VIEWS FROM THE WATCH TOWER.
----------
TWO thousand carrier-pigeons collected from various parts of Germany by the German government, sent to Dover, England, and there set free to see how many of them could be relied on to return quickly to their homes, is but a trifling incident of itself; but it has created a great commotion in England. It is interpreted to indicate that the German Emperor is considering the possibilities of a war with Great Britain; and desires to know how he could keep in communication with his army after it had landed on British soil, supposing that the telegraph cables would be destroyed or under British control. The matter was taken up in Parliament, but it was decided that the affront was of so peculiar a character that no notice could be taken officially by the Government.
In our opinion it is one of Emperor William's strategic bluffs, by which he is pleased frequently to startle the world, and keep himself in notice as a central figure --the arbiter of peace or war. It is an offset to the "Jubilee" show by Britain of a war fleet greater than that of all other European nations combined. It perhaps merely suggests,--"Britishers, when thinking of your naval strength, remember that others have greater army-strength."
But it nevertheless indicates the love of the grandson Emperor for his grandmother Queen; and indicates that the present-day inclination to peace on the part of the so-called Christian nations and rulers, springs not generally from any change of hearts or renewal of right spirits within the rulers or the masses, but from changed conditions which make results extra hazardous, as well as very expensive.
Theoretically both grandson and grandmother reign "by the grace of God;" i.e., they claim to hold power not from the peoples whom they govern, but as rulers divinely commissioned and set over the people, as representatives of the Kingdom of Heaven: and similarly all the kings and emperors of Europe claim. Yet, in the light of these false claims, how absurd are propositions of war like the above, and all the unholy wars the accounts of which cover the pages of "Christendom's" history.
* * *
An English journal, The Morning Star, is responsible for the report that Queen Victoria recently said to a minister of the Church of England,--"I am looking for the coming of our Lord, and I do not think it impossible that I may not have to surrender my crown [R2200 : page 239] till I shall lay it down at his feet."
It is pleasant to be assured that one of the potentates of earth is looking for the Heavenly King and his Kingdom of righteousness, even tho her words imply that she sees the subject comparatively obscurely. Only his special "friends" know that the Great King is already present, is assuming his great power and is about to use it as a rod of iron in dashing to pieces the human systems of church and state which falsely, and often ignorantly, call themselves by his name,--Christian governments and churches. Only these realize that the judgment of these man-made systems is now in progress. Only these have been served by the Master through his instrumentalities with the "meat in due season" for the household of faith. (Luke 12:37.) Only these know how to interpret the growing confusion and darkness coming upon the nominal churches, and the forboding "clouds" of trouble causing distress of nations with perplexity, and making men's hearts to fail them for fear in looking forward to the things coming [R2200 : page 240] upon the earth. Only these are able to see through these events to the blessings they presage, to the Church first, and to all the families of the earth later on. Only these therefore are able to lift up their heads and rejoice, knowing that their redemption draweth nigh.
* * *
Many odes and poems were written in commemoration of the Queen's Jubilee; but one of the last, and less boastful than many, seems to meet with general appreciation. It is styled "Recessional," as indicating thoughts on the conclusion of the Jubilee, and has just been published. It is as follows:--
JUBILEE RECESSIONAL.
----------
"God of our fathers, known of old--
Lord of our far-flung battle-line--
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine--
Lord God of Hosts be with us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
"The tumult and the shouting dies--
The captains and the kings depart--
Still stands thine ancient Sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts be with us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
"Far-called our navies melt away--
On dune and headland sinks the fire--
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
"If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe--
Such boasting as the Gentiles use
Or lesser breeds without the Law--
Lord God of Hosts be with us yet,
Lest we forget--lest we forget!
"For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard--
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding calls not Thee to guard--
For frantic boast and foolish word.
Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord! Amen.
--Rudyard Kipling."
JEWISH INVESTIGATION.
----------
"A curious movement is on foot among the Jews in one or two of the provinces of South Russia, which may result in an important religious revival. A number of pious Israelites are establishing associations for the reading and study of the Scriptures, both in the homes of the people and in their public assemblies. Much attention will be devoted to the prophetical books of the Old Testament, and to investigating the claims of Christians that Jesus of Nazareth has in his life and work and death been the fulfiller of many utterances of the prophets which have for so long been stumbling blocks to the Jews. It is further reported from Russia that a deeper religious feeling than has hitherto characterized them is noticed among the Karaim Jews of the Crimea. This sect of Israelites reject the Talmud as in any sense binding on them, their only sacred scriptures being the Old Testament. They are only found in the Crimea and in one or two isolated districts in Western Russia."--The Independent.
This is a favorable indication. The Talmud stands between the Jew and God's Word just as the creeds and decrees of Synods and Councils stand between Christians and the Word. Nothing must be allowed to separate between us and the inspired Word if we would walk in the Light. Whatever "helps" really point us to the Bible as the only authority, and assist us in rightly dividing it, are profitable to us as servants and guides: but that which attempts to be to us instead of God's Word is a dangerous foe.
====================