(364-371) THE Father has opened my eyes to the truth concerning the vow. Sister Frances Thompson has written you in her letter about our experiences, so it will not be necessary for me to repeat them. I have made the vow my own, and have been rejoicing in the blessings and help derived therefrom. It seemed such a foolish thing to think of taking a Vow like that. Why did I want to pledge myself, or tie myself up to a vow? But thanks to the dear Father for his loviug kindness and favor towards me. He has shown me that I was WATCH TOWER Brooxiyn, N. Y. the foolish child, and that the vow was just what I needed. To me it is just a line of suggestion of how to carry out our consecration. This is what I have needed for so long, but did not know it. It has made me more watchful of my words and thoughts and actions. It has been the means of pulling me beck into Hine when this mean old self would come to the front and demand its rights. It has caused me to rely on the assistance of the promised grace to help in every time of need. SISTER SCHEIDLER, THIS IS MY WILL FOR THEE Just to hear my dear Master say. “Phis is My will for thee,” Yhen to whisper the dark night through, “This is His will for me.” Just to keep in the narrow way, Painful howe’er it he: Just to follow Him day by day-— All shall be well with me. Just to joyfully bear the pain, All that He sendeth me; VoL. XANT BROOKLYN, N. Y., DECEMBER 1, 1910 Just to satfor the seorn and shame— Trust where I cannot see. Just to hear, when the day i> long, “This is My will for thee;” Then shall my faith and love grow strony— Knowing His will for me. Oh, to hear, when the work is done, “This is My will for thee— Faith and Patience and Love have won— Nit mm my throne with Me!? G. WLS. No. 23 LABOR AND ANTI-MILITARISM The growing sentiment of anti-militarisin is now noticeable in almost every country in Europe. The trials and troubles of the British recruiting sergeants have been described at length by these “harpies” of the army, who, with multi-colored ribbons, flying from their headgear, and a braggadocio swagger, lure unsophisticated yokels to accept the “Queen’s shilling.” That it is by appeals to their vanity and not to any intelligent appreciation of the merits of the case is amply demonstrated by the study of the birthplaces of those who make up the personnel of many Scottish regiments when the preponderance of those entitled to wear the kilts will be found to be natives of countries outside of Scotland. Today the great plaint of those interested in the upkeep of Scottish traditions ig that although the regiments who don the picturesque garb of varions clans are quite numerous, there are not more than two who have not a large admixture of others than sons of Caledonia. All the dialects found between Giants Causeway and the Cove of Cork can be found in one regiment, and the Forty-second, better known as the Black Watch, is a Babel. All of these facts are in themselves straws showing the decadence of “loeal” patriotism, and indicative of the waning devotion of those martial pursuits that in the past have formed so thrilling a theme of song and story. That it is the costume rather than the much vaunted love of country that attracts was unanimously the verdict of the recruiting sergeants in England, tacitly given, of course, when they declaimed so loudly against Khaki replacing the brilliant red coat, because of its deterrent effect upon prospective animated packages of food for powder. The practical suppression by the newspapers of all news regarding the opposition in different countries to military service is a recognition of its development and a realization that if the reports of outbreaks from time to time be allowed free circulation the effect will necessarily be antagonistic to the exploiting class, The riots in various parts of Spain at the different ports from which reinforcements were being shipped to Melilla for the Morocean campaign were protests on the part of those who, awakening from the hypnotism of past generations, realize that war is prosceuted only for the gratification of those desiring profit therefrom, and all the talk about the “defense of honor,” upholding the flag, freedom’s cause. are 8o many catchpenny phrases that have outlived their usefulness. The increase of Socialistic philosophy in Germany, with its concomitant anti-militarism. goes on apace despite the outbursts of censure from the Kaiser stigmatizing these subjects as “vaterlandlos,” ete. It is very likely that an impasse may be reached in the kingdom of Prussia in 1912. There are reports current that the army will be mobilized in that vear, which means temporary disfranchisement, whereby a diminution of the Socialist vote may be affected and candidates more favorable to imperialistic policies elected. There is this “fly in the ointment”—the fear is felt, and more or less openly voiced, that, inasmuch as the supporters of Bebel, Singer, Auer, et al.. know the motive for the mobilization is because those deprived of the privilege of voting are opposed to the present regime, a coup d’etat would very proba ~ VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER bly be, not only attempted, but carried to a successful issue. It is not very generally known by the world at large who do not read Labor’s papers that when Sweden and Norway dissolved partnership there was a strong element among the }ingoistically inclined for a resort to a trial by combat, and that it was averted as a result of the conferences between the workingmen’s unions of the two countries deciding that their members would refrain from so fratricidal a war. Much praise was given to the late King Oscar concerning his tact and diplomacy in that controversy, but he was merely the Deus ex machina of the commonsense workingmen of the two countries interested. In Canada all the available machinery of press and pulpit has been called into requisition for the purpose of engendering the war fever; but this propaganda, though most extensive, has not met with much favor, and as a consequence Canadians have been called “ingrates” to the Mother Land. Why should this country burden herself with the expenses incident to floating junk piles in the shape of battleships, cruisers, torpedo-boat destroyers? Junkpile may be considered a wrong term to use for these Leviathans of the sea. but let the inquisitive look into the cost. life and final restingplaces of these monuments to man’s stupidity! THE WORM AT THE SOCIAL CORE The Rev. Dr. Charles Townsend, of Orange, was one of the speakers at the Park Presbyterian Church Men’s Club banquet recently and told this story of one of the troubles of the original ancestor: “Adam had eaten the elaborate repast furnished by his helpmeet with every indication that he relished every morsel. He complimented her upon the dainty manner in which the blue-points were served, the flavor of the puree of pea, the seasoning of the fish and entree, and finallv reached a delicious salad. Adam paused, and with a worried look on his face, he demanded of Eve where she found the ingredients. She enumerated all except the lettuce. ‘Where did you get those leaves?’ he demanded. ‘Why, they were lying on a bush in the back vard’ she replied, sweetly. ‘Well, they were my best Sunday trousers.’ sobbed Adam, adding, ‘Ah, woe is man,’ which was corrupted into ‘Woman, the term by whieh we know Eve's daughters.”—Newark Star. * * * The above is a fair sample of clerical wit. It is also valuable as a finger-post pointing the way, showing how the Bible account of creation has been abandoned by Presbyterian orthodoxy and has become ridiculous, silly and absurd even to those who profess to believe the Bible is an “inspired book.” —The Philistine. Is it any wonder that the rising generation thinks lightly of the holy Scriptures when all the modern ministers and brightest college professors make light of its statements? Yet these men think that thev are but doing their duty to benighed people who have not enjoved their opportunities of examining the Bible along the lines of Higher Criticism. They do not wish to be sacrilegious. They have themselves lost all faith in the Bible and cannot always keep up an outward pretense of respect for it. The effect upon Christendom is growing terrible. The God [4718]
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