things" he had against them and in each instance he also closed with the words: "To him that overcometh will the reward be given." I have tried to answer these questions according to Jesus' example, "What saith the scriptures, but wisdom is justified of her children.

Paul was a learned man when chosen by God to bear his "name far hence to the Gentiles," but the twelve disciples are conceded by all to have been ignorant, or unlearned men and the question was asked of Jesus Himself, "How knoweth this man letters having never learned?" and Paul said "I determined to know nothing but Jesus and Him crucified." So that in Jesus Christ neither education (like circumcision) nor the want of it "availeth any thing," but a new creature.

As I happen to have before me "The Watch Tower," of October 15, 1912, I shall here quote from Pastor Russell what he said at that time (I'm careful to give dates of quotation, hoping my reader will investigate and see whether or not I quote correctly). On page 327, middle of last column, he says: "We are still in the waiting attitude so that the Lord can indicate his will in the matter to us. We believe that the year 1915 will be even more wonderful than the present. We fully believe that the year 1914 will see the end of the Gentile Time, for we cannot find even one flaw in our Bible chronology. But we do not claim infallibility; to err is human. If therefore the Father permits us to blunder in respect to His word in this matter, nevertheless, He will undoubtedly have a great blessing for us. And if it should be that the

year 1914 should not mark the close of the Gentile Time, we would still believe that the time could not be very far distant, etc." I see nothing in this statement that would be displeasing to God who so often bade us watch. I will add however that Pastor Russell's interpretation as published in "The Watch Tower" is at times so at variance with my own views of the same theme that I had to discontinue the paper, not that I claim infallibility for my own, but I regard no human "Authority" as binding, and while others may be more correct, I shall rely on no other guide than that promised by Jesus. "The Spirit of Truth" a privilege offered all but a privilege none should use except in the most careful and reverent manner.

Pastor Russell seemed to have a very strong faith which worketh by love (Galatians 5:6) and love was Mr. Moody's theme as well as that of Mrs. Eddy and Pastor Russell. I heard the latter in two lectures of over one hour each, and do not remember to have heard one word of criticism except of creeds. I have also heard some of our most noted Bible lecturers Dr. Talmage, and Prof. John Kohne among others, and so far as I'm a judge, Pastor Russell was not less proficient in his subject than they were in theirs and more I could not say.

XIV.

BILLY SUNDAY.

Having commented on the best beloved and most hated religious leaders of our time, we must not fail to speak of Billy Sunday, than whom perhaps no greater evangelist has ever lived. And the work he has done and is now doing is so glorious and far reaching that only eternity will be able to give the results. One of his wittiest and most pertinent retorts was lately related in "The Christian Herald," in which it was said that when he was told that certain college professors and students had remarked that they didn't like his methods, Billy Sunday replied: "They do not like my methods? Ah, that is too bad; but then, neither does the devil."

But he must give his Satanic majesty much joy when he preaches so much of hell fire which he believes God has prepared for the unsaved; for the devil has only power to inflict suffering in this life, and then it is not his own children or creatures that he tortures here. So he must take great comfort in that part of Billy's preachment. But since God permits this teaching by so many of his dearly beloved, it must be that some good can be accomplished and that there are persons who can be reached in no other way than through their fears. Jesus says: "I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you

and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." And John says: "God is love."

I have just seen it stated that Billy Sunday has declared that he will "call for recruits, volunteers for Christ and the United States," and that he will "have recruiting officers to sign them up" in the great New York tabernacle just finished for the battle with evil. And again how must Satan and his hosts dance with glee, at the thought of having such a partner whose weapons of warfare accord so entirely with his own and which of necessity must nullify to a great extent whatever effect he might have in using those of which Paul speaks, in II Cor. 10:4: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty, through God to the pulling down of strongholds." And it is distressing to us who believe that the issues are entirely in God's hands that our good President, once so pronounced in his faith in God, should also be "drawn away and enticed" from the moorings of this truth, to call a special session of Congress to declare war on a foreign country, and that, too, when very small nations adjoining those engaged in this terrible butchery find it possible to remain neutral.

"God so loved" not the United States, not the Allies, nor yet the Central Powers, but the world that he gave his only begotten son to die" for it, and as Mr. Roosevelt said in a disssion with Mr. Bryan, "It would be imposle" for him (or any one else) to bring Jesus rist into it, for He made no defense nor al

lowed His disciples to offer any, in His own behalf, and it is unthinkable that He would be a partisan in this world struggle, where unwilling and oftentimes conscripted brothers are made to destroy each other. Patriotism may be very noble from a human standpoint but is there any one who will say it rings of Christlikeness?