the first positive decline that has occurred since 1881. and, with that exception, since the year 1863. The above facts are serious, but are such as it may be wholesome, for the church to know.” * * * We do not rejoice in such evidences of a decline in denominationalism: nor do we expect it to continue. If the losses of denominationalism meant that God’s children were getting out into the liberty wherewith Christ makes free in deed, then we would rejoice. But only a small proportion of the present decline can he credited to the spread of present truth. It means, therefore, indifference, worldliness. It will not surprise us if in the near future a Trust Churchianity will have a season of great prosperity, lasting unt the grand collapse which the Seriptures declare will be sudden. PROPOSED FEDERATION OF PROTESTANT CHURCHES IN GERMANY Prof. Beyschlag has issued an appeal to German Protestants which is heing regarded favorably by many of them. It tends in the direction of the general religious federation we have long been expeetmmg—which will revive religions tyvianny and suppress religious Hberty and stiile present truth; but [2577]