NO STATE, or government, ever yet became religious without doing harm both to religion and to the rights of the people. No state can profess one religion without being against some other religion.AMS September 7, 1899, page 545.1

THE serpent of falsehood will always choose paradise is the place from which to do his speaking, when he can get into it. We cannot accept unguardedly any statement, no matter with how much truth and goodness it is associated, without running grave risk of deception.AMS September 7, 1899, page 545.2

THE antediluvians remained unconcerned on the eve of the day deluge, taking no steps to save themselves from the coming catastrophe; and their mistake has been repeated by men in every age since that time. It is being repeated by many to-day. It is being made by you, if you are engrossed with pleasure-seeking and the service of self. That pathway always ends in an unpleasant surprise.AMS September 7, 1899, page 545.3

THERE are many places in this country—one at least in every State—where a model community exists, so far as it is in the power of law to produce such a community; places where the inhabitants never get drunk, never steal, never commit adultery; where the great majority go to church, and all observe Sunday. Those places are the State penitentiaries. And when people advocate a scheme of reforming society by law, as so many are now doing, it devolves upon them to show what power there is in law to maintain society on a higher moral level that prevails in the penitentiaries.AMS September 7, 1899, page 545.4

THE object of law is to protect man in the enjoyment of their rights. It protects man from one another; it guards each one against encroachment by the others. But it can protect no man against himself—against evil in his own heart. It cannot keep him from doing wrong. And therefore human law cannot undertake to prohibit wrongdoing, as such. It prohibits the wrong-doing when, and only when, that would invade another’s rights. All men have the opportunity to do wrong—they must have it in order to develop character. And there to be judged, and condemned or justified, not now, but at the end of the world; not here, but at the bar of God, and by the law of God. Any human law, therefore, which prohibits a thing merely because it is wrong, or is deemed so, is contrary to the purpose of God, and can work only evil as long as it exists.AMS September 7, 1899, page 545.5

“The Deceptive Spirit of Politics” American Sentinel 14, 35, pp. 545, 546.

ATJ

SINCE writing was printed last week under this heading, an incident has occurred which strikingly illustrates the commingling of religion and politics which has brought the religious world under the spell of a great deception.AMS September 7, 1899, page 545.1

In the press reports the incident is thus described:—AMS September 7, 1899, page 545.2

“Ocean Grove, August 27.—A most extraordinary scene, the climax of the great camp-meetings of the past week, took place to-day when a great crowd was aroused to heights of religious and political enthusiasm.AMS September 7, 1899, page 545.3

“The latter was a result of the visit of President McKinley, which called forth a remarkable address by Dr. A. E. Schell, of New York, corresponding secretary of the Epworth League. He said:—AMS September 7, 1899, page 545.4

“The church militant salutes the nation militant, and recognizes that their mission in duty is to-day are identical—the civilization and evangelization of the world.AMS September 7, 1899, page 545.5

“‘There are more than 1,000,000 young men in the Epworth League alone. No Alexander or Cesar ever had an army like that. We aspire to be the Tenth Legion for any campaign.AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.1

“‘President McKinley may plan for peace at home or peace with honor abroad. These young men with their blood and breeding will march through sand or jungle and fling themselves at a breastwork with a hardihood and a daring that no veteran of the Old Guard or Wellington’s Iron Brigade could surpass.AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.2

“‘He has our prayers to-day. He can have our money to-morrow, and the whole million will enlist the day after if we are needed.’”AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.3

This goes beyond the demonstrations that have been made at the conventions of the great religious bodies of which the Epworth Leagues is a type. But it does not depart from it in principle. It only expresses more fully what is in the principle of glorifying political heroes and political power, and to what the spirit of politics and the church must lead.AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.4

The political spirit which was manifested in the contest for supremacy among the twelve apostles, was renounced by them after it had led them into grievous deception and sin; but the contest for the supremacy was not long kept out of the Christian Church. “Grievous wolves,” foretold by St. Paul, entered into the flock; false teachers, whose aim was to draw away disciples after themselves. The question as to which should be the greatest became again the all-absorbing theme, until finally by an imperial edict, it was settled in favor of the bishop of Rome. He was declared to be the rightful head over all the churches; in recognition of which supremacy he assumed the title “pope.”AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.5

That was the fruit of politics in the early Christian Church. And wherever that spirit comes in, popery is a result, and the only result that can follow. There are many popes in the world besides the chief one who sits in the Vatican at Rome.AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.6

When the spirit of politics came into the early church, in proportion as it came in the spirit of the Lord went out, and the church ceased to be Christian. When finally the political spirit assumed complete control, the church still called herself Christian, but she was teaching abominable error and persecuting the true saints of God.AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.7

The Reformation came and new denominations arose; but in each of them this history was repeated. They began to exalt the human into the place of the divine. In their religious gathering there appeared the contest for supremacy. They directed the Lord’s work by “cut and dried” plans of cliques conceived in human wisdom. They look to men for spiritual guidance rather than to the Word of God. They joined hands with the state and persecuted dissenters. This has been in a substantial degree the history of every prominent religious body that has taken the Christian name down to the present time.AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.8

And now this same subtle spirit continues to work among the followers of Christ, and prepares a fresh and crowning catastrophe. As it led the early disciples to see visions of the kingdom of God to be set up through political agencies, by force, on the earth, so now it leads the multitudes to dream of Christ’s kingdom being set up on the earth through political power. “The kingdom of God,” say the W. C. T. U., “is to enter the realm of law through the gateway of politics.” “The church militant,” says a spokesman of the Epworth League, “salutes the nation militant, and recognizes that their mission is to-day identical;” and he declares that the church forces are ready to fight the battles of the civil power. And the Christian Endeavor Society, Christian Citizenship League, and kindred organizations, have expressed by word or action substantially the same thing.AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.9

And the subtlety of this deception lies very largely in the fact that this political spirit associates itself with so much that is good and true. That was the way it first began its fatal work. Had it not been Lucifer, the exalted one who stood by the throne of God, that introduced it in heaven, the deception might not have extended far among the celestial host. But for the very reason that Lucifer had so much goodness, wisdom, and brightness, the deception did extend until it involved myriads of heavenly beings in eternal ruin. And because the Epworth League, Christian Endeavor Society, and like religious bodies represent so much that is good, and true, and Christian, the political spirit that has crept into their purposes and methods is unsuspected of being evil, and will the more readily do its fatal work to-day. A serpent in Paradise deceive the parents of the race.AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.10

The power represented by the “church militant” joined with the nation militant is political. That union will be made, as was said by the speaker at Ocean Grove, to fulfill the mission of the church in the world. That is to say that it will be done to establish the kingdom of God. And as the kingdom of God was not set up in that way in the days of the apostles, and could not be without going contrary to the spirit of Christianity, so it cannot be established by such means to-day; and as surely as this false conception concerning the kingdom led the disciples of old to forsake their Lord, so surely will it lead disciples of this time away from him, and into even more fatal error.AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.11

When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, the disciples new by what power the Lord would work in the earth for the establishment of his kingdom. They knew then that no political agencies would figure in setting up the reign of righteousness; that it would be “not by might, nor by power,” but by the divine Spirit that had been poured out upon them. That Spirit did not come upon them until there were all “with one accord” assembled in waiting for it; not until every particle of the spirit of controversy, of self-supremacy, of planning for the exaltation of the human—in short, the spirit of politics—had been banished from their midst. And when they received that spirit, that mind was in them which was in Christ, which led him not to exalt himself but to humble himself, even from his position of equality with God, to the likeness of sinful man, to be born in a manger, and after a life of poverty and reproach, to consent to a death upon the cross.AMS September 7, 1899, page 546.12

These two spirits—the spirit of politics and the Spirit of Christ—have been working in the world, the one really and the other professedly and only so, for the setting up of the kingdom of God. They are at work to-day; and as the scheme which involves political agencies gathers magnitude and power, the contest between them will grow in magnitude and intensity. For they have nothing in common, and not the least compromise can be made between them.AMS September 7, 1899, page 547.1

The churches and religious societies are working to fulfill the purpose of God that righteousness shall be established in the earth. But to accomplish this they purpose to reform the civil governments. They purpose to “purify politics.” They purpose to step into the political arena, and by their political power control the elections, and put good men in public office. They will not allow men to get into public office and unless he has their certificate of good character. What will follow from this? What does all history teach will follow, what else can follow, but that on principle politicians, rank hypocrites, will come with pious face knocking at the doors of the church? But will not these good people be able to detect the hypocrites? For answer, we might refer to the experience some of them had a few years ago with Congressman W. C. P. Breckinridge, of Kentucky. He was then a member of Congress, and was their champion in furthering a bill for “purifying” government in the District of Columbia. He was therir noble Christian politician, the type of what the country needed in public office to establish a Christian government. But when by accident they found out what he was, they ceased lauding him and referred to him as “that infamous old libertine.” But the details of that are too well known to need repeating.AMS September 7, 1899, page 547.2

No; human powers of discernment cannot be relied on to detect hypocrisy. Clothed with a pious exterior, it can easily gain admission to the sanctuary. The safety of the church in this regard lies in maintaining the pure principles and practices of Christianity which are repugnant to hypocrisy in all its forms. It lies in maintaining the spirit of self-denial, which makes church membership and undesirable thing for any one of the spirit of the world.AMS September 7, 1899, page 547.3

But there is one agency which can and always does detect hypocrisy, and that is the Holy Spirit. And that is just the work the Holy Spirit will do among the true disciples when it is given them, as it is to be, in full measure. For just as it was in the early church which received the “former rain,” so it will be in the “remnant” church when it receives the “latter rain.” And how was it in the early church? That question is answered by the narrative of Ananias and Sapphira. And when they had been struck dead for their hypocrisy, “of the rest [those like them] durst no man join himself to them,” but “believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.” See Acts 5.AMS September 7, 1899, page 547.4

For the hypocrite, the Christian Church was then the worst of all places to be in,—a place to be gotten out of with all possible speed. And just such the Christian Church will be again when the climax of the great controversy shall be reached, and God’s people are clothed with the divine power to perform their part in that stage of the controversy. And thus will be presented to companies, both religious in profession, both working professedly for the same end, but embodying two opposing spirits,—the spirit of politics in the spirit of Christ; the one glorying in its numbers and political power, the other few in numbers but clothed with the power of God; while hypocrites of every class will be flocking into the one, and flocking out of the other.AMS September 7, 1899, page 547.5

Worldly, political power rises to its greatest height by confederation. Combines are now the order of the day everywhere, and religious combines are almost as prominent as those in the secular sphere. And still further combination and federation is aimed at in the religious world. But the final and greatest combine of all will be when the religious and political forces of the earth join hands, in which the religious world is now being led by the deception that is upon them. That combine will represent great power,—the greatest that the author of deception and the “prince of this world” can muster in the earth. But over and above it all, and far beyond its utmost limits, will be seen the power of God in his people: when his true followers, separated from every unworthy character, and endued with power from on high, it shall stand forth as the true church, “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.”AMS September 7, 1899, page 547.6

The Spirit of Christ, or the spirit of politics—by our choice between them will be determined the position we shall occupy in that day.AMS September 7, 1899, page 547.7

“‘Peacemakers’ for the Philippines” American Sentinel 14, 35, pp. 548, 549.

ATJ

THE president of the official commission from the United States to the Philippines has returned. In published interviews he has made some statements that are of much interest to all who would study and trace the course of national affairs. In the interview published in Chicago Times-Herald, it is said that “he seemed to regard the Talagos, the real rebels, rather than as brave and promising children who had been led astray by bad counsels and who would be all the better when their castigation at the hands of the United States soldiery had put them in a position to appreciate the real meaning of the coming American rule.”AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.1

That he more than “seemed” to regard them as children is plain from the fact that he plainly said in the interview as published: “It will not do to consider the natives in the same way you would fully civilized peoples. They are to be regarded more as children. The great difference between such half-civilized peoples and the fully-civilized races is that the former lack an adequate sense of fact. They are easily led astray.”AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.2

And so the United States must become altogether a paternal government, for the sake of these misguided children on the other side of the earth, and by live libera [sic.], “castigation at the hands of the United States soldiery” give them “an adequate sense of fact,” and so put them in a position to appreciate the real meaning of American rule. Then how long will it be before this same paternalism will be exercised at home to convey to people here “an adequate sense of fact” and teach these too how to appreciate the real meaning of American rule. Indeed we do not need to ask how long; for the thing has already begun and is steadily going on.AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.3

And it is American rule, do not forget. Now and henceforth it must be borne in mind that the President of United States is a ruler: not a presiding officer, to learn and execute the will the people; but a ruler, a pater patre, to decide what is best for the children of the State, and deal it out accordingly.AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.4

However, it is on the subject of the Filipinos and the Catholic Church that Commissioner Schurman makes statements that reveal a new and interesting feature of the American-Philippines matter.AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.5

One of these statements is that “the armies on both sides are very apt to use the church buildings as headquarters or barracks, because the churches of the most strongly built structures.” Now since only last year the United States Government paid to the Methodist Church South $484,000 for the occupancy of only one building that belonged to that church during the war of Secession, is it likely that the Catholic Church will fail to use the precedent? Will she not most surely present her claim to damages in the case of every church building and every piece of church property that has been in any way occupied or used by the United States in the Filipino war? And since the Methodist Episcopal Church South obtained $484,000 for the occupancy of only one piece of church property, how much will the Catholic Church probably get for the occupancy of all the pieces of church property touched in the Filipino war?AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.6

Another statement is, “I think it would be one of the best things that could happen if many Catholic priests would go to Luzon, as they would undoubtedly have a great influence for good, and I have written some of my Roman Catholic friends, telling them how strongly I feel about it.” He says that the Filipinos all insist that they are “devout Roman Catholics,” however much they may be opposed the religious orders and Spanish priests in the islands.AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.7

The Times-Herald explains and approves president Schurmans plans in the following words:—AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.8

“Professor Schurman’s discussion of the church question in the Philippines is of great importance in its bearing on the general situation. It presents a delicate and intricate problem which must be carefully studied if it is to be solved satisfactorily.AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.9

“In order to understand it we must go back of the origin of the Tagalo insurrection against Spain. This we found in the ill-treatment of the natives by the friars. Four religious orders had acquired possession of the immense tracts of country, and their members abused their powers in various ways. They finally exercised a tyranny in which there was confiscation, corruption of the courts and desecration of the home.AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.10

“When we succeeded to Spain’s title to the island by treaty we assumed the obligation to maintain property rights is the were. But that Tagalo had determined upon reprisals. He proposed to despoil the friars. When, therefore, his leaders told him that the United States would not consent to this the conclusion was accepted that the Americans were prepared to become the champions of the old abuses.AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.11

“The question is complicated by the fact that notwithstanding his hatred of the religious orders, the Tagalo is a devout Catholic. His complaint is not against the church as a whole, but against the offending orders only. Hence it will be necessary to persuade him that we are neither the friends of the friars nor the enemies of Catholicism. In the opinion a Professor Schurman our best advocates would be American Catholic priests.AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.12

“The professor cites the experience of Father McKinnon, chaplain of the California regiment, to show how easy it would be to avail ourselves of such an agency. The father has been given a parish by the Archbishop of Manila, and will enter upon his duties with the greatest enthusiasm. Other appointments of a similar nature might be procured without difficulty, and there would soon be in numerous body of the most influential peacemakers at work in the islands.AMS September 7, 1899, page 548.13

“Those priests would be equally loyal to church and country. They would speak with authority to the natives, and our interests might safely be confided to their care. They could explain as no one else could why we were constrained to respect property rights, and at the same time they could and would make it clear that though church and state were separated in this country the former had nothing to fear from the latter. They would show how the church had flourished here, how it had expanded and grown with the growth of the nation and enjoyed with all others the blessings of liberty and equality under the law.”AMS September 7, 1899, page 549.1

This phase of the Philippine situation offers the best possible opening for the Catholic Church to secure a further hold upon the United States Government, and a permanent recognized place in national affairs. For as certainly as this scheme is accepted by the Catholic Church, and her priests do become these “most influential peace-makers at work in the islands,” so certainly this Government will be obliged to make for such service returns that will be as detrimental to the nation as they will be advantageous to the church. For it should never be forgotten that always it has been so that the “peace” of which Rome is the author is only the greater destruction to all concerned. From the beginning of Rome’s career it has been written that “by peace” she “shall destroy many” and she should “destroy wonderfully.”AMS September 7, 1899, page 549.2

A. T. J.

“Back Page” American Sentinel 14, 35, p. 560.

ATJ

A RELIGIOUS government must be a government in which one person is religious for another—the majority for the minority. And this Christianity demands that each person be religious for himself, and denies that one person can represent another in religion, it follows that a religious government cannot possibly be a Christian government.AMS September 7, 1899, page 560.1

THE liberty to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, without molestation, is a part of the civil liberty which is every individual’s right by creation. And when civil liberty is denied an individual, religious liberty, in this sense, is denied with it. To deny the principle of government by consent of the governed, is to deny religious liberty, in the sense in which the SENTINEL has considered it. Religious liberty in its truer sense, as meaning liberty in Christ, cannot be taken away from any person without his consent; it is enjoyed inside the prison cell as well as in the house of worship. But freedom from state interference in religious belief and practise, is a freedom which rests directly on the principle that just government is by the consent of the governed. Deny that principle, take away from an individual the liberty of self-government, and you take away that person’s religious freedom. He cannot possibly be free to act as he sees fit in matters pertaining to religion, and at the same time not be free to so act in the secular concerns of life. There was never in all history an instance where one person was governed by another in civil affairs, where he was not also governed in religion by that other person, or at least the right to govern him in religion was assumed by the governing individual. In all governments which have not been by the consent of the governed, church and state have been united, laws for governing the people in religion have been in force, and people who asserted their religious freedom have had to do so in defiance of the government, and at the cost of the penalty which the state saw fit to inflict.AMS September 7, 1899, page 560.2

Now, the Government of United States is denying the principle of government by consent of the governed in the case of the Filipinos. In doing this it is denying to people the right of religious freedom. And as religious freedom is the right of every person, black as well as white, savage as well as civilized, and as the SENTINEL stands for this principle, and has stood for it from the first, it cannot but declare itself against the governmental policy of imperialism; and in so doing it is not departing from the stand it has always taken, and is not going into politics.AMS September 7, 1899, page 560.3

August 31, 1899

September 14, 1899