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Vou. XXVI ALLEGHENY, PA., DECEMBER 1, 1905 No. 23 VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER THE SEA AND THE WAVES ROARING The daily press has kept us all informed respecting the turmoils in Russia. What a pity that reasonable concessions could not be secured from the Government without such confusion and bloodshed. To those who view matters from the standpoint of the Bible the cause is plain: selfishness on the part of all concerned. We do not expect the complete overthrow of the monarchy at present, however, but rather that matters will soon settle down on a higher basis, but still an unsatisfactory one. Indeed the poor world is too selfish to be satisfied with anything reasonable or possible under present conditions. Not until wearied by vain endeavors will men be in a proper condition even for the Millennial kingdom—which will be an autocracy, and for a time quite unsatisfactory to some—until they learn of the great blessings therefrom because of the perfect rulers and their divine laws, backed by Justice, Wisdom, Love and ower. Two effects of the Russian agitation may be expected: (1) The igniting of violence elsewhere, as in Austria and Finland. (2) Then a reaction, the subsidence of turmoil in Russia and then a temporary opposition to lawlessness everywhere. The educated and comfortably well-to-do will soon realize that anarchy is of doubtful advantage to anybody, and especially to themselves, The weight of their influence, swinging to the side of government and law and order, will secure peace for a time. Let us remember to expect various outbreaks at intervals, but that the general collapse of all governments in anarchy is not to be expected before the close of 1914 a. p. What has occurred in Russia is but a circumstance compared to what we expect at that time; but it gives us a picture, nevertheless, THE POOR JEWS SUFFER It is notable that the poor Jews suffered in the Russian massacres more than others. One public press dispatch from Odessa says:— “Up to the present time no Christian shops or homes have been touched. The principal hotels are full of the better class of Jews seeking refuge. There was a veritable reign of terror on October 31. After the Emperor’s manifesto granting a constitution to Russia had been published the Jews made the Russians furious with rage by making a prominent display of red flags, trampling on a portrait of the Emperor and tearing down the emblem of the crown. Late in the afternoon there was firing in the outskirts of the town and the massacre of Jews commenced and lasted during the night of November 1. All Jews found in the streets were severely beaten and many were killed in their shops, which were ruthlessly pillaged. A leading consul, in an interview, argued that the disturbances were the result of the behavior of the Jews, who shocked Russian patriotism by the manner in which they celebrated on Tuesday the publication of the imperial manifesto. The Liberals contend that the Governor had all the means to stop the outbreak in the first hour, and that his inactivity during the three days of massacre and his protection of the murderous rabble in the guise of patriots prove the real origin of the trouble.” ‘PROUD AND STIFF-NECKED’’ True to the Bible’s description the Jews are still a “stiffnecked generation.” Bright, persevering, resourceful, economical, money-makers, they prosper where others except Orientals would starve. But this very success excites the envy and hatred of their less frugal neighbors. Keen money-lenders, and not always just, the money-borrowers of Russia would be pleased to see them killed or driven out of the country. Some of them, indiscreet as well as proud, are offensively boastful and arrogant and boisterous. We were witnesses of such things in this very city of Odessa in 1891 and wondered at their unwisdom. All mankind are fallen, but not all in the same manner or degree. What the whole world needs is the restitution which God has promised, and the Jews will doubtless progress as well or better than others under the Millennial government and assistance. In the meantime only the spirit of Christ will properly offset the fallen disposition of any of us. “THE WRATH OF MAN SHALL PRAISE HIM’ Socialism, the coming power in the world when it later shall turn to anarchy, will be like dynamite to the whole civilized structure, political, social, financial and religious. Many of its theories are good, but wholly impracticable under present selfish conditions: because organized wealth will permit anarchy rather than allow Socialists to carry out all their schemes. [3671] Meantime many well-meaning and fairly intelligent men are lending their voices and influence to Socialism, not seeing the outcome—not having the light of God’s Word on the subject. It is not for us to oppose these, however, for two reasons: (1) We have a more important work—the proclaiming of the good tidings and assisting in the perfecting of the saints. (2) We incline to think that Bocialiste are “the Lord’s great army,” though not soldiers of the cross nor followers of the “Captain of our Salvation.” As the Lord has all along permitted the wrath of men and of devils to work out features of his plan, so we believe he will permit men now to delude themselves into the greatest calamity which ever befell humantiy: “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” O, how glad we are that God will make man’s extremity his opportunity for bringing in the golden age—the kingdom of his dear Son! SOCIALISM HERE AND IN BRITAIN America and Great Britain are behind the other civilized nations as respects Socialism, because of more elastic and liberal laws. But discontent and aggressiveness are being cultivated in these lands by the wonderful prosperity which has heaped vast treasures in the hands of a comparatively smal] number; and by the fear that the end of this way will mean the eventual slavery of the masses to “plutocracy.” In consequence a socialistic propaganda is making rapid headway—as never before. The elections just held give a suggestion of the rapidity of the growth of Socialism. These voters have no thought of anarchy, but as they become enthused by the Socialist propaganda they will be led step by step to one and another extreme of word and deed to bring it about. The Lord’s people do well to remember that Socialism is not the hope set before us, and that time and thought and effort devoted to it are taken from the higher work given them as ambassadors for God and evangels of the kingdom of Christ and its reign of righteousness and blessing which shall be unto all people. GERMANY’'S REACTIONARY ALLIANCE Germany, the hotbed of Socialism, is experiencing just now @ reaction. A National Alliance against Social Democracy has been started recently and already its effects are manifest. We give a resume of the objects of the Alliance, translated from one of its widely distributed circulars, as follows :— “On May 9, 1904, the National Alliance against Social Democracy was instituted in Berlin, having for its aim to unite for the impending struggle against the revolutionary aspirations of Social Democracy all those Germans who are loyal to their emperor and the empire, irrespective of their religious and political views. Although in existence for only a short time, no fewer than 55,000 members have joined the Alliance. “Objects of the Alliance:—-(1) To create compact organizations against Social Democracy at such places suitable for the purpose. (2) To combat by word and pen the activity of Social Democracy directed against the overthrow of the existing States and social order. (3) To bring about united action of all civil parties at elections in such districts as are endangered by Social Democracy. (4) To render all the assistance possible to the workmen and traders oppressed by Socialistic terrorism. (5) To establish a solid connection between all those unions and organizations pursuing like and similar aims.” * * * This movement has put the Socialists on the defensive. Already they have lost heavily in some electoral] districts. The effect will be to measurably check the movement for a little while, giving it a chance to grow in other quarters. We have every confidence that the end of the “times of Gentiles” in Oct., 1914, will find Socialism not only fully developed but changed to Anarchism, as the Word implies. A ROMAN ARCHBISHOP’S BOAST Of Power to Forgive Sins, to Create Christ in the Host and Sacrifice Him in the Mass. Declares these Greater than Creative Powers The Albany Telegram publishes the following extract from the pastoral letter of Cardinal Klatschthaler, Prince Archbishop of Salzburg, Austria. It is worthy of publication only as a curiosity and an illustration of how men can be deluded by false doctrines, especially after they have become hoary with age and weighty with many and influential adherents. This man, it will be seen, overestimated the stupidity of his countrymen, even in Catholic Austria. Thanks be unto God, that although priesteraft still flourishes in the Protestant clergy and though it still is often arrogant and self-assuming, yet it is a vast improvement over this example of the domineering arrogance of the “dark ages.” The extract follows:— (355-356)