Class J3-iL^Ji^: Book..,; GojpghtN COHKICHT BEPOSfT. • TIJE HOUR HAS STRUCK — and the momentous event for which the ages have been waiting at last has arrived — God's sign is in the sky. THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL By CORA EMMA McBRIDE AND THOMAS GARTH McBRIDE HER SON % * PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR THE ABINGDON PRESS NEW YORK — CINCINNATI — CHICAGO Copyright, 1920 BY Cora Emma McBride NOV -I 1920 ©CLA604481 3 trf rt & TO THE MEMORY OF WHOSE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE AND TRAINING t MADE POSSIBLE THE WRITING OF THIS BOOK An Outline Introduction Book First. Chapter I. Crystal Palace. Chapter II. The Story of the Creation. Chapter III. The Story of the Garden of Eden Chapter IV. Ancient Mythology. Chapter V. Israelitish History. Chapter VI. Mosaic Law. Chapter VII. Sketches of Ancient History. Book Second. Chapters I to XXII. The Revelation. Chapter XXIII. Author's Note. CONTENTS Introduction, - - - - - - 15 BOOK FIRST Chapter I. The Crystal Palace, - - - - 19-48 The inland sea; the great sea wall; the yawning chasm; the crystal palace; the pictures of the four wings; the seven gates; the south apart- ment; the east apartment; the north apartment; the central room; the west apartment. Chapter II. The Story of the Creation, - - - 49-57 The beginning; the first progressive step; the second progressive step; the third progressive step; the fourth progressive step; the fifth progressive step; the sixth progressive step; the seventh progressive step. Chapter III. The Story of the Garden of Eden, - 58-62 The cultivated estate; the tree of life; the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; the significance of the story. Chapter IV. Ancient Mythology, - 63-65 The council of the Gods; the project proposed; Jupiter's humiliation; the number of the imposter. Chapter V. ISRAELITISH HISTORY, - - - 66~69 The call of Abraham; Joseph in Egypt; Egypt the land of the bondage. CONTENTS Chapter VI. The Mosaic Law, ----- 70-128 The giving of the law; the sign of the law; the temple, and its arrangements; the law God's tes- timony; law of equal exchange; the ransom price; law of individuality; manner of sacrifice; the law of the burnt offering; the law of the peace offer- ing; the law of the sin offering, for the ruler, for the people, for the priest, for the congregation; the law of the trespass offering; the law of the atonement; the fat and the blood; the feast of the sabbath; the feast of the passov'er; the feast of pentecost; the feast of tabernacles; the release; law of usury; the law of redemption; the water of separation; the order of the tribes; the Levites the firstborn of Israel; the promise; the warning; the exhortation. Chapter VII. Sketches of Ancient History, - - 129-149 Babylon, the land of the captivity; Roman his- tory; the Christ. Interlude, - 150-157 BOOK SECOND Chapter I, ----- - 161-175 Proof of the continuity of life; the divinity of Christ; the second coming of Christ; Christ's first costume; explanation of the costume; the identity; the instruction. Chapter II, - - - ■ - - - 176-199 The promise of Life; Liberty; Regeneration; In- dividuality; Justice; Authority; Security. Chapter III, - - - - - - 200-217 The promise of Honor; Reliability; Knowledge; Social Recognition; Supreme Power. Chapter IV, ----- 218-226 The throne room; the elders; the seven lamps of fire; the four beasts. IO CONTENTS Chapter V, 227-237 The book of the law; the seven seals; the inter- dependency of man the law of race progress; the finding of one able to open the book; the identity of the lamb; the new song of redemption. Chapter VI, 238-257 The opening of the first seal; preservation, sus- tentation, and assimilation; the opening of the second seal; labor, self-sacrifice, and reward; the opening of the third seal; power, riches, and honor; the opening of the fourth seal; equality, poise, and progress; the opening of the fifth seal; faith, trust, and patience; the opening of the sixth seal; darkness, doubt, and fear — light, obedience, and peace. Chapter VII, - 258-263 The four angels at the four corners of the earth; the number of the sealed; the acclamation of those sealed; the award to those sealed. Chapter VIII, - -' - - - 264-273 The opening of the seventh seal; destruction, possession, and suppression — regeneration, re- demption, and realization. At the sounding of the first angel; at the sounding of the second angel; at the sounding of the third angel; at the sounding of the fourth angel; woe, woe, woe. Chapter IX, - 274-284 At the sounding of the fifth angel; at the sound- ing of the sixth angel; the cry for liberty; at the loosing of the four angels. Chapter X, ----- - 285-289 Christ's second costume; explanation of the cos- tume; the little book; the seven thunders; the end of time; the property sacrifice; the two great branches of the church. Chapter XI, 290-300 God's plan; the two witnesses; the candlestick and the two olive trees; power of the two witnesses; the beast out of the bottomless pit; the identity IT CONTENTS of the two witnesses; the destruction of the two' witnesses; the restoring of the two witnesses to life; the ascending of the two witnesses into heaven; the announcement of the third woe; at the sounding of the seventh angel. Chapter XII, - - - - - - 301-314 A great wonder in heaven; the dragon of the double contract system or the first beast; the seven heads and the ten horns; Life and Liberty; economic betrayal; the rod of iron; the law of progress; war in heaven; the casting out of the dragon; sketch of present economic situation; the coming of salvation; persecution of the woman. ^ Chapter XIII, - - - - - 315-326 The first beast; ten crowns upon the horns; the seat of the beast; the deadly wound in one of the heads; the power of the beast; the second beast; the mark, the name of the beast, and the number of his name; the number 666. Chapter XIV, - - - - - 327-352 The lamb and the hundred and forty-four thou- sand on Mount Zion; the voice of many waters; the new song; another flying angel; the proclama- tion of the angel; the third angel; the proclama- tion of the angel; a voice from heaven; he that sat on the white cloud; the proclamation of the fourth angel; the clusters of the yine reaped; a fifth angel; a sixth angel; the casting of the vine into the winepress; the trodding of the winepress without the city; the single contract system. . Chapter XV, ------ 353-356 Another sign in heaven; seven last plagues; the sea of glass mingled with fire; victory over the beast, over his image, over his mark, and over the number of his name; the harps of God; the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb; the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony; the seven angels with the seven plagues; seven golden vials; until the seven plagues were fulfilled. 12 CONTENTS Chapter XVI, " 357-364 A great voice out of the temple; at the pouring of . the first vial; at the pouring of the second vial; at the pouring of the third vial; at the pouring of the fourth vial; at the pouring of the fifth vial; at the pouring of the sixth vial; at the pouring of the seventh vial. Chapter XVII, ----- 365-374 The judgment of the great whore; Mystery; Babylon the Great; the woman drunken with blood; the mystery of the woman; the beast that carrieth her; the seven mountains upon which the woman sitteth; the seven kings; the eighth king; ten horns; the ten kings; these which shall make war with the Lamb; the waters, the peo- ples, multitudes, nations, and tongues; the per- secution of the woman. Chapter XVIII, ----- 375-381 Fall of Babylon; the separation; the plagues in one day; the bewailing of kings; the weeping of merchants; numeration of the merchandise; the lament of shipmasters and sailors; the saints avenged; the casting of the millstone into the sea; the desolation of Babylon; the blood of all slain. Chapter XIX, ----- 382-387 The praising of God in heaven for His righteous judgments; the marriage of the lamb; the mar- riage supper; the rebuking of John by the angel; the white horse and he that sat on him; the armies that follow him; the sWord which shall smite the nations; the rod of iron; the treading of the winepress; the invitation to the supper; the per- petration of war by the beast and the kings of the earth against he that sitteth on the horse. Chapter XX, - - - - - 388-392 The binding of Satan for a thousand years; the first resurrection; the loosing of Satan; the cast- ing of the devil into the lake of fire and brim- stone; the great white throne; at the opening of the books. 13 CONTENTS Chapter XXI, - 393-403 A new heaven and a new earth; the heavenly Jerusalem; a description of the city. Chapter XXII, - - - - - 404-408 The river of the water of life; the tree of life; God the light of the city; the warning. Chapter XXIII— The Author's Note, 409-420 Index, - - - - - - - 421-429 INTRODUCTION OF the numberless millions who have made their appearance on this earth, have lived out the brief period apportioned to them and have passed from the stage of action there is one who stands preeminent above them all. This is Jesus Who is called the Christ. What were the favorable circumstances which gave to Jesus of Nazareth the prize for which there were no less than fifty aspirants ? What were the elements which entered into the life, character, and teachings of Jesus which have clothed Him with a radiance of ever increasing luster? Per- haps no other fact more fully substantiates Christ's claim to the Messiahship than that both in character, and in historical events woven about Him, He was found to have fulfilled the prophecies which preceded His coming by many years, and but for which, His birth probably would have passed unnoticed. But it cannot be said that in fulfilling the prophecies Christ fulfilled the ultimate purpose of His mission, but rather that by reason of His having fulfilled the proph- ecies the world has been able to recognize His legal claim to the Messiahship. By such means His identity has been established. That Christ should have fulfilled the prophetic vision which was related of Him was but preliminary to what seems the paramount purpose of His mission — the fulfilling of the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic Law deals almost wholly with economic problems while the Gospel records weigh heavily upon the problem of r5 INTRODUCTION spiritual Hfe; which subjects are neither foreign nor conflicting to each other but, touching the vital prob- lems of life, though from different angles, seem to run parallel. Occasionally through His intellectual resplendency there is disclosed the trend of thought with which He labored: "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given and he shall have abundance, but who- soever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath." Such statements can only refer to economic problems. The four Gospels are replete with evidence that Christ regarded Himself as the open portal to the kingdom of life, light, and righteous- ness : / am the water of life; I am the bread of life; I am the door of the sheep; and many others bear evidence to this fact. Though these statements have been interpreted entirely in a spiritual sense their bear- ing on economic problems may be perceived. The fact that Christ wrote nothing, and that no- where, either in the four Gospels or in the Epistles, is there to be found a comprehensive declaration of His principles on either of these subjects has been the source of endless controversy in which the economic problem has been almost wholly unrecognized. But to all the principal points Mn Christian doctrine Christ has made reply, and to the profound problems of polit- ical economy His answer is both final and complete. 16 BOOK FIRST October, 1905. 2 FIRST CHAPTER The Crystal Palace IT was Christmas Eve : all day long I had been mak- ing preparation for a Christmas tree with which to surprise our little boy Christmas morning. This boy was, at the time in which our narrative be-* gins, in his fifth year, just at the right age to have a hearty appreciation of Christmas toys and perfect con- fidence in Santa Claus. And I wondered what his first words would be in the morning, when with aston- ished eyes, he would see what Old Santa had brought him. The happy recollections which hover around the Christmas season we never forget; and as time goes by they bring with them a tinge of sadness as we recall the many occasions when with brothers and sisters and other loved ones who are forever absent, we have been the happy recipients of those little gifts which go so far to gladden the child life. As it was late in the evening all other members of the family had retired; but I lingered yet awhile to put the last few finishing touches to the tree; after which I stepped across the room and sat down in a chair to rest and to observe the effect. Everything being satisfactory, I settled down in a revery of thought. It had been some time since Christmas had meant so much to me as tins' year, for we were to have a genuine old-fashioned Christmas ; and how can Christmas seem like Christmas where there are no children ? The chair in which I was seated was an upholstered rocker with a reclining back ; at my right stood a small stand upon which lay several books, among them a small morocco-backed Bible, which had been a present to me in childhood from my Sunday-school teacher. It had answered every purpose in those days, but of 19 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY late years it had been discarded for one of larger print. Picking up the book I looked carelessly through its pages until I noticed a place which had been marked some time previous, Luke 2. 13, 14, "And suddenly there was with the angels a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men." "This is Christmas Eve," I thought, "and in how many churches all over Christendom to-night these words will be chanted; yet is the world any nearer a solution of those problems which make for justice, •equality, and peace which we were told shall prevail on the earth than when, on that memorable night, the angel choir burst the bonds which separate mortal from immortal and heralded the birth of the Savior?" Lyong I sat in silent meditation ; all traffic had ceased on the street and all was silent save for the occasional rush of the elevated trains a half-block away, to which I had almost become oblivious. With muscles relaxed, with head thrown back so that my eyes were turned towards the ceiling, unmindful of the hour and all animated things save my own thoughts, I rested. At last a slight feeling of chilliness aroused me and, start- ing slightly, I dropped my eyes to the floor just one instant. In that brief period there appeared a scene, the rational purpose of which has proved much too practical to be termed an illusion. I looked again ; before me was the polished oak floor and every famil- iar object of the room in which the tree had been ar- ranged. Has the reader ever experienced that feeling of weakness or paralysis due to a fear of personal danger, possibly when going along a lonely road after nightfall something inexplicable has suddenly ap- peared before you? A feeling something akin to this took possession of me and I sat as though frozen to the spot, and without self-command. Fear finally gave way to helpless resignation as I saw once more the same scene, which having been obliterated by the sudden shock, was gradually growing more distinct. Soon there stretched a large body of water, rolling and tossing as it might have been since the dawn of 20 THE CRYSTAL PALACE creation. This body of water, though hardly of suffi- cient dimensions to be called a sea, shall be so termed for reasons later determined; it was circular in out- line and was bounded by a sea wall of massive blocks of granite, or such it appeared, set together like ma- sonry. Scattered all around on the ground were mas- sive pieces of stone in the natural state waiting to be hewn and set in place, for the building of the wall seemed not yet completed. Some fifty feet to my left was the left bank of a river,, which proved to be the outlet of the sea above. It would be difficult to de- scribe a scene more desolate than the landscape which stretched away as far as the eye could see. The earth was entirely barren and had a seared, dead appearance as though it might have been the scene of some tre- mendous upheaval ; the crater which formed a mighty basin was rilled by the waters of this inland sea. But although the earth was barren of vegetation it was not lacking in those elements of grandeur which would inspire a sense of awe and wonder. I stood for some time amazed with admiration at the mighty convulsion of nature that must have pro- duced such marvelous results; and when I looked again in the direction of the sea, what was my aston- ishment to find that it was not there, but in its place a yawning black chasm apparently empty. It was as though the earth had suddenly opened up a great mouth and swallowed that vast body of water. My surprise was exceeded only by my fears, and once more I experienced that dreadful weakness, and my senses seemed to leave me. I sank down, but not to the earth, for at that moment I felt my arm grasped firmly by a strong hand. I heard no sound, and saw neither form nor face, but there was something in the pressure of that hand which reassured me. I was dangerously near the edge of the chasm and felt that I should have been engulfed therein but for this timely assistance; and when a cool hand was pressed sooth- ingly to my forehead I opened my eyes. The deep, blue sky above ; a cool breeze laden with an obnoxious odor of decay; the loose folds of a garment flapping 21 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY against my cheek ; these in outline^ I recall ; but that which made an unfading impression in my mind was a pair of large, lustrous eyes, brilliant and piercing, yet gentle and reassuring in expression, and above these wonderful eyes a brow indicating high intel- lectuality, a mouth and chin of perfect mold, denoting strength of character. Karalla, for such was the name by which I came to know him, smiled pleasantly, as though it were habitual, and presently said, "Now stand erect." He spoke in gentle but commanding tones, so having re- gained my composure I did as he had bidden and stood facing my strange visitor. He was clad in a garment which concealed his figure, but gave a tall and digni- fied appearance. His apparel and bearing confirmed him as a worthy member of that distinguished body, "The Kings of the East." And having acquainted me with his name and station he proceeded : "I am aware of the question you were mentally propounding, 'Is the world any nearer a solution of those problems which make for justice, equality, and peace than when on that memorable night the angel choir burst the bonds that separate mortal and immortal and heralded the birth of the Savior?' and have come to make reply; to unfold to you the hidden meaning of that book so full of promise yet unrealized. I have chosen you to bear an important message to the world. See that you report faithfully the message with which you are entrusted. Now come with me and we will in- vestigate this yawning chasm which seems to have wrought upon your fears, and I will explain its object and meaning." While acquainting me with these purposes he had led me some distance, after which he turned and walked in the direction of the chasm. T followed. As he proceeded he picked up a large rock which laid by the' pathway, and when we had reached the edge of the chasm he grasped my arm securely and saw to it that I had a firm footing. Although much too close to danger to suit my fancy, I relied on his protection and complied with his wishes. , He then bade me look 22 THE CRYSTAL PALACE down, and I saw a vast, circular wall of granite sink- ing down, down, until far below, it was lost in the darkness; while from out of its depths a cold, death- like breeze blew into my face and a disgusting odor of decay made me draw back and cover my face with my hands. "Listen," he commanded; and as I stood silent he cast the rock with all his might down into the chasm. "What did you hear?" he asked, after I had waited in vain for some time. "Nothing," I replied. "No, nor ever w 7 ill," said he ; "the chasm into which we are looking is the Bottomless Pit. Right here at the point where our feet now are pressing is enacted the great tragedy, the great life struggle. Let me propose a conundrum : 'What is it which has neither form nor substance, but emits a light which illuminates man's future pathway, which is as a lamp to his feet?' ' : I looked up into his face and, catching his steady gaze, replied instinctively as though his strong mental power might have impressed the words into my mind, "Experience." "Right," he agreed; "and where does experience lie?" "Behind us," I replied. "Yes," he said, "in the past; man looks to his past experience for his light for the future; now we are coming to the point, the past is a bottomless pit." "There was out from Jerusalem a place called The Pit, into which was cast the refuse of the city; in the book of the Revelation the past is likened to a bottom- less pit because man, »in "the course of his progress, casts off and into the past the refuse of his life, phys- ically, mentally, and historically. The food which sustains him to-day will not answer for to-morrow. When the vital energy which his food contains is ex- hausted it is cast out of the system by natural process ; it has served its purpose. And so when man's body is consigned to the dust, to the living generation that body is a relic of the past. The past is a bottomless pit. Man cannot fathom its depths." This he repeated musingly as he lifted his hand and extended it out over the chasm. I thought he was directing my atten- tion to something that he wished me to see and, turn- 23 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY ing, beheld again the sea of water as before, but some- what changed, which, perfectly calm and clear, stretched out before us like a deep, blue sheet of placid water. The strength of the wall, I perceived, would prove sufficient for the force of the water when the sea was in its angry mood ; and contemplating the significance of this stupendous scene, so suggestive of life and hope and human aspirations, yet such a reminder of man's frailty and certain end, I felt inclined to bow before it. What especially impressed me, however, was the perfect clearness of the water. I could look down hundreds of feet, it seemed, and distinguish the outlines of the great stones as the wall sank deeper and deeper. While engaged in this observation I dis- covered that the water did not fill up the chasm, but extended down only to a certain depth; that I could see through to the other side and that the water lay, as it were, like a round cylinder of clear glass within the top of the chasm; a sea that could be penetrated by mortal vision. While pondering over this circumstance, suddenly the whole surface of the water became agitated as though set in action by some external force; and, to my great surprise, there soon floated upon the surface of the water a structure of great proportions, built of some kind of transparent material like glass, very thick and heavy, and like the sea beneath, as clear as crystal. The building proper was of the form of a Greek cross and from the central square there pro- jected a tower into the sky; the top of which was canopied by a great dome. Within the dome was an immense globe, glowing as to resemble a great ball of fire. From each of the four sides of the central room extended a wing, which gave the building the contour of a cross having arms of equal dimensions. The four wings stood with the points of the compass, and rep- resented the four seasons of the year, as I supposed. Within each of the three sides of the four wings, viewed from the outside, was to be seen a picture, delicate and beautiful in design and coloring. The 24 the crystal palace pictures seemed a very part of the glass as though formed within the glass during the process of manu- facture; and because the glass was so very clear and flawless, they stood out perfect in every detail. The pictures in the east wing were illustrations of the springtime. Above the coat of dead and decaying vegetation the green herbs and vines were springing, the trees were putting forth their first buds. The three pictures in the three sides of the south wing were very much in contrast to the first three men- tioned, not in coloring or artistic imagination, but in the power of man to subdue nature. Here was por- trayed with vivid realism the vegetable kingdom in its cultivated state; here also were green pastures watered by flowing streams, with orchards and vine- yards. The pictures in the three sides of the south wing illustrated the summer season or the struggle with nature. The autumn scenes in the north wing were progres- sive and signified the harvest tide, the ingathering, and the busy marketplace. There was a certain fascina- tion about these pictures which caught the attention and increased in interest the more they were studied. The fourth and west wing was the last to claim our attention, and after having inspected the three preced- ing I was not unprepared for the winter scenes so delicately portrayed in the three sides of the west room. It would be difficult for one of ordinary ability to describe the shades and tones which conspired to portray this season with such genuine majesty. The snowflakes glistened as though the ermine robe were set with many diamonds. Resting above the sea wall, so that the outer doors of each of the four wings were directly facing them were four gates, or such they appeared, though an examination proved they were stationary. Spanning the river a short way down stream, but not so far removed but that they seemed part of the plan, were three suspension bridges, if objects so delicate of con- struction and artistic in formation could be called bridges. Upon each of these three bridges, immedi- 25 THE SCIENCE OK CHRISTIAN ECONOMY ately above the current of the river, was another gate of the same construction as were the four gates which faced the four wings of the Crystal Palace. Each of the seven gates was supported by two heavy columns or posts, upon the top of which there rested a round ball of like material. Reaching across from post to post above the gates were beams cut at large angles. Upon these beams above each of the four gates which were upon the wall was a piece of statuary. Upon the crossbeam above the east gate there stood a lion, a muscular brute with heavy mane and power- ful frame. He crouched as though about to spring upon his prey. On the side of the crossbeam above which the lion stood the word "Life" was written, in- dicating, as I understood, that the lion was a symbol of life. The pictures of the east wing, it will be re- called, were of the springtime. True to the harmony and beauty of the general plan, I found that within each of the three panels of glass, of which the gate was constructed, was also to be seen a picture so care- fully concealed as to be invisible to anyone a short distance away. Each picture proved a delicate but realistic portrayal of that which was indicated by the name. They were, in their respective order, Preserva- tion, Sustentation, and Assimilation. The other six gates were very similar to the first, differing only in name and subject. The three ideas were fully emphasized because of their general har- mony in progressiveness. Before the south room, which represented summer, there stood the -gate "La- bor." The figure upon the crossbeam above this gate was that of a calf. Why the calf was used as a symbol of labor I was at a loss to understand, until by a care- ful study of the three pictures within the three panels of this gate, together with a few words of explana- tion from my strange companion, the meaning became quite apparent. "The names of the three pictures," said he, "are like the three links in a golden chain, each is perfect in itself, but all are necessary to form "a complete idea." The three pictures in the three 26 X THE CRYSTAL PALACE panels of the summer gate were named respectively, Labor, Self-sacrifice, and Reward. The autumn apartment faced the north gate; this was the gate Commerce or Exchange. The statue over this gate was unique in that it had the body of an ani- mal but the face of a man; and it was the more in- teresting for the fact that the features of the face worked automatically. The eyes closed and opened ; the nostrils dilated as though taking a deep breath ; the lower jaw dropped down and closed up with a snap ; and then as though amused at his own foolish- ness the muscles around the mouth were drawn back and the whole face became suffused with a comical grin, which only lacked the merry ring to make it complete. And so expressive of hearty mirthfulness were the features drawn that unconsciously we found ourselves laughing in sympathy. "You see the joke," Karalla remarked, "but do you see the point?" But after careful study I finally ac- knowledged myself baffled in my efforts to understand why this grotesque figure with its various contortions could possibly symbolize commerce. "Harmonious Action is the true Law of Exchange," said he. This instruction again renewed my interest. The three ideas which the three panels of this gate contained were also as three links in a golden chain. They were : Power, Riches, and Honor. "A man gains com- mercial power and riches by the adjustment of the commercial scales. It matters a world to a man whether the balances are tipped in his favor or against him, for therein is involved not only his power and riches, but his honor as well, which is sustained in the struggle only as the balances stand rightly adjusted between that which he contributes to the world in labor and the reward he receives for the same : between sacrifice and reward. Power, Riches, and Honor may be termed the extracts of the process of commercial exchange; if the first two are excessive the last will be less, but if honor be sustained, power and riches must be necessarily limited according to the measure 27 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY of a man's sacrifice in toil. For though power and riches may be appropriated, honor is bestowed by others and in recognition of just claim." The- fourth apartment was winter, before which stood the gate Death. Above this gate an eagle rested with outstretched wings as though pausing for an in- stant before his flight. The illustrations were simple but well drawn and were named, Equality, Poise, and Progress. "Before the bird can fly his wings must be equal ; clip one of them and he loses his poise. Equal- ity is therefore the first essential of progress, the wings extended give to the bird" the power of progression for which the equality of the wings is absolutely indis- pensable. In this case mental poise or reason is re- ferred to; that is, that before justice and peace can prevail, the law must be found which will prove to be a firm and scientific basis for governmental construc- tion and which will maintain the equality between the elements of national life consistent with justice. With- out equality there can be no poise or lasting and healthy national progress. The gate Death is so named because death is the instrument of progression." The sea wall beneath this gate was worn away so that the water rushing precipitously onward formed a roaring cataract in its plunge to the river below. Around the top of the wall and down the river as far as the third arch or bridge which spanned the river there were posts set at intervals and along these from post to post was a chain passing loosely from gate to gate which was intended to unite the whole into one perfect work of art. Faith was the name of the fifth gate, and its three panels were -named, Faith, Hope, and Patience. But there was something very unusual about this gate, some- thing which might well astonish and depress a sensitive person, for this gate was broken. The pictures were clear and plain to be seen, but running in every di- rection were lines indicating its shattered condition. In striking contrast to the pictures of the fifth gate were those of the sixth gate. Justice was its name. Nature in her gloomy mood was here employed with 28 THE CRYSTAL PALAGE impressive effect to emphasize a mental rather than a physical condition, as the names, Darkness, Doubt, and Fear might indicate. Upon approaching this gate one would be first impressed by its dark and smoky appearance, which was due to the darkness of the pictures contained therein. It would be noticed also that the sixth gate swayed, seemingly by the force of the wind. This was because it was not secured firmly to its place as were the other gates. Under right cir- cumstances it would have been possible, with a single effort, to turn the panels over end for end. And it is a fact that should the gate have been reversed so that it had stood with right end up, there would have been presented three entirely different pictures from those which first appeared. The names of these three illus- trations were Light, Obedience or Assent, and Peace. When this side is turned outward it will be found that the dark, smoky look will not then discolor the glass. The seventh gate, which was the last, was found to be reversible also, being hung at the center on a pivot, like a looking-glass, as was the sixth gate. The name of this gate was Restitution or Attainment, but hang- ing as it did with the dark side out, the names of the three panels thus presented were Destruction, Posses- sion, and Suppression. The pictures in the right side of this gate, however, were Regeneration, Redemp- tion, and Realization. When the river flows forth from the east gate, as it should at all times, these gates will stand securely with their right sides outward. After having completed this most interesting in- spection of the seven gates, we walked up the left bank of the river, around the wall, passed through the gate "Labor" and. entered the Crystal Palace by the outer door of the summer apartment. My heart gave a bound when I perceived Karalla's intention, for I had been more than anxious to enter and see for myself what this magnificent structure might be like within and what it contained. Once inside, the dead and barren country which was everywhere in painful evidence for miles around this inland sea was temporarily forgotten and we stood at 29 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY the head of a fertile valley which from our point of view seemed entirely true to nature. The scene was an illusion, however, though by what means it was produced I was unable to determine ; but to the spec- tator the impression was conveyed of a well-cultivated and thrifty country landscape. The water of the river which wound its way down the valley was not arti- ficial, however, the water of the sea beneath being utilized for that purpose. Midway down the stream the river furnished the power which set in motion a great wheel. From this wheel a chain known as the chain of seven links passed to another part of the structure, keeping in action a vast and highly-compli- cated mechanical device which it was soon after my privilege to see and examine. After some time spent in this enchanting place we passed by the outer exit, and making a quarter circuit around the Crystal Palace we entered the structure again by the outer east entrance. Then it was that we found ourselves standing beside the curbstone of a broad thoroughfare running parallel with a stream of wide, majestic sweep. Looking east, in the direc- tion from which we had just entered, we beheld an avenue of commerce with its modern office buildings. The street swarmed with its busy pedestrians and modern vehicles of conveyance. Imagine my surprise upon learning that these scenes of activity were not real, but were produced by means of light thrown into the glass, which were so reflected as to create these living pictures! But though this room, as the one preceding, seeming to have been designed for an ef- fect on the senses, it also contained one object which was very real and has been previously referred to as a highly-complicated, mechanical device. This intricate contrivance was called the Winepress and was so constructed and so situated that the im- pression was conveyed that a vessel was at anchor in the harbor. However, it was, in fact, a great maw built for the purpose of extracting the juice from large quantities of fruit. "A clear understanding of the proper mechanical adjustment of the Winepress would 30 THE CRYSTAL PALACE very much simplify those profound problems which have puzzled statesmen and students of the industrial problems of every age. It has taken first place in every battle recorded in history. It has been the storm center of the struggle of the ages. . It has been swept by the hurricane and the clash of contending forces both in times of peace and war, for which reason it has been termed 'The Great Battle Ground of National Life,' " he said. "The Winepress," I remarked, "certainly shows no signs of the excessive conflict she had endured," for being entirely overlaid with a heavy armor of bur- nished brass she blazed that morning in the sunlight like a flame of fire. When the doors were thrown open and the lights were turned on there was revealed a highly-complicated system of wheels within wheels, cogs above cogs, and when these wheels were put in motion they set to work many sharp knives, which, darting here and there, looked like nothing so much as a body of foemen rushing to a general engagement. The Winepress was built with three decks. On the lower or first deck there were large quanti- ties of rock resembling gold ore. In the center of the deck was an instrument for breaking the ore into pieces of large or small size. This crusher was made to perform its task by means of a great lever propelled by personal exertion. To pass the gold through the crusher, to crush it but into large pieces, it was necessary to lift the lever as high as possible; to divide it into minute particles the lever was gauged at a very low mark, thus producing an endless strug- gle between the elements of national life. The pur- pose of the gold in the winevat was to retard, if not altogether to prevent the process of dissolution; the problem was how to supply a gold which would bear the test of dissolution. "Upon the solution of this problem depends matters of the gravest importance to the state. If the gold would not bear the test then the winecup would be found to contain the germs of national disintegration and death." "The river, now swollen to a mighty current, was 3i THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY the same whose waters flowed over and kept the great water wheel in the south apartment in motion, which was to say that labor supplies the power which keeps the wheels of commerce moving, for the Winepress symbolized the market. The great lever which broke the gold ore into fragments was the Price. The chain of seven links, the seven necessary elements to the process of production and distribution, are Land, La- bor, Capital, etc., when properly classified are seven. The fruits of the winevat were the products of labor when used in the market as implements of commer- cial warfare." The floor of the north apartment was constructed with a large circular opening, so large that there was scarcely room remaining for two persons to walk abreast around its rim. Above this opening hung a massive circular bowl, overlaid within and without with burnished brass so very thick and heavy that but for its brightness might have been mistaken for cop- per. The bowl hung suspended at the center of the room and was supported by means of great chain cables which were fastened by rings into the rim of the bowl and thence to the top of four posts. This arrangement served to anchor the bowl securely to its place, affording at the same time ample opportunity, as we shall see, for a double movement of the bowl. Above the bowl and extending horizontally across it was a great iron bar. This rod hung suspended over the bowl by means of a great wire rope, which caught the rod in the center so that it hung accurately across the bowl. "The purpose of the rod is to play across the bowl so as to cause the bowl to respond sensitively to its every movement like a great magnet. If we wait, presently we shall see the rod and bowl in ac- tion. They have a double movement, as you will see. At present the rod points north and south, but in its second movement the rod will swing around so that it will stand at the opposite points of the compass." And even as he spoke I noticed the rod quiver slightly and then the great wire cable which held the rod at the center began to move along the rod to the right, 32 THE CRYSTAL PALACE the other end of the rod thus becoming heavier, tipped downward and immediately the great bowl responded, hesitated, then dipped again. Then it turned leisurely over on its side until it had reached a point where the water poured in, filling the bowl to its capacity. The rod apparently having reached its lowest point, grad- ually began to rise, causing the bowl to return to its upright position and to weigh heavily upon the chains which supported it. "Please notice another singular fact about the action of the rod and bowl when the time arrives to discharge the contents from the bowl." And watching intently as the rod swung round over the bowl so that it stood with its ends pointing directly opposite, I saw the bowl begin to tip in response to the action of the rod, moving obediently to a certain point, when Lo! the rod lost its magic power, the bowl refused to tip and its voluminous contents remained never to sweep over the rim. The rod lifted and fell again as if more de- termined than ever, but nothing would move the bowl. That something was wrong was quite evident. "If the mechanism of the rod and bowl provides for the discharge of the contents of the bowl, why does it not act at this time?" I asked. "The double move- ment of the bowl in dipping to receive the waters and then again to discharge them, illustrates the two grand movements of the commercial stream. Only by the proper reception of the commercial volume into the market and only by its impartial discharge particularly can organic government remain in a healthy state. The iron bar which plays so important a part in the ac- tion of the bowl is that 'Great Iron Rod That Shall Rule All Nations.' The winepress and the bowl are overlaid with brass because it was the brazen altar upon which the sacrifices of the Mosaic dispensation were offered." In the spacious central room there was a circular opening in the floor in the center of the room, in which the water of the sea formed a miniature lake, and in the midst of which a fountain was playing. The tower which rose directly over the lake was supported at 3 33 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY its four corners by massive columns of some kind of material which resembled, as it were, transparent mar- ble. Between the two columns which supported the tower on the west was a long table which was entirely overlaid with gold. This was the great banquet table. In the center of this table stood a floral wreath, which tipped as though resting upon an easel, and was turned to the east. It was entwined about a circular ring of gold and was woven with twelve different varieties of flowers, which were like and yet unlike anything which I had ever seen. The leaves were so very fresh and green and the colors so delicate yet so enduring that they seemed to have been picked from the garden of perpetual bliss. "Notice how very per- fect is every leaf and petal ; no sign of wither or decay. The flowers nestle within their leaves like precious stones within their settings, sparkling and flashing in the light as so many different colored diamonds. Woven around and about the wreath, as though some ambitious spider had spun here his web, was a per- fectly intricate design of extremely fine gossamer threads of wire. These wires, like those of which the cable was composed, were so very fine that they dis- appeared from view, running to other parts of the structure. Long I stood and studied its marvelous beauty, first from one side and then another. "Do you admire that floral wreath?" he asked at length. "In- deed I do," I replied, turning to view once more the object of his inquiry. "How then would you like to have it for your own?" "O, that would be great," I laughingly replied. "But seriously, you have the same opportunity of winning this most coveted prize as anyone else, for this is the Golden Crown of Life, woven in the web of environment ; this is the priceless reward which is promised 'to him that overcometh.' If you will but find the way by which this garland of flowers can be disentangled from the meshes of the spider's web it shall be yours, There are two ways by which your purpose may be achieved. Should you by chance discover the true process and apply your knowledge accordingly, then the whole web would dis- 34 THE CRYSTAL PALACE appear as though rudely brushed aside with broom and duster. Very many unsuccessful attempts have been made to extricate the Golden Crown of Life from the tangled thread of environment, but thus far it had been only partially successful. Then because of its inestimable beauty and value, the crown has had many counterfeit duplicates; but I assure you this is the only genuine and imperishable Golden Crown of Life." "Then I also may fail," I suggested, to which he replied, "To him that overcometh." At one end of the banquet table stood a costly wine decanter, about two-thirds full, to which he directed my attention. "Please observe that if you stand where the light falls at the right angle on the vessel," he said, "the wine in the lower half of the pitcher is not of the same color as the wine at the top. This difference in color is due to the difference in quality and is the same as the difference between cream and skim milk. But while cream may be mingled with the milk so that they become one, this wine, or rather these wines, can- not be mixed together by any means save one, as you will see." "Can you explain it?" I asked. "Yes," said he, "I can, for this is the wine that is poured out without mixture. The wine at the top is highly in- toxicating, while that at the bottom is deadly poison; and none can numerate the countless thousands of unsuspecting persons who have drunk of this cup and thereby lost their lives. 'For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation/ This stimulating but deadly draft is prepared from the juice of the forbidden fruit. It is my purpose to re- veal to the world what the forbidden fruit is and to warn the world against it, so that the many, many unsuspecting persons shall not be victimized thereby." On the opposite end of the table from where the wine decanter stood was a cruse containing oil. This vessel Karalla brought and placed it on the table near at hand; and taking a wineglass, filled it about two- thirds full of wine out of the pitcher. He then held it up to the light that I might see that the wine was 35 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY still as it had been before. Then he took the cruse of oil and poured a certain amount of the oil into the wine. The oil first fell to the bottom of the glass, then slowly rose to the top, and as it did so the line which separated the rich, dark wine at the top from the lighter wine at the bottom was perceptibly lowered. The first change produced by pouring the oil into the wine was to increase the amount of the dark wine at the top so as to divide the contents of the glass into two equal parts. "For since wine is a stimulant, and since the stimulus to effort is always the reward, it follows that the cream of the cup is the symbol of reward, while the wine at the bottom of the glass symbolizes the blood of the sacrifice. This process, therefore, signifies one of the fundamental principles in the science of political economy, which is, that the Reward must be equal to the Sacrifice. But while there may be exigencies in which man cannot hesitate at the call of duty, yet these conditions do not always exist and have nothing to do with that orderly ar- rangement which will prevail when men shall have discovered the true laws of Governmental Science. One of the first principles of Governmental Science is, therefore, that the reward must be equal to the sacrifice." "Now oil is also a symbol of sacrifice for the reason that the oil in order to give light must itself be con- sumed. To pour the oil into the cup is to express another law in the science of political economy, which is that the cup of reward can only be legal when it contains a double sacrifice. Only by a Double Sacri- fice, Mingled Together in the Cup, can the Reward be Legalized." So saying, he took another glass from the table, and with that symmetry of action which characterized his every movement he lifted the wineglass- above his head and poured its contents into the empty glass, and when its agitation had ceased I was gratified to see that the line of distinction had disappeared. And so by this simple illustration Karalla demonstrated the law of race life on the earth. 36 THE CRYSTAL PALACE Between the two columns which supported the tower on the east was a golden candlestick, such as was used in ancient Hebrew temples of worship, but very much taller. It stood in front of the arched doorway which opened from the east wing, but was sufficiently near the fountain so that it was well under the tower above. Each one of the seven branches supported at its top a powerful light, so arranged as to form an inverted V, with the lamp upon the main stem forming the apex. While taking note of the above facts Karalla left me for a short time, and when he returned he carried in his hand a lighter with which to light the lamps. The lighter somewhat resembled a limb from a willow tree ; it also had seven branches. At the tip of each branch was a luminous disc re- sembling a star; the stars oscillated gracefully under their weight with every movement of the bearer. "When these lamps are lighted they cast their re- flection upon the great ball at the top of the tower with most astonishing results. For each one of these lamps is so connected with one of the seven gates, that when one of them is lighted there is instantly trans- mitted from its gate to the golden ball the three pic- tures which are within the three panels of that gate; and so powerful is, the reflection as it is cast upon the earth from the golden ball that there is instantly re- produced upon the earth in reality that which are only pictures in the three panels of the seven gates. By this means there stand exemplified the Seven Lamps of Fire which are before God's throne; the seven Spirits of God sent forth unto all the earth. These seven lamps which are upon this candlestick are also intimately related to another very essential part of this system ; parts which will be examined in due time." The fourth apartment of the structure, unlike the other three, was entirely separated from the central room by a counterbalanced door. The width of this door was the same as any one of the arched doorways which opened into the other three apartments. The door, which was also transparent like the outer walls, 37 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY lifted to admit of entrance into the fourth wing of the Crystal Palace. The glass of this door contained a very thin, white gauze curtain of some soft material, woven with a border. Although as thin as a veil, it effectually concealed from view every object within the room. Immediately in front of this veiled partition stood a long bench which, because of resemblance, might be called a counter. The counter was entirely overlaid with gold and had a horn at each of its four corners. These horns were so curved that their smaller points were above the counter, and in these points were many perforations which permitted water to pass through and fall upon the face of the counter in drops like rain. So had the water found egress from all four horns at once it would have produced quite a shower. The top piece of the counter proved to be but a covering, which concealed from view a vast network of those minute wires so numerous that they seemed to be woven together in an inextricable maze and seemed almost to conceal from view the foundation board upon which they were laid. The foundation board extended the full length of the counter and was securely set at such a point below the top piece as to allow sufficient space for the silent mechanical move- ment of those numberless threads which centered there. Now let the reader imagine a straight line running down the center of this board from end to end and located on the minor axis half the distance between this imaginary line and the outer sides, an upright piece, so set into the foundation board as to form an elongated ellipse with major axis extending about three-fourths of the length of the counter. The space inside of the ellipse was also entirely covered, but the wires were differently arranged and were in no way connected with those on the outside of the ellipse. "There are here represented two distinct systems of mechanical movements ; the one outside of the ellipse is what fs known as the double movement, or the Dou- ble Contract System, while that on the inside of the 38 THE CRYSTAL PALACE ellipse is known as the single movement, or the Single Contract System. The former demonstrates the de- structive principle and the latter the constructive prin- ciple in governmental adjustment, and so dissimilar are the two systems that both cannot be in operation at the same time." "Please notice the difference between the orderly way the wires pass across the board in the second or single contract system and the endless tangle into which they are knotted together in the first or double contract system ; this, is due to the fact that the double movement system does not provide a scientific me- chanical action. The twice-repeated effort to release the rod above the bowl resulted in failure, which fact leads to endless confusion in the industrial affairs of nations." "Now the single contract system derives its name from the sword by which it is operated. This sword is the Sharp Two-Edged Sword which passes back and forth in a straight line along the axis of the ellipse ; and having two edges performs the release by a sin- gle movement across the board; that is to say, that when 'the constructive principle is in force in the eco- nomic affairs of nations the people, in their business relations, will be bound together by 'a single contract. The Two-Edged Sword releases both parties to the contract by a single stroke, thereby providing the blessings of liberty to all." "But where is this two- edged sword of which you speak?" "Its present whereabouts is unknown," he replied. "When the double contract system was adopted the two-edged sword was summarily disposed of; it was displaced by this sword which you see here encased within the wires which are outside the ellipse. This sword has but a single edge, and because of that fact it must necessarily pass in double movement across the board, hence the double movement or the double contract system. The four horns of the golden counter signify contending forces ; the economic problem involves not only the industrial relations of mankind, but also those of his family life, and as the propagation of the race 39 THE SCIENCE OE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY depends upon the two sexes, so there are two natural progenitors of the industrial life of nations. The na- tion's sustenance is provided through the agency of labor and commerce. Race life, mark you, depends upon the mingling of the blood of parentage in a com- mon sacrifice; in no other way can race life be per- petuated in the earth. Now this principle is just as true with reference to industrial life as it is to race life, though it has never been recognized." "Now when the industrial institutions of men are governed according to the single contract system then will the life-blood of industrial parentage flow simul- taneously and mingle together in a common sacrifice, so that the counter becomes, as it were, a golden altar. Now it is a law of political economy, that only by the Mingling of the Blood of Mutual Sacrifice upon the Golden Altar can there be perpetuated in the earth, economically speaking, a living race." "The purpose of the gold," he said, "is to retard or altogether prevent the process of dissolution. This is possible by reason of the fact that gold is the substance which makes the contract binding. If the gold be not pure, however, it will fail at the crucial moment. • But the mechanical action of the single contract system is such that it furnishes a guarantee for the purity of the gold. It shall be as gold tried in the. fire." "These wires which, as you see, run to every part of the structure, all center here, because it is here that the thread of environment is severed and each indi- vidual becomes a distinct personality apart from the mass ; so that the golden altar is the culmination of all commercial and industrial activities. As the Wine- press is a symbol of the wholesale market, upon which altar the sacrifices of labor are laid, so the golden altar is a symbol of the retail counter over which flows the water of life. We will now proceed to the west room and thoroughly examine its contents." We had not long to wait, for the ponderous door which guarded the entrance to this apartment lifted as we advanced toward it, and when we had stepped under slowly descended, leaving the room in compara- 40 THE CRYSTAL PALACE tive darkness. The top and outer walls of this room, though of glass, were so made as in a measure to ob- scure the light. As my eyes became accustomed to the change, the whole room was lighted with a weird light which alternated from a rich yellow to an elec- trical blue. I soon discovered that this light came from beneath the structure, and looking down beheld the grandest, yet the most awful, spectacle that human eyes could ever have witnessed. Far beneath us, down within the chasm and beating with maddened frenzy against the granite walls, now advancing, now reced- ing and throwing out great tongues of fire, was the lake of fire whose foaming crests were blue with the burning brimstone. As the great flames leaped up- wards out of the depths of the pit the atmosphere in the vaults above seemed charged with a force which, reacting against the fire, stifled it to a pale blue flame. Long I stood and gazed, before my entranced senses grasped the significance of the spectacular scene and of the strange reaction I later learned meant Suppres- sion; but ere thought had found expression in words the spell was broken by a familiar voice speaking in earnest accent: "Go tell to the world that Hell is a reality, and that obscured though it is by the clouds of doubt, it still remains the place where souls be- trayed, languish in the grasp of that second death. But to the faithful there has been intrusted the plan of governmental science through which the soul, the immortal man, shall find a place of safety from these fiery elements of destruction. The necessities of the age urgently require that you be true to your trust." The fourth apartment was considerably reduced in size, owing to the fact that on the three sides other than that by which we had entered were rows of small compartments resembling dressing rooms. The privacy of these rooms was secured by curtained partitions similar in design to the veiled counterbalanced door. In this large inner room there was but one object : this was a large chest, measuring some six feet in length by three in width and three in height. The chest, which was of wood, and also entirely overlaid with 4i THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY gold, stood lengthwise north and south, facing the veiled door, but at a point about half way between, the door and the center of the room. The chest was covered over with a lid, on the top of which, at the north end, was a huge stag's head pre- senting seven antlers; his neck was bowed, his head was lowered and out from the top the horns rose defiantly. On the south end of the chest was a group of telescopes, seven in number. These telescopes not only magnified every object which came within their range of vision, but seemed to send forth a light as of a searchlight which, when turned on an object, made it clearer with continued inspection. The con- struction of the chest was such as to give it the ap- pearance of a double box ; there was a seam down the front of the chest indicating where the two parts were joined together. In the front of the chest were two keyholes, one on one side of this seam and the other on the other side. These were for the purpose of lock- ing the two sides of the chest. "As the intricate threads of environment culminate at the golden counter, so is this golden chest the source from which they spring, because it is here that they all center for the release. Here the power is generated by which man acquires control so that he may operate it according to one of the two systems— the double or the single contract system. These two systems are to each other as the day is to the night. Now if I were to insert the key into one of these keyholes in the front of the chest and throw the lock, it would be like the sun crossing the zenith ; the world would still be flooded with its brilliant light, but at the same time the day would be on the decline. Please remember that the reversing of the combination does not destroy the opposite system — it merely puts it out of action ; the connection between the opposite system and its vari- ous parts would still remain intact. t The stag's head with its seven horns denotes the law of brute force, because the double contract system is generated ac- cording to the law of brute force. And so it shall be seen that out of the golden chest proceeds the prin- 42 THE CRYSTAL PALACE ciple or law upon which the whole plant is to be op- erated." "There is a direct connection between each of the ends of the chest and the seven gates; and also there is a direct connection between the south side of the chest and the golden ball. However, the north side does not connect directly with the golden ball, as the connection leads first to the seven lights of the candle- stick and from thence to the golden ball. It will be seen then that the light of the single contract system is a direct light, whereas the light of the double con- tract system is an indirect light. Therefore the single contract system corresponds to the day, because the earth in the daytime gets its light directly from the sun, and the double contract system corresponds to the night, because the earth at night gets its light in- directly from the moon and stars. Now you will see where the lighter belongs and what is its purpose." He then inserted the lower end of the lighter into its holder on the top of the left, or north side of the chest. "You will observe that there is a holder in the right side also, but since the law represented in the left side is now in force, the lighter must remain on the left side so that it may receive the flame where- with it keeps the lamps lighted." "But," I said, "if the light to the golden ball, which is transmitted through the seven lamps, is disposed of by a direct route when the single contract system is in operation, why is it necessary to furnish the right side of the chest with a holder for the lighter if it would not then be in use ?" "In that you are mistaken, because when the single contract system is in operation the lighter is inserted into the holder on the right side, thus fur- nishing the connection between the gates and the golden ball, making a complete circuit and indicating that the lighter is a very important instrument indeed." "Now what does all this imply?" "Just this: that the light which- the earth receives indirectly from the sun by way of the moon and stars flashes to the earth a promise of the coming day. By night we cannot see the sun ; but its light, shining upon the stars or upon 43 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY the planets is a signal to the earth of the promise that at the appointed time the sun will again appear; the stars are the Promises." "Now a contract is a legal transaction whereby two parties are bound together according to a certain agreement or promise. There is that about the single contract system which, while it does not dispose of the promises or the contract, its mechanical construc- tion is such that it furnishes a guarantee for the prom- ises ; or as I have said it guarantees the purity of the gold; it does just what the lighter does when it is in- serted into the holder on the right side; it unites the gates with the golden ball ; the single contract system makes the contract binding. The fact that you can- not see the stars in the daytime does not mean that the stars have vanished; it does mean, however, that the promises have been realized. The single contract system provides an absolutely fair and square basis for commercial exchange ; but the double contract sys- tem not only does not guarantee the promises, but con- tinually operates to work out deception. This is 'The Deception that has Deceived the Whole Earth.' " "But," said I, "if the single contract system is so very preferable, why should it not be adopted at once?" "That is the very point I wish to make," he replied. "Before the chest can be opened according to the single contract system, we must first find the key. So far as the present age has any definite knowl- edge, that key is lost beyond recovery for all practical purposes." "What then is to be done?" I asked. His reply, though couched in a sentence of six short words, seemed to roll upon rriy shoulders the responsibilities of ages. "That is for you to say." His manner, so intensely earnest, had the effect of stamping upon my mind all the conviction which he himself possessed, which was, that though the task seemed insurmounta- ble, I could and must find that key. "Could we but find that sharp two-edged sword and restore it to its useful position that it might thereby accomplish its lawful purpose ! Could we but find that long-lost key, insert it into the lock and reverse the 44 THE CRYSTAL PALACE combination," he paused and drew his breath, "think what would then occur! The instant response of the bowl to the action of the rod would flush the cess- pools of political corruption and cleanse the body poli- tic of its accumulated impurities; the fountains and rivers of commerce would overflow with life-giving properties upon the retail counter; the gates would resume their upright position, by which means there would be implanted in the earth Light, Obedience or Assent, and Peace. And the race would be on the broad highway that continually leads to epochal suc- cessions in which are worked out Regeneration, Re- demption, and Realization. And you would have won, not only for yourself, but for all the race, or those who prove themselves worthy of the honor, that most coveted prize, The Golden Crown of Life. The re- sponsibility, I acknowledge, is great, but the reward is worth the effort." "But I have no idea where to begin the search," I faltered. "Since the practice of this deceptive crime against the human race began very early in its career," he replied, "it is advisable that we begin at the beginning. It seems probable that the key lies buried — no telling where — down in the cavernous depths of the bottomless pit. The jour- ney, though most perilous, can be made in perfect safety with my assistance." "It would be interesting to investigate the contents of these numerous private rooms before making the descent ; but as they contain nothing that would be of any assistance to a successful termination of your search, that matter may be deferred. Those rooms on the left, and also on the right, contain the costumes of those who play their part according to the system indicated by its number. The first is six hundred three score and six and the second is one hundred and forty-four thousand. I will now secure the outer doors and make all necessary preparations for a pro- longed absence." And as the captain of a ship might test its various parts that he might know that all things were in readi- ness for a coming voyage, Karalla passed from room 45 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY to room, attending to many requirements which I did not at all understand. At last he came and took the seven telescopes from their observing stand, carefully polished their lenses and replaced them with their ex- treme ends pointing downward, whereupon the great chasm was flooded with a blaze of light as bright as day. By this means a fact was revealed : this was that the great stones of the wall were all engraved with writing, which was not sufficiently plain to be read with the naked eye. Near the ceiling of the room, however, there hung a powerful reflector, and from one of the dressing rooms Karalla had brought out a large table, in the top of which there was a mirror. He placed the table under the reflector in such a posi- tion that all the light of the reflector was concentrated upon the glass. The astonishing result was that the inscriptions on the stones of the great wall were all clearly depicted in the mirror. The world can only know of the deeds of the past generations by a method of reflection. Karalla pressed his finger upon some object at the base of the telescopes and soon they began to revolve, and thus by a rotary motion of the seven telescopes the inscriptions appeared in their respective order in the mirror. And as I watched intently, there fell upon my ear the shriek of the locomotive, the rushing sound of the fast express, the flash and crack of the wireless telegraph; in short, the commotion and bustle of the strenuous life, the quiver and vibration of the electrical age. And then the echoes slowly died away and all was silent as the tomb ; an unnatural gloom, as though the sun might be in eclipse, set in around us; the sea wall loomed above us ; we were already on our perilous journey which seemed might only be a fruitless search. We were sinking rapidly; the water line which formed a circle around where the water of the sea had kissed the great wall was distinctly visible, but rose higher and ever higher above us; the very un- usual situation was most horribly depressing. Swift as had been our downward flight through numberless cycles of time we at last arrived at our destination in 4 6 THE CRYSTAL PALACE safety. I was made aware that a change had taken place when we shot into the glaring light of day out of the gloom of the gray twilight. Before my eyes had fairly become accustomed to the light, Karalla stepped to the telescopes and touched the electrical button which checked their dizzy whirl ; they gradually slowed down and finally ceased altogether and we were at a standstill. The great wall had vanished as completely as though it had never existed, and all around the sea the shore was broken by irregular lines ; the landscape in no way resembled that which had formerly surrounded the sea save that it was en- tirely barren of all forms of vegetation. Shortly after this Karalla informed me that the sur- rounding country would soon become the scene of a complete reproduction of a civilization which rose and flourished far below the horizon of all reliable data, and that at the same time I would witness the remark- able spectacle of what is known as instantaneous crea- tion. So for the next few days he seemed so much absorbed in some task, the nature of which he did not explain to me, that I dared not interrupt him. At last he came and took the lighter from its holder which was upon the left side of the golden chest and trans- ferred it to the holder in the right side. The trans- formation which instantly took place over the whole visible landscape can better be understood than de- scribed. Any attempt to portray the scene with ade- quate justice would but beggar the transcending glory with which proud nature flung out her verdant robes in one grand burst of wild delight. Its description can best be expressed in the brief statement of which man has caught the uncertain reflection that "The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden." Nature's sudden transformation, by which she ap- peared fully clad, was accompanied by a thunder shower which, descending gently under the rays of the sun's undiminished light, flashed the seven pris- matic colors from every drop ; for these colors had not yet been caught and transfixed into the rainbow. Of this matchless display the world has heard that "There 47 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY went up a mist from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground." Some further idea of the beauty and luxurious abundance which the garden contained may be drawn from the statement. "And out of .the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for, food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." After some days spent amidst these enchanting scenes we returned one morning for a brief visit to the Crystal Palace, which was now for the first time since I had known it, set in grounds appropriate to its majestic proportions, and beauty. We had partaken of a dainty breakfast and were about to start on an- other ramble when I perceived that a transformation had taken place as noiselessly as a picture fades from view, from off the canvas. So astonishing had been the changes that but for the fact that many familiar objects still remained, I might have concluded that I had been mysteriously transported to a different land ; and when it was explained that the change was due to the fact that "The Lord God tpok the man which he had formed out of the dust of the ground and put him into the garden to dress it and to keep it," I could have cried with regret at this shameful desecration. The undergrowth, very much of it had disappeared, and in its place there stretched a carpet of green. The flowering bushes and fruit trees had all been trimmed and cultivated ; but when I observed the improvement in fruit and flower which had resulted thereby, I could but rejoice that God's final purpose hung resplendent, from bush, and vine, and limb, through the instru- mentality of man. 4 8 SECOND CHAPTER The Story of the Creation AS this work is necessarily confined to such frag- r\ ments of truth, the vanishing shadows of which have fallen across the imperishable wall of time and have been traced there by hands unknown, the story of the Creation, and that of the garden of Eden, by the evidence submitted in this book, will be found worthy of the attention and consideration attributed to authentic history. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Gen. i. i.) Intelligent Personality is conceived to be the first cause with the heaven and the earth as the expression of His will. It does not say that God created the mat- ter out of which He created the heaven and the earth, but that rather matter was made to take on definite forms and that through these material forms infinite mind found expression. As between mind and matter priority is given to mind ; and it must be conceded that since unconscious matter has not in itself power to become self-acting this distinction rightfully belongs to mind. But since these facts lie too far back into the depths of the past for man to determine the truth concerning them, the best that can be said is that if the writer intended to give priority to mind he took the stronger position. The statement in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth is brief, implying, rather than declaring the elimination of, time as an element in the accomplishment of the work; that is to say, that the story of the creation does not declare, as some have supposed, that the heaven and the earth were pro- duced by an instantaneous creation. * 4 49 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY The earth was without form. (Gen. 1.2.) This is a recognition that crudeness is necessarily the first condition of nature, a fact which cannot be denied. And void; that is, that no form of vegetable or animal life had yet made its appearance; these things are necessarily secondary. In proceeding it will be noticed how abstract is each statement, not necessarily relying on respected authority to prove its truthfulness. And darkness was upon the face of the deep. (2d verse.) It is recognized that darkness is also the first con- dition of nature and that darkness exists without cause in all space until an illuminating body expels the dark- ness by its presence. If we can imagine a time when ( illuminating bodies were not in existence we can realize that darkness must have filled all space at that time ; if we can imagine a region even now, that is out so far beyond where the light of the farthest star can penetrate, we must realize that that region is full of darkness ; so it is but a simple statement of fact that as between darkness and light, darkness is necessarily nature's first condition. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (2d verse — continued.) Intelligent expression in matter must always be the result of intelligent movement on matter ; the sculptor must labor with the marble that he may express the conception of his mind in marble. And God said, Let there be light : and there was light. (Gen. 1.3.) It may be recognized that the change from dark- ness to light is instantaneous with the appearance of the illuminating body ; and though a period of time for the Creator to produce the illuminating body may have been necessary, it does not alter the statement that the illuminating body, by its presence, instantly dispels the darkness. But there is nothing in the statement, 50 THE STORY OF THE CREATION "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light," which eliminates time as an element of consid- eration. If I say, "Let the boy be educated," the period of time necessary for the boy to acquire an education is unquestionably conceded, so that the state- ment does not remove time out of the field of consid- eration. And God saw the light that it was good. (Gen. 1.4.) Speculative thought here considers what is not ex- pressed rather than what is; we shall conclude then that the darkness being in decided contrast to the light is necessarily bad. If we knew that all illuminating bodies were to be blotted out, that henceforth darkness alone should reign, we would consider it very bad in- deed. So that if we say that the light is good and that therefore darkness is bad, we clothe the light in virtue and the darkness in dishonor. Light is good and dark- ness is bad ; and so by contrasting light with darkness men learn to distinguish between good and evil. And God divided the light from the dark- ness. (Gen. 1. 4.) That is, He set one over against the other, and by contrast He drew a distinction between them ; and so we shall see that darkness and light are effectually employed to assist men in classifying the forces of good and evil and of truth and error. And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. (Gen. i- 5-) So that God not only distinguished them, but He named them, that they might be identified ; which ex- emplifies the principle of distinction and identification. And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. (Gen. i.6>) 5i 1 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firma- ment: and it was so. (Gen. i. 7.) The idea which seems to have possessed the mind of the writer of the story of the Creation was that all space was filled with water, since he looked out on a vast expanse of ocean which, so far as the world had any definite knowledge, was boundless. And so he conceived the idea that the Creator had fashioned the heaven, and set it in place over the earth like a great canopy, that canopy being as a shell or some kind of durable substance which had power to resist the force of the water. And so were divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament, according to the writer. And God called the firmament Heaven, and the evening and the morning were the second day. (Gen. 1.8.) So, the creation of the heaven was the second step ; but that the writer believed that the creation of the heaven and the earth were accomplished simultane- ously is proved by the statement, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth," and heaven, though the second step, is mentioned first. The simul- taneous creation is further proved by the statement, "And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night," followed by the phrase, "And the eve- ning and the morning were the first day." That the writer believed that the illuminating bodies were swung into space during the first creative day, there can be no mistake; and also that the creation of the heaven was the second creative step, because darkness is the first condition of nature. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. (Gen. 1.9.) 52 I THE STORY OF THE CREATION This is but a recognition of the fact apparent to all, that the surface of the land is higher than the level of the sea. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind whose seed is in itself upon the. earth: and it was so. (Gen. i. ii.) First the dry land appeared and then vegetation, and although this all occurred during the third day, or the third progressive step, progress is marked even here, proving that it_was the writer's opinion that the crea- tion was worked out according to an evolutionary plan. However, the writer does not for a moment lose sight of the personality of God; it is in constant evidence all through the story. And the earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yield- ing fruit after his kind, whose seed is in it- self, upon the earth: and it was so. (Gen. i. 12.) And the evening and the morning were the third day. (Gen. i. 13.) It is but natural law inherent in all vegetable life to reproduce its kind by means of a seed endowed with life, which seed contains in itself all the ele- ments essential to growth and development of the earth vegetation; it is but a recognition of a natural law entirely clear to the observation. And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs ancU for seasons and for days and for years. (Gen. 1. 14.) We are now in the fourth progressive step; the third progressive step is marked by the clothing of the earth in vegetation, while the fourth progressive step 53 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY is marked by the appearance and disappearance of the earth's vegetation according to seasons. It is the ap- pearance and disappearance of the earth's vegetation which marks the seasons; therefore the earth's vege- tation belongs to the third step and must precede the division of time according to seasons. • The writer recognizes that the seasons as well as the days and nights are produced by the illuminating bodies, but the creation of the illuminating bodies does not, in fact, belong to the fourth creative day. For, although he seemingly associated the edict, "And let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth," with the fourth progressive step, it is clear that it must have preceded the command, "And let there be light, and there was light," as first spoken. The fourth creative day has to do with the dividing of time, and time is determined by seasons by the appearance and disappearance of the earth's vegetation. The year is divided by seasons ; time also is divided by day and night, but the dividing of time by light and darkness actually belonged to the first creative day, because the marking of time must have begun with the first day. The illuminating bodies are also for signs, which means that while we cannot see God in person we can know of His existence, because all matter molded into definite forms and for an in- telligent purpose reflect the personality of the Creator. And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly, the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. (Gen. I. 20.) The creation of the fish and fowl, according to the writer, belonged to the fifth creative day ; it was the fifth creative step ; the lower forms of life appeared first. Afterwards in the line of orderly progress came the higher forms. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle and creeping things and beast of the earth after his kind : and it was so. (Gen. 1. 24.) 54 THE STORY OF THE CREATION That is to say, that He endowed all these creatures with the power to reproduce their kind; and finally He made man. And God said, Let us make man in our own image after our likeness. (Gen. 1.26.) Not possessing the power to fathom the depths of the past, the declarations which are set forth in the story of the creation are as intelligent as it is possible for man to conceive. If we try to get to the bottom of things and ascertain whether mind existed before matter, or that matter was originally created by mind, or that mind and matter existed each . independent of the other in the very beginning of things, we will be obliged to acknowledge that it is not within the power of man to determine what were the true facts. If we assume that the writer seeks to convey the idea that God created the matter out of which He created the heaven and the earth, and that Infinite Spirit was the first cause of all material substance, we do so on the ground of faith alone and in the belief that that story of the creation was inspired of God. But if we pro- ceed to analyze the story, for the sake of the truth it contains, we shall be confronted with some self-evi- dent facts, among which are, that intelligent mind may and does express itself in matter by molding matter to suit its purpose. Is it too much to say that plan- etary systems are what they are because of the stamp of Infinite Mind? Take a dredging machine, as a trivial example, and watch the great shovel drive into the dirt ; see it hoisted into the air and swinging clear, deposit the dirt where it is wanted. It acts like a thing of intelligence. The inventor is not there in person, but the stamp of his intelligent mind is there and the machine acts accordingly. Orderly process proves intelligent plan, and intel- ligent plan proves reasoning mind ; and so the person- ality of God, which appears so conspicuously all through the story of the creation, finds its strongest support not in faith, but in reason. That darkness is supplanted by light and that crude matter is molded 55 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY unto forms which bear the stamp of intelligent pur- pose, cannot be questioned. And so all through the story of the creation, with but one exception, every statement contained therein rests upon self-evident facts. This one flaw is to be found in the statement, "And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters," or in the old opinion that the earth is flat. And so if the obstacle which for so long proved so detrimental to the story of the creation be removed, namely, that because of the concise manner in which it is expressed, it has been assumed that the writer did not regard time as an element in the process of crea- tion, but that God by His infinite power spoke every- thing into existence; if this error be disposed of, the story of the creation will be found to be but an effort toward a conscious expression of some of nature's most conspicuous phenomena. And the Lord God formed man out of the dust of the .ground and breathed into his nos- trils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Gen. 2. 7.) That man was formed out of the dust of the ground is proved because the body after death returns to its elements. That man lives by the breath of life, like all other statements in the story but one, is self-evident. The soul is that immortal man which is supposed to survive the death tragedy. The story declares that God endowed man with immortality. This declara- tion, unlike those preceding, is not supported by self- evident fact; but there being no contradictory evi- dence to disprove it, the question must be suspended for future decision. That this truth will ever be es- tablished remains to be seen. There are some laws of nature, however, which strongly support the theory, the principle among these being that law, previously mentioned, by which the race life is perpetuated by reason of the seed. But that the individual member of the race, after having once lived and died, has the power to return again to the living condition, that he 56 THE STORY OF THE CREATION has a soul which survives the death of the body is a theory yet to be confirmed. It is within the purpose of this work to submit valuable affirmative evidence in support of the claim. Also, if evidence can be deduced to prove that a law exists, by and through which the individual member of the race, during his earthly existence, may and should pass through an alternate process, or successive periods of life and death, that he lives, dies, and comes back again into the possession of a new life, still re- taining his individuality and personal identification, it will contribute somewhat towards establishing the law of immortality as a universal law. That there is such a law, and that this law is the only true law of human progress in the economic relations of men will eventually be disclosed. Without death there can be no progress ; death is the great forceful argument that moves the world along. So death in the economic sense of the word is just as essential to organic human society and healthy progress, as is the death of the individual member of the race to race progress, pro- viding always that there is a living seed preserved which will guarantee a resuscitation from that death to a newness of life, restoring also his individuality and all things necessary thereto, as his sacred posses- sion. That economic death to which reference is made is known as the first death. 57 THIRD CHAPTER The Garden of Eden And the Lord God planted a garden east- ward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed. (Gen. 2. 8.) MANY attempts have been made to locate this garden of Eden, but always without success. That it ever did actually exist, or whether it is a mere myth, has been the subject of much discus- sion in which definite conclusions were not reached. This much can be said in its favor, however, and is supported by numerous examples in human experi- ence, that out of the vast wilderness of nature in her wild condition there was set aside a certain tract of land which was reduced to a state of cultivation. The difference between uncultivated and cultivated land is, that in the raw state all forms of vegetation spring promiscuously from the ground without order or favor ; while in the cultivated condition, certain choice forms of vegetation are selected either for their beauty or their usefulness in sustaining life. These were planted and nourished while all other forms of vegeta- tion were persistently discouraged. "The Lord God planted a garden." And out of the ground he made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This furnishes the evidence that, although the Lord rested on the seventh day from all His work, He began again on the eighth day and the work of progress still was continued ; for the eighth day marked a step from the uncultivated to the cultivated condition with man 58 THE GARDEN OF E©EN as the agency through which the transformation took place. Man, having given up the nomadic life, turns to the cultivation of the soil for his support, for cultivation practically spells civilization ; and from henceforth his life becomes as truly implanted in the soil as the roots of the trees and vegetation upon which he depends for subsistence. And in the midst of the civilized state there is now to be found the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and we shall find that there is much meaning in the three words, "in the Midst," for the central institution in the midst of civilization is the market. The tree of life, we are told, bears its twelve manner of fruit; in the market there is gathered all things necessary to sus- tain the race according to the standard of civilization. That these are divided into twelve classes we shall see. Out of the, civilized state there also springs the tree of civil laws. These laws take on legal form as the result of established precedencies, which, because they have been established, are recognized as rules of right conduct between man and man. So that the civil law does, in a measure, represent the moral code because the law is supposed to be the expression of what the wisdom of the age has demonstrated to be right. Here, then, is the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it ; for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Gen. 2. 16, 17.) That the first system of civil law evolved would work out death, economic death, to the race was as certain as that darkness precedes light. Man, being absolutely without moral discernment, is in total dark- ness. He knows nothing of what is for his good or what will work out to his injury, and knowing what would be the result, God gave to man his first com- mand, In the day thou eatest thereof, thou shalt 59 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY surely die. Between the condition of total darkness and the actual dawn of civilization there lies a period of semi-barbarity known as the dead, or unconscious age, because man did not discern the central principle, or sun, in the sphere of civil and moral law. And being endowed with a will and the power of natural selection man chooses to please his senses until having acquired an understanding of the conditions which the moral law imposes he will, by that means, recognize in this command a principle in governmental science. And here a being is introduced who is as directly antagonistic to God and His law as darkness is to light. Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden. (Gen. 3. 1.) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the gar- den; (Gen. 3. 2.) But the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Gen. 3.3.) Then the serpent uttered that half-truth which is more deceitful than any lie ever told. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die (Gen. 3.4) ; For God doth know that in the day ye eat . thereof, then your eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and eviL (Gen. 3. 5..) And when the woman saw the fruit was nourishing, pleasant to the senses, and in- structive to the mind, she partook of it, and gave also unto her husband with her ; and he did eat. (Gen. 3.6.) 60 THE GARDEN OF EDEN And the eyes of them both were opened and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons. (Gen. 3. 7.) How very far down in the scale of human progress this pair is represented to be. From the story of the garden of Eden the follow- ing conclusions are drawn : The market being the central institution of civilization, the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, both grow- ing in the midst of the cultivated grounds, signify that all the products of labor brought into the market, exemplify the tree of life, and that the law which op- erates in the market and which does so either to the good or evil of the race exemplifies the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. All civil law springs originally out of man's commercial relations or from the central institution, the market ; and it shall eyentu- ally be disclosed that there are two laws which are in direct contrast, as light and good are to darkness and evil. In the midst of the civilized environment there is a forbidden fruit in which if man indulges his appe- tite, he will inflict upon his race a death from which there is no resuscitation. The desire to gratify the senses is the temptation which leads man into this evil way; it was both pleasant to the sight and good for food. In the midst of the garden of semi-civiliza- tion the race has an enemy who, by cunning decep- tion, successfully disinherits his race, and because of this there is aroused the spirit of internal race antag- onism. I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed ; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Gen. 3. 15.) As the offspring flees from before the face of the enemy he turns and strikes a blow at his head; the serpent, following close behind, stings his victim's heel. 61 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. (Gen. 3. 16.) It signifies race inequality, the internal race conflict or family quarrel, all of which exemplifies the law of darkness, sin, and death ; the law of the double stand- ard or double contract system, which operates to drive out the man who tills the ground and supplies the market, making him practically an exile from many of its benefits. * This is done by means of the sword, which is the price, which turns every way to guard the tree of life. So he drove out the man and placed at the east of the garden of Eden, Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life. (Gen. 3.24.) And finally it is inferred that there is involved in the story' of the garden of Eden the, economic problem. This Satan, this serpent, it will be disclosed, is the younger brother and half owner in the world's great cultivated estate; and that it was for the purpose of getting possession of his brother's equity and becom- ing himself the real power behind the throne, that led to the betrayal, to the adoption of the law of internal race antagonism and its inevitable results : Destruc- tion, Possession, and Suppression. 62 FOURTH CHAPTER Ancient Mythology BEING aware that the time was ripe for the un- folding of national destiny in the earth, so it is related, Great Jupiter called a council of the gods to discuss the situation. It had become a matter of the gravest concern, he declared, to know which, among the numerous companies of gods, were des- tined to enjoy the fullest and most-lasting adoration from that nation, by whom they would be chosen to preside over its destinies. Jupiter reminded the gods that while the nations might prove faithful in their sacrificial offerings, yet if their first conceptions should prove impractical, those gods who once had enjoyed high exaltation would suffer the humiliation of falling into disfavor. And then with careful deliberation he proceeded to unfold to them what had been the object for which the assembly had been called together. Jupiter proposed that a mighty sea wall be built around that dangerous sea in which the innumerable hosts of mortal man were destined to perish. He proposed that this wall be built of massive blocks of solid granite, because that alone would have sufficient endurance to withstand the destructive hand of time. Then he advised the gods that there should be care- fully gathered and compiled the wonderful stories which were sure to spring out of the prolific imagina- tion of man's mind. There were to be appropriately inscribed upon the great stones the deeds of valor, or chivalry of the gods, their heroic encounters in war, and their instruc- tions in the arts of peace. Behind every phenomenon of nature man would recognize a personal deity. Every 'passion that struggled within man's bosom ; every characteristic which he himself possessed, , 6 3 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY whether noble or depraved, with all these the gods would be endowed, though magnified a thousand fold. Yet this could better be endured than that their glory should perish from neglect. He suggested that they should by every means encourage the development of art, as nothing was more adapted to produce a lasting impression than the presentation of the figure and form of the gods, each clothed in some characteristic garb, and reproduced in stone or marble. The expres- sion of their ideas in such tangible form would crown the gods with unfading splendor ; so he reasoned. Jupiter had ceased speaking; and the tremendous applause which followed proved the popularity of his plan ; on this idea, at least, the gods were agreed. By this fortunate strike of diplomacy, Jupiter's popularity among the gods had been, very much strengthened. The disposition to share with them in the honors had evidently struck a popular chord, and many of them who had become estranged returned to their former allegiance. Jupiter, who was visibly affected by the enthusiasm his plan had awakened, ordered the glasses refilled; and then while all eyes were upon him as he lifted his glass, a strange thing happened. A bird as black as a raven flitted into the great assembly room and, seem- ingly void of fear, perched himself upon Jupiter's arm, clinging familiarly to the folds of his mantle. A hush immediately fell over the audience, for the gods, one and all, immediately recognized in this an evil omen. But the silence was broken by a shrill voice which, with impudent accent, exclaimed, "Jupi- ter, tell us the secret of your power." Jupiter's countenance instantly darkened with rage; he grasped his ever-ready thunderbolt with a vigor which made all present tremble with fear. Some of the gods fled in confusion, but others remained to witness Jupiter's complete humiliation. For suddenly the hand that held the scepter relaxed, the thunder- bolt quivered in the air like a thing of life, then leaped and coiled itself about that mighty arm wliich now hung limp at Jupiter's side. With a scream of triumph 6 4 ANCIENT MYTHOLOGY the bird arose, and poising immediately behind great Jupiter's massive frame, spread forth, his pinions.. The sensation was intense, for the immortals perceived that this unknown figure, though disguised as a raven, was indeed one of them. As the black silken robes fell from his outstretched wings they appeared like a back- ground against which Jupiter's majestic figure became the more conspicuous. Although his audacity had awakened their admira- tion, the gods did not applaud him, for none present had been able to recognize him. Some said it was Niece, the goddess of victory, seeking revenge for Jupiter's neglect, for she had not appeared in her ac- customed place at his right side. Others said it was Clotho, one of the three sisters known as the fates and destinies, for it was known that only they dared op- pose Jupiter's sovereign will. Others said it could not be she, because when Clotho spun the threads of light and dark were intermingled. As last one of them sent a message, which read, "Reveal thy name and we will applaud thee." Perceiving what had been requested of him, there now appeared over Jupiter's head and on the chest of his audacious rival the magic number 666, written in flaming scarlet. Though the gods refused to recog- nize the supremacy of one who preferred to shield his identity in mystery, Satan was not at all disturbed* for since that day the impression has prevailed that behind the throne of Jupiter, supreme God of the Greeks and Romans, the moving spirit is Satan the arch enemy and betrayer of the human race. Rash Jupiter lost no time in putting the mighty project under way, and in doing so increased his hu- miliation by a double portion. But possibly he also found his revenge, for from that wall the mythological and historical contents of this book were gathered. 65 FIFTH CHAPTER Israelitish History SATAN would rule the world by the forces of darkness, but Jehovah Who, sacred history de- clares, has ever contended with Satan for the supremacy of the world, has employed opposing forces. By the illuminating bodies He dispelled the darkness which pervades all space ; but in the mental and spir- itual kingdom He has substituted the stars by His promises. Satan tricked our first parents out of their original estate by means of his deceptive arts ; but discerning the glimmering rays of Jehovah's first promise, "The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head," he perceived its purpose and repeated the words with characteristic chuckle. Among the first promises of Jehovah were those to Father Abraham: Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kin- dred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will shew thee. (Gen. 12. 1.) And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. (Gen. 12.2.) And he brought him forth abroad and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. (Gen. I5-5-) And I will establish my covenant between me* and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. (Gen. 17. 7.) 66 ISRAELITISH HISTORY And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an ever- lasting possession; and I will be their God. (Gen. 17.8.) This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee : Every man child among you shall be circumcised. (Gen. 17. 10.) Because of this promise to Abraham, the land of Canaan is known as the Promised Land. The law of circumcision was typical of being shorn of the lusts oi the flesh. The story is well known, how God established His covenant with Abraham, renewed it with Isaac and again with Jacob, revealing Himself by visions and dreams to each of them. Jacob was the father of twelve sons, of whom Joseph was the favorite. Joseph's brethren, becoming jealous, sold him into Egypt. Some years after this, when both Canaan and Egypt were visited by famine, Joseph's brethren went down into Egypt to buy corn, and there Joseph revealed himself as their long-lost brother and for- gave them their intended wickedness, for he believed it an act of providence that he might save their lives. Jacob and all his household afterwards removed to Egypt, where Joseph provided for them, as he was able to do by reason of peculiar circumstances. Joseph had won great favor in the eyes of Pharaoh because of his wisdom in interpreting a dream, in which Pharaoh was forewarned of a coming famine that should last for seven years. The particular feature about the dream was the manner in which it was presented, a peculiar figure being employed which ap- pealed to the imagination and made it especially im- pressive. Joseph was peculiarly gifted to interpret it and time proved that his interpretation was correct. But as this was only one of the many dreams of this peculiarly figurative type which this early history records, there appears in this a seeming purpose. 67 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY According to the dream, the seven years preceding the seven years' famine were to be years of plenty, and influenced by Joseph's advice, Pharaoh commis- sioned him to lay up in store during the seven plente- ous years a provision against the seven years of famine which were to follow. And the impression is given that these provisions were confiscated. But when the famine came they were returned to the people again at ruinous prices. Let a synopsis here be made of the circumstances by which Egypt has been inscribed the Land of Bondage. First, there was a concentrated one-man power, which being an abnormal condition, produced an abnormal result which may be said literally to have capsized the state. Joseph, finding himself all-power- ful, did what most people would have done ; he raised the price of commodities until all the coin of the king- dom was in his hands ; and when this was done there still remained a goodly surplus of provisions yet in store. And when the money was all in Joseph's hands and the people demanded bread of him, the story re- lated that the price which Joseph charged the people for one year's provisions exactly represented all the live stock of Egypt. But the people came to Joseph again the next year and told him that they had naught left but their bodies and their land; they implored him to buy their bodies and their lands and they would become servants unto Pharaoh that they might not die, and that he should give them seed that the land should not be desolate. And then what happened? That the people might have access to the land again, one-fifth part of all they produced must be paid to Pharaoh, a very reasonable rental, indeed, considering Joseph had everything his own way. And so by a simple manipulation of the price, Joseph literally con- fiscated the people's estate. He, the custodian of the law, took possession of the market, and by means of the price drove the peo- ple out to become dependent cultivators of the soil which was originally their own. It is well to pause, then, and contemplate how powerful a factor the price 68 ISRAELITISH HISTORY may become in shaping the destinies of a nation when that power is unfortunately used for a selfish purpose. For it is recorded that it was four hundred and thirty years before this disastrous circumstance was over- come and the chosen people were at last liberated. The above story is here related because it is, prac- tically, a repetition of the story of the garden of Eden, and with some slight variations it is the story of man's lost estate everywhere from that day since. Wher- ever land is not taken by force of arms it is acquired .by the sword of commercial warfare which is the price. The subjugation of the people under these cir- cumstances may be easily accounted for ; but the means by which it is asserted the Israelites were released from this bondage is not so compatible with reason.-- But since the plagues of Egypt pertain to the subject of human liberty, which is always of vital interest, reference will be made to them again in later chapters. 69 SIXTH CHAPTER The Mosaic Law THE Mosaic Law was given to the children of Israel at a time which may be called the sym- bolical age. It was characteristic of the times that nearly all forms of religious ceremony were largely symbolical, and the Hebrew was no exception. For a correct understanding of the Mosaic Law, there- fore, it is necessary to look below the surface to what the law implies, for its symbolical meaning must not for a moment be lost sight of. All through the Mosaic ritualistic ceremonies, the sacrificial animals were principally of the first year. This is a symbol that man lives from year to year. During the summer months man produces his yearly sustenance; and it is a fact that his life is sustained by the sacrifice of the vege- table and animal life which his labor has produced. Since man could not survive the winter season with- out this sacrifice, therefore the blood of the sacrifice stands between him and death, because, before the flesh can be used for food, the blood must first be shed. When death passes over the land during the winter season, man's life is preserved through the blood of the sacrifice. So that this ceremony, though a symbol, is nevertheless the outward shell which con- tains the embryo of a vital principle ; that this require- ment of nature, which is a matter of life and death, is a prerequisite of human existence. And similarly it will be found that all parts of the Mosaic Law are symbolic of economic law. The Mosaic Law was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai, by God in person, and by direct conversation, so it is stated. It was given to meet the requirements of its day and age. Nevertheless there is a prophetic mean- ing running throughout the law which, like the germ 70 ' THE MOSAIC LAW of life within the grain, must be planted in the fertile soil of a clear understanding to cause it to spring forth in the newness of life and power. The Sign of the Law. (i-a) And the blood shall be to you for a token (or Sign), and when he seeth the blood uponlhe lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your house to smite you. (Ref. Ex. 12.13,23.) In a peculiar sense the blood of the sacrifice stands as a shield of protection from the hand of the de- stroyer. The first sign of the Mosaic Law, therefore, is the preservation of life from the hand of the de- spoiler, through the blood of the sacrifice. But as a preliminary to the dissolution of the tie of bondage in which the Israelites found themselves, the sign of the law, the blood of the sacrifice, was put upon the door, that by it the home might be protected from a common enemy. The children of Israel were face to face with that intolerable condition of life, a hopeless bondage, a corrective measure for which the Mosaic Law was intended. But also, as we shall see, it was given to meet the demands of an industrial situation. It pre- sents an exposure of that great world Deceiver, whose ruinous policy is such that he may well be termed the Destroying Angel. Let him whose duty it is to pro- vide the yearly sustenance secure his freedom in the privacy of his own home, under the sign of God's law which signifies the release from bondage through the blood of the sacrifice. The Lord commanded Moses to celebrate the feast of the passover, the feast of unleavened breac}, with bitter herbs for seven days. In the first month, Ahab, commencing on the fourteenth day of the month at even, the feast should begin. (b) And it shall be for a Sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial be- 71 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY tween thine eyes, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand the Lord brought thee out of Egypt. (Ex. 13- 9-) The Lord commanded Moses to sanctify unto Him all the first born, both of man and beast. (c) And it shall be a token (or Sign) upon thine hand, and for a frontlet between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt. (Ex. 13. .16.) A frontlet was a band worn on the forehead : the sign of the law was upon the forehead and in the hand. The feast of the passover, together with the dedica- tion of the firstborn, were memorials of their deliver- ance from bondage. The first sign of God's law there- fore is the sign of deliverance from bondage or the sign of liberty. (2) Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout all their generations, for a per- petual covenant. It is a Sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was re- freshed. (Ex. 31. 16, 17.) The sabbath day is the day of rest; the second sign of God's law is the sign of rest. Liberty and rest, then, are the visible objects, the practical purposes of the law. And if it is found that the Mosaic Law will secure these blessings to the race, it will bear evi- dence that the law is indeed the work of a divine Being revealing these matters to man by inspiration. If this be true, then the call of Abraham, the cove- nant which God made with him and his heirs, the vision of the horror of great darkness which fore- shadowed the degradation of the Jewish race, the dreams of Pharaoh, Joseph's elevation, the seven years of plenty, followed by the seven years of famine which forced the Israelites into bondage, were all 72 THE MOSAIC LAW links in a connected chain of circumstances, the ul- timate object of which was first, to furnish to the world a true guide to liberty through the Mosaic Law, and second, to teach man the conservation of natural energy by periodical relaxation. The Sign of the Law is the Sign of Liberty and of Rest. And as the children of Israel breathed the first pure air of liberty, they gave expression to their gratitude in song. I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath tri- umphed gloriously, the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. (Ex. 15. 1.) As the ceremonies of the Mosaic Law were exem- plified in and about the temple, a preliminary state- ment as to the arrangements of the temple is neces- sary. The temple was always built facing the east. It was divided into two parts : first, the Holy place, or the tabernacle of the congregation; and second, the Most Holy place, or the Holy of Holies; these were separated by a curtain called the veil. In the open court the brazen altar stood directly in front of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, upon which altar the sacrifices were offered. The altar was built of wood and entirely overlaid with brass, for which reason it was called the brazen altar. There were four horns ; one horn at each of the top corners of the altar. Upon the north side of the brazen altar the sacrifice was slain. The vessels used in making the sacrifices were also of brass, consisting of a pan to receive the ashes, a brazen grate of network, the fire pans, the pots, shovels and basins, and the brazen laver within which the priest cleansed his hands and feet before offering the sacrifices. The table, which stood on the north side of the taber- nacle of the congregation, was entirely overlaid with gold. On the south side of the tabernacle of the con- gregation was the golden candlestick, which had six branches projecting out of the main stem, three on either side. Each branch supported a lamp which, together with the main stem, made seven lamps in all. The candlestick and its vessels were all of pure gold. 73 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY The golden incense altar stood immediately in front of the veil in the tabernacle of the congregation; it was built of wood and, like the table, entirely over- laid with gold. Upon each of the four corners at the top of the altar was a horn, like the four horns of the brazen altar. Aaron was commanded to burn sweet incense on this altar every morning when he dressed the seven lamps of the golden candlestick. In the Holy of Holies, behind the veil, there was only the ark of the testimony. It was built of wood and was entirely overlaid within and on the outside with gold ; the ark was covered by the mercy seat of pure gold. Bowing above the mercy seat were two cherubims, who stretched forth their wings on high covering the mercy seat. Within the ark Moses was commanded to put the testimony or law which God gave unto him, for which reason it was called the ark of the testimony; and also was commanded to take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the testimony to be kept in the ark. (Ex. 16. 33, 34.) The mercy seat signified that within God's law there is safety; there God's mercy is revealed. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat. (Ex. 25.22.) The object of all civil law is, or should be, to fur- nish a common ground upon which to decide matters of justice between man and man; the two cherubims bending above the mercy seat signify the submission of the opposing parties to the law. The law does not always appear as a provision of mercy ; it is stern and unyielding. But a symbolical analysis of the Mosaic Law will reveal it to be a means of protection, a com- mon ground of justice indeed. The Mosaic Law is the testimony which God has laid up for Himself as a witness against the nations, that when, by a constant thrashing of economic prob- lems, there is developed a clearer understanding of the laws of political economy, the Mosaic Law will be found to be a depository of the true principles of 74 THE MOSAIC LAW Governmental Science. It is not, therefore, the literal statement of the law that is of most interest, but what it signifies. It may have answered the requirements of its day and age in its formal application, but as such has long since been abandoned. It is then the hidden meaning of the law which is the germ of life. Let us tap the outer shell, as it were, that we may behold its marvelous contents. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. (Ex. 20.3.) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in the heaven above ; or that is in the earth be- neath, or that is in the water under the earth. (Ex. 20.4.) Sternly forbidding the forms of worship which more strongly appealed to the senses, God chose to indi- vidualize Himself by a method which was destined forever to endure; He wrote His law in man's flesh. The laws of political economy, or more properly speaking, industrial economy, have to do with that vital problem, the struggle for an existence. Since the Mosaic Law contains, in substance, the correct principles of political economy, it will thus be seen that God's law is indeed written in man's flesh. Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. (Ex. 20.8.) Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Ex. 20. 12.) There is no higher code of moral law anywhere found than is found in the ten commandments. Such laws can never become obsolete because they are ap- plicable to all people under all conditions. The Mosaic Law is the law of the equal exchange; it declares that in the strife of life man must relin- quish according as he has inflicted; life for life, eye 75 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, stripe for stripe. And if a man cause a blemish in his neigh- bor, as he hath done so it shall be done to him again. (Lev. 24. 19.) As he has inflicted injury in the struggle, so the law requires that he must sustain injury to his members. This is the law of the equal exchange; let it be writ- ten large that all who run may read. When thoU takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, that there be no plague among them. (Ex. 30. 12.) The ransom price, which was half a shekel, accord- ing to law, was the same to rich and poor alike. A ransom is the price paid to redeem from captivity or to release from servitude, it is the price of liberty. The soul is the man immortal which frustrates the power of death; the language suggests that the soul is held in captivity until released by the ransom price. When political economy shall have been reduced to a more concrete science it will be found that this im- mortal life, in economic sense of the term, is in truth purchased with money; or, in other words, a ransom for his soul, will be recognized as an important prin- ciple pertaining to that science. That there be no plague among them is to say that a proper application of this principle of the ransom price will prevent con- tamination; it will flush the streams of commercial activity and keep clean and healthy the fountain of industrial life. The cloud was the symbol of God's visible presence ; this is indicated by the following statements: The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them the way ; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light. (Ex. 13.21.) 76 THE MOSAIC LAW They looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. (Ex. 16. 10.) Also it was the cloud that covered the mercy seat where God promised to commune with the people. The cloud was therefore the symbol of God's personal manifestation. In the ceremony of the consecration there was a clear recognition of the Levite as the stronger brother. He was the strength of Israel. And thou shalt take of the blood of the ram and put it upon the tip of the right ear, upon the thumb of the right hand, and upon the great toe of the right foot. (Ex. 29. 20.) Not that this tribe was by nature any stronger, but that its favorable position in the tribal arrangement, it shall be seen, was the cause of its strength. Upon either shoulder of the ephod, worn by the priest, was an onyx stone, in which was engraved the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel, six of their names on one stone and six on the other. This was a memorial unto the children of Israel that Aaron might bear their names before the Lord upon his shoulders. The breastplate which hung suspended by the wreathen chains from the shoulders of the ephod was set with twelve stones, of precious or semi- precious value; a stone for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judg- ment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the Holy Place for a memorial before the Lord. (Ex. 28. 29.) The name is the means by which individuality is rec- ognized, by which a person or place is identified dis- tinct and apart from all others. The significance of this law is that upon the shoulders and the heart of the strong, so called, there be placed the responsibility 77 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY of bearing the individuality of the weaker brother. It provides a guarantee that in the struggle for existence the relations between man and man shall be such that the weaker brother shall not lose his individuality, his distinction. The sacrifices of the people were always to be free- will offerings. The person making the sacrifice was always required to place his hand on the head of the offering as a token that the sacrificial offering, about to be made, actually represented himself, as though he himself were about to suffer the death penalty for his sin or for the purpose of atonement. He must also slay the offering with his own hand as -a token of self- sacrifice. Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning ; and the other thou shalt offer at even; (Ex. 20. 38, 39.) The lamb of the first year signifies that man lives from year to year, and day by day continually, that man must make his sacrifice of labor day by day con- tinually. As one of the lambs symbolized the race in the midst of its daily toil that it might thus overcome death, so the other lamb symbolized God, a willing party to that sacrifice. God joins with man in sacred contract that He might also make void the powers of death. And what is the reward which God, by His sacrifice, comes seeking? It is that in the adoption of this, God's law of liberty, man shall recognize His personal presence that He may dwell with him. But what is this law of liberty? And there I will meet with the children of Israel and will be their God, and they shall know that I am the Lord their God that brought them forth out of bondage that I may dwell among them. (Ex. 29. 43, 45, 46.) And with the one lamb offer a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of a hin 78 THE MOSAIC LAW of beaten oil, for a meat offering and the fourth part of a hin of wine for a drink of- fering. (Ex. 29. 40.) The other lamb thou shalt offer at even, his meat offering and his drink offering shall be the same as that which was offered with the lamb of the morning. (Ex. 29.41.) This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Ex. 29.42.) The flour and oil symbolized a double sacrifice ; the wine symbolized the reward. The Mosaic Law al- ways recognized two parties to a sacrifice; the flour may be said to have represented the party of the first part and the oil the party of the second part. The significance is that whatever its source, the Mosaic Law sprang out of an intelligent comprehension of industrial science, for the requirements of industry always resolves into that situation, that unless the blood of both parties shall flow together in sacrifice there can be no such thing as a legal reward. Wine is a stimulant; always, that which stimulates effort is the reward. Therefore, wine is a symbol of reward, and the law required that the oil or the sacrifice and the wine or the reward should be of equal measure. According to the Mosaic Law, one of the fundamental principles in the science of political economy is that "The Reward must be Equal to the Sacrifice." The burnt offering was so called because of the burning upon the altar all night until the morning. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. (Lev. 6. 13.) The whole carcass was flayed and cut into pieces, and was then placed upon the altar to be consumed; a complete sacrifice by fire. As the brazen altar sym- bolized the wholesale market, so the sacrificial offer- ing symbolized the products of labor by which the market is supplied. The period of time when labor's 79 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY sacrifice is upon the altar is the night-time, the time when the industrial prospects present the darkened possibilities; it is the hour of death to those whose duty requires them to provide the national sustenance. The burnt offering typified labor's night and death and her complete sacrifice to feed the fires of nation- wide consumption. The meat offering consisted of flour, over which a quantity of oil had been poured, with frankincense laid upon it. The priest then took a handful of flour and burnt it upon the altar as a memorial unto the Lord, corn sometimes being used instead of flour. The oil and flour which were used so much, because they were both foods which contained very much nourish- ment, were typical of the sacrifice of life on the altars of production. They symbolized the double sacrifice which the law required. The law of the peace offering required that all the fat from every part of the internal organs should be removed. The fat that covereth the inwards and all the fat that is upon the inwards, and the two kidneys and the fat that is on them ; and Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar. (Lev. 3 — parts of 3, 4, and 5 verses.) Since the industrial problem is the subject of contem- plation, the fat of the sacrifice symbolizes the wealth of nations as is expressed in the implements of pro- duction, land, labor, and capital. The implements of production comprise the internal organs of the indus- trial body, which become the wealth of nations as with industrial progress they come more and more into de- mand. And as they are purchased by various indi- viduals as business facilities they may be said to have passed through the market to individual appropria- tion. This process the Mosaic Law forbids. The law of the peace offering signifies that to maintain peace- ful relations between all parties concerned in the proper industrial adjustment, the fat of the sacrifice, land, labor, and capital, being in their nature as they 80 THE MOSAIC LAW are public utilities, cannot pass through the market to individual appropriation; they cannot be bought and sold as other commodities are. They must be cast off by the people and wholly consumed on the great brazen altar of sacrifice. The law regarding the fat and the blood is very explicit. All the fat is the Lord's. It shall be a per- petual statute for your generations through- out all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood. (Lev. 3. 16, 17.) The law expressly forbids the appropriation of the fat and the blood to individual use, and with the statement,-^// the fat is the- Lord's, there is thrown about the implements of industry the mantle of sacred protection; the fat is the Lord's. The Mosaic Law forbade the eating or drinking of the blood of the sacrifice for the reason that blood is unfit for food pur- poses because it has not passed through that mature process which nature requires to make it suitable as a means of subsistence; only the flesh is fit. The in- dividual consumption of the blood would be an im- mature destruction of the means of subsistence. The process of commerce and industry is conducted for the purpose of providing the national sustenance. When Joseph, for example, exercised his power of price con- trol and changed the natural current of the commer- cial stream into individual channels, appropriating not only all the wealth, but all the means of subsistence as well, he destroyed the means of the people's sub- sistence before economic law had worked out its ma- ture process; in other words, he "drank the blood of their sacrifice." The symbolical interpretation of this law is that it seeks to eradicate the crime of prema- ture destruction of the means of subsistence by reason of price control. The penalty for the offence was as follows : For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire 6 81 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY unto the Lord, even that soul shall be cut off from his people, Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut of! from his people. (Lev. 7. 25, 27.) THE UW OF THE SIN OFFERING The sin offering was made with considerable more ceremony and was rich in symbolical nutriment. The various regular ceremonial requirements of the law are fully expressed. If the priest that is anointed do sin, or if the whole congregation of Israel do sin, against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done, and are guilty; even though the sin may have been done ignorantly; when they shall have become aware of their sin, then shall the guilty bring a young bullock with- out blemish unto the Lord for a sjn offering. At the door of the tabernacle of the congre- gation shall he lay his hand upon the bul- lock's head and kill the bullock before the Lord. If the offering is made by the congre- gation, the elders of the people shall make the offering. And the officiating priest shall take of the bullock's blood and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation: and he shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord, before the veil of the sanctuary. The priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense which is in the tabernacle of the congregation and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation; and he shall take off from it all the fat for the sin offering as it was taken off from the bullock of the sacrifice of the peace offering, 82 THE MOSAIC LAW and the priest shall burn them upon the altar of burnt offering. But the whole remaining portion, even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, and burn him in the wood with fire; where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt. And the priest shall make atonement for them as concerning their sin and it shall be forgiven them. And no sin offering whereof any of the blood is brought into the taber- nacle of the congregation to reconcile withal in the holy place, shall be eaten; it shall be burnt in the fire. (Lev. chapters 4, 5, 6.) The formal statement of the law of the sin offering, with some slight variations, was four times repeated; this was for the purpose of giving legal recognition to all elements, according to their class distinctions. If a ruler or if the common people do sin, these rep- resent the state : but if the priest or the whole con- gregation of Israel do sin, these represent the church. By this means the secular and sacred relation of the race found recognition before the law and the varia- tions which the law contains are all significant. For example: // the "priest that is anointed do sin, or if the whole congregation of Israel do sin, then the of- fering must be a young bullock ; and, When a ruler hath sinned or if any of the common people sin, then the sacrificial offering must be a kid of the goat, sig- nifying that as between the sacred and secular rela- tions of men tKe former was symbolized by the bullock and the latter by the goat; or more definitely speak- ing, the distinction is between the sacred law and the secular law. And in the secular or political relations of the race, the law not only recognized class distinction, but each class was recognized as possessing sex distinction as well. When a ruler hath sinned, his offering shall be a kid of the goat, a male without blemish : and if any of the common people have 83 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY sinned, he shall bring for his offering a kid of the goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned. (Lev. 4. 22, 23, 27, 28.) All these points are important and should be kept in mind for the bearing they have upon the subject in its later analysis. The primary object as expressed in all the ordinances of the Mosaic Law, here termed the sacred law, was atonement, or reconciliation. It recognized class dis- tinction, but provided a common ground of reconcili- ation ; atonement, meaning "at one with." Concern- ing things which ought not to be done. There are some things which ought not to be done, as between man and man, because they are offensive, injurious, and sometimes destructive. The symbolical analysis of the law will reveal those things which the law seeks to eradicate because they destroy the peaceable rela- tions of men and are therefore sinful ; atonement sig- nifies unity. And so the Mosaic Law is quite different in spirit from the law of race antagonism which seeks only to gratify the sensual desires. But it cannot be said that the gratification of the senses is in itself a sin, since were it not for the gratification of the senses the race would cease to exist. What then is sin? Between the sexes a way was long since discovered by which the race might indulge its natural desires and yet be free from sin, which is through the marriage contract which reconciles and unites. The marriage contract also imposes on both parties equal responsibilities in the discharge of those obligations which spring out of their relations, so that in the discharge of duty sin is covered. The association of the sexes without the mar- riage contract has long been recognized as a violation of the moral law ; the law of the sin offering furnishes a moral standard which must be adhered to if those things which give cause for contention between the classes are to be avoided and the people united and reconciled under the law. Since- the Mosaic Law seeks 84 THE MOSAIC LAW always to reconcile and to unite it may rightfully be termed the Marriage Law of Nations. Marriage is a sacrifice, and in the discharge of those obligations which class relations impose public sin is covered. If a soul shall sin through ignorance. (Lev. 4. 2.) Through a lack of moral discernment many sins are done ignorantly; and especially is this true of those sins which affect the race according to their class distinction; whether political or industrial. When the sin which they have sinned comes to their knowl- edge, then let them bring a bullock or a goat unto the Lord for a sin offering. That is to say, that the law is not incumbent upon men so long as they remain un- conscious of their sin; therefore, the Mosaic Law re- mains a dead letter until the symbolical interpretation of the law is given, after which man awakens to a consciousness of guilt. Guilt can only be removed by obedience to the law ; and as the bullock and the goat represent acquired property, and as these domesticated creatures were, as a rule, used for sacrificial purposes, the case is stated thus: the Mosaic Law always re- quired a property sacrifice for sin. And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of 4jie congregation. (Lev. 4. 4-) That is, he shall bring his offering to the outer en- trance; it signifies that the products of labor enter the market, or are offered at the outer entrance, the wholesale market. The hand was placed upon the head, signifying that, not only in all the domesticated animals, but in all the products of labor everywhere, there is represented that stored-up energy necessary to the process of production to the extent that the produce which enters the wholesale market, actually represents labor's dead body thrown off in sacrifice. It is an act of self-sacrifice. And the priest that is anointed shall take 8S THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY of the bullock's blood and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation; and he shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord, before the veil of the sanctuary. (Lev. 4. 5, 6.) The marriage relations are purely legal ; the ties that unite the opposite sexes are not of blood, but accord- ing to law ; therefore, the marriage ceremony may be said to have been performed in the presence of, or be- fore the law. The ark of the testament wherein were the tables of the law stood immediately behind the veil of the sanctuary in recognition of the authority and dignity of the law; the proceedings were in ac- cord with its requirements and therefore legal. Be- fore the Lord marked the law as a divine ordinance. His finger in the blood signified the written law as against the common or unwritten law. The sprinkling of the blood indicates a destruction of life; the tell- tale blood drops may denote that a crime has been committed; but if the blood has been shed in compli- ance with the written law as applies to economic class relations, the law gives power to act without being subject to censure. But what are the requirements of this written law? That he should sprinkle of the blood seven times indicates that there are seven sacri- fices which the two parties represented must make before the law if they would have power to act in fulfilling the demands of nature and still be free from condemnation. And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation. (Lev. 4. 7.) As the brazen altar symbolized the wholesale market, so the incense altar is recognized as the retail counter. The four horns of the altar symbolized the contending forces in the class struggle. The blood was applied to the four horns of the altar as a token of reconcilia- tion between the contending forces, that by the seven- 86 THE MOSAIC LAW fold sacrifice reconciliation may be made. The four horns signify that the race has a double parentage rec- ognized through sex distinction; one is the physical parentage, the other the industrial parentage as ex- pressed in labor and commerce. This double parentage may be termed the compound forces through which race life is perpetuated in the earth ; since their race instincts, it will be found, are similar and run parallel. Since the law of the sin offering required that both church and state should be represented in that cere- mony, the idea is suggested that possibly these might be the four parties represented; but since the priest and the congregation, the ruler and the common people are not the forces through which race life is perpetu- ated, they do not represent the double parentage. The sexes are always recognized as opposite ; and the rela- tions of labor and commerce have, since the beginning of history, ever been antagonistic in their interests. The marriage law of nations covers not only the in- dustrial, but the sex relations as well, and reconciles these four belligerents; they are required to make a seven times sacrifice before the law. But what is this seven times sacrifice ? The law of the sin offering did not always require that the blood should be put upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense ; though this was the regular ceremony, it was not always carried out. Sometimes the blood was applied to the four horns of the brazen altar, for the reason that in every business contract, as well as every marriage contract, there are four in- terested parties. The two immediate contracting per- sons; the offspring, who is the legal heir; and the legal party by whose authority the contract is made bind- ing. The two altars signified the double marriage contracts, and the different stages of the proceedings, the betrothal and the ceremony. The law of the sin offering also required that all the blood be poured out at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering, signifying that the products of the market not only represented labor's dead body thrown off in sacrifice, but that her very life blood has been 87 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY poured out in the strenuous efforts of production. And the regular sacrificial ceremony was carried out; all the fat from the internal organs was burned upon the altar of burnt offering. The fat, or the wealth of nations, when properly classified, comes under seven heads : land ; labor ; the implements of production, all machinery which facilitates production; means of transportation; medium of exchange; the wholesale establishment; and the retail store. To reconcile con- tending forces there must be this seven times sacri- fice before the law; but the blood sprinkled seven times before the veil of the sanctuary was only the agreement, and following the agreement the terms of the contract were carried out; the fat was burned in recognition of the sacrifice of the internal organs of the industrial body as represented by the fat. But the whole remaining portions, even the whole bullock shall be carried forth with- out the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt. (Lev. 4. 11, 12.) Ashes are the sign of complete consumption by fire; wherever there are ashes it proves that fire has en- tirely devoured a substance. The products of labor are in the market for the purpose of consumption, but the actual consumption does not take place until the carcass is carried forth without the camp; or is car- ried out from the market in the process of retail dis- tribution, whence it goes to a complete consumption. And no sin offering whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile withal in the holy place, shall be eaten ; it shall be burnt in the fire. (Lev. 6. 30.) The law forbids the eating of the sin offering for the reason that the individual cannot depend on the things his own hands have produced to sustain him. Wherever a complex system of economy exists, the one article which the individual has produced must 88 THE MOSAIC LAW be exchanged in the market for the many things nec- essary to supply his many needs ; men must needs co- operate. The one article which the individual has contributed represents his sin offering, because human nature is selfish; the purpose of the law is always to remove the sin and work out justice; and so the sin offering must be carried out to cleanliness. The law of the trespass offering was practically the same as the law of the sin offering in its cere- monial requirements, differing only in that it specified the portion of the sacrifice which should be allotted to the priest ; with the fat there should be offered the rump. And the priest that offereth any man's burnt offering, even the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt offering which he hath offered. (Lev. 7.8.) And all the meat offering that is baken in the oven, and all that is dressed in the frying- pan, and in the pan shall be the priest's that offereth it. (Lev. 7. 9.) The wave breast and the heave shoulder were also consecrated to the priest as his portion. As order in the planetary universe is the result of limiting the planets to certain spheres of action, each planet having its orbit, so order in human institutions will be the result of confining the individual member of the com- mon body to his rightful sphere, that he may not en- croach upon others and appropriate to his personal use any portion of the substance of the market to which another is justly entitled. It was the business of the priest to receive the peo- ple's sacrifices, and in that capacity he answers to the business requirements of the mercantile class. When business is conducted according to the common or unwritten law, the law of race antagonism, it will be found that it is the very nature of the mercantile class, or the economic law which governs that class, to en- croach upon the rightful sphere of the possessions of 89 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY others. Since the Mosaic Law is a pattern or sym- bolical expression of economic law, a specification of the portion which the priest, as the merchantman, shall enjoy is necessary to the establishment and main- tenance of order. It is the business of governments so to regulate the relations of the two industrial classes, so to adjust the scales of commerce that there be no trespassing. The element of atonement entered into nearly all the sacrifices, stamping the Mosaic Law with the im- print of unity and harmony as the spirit and intent of its designing. The law is also progressive in its construction, as for example, the law of the sin offer- ing may be recognized as a marriage ceremony, but the marriage ceremony is not the marriage relation; this is revealed in the law of atonement. The object of the law of the sin offering, like the marriage cere- mony, was for the purpose of removing the element of sin from the class relation: the law of atonement goes one step further and reveals the propagation of the race under the marriage bonds. One day in each year was set apart as the day of atonement, and falling as it did in the midst of the harvest season, it is especially significant. Then what was this law and ceremony of atonement? the: law of atonement And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come mot at all times into the holy place within the veil be- fore the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not ; for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. And thus shall Aaron come unto the holy place; he shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired. These are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on. And he shall bring a young bullock for a sin 90 THE MOSAIC LAW offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, these for himself and for his house. And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goat for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offer- ing. And Aaron shall first offer his bullock of the sin offering which is for himself and make atonement for himself, and for his house. (This was done by placing the hand on the head.) Then he shall take the two goats, which are for the congregation, and present them be- fore the Lord at the door of the tabernacle. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats ; one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat, and Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the Lord's lot fell, and of- fer him for a sin offering, but the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. Then shall Aaron bring the bullock of the sin offering, which was offered to make an atonement for himself and for his house, and he shall kill the bullock before the Lord, and he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil. And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not. And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offer- ing, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he QI THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat : and he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the con- gregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. And there shall he no man in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his house- hold, and for all the congregation of Israel. The blood mingled seven times upon the Golden Altar. And he shall take of the blood of the bul- lock and of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar round about and he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times and cleanse it and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel. And when he hath made an end of recon- ciling the holy place and the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar ; then he shall bring the live goat, and Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness. But the bullock for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering whose blood was brought in to make an atonement in the holy place shall one carry forth without the camp, and they shall burn without the camp the entire remaining portions, but the fat shall be burnt upon the brazen altar. And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, that in the seventh month on the tenth day of the month ye shall afflict your souls and do no work: it shall be a sabbath of rest unto you ; for in that day shall the 92 THE MOSAIC LAW priest make an atonement for the holy sanc- tuary, for the tabernacle of the congrega- tion, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests and for all the con- gregation of the people. And it shall be an everlasting statute unto you to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. (Lev. Ch. 16.) The symbolical analysis and interpretation of the law of atonement is as follows : First, the sacredness of the marriage relations was recognized. Speak unto Aaron, thy brother, that he come not at all times unto the holy place within the veil. (Lev. 16. 2.) As the marriage bedchamber is private and cannot be entered at all times, this is but a recognition of the sanctity of the marriage relations. Before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark. As the ark was the receptacle for the law, it signi- fies that God's law is a provision of mercy. Recog- nizing that life is perpetuated through the gratifica- tion of the sexual desires, and that these instincts are irresistible, the Mosaic Law by its marriage contract provided a way of escape from sin for the industrial parentage ; that these natural instincts which are not in themselves necessarily evil, may be satisfied with- out condemnation. That he die not. The compulsory demands of na- ture's laws, to which the race is subject, is to the end, that it die not. For I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. The cloud which covered the mercy seat was produced by burning incense. The incense was composed of fragrant gums, spices, and frank- incense which, as it burned, produced a perfume : the burning of the incense, therefore, symbolized the per- fume of the flowers, which is the culmination of plant development. When the latent forces which the seed contains are spent in bringing the plant to maturity, just at that time when the plant had reached its per- 93 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY fection and may be said to be in a state of exhaustion, its dying breath is laden with an odor delightful to the senses. So that the burning incense symbolized the perfume of the flowers, which is the beauty and per- fection of God's perfect work ; it signifies the culmina- tion of physical development ; but it is also the begin- ning of a new generation; through birth, race life is perpetuated, and though the parental sacrifice may be as the exhaustion of the fading flower, yet through the union of hearts the sweetness of life will be even as its perfume. And so if industrial activities are conducted and brought to their legitimate termination, according to the requirements of the sacred law, the class relations of the people will result in a new race or national birth amidst the patriotic devotions of a united people. For I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat signifies that as the ultimate purpose in all nature re- veals the personality of God, so in the culmination of the lawful and natural process of industry by which race life is perpetuated from season to season, the personality of God appears. The law forbids the drinking of the blood, the premature destruction of the means of subsistence, because it defeats God's ultimate purpose, which is to provide for a new race life. In the smoke which, figuratively may be said to rise from the process of food consumption, God ap- pears in person as the author and giver of life. The cloud is therefore the symbol of God's visible pres- ence : as the storm cloud waters the earth and thereby gives life to vegetation and ultimately to man, so in the mature development of God's law of governmental science race life is provided for. And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which was to make atonement for himself and for his house, and he shall kill the bullock before the Lord, and he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar and his hands full of sweet incense beated small, and bring it within the 94 He contemplated teaching to the world by such means the rudiments of industrial economy. Nevertheless there has been ingeniously interwoven into this promise all the elements of the industrial situation. They are labor, faith, patience, endurance, tenacity, the promise of reward which stimulates ef- fort, time and its culmination, and finally the subject of good and evil or the moral problem involved in the industrial situation. So whether these various ele- 176 LIFE inents were intermingled purposely or not, the fact remains that they are all here; but the prominence ac- corded the industrial problem all through the book of the Revelation assures us that they were not brought in by accident. And though the industrial and the re- ligious problems run parallel, the former receives the greater emphasis. There is nothing surprising in that this promise should have been presented in this con- cealed manner, for the Revelation was given to the world as a sealed book, and such it was intended to remain for a certain period of time, during which time these promises, like the light of the stars, signal to the world the assurance of the coming day. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Rev. 2.4.) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works ; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, ex- cept thou repent. (Rev. 2. 5.) By His promises Jesus inspires their love, the great adhesive element which, like the power of gravitation in the universe, holds these stars,* the lesser lights, in their courses ; so that when love fails those so affected are fallen and their light is quickly removed. Christ touches the conscience and awakens repentance that He may renew the brightness of their light and the fervor of their love. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Rev. 2.6.) A true lover expresses aversion to all rivals in the fear that that love may suffer eclipse. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that * These stars, the ministers of the churches, are identified with the churches, or candlesticks, as the lesser lights. 177 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Rev. 2. J.) He that hath an ear, includes everyone. Though these promises are sent to the churches, they, being the can- dlesticks, should bear the light to whoever is willing to receive it ; and so it is that the light is to be diffused throughout the world. To him that overcometh. In the second and third chapters of the Revelation there are twelve of these promises altogether, and seven of them are prefaced with the provision, "To him that overcometh." Every man who is born into the midst of civilized conditions finds himself ensnared, as it were, by the fetters of bondage. When he is born he brings nothing with him ; the little creature, whose frail bark is pushed for the first time out into the untried seas of life, is wholly dependent upon the loving hands of those about him to make provision for his life. And as he grows up to manhood, and the hands which have sustained him are withdrawn, he finds himself scourged by the lash of necessity to bend his back to the burdens of life. He is compelled to endure the strife in order to pro- vide for himself a place and position in the busy world. And so it is that the law of environment which is the law of bondage is the civilized man's first condition and natural birthright. Against the natural law of bondage Christ offers but one hope ; He says overcome it. Darwin says to adapt yourself to your environment and live ; Christ says to overcome the environment and rise above it; become master of the situation. The Mosaic Law recognized human bondage, but made a provision for release from that condition ; so also Christ recognized the obligations of industry, but in- spires man to make of them the stepping stones to fruitful achievements. will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. I will give him a life in the midst of the beautiful and plentiful. Man's physical life is as truly drawn from i 7 8 LIFE the soil as though he were planted and rooted in the ground. Consider for a moment the wonderful pro- visions which the earth affords for man's maintenance ; think of the inexhaustible variety of vegetables and fruits which the earth so abundantly yields for man's comfort and happiness, the wonderful forests and the inexhaustible resources. Every garment man wears of whatsoever material comes directly out of the ground. How generously the milk of nourishment streams forth from nature's overflowing udder in re- sponse to the efforts of man. And in the Midst of this veritable paradise is the market. The tree of life is in the midst of the cultivated garden ; it sends forth its roots and draws its nourishment from every soil and accumulates at this central location all the abun- dance of the earth. And the only means of access which Christ has to offer to any man is through his own patient endeavor. Those who find solace in singing, "O think of the home over there," will you but turn your attention to the matchless wonders of your present abode? Have you ever visited Paradise Valley, situated at the gov- ernmental reserve, which surrounds some of the prin- cipal mountains of the Cascade Range ? Paradise Val- ley is well named ; it borders the snow fields and is one constantly changing scene of indescribable wonder and beauty. Such rare flowers bloom here in spite of the patches of snow which lie scattered around, not yield- ing to the August sun, that they lend to the scene a touch of delicacy not incomparable with paradise. Mt. Tacoma, signifying Nourishing Mother, is so called because of the numerous rivers which are fed by its glaciers, and which plunging down from the beds of eternal ice in every direction furnish an abundant sup- ply of ice-cold water to as many villages extending over a vast area. This mountain is generally called Rainier, but for the reason just cited Tacoma is much more appropriate. The descent of these rivers is so steep that great boulders are loosed from their beds by the force of. the water, and tumbling downstream, strike the rocks which lie in their paths with such force 179 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY to reverberate the sound, as it were, of distant can- nonading. Or enjoy an excursion on Puget Sound, that mar- velous body of steel-blue water, which sailors have said is one of the most beautiful in the world, where of evenings the sinking sun paints the unbroken waves with alternating gold and blue. Then if you love the majestic in nature, cross the Selkirk and Canadian Rockies, where the solid granite is piled against the sky like great and ancient castles of the days of feudalism. The grandeurs of the Yel- lowstone Park and the Grand Canyon of the Colorado are known to every school child; but why speak of the inexhaustible subject of the glories of this para- dise in which we live ? Yet all these things are in the market if one has the means, and that which is commendable in Christ's system of economy is that it affords the means to the man who toils,; it brings this wonderful paradise within his reach, with access to the abundance "of the mar- ket. A life in the midst of the beautiful and plentifuL supply of nature; such is Christ's first promise to His people. LIBERTY The second of these immortal flowers — these pre- cious stones which adorn the golden crown of life — is the promise of Liberty. And unto the angel of the church of Symrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead- and is alive; (Rev. 2.8.) I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. (Rev. 2.9.) Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried ; and 180 LIBERTY, REGENERATION ye shall have tribulation ten days : be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life. (Rev. 2. 10.) The search for gold and precious stones precedes their possession for three reasons ; they are uncom- mon, they are concealed from sight, and they require an experienced eye to detect them. So an analysis of the surrounding premises in which this matchless gem of liberty is concealed places emphasis on the statement, "Behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison ; be thou faithful unto death ancf I will give thee a crown of life." There is a peculiar con- nection between these two statements not readily per- ceived, for the crowning glory in Christ's system of political economy, this golden crown of life which has appealed to the imagination of the faithful in every Christian generation, is nothing more or less than the priceless reward for which men have fought and bled and died on the field of battle, the blood- bought prize of liberty. Liberty is the Golden Crown of Life. To put a man in prison is to deprive him of his liberty. Here Christ compares His economic code with that of Satan's. It was a common practice in the days of Christ to cast men into prison for debt ; but faithfulness in service, according to the Mosaic Law, is "unto death," and by that death Christ prom- ises the reward of liberty. Among the promises that Christ has made to His people there is probably none other, unless it be the promise of redemption, upon which His followers have placed such emphasis as upon this promise of the golden crown. For more than nineteen hundred years they have been singing of this golden crown; and did ever mind conceive a treasure of such rare beauty and priceless value? REGENERATION The third of these inestimable promises of Christ to His people is the promise of regeneration. The promise of regeneration is the promise of the new birth, of resuscitation, of the coming again into new- 181 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY ness of life. According to the Mosaic Law, the new birth has reference to a birth of the flesh which was so common to the race that it became a national event. Nations are composed of its individuals, so that a new national birth must be effected by the common participation of its individual members. It will be disclosed that national regeneration through its in- dividual members is entirely in accord with natural law ; for example, the earth's surface has the power of regeneration. After the summer is gone and autumn's chilly, winds begin to blow, man does not feel any sense of alarm because of the gray skies and the scattering snowflakes. And as the winter comes on and the earth yields up its verdure and death reigns over the face of nature, man does not become depressed in spirit because he knows that everywhere in the earth the seeds and roots which are planted in the soil still retain the power of life, and that he has but to await the appointed time, when the earth will be in favorable attitude towards the sun, and the cold, winter snows will melt away, and the earth will teem with life and activity. What is this but the power of regeneration, resuscitation, the new birth? Man and beast have the power of regeneration. With* each succeeding generation the race is born anew ; and if we speak of a national regeneration it is but to speak of a natural law common to the earth plane and one which is entirely in harmony with nature's laws. So that if there is not such a fact as national regeneration or the new national birth, it is because somewhere, sometime, by some means un- known to man, he has lost the power of national re- generation : either this is true, or he has not advanced in governmental science to the point at which this principle has become recognized and adopted into the legal code as a fast and sound rule of legislative di- gest. The historical value of the story of the garden of Eden is here apparent, for it is safe to assume that it was at that time that the race lost its legal regenerative power; for it was because of Adam's 182 REGENERATION transgression that death passed upon all men. Christ presents His promise of regeneration to His people in these words : He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Rev. 2. 11.) This dread second death — the horrors of which have been dwelt upon with blood-curdling emphasis — means nothing else but the loss of the power of legal, otherwise termed, national, regeneration. Suppose the earth were to be visited by an extremely cold winter — so cold that it would be a natural impossi- bility for the seeds and roots to retain their life-giving forces — that when the springtime came they would have no power to respond to the warm rays of the spring sun. It would mean that the earth's surface had lost the power of regeneration and that over the face of nature the second death, the final death, had come, for the winter season brings the first death. It often happens that plants are winter-killed; that the winter is too severe for them ; they then lose the power of regeneration. Now man, being in his physical nature only an animal of the highest type, is subject to this same law, which becomes effectual in the industrial econ- omy of nations ; for as the seeds and roots, which are deposited by a natural process in the soil that they may not be destroyed by the elements, contain the latent energies of the parent stems, so the physical and mental forces of labor are stored in those things produced by their exertions. The products of the market contain the latent energies of those who have spent their forces in production; and what is the ob- ject of the harvest ingathering but to protect the products of labor that they may not perish from ex- posure to the elements? And just as the regeneration of the earth's surface is brought about by the num- berless seeds and roots hidden in the earth, so na- tional regeneration is worked our through the indi- 183 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY vidual members of the race by means of labor's equity in the market. But should the laws of industrial economy operate to destroy the individual laborer's equity in the mar- ket it would mean to each and every man so affected the loss of the power of industrial or national regen- eration. It has been found that when man spends his time and expends his energies in production he sacrifices his life even unto death. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life ; but He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. This is the promise of everlasting life. There is nowhere any promise of escape from the first death ; but Christ's law of industrial economy is such that when man has labored and performed faithfully the duties that belong to him he shall receive the reward to which he is entitled, which is a continuous or ever- lasting life. It behooves every man who values so precious a gift to see to it that in the great industrial struggle he shall not be beaten down and driven to the wall until he looses the power of resuscitation, which is the power of the resurrection, to which his rightful access to the market entitles him. And to the angel of the church of Perga- mos write ; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges. (Rev. 2. 12.) It has been said that the sword is the price. The price is one of the important elements of commercial transaction; for before there can be any commercial exchange of the products of labor it is necessary for the two parties to the contract to fix a price. As the merchant is anxious to obtain the highest price which the conditions of the market will permit and the pur- chaser is desirous of providing the comforts and luxuries of life at the least possible cost, the price therefore becomes, as has been said, the artificial weapon of defence and combat in commercialism. Every transaction comes about by means of an agree- ment as to price; generally a verbal contract is ef- i8 4 REGENERATION fected, the price is fixed and afterwards the contract 'may be and sometimes is reduced to writing. The purchase and sale of every article of merchandise, as business is now done, constitutes a separate and dis- tinct contract. It has been said that the price under the competitive system is governed by the law of supply and demand, but it is more nearly correct to say that the price depends on the merchantman's power of control. The question of justice and fair play between man and man has no part in the trans- action. If the accident of the market, which, of course, includes the possibilities of supply and de- mand, will permit the higher price it matters not what an article may have cost a merchant, he will re- quire the higher price; so that the price by which labor's products are admitted into the market and the price through which they are restored again to the people are not bound together by even so much as moral obligation. But in the economy of Jesus Christ these two prices are as intimately associated as though cast in a single mold; the price which a purchaser must pay will largely depend on the cost of production, the cost of labor being the principal item to be considered. I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. (Rev. 2. 13.) Christ's ambition reaches as high as Satan's seat, be- cause from that advantageous position the reins of government will be in* His hands. It is within the providence of the Revelation to locate the real seat of government and to declare that although Christ's ascension to the throne or seat of earthly power will be made in obscurity, just as Satan reigns in obscurity, it will be none the less real. 185 s THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY And thou holdest fast my name, The name is the means by which each individual is distinguished from all others of his kind. If a name be familiar there is at once awakened to recollection a character, a chain of circumstances, and deeds con- cerning that name. There is inseparately associated with Christ's name the idea of the world's redemp- tion, yet all that this implies would have been lost had not the early Christians held fast His name. And recognizing His obligation, Christ presents to the church of Pergamos the fourth of these His priceless promises to His people, which is the promise of In- dividuality. To hold fast the name is to hold the name sacred. There are few characters with whom an intimate acquaintance will not reveal defects; yet true love throws about people the mantel of charity and shields them from exposure to criticism because of those flaws. and hast not denied my faith, To repudiate that for which Christ stood was to dis- rupt the relations and thereby weaken His cause. Loyalty means support both by word and deed. Yet the test of human relation is not in their establish- ment, but in J;heir endurance; and that which will prove the enduring quality of the faith of Jesus is its mutual advantage. It meant much for the per- petuation of the faith of Jesus that the church of Pergamos had held fast His name and had not denied His faith, yet the practical advantage to the world which now appears because of their faith, seems in- finitely greater. * and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. The path of the early Christian church was red with the blood of the martyrs ; and the establishment of His political kingdom may again call for martyrs, for the scope of His power will include both church and 186 INDIVIDUALITY state, and the ideals of His sacred institutions are to be realized in practical application. However, this does not necessarily mean the union of church and state into one organization. But I have a few things against thee, be- cause thou hast there them that hold the doc- trine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Is- rael, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (Rev. 2. 14.) So hast thou also them that hold the doc- trine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (Rev. 2. 15.) Christ, the advocate of the only true doctrine, will not tolerate any form of false theory or imitation which threatens to invade the land which He has re- claimed ; His relations with His people are sacred and will not admit rivals. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Rev. 2. 16.) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches ; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saveth he that re- ceiveth it. (Rev. 2. 17.) Although these sacred promises are extended to his people, they are nevertheless intended for the benefit of the general public; "He that hath an ear" includes everyone. Manna was the bread that came down from heaven daily. Moses was commanded to take a cer- tain portion of this manna and put it in a golden pot and place the pot within the ark of the testimony. In the ark of the testimony Moses was also commanded to place the tables of the covenant upon which were written the ten commandments. The ten command- ments were a part of the Mosaic Law; this pot of 187 THE SCIENCE OE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY manna was therefore that hidden manna to which Christ referred. / will give to eat of the hidden manna, which is to say that "To him that overcometh, I guarantee that his daily sustenance shall be securely hidden within the law." Anything that is hidden is not easily discovered, and therefore not easily de- stroyed. We have seen how the seeds and roots have preserved life by being hidden within the earth during the unfavorable season, and it is because of this hid- den life that regeneration of the earth's vegetation is made possible. By reason of the law which guar- antees to every man his rightful equity in the market, man's daily sustenance is securely hidden within the law, and by this law also every man's individual pos- sessions are protected from the hand of the despoiler that one man shall not encroach upon the rightful sphere of another to destroy his life, liberty, or in- dividuality. By the principle in political economy, which re- quires the preservation of every man's equity in the market, the law of immortality, the continuous life which is the everlasting life is discovered. The prom- ise to the church of Pergamos is the promise of In- dividuality. Now the law of individuality works out in all nature; naturalists tell us that no two leaves on the same tree are exactly alike. And can we imagine what a disadvantage it would be if every member of the race were exactly like every other member of the race, that no man should possess any distinguishing features from those of any other man? We cannot imagine anything of the like. Yet there is a sense in which men do sometimes lose this val- uable possession of individuality. The promise of individuality is couched in the fol- lowing terms: INDIVIDUALITY I will give him a white stone, and in the stone, a new name, written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Now let us analyze this promise. White is the color 1 88 INDIVIDUALITY into which all other colors blend; it is therefore the harmonious color; it signifies harmony. The law which Jesus Christ came to fulfill is the law which promotes harmony between the various elements of industrial and commercial life, which brings every individual member of the race, who will perform faithfully the duties which belong to him, into har- monious relations with the great organic body. "Stone" is a concrete, earth, or mineral substance; "concrete" means separate particles united in growth into one mass. Now a stone, such as one might im- agine this stone to be, is a small pebble detached at some time or other from a larger body. The idea is, that during the process of growth, or industrial de- velopment, the law provides that though bondage is man's first condition, there shall be at the proper time a release from that condition. A nation is composed of its individual members ; the final aim and end of this law is to relax the cords that have bound men together and make each man separate and distinct from the great common body, a free man. and in the stone, a new name, written, With the birth of every child there is born into the world a new personality ; he may be of the same flesh and blood as his parents, yet he bears in his body all the marks of distinction; and so with the new birth provided for by Christ's law, there comes the new name or individual. A man's name is given to him for the purpose of individualizing him, so he shall be identified from all others ; for this reason this promise is understood to be the promise of individuality. Numerous examples might be sighted to prove that in the struggle for existence men have lost their in- dividuality ; they have lost their names and have be- come merged into the family of their masters and have become identified by his name and as his prop- erty. Someone has said that a slave is one who has lost the power of resistance; he has become so hope- lessly entangled in the infinitesimal threads of en- vironment that he has no power to extricate himself. 189 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Christ's law provides that in the final adjustment of economic relations individuality shall be restored again, sealed from intrusion. which no man knoweth saving he that re- ceiveth it. It is the purpose of this law to protect the individu- ality of the race so that it becomes a sacred inher- itance, that each man shall come forth from the in- dustrial struggle endowed with all the prerogatives of a free man, whose personality is so sacred to him- self that none dare to encroach upon his rights or pry into his affairs. a new name, written, A child will sometimes take a pencil and cover a page with meaningless scrawls, but there is nothing in them to convey an intelligent idea. To write is to produce an intelligent design ; a rational purpose is the end of Christ's law. And unto the angel of the church in Thya- tira write : These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like unto fine brass. (Rev. 2. 18.) As it is the law which legitimates offspring, so Christ's claim to being the Son of God is acquired through a legal process. But Christ is also the Son of God in another sense. The Mosaic Law is the law by which there may be established a line of liv- ing descent through industrial organism by reason of each man's equity in the market ; and since Christ was the first man to recognize the life-giving power of the Mosaic Law, He became through the law the first begotten of the dead, for the Mosaic Law was given during the dead age. But since the Mosaic Law makes a provision for a new national birth, why were not the Jews the first begotten of the dead ? Be- cause, while it is true that the Jews were obedient to that law, the law availed them nothing because they were unconscious of its meaning, the law was im- 190 INDIVIDUALITY posed upon them, as it were. It is only when the significance of these principles is recognized and ap- plied to the industrial situation that the line of a liv- ing race is established through industrial organism. But regeneration . implies parentage as well as off- spring; through the law of national regeneration which Christ proclaims and for which He stands, He becomes the progenitor of a living race. The Jews lost their nationality; the principles of Christ's kingdom are eternal. Who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet like unto fine brass. As previously stated, the first part of the clause re- fers to the discerning power of the mind, the faculty of reason which, like a searchlight, illumines the path before one that he may ascertain results ; and the last part of the clause refers to the brazen altar of sacri- fice. And it was no accident that the first part pre- ceded the last part, for before the human mind can awaken to the noble purpose of making life a willing sacrifice to any cause, it must first catch the vision of the reward which lies at the end of the race, and having sensed the achievement keeps the eye unfal- tering upon the goal, even though it leads to a tragic end. The sacrifice which was made on Mount Cal- vary for the sin of the world was not the result of blind impulse; the Man Who made that sacrifice did so with the full knowledge of consequence. The dis- cerning power of His mind comprehended not only Calvary, but sweeping the compass of ages foresaw a universal empire awaiting Him. "Put up thy sword into the sheath," he commanded Peter; His aspira- tions to kingly powers must not be endangered by shortsighted impulse, and that such were His aspira- tions is no mistake, for He declared Himself "Prince of the kings of the earth," and as such the legitimate heir to their thrones. Are not these the words of a man who aspires to political power? And His flam- ing eyes foresaw that with His feet shod with the fine brass of Calvary's sacrifice they would safely 191 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY convey Him across the dissolution of the ages to His coveted reward. Great as was His personal interest, He recognized that His service to the race was in- finitely greater; for which reason He consented to drink the cup which His Father gave Him that through His blood the sin of the world might be remitted. I know thy works, and charity, and serv- ice, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works ; and the last to be more than the first. (Rev. 2. 19.) These are the Christian implements; works, charity, service, faith, patience, works. It will be remembered that there were certain implements used in the sacri- fices ; there was the brazen altar, with its pans to re- ceive the ashes, its shovels, basins, flesh-hooks, and firepans ; these were the implements of sacrifice. Be- fore man can accomplish much along industrial lines he must have the implements of production, and as all service is a sacrifice the implements of production may be termed the implements of sacrifice. Some political economists have said that the implements of production represent stored labor, because it requires labor to make the implements ; and the man who toils must use these implements to assist in the accom- plishment of the great task of supplying the market. Christ says, "I know your works, your implements." Charity is a disposition to put the best possible con- struction on the words and actions of others; it is love, good-will, friendship ; charity implies an atti- tude of spirit one assumes toward others. Every man who enlists under the banners of Jesus Christ is called to service ; and it is a significant fact that the indus- trial arrangement of the world is such that it is quite impossible for any man to serve himself alone, to provide the many things which the civilized condition requires without at the same time serving others. Whether he likes it or not, man is necessarily obliged to co-operate with fellowman in the pursuit of indus- try. Darwin says, in substance, that the spirit which every man, by the laws of physical being, is com- 192 THE CHRISTIAN IMPLEMENTS pelled to assume towards others in the struggle for existence, is to trample them under foot and take away those things upon which they depend for sus- tenance; "the survival of the fittest." But thanks be to God, the Great Nazarene has promulgated a dif- ferent doctrine, for He declares that man's attitude towards his fellowman should be one of charity,. love, a disposition to succor and assist those with whom he must travel down the pathway of life. And when the assertion is made that Christ's attitude is the cor- rect attitude, it is done so from the standpoint that His attitude is eminently the most practical to all con- cerned. Life on this planet, the seasons, as well as the days and nights, are the result of the attitude of the earth towards the sun ; were it not for the change from the unfavorable to the favorable attitude there would be no summer and there would be no day, and in consequence there would be no life. So the atti- tude which the two great industrial classes maintain toward each other produces the dead or the living age. It is the lot of most men — and should be of all men— that they are born to the services of their fel- lowmen. God speed the day when human institutions will be so wisely adjusted that men will understand that they best serve themselves who serve their coun- try well, and that the highest compliment that can be paid to any man in any capacity of life is that he be recognized as a faithful servant. Faith is the element of the human mind which makes it possible for one to fix his eyes upon the goal and allow no obstacle to obstruct his vision until he holds the coveted prize within his grasp. But there is such a thing as blind faith ; faith without the ele- ment of reason. Reason assists in the effort to dis- cern the future that man's energies may be concen- trated along right lines such as will inevitably bring him to success. One who exercises faith without reason may do so fervently; and Christ said, "Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20. 29) ; but he may find at the end of the race naught but bitter disappointment. 13 193 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Patience makes endurance possible in the lapse of time between the sowing of the seed and the gathering in of the harvest. It is a weakness of human nature often to become impatient for results, and to^give way to discouragement and so lose the reward for want of persistency. And thy zvorks. It was not a useless repetition of words that in referring to the Christian virtues "works" was repeated, again. For it has been seen that the implement of production, which is stored labor, is something different from the exercise of those physical energies necessary to production. / know thy works, the implements ; and thy works, physical exertion. The church in Thyatira had grown impatient for results. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my serv- ants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. (Rev. 2. 20.) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication: and she repented not. (Rev. 2. 21.) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her, into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (Rev. 2. 22.) And I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts, and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Rev. 2. 23.) Every element in nature has its legitimate use ; and when put to the purpose for which it was intended, it alleviates pain, ministers to man's needs, and pro- longs his life. Yet when these same elements, water, air, fire, for example, overreach the boundary of man's control, they may result in intense suffering 194 TO THYATIRA" and become often destructive to life. And so it is with human relations ; there are right relations and there are wrong relations between man and fellow- man : and the only chart or compass which man has to guide him is the effect of those relations on his own life and conscience, and on those of his fellow- man. Therefore a sin is a sin, not because it is contrary to the law, but because it is damaging or disastrous in result to man or fellowman. Being Himself the advocate of right conduct, Jesus must express His relentless opposition to all forms of vice. It many times happens that having acquired the right habits of thought and action, the mind may be perverted through contact with evil influences until it loses the power to discern between right and wrong. Fearful of some such result, Jesus unsparingly condemns the recognition of idols, or false religious worship, and the association of the sex without the marriage con- tract, both of which effect a disadvantage to man's common interest, and are therefore disastrous to moral standards. And I gave her space to repent and she re- pented not. After the poison of moral degeneracy has taken hold on the mind, nothing but true repentance will trans- form the character and restore it to the normal con- dition again; repentance is therefore one of the fun- damental principles of Christian doctrine. • Behold, I will cast her into a bed, Which is to say, "I will put her to sleep." To sleep is to lose consciousness: the result of wrong conduct or sin is always to pervert and numb the moral senses. If persistent in sin, man loses the power of moral discernment ; he loses moral consciousness ; he goes to sleep. and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation. The moral law forbids the propagation of the race 195 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY without the marriage contract, the object of which is to bind both parents to the mutual protection of offspring ; this sacred duty does not rest upon one parent alone, but upon both. To establish relations without the marriage contract is a crime, because it works an injury to offspring in that they are deprived of proper parental protection, not only financially, but through the loss of personal contact necessary to mold character. I will kill her children with death. The illegitimate child is not a lawful heir; he has no legal claim on his father's possessions. Now a man's possessions are those things which he depends upon to sustain his life, so that the illegitimate child is legally dead ; since without the^ means of support death would actually ensue. Children born of par- ents previously united in holy wedlock are recog- nized as legitimate offspring and heirs to their fathers' estates, and are therefore living children. I will kill her children with death. • The Mosaic Law also required a national marriage ceremony, by the provisions of which the individual members of the race who were born anew through industrial travail were made legal heirs to the na- tional possessions. It is as much the moral duty of one generation to protect the legal right and posses- sions of the succeeding generations as it is the par- ental duty to protect the natural offspring. This duty the Mosaic Law takes into account and pro- vides against death. and all the people shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts. The reins are the lines of government by which means man acquires control of the beast. With the true interpretation of The Revelation the world shall know that Christ, and He alone, has solved the prob- lem of real governmental control ; that right, not might, shall rule in the affairs of men. The heart is 196 JUSTICE the seat of the motive power; the character is re- flected by the spirit which is manifested. If the spirit be sanctified by love of country, man will submit to be governed by reason, he will submit to control, even to the point of self-elimination; but if his heart con- tains only the acid of sensual ambition, he is only concerned with personal satisfaction. Christ makes His appeal to the patriotic spirit that He may thereby win consent to guide by His reins. When a man has mastered any subject he becomes an authority on that subject, and so because of the thoroughness of His search Christ speaks with authority : "All the people shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins arid hearts." justice: and I will give unto every one of you ac- cording to your works. This is the promise of justice ; it is the equity to which every man who bears his burden is entitled; it is the key which unlocks the kingdom of heaven to every man who will. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. (Rev. 2.24.) But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. (Rev. 2. 25.) There was not very much that the church of Thya- tira could do to bring about the coming kingdom ; its principal business was to keep the lamp of faith burn- ing; to keep up the line of Christian descent. Christ knew that His people could not understand His doc- trine which He had so carefully secreted in the Rev- elation, for it goes to the bottom of human govern- ment; it was given to match and overthrow Satan's kingdom: but it was necessary to wait until in the fullness of time there should be that advancement in 197 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY civilization that would make it possible for the world to receive it. Christ saw far down the ages and so was thousands of years in advance of His time. But such parts as they could understand, hold fast till I come. AUTHORITY And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. (Rev. 2. 26.) And he shall rule them with a rod of iron : as the vessels of a potter, shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father. (Rev. 2. 27.) This statement suggests an inquiry as to how the individual shall have power over the nation of which he is a member. What change shall take place in governmental supervision after Christ shall appear, which shall give to the individual member authority to break in pieces that indomitable power known as national government? All governmental power re- volves around the national resources ; the market is the central factor. Every article of merchandise found in the warehouse and market comes fresh from the hands of toil. To keep the market supplied it requires the contributions of thousands upon thou- sands of laborers who go forth daily to do battle with the forces of nature ; and, weary with the day's strife, return in the evening ladened, as it were, with the spoils of victory. What induces these men, or what drives these men so to exert themselves? It is the reward of future sustenance. Since a nation's power is centered in its food supply, and since every neces- sity in the market is contributed by the many indi- vidual laborers, these numerous contributors have a right to demand that their government shall protect and restore to each man his equity in the market. This, then, is that Rod of Iron which shall break the power of nations and restore to the individual the reward for which he has labored. To break into shivers is to break into small pieces, or individual 198 AUTHORITY, SECURITY pieces: by reason of this, The Inflexible Law of the Equal Exchange, the individual is authorized to shat- ter the national power as with a rod of iron. Here, then, is found that great law which shall give to men the power of national regeneration, the new national birth; that law which shall sever the tangled threads of environment that every man may come forth a free man, whose individuality and personal posses- sions have been preserved with sacred integrity. Excepting in cases of drouth or some other unusual circumstance, there never was such a thing as a dearth in the market ; there is always -to be found an unfailing supply in the market. The trouble in supplying all with plenty is not in the scarcity of pro- vision, but in the limited power of the people to com- pel a restoration from the market. Even as I received of my Father. This is the divine inheritance by which men are made heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. SECURITY And I will give him the morning star. (Rev. 2.28.) It has been affirmed that the stars are symbolical of Christ's promises to His people ; but promises are sometimes broken. All through the long night when the earth is mantled in darkness, out of the heavens a million glittering stars flash forth the assurance that order is the law of the universe and that therefore the sun will rise at the appointed time. Were it not that man becomes accustomed to the orderly course of nature, he might well wonder, as he keeps his weary vigil, if morning will ever come. But when the morning star appears all doubt and fear vanishes in the assurance of the coming day and he rests se- cure in the promise. The morning star signifies security. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Rev. 2.29.) 199 THIRD CHAPTER HONOR And unto the angel of the church of Sar- dis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars ; (Rev. 3. 1.) IT has been found that the stars are the promises; and although there were in fact twelve promises, the number seven is used because it expresses completeness, a complete period or cycle of time. With the break of day a new cycle of time begins. The Seven Spirits briefly are : Life ; Labor ; Exchange ; Death or Progression; Faith; Hope or Justice; and Redemption or Attainment. These subjects will be taken up in their proper place and respective order ; it is sufficient for the present to keep them in memory. I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and are dead. (Rev. 3. 1, con'd.) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (Rev. 3.2.) The church of Sardis had somehow failed to take hold on life ; animation had all but fled. Christ warns them to "Be watchful ;" see that your mental faculties are all awake and active : use your reason. "Reason is the light of the mind." Strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. The vigor of life is called strength ; the flame of life had burnt low ; care was to be taken or the faint spark would flicker out. for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 200 HONOR Christ's aim was to reach perfection; nothing short of that high mark was acceptable ; and such is the tendency of all animated forms of life, to progress from the lower to the higher and more perfect state. Remember therefore how thou hast re- ceived and heard, and hold fast, and repent. (Rev. 3. 3.) All of these are necessary to progress. Man does not himself originate the laws and conditions of his ex- istence; he receives them from the Creator; he hears them from his elders and in time he comprehends them ; therefore he is charged to retain them. Hold fast. And persistently correct the mistakes; leave them behind and persevere; such is the fruit of re- pentance. Get busy and exercise your faculties, watch. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not _ know what hour I will come upon thee. (Rev. 3.3., con'd.) The thief comes upon the unsuspecting without warn- ing, to steal away his possessions. Many men fail to retain their rightful possessions because they have not discerned the fact that these possessions are be- ing filched from them through stealthful business methods; while they have been asleep the thief has entered; hence this warning, Be watchful. For Christ Himself will come as a thief, He will employ like stealthful methods to take away from men those possessions illegally won. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. (Rev. 3.4.) There is no doubt that the animal kingdom, domi- nated by the instinct of opposition, is as much a part of God's creation as are the starry heavens where the illuminating bodies move in obedience to the law of order ; nevertheless the law of opposition or brute force is the law of moral depravity. White is the 201 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY color that denotes harmony; to walk with a person is to move the body in harmony with another. They shall walk in unison with Jesus. Christ advocated Harmonious Accord or order, which is the supreme law of the starry heavens. To move in opposition is to walk with defiled garments, because the impact of opposing forces is always destructive to one or both ; this is true whether the opposing bodies are out in the limitless boundaries of space or in the business institutions of men. Discord means defiled garments, and finally bloodshed and anarchy. The promise to the church of Sardis is the promise of Honor. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment ; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. (Rev. 3. 5.) White not only symbolizes harmony, but also pur- ity of character; to blot out the name is to destroy character, that which individualizes one apart from all others. The book of life has reference to the story of man's deeds, relative either to the propaga- tion of the race or to industrial enterprise, both of which promote life. To blot out the name is to cover it with ignominy so that one loses the honor of per- sonal distinction. It often happens that a fallen woman leaves the scenes of her childhood and early youth. That her real identity may not be known she changes her name, and so disguised may live in open shame. In the filthy tide of sin her true individuality has been lost; her character and honor have been blotted out. Perhaps she has been deceived and be- trayed by a false lover who has refused to confess his obligations and so has ruined her respectable sta- tion. And being without legal protection she has re- nounced motherhood. But the moral law declares that though he is guilty, she is equally guilty in that, until her honor was protected, she should have re- mained obdurate ; she should have overcome. The obligations that pertain to motherhood cannot be vio-. 202 RELIABILITY lated with impunity. Offspring must be protected at whatever cost. But the economic obligations of par- enthood are equally as binding, and resting generally upon the male sex, they involve his honor. Any and all those tendencies which lead to the obliteration of individuality, to slavery and degradation, Christ de- clares, should be resisted until they are eradicated. To those who have such moral courage Christ prom- ises to shield their names, to vouch for their char- acters and admit them as honored members into the higher family circle,) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Rev. 3-6.) REUABIUTY And to the angel of the church in Phila- delphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shut- teth; and shutteth, and no man openeth. (Rev. 3. 7.) The words "holy" and "true" need but to be an- alyzed to be understood. Against the diseased con- dition of moral degeneracy Christ presents the holy or healthy state; against the background of black de- ceit, Christ presents the pure white raiment of faith- fulness and truth. David was the king of the chosen race; to have the key is to have the right of posses- sion, and so Christ declares the throne of David His rightful possession. Redemption is the open portal through which men enter into the life everlasting, economically speaking. When the law of redemp- tion is in force the door of equal opportunity to all will at all times be open ; without this law the door is forever closed to the vastly larger number of the race. This is but a simple statement in economic law, and because Christ stands for this law, He it is who openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth. 203 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY I know thy works ; behold, I have set be- fore thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my words, and hast not denied my name. (Rev. 3. 8.) Through Christ the open door of equal opportunity to all will at all times be open, if man will but exer- cise moral courage, keep Christ's word sacred, and not deny His name. Behold, I will make them of the syna- gogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; Behold, I will make . them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee, (Rev. 3.90. A synagogue is a house, or place of worship; there is that instinct in human nature which exalts the object of man's highest ideals and makes of this a place of worship. The Jews were the chosen peo- ple of God; it was very necessary that Christ should exalt His house, because it was through His race that all the nations of the earth should be blest. To wor- ship is to bow before, or to become obedient unto. Christ proposes to make His ideal or His religion that before which every knee will bow and every tongue confess. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Rev. 3. 10.) Here arises the inquiry as to what is temptation. Temptation is the sensual desire to appropriate those necessities or luxuries of life which are not right- fully one's own. The distinction between lawful and unlawful possessions is very sharply drawn. Accord- ing to this law, no man has a legal right to appropriate to his personal use a larger portion of this world's goods than the value of his contribution to the mar- 204 RELIABILITY ket entitles him. They who recognize this law and are willing to abide by it will be saved from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them. Herein is the distinction drawn between the true followers of Christ and those who profess to belong to the chosen, but are in fact of the house of Satan. Man is not as stone; the life which tingles in his veins is the result of the indulgence of his sensual appetite; temptation comes because of the awaken- ing of moral conscience. The animal which has no reason knows nothing of temptation; he devours without compunction, and is stayed only by his su- perior in physical strength or by the satisfaction of his hunger. Temptation follows the attempt to check the reasonable demands of nature necessary to main- tenance or it arises because of an awakened con- science, warning one that the things he desires are not lawfully his own. But there is a sphere in which every man may move, which will afford ample op- portunity for the satisfaction of every reasonable demand of life, without encroaching upon the proper limitations of others. By assuming the responsi- bility of that honorable compact which protects the co-partner in the life struggle in the enjoyment of those sacred possessions, Liberty, Individuality, and Mutual Honor, guaranteed by Christ's law, man may partake and still be clothed with the white raiment of social chastity. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation. Patience, as we have seen, always has reference to a period of time. There would elapse a period of time before Christ's second coming in which, because their faith had not been violated, he would keep them from the hour of temptation which will come upon all the world. It is to show that just preceding Christ's second appearing, there will come a great moral awakening and that after that time temptation 205 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY will assert itself. The struggle to overcome existing conditions, to transform the institutions of men so that they shall conform to the higher ideals, will in- evitably precipitate the Great Temptation. But those who, in faithfulness to their own convictions and without wavering, support the cause of Christ, shall be saved from the hour of temptation, which shall involve the whole world. Behold, I come quickly : hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Rev. 3. n.) And here, one who has not a clear understanding of the Revelation, will pause and wonder how, since Jesus has promised to give the crown as the reward ''to him that overcometh," any mere man could thwart the will of the Almighty and take the reward that belonged to another? But since we know that liberty is the golden crown of life, it will be readily understood why this warning was given, for the strug- gle of the ages has been the struggle for liberty. Many people, having once enjoyed the blessings of liberty, have awakened to find that this priceless possession has in some mysterious way slipped from their grasp. Hold that fast. There are those who believe that it is Christian to be suppliant, but Christ commands that every man shall maintain his rightful station in the struggle; that no man take thy crown. God de- crees that every man who will put himself within the protection of His law shall have liberty; all down the ages just in proportion as men have had power to encroach upon the rightful sphere of others ; in that measure have they been able to appropriate the reward of others and steal the crown of liberty from the brow of f ellowmen ; but here we are commanded to contend for that which is rightfully our own. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out : and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which 206 KNOWLEDGE cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Rev. 3. 12.) A pillar is a firm, upright, isolated support for a superstructure. To be isolated means to stand alone; a superstructure is an edifice raised on a foundation. A pillar in the temple denotes responsibility of char- acter, steadfastness, Reliability, which is the second promise to the church of Philadelphia. There is probably no trait which renders human character more defective than that of being unreliable. There are those upon whom it is impossible to place any dependency; they are like the shifting sands which change place with every wind that blows. Such peo- ple lack stability of character. It is such as they who are liable to desert their families, and refuse to be- come a pillar of support in the plan of the great Cre- ator. Christ promises to endow His people with the decision of character, which strengthens them to stand upright in the discharge of those sacred obli- gations which human environment imposes; and he shall go no more out; he shall be firm and immovable. KNOWLEDGE And I will write upon him the name of my God. It has been said that to write is to make an intelligent design, an intelligent impression ; the name is that by which personality is distinguished; Jesus proposes to give to the world an intelligent impression, or the knowledge of the personality of God. There are those who profess to believe that all the phenomena of nature came to be what they are through evolution; the intelligent purpose which is everywhere written large in nature is not, to them, a proof of a personal Creator. We may admire the imperishable structure or the marvelous expression of human imagination in some grand masterpiece of art, while the name of him who wrought with such skill may be forgotten and his personality lost. The 207 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY vast expanse of the universe, its incomprehensible greatness, its planetary systems moving with more infinite accuracy than any timepiece ever invented, all reflect the personality of God, and yet with many the existence of an Intelligent Personality distinct from His handiwork still remains a question. "I will give to the world the knowledge of the personality of God." and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God. A city is a collective people united by law into a legal body; to write upon him the name of the city of God is to imprint upon his mind the knowledge of those laws which bear the stamp of the individu- ality of God, so that man shall recognize these laws to be of divine origin. Which is New Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the city wherein God chose to place His name (Deut. 16.5,6), where he manifested His personal presence. The cloud which hung over the mercy seat symbolized God's visible manifestation. As the illuminating bodies reveal the personality of God through natural law, so, through that marvelous symbol of economic law, God will reveal to the world His individuality. Written large across every page of the Mosaic Law is that word nsw, because the peculiar feature which distinguishes it from every other legal code is its power to work out national regeneration. As a seed in the fertile soil it has passed through the process necessary for the decay of the outer symbolical shell and is found applicable to the practical affairs of men. In this state it reflects the personality of God and provides the plan by which the city is made new. which cometh down out of heaven from my God: All light by which the earth is illuminated comes down out of the heavens, and it is because of this light that the location of the illuminating body is re- 208 KNOWLEDGE vealed. Man does not go up fo this new Jerusalem, as is commonly taught and believed, but by reason of its light and power which streams down to us, God's location is revealed, His presence shall be seen moving in the affairs of men. and I will write upon him my new name. Jesus will inscribe upon the tablets of man's memory the peculiar feature which distinguishes Him from all others whose names are written in history. And how very frequently that word "new" appears in con- nection with the works of God. That Jesus has a new name indicates that He also is subject to the same law which He makes common to all the race. Jesus has been called the "Son of God," "the Lamb of God," "The Prince of Peace," and many other titles. But what is the new name, the name which has never been heard in connection with Jesus or His mission, but which of all others is most applicable to Him? Since by the restoration to every man of his just reward the chains of bondage are severed, it is clear that redemption is the law of liberty. And since it is redemption for which the name of Jesus stands preeminent, Christ's new name, His true name, therefore, is "Jesus Christ, the Divine Emancipator." The struggle of the ages has been the struggle for liberty, - but it now appears that the consummation of the ages is to be realized in Him. The promise of Knowledge resolves itself into the following state- ment: "I will give to the world the knowledge of the personality of tk>d, the knowledge of the Science of Government and the knowledge of the right course to liberty." He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Rev. 3- I3-) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the be- ginning of the creation of God. (Rev. 3. 14.) 14 209 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Amen signifies the final word. During all the years of the Christian dispensation there has been much speculation as to the doctrines of Jesus; but when the book of the Revelation, which is Christ's own book, containing the doctrines which God Gave Unto Him, is set forth in its true light, it should prove the quietus of all creed controversy; its decisions should be final. the faithful and. true witness. A witness stands between opposing parties; if he is a* man of honor he will give a true testimony, re- gardless of which side his evidence favors. Jesus proposes to render an impartial testimony between the contending forces of industrial strife: for the benefit of opposing forces, and that the ends of jus- tice may be served Jesus submits an impartial testi- mony; He is the faithful witness. the beginning of the creation of God; From the very beginning of the creation, God de- creed that the race should be blessed with the abun- dance of life, a life in the midst of plenty. When we see the generous provision which nature affords, who can doubt it? And since Christ, by His plan of distribution, becomes the life giver, He is there- fore the Beginning of the creation of God. "Come ye, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom pre- pared for you from the foundation of the world." I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot : I would that thou wert cold or hot. (Rev. 3. 15.) So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. (Rev. 3. 16.) The Laodiceans lacked the decision of purpose which brings results ; an aimless life is always a fruitless life. Fruitfulness is the culmination of previous preparation, during which time the latent energies are being stored. A life without decision of purpose is like fruit without taste — fit only to be discarded. 210 KNOWLEDGE Because thou sayest, I am rich and in- creased with goods and have need of noth- ing : and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. (Rev. 3. 17.) Jesus said to the church of the Laodiceans, "You do not know that you are being deceived; you cannot see that you are at discord with God's laws; you do not realize that you are not what you profess to be, and therefore I pity you, because I perceive that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." The people of this church were rich and in- different and were therefore without the stimulus to effort that bears results; so Jesus takes advantage of their riches to emphasize their poverty. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not ap- pear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Rev. 3. 18.) Gold is one of the most precious of metals, and is used as a common medium of exchange; it is one of th€ heaviest substances known, and quite unalterable by heat. Since this is true, why should Christ have advised that they buy of Him gold tried in the fire? Some fact already mentioned will suffice. In Christ's symbolical garb His feet were like fine brass as if they burned in a furnace, which is typical of the nat- ural law of dissolution which is everywhere in evi- dence.- After the harvest is ended, the earth is swept with dissolution, as by the hot breath of a furnace. The fine brass is a reminder of the brazen altar and its sacrifices, a reminder that by the sacrifices of labor the granary, the warehouse, and the market are sup- plied; man's life is prolonged during the winter months and the fete which otherwise would be his is overcome. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire. 211 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY The fire which Christ referred to was not ordinary fire, but the fire of dissolution; which brings us to the question of a medium of exchange, asking what is its object and proper function? The object of a me- dium of exchange is that the bulky articles of mer- chandise may be reduced, as it were, to a common substance which is not in itself subject to this law of decay. True, there "are other reasons; that it is more convenient, etc. ; but the point that is of special in- terest is the preserving qualities of the medium of exchange. Since the ordinary gold is not subject to this law of decay, and is unalterable even by fire, why is it not the substance eminently suitable for use as a medium of exchange? What exception has Christ to offer against its use, and what is the composition of the "gold" or the medium of exchange which Christ has to offer in its stead? It will be remembered that Christ's sword is the two-edged sword, and that the sword is the price. When labor brings its products to the market a price is paid for the same ; when labor takes the gold which it has received and returns to the market as a pur- chaser, there is a price again to be considered. The price which labor receives for its time or produce and the price which it must pay for the return substance, therein is Christ's two-edged sword. Attention has been repeatedly directed to what is known as the Single and the Double Contract Sys- tems of transacting business. Under the double con- tract system, which now prevails, when labor brings its produce to the market and receives the market price for the same, the government, by whose au- thority this money has been legalized, recognizes that the deal has been completed; labor has delivered the goods, a verbal contract has been made as to the price and with payment of such amount as has been agreed upon the deal is regarded as closed. Such a trans- action is considered as a complete business contract. But under the single contract system there are the two prices to be considered before the transaction is completed; the price which labor receives for time or 212 GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE products and the price which it must pay for the re- turn of an equivalent amount of merchandise. Ac- cording to Christ's law, the first price does not redeem the obligation or pay the debt; the requirements of His law can only be satisfied when there is restored to labor an equivalent amount of merchandise to that which each laborer has contributed to the market. This law requires that the two prices must be so .re- lated one to the other, that there shall be a complete restoration. The true function and purpose of money is to act as a promise of ultimate redemption ; and if in the process of exchange a full restoration does not take place then the promise is a lie, the gold is not pure; it will not bear the test of dissolution. What is meant by the equivalent is not value because by reason of fluctuation in prices, values may be al- ways changing; what is meant is an equivalent ac- cording to the average time and labor required to produce. The two transactions involved in the pecuniary re- muneration of labor for its services and in the resto- ration of that money again into the channels of trade at the retail counter are combined together to form but a single contract according to Christ's system of economy. In the double contract system the two- fold operations of commercial exchange bear little or no relation to each other, each being recognized as a distinct business transaction. So important is the monetary function that it has been the concern of all nations to supply the very best money that can be obtained; and as gold is one of the most precious of metals, and is considered to have other favorable qualities, many of the leading nations today have rejected all other metals and have legally adopted gold as the sole basis of the medium of exchange; and in so doing they have disclosed a mistaken comprehension of the real purpose of money. Either this or they have played in the in- terests of a certain class. The problem of a medium of exchange, being most grave, calls for a most con- scientious study. It is no wonder Christ said to the 213 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Laodiceans, "You don't know you are being de- ceived," for it is right here that He takes issue with the wisdom of the nations; for the real value of money is not in its intrinsic value, but in its purchas- ing power. The gold tried in the fire, that will bear the test of dissolution, is the money that secures the promise and makes it good. Christ said He would give the world security, the morning star; and this is His security, the promise that will not fail, but that will secure life in the hour of death, while labor's body is being consumed on the brazen altar of indus- trial sacrifice; that will restore that life again on the other side of the season's changes. The true value of money is not in its intrinsic value, but in its pur- chasing power; for if a constant ratio such as will maintain a perfect balance between these two prices is not enforced, it will be possible through a manipu- lation of the price so to extract the value out of gold that it becomes worthless. That thou mayest be rich ; A man is by nature very limited in his powers to produce; he is comparatively limited in his capacity to enjoy the blessings of life; unaided and alone he is physically incapable of producing the great variety necessary to supply his needs ; he is obliged to confine his energies to the production of one article or to one line of work. But if he is faithful to his task and receives in payment the gold tried in the fire, he be- comes an heir to all the material necessities and bless- ings of life; he is heir of all things. And white raiment that thou mayest be clothed ; White denotes harmony. Many sincerely religious people have thought that they were doing God's serv- ice by clothing themselves in some uncouth dress; but such people need to learn a lesson from nature. How very offensive to good taste, how very much in discord these people are. To be well and becom- ingly dressed is a part of man's honest reward, pro- 214 SOCIAL RECOGNITION viding always that one's clothes are within one's means. that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear ; The lower animals are not troubled about the ex- posure of their nakedness; their intellects are not suf- ficiently developed to feel a sense of shame. The desire to be well dressed denotes intelligence, which only becomes vulgar when indulged in to excess or beyond one's means. But the nakedness here re- ferred to is the exposure of those baser passions which degrade man to the level of the brute. The social ad- justment which is entirely satisfactory to all who are fair-minded develops these finer sensibilities which clothe human character in beauty. To be clothed in harmony is to manifest all due respect for the rights and opinions of others. anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Which is to say, brush the cobwebs from before your mental vision and use your wit. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten : be zealous therefore, and repent. (Rev. 3. 19) No matter how many times His chosen may stumble and fall, they are encouraged to begin again and perse- vere. SOCIAL RECOGNITION A Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Rev. 3. 20.) Here Christ represents Himself as coming to the door seeking admission, but according to His usual policy does not enter until one complies with social etiquette and opens the door. Social recognition lies in the polite acceptance and reciprocation of advances ; it is 215 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY based on mutual consent, which is the spirit of Chris- tian doctrine. And there is no happiness in all the world that can compare with that which comes out of social communion with Jesus. But without depre- ciating the commonly-accepted opinion that this verse refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, from the more material point of view there is here involved the idea of Social Recognition, the eleventh promise in liberty's crown. To sup with a person is to recognize him socially. There is nothing in the world which tends to disrupt friendship and produce social and class distinction like the possession of riches. The advantages of wealth render the rich and the poor unfit for social enjoy- ment together. If the industrial class would maintain its standard of social equality it should demand that the remuneration for service be paid in gold tried in the fire, for that alone will place men on terms of social equality with one another. It is in the interest of national unity that class distinction be reduced to the minimum, for wherever there is great difference in men's material possessions and social scale there is inevitably sown the seed of class hatred and national disintegration. Social ostracism destroys both self- respect and good citizenship and is to be overcome, as far as possible, in the interest of common humanity. Social recognition is essential to human happiness, for without it no person is content in mind. supreme: power To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also over- come, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Rev. 3.21.) The throne suggests supreme political power; "my Father's throne" suggests heirship. In due course of time and by progressive steps up the steep hill of merit, the common citizen arrives at the age of ma- turity where family life and political life merge, an$ the son succeeds to an equal share with his father in 216 SUPREME POWER the supreme power of the state. There is no sugges- tion here of an elevation to office by election ; but rather that by the faithful discharge of the duties of citizen- ship, and his position, equally as important, as head and support of a family, he is entitled to access to the supreme power of the state. It will be seen that there is' a vast difference between the right of access to the supreme power of the state and the acquisition of the exclusive and exalted state of political supremacy. To be endowed with supreme power liberally admits any number of men to an equal position, while political supremacy excludes all equality. In the economy of Jesus, political supremacy is as impossible as that one man should become the natural progenitor of the en- tire race. The question then arises as to what is the supreme power of the state, and in what does it con- sist. And though this question has practically been answered it shall be answered again. 217 FOURTH CHAPTER After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me ; which said : Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. (Rev. 4. 1.) ONE might suppose these words introduced an entirely new subject, but a careful study will disclose a fully connected line of thought. This golden crown of liberty, which Christ offers as a splendid inducement to His people for their hearts and service in His cause, has been carefully consid- ered. Jesus has extended to them the richest reward within the power of God or man to bestow. He has made His appeal to the most susceptible element in human nature, that of personal interest. He has made it clear that for personal interests His is the best course to pursue. We have traveled with Christ in fancy, until we have reached the state's supreme seat ; now we are to be guided through the throne room that we may inspect the internal arrangement of His gov- ernment : a door was opened in heaven and a voice, speaking through a trumpet, greeted me and said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the Spirit : and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. (Rev. 4. 2.) I gladly accepted the invitation, and was soon inside that higher realm where mind predominates. Order is the supreme law of the heavens ; and so heaven is the place where the spirit or reason and order reigns. 218 THE THRONE ROOM The trumpet signifies that God's law is about to be expounded. The first thing seen upon entering this sacred edifice was a throne or seat of supreme power. and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there .was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (Rev. 4. 3.) Jasper is an opaque, impure variety of quartz. Sar- dine stone, or the carnelia, meaning fleshy, so called because of its flesh red color, is a variety of chal- cedony. Chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline translucent variety of quartz. ' The word "cryptocrystalline" is applied to rocks and minerals whose state of aggrega- tion is so fine that no distinct particles are visible under the microscope. So that the jasper and the sardine stone express about the same idea, a blending of va- rieties of quartz into one body. The one which John saw on the throne was of jasper and sardine, mean- ing two bodies of many members blended together in one. The idea thus expressed is Unity. Unity is necessarily a combination, or an amalga- mation of two or more distinct elements or bodies; there must be two or more elements blended together in order to have unity. It is to say that the supreme idea in Christ's political kingdom is unity, that all classes and factions be knitted together in govern- mental unity. The rainbow was set in the heavens as a promise that God will no more destroy the earth : and as in unity there is protection to the weak as well as to the strong, the rainbow therefore indicated pro- tection. The emerald green is nature's color; it de- notes life — the springtime. Christ's first promise to His people is a life in the midst of plenty; and only by unity of effort is such a life possible. The link which unites the train of thought and makes a progressive statement is as follows : To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also over- 219 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY came, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Rev. 3.21.) And round about the throne were four and twenty seats : and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment ; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Rev. 4. 4.) These elders are they that have overcome and have set down with Christ in His throne; they have won the reward, the crown of immortality. Having reached the mature age necessary to demonstrate their usefulness to the state as pillars of support, both in' industrial and family life, they become the elders of the people and are entitled to a seat on the supreme tribunal of the nation. The splendid white garments, the official robes of the four and twenty elders, are on exhibition in the fifth compartment of the west room of the Crystal Palace. There they may be seen ap- propriately mounted and arranged in a circle around a huge stature of jasper and sardine stone. They are all posed with proper dignity and present a very im- pressive scene not soon to be forgotten. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps .of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (Rev. 4- 50 Thunder and lightning are always indications of a coming shower; it is the spring rain that waters the earth and gives it life. There may be plenty of sun- shine, rich soil, and good cultivation, but without rain crops would fail. It is according to the providence of God that life in the earth becomes a fact. As the thundershower spends itself to water the earth and to distribute the moisture evenly over the thirsty soil, likewise it is the business of government to expend its energies to protect the life of the people, and to distribute its favors with im parti auty. These signs of life, lightnings and thunderings, in and about the 220 THE THRONE ROOM throne denote that this throne is the seat of the living God, and that human government is as much within the providence of God as are any of the physical forces which contribute to man's needs. and voices, In unity there are many voices, but they are tuned to harmonious accord. seven lamps of fire burning, To burn is to expend latent forces. In coal, wood, or oil latent energy is stored which is given up as they burn. It is necessary to expend the latent energies both of mind and body to accomplish daily tasks. burning before the throne, The throne is the seat of power, and the inherent power of God is expended through these seven dif- ferent channels. which are the seven Spirits of God. The seven Spirits of God are the attributes or powers of the spirit or soul. These seven Spirits, it will pres- ently be seen, are: Life, Labor, Exchange, Death or Progression, Faith or Justice, Hope, and Attainment or Redemption; and man is himself endowed with these same powers which indicates that he is a spark of the Infinite. These seven attributes are the seven- mile posts which mark the way from the beginning to the end of man's destination, the seven points in the circle by which a complete cycle of time is determined. The first of these attributes, Life, is a gift to the individual There is no way by which he can acquire it; he may protect and prolong life, but he has no command over its first possession. Labor belongs both to the physical and mental faculties, for all phys- ical exertion is superinduced by mental exertion. There is also mental exchange just as there is com- mercial exchange, as all definite knowledge is ac- quired by mental exchange, common conversation be- ing an example. Faith is the quality of mind which keeps a purpose in view, and concentrates the thought 221 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY of an individual upon a desired result, until that end has been achieved. Hope is the light which brightens the way ; and Attainment is the prize at the end of the race which, according to God's plan, is realized in re- demption. Death is placed at the central point of the circle for it is not the end of all things; faith, hope, and attainment project beyond and prove that life does not end in disaster, but in realization. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. (Rev. 4.6.) A sea of glass is a sea that can be penetrated by the vision ; by the eye of faith man sees through the strife which is before him to the reward for which he labors. The sea therefore is the struggle that necessarily in- tervenes between ambition and realization; it is com- monly called the struggle of life, because man is com- pelled to struggle with the forces of nature for the requirements of life. Among Christ's twelve prom- ises the final promise was the throne. He that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne. The sea of glass is before the throne, because in Christ's political system the struggle for an existence will be so clear and the reward for which he strives so certain that man will know exactly what he is working for, and that he is not to be disappointed ; he will know from the beginning that the reward is sure. And in that sea of glass there will be no more strife, and no more turmoil. and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. Man looks to the past for his light for the future, and his future course is directed by his past experi- 222 THE THRONE ROOM ences, for which reason he may be said to have eyes before and behind. It has been said that the seven lamps or the seven Spirits of God are the seven at- tributes or powers which belong to the mental or spiritual kingdom; of these seven* senses the dumb brute has inherited four, which is to say, that four of these attributes are physical as well as spiritual. These four are : Life, Labor, Exchange, and Death. The beast has life; he must forage for his nourishment; by the exchange of physical forces he perpetuates his kind; and disappears from the earth through death. But the supposition is that since man is subject to the laws of spiritual growth, if he will live in accord with those laws, his existence shall not end with death, but in the fullness of realization. The first beast was like a lion, the second beast like a calf, the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. (Rev. 4. 7.) On the crossbeams above the four gates which belong to the Crystal Palace these four beasts are stationed in their respective order and symbolize Life, Labor, Exchange, and Death or Progression. As with the exhaustion of physical strength the flame of life burns low ; the lion is very appropriately the symbol of lif e because of his great physical strength and because of his being recognized as the king of beasts. the second beast was like a calf, No other domesticated animal is so extensively used for food by man as is the beef. The calf is the object of its owner's care from the time it is born until it is put into the market, which care involves Labor. In the market it represents the conservation of just so much human energy as has been expended on it. the third beast had a face as a man, This is a symbol of exchange. The true law of ex- change is harmonious action. Man is so constituted that he cannot walk the pathway of life alone ; he must 223 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY needs exchange the products of his toil with those of his fellowman in order to provide for himself the many necessities of life. So that it matters not how much the industrial mechanism is out of order, the law of exchange compels men to work together. The man's face is here used as a symbol of exchange be- cause the two sides of the face work together; the eyes turn simultaneously towards an object, man hears with both ears, mirth provokes a contraction of the muscles of both sides of the face at the same time. the fourth beast was like a flying eagle ; An eagle cannot fly and at the same time remain still, it must progress ; nor can it fly backwards, it must go forwards; therefore the flying eagle symbolizes pro- gression. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him : and they were full of eyes within : and they rest not day and night, say- ing, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (Rev. 4 .8.) Every flying creature has at least two wings, but these beasts had each of them six wings. The evidence to be submitted bears out the assertion that in each of the four beasts there are. combined three flying crea- tures, or that there are expressed in each of these four beasts three progressive' ideas. and they were full of eyes within. Man's mind is constantly turned in contemplation upon himself. "The greatest study of mankind is man." they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, The beauty and wonders of nature in the earth and in the starry heavens constantly act on man's senses and awaken his curiosity and admiration ; and man instinctively seeks for the fountain head of life and wisdom, the great God who created all things. The 224 THE THRONE ROOM evident purpose man has discovered in all nature con- vinces him that these things are but the expression of infinite mind. The wisdom they reveal, so far beyond man's comprehension, constantly stimulates his imag- ination and ceaseless contemplation ; "they rest not." which was, and is, and is to come ; This links the past with the present and with the fu- ture and makes God eternal. The length of time re- quired to complete the stupendous task of creation convinces man that God is eternal. And when these beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth forever and ever, (Rev. 4. 9.) Herein they acknowledge their obligations to Unity. All life in the earth is the result of the forces of na- ture acting together; in the springtime they act in harmony and the earth becomes fruitful. Then it is that man, whose existence is in common sympathy with all other forms of earth life, must also become active; but for what purpose? He becomes active that he may prolong his days across that span of time when, by .reason of the unfavorable attitude of the earth toward the sun, the various forces of nature are thrown out of working condition, and fruitfulness is impossible. Well might these beasts give glory, and honor, and thanks to Unity ; for it is because of unity that continuous life is made possible. Life, Labor, Exchange, Death or Progression; these are the four facts of human existence which co-operate with nature to insure the continuity of life, that man may also live forever and ever, so to speak. When these beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth forever and ever. (Rev. 4.9.) The four and twenty elders fall down be- fore him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (Rev. 4. 10.) 15 225 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY The four and twenty elders are they who have over- come in the race and have won governmental au- thority. It is to say, that when labor and commerce act in concert, governmental forces also concur and recognize their obligations to unity, for in unity there is life and strength and power. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Rev. 4. 11.) These words are addressed to a personal Deity ; the manner in which the subject is treated does not dis- pose of the personality of God but rather strengthens it. The Christian conception of God is the Trinity; the recognition of industry, commerce, and legalized authority as the three factors in political construction does not decapitate organic government. There must always be a seat of supreme power, and that seat will always be occupied by some one distinct individual who will be recognized as the official head. Thou art worthy . . . to receive signifies that glory, honor, and power are not self-appropriated but are. bestowed in gratitude and as a recognition of worthiness. The glory, honor, and power of God or of him who occupies the seat of supreme power con- sists in the spirit of unity which his impartial protec- tion maintains. Unity, Protection, and Impartiality are the three ideas expressed in the Godhead ; unity in spirit and purpose, protection to those engaged in service, and impartiality in the distribution of the prod- ucts of the market. for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Creation is an act of labor; the sense of pleasure is one of the greatest incentives to effort ; labor is always a pleasure where the lash of necessity is not too strongly applied. 226 FIFTH CHAPTER And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back side, sealed with seven seals. (Rev. 5-i-) THE story, or history of man's progress is written, or woven, as he goes along and is left in a trail behind him ; the book is therefore written within and on the back side. The right hand is a symbol of strength. The book which is held in God's right hand is the book of the law, the story of man's progression, or the story of redemption. God's strength is in His law, His law is His instrument of creation. Progress is one of the laws of life and of the universe, and man, as he moves along the line of his progression, does so in accordance with certain economic laws from which he cannot escape. The book is sealed with seven seals because man has not understood these laws just as he has not reasoned out many other things which are closely associated with his e existence. The path down which the race must travel, as it lies before man, is crossed by seven distinct economic facts, or threads, with which the story is woven. God holds the key to the future and knows the way before us and to what it leads; man knows the story only as the events of life work out their secret design and the story is told. And just as there are seven prismatic colors, and seven notes in the harmonic scale, so there are seven steps in economic progress. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof ? (Rev. 5.2.) It is to say that God sends forth an emphatic challenge ; 227 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY to each and every man to come up and publicly demon- strate his ability to perform the feat. And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. (Rev. 5. 3.) A diligent search was made and it was found that no living man or any man who ever had lived was per- sonally qualified to open the book ; which is to say that the very important fact which God proclaims with such emphasis is that the law which governs race and family associations is not one of independence but of inter- dependency. Interdependence is the law of na- tional and race progress. No wonder that John saw a strong angel proclaim with a loud voice, for too much stress cannot be laid on this point. Interdependency is the law. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. (Rev. 5. 4.) One cannot share with John his grief over this matter, but rather one would rejoice, for in the recognition of this law of interdependency lies the hope of the race, that justice and peace shall one day triumph in the earth. And one of the elders said unto me, weep not; behold, the Lion°of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Rev. 5. 5.) And now the reader will pause and wonder who is this Lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, who alone is ^worthy of this unusual distinction. When the chil- dren of Israel were marching through the wilderness toward the promised land, the tribe of Juda came first in the line of march, it was the advanced guard. The lion of the tribe of Juda, or the vitalizing force of the tribe of Juda, was he who led the procession. As previously stated, this book contains the story of man's progression and ultimate redemption. God's promise 228 THE BOOK OF THE LAW to the world is the promise of redemption; progres- sion signifies a path or line of march with redemption as the ultimate goal ; redemption is therefore the prom- ised land. the Root of David. The root of a race of men always goes down into the past. "The first shall be last and the last, first." That is, the first men to appear in the race are outstripped and left behind, while those who last, present them- selves are in the front of the ranks. The lion of the tribe of Juda, those who go before; and the Root of David, or those who come behind; that is the rac£. The truth is revealed; interdependency is the law. What the individual man cannot do, in that he is weak, the race of man can do. Take a man and put him on the outside of his natural environment, separate him from his natural companion, isolate him, and the individual man, of and by himself, has no power to make any advancement along any line of industry or art, or to perpetuate his kind. He has no power to make history or to leave behind him any last impres- sion of his existence on the earth; he would perish miserably, and with him his possible line of descent. Progression, with redemption as the goal, can be at- tained only by the race. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Rev. 5. 6.) It is to say that man in the midst of his natural en- vironment, in the midst of life and labor, exchange and death, by a united effort, has power to fulfill the law of his being, to leave behind him an authentic ac- count of his deeds ; and that the race is destined in the course of its progress to reach the heights of the land of promise where redemption will insure to all a life in the midst of plenty. 229 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY stood a lamb as it had been slain. The identity of this lamb, then, has been fully estab- lished ; it is the race. The race sacrificed ; not idle but active. The expenditure of energy, physical or mental, in any worthy task becomes a sacrifice. The requirements of the Mosaic Law were that there should be offered as a continual daily sacrifice two lambs of the first year, one in the morning and the other in the evening. The race engaged in its daily tasks is the 'one lamb, but what of the other ? The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, means the chosen race. The Jews were- the chosen race and to them the law was given; the life and power of the chosen race is concentrated in Christ. The tribe of Judah was first in the line of march; and because through Christ the line of descent was established, He becomes first in the line of march, He is the first be- gotten of the dead. This Lamb which John saw in the midst of the throne has always been recognized by biblical students as Christ, the Lamb slain for the sin of the race ; but his twofold personality never has been recognized. It is only necessary to reiterate that which has already been said, that no man living or dead has ever been physically capable of fulfilling the law of his economic requirements ; progress can only be made by the race. Even Christ Himself did not fulfill the law in the sense that the race does. He left no physical offspring; His political kingdom lies yet in the misty future ; His only claim to earthly power has rested en- tirely upon the faith of His followers in the promises He has given. In what sense, then, can Christ claim this character, the Lamb slain? In what sense does Jesus Christ stand for the race ? The Mosaic Law es- tablished the claim that the laboring class- practically includes the race ; it also recognizes that all merchan- dise, as it stands in the market, represents the actual blood and body of the race sacrificed upon the altars of production. So when Jesus, in the full knowledge of His exalted mission, said, and the bread that I will give is my flesh, 230 THE BOOK OF THE LAW which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6. 51.) Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (John 6. 53.) He cast His lot with the race and became obedient to the law of economic sacrifice, by which race life is per- petuated in the earth. The Mosaic Law required that every sacrifice offered upon the altar should be min- gled with an equivalent reward, the oil and the wine must be of equal measure. Therefore, when Christ, at the Last Supper, took the bread and wine, those em- blems of reward, and said they were His flesh and blood, He thereby espoused the cause of the industrial class, to which the race belongs, and raised the stand- ard of reward as the sign or emblem of His political kingdom. In so doing He arrayed His forces against the Roman system, the system which ultimately con- signs labor to a place on the bare subsistence line. When Christ offered the bread and the wine as His flesh and blood, He fulfilled the law in that He de- clared that the reward must both be in full measure and in kind. The sacrifice was made in blood ; it must be redeemed in blood. In all the ages redemption by the blood of the Lamb towers above every other prin- ciple in history. One of the two lambs which were re- quired as a daily sacrifice was a" symbol of the race, whose life is daily sacrificed in toil ; the other, a symbol of Him who died that He might write into the body politic that supreme, vital principle, Redemption by the blood. The concluding thought in this connection again reverts to the law and the gospel. For the life of the flesh is in the blood : and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls : for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. ( Lev. 17. 11.) For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Mat. 26. 28.) 231 THE SCIENCE OE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY The purpose of all the strife of industry is to provide the reward of future sustenance; faith, hope, and at- tainment, the attributes of the spirit or soul, project beyond the altar and awaken to realization. Therefore, the aim of the law is to restore the reward of industry in full measure and in kind and to render man's con- science untroubled and unstained. Salvation hence- forth is no longer a matter of blind faith but a most enlightened compliance to the law of self-preservation. It is in the market that the law of Redemption by the Blood is executed, for when the blood is transformed into the reward it becomes the water of life. The mar- ket is the fountain of the water of life, and since this law is personified in Christ, he becomes the Living Fountain of Water of Life, the water of separation and of cleansing. In the midst of the throne stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. (Rev. 5. 6.) There were seven lamps of fire burning be- fore the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (Rev. 4. 5.) A book sealed with seven seals. (Rev. 5-I-) These seven Spirits of God — Life, Labor, Exchange, Progression, Faith, Justice, and Attainment — are the seven seals or the seven threads with which the story of redemption is woven. As man advances along the line of progress he encounters these seven facts. The book is the law, and whether his destiny is being molded by the law of brute force or the law of right, reason is determined by the seven horns and the seven eyes. The horns are the natural weapons of defense and combat with which the brute defends him- self and battles for his prey. His instinct is to fight and destroy life that he may preserve his own. The seven horns indicate the law of brute instinct; the seven eyes denote the law of reason, because the eye 232 THE BOOK OF THE LAW is the light of the mind. The horns and the eyes sym- bolize the twofold personality of the Lamb; the race is divided into two distinct classes, the industrial and the mercantile. If the law of brute force is the law of race progress, then the mercantile class will be- come the dominating class. Bound up within the na- ture of every member of the race are these two oppos- ing spirits, reason and brute force or passion. Which spirit is to predominate in the halls of national as- sembly? which is to be the pattern after which the laws of this land are to be fashioned? Upon this de- cision depends the climax of our national career. God grant that the people of this great Republic will wisely take counsel of the course they are pursuing and so direct their destiny as to preserve their national unity. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. (Rev. 5. 7.) Man is endowed with the power of free moral agency, he can do as he will; the laws which govern man's destiny God has given into his own hands. Originally, it is said, man was made without sin, but because of his unenlightened mental state he first chose to become obedient to the law of race antagonism as the law of race progress. This law is variously referred to as the law of the seven horns, brute force, or the double contract system. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. (Rev. 5. 8.) When man as a race takes the law into his own hands he becomes the builder of his own destinies ; the beast and the elders fall down before Him, they become obedient to His will. The harp is a musical instru- ment; that there were harps denotes harmony. The golden vials full of odors signify small bottles of per- fume; music and the perfume of the flowers are the 233 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY • beauty and perfection of God's complete work. There is nothing which so delights the senses as the har- monious melody of music or the fragrant perfume of beautiful flowers. The prayers of the saints are the petitions of God's people asking that their daily wants be supplied, emphasizing the beauty of depend- ency by which race construction is perfected. The sacrifices which the Mosaic Law required were all offered to God as a sweet smelling savor, indicating that the Mosaic Law is the law of race perfection. And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof, ior thou wast slain, and hast re- deemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. (Rev. 5. 9.) The Christian creed asserts that in the very day that man fell in sin God promised him a Redeemer, conse- quently from the beginning the law of the seven horns and of the seven eyes were consistently opposed one to the other. This new song is the song of redemption, the song that is always new because redemption recreates and makes all things new. And it is not for the chosen race alone but for the human race. As the lifeblood of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation mingles together in the great central fountain and is transformed into the living waters, the cry of the slain is lost in the song of victory. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth. (Rev. 5. 10.) The king is a political ruler, the priest is a spiritual adviser ; they represent the heads of the two great in- stitutions, church and state. To reign on the earth does not mean to reign in the sky, as some have believed, for the scene of the story of redemption is laid in the earth. That the antagonistic spirit of commercial en- terprise is something very different from the fraternal 234 THE BOOK OF THE LAW spirit of Christianity is evident. It appears that either Christian principles are too highly idealistic to bear the test of a practical application to business affairs and must eventually be abandoned as an idle dream, or else a great transformation in the business relations must be worked out so that the political kingdom, supported by industrial activities, shall conform to the Christian spirit and pattern, that the people may become one in profession and practice. And I beheld, and heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thou- sands of thousands. (Rev. 5. 11.) Here is revealed God's plan of governmental adjust- ment, with. Unity as the central thought, and with Fra- ternity to form the next circle ; and round about these the numberless multitude knitted together by the law of Inter dependency. The many angels round about the throne signify that national life revolves around its resources, particularly those which are concentrated in the market. It was said of Rome that around the rock of privileged power she roared like a deluge ; a certain privileged class secured possession of the national re- sources and, choosing to retain them, transformed the outer circle into a menagerie of wild beasts infuriated with hunger and passion, howling with rage. But what is the outer circle saying in God's plan of governmental adjustment? and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thou- sands : Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. (Rev. 5. 12.) This is to proclaim that since labor is the race or Lamb slain, the national resources belong to the people and cannot be appropriated by any privileged class; they 235 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY must be restored to them again; this is the song of redemption. The governmental adjustment of the Ro- man empire set privileged power at the top and abject slavery at the bottom ; and indeed such is the tendency of every other form of political organization which maintains the double contract system of commercial exchange. But the single contract system evolves Unity, Fraternity, and Interdependency. It will be remembered that the three ideas expressed in the governmental head were Unity, Protection, and Impartial Distribution. In unity there is strength, and in strength there is protection ; but what should be said of a government's acting as the dispenser of the na- tion's sustenance ? Many persons hold up to scorn the idea of a government's becoming paternal, as they choose to express it. The idea of the thunder storm was an impartial distribution of its contents over the surface of the earth. And when from the ten thousand times ten thousand, who constitute the outer circle, there flows into the market that sustenance which must sup- port a nation, is it paternalism to say that governments should maintain a fair and impartial distribution ac- cording as labor has supplied the market? If this is paternalism, then let us have paternalism. And every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and such as are in- the sea, and all. that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. (Rev. 5- 13.) It is to say that God has but one pattern; the law of redemption is a universal law, whether in heaven or on the earth or in the sea. For example, the individu- ality of man is strictly maintained in face and form, yet the entire race is built upon a single pattern ; so God has but one pattern of governmental construction. That is the plan of redemption. By this law God's throne and personality are revealed and to Him all homage is due. But the responsibilities of government 236 THE BOOK OF THE LAW rest also with the race, and so long as He upholds that law He joins in the honors. And the four beasts said Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and wor- shipped him that liveth forever and ever. (Rev. 5. 14.) It is the race which lives from generation to genera- tion, or forever and ever. It is here represented to be in accord with, or probably in command of, its phys- ical faculties, as the four beasts said Amen. The elders of the people become the servants of the race, they fall down. The race is supreme even above the rulers. 237 SIXTH CHAPTER And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. (Rev. 6. i.) IT will be remembered that each of these four beasts represented three flying creatures, three progressive ideas, or three in one. The Christian conception of divinity has always been the Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;. and we shall find the idea of the Trinity is persistently adhered to throughout the book. It has been said that from the unknown shore no traveler has ever returned, but with the opening of this book this claim finds its quietus for Jesus returned- and gave to John on the Isle of Patmos a solidly con- structed science, the Science of Government, every part of which, as we shall see, agrees perfectly with every other part ; for which reason man must acknowl- edge the workmanship as all divine. Jesus crossed the river of death and returned again to lay the way before us and to give to the world the assurance that if man follows in His footsteps, because He lives, we shall live also ; such is the hope of the Christian. one of the four beasts. It does not say that it was the first beast, or the lion, that presented the invitation to come and see, but as the other three follow in their respective order it is safe to presume that this one was the lion. It was said that, owing to his great physical strength, the lion was here employed as a symbol of life ; the lion roared and it sounded to John like thunder. Thunder sug- gests the refreshing spring and summer showers which fill the earth with vegetation or life, thus supporting 238 THE OPENING OF THE SEALS the assertion that this first beast, or the lion, symbol- ized life. The starting point of man's progress is the gift of life. Back of that mysterious natural fact we call life the author of the Revelation does not presume to reason but, taking life with its mysteries unex- plained, he proceeds. And I saw, and behold a white horse : and he that sat on him had a bow ; and a crown was given unto him : and he went forth con- quering, and to conquer. (Rev. 6. 2.) The color white symbolizes harmony. When the earth is in the right attitude towards the sun the result is that the earth springs forth into new life; that is to say, that the forces of nature act in harmony and life is the result. The horse is a domesticated beast of burden and probably has been used more commonly for industrial purposes than any other one animal, in- dicating that the subject under discussion is a domestic problem. The bozv, and the crown, and he went forth conquering and to conquer are the three pro- gressive ideas; they symbolize in their respective or- der, Preservation, Sustentation, and Assimilation; which, be it remembered, are the names of the three panels of the gate Life, which is due east of the Spring apartment of the Crystal Palace. Preservation or self-preservation is the first law of life; it is sym- bolized by the bow because the bow has frequently been used to procure game. Sustentation is symbol- ized by the crown, because the crown is the reward which Christ has offered; the reward of all physical endeavor expended for the purpose of maintenance is the blessings which minister to man's needs. Susten- tation consists of the three daily meals; they are the reward or the crown for which man has labored. The crown is therefore the symbol of sustentation, which, if self-preservation is the first law of life, may be termed the second law of life. Conquering and to conquer. To conquer a weaker people means to assimilate that 239 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY people into the body of the stronger power. To con- quer the means of subsistence means, in the animal kingdom, to devour and assimilate. It is the law of the,physical and of the mental kingdoms that the body or mind grows on what it feeds ; therefore to assimi- late means to grow and develop. Conquering and to conquer, therefore, very appropriately expresses the idea of assimilation, which may be termed the third law of life. Here, then, are the first three laws of life; to preserve, to sustain life, and to grow and develop to the full stature. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. (Rev. 6. 3.) The second beast, it will be recalled, was like a calf; the calf symbolized labor. Bear in mind that the seven seals which are now being broken, or the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth, are the seven mile- posts which stake out the line of man's progress by which it is known that a cycle of time has been com- pleted. As above named, they are: Life, Labor, Ex- change, Death, Faith, Justice, and Attainment. It will be observed from time to time, as the Lamb breaks the seals, that the descriptive illustrations always sup- port the ideas. And there went out another horse that was red ; and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. ( Rev. 6. 4.) The horse denotes, as previously stated, a domestic problem ; the color red, the red blood of sacrifice, the man sacrificed in toil : and the three phrases, to take peace from the earth, that they should kill one another, and a great sword given unto him, 240 THE OPENING OF THE SEALS express in their respective order the three progressive ideas, Labor, Self-sacrifice, and Reward ; which are the names of the three pictures in the three panels of the gate Labor, which is before the south or summer apart- ment of the Crystal Palace. and power was given unto him that sat thereon to take' peace from the earth. This is the great struggle with nature which labor must endure to supply the market. He must draw from the bosom of mother earth, by his toil, her life- giving properties ; this disturbs the surface of the earth, it takes peace from the earth, meaning the struggle with nature. and that they should kill one another. It has been said that a man's life is stored in the prod- ucts of his toil. The expenditure of man's physical forces necessary to production means self-sacrifice ; but there is a deeper meaning still, which is better ex- pressed in the phrase, that they should kill one another, for after man has spent his physical energies in pro- duction and the daily nourishment becomes assured thereby, every edible with which his table is supplied, whether vegetable or meat, represents the sacrifice of just so much life that his wants may be supplied. No other domesticated animal is so extensively used for food purposes as the beef, and for this reason the calf is here used as a symbol of all forms of labor's prod- ucts. The calf has claimed its master's life and he in turn has killed the calf to provide for his table ; and in so doing he has performed self-sacrifice : he has actu- ally slain himself. and there was given unto him a great sword. It has been said that the sword is the price ; the great sword of commercial warfare is the price. The sword is the symbol of reward because as the products of industry are received into the market the laborer is paid his price for the same and in so doing becomes a 16 241 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY factor in the great commercial struggle ; there is given unto him a great sword, which is the price, which is the reward. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see, And I beheld, and lo a black horse : and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. (Rev. 6. 5.) The third step in economic progresses the exchange; it is when the products of labor are in the market that the industrial situation presents the dark side; this is because men wait with anxiety for the returns that they may know whether justice has been done them and whether their money will provide. According to the Mosaic Law the burnt offering, which burned all night until the morning upon the altar, typified labor's night and death. While the products of labor are in the market.the sun hides his face as it were ; hence the black horse. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, (Rev. 6. 6.) And then the three flying creatures which are released by the opening of the third seal are as follows : A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny ; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. Here the veil is actually lifted and the hidden meaning which all along is carefully concealed within this Reve- lation is momentarily brought to the surface ; discre- tion is thrown aside and the secret purpose of the book is for an instant made so clear as to dispel all doubt that the Revelation is a study in political, economy. The third seal is commercialism, the exchange. Black is the color which symbolized the exchange ; it is the extreme opposite of white ; and as white denotes harmony, black signifies discord and strife. The mar- ket is the battleground of national life. A pair of balances in his hand. It matters a great deal who holds the commercial scales, 242 THE OPENING OF THE SEALS for the hand that holds this balance becomes the ruling factor with the unfolding of national destiny. The exchange is symbolized by the third beast, which had a face as a man. The face of a man is here employed, as above stated, because the two sides of the face act in conjunction; Harmonious Action is the true law of exchange. The existence of the market is a perpetual monument, a constant confession, of individual human weakness. Interdependency is the law and co-opera- tion is the requirement of that law; co-operation in the life struggle holds true regardless of how much the law of competition prevails. The river of com- merce has two grand movements : its waters spring out of the soil from ten thousand times ten thousand sources by the hand of toil, it form's a mighty tide and flows into the great central reservoir, the market ; this is the first grand movement; then when the flood gates are open, figuratively speaking, the water of life flows back to the people; this is the return current. These two movements comprise what is known in political economy as industry and commerce. The law of competition, being the motive power of economic progress, has resulted in building up the two great opposing classes, capital and labor: but as capital is always identified with commerce, and labor with in- dustry, the conflict, strictly speaking, is not between capital and labor but between the mercantile class and the laboring class. A great deal is said nowadays about capital and labor and the strife between them, though the interests of these two great classes do not necessarily conflict; the principle of industrial opposition, which has domi- nated the social relations, has borne its inevitable re- sults and these classes are organized against each other. But this struggle is not necessary for the message of Jesus affords a common ground upon which all oppo- sition can be adjusted with satisfaction to all con- cerned. he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 243 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Manifestly if justice is to be done in the market, the hand that holds the commercial scales must be the hand of a disinterested party ; so long as men have a personal interest to serve it cannot be expected that they will tip the scales impartially. Price control is a governmental function which should be jealously guarded if internal peace, is to be maintained. Now turn back over the records of history many centuries, to the chosen people fretting under the gall- ing chains of Egyptian bondage. What were the causes which led to this exceptional race's being so long subject to this humiliating condition? what were the steps by which this was accomplished? It was accomplished simply by a manipulation of the price, the price which the people received for the surplus pro- visions being infinitely smaller than the price which they had to pay to have these provisions restored to them again. Joseph raised the price until he was in possession of all the money in the country ; and when the people's purchasing power was gone, Joseph still had quite a surplus of provision left ; then Joseph obtained possession of all the live stock of Egypt, after which all the land of Egypt as well as the bodies of the people fell also into Pharaoh's hands. Evidently the hand that held the commercial scales had a personal interest to serve ; and so well was the service per- formed that the whole people of Egypt were depleted of all worldly possessions. The first step in the de- pletion of a nation's resources is the centralization un- der some individual's control of the circulating me- dium ; and just in the measures that it is centralized must someone suffer the loss of that which is rightfully his own. A measure of wheat for a penny and three measures of barley for a penny, and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. (Rev. 6. 6.) Manifestly there is some reason why it should require three measures of barley to be equal in value to one measure of wheat. Political economists of the day will say that the price of a given article is regulated 244 THE OPENING OF THE SEALS by the law of supply and demand. In this case if the supply of wheat and barley are equal then the demand for wheat is three times greater than for barley; or if the demand for wheat and barley are equal, then the supply of barley is three times greater than the supply of wheat; this is our present-day economy. But the law of supply and demand, it is evident, works up to a certain point. When a country is new and its commercial enterprises are in their infancy, and men stand on a comparatively equal basis in financial affairs, then the law of supply and demand asserts itself and does to a certain extent regulate the price. But when men have grown rich in monetary power they are sure to use that power to the disadvantage of their competitors ; and a new element, monopoly, enters the arena to influence the price, much to the dis- advantage of the weaker brother. See thou hurt not the oil and the wine. Wine is the symbol of reward and in the cup there is temptation; the desire is to drink a larger portion of the reward than one is entitled to. The temptation in the cup is to drink to excess and thus become drunken. See thou hurt not the oil and the wine. The oil and the wine, according to the Mosaic Law, are symbols of sacrifice and reward. The law required that they should be offered in equal measure with each sacrifice, symbolizing that the reward should be equal to the sacrifice. So that, according to the Mosaic Law, the price cannot be regulated by the law of supply and demand, much less by the power of monopoly ; the ele- ment which should determine the price is the amount of personal exertion, -time, mental and physical energy it requires to prepare and transport produce to the market, care for it while it is in the course of ex- change. When the price is regulated according to the law of supply and demand, it may be said to be gov- erned according to the mere accident of the market ; when the power of monopoly determines the price, it may be said to be adjusted to serve a purely selfish 245 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY interest. But when it is recognized that from the time the plow is put to the soil, or from the time that the hand of man is put to the task of production, until the goods are delivered to the consumer, every man who has in any way assisted in the process has an equity to be safeguarded, then it may be said that the sacrifice of labor is the factor in commercial exchange by which the price is determined. Power, Riches, and Honor are the three ideas linked together in the exchange; and since one man's pro- ductive ability is not vastly greater than another's, it must follow that when justice prevails there will be riches and power and honor enough for all. Through the exchange men acquire commercial power and riches, but honor can never be self-imposed ; yet there is that in human nature that bestows honor where honor is due. The successful man always commands the respect of his fellowman; and if the captains of industry are not the recipients of their countryman's honor it is because there is a widespread conviction that there is something radically wrong with the sys- tem of economy that makes possible the building up of such excessive fortunes, which cannot but be detri- mental both to public and private welfare. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. (Rev.- 6. 7.) And I looked, and behold a pale horse : and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, ' to kill with the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6. 8.) A pale horse. A pallid color is always a sign of sickness, the fore- runner of death. and hell followed with him. Hell at once suggests the place of fire. Fire is the 246 THE OPENING OF THE SEALS element that dissolves the material body, reducing it to its original elements ; dissolution follows with death. As death and dissolution are everywhere written in the earth, man's feet also must be shod with the fine brass of sacrifice, as were the feet of Jesus, that he may escape the general decay which surrounds him. and power was given unto them over the - fourth part of the earth. The winter season is the fourth season of the year ; during the other three seasons man must prepare to protect himself against the unfavorable season. « Man conspires with nature and overcomes death, the reign- ing king of the winter. To be prepared for death is the insistent cry of the Christian faith, which in this case means to be prepared to assume the responsibili- ties of life which are ours. But death is not the last milepost in the cycle of progression but the fourth ; by which we understand that death does not end all ; faith, justice, and realization or attainment outstrip death and, projecting beyond, complete the cycle. But there being only four beasts conveys the impression that for the beast there is no existence after death; the con- clusion is drawn that he who lives the life of a brute will die the death of a brute and end his existence in dissolution or hell. There may be those whose lives are so nearly akin to the brute creation that with the gathering of the grim reaper their chapters will be closed. "Hell Fire" is a prominent point in Christian doc- trine which, though not so fervently emphasized as once, is undoubtedly taught in the Bible. But accord- ing to Christ's personal doctrine as herein expressed, hell fire refers to the dissolution of the physical body after death, or to the fire of the altar. The fire of the brazen altar which consumes the sacrifices of labor in the market is the substitute which the Creator has provided for the fires of dissolution which follow with death. It is the way of escape from death and hell. But what should be said of those who do not sur- vive the tragedy of this earthly life, the yearly tragedy, 247 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY so to speak? All preparation is made to tide the na- tion over the winter season; the granaries and ware- houses are fully supplied. At this point the commercial stream enters upon its return current, and as the vital energy of all life is stored within the infinitesimal seed, so the energy of the people spent in the arduous task of production is stored in that indestructible form commonly known as money. What the germ of life within the seed is to the surface of the earth, such is money to the life of the people ; it contains the power of industrial regeneration. And what an exceedingly cold winter will do to the seeds and roots within the earth, such will excessively high retail prices do to money — they will freeze out or extract its value. By this process many thousands fail to pass through the fires of economic dissolution to the goal of realization. To speak of excessively high retail prices does not imply that it is necessarily the retail merchant who always profits by abnormal prices, but that either mer- chandise may be passing through unnecessary hands or there may be a leakage somewhere through exces- sive profits. The relation between the two edges of the sword is not being fairly maintained. It will be perceived, then, that it lies within the range of economic law to consign many thousands of the race to a living death through the process of the ex- traction of monetary values, by reason of excessive prices. Men's opinions may differ as to the future life ; but it is not necessary to explore the unseen shores to prove that there is such a condition as that which it is believed awaits the lost soul, that of a living death. The antagonistic system furnishes many examples of the blight which falls upon the race because of this law. By excessive retail prices man's right of access to the sustenance of life is cut off and. the soul, the living entity, though defying the power of death, is in fact legally dead. Henceforth such as these exist only by permission of others. It is the nature of this system to produce many examples of lost manhood, of abject dependency. 248 THE OPENING OF THE SEALS The fourth beast was like a flying eagle. (Rev. 4. 7-) It has been stated that the flying eagle is a symbol of progress. But though man were as swift as the eagle he cannot indefinitely escape death ; it is the inevitable end of all flesh. Without death there would be no progress; the only way, therefore, to escape death is to be prepared for it. This very much emphasized point in Christian doctrine is applicable to the laws of political economy. Death is nature's method of re- moving those forms of physical life which, having reached maturity, become stationary and obstruct the progress of those who come after. Death is therefore the great, forceful argument which moves the world along ; the desire to escape death acts as the motive power. What lies beyond the veil, lifted once and finally to receive the imperishable soul of man, can only be foreshadowed by the uncertain lamp of specu- lative thought. But governmental science which per- tains to national life and progress, economic death and restoration, which follow in succession like phantom shadows along the way, are not beyond the range of our vision. And the destiny of a nation may be roughly determined once the law which guides that nation is disclosed. The flying eagle. The eagle has two wings which give to the bird its power of progression ; before the bird can fly it is necessary that his wings be exactly equal. Clip one of the wings and the bird is deprived of the power to gain and retain his balance; balance or poise is as essential to progress as are the wings. Labor and commerce are the two wings of industrial progress, and because the equality between these two classes has never been maintained, historical events have seemed to move in a circle, for which reason it has been said, "History repeats itself." The unequal distribution of wealth destroys the national poise just as the clipping of the bird's wing disables him and pre- vents his flight. Equality, Poise, and Progress are the three ideas symbolized by the flying eagle. These ideas 249 • THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY will be found suitably illustrated in the three panels of the west gate of the Crystal Palace. And power was given unto him over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (Rev. 6. 8.) These are the instruments of destruction; and since self-preservation is the first law of life, it means that man is driven by this powerful instinct to the utmost resistance ; there is here portrayed the great life strug- gle. Yet man, in his efforts to overcome death, has three favorable seasons to his advantage, and it is safe to assume that with a clearer understanding of the laws of economic environment, man will eventually triumph over death as it applies to the industrial situation. The instinct of self-preservation has taught man that he must labor and sacrifice that he may overcome the first death ; yet no sooner has he made provision against the unfruitful season than he is confronted with his former enemy in a different armor. He must contend not with the biting frosts and frigid winds of winter but with the members of his own race for the right to enjoy that legitimate portion of the common store which is justly his own: herein lies the power of the second death. Henceforth the struggle is not with nature but with his competitors in the field of com- merce. The sword, or the price, is the weapon with which the fight is waged, and he who best proves his skill will inflict hunger and death upon his vanquished foes. and with the beasts of the earth. It is in the nature of the beast to contend for posses- sion of the means of subsistence ; that law which com- pels men to wage an endless contention for power and possession is the law of brute force. But Christ stands for the elimination of commercial warfare by co-opera- tion and for the conservation of public utilities, so that they may become the common inheritance of each suc- ceeding generation that the struggle against death may be more effectual. 250 THE OPENING OF THE SEALS He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Rev. 2. 11.) The term expressed is "hurt," not "destroyed." The power of the second death is emphasized not in actual destruction of life but in some form of dependency; when liberty is gone dependency mortifies and injures the spirit. Eventually the struggle for wealth will be eliminated, and with it that second death ; the wealth now absorbed by the few will be directed to its proper channels with revitalizing force. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. (Rev. 6. 9.) The fifth seal means Faith, Trust, and Patience. These qualities have always been recognized in the spirit of martyrdom; the spirit of those who accept death that their consciences may remain inviolate. Under the brazen altar there was a pan to receive the ashes; in the ashes of the sacrifice John saw the soul, that vital- izing spark which insures a resurrection. The mar- tyrs died accepting God's word that if they committed their souls to His keeping, He would raise them up to everlasting life ; and in so doing they presented before the world an unfaltering testimony of their faith in Him. God's word and their testimony became to their souls what the fertile soil is to the roots and seeds within its bosom, a means of protection which guaran- teed their resurrection. And so the goal of industry is that man may enjoy the blessings of an earthly resur- rection wrought out through Faith, Trust, and Pa- tience. The money which labor receives for produce becomes the testimony or evidence of the sacrifice made in the discharge of duty. As the martyrs died for the word of God and the testimony which they held, so labor is slain for the promise of the govern- ment, the evidence of which they hold in their hand. Martyrdom is the true spirit of service. And in the ashes of a complete consumption of the sacrificial of- fering rendered through industry lies the hope of an 251 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY earthly resurrection and of escape from that second death. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth ? (Rev. 6. 10.) And white robes were given unto every one of them ; and it was .said that they should rest yet for a little season until their fellow serv- ants and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. (Rev. 6. no Although the early Christians may have been induced by the promise of a future reward to follow Christ's example and submit to the martyr's death, the reply that was made to their cry for vindication of their blood discloses that the object for which their lives were required was something different from what they supposed. The purpose of all industry is the fruitage ; and during the period when production is in process, patience is admonished. They were told that they must have patience "until their fellow servants and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." And now, since it has been dis- closed that Christ's earthly mission was in part for the purpose of revealing to man the true principles of gov- ernmental science, the principal thought of which is the law of Redemption by the Blood, and since this law so materially affects the welfare of those who sub- mit their bodies to the altar of industrial sacrifice, it is clear that these fellow servants and these brethren to whom He referred were none other than the martyrs of industrial conflict. They too should make of their lives a willing sacrifice in faith, believing that they shall obtain the reward. In each of the different schools of economic thought there will be found one central principle upon which special emphasis is laid. As the Mercantilists emphasized surplus money, and the Physiocrats laid stress on the bounties of nature, 252 THE OPENING OF THE SEALS net product, as the chief aim of industry, so Redemp- tion by the Blood is made the central thought, not only of Christ's religious system but of His political institu- tions as well. It is the sun of righteousness from which radiates all other laws, moral or political. And so the Revelation in all its phases constantly magnifies this supreme law by which Christ is personified. And when the nations of the earth shall, by statutory enact- ment, recognize the nature of labor's sacrifice, then God Himself shall have been vindicated and the blood of the martyrs as well as all others who have died in the cause of liberty most surely will have been avenged. Faith, Trust, and Patience, the triple name of the fifth seal, signifies confidence, which, when betrayed, pre- pares for the condition which prevails when the next seal is broken. The sixth seal indicates Darkness, Doubt, and Fear ; or Light, Consent, and Peace, according to the law which is in force. But as darkness is the first con- dition of nature, it is the darkened phenomena which is here first considered. Darkness spreads its black mantle over all nature until the sun reveals his face, when the darkness vanishes ; a*nd brute force asserts itself until it is displaced by the sun of mental enlight- enment. As long as men live by faith the element of doubt will remain; but when men realize their ulti- mate purpose, doubt will disappear. Fear takes pos- session of the heart because of darkness ; if the mind cannot discern what lies in the future it is dominated by fear. Darkness, Doubt, and Fear are, then, the natural conditions of the unenlightened mind. How easily the horse takes fright, and how the wild beast shows by his restless spirit and alert watchfulness the terror of his mind ! And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. In the ashes of sacrifice John beheld the souls admon- ished to await with patience the resurrection; the 253 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY quiver of the earthquake symbolizes life, since life is characterized by motion. But since a great earthquake is a most fearful catastrophe, it denotes that the resur- rection is accompanied with dread disaster. Up to this point as the seals were broken all seemed to have gone well, but now the nature of the law which is in force .begins to appear. The sun is the governmental power which holds the stars in their courses, which controls the earth and brings it into favorable attitude for the spring, when the earth is clothed in the emerald green of a new resurrection. But the economic inter- pretation of this verse is that the attitude of the gov- ernment which administers the law is disastrous toward those who have offered their bodies in industrial sacrifice and have accepted in faith, money, the gov- ernmental promise of a new resurrection. Black as sackcloth of hair, denotes death and mourning, and that the law of the second death is in operation. But the earthquake sig- nifies that the second death is not in fact death but a disastrous condition of life. The stars are the prom- ises; the moon is, therefore, the large promise in the heavens. The large promise in God's Word is the promise of redemption by the blood, through which the blood of the sacrifice is transformed into the living waters. But when the promise which money contains is repudiated, the transformation fails to occur, the moon becomes as blood, and the world beholds the great red tragedy of sin. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood before that great and notable day of the Lord come. (Acts 2. 20.) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light. (Mat. 24. 29.) And when these things begin to come to pass then look up, arid lift up your heads ; 254 THE OPENING OF THE SEALS for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21. 28.) or the kingdom of God is nigh at hand (Luke 21. 31.) Here there is but a symbolical characterization of the conditions which must prevail so long as the world is without redemption. They are the signs of the law which is in force but which will not be understood until just before the new dispensation is ushered in. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs ; when she is shaken of a mighty wind. (Rev. 6. 13.) The untimely fruit is that which falls before maturity ; it signifies miscarriage. What the law of gravitation is to the heavenly bodies, faith is to industrial insti- tutions. Should the stars disappear from their courses, it would mean that the law of gravitation had lost its power and confusion w r ould reign; when the stars of heaven fall unto the earth in the political constellation it means that the promises have failed and, faith being shattered, confusion has displaced order. a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. National .life thus would be an abortion brought to disaster by the fierce winds of passion. Ancr the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together ; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. (Rev. 6. 14.) Heaven is the place for which men strive; the prom- ised land ; the place of security and repose, where men realize the reward for which they have endured the strife. But when the law of sin prevails, by which the reward is not guaranteed, the heavenly place proves but a mirage, a tantalizing vision which rolls together and disappears. Heaven is shut in the face of men, and the soul is shut out in darkness and despair; it -255 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY has failed of attainment, and is lost. The mountain is the elevated region ; the island is the place of isolation, it is^ entirely surrounded and stands apart. Wealth ex- alts men above their fellows and isolates them from the common herd, hence elevation and isolation are the prerogatives of the wealthy. The baronial lords of the Middle Ages built their castles on some elevated or isolated place and in so doing exemplified the common characteristic of their kind. But when nations are in internal revolt, wealth and those who possess it become the objects of attack, their pretensions and security are shaken, they are moved out of their places. They have trusted in a rock that has failed them. For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. (Deut. 32. 3I-) And the kings of the earth, and th^ great men and the rich men, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and the rocks &i the mountains. (Rev. 6. 15.) In- times of war all classes assemble their strength to fortify themselves. How many times mountain passes have served as fortifications. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. (Rev. 6. 16.) In their fortifications they seek protection from the face of hostile forces and from the fire of their as- sailants. Their extreme mental agitation is expressed in the terms, fall on us. The Godhead, Unity, sits on the throne, but warfare is the extremity of con- tention and passion sways the people. For the great day of his wrath is come ; and who shall be able to stand? (Rev. 6. 17.) Which belligerent shall withstand the shock of battle? The name of the sixth seal is Justice. The wrongs 256 THE OPENING OF THE SEALS which the people have endured and which have ma- tured through years of political mismanagement must be wiped out by unconquerable opposition. Industrial organization is like a great machine of many parts, intended to work together for the common good; co- operation is the law of life and when men think to elevate and isolate themselves, to appropriate to their personal use benefits in which all should participate, they pay the penalty of outraged nature when reason forsakes her throne and passion spends its fury. In unity there is no elevation nor isolation, but one con- glomerate mass. 257 SEVENTH CHAPTER And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. (Rev. 7. 1.) THIS verse expresses the idea of barrenness or of the dead age. The earth, the sea, the wind, and tree are four elements which when acting in con- junction produce fruitfulness. The earth furnishes the fertility, the sea provides the moisture, the wind con- veys the moisture to its place above the earth, and the tree brings forth its fruit. But some intelligent force is acting to prevent fruitfulness. After Adam's trans- gression, it was said, God drove out the man: and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep the way of the tree of life. The flaming sword turned in all four directions. The angels stood on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth to prevent fruitfulness. The four corners signify that God's plan of economic construction is in the form of a square. The earth and the sea are the two natural divisions of the earth's sphere; the sea forever contends with the earth for place and position;. they are therefore the two natural enemies, the two opposing forces, as it were, which wage an endless contention. But these great forces of nature, though always at strife, are by the providence of God and in their appointed seasons made to work together to fill the earth with life and clothe nature with the beauty of vegetation. And since the economic 258 THE DEAD AGE problem is the subject of these symbolical figures, the earth and the sea, in the order named, symbolize the industrial class and the commercial class, the two great contending forces always at strife when the law of race antagonism is in operation. The wind is the ele- ment which furnishes the motive power. That there were four winds signifies that there are four distinct forces at work in industrial activities ; the two classes above mentioned, the public or consumer, and the suc- ceeding generation. Laws which are detrimental to the race effect posterity to its disadvantage. holding the four winds suggests that laws are inadequate to the needs of co- operative industry and consequently the four powers are restrained from acting in conjunction to produce fruitfulness. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather to- gether his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Mat. 24. 31.) This declaration indicates that God will raise up a power, at the appointed time, able to cope with the situ- ation. And I saw another angel ascending from the east having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, (Rev. 7. 2.) saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (Rev. 7. 3.) To hurt imports contention ; an endless class struggle. The angel pleads that the struggle cease. As the angel ascending from the east refers to the sun's ascension in the eastern skies, so Christ's ascending from the east is God's provision of mercy. A seal is a sign of authority; and the forehead, being the seat of men- 259 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY tality, signifies knowledge. The law of life will pre- vail only when those who are chosen to do God's serv- ice obtain the knowledge of God and of His written law. To hurt is to smite: in the training of animals it sometimes becomes necessary to strike them to com- pel obedience. Not until the servants of God receive the knowledge of His personality and of His law are they authorized to compel obedience thereto. And I heard the number of them which were sealed and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. (Rev. 7. 4.) Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. (Rev. 7. 5.) And likewise from each of the other ten tribes were sealed twelve thousand, making a hundred and forty and four thousand in all. This number, A hundred and forty and four thousand, it will always be found is the number of the chosen. They form a square of four corners. The Hebrew race is recognized as the chosen people of God; but though the Mosaic Law was given unto them, they did not perceive its symbolical interpretation and therefore were not authorized to enforce it. It was Christ who came to interpret the law, and He was God's provision of mercy by whom came salvation. After this I beheld, and lo, a great multi- tude, which no man could number, of all na- tions, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. (Rev. 7. 9.) After this I beheld, After the Jewish dispensation the times of the Gen- tiles, the gospel age, was ushered in. As the law was given to the Hebrew, so the gospel was given to the Gentile; The promise to Abraham was that "In thee 260 SALVATION and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." And so in this great multitude is represented all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, clothed in the white robes of faultlessness and victory in their hands. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Sal- vation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. (Rev. 7. 10.) Salvation is deliverance and preservation from de- struction. The laws of economy subject men to. two opposing conditions, one of which preserves, the other of which destroys. The race cannot as a whole over- come the disastrous results of the adverse law when it is in effect ; consequently the race is then divided against itself, and isolation and elevation appear. But salva- tion strives to reverse its opposing order and to trans- form defeat into victory for the entire race. The ex- alted station would then express the spirit of unity. The more the spirit of unity is exalted in the nation the more nearly will the race approach the likeness and image of God, for man was made in God's image. He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone. He was not a stone image but he was what jasper and sardine stone look like when intermingled ; He was to symbolize unity. Unity is the formal^expression, the image of God's spirit. And all the angels stood round about the throne and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces and worshipped God. (Rev. 7. 11.) Saying, Amen; Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev. 7. 12.) All the inherent energy and wisdom of the Almighty is condensed in unity. But 261 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY God is a Spirit ; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4. 24.) And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? (Rev. 7. 13.) And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev. 7. 14.) Out of chaos, and confusion, and desolation, and tears, the race will at last emerge conscious of the nature and value of human sacrifice expressed in service and of the means by which industrial vice shall be eliminated. Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple, and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. (Rev. 7. 15.) They serve God both in the dark season and in the light season, for they understand the recurring periods in the industrial cycle. All service is performed by a united effort in His temple, or according to God's plan. Unity, the Spirit of God, shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat. (Rev. 7. 16.) Poverty shall be eliminated and human wants shall be supplied. The bird of prey lights upon his victim ; the sun, symbolizing the governmental power, will no longer cast a shadow or prey upon the weak but nour- ish and protect, that passion may not be awakened. Any situation which heats the blood in passion un- seats the mental poise and makes brutality the domi- nating force, contrary to God's purpose. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of water : and God shall 262 SALVATION wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Rev. 7- 17-) Not only will the race provide abundant nourishment to the people but it will educate and direct them in the way: for many a man has been counted a failure be- cause he never found his right vocation. By redemp- tion the blood of sacrifice will be transformed into the living waters, the market will be the living foun- tain of water of life. Men who live on a common plane of life will have sympathies in common, quite different from class hatred. God intended that the spirit of sympathy should alleviate sorrow and turn it into joy. The-fpolicy of emphasizing the effects of the two laws by contrast is carried out to the end of the story. Beginning with the first verse of the eighth chapter, the author of the Revelation again presents the dark side of the subject. It is as though the seventh chap- ter had been omitted, for the thread of the story which was dropped at the end of the sixth chapter is taken up again with the beginning of the eighth chapter. 263 EIGHTH CHAPTER And when he had opened the seventh seal,, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. (Rev. 8. i.) THE last seal is broken, the book is opened and the law is about to be declared; there is an om- inous silence in the heavens ; it is as the silence before the storm. The law of brute force or the law of destruction, which, in the order of things, precedes that of right reason, is about to be exemplified. It was said that originally God made man without sin; and politicai economists have said that originally men had all things in common. It was not until man took the law into his own hands or until he began to develop commercial strength that his ignorance of economic science resulted in the disinheritance of the race and he fell from his first estate. And I saw the seven angels which stood be- fore God : and to them were given seven trum- pets. (Rev. 8. 2.) Before the throne were the seven Spirits of God which were sent forth as messengers into all the earth. These seven angels have now returned to the foot of the throne to declare that God's orders have been obeyed, that a cycle of time will be presently cdmpleted. During the days of the Israelitish integrity the har- vest season marked the completion of the yearly cycle of time. The trumpet was used to call the people together to offer their sacrifices in commemoration of the event. Forty-nine days after they brought the first fruit offering, when the fruits of the season began to reach their maturity, the feast of weeks was cele- brated. Then on the first day of the seventh month, 264 THE OPENING OF THE SEVENTH SEAL and following the feast of weeks, there was celebrated a memorial of blowing of trumpets which for con- venience may be called the trumpet day. Following this, on the tenth day of the seventh month came the day of atonement, which, because of its ceremonial re- quirements, has been termed the national wedding day ; and on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, at the end of the harvest season, occurred the feast of taber- nacles. It will then be seen that the trumpet day and the day of atonement came right in the midst of the harvest season, or at the close of the yearly cycle. The seventh seal is broken and the book of the law is open; the yearly cycle is completed. This fact, to- gether with the statement that "unto the seven angels were given seven trumpets," makes it possible to locate our position along the line of our progression ; we are in the midst of the harvest season and the law which governs the exchange is now about to be declared. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer ; and there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. (Rev. 8. 3.) With the seventh angel a yearly cycle is completed, and with another angel, which is the eighth, a new cycle of time begins. The golden incense altar stood without the veil of the temple, before the ark of the testament, which was God's throne or the place where He manifested His presence. The golden altar, as previously stated, is the retail market. Upon the retail counter the industrial cycle is completed; here is also the beginning of a new cycle of time because the new cycle always begins with life ; and it is over the retail counter that life is restored again. So that, while the retail market marks the culmination of a cycle of in- dustrial activities, being the last step in industrial prog- ress, it also is the beginning of a new cycle of time. The saints are those who have entered into the sacred compact; the prayers of the saints are their petition, 265 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY "Give us this day our daily bread." It is to the golden counter that the people come to make their petitions known, to ask for their daily sustenance. The golden altar is so called because it is there that the people lay down their gold, which is the governmental promise, and obtain satisfaction, or find that the promise has been repudiated, depending on the law that is in force : for all business is conducted before the throne, or in the name and by the sanction of the law. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. (Rev. 8.4.) The incense symbolizes the perfume of the flowers because the perfume is the culmination of vegetable maturity. The perfume ascends and pervades the at- mosphere; and as the flower gives off its fragrance, which is as the smoke of the incense, it withers and dies, or is consumed. And so the people at the retail market make their wants known or offer up their peti- tions, which are as the fragrance and beauty of the restoration. There is also implied the consumption of substance. The smoke of the consumption ascends ac- cording to the requests of the petitioners; the smoke of the incense arose with the prayers of the saints up before God. Distribution is the final purpose of God because in a full and complete distribution of the ar- ticles of commerce the sacrificial offering is consumed to ashes. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it unto the earth : and there were voices and thunder- ings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Rev. 8. 5.) From the retail counter the distribution is sent broad- cast over the earth, like the refreshing showers. On the day of atonement, according to the Mosaic Law, Aaron took a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar of burnt offering, and with his hands full 266 THE OPENING OF THE SEVENTH SEAL of sweet incense, brought it within the veil and put the incense upon the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense might cover the mercy seat that was upon the testimony. So by the statement, "And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar," it is possible again to locate our position. It is the day of atonement, or national reconciliation, the wedding day. Marriage marks the culmination of physical development ; but it is also the beginning of a new generation, or a new race life. The voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake, all de- note life. The earthquake or internal movement de- notes life because internal movement is the first sign of life. There is a tremor, the earth quivers with life and activity. and voices, There are many engaged in the process of industrial birth. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Rev. 8. 6.) At the sounding of the trumpet the people will as- semble, and whether they are to witness a wedding ceremony, or a betrayal at the altar, will depend upon the law that is in effect, for the people are called to- gether to hear the reading of the law. A sound is a discordant note, it is the hour of clamor and strife; the governmental policy is to be declared and a reign of destruction is about to be inaugurated. And the first angel sounded, and there fol- lowed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth ; and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. (Rev. 8. 7.) The Mosaic Law divided time into cycles of seven, or provided for seven periods in each cycle of time. There were seven days in each of the seven weeks preceding the harvest season, and each week marked a period in the yearly cycle. Also every seventh year 267 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY was a sabbath of rest unto the land, in which they neither sowed the field nor pruned the vineyard. The law numbered seven sabbaths of years, or forty-nine years, and hallowed the fiftieth year and proclaimed liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof. This proclamation was to be heralded on the day of atonement of that year of jubilee. And as each of the seven weeks preceding the harvest season marked a period in the yearly cycle, so according to the Revelation, each of the seven seals with which the book was sealed marks a period in the yearly cycle. And as every seven years marked a period in the half century cycle, so each of the seven trumpet sounds marks a period in the half century cycle. And the first angel sounded, and there fol- lowed hail and fire mingled with blood. A hailstorm with fire signifies destruction, first to veg- etable life and then animal life, because all life depends directly or indirectly upon vegetable life. Wherever physical life is ruthlessly destroyed, blood is shed ; and so there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth ; and the third part of trees was burnt up. When the last of the seven seals is broken, announc- ing the close of the yearly cycle, and when at the first of the seven trumpet sounds the first seven-year period of the half -century cycle is begun, when the govern- mental policy for this first seven-year period is an- nounced, this policy is found to be not one of preser- vation but one of destruction. The tree is a symbol of life because it is from the tree, or vegetation, that man is provided for ; and thus the governmental policy of ruthless destruction of life is announced. It is not the refreshing shower which falls with impartial dis- tribution, but a storm of destruction, hail, and fire mingled with blood. The law of restitution is null and void to the extent of one third of the market's natural capacity to provide nourishment. 268 THE SOUNDING OF THE FIRST ANGEL In every commercial transaction there are three parties represented; if the transaction is conducted at the wholesale counter, as the products of labor are entering the market, the three parties are the indus- trial party, the commercial party, and the legal or gov- ernmental party. The latter, because it furnishes the medium of exchange which makes every commercial transaction binding, becomes the third party in every exchange. If it is conducted at the retail counter, as referred to in the preceding verse, it is the merchant, the consumer, and the government. The term "con- sumer," it is clear, includes the entire race, as does the term "industrial class." And since it was one third part of the trees which was burned up, it was the sus- tenance, or the estate, belonging to one third of the consumers which was destroyed. The class to which this one third belongs is easily determined for it has always been the industrial class which has been dis- inherited and driven out to till the soil. hail and fire . . . were cast upon the earth. As the earth is always symbolical of the laboring class, all through these seven periods, or forty-nine years, during which the seven angels sound, the blight of the law falls upon the third party to commercial exchange, or to such portion as represents labor. all green grass was burnt up. The verdant green is nature's beauteous apparel ; and the economic system which destroys the estate of the third party deprives human relations of all natural beauty and dress ; makes life an endless struggle, breed- ing class hatred and political dissolution ; and destroys individuality with the devastation of the carpet of green composed of numberless individual blades. And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea ; and the third part of the sea became blood. (Rev. 8. 8.) Two principles are here involved : that to destroy life 269 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY is to shed blood ; and that the sea constantly contends with the earth for place and position. In the market the great surging mass of humanity contends with the price for its life, wherein is enacted the great class struggle in which the third party, labor, is continually destined to perish and go down in the struggle when the law of race antagonism is in force. a great mountain burning with fire is cast into the sea. As fire is energy released, the verse implies great en- ergy cast into the struggle. That this commercial age is called the strenuous age there is no wonder; the desire for commercial power has brought into action the latent forces at man's command until the race is threatened with exhaustion from its protracted and relentless exertion. And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. (Rev. 8. 9 .) As the earth symbolizes industry, so the sea symbolizes commerce. All the articles of commerce represent labor's blood shed. But this blood which discolored one third of the sea refers to the hopeless struggle which one third of the living creatures wage in the great commercial sea, in defense of their lives, for it is in the restless tide of commerce that the life of the industrial class is snuffed out. The ship is the place of refuge which bears men in safety over the ever changing billows. Money is the promise which tides men over the strife, if it be sufficient ; but if the pur- chasing power of money is extracted through advanced or advancing prices, the ship is destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of rivers, and upon the fountains of water. (Rev. 8. 10.) 270 THE SECOND AND THIRD ANGELS The stars are the promises ; the greatest star in God's political constellation is the promise of redemption. When ships are destroyed, when money fails, redemp- tion is set at naught and the world makes God a de- ceiver; His greatest promise to man falls out of the heavens. Without redemption men fail to realize that for which they labored. The fallen star symbolizes man's fallen condition. Burning as it were, a lamp. A lamp is an artificial light; the stars and the moon produce an artificial or an indirect light; they are the lamps of heaven. Thus far man has never had a right understanding of the law of redemption, he has not had a natural light to the subject, and could not become obe- dient to a law he did not comprehend. And it fell upon the third part of rivers. After the water has been drawn up by the sun's rays and the clouds have deposited their contents over the thirsty soil, the surplus water finds its way back again to the ocean; the river is the return current. The necessities of life flow back to the people over the re- tail counter, so the retail business is the return current of the commercial stream. The artificial or indirect restoration is insufficient to those to whom the one third of the volume of the river should be directed or distributed, which volume represents the equity of labor. and upon the fountains of water. The fountains of water, recognized as the market, are spoken of in the plural sense because there are many commercial centers. That the star fell also upon the fountains of water is to say that when redemption fails the commercial stream is affected at its source. The source of all commerce is industry, and the source of industry is the industrial class. Labor furnishes the power which keeps the wheels of commerce moving. And the name of the star is called Worm- wood; and the third part of the waters be- 271 THE SCIENCE' OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY came wormwood ; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. (Rev. 8. n.) To be legally disinherited by reason of this adverse law is to be legally dead; it is an artificial condition, not a natural condition. God never intended that man should suffer the bitterness of the spirit of poverty which comes through financial insufficiency. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars ; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it and the night likewise. (Rev. 8. 12.) When the power of the law is turned against men they are put out beyond the circle of light and mercy, they are without hope in the world. To smite a light is to strike it, or to extinguish it; the influence of the law acts against men and puts out their light and they are lost in darkness and in sin. Sin, because the prom- ise is only "To him that overcometh," thereby making it a crime to become even the victim of wrong rela- tions. Men are admonished to strive to attain the highest possible state consistent with their right rela- tions to others. and the day shone not for the third part of it and the night likewise. With redemption the day dawns in the industrial cycle, but without redemption the day shines not for the third party, and the promises being forfeited, the lamps of the night likewise fail. And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound! (Rev. 8. 13.) According to the Revelation, a cycle of time is di- 272 THE SOUNDING OF THE FOURTH ANGEL vided into seven periods. The first seven-year period of the half-century cycle, it has. been ascertained, sig- nifies Life : the voices, and thundering, and lightning, and an earthquake, together with the third part of trees, all denote life. But it is not that life which was a gift to man but rather the life which is restored to him at the retail counter. The next three periods — Labor, Exchange, and Progression — also have refer- ence to the market, because it is in the market that redemption is being violated. And the third part of the sea became blood. Labor is destined to lose ; from the very beginning of the struggle she has no fighting chance as a class be- cause the law is against her. And the third part of the waters became wormwood ; The water of life is restored to her out of the ex- change with bitterness because it is accompanied with disaster. And the day shone not for the third part of it, and the night likewise. The path of her progression leads, not to realization, but to the unillumined shadows of unending night. Then Woe, woe, woe to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound. These three are Faith, Justice, and Attainment, but for the third party there is no future prospect. 273 NINTH CHAPTER And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth; and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. (Rev. 9. 1.) THIS is the second star which John has observed leave the path of its natural orbit and go crash- ing down through space. There is a destructive principle or unwritten law and there is a constructive principle or written law. When God swung the il- luminating bodies into space He wrote upon them His constructive principle or law. When the star falls from heaven it is moving in accordance with the destructive principle. The falling stars, therefore, symbolize that national progress is being made along the line of the destructive principle. The two stars denote man's fallen condition ; that human depravity is not confined to one class alone, but that both classes are alike guilty. But the result affects the two classes quite differently, as we shall see. The first star, or the great star, refers to the indus- trial class ; it is the great star because that class prac- tically includes the race, and the whole is greater than any of its parts. and 1 saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth; The second star symbolizes the mercantile class. It fell from heaven because the hail falls from heaven; the subject of contemplation is a destructive storm. It fell unto the earth because the earth is the founda- tion of all property rights. Hail is water condensed; money is the water of life in its condensed form. Money returning to the earth for investment is as a 274 THE SOUNDING OF THE FIFTH ANGEL devouring flame, and it is mingled with blood because the blood has not yet been transformed into water. Hail and fire mingled with blood, and to him was given the key of the bot- tomless pit. The bottomless pit is the past; to give any person a key is to give him access or the right of possession. The key to the process by which property is accumu- lated is price control ; and price control thus far has proved a prerogative of the mercantile class. The line between the two classes is not at first a distinct line; but the means by which the wedge is driven between the two classes is not to be mistaken: it is price con- trol. Excessive profit of business is the father of all accumulated wealth. And excessive profits are always won through the merchantman's power to dictate the price. Both classes are fallen, but the difference is that the mercantile class wins in the commercial struggle whereas the industrial class loses. To the merchant- man is given the key to the past. Property accumula- tion is a process which requires time ; and because at the beginning of the process the key of price control was intrusted to his hand, the merchantman in time arises to unlock the world's great treasure house of wealth and to take possession. Excessive profits of business represent the margin between the expense of conducting business and the selling price of goods. They are the sums which are above all expenses and which may be used for the purpose of investment. It is true that in the beginning of the process personal exertion and economy seem to enter, and do enter, into success in business, but there are many other things which enter also into the develop- ment of business. The higher a man rises in the scale, the more clearly will it be seen that price control is the great factor by which he has won success. That the key was given to him is to say that the merchant had little or nothing to do with the circumstances of 275 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY the market which makes price control possible. He studies the condition of the market and will dictate the price if he is in a position to do so. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace ; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. (Rev. 9. 2.) Business is conducted between the wholesale market and the retail counter. Between the wholesale price and the retail price the merchant realizes the margin which enriches him. From the great brazen altar, the wholesale market, the smoke of the people's sacrifices rise heavenward, and there, generally speaking, where the process begins. The sun and the air symbolize in their order, life and liberty: were it not for the sun there would be no vegetation on the earth and no life ; and the air is the only necessity of human existence which is free to all. Life and liberty are darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. An excessive amount of smoke denotes improper combustion due to insufficient draft; fire must have plenty of air in order to burn with little smoking. The great furnace upon which the people's sacrifices are consumed has not been constructed on right principles or with sufficient regard to air, or liberty, which must be freely provided in order to insure impartial con- sumption. As monetary accumulation progresses, life and liberty begin to stifle or the people begin to feel oppressed. Any business policy which interferes with or unjustly restricts the people's purchasing power chokes the fires of consumption ; hence the excessive smoke. Smoke denotes confusion, suffocation, and blindness. When the industrial cycle does not end in realization it ends in confusion; the human mind be- comes bewildered as to what is right and what is wrong, it wanders from the path of rectitude and is lost in confusion. 276 THE SOUNDING OF THE FIFTH ANGEL And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power as the scorpions of the earth have power. (Rev. 9. 3.) The locusts symbolize the hungry hordes of humanity which surge back and forth, as did the famished mul- titudes of Rome, crying for bread and the circus. That they came out of the smoke is to say that, owing to the confusion which results from there being no clear conception of economic science, the multitudes go hungry. The venom of the scorpion causes great pain but it is hardly ever destructive to life. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing; neither any tree, but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. (Rev. 9. 4.) The reference is to class struggle. The locusts light upon the green vegetation and devour it; but these human locusts are effectually prevented from satisfy- ing their hunger upon their natural diet. Our statu- tory laws are effectual in turning over the estate to the mercantile class, but in so doing our legislators have no authority from God. only those men which have not the seal of God in their forehead. They have neither the knowledge of God's law nor authority to enforce those laws which are without His sanction. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tor- mented five months ; and their .torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. (Rev. 9. 5.) The sting of the scorpion is not fatal, but painful and irritating. Men caught in the meshes of economic bondage find themselves helpless and without purchas- 277 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY ing power ; they can accomplish little else than to be a source of constant irritation to the privileged class, which, having absorbed all wealth, is too well secured to be overcome. The complaint of the down-trodden is not against the poverty of nature but against the man who thrives at their expense; they have ever at- tacked the man instead of the system which is at fault. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it ; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. (Rev. 9. 6.) When life is robbed of all its sweetness and in the prospective canopy of heaven not a glimmering star of hope pierces the gloom of despair, there comes into the hearts of men an overwhelming desire to end their miseries in death. It is then that they live only because their breath continues to come and they do not pre- vent it. And the fortunate may try to ignore this state of mind and scorn it down; but so long as the earth is strewn with human wreckage, the problem will force its lank specter upon public attention. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle ; and on their heads were, as it were, crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. (Rev. 9.70 Beginning with this verse and reading on through to the end of this ninth chapter, the three great divisions to which the economic body always conforms have now resolved themselves into two contending forces, with liberty as the price of victory or defeat. The golden crown of life is liberty ; but these crowns were not of gold: they were but like gold, an imitation, because men have not learned the law of liberty and cannot reach a state to which they know not the way. horses denote the beast of burden ; labor was ever the "beast of burden." And they had hair as the hair of women, 278 THE STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. (Rev. 9. 8.) Both sexes are symbolized by labor because in eco- nomic relations labor answers to the productive or female attributes ; and in the seventh verse is re- ferred to as having the faces of men. As the teeth of lions refers to the determined struggle, and as the lion sym- bolizes life, it is the restoration to life or the assurance of liberty for which the contending forces are fighting. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. (Rev. 9. 9.) Upon each of the twelve stones in Aaron's breastplate there was engraved one of the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. In this connection, the name signifies an individual unit. The stones of breastplate have ref- erence to the twelve vocational distinctions which result from the twelve classifications into which the fruits of the restoration are resolved : although the lines of the vocational distinction are not sharply drawn. It is for the last reason spoken of as a breatplate of iron because the twelve vocational classes are, like iron, molded together into a common body. The twelve classifications are; Fuel, Clothing, Shelter, Light, etc. Men may be engaged in these various pursuits and yet their work be so intermingled that no attempt will be made to classify them. The chariot was the vehicle used in the race ; the industrial struggle is an internal race struggle or race. And they had tails like unto scorpions and there were stings in their tails : and their power was to hurt men five months. (Rev. 9. 10.) The tail signifies passion. In the unbridled passion of class warfare the oppressed have always had right on their side, which, with the sting of the conscience of 279 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY the oppressor, has been their most powerful weapon. Five months is a period of time corresponding to the dead age, during which this internal race struggle will continue. And they had a king over them which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. (Rev. 9. 11.) These names signify The Destroyer. The king is the supreme head of government. During this period of five months, which is a fractional part of a certain cycle of time, it will be the policy of governmental heads to act as a destructive force. Having conceded to the mercantile class the right of property possession, it is conceived to be the principal business of govern- ments to protect property and keep the peace. Gov- ernments act, to the property class, as their guardian angel but to the disinherited as their despoiler or the destroying angel. One woe is passed ; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. (Rev. 9. 12.) The misfortunes which overwhelm the race are alike progressive ; the wheels of revolution never turn back- ward ; one woe has already been perpetrated and the wrong relations can never be righted without involving the entire race in the fratricidal struggle. And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, (Rev. 9. 13.) Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, "Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates." (Rev. 9. 14.) The cry is for liberty, "Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates" The river Euphrates signifies the river of commerce for the reason that the Euphrates River was at one time the 280 THE STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY principal commercial thoroughfare between what was known as the east and west of Asia Minor. The voice or demand for liberty comes from the four horns of the golden altar. The blessings of liberty flow forth from the retail counter ; over the retail counter the contending forces must be reconciled and justice shall be meted out to the four parties there concerned. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. (Rev. 9. 15.) At the retail counter the fetters of economic bond- age are or should be severed. But how many times the struggle for liberty has seemingly been won only to have to be repeated! An hour, and a day, and a month, and a year is for all time or for constant repe- tition of the cycles. Labor is the third part which in the providence of God must be made an everlasting sacrifice upon the altars of production to provide the national sustenance. And the number of the army of the horse- men were two hundred thousand thousand : and I heard the number of them. (Rev. 9. 16.) This number means two thirds : one hundred thousand would be one third, and cwo hundred thousand thou- sand, two thirds. Two thirds of the race, the govern- mental and the mercantile classes, are now combined into one hostile army arrayed against the first army of locusts which were like unto horses prepared unto battle. And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breast- plates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions ; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. (Rev. 9. 17.) This second company of mounted horsemen which is opposed to the first company spoken of in the seventh 281 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY verse of this chapter represents the commercial branch of the industrial class. Horses symbolize the indus- trial class, but that class has two branches. The op- pressors of the race do not bear upon their hearts and upon their shoulders the responsibility of protecting the equity of the individual members of the race, or of seeing that the avenues of opportunity to industry are kept open ; but bear with them the fire, consuming the individual portions of the first industrial class, and the smoke of burning brimstone, suppressing its com- plaints. This is the lake of fire, burning with brim- stone, which is the second death ; and hell fire in its second degree, according to the doctrine of Jesus Christ. It is from such a hell that God would save the world. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3. 17.) A mythological story is told of the flower jacinth, or hyacinth, to the effect that the flower sprang from the blood of Hyacinthus, who was unintentionally slain by Apollo, Greek god of the sun and of music. Hyacinthus was a youth to whom Apollo became very much attached. One day while Apollo and Hyacinthus were playing quoits together, Zephyrus, who also was very fond of Hyacinthus, happened to pass by, and, becoming jealous of their friendship, he blew Apollo's quoit aside so violently that it struck his companion and inflicted a" wound from which he died. And so, where the equality of the race is not maintained, jeal- ousy comes between those who should be companions, and out of the smoke of the consumption there arises not the sweet perfume of the flowers but the fumes and odors of suffocation as the climax of industrial development. Hence Jacinth undoubtedly refers to the perfume or smoke of consumption. By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. (Rev. 9. 18.) 282 THE STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY Our statutory laws permit the mercantile class to buy up or appropriate the resources of a country as a con- suming fire. By this means liberty, or the air, is con- taminated with smoke ; access to the means of pro- duction is cut off, and in the fumes of the brimstone there comes suppression. This is done in the name of the law which issues out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouths and in their tails ; for their tails were like unto ser- pents, and had heads and with them they do hurt. (Rev. 9. 19.) The serpent coiling himself about his victim and squeezing him to death purports the squeezing process which has often attracted attention in commercial war- fare; the serpent signifies the mercantile class. The tail symbolizes lust, and the head symbolizes wisdom ; the mercantile class has exercised wisdom in its lust in the shrewd foresight necessary to financial success, and in the framing of legislation to its advantage. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold and silver, and brass, and stone, and wood ; which neither can see nor hear nor walk. (Rev. 9. 20.) The rest of the men which were not killed are those who are not disinherited by this means. There are many men who do not acquire excessive fortunes but who sanction the system by their moral support ; to these belong the great middle class. Mone- tary accumulation thrives in the darkness when greedy ambition transforms the image of God into the self- centered devil. God is the living spirit of redemption but the middle class does not depend on redemption for its life but looks to the idols of property possession which neither can see nor hear nor walk. And in so doing they render homage to the spirit of selfishness : they worship devils. 283 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornica- tions, nor of their thefts. (Rev. 9. 21.) All these evils have their counterpart in the broader field of economic thought : for as murder is the ruth- less destruction of human life, by the violation of the right principles of race life untold millions are con- demned to the second death or economic murder; as sorcery is a resort to evil spirits, property accumu- lators have overcome the obstacles set before them through a resort to the evil spirit of the destructive principle, or economic sorcery; as fornication is the association of the sex without the holy marriage vow, economic fornication is the establishment of class re- lations, not sanctified by a contract as sacred as the marriage obligation ; as theft is the crime of unlawful appropriation of another's possession, the acquisition of wealth not according to the true principles of polit- ical science is economic thievery. When the seventh seal is broken and the law of brute force is fully demonstrated it is found to ex- emplify Destruction, Possession, and Suppression. And having demonstrated the futility of the law of brute force to serve the best interests of the people, the alternate situation is again submitted for consid- eration. 284 TENTH CHAPTER And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud, and a rain- bow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: (Rev. 10. i.) THE cloud is the symbol of God's visible pres- ence, the sign of His personal manifestation. It is said that Christ in His second coming will appear in a cloud. Christ, the Hero of the story, was first presented clothed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle, de- noting the office as high priest and head of the churches ; but in His second appearing He . comes clothed in His kingly apparel ; for Christ's domain will embrace both church and state. The cloud is also a symbol of life because it is from the cloud that the earth receives the refreshing showers, impartially dis- tributed over the thirsty soil. Christ said, "I am the life." The rainbow was placed in the heavens as a sign of God's promise to man that the earth should not again be destroyed. The mighty angel who came down from heaven clothed in the glory of the cloud and rainbow represents Christ in His second appear- ing. his face as it were the sun. The sun is the great power which holds the stars in their courses and maintains order in the universe : it symbolizes governmental power. His kingly apparel denotes that He is opposed to the destructive principle in government. The three ideas expressed in the God- head are Unity, Protection, and Impartial Distribution ; and Christ in His second appearing is clothed in the attributes of God. The sun signifies unity; the rain- bow, protection ; and the clouds, impartial distribution. 285 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY And he had in his hand a little book open : and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth. (Rev. 10. 2.) The little book opened is the short story of redemp- tion, the sweet story of God's love. God so loved the world that he gave his (First) begotten Son that whosoever believ- eth in him might not perish but have ever- , lasting life. (John 3. 16.) According to the Revelation, Christ was the first be- gotten of the dead. He it was through whom the line of descent was established; He became the first be- gotten Son of God. He set His right foot on com- merce and His left foot on industry. The right side always denotes strength. The tribe of Levi was the strength of Israel, and because they offered the sacri- fices, the priesthood symbolizes the mercantile class, which is the strength of industry. With His right foot on the sea and His left foot on the earth, His feet are as pillars of fire, His face as the sun. The sun lifts the water up out of the sea that it may be deposited over the earth. By His body Christ unites the con- tending forces and promotes harmony that life may dominate the earth ; His flesh and His blood He gave for the life of the world. The products of the market, therefore, represent Christ's flesh and blood, through which the world will be reconciled. Labor and com- merce are the two great pillars which support the body of the race. And cried with a loud voice as when a lion roareth : and when he had cried, seven thun- ders uttered their voices. (Rev. 10. 3.) The seven thunders portend the spring showers, they signify that the dead age has been supplanted with the age of life and order. When all the elements of na- ture are in right attitude towards each other the earth teems with life. Thunder is the report ; the lion roared and the thunder replied. 286 CHRIST'S SECOND APPEARING And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write : and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. (Rev. 10. 4.) Christ's law is the marriage law, His cry is the pro- posal ; Christ proposes to His chosen, but does not pre- sume to give the answer; God's people must answer for themselves. Christ's proposal is that His people shall become obedient to His marriage covenant. Christendom, where do you stand on this great ques- tion now submitted for your decision ? Will you enter with Jesus into the glorious consummation of His sacred marriage obligation and give life to this world ? You who have carried the message of redemption to every land, will you hear God's voice bidding you go onward to the happy realization of Christian princi- ples? You cannot serve God and mammon, for "they that are not for me, are against me." The voice of the Saviour is speaking in pathetic, pleading terms; He is asking, "Lovest thou Me more than these devils and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and of stone, and wood, which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk? Lovest thou Ale more than these worldly possessions ?" Christendom, gi^e answer ! And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth, lifted up his hand to heaven: (Rev. 10. 5.) And sware by him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer. (Rev. 10. 6.) The seven discordant sounds denote a complete period of time; and with Christ's second appearing a new dispensation is at hand ; but as the story continues and with the tenth -chapter not half completed, it is evi- dent that if "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat" 287 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY (2 Peter 3. 10), it is not to occur coincidently with the former, for that time should be no longer refers to the dawning of a new age. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mys- tery of God shall be finished, as he hath de- clared to his servants the prophets. (Rev. 10. 7.) The seven voices and the seven sounds now merge and become one; after all the turmoil and strife the race has at last struck the harmonious chord. Thus far the purposes of God have been shrouded in mys- tery, but now the veil will be lifted and man may know whereof he speaks. After these days, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least unto the greatest. (Jer. 31. 33, 34.) And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. (Rev. 10. 8.) And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book, And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up ; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. (Rev. 10. 9.) And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up ; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey ; and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. (Rev. 10. 10.) The story of redemption has been sung until all the world has been charmed by the sweet story of God's love; but there is another side to the story. Christ's 288 CHRIST'S SECOND APPEARING sacrifice is completed, and through Him the door is opened to all mankind; but before redemption can be applied practically to business conditions man also must perform his part. Since the mercantile class has largely concentrated the wealth of the nation and thereby has destroyed the people's equity, it is clear that before redemption can be made effectual, before this blot can be removed from our national escutcheon, this property sacrifice must be made. God's law of redemption and property accumulation are as diamet- rically opposed as day and night ; the story of redemp- tion has been sweet indeed to our taste, but it will be hard to digest for the bitterness in that cup is this property sacrifice. In His first and second appearings Christ symbolizes the two great branches of the church, Catholic and Protestant. In His first appearing He was robed as a priest for priestly duties. Then it was the Protestant Church which demanded the open Bible. Give me the little Book. And it was that church which has dwelt with great emphasis upon the sweet story of God's love. So it seems that Christ's appeal to His bride is especially to the Protestant Church. Since the candlestick symbolizes the church, the Catholic Church, by reason of having been the first recognized Christian church in point of time, may claim to be represented by the main stem of the candle- stick, while the Protestant Church may claim to be represented by the branches of the candlestick. This is concluded from a purely chronological standpoint. Restoration, Regeneration, and Realization : such is the reward which lies at the end of the race if men run their course according to His law: and such are the names of the three pictures in the three panels of the seventh gate at the Crystal Palace when the gate hangs with its right side out. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. (Rev. 10. n.) 19 289 ELEVENTH CHAPTER And there was given me a reed like unto a rod; and the angel stood, saying, Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. (Rev. n. I.) BY these words Christ again calls attention to the temple of God, as He did to His disciples when He prophesied that there should not be left one stone upon another that should not be thrown down. The temple is the house of God and a house is always built according to a plan ; God's temple is His plan of redemption and it is built to endure all the vicissitudes of time. God's temple stands in His exalted moun- tain, Mt. Zion; therefore the angel said, "Rise and take the dimensions of God's plan," consider His altar and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple, leave out, and measure it not ; for it is given unto the Gentiles ; and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. (Rev. ii. 2.) This open court was reserved for the Gentiles. Its dimensions need not be taken because the number is ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, or an unlimited number. Since the outer court was reserved to the Gentiles it is clear that them that worship therein refers to the chosen people, the Jews. and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. This covers a period of time of three and one half years, and means that God's law shall be set aside for 290 GOD'S PLAN a certain period of time recognized as the "times of the Gentiles;" after which it must again become an active force in the world's political development. the holy city. The evidence is conclusive that it was the dimensions of the political or economic organization rather than the structural unit which is alluded to. It is charac- teristic of the Jewish race that it pursues commercial occupations within the city, while the outer circle of industry is left to the Gentiles; but the exchange is effected through the law of the Gentiles. And I will give power unto . my two wit- nesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Rev. n. 3.) When God commanded Moses to put the law within the ark, He said it was His testimony, His witness against the nations. But the law of race contention is also God's law, His unwritten law, so that it is hereby perceived who are the two witnesses. The one thousand two hundred and threescore days, without giving an exact mathematical calculation, is in the neighborhood of three years and a half, or forty-two months ; so that it is evident that these various refer- ences to time denote the same period, or the dead age. Could it be discovered just what is meant by this time, when it begins, etc., it would then be possible to state the time at which the written law will again come into effect. To prophesy is to foretell coming events. It is pos- sible for the mind to look out into the future and limit its horizon to a prospective event. It has been seen how labor is stimulated to effort by the promise of reward; the reward at some future period, therefore, becomes the horizon upon which the eye is fixed. This period of time, be it longer or shorter, becomes a period of prophetic vision. The promise of Christ's second coming to rule the earth with equity is the event toward which the eyes of Christendom have been in- 291 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY tently centered; this period of time is therefore the prophetic age. , Both witnesses are clothed in sackcloth. It is not difficult to perceive that one of the witnesses should be clothed in sackcloth because when reference is made to the law which rules the dark age the sun is always presented clothed in mourning or blackness. the sun became black as sackcloth of hair. (Rev. 6. 12.) But to understand that both witnesses should be clothed in sackcloth requires a more careful analysis. It is because the prophetic age is a period of uncertainty that none can tell whether the prophecies will prove true or false. This uncertainty is due also to the fact that nowhere in the four Gospels or in the epistles is there an intelligent and comprehensive statement of what Christ's gospel really consists. This is found only in the Revelation. And the Revelation was given as a sealed book not to be understood until the world was in condition to receive it. Therefore, in His first appearance in the opening chapter of the Revelation Christ sends the light by the indirect route in recog- nition of this situation. That the gospel of Christ has never been understood needs no better proof than the endless creed contention which has convulsed the church since the days of Christ but which in these latter days seems to have run its course. The pro- phetic age is, therefore, an age of speculative thought. These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. (Rev. II. 4.) The two olive trees and the two candlesticks symbolize the two conditions of life and light which result from the opposing laws according to that which is in force. The candlesticks symbolize the church with its many branches ; the creeds of the church may well symbolize the lights of the candlestick. There is a system of speculative thought which bears about the same relation to the Roman Law as the creeds 292 THE TWO CANDLESTICKS of the church do to the Mosaic Law. This system includes the various speculative theories which have been advanced by the different writers on political economy ; such as the Malthusian theory and the Dar- win's idea of the survival of the fittest as applied to economics. The churches through their creeds have endeavored to work out a comprehensive and cor- rect interpretation of the fulfillment of the Mosaic law through Christ; and so the students of political economy, seeing the conditions which have developed from the operations of the Roman law, have by their interpretations tried to justify and explain those con- ditions ; and in doing so both classes of thinkers have kept the lights of the two candlesticks burning. During the time that the Roman law with its later developments has been in force it has provided evi- dence, it has become a witness in its own behalf. The environment of human life and the speculative theories which these conditions reflect stand before the God of the earth, Who is Unity, for approval or condemnation. And if any man will hurt them, fire pro- ceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies ; and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. (Rev. n. 50 Men contend vehemently for their faith and their theories; and eventually write their convictions into laws which are declared by the mouth, and those who oppose these laws are stifled. These have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the days of their prophecy; and have power over waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with plagues as often as they will. (Rev. n. 6.) Redemption is the open portal into the kingdom of heaven; but when men do not understand that law, and therefore cannot obey it, heaven is shut to them. Without the impartial distribution symbolized by rain the drouth must continue and death must reign. 293 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY My doctrine shall drop a"s the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass. (Deut. 32. 2.) Redemption transforms the blood of the sacrifice into the living waters; this is a natural process which, if interfered with, turns waters to blood to become a source of pollution. This condition invites disease and. the plague. The present process of commercial ex- change is recognized as legitimate, and full liberty is granted to repeat the process of property accumulation as often as men will. Redemption is the great filter which purifies the industrial stream and provides for the healthy state. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them and shall overcome them and kill them. (Rev. 11. 7.) Because in the beginning of the process of property accumulation there was given to the merchantman the right to adjust the price, he comes up out of the past, clothed in naked degeneracy, to win the ascendancy over both life and light. He inflicts the second death and thrusts men out beyond the circle of light. This situation follows as a natural result of the principles first spoken and afterwards enacted into law. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Rev. 11. 8.) The street is the public thoroughfare, the course of exchange from the wholesale business to the retail counter. It is through the course of exchange that the second death is inflicted. The city is the place where the exchange is effected, and because the process of exchange is universal it becomes the great city. 294 THE SECOND DEATH Sodom and Egypt signify lust and bondage ; the spirit which governs the exchange. Sodomy is an unnatural crime consequent to lust ; when for the lust of gain the merchantman interferes with the natural process of exchange, through which comes regeneration, he prepares the conditions which produce bondage. The spirit which dominates monetary accumulation is that he who succeeds may be able to avoid the sacrifice of a common service and rise above it. where also our Lord was crucified denotes the spirit of sacrifice, which is something very different from the spirit of lust and bondage. The difference in spirit very largely marks the difference between the two kingdoms ; the change in spirit neces- sary to become a member of the household of God is very much a matter of the will. And they of the people and kindred and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put into graves. (Rev. n. 9-) Legal death or the second death is not a form of death which calls for burial ; it is not actual death, but a need- less condition which man is charged to overcome. they of the people and kindred and tongues and nations signifies that it is not a local problem but a world-wide problem, involving the entire human race. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another ; because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth. (Rev. n. 10.) they that dwell refers to those who have possession of the earth ; or the property class. The arrogant spirit of the exalted towards those of humble station is well known. The 295 the science op christian economy condition of the poor has many times smitten heavily upon the conscience of the rich, for the latter have welcomed gladly any theory which might relieve them of personal responsibility for the misfortunes of the poor. Quoting from Werner Encyclopaedia with ref- erence to the acceptance of the Malthusian theory of population, it says : "It can scarcely be doubted that the favor which was at once accorded to the views of Malthus in certain circles was due in part to an im- pression, very welcome to the higher ranks of society, that they tended to relieve the rich and powerful of responsibility for the condition of the working classes, by showing that the latter had chiefly themselves to blame, and not either the negligence of their superiors or the institutions of the country." (Werner Encyclo- paedia, 1910, Vol. XIX, p. 386.) these two prophets. As the summer season may be termed the prophetic period in the economic cycle, so a certain period of time preceding Christ's second appearing is the pro- phetic age in that larger cycle of time marked only by the ringer of God. These are the two prophets which tormented them that dwell on the earth; the former crying for the just recompense of labor, and the latter echoing the assurance that the wicked shall be brought to judgment, have constantly disturbed the conscience of the affluent class. And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet. (Rev. 1 1. 11.) The three days and a half represent the prophetic age, at the end of which time, it is promised, redemption shall dominate in the market; for redemption is the Spirit of life from God. He has chosen the poor and oppressed that He may demonstrate in them the power of the resurrection. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they 296 THE ASCENSION ascended up to heaven in a cloud and their enemies beheld them. (Rev. u. 12.) Heaven is the place of realization, which is to say that human life has a destiny, a purpose; just as the flowers and the fruit are the ultimate purpose of the earth's vegetation, so the life continuous or the ever- lasting life is the purpose of all industrial activities. When labor, having gone down under the shadows of death, receives through redemption the Spirit of life from God, it ascends up to, heaven, it rises to the place where the ultimate purpose of life is realized. And it is no less than the voice of Almighty God which bids those who were formerly dead to rise and inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the earth. The cloud which is the symbol of im- partial distribution is the ascension robe which the faithful shall receive at Christ's second coming. And their enemies beheld them. The cloud is also the sign of God's visible manifesta- tion. Through the needy and oppressed God mani- fests His personal presence and rebukes their enemies. Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (Mat. 25. 45.) And the same hour was there a great earth- quake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. (Rev. 11. 13.) The earthquake, or internal movement, is the first sign of life, or the passing of the dead age. The tenth part of the estate is God's portion. According to the Mosaic Law, God chose the dead body or the products of the market as His portion ; He tasted death for every man. To say that the city fell is to say that it passed under the authority of another. God will now take command of the produce of the market, or the tenth part, that with it He may establish justice. The num- ber seven always signifies the whole. That there "were 297 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY slain of men seven thousand" signifies that in the new order about to be inaugurated the entire race of man will be required to become obedient to the sacrificial death of service. The entire race includes all genera- tions, only a remnant of which can be living in the flesh at one time to witness God's personal manifesta- tion and glorify His living Spirit. The second woe is past and behold, the third woe cometh quickly. (Rev. n. 14.) The first woe portrays the" servile class in its fallen and famished condition; the second woe describes the dominating class breathing out the hot breath of sup- pression; but the third woe, like the light, cometh quickly when God passes judgment between these two contending forces. And the seventh angel sounded and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The king- doms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 11. 15.) Now God reveals His part in the affairs of men and the last discordant note is blended with the shout of victory. The mystery of God is finished and His laws and purposes toward man are made clear. There is no mistake, the kingdoms of this world are its political institutions, which must be transformed by the su- preme law of government until they shall have be- come the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. Christ did not presume to return an answer to His proposal but His unshaken faith in His chosen bride has discerned through the mist of the ages what that answer will be. And shall not faithful Christendom deliver the kingdoms of this world into the hands of its Lord and Master? And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces and worshipped God. (Rev. 1 1. 16.) The four and twenty elders represent the lawmaking body. They are the elders of the people, whose meri- 298 r THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH ANGEL torious deeds entitle them to a seat around the supreme tribunal. And though possessed of distinct person- ality, they are named according to the progressive ideas which were proclaimed when the seven seals were broken. These twenty-one principles, together with the three ideas expressed in the Godhead, are twenty- four laws which the elders are bound to uphold and for which they stand. Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power and hast reigned. (Rev. 1 1. 17.) Which art and wast, and art to come weaves a golden chain throughout all time and says that God is eternal. As man steps across the dissolu- tion of the seasons, so God's stride is across the changes of the ages ; He links the present with the past and future and commands the events of all times. The price is the great power, which to control is to rule the destinies of a nation ; it is the great iron rod of govern- mental authority. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged : and that thou shouldst give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldst destroy them which destroy the earth. (Rev. 11. 18.) Anything which disturbs the existing order of things, even though by the sanction of God Himself, meets with the greatest opposition. But the decision handed down from the highest tribunal of heaven or earth favors the class which has ever suffered defeat from the hands of its legal opponents. The peculiar mark of distinction by which God's kingdom is recognized from all others is that it restores the reward. The ultimate purpose for which His servants, the prophets and the saints, were called out of every age is now revealed; for those who have died in the cause of 299 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Christ have also died in the cause of liberty; and in the triumph of their cause there is surely glory and reward enough for them all. and them that fear thy name, small and great ; and shouldst destroy them that destroy the earth. Not all the great shall be classed with the wicked but only those who destroy the earth. Those will God destroy because they interfere with the purpose of God as it was from the beginning of creation, namely, a life in the midst of plenty. And the temple of God was opened in heaven and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were light- nings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. (Rev. 1 1. 19.) Heaven is the open court; the temple is the sacred edifice; the ark of the testament is the innermost re- ceptacle wherein the law was secreted. It is the day of atonement and reconciliation. A testament is a solemn, authentic instrument in writing by which one declares his will as to the disposal of his estate after his death. God's law is no longer secreted, but open to man's understanding; and His wiu, concerning man is now made manifest. Lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and earthquake all denote animation or the age of life. Hail denotes destruction ; with the coming of the new order, the old must pass away. And when God's law, or the secret chambers of His purpose, is open to man's comprehension there follows an exposure of sin, as found in the following chapters. 300 TWELFTH CHAPTER the: exposure And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: (Rev. 12. 1.) And she being with child cried, travail- ing in birth, and pained to be delivered. (Rev. 12. 2.) And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and behold a great red dragon, hav- ing seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. (Rev. 12. 3.) And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to de- vour her child as soon as it was born. (Rev. 12. 4.) IN accord with the subject as found in the pre- ceding chapter, there is here portrayed the great class struggle, witnessed, however, in the hemi- sphere of light. The woman is labor, clothed in a clear comprehension of economic science and bringing forth her fruits. Adam Smith has said that labor is the father of wealth, but since labor is the pro- ductive force in industrial life, God has crowned her with the honor of motherhood. the moon under her feet. The moon and the stars are termed the powers of darkness ; labor has triumphed over the powers of darkness : or, as the moon is the large promise in the heavens, it symbolizes the greatest promise in God's 301 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Word, which is the promise of redemption. Labor will now take her stand on the law of redemption, insisting that nations shall legalize and protect her off- spring from violence at the hands of the money ac- cumulators. and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. The crown is the reward, the stars are the promises ; and since the crown is upon her head, it signifies that she has claimed the promises — she has claimed the reward of labor, which is access to the twelve manner of fruits borne by the tree of life. When by the pains of labor a new race sustenance is born, the young child is delivered into the market. The great red dragon is a symbol of commerce; the market is the battleground of national life where, under the competitive system, the new economic race life to which labor gives birth is attacked and de- stroyed by a false economy. Red, in the Hebrew theology, was the color that denoted sin ; in this chap- ter and others immediately following the scenes are laid for an exposure of sin. The great sin of the world against which God has set His hand shall be exposed, because it is necessary to diagnose the dis- ease before a cure can be applied. having seven heads and ten horns. Political economists have recognized three principal elements entering into the business of production and distribution ; Land, Labor, and Capital : but according to the Revelation there are seven. Seven heads, or seven links in the chain of industry: Land; Labor; Implements of production, including all machinery used in manufacturing; The medium of exchange; The means of transportation; The wholesale house, and The retail store. and ten horns. The horns of a beast are his weapons with which he defends himself and battles for his prey. It is a fact that it is possible to divide and classify human material needs into ten distinct branches. In order to be a man 302 THE EXPOSURE among men there are. ten essential needs which man must and should have ; these are : Food ; Fuel ; Cloth- ing ; Shelter ; Light ; Protection for offspring ; The advantages of intellectual enlightenment, or Educa- tion ; Provision for disability ; Recreation ; and one more — -God's law requires that one tenth part shall be given unto the Lord. Out of his own means each man must contribute one tenth part to the support of worthy causes. These ten necessities of life, with which and for which men contend in the market, be- come the weapons of commercial warfare; they are the ten horns. When the products of labor are delivered into the market the one article, or few, at most, which the in- dividual laborer has produced represent in prospect these ten necessities ; otherwise there would be no exchange. To simplify the exchange the money ele- ment is introduced ; money is a promise that any one or all of these ten necessities may be purchased there- with. Money, therefore, is but a promise of ultimate redemption. The stars are the promises ; but whereas there were twelve stars in the crown, the horns are only ten in number. The- real reward of labor is not, after all, the promise, or money, but the substance which is the reward in kind. The ten norms are the substance of labor's reward, but that there are only ten is be- cause, when the products of industry are delivered into the market, labor not only risks the ten pros- pective necessities, but her Life and Liberty as well; the latter of which, with the former, complete the crown. Labor lays down in the market her life and liberty; and under the laws of competition, labor has lost both life and liberty. And what is meant by life and liberty may be otherwise expressed in the terms, access and release: access to all seven imple- ments of production, and release from the blight of servitude. To cut off access is in a sense to destroy life, because life is drawn from the soil ; to curtail access prepares the way for dependency or bondage, recognized as economic death. Liberty is the release 303 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY from the obligations of industry before they have reached servitude, together with the knowledge of the security of the reward. When the harvest is gathered and there is stored in the elevators the seeds or grain, which will insure the planting of another crop, and all other things necessary to sustain the nation during the winter crisis, these provisions are stored under the protecting hand of the merchantman; so, as labor is the productive force or mother of the new life, the merchantman answers to the regenerative forces and may be called the father of economic life. It will be disclosed that it is in the very nature of the competitive system to concentrate all the implements of production into the hands of the mercantile class, for which reason that class is recognized as the capitalistic class. Hence the class struggle is not in fact between capital and labor, but between the industrial class and the mer- cantile class. and seven crowns upon his heads. The reward is seen upon the seven heads; the mer- chantman also claims the reward in the forms of Land, Labor, Implements of production, Means of trans- portation, Medium of exchange, Wholesale house, and Retail store. Under our present system he who under- takes a business career finds himself obliged to pro- vide for his use one or all of these seven necessary heads or elements of production. He cannot become a tiller of the soil without possession ; he must, there- fore, purchase land: or if he does not himself rise to the dignity of ownership, he must get the consent of one who is himself a landowner. Consequently, per- sonal ownership is one of the requirements of the present industrial system. This being the case, the first object of the entrepreneur is to resort to what is known in political economy as abstinence; that is, he abstains from making immediate use of a certain amount of his profits so that when he shall have ac- cumulated a sufficient amount he will be in a position to purchase one or all of the seven links in the chain 304 THE EXPOSURE of production. To get possession of one or all of these seven heads of industry becomes, then, the ob- ject for which he strives. And if he succeeds, the possession of these becomes his reward, the crowns are upon his seven heads. All profits from any and all sources whatsoever realized through abstinence, are won in the mercan- tile capacity. This point is emphasized because it is the distinguishing mark between the two classes, and for this reason the mercantile class is the capitalistic class. And his 1 tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven and did cast them to the earth: (Rev. 12. 4.) The tail is always a symbol of lust; to draw is to entice away into sin. Since the stars are the promises, did cast them to the earth signifies the falling stars or the promises that fail ; or the betrayal. A woman's betrayal is always accom- plished by a false promise of marriage. The betrayal of the laboring class is perpetrated through a false monetary system; the pledge which money contains is not redeemed at the retail counter when labor re- turns as a consumer to buy the necessities of life. The third part of the promises were not redeemed but were cast to the earth. This third part in which labor is betrayed at the golden altar represents the margin which the merchantman realizes through ex- cessive profit and which returns to the earth in the form of investments. It is his capital. This is the story of the Original Sin. When, in the beginning of industrial progress, price control was vested in the merchantman, he adjusted the price so as to leave to himself a comfortable margin. The privilege of price manipulation is the original sin, the first wrong step, which eventually leads to national disintegration. By reason of this margin the merchant appropriates unto himself a portion of the purchasing power of 305 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY the third part of the race, or the laboring class, which margin should have been spent for provisions by that class as the reward of its industry. According to God's law of redemption, this unredeemed portion is the Forbidden Fruit. Here sin may be examined at its very root, for the surplus merchandise not carried out to a complete consumption, the price being such that the money of the consumer could nq£ redeem it, is made the foundation of wealth accumulation. Through the margin invested in the implements of production, which represents the merchantman's cap- ital, the industrial class, or the race, is disinherited and driven out of possession. This is the story of Man's Lost Estate. Truly Satan had an object in inducing our first parents to partake of the forbidden fruit, for when, having trespassed God's first com- mand, they fell from their first estate, Satan came in to take possession of the cultivated garden, where he has since remained. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron : and her child was caught up unto God, and to -his throne. (Rev. 12. 5.) The Great Iron Rod that shall rule all nations, it has been found, is the inflexible law of the equal ex- change: it is in the market that the new national birth is affected by the participation of its individual members. This law of the equal exchange is the law which will restore Eden to the race again as it was before the fall. When, by the pain and sorrow which labor has endured because of her disinheritance, she comes to the knowledge of good and evil, she will demand that the market shall be governed according to this law. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil will be found growing with the tree of life in the midst of the garden, as the story declares. Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever. (Gen. 3. 22.) 306 THE EXPOSURE Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. (Gen. 3. 23.) When man disobeyed God's first command he deter- mined his right to know good and evil but had not yet acquired that knowledge ; consequently he was dis- inherited and lost access to the tree of life. "The flaming sword which turned every way" was placed at the east entrance of the garden to keep the way of the tree of life. From the wholesale market to the retail store the way of the tree of life is guarded by the price. This is the condition which confronts, the race to this day; but when the laboring class becomes aware of its legal right to participate with equality in the abundance of the market the price will no longer serve as a barrier to exclude it from the life which is forever, or the everlasting life. and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. It is declared that the purpose for which the Son of God came into the world was that the race might in- herit eternal life; consequently the new life brought into being by the travail of labor is the especial object of God's solicitation and care*. The woman clothed in the sun is threefold in char- acter; the idea of the trinity, three in one, which has persisted all through this book of Revelation fs present here. There is here involved not only the economic problem but the religious and the sex problems as well. And the woman fled unto the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God that they should feed her there a .thousand two hundred and threescore days. (Rev. 12. 6.) It is a law of progress that the old must depart, many times, with the arrival of the new. The wilderness is the wild, uncultivated, unredeemed condition; the significance is that a new cycle of time has begun and the work of redemption or cultivation must be 307 The science of christian economy done all over again; with each succeeding generation the work of redemption must be repeated. But this period of time, a thousand two hundred and threescore days, has reference to the dark age during which the re- demption which God has prepared for the world is not in operation ; the light has been in the world and has traveled abreast with darkness only because faith has been fed by the promises. Every Christian be- lieves that there is an appointed time when these prom- ises shall be realized ; but as man cannot know what the harvest will be until the fruits appear, so the un- folding of this Revelation signifies that the time is at hand. With the exposure of that wherein the sin of the world consists, the new order must supplant the old. The seed of the woman shall bruise the ser- pent's head and thou shalt bruise his heel. (Gen. 3. 15.) And there was war in heaven ; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon ; and the dragon fought and his angels. (Rev. 12. 7.) And the dragon prevailed not ; neither was place found for him any more in heaven. (Rev. 12. 8.) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out unto the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Rev. 12. 9.) The subject again portrayed is the class struggle; but whereas the quotation from Genesis is the beginning of the struggle, the three preceding verses illustrate the end of the conflict. The cause of all this conten- tion is the desire for the possession of heaven, because heaven contains all the blessings for which men strive. 308 THE EXPOSURE Heaven is the place carved out of the wilderness and enclosed for safety within the protection of the law. In heaven there is life with all its bounti fulness, lib- erty with its leisure, individuality untrammeled, se- curity and repose, honor and social recognition, and all that man desires. And the woman clothed in the light, conscious of her God-given rights, of her power, of all the wrongs she has endured in the past, comes demanding her place in the sun. And what follows is but a natural sequence. And the great dragon was cast out unto the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. History bears continuous testimony of the struggles between the privileged classes and the countless masses. It is true that in the days of the Roman Government men acquired their land and their slaves by force of arms, they conquered the barbarians and took posses- sion; and many other nations have done likewise. But with the United States the situation has been somewhat different; that nation did not enslave the savages whom it conquered. Also the industrial class has been nurtured in the belief that liberty is its right- ful inheritance. But in less than one hundred and fifty years of progress the outlines of the class struggle are clearly defined upon the background of an idealism as immaculate as ever prompted men to unsheath the sword in the cause of liberty. And this condition will grow steadily worse until the idealism of the Fathers of this Republic will have vanished utterly unless hap- pily the lovers of liberty everywhere and the hosts of labor recognize that the door of opportunity is now opened to them. Michael is the man of God ; Satan has a rival, even the man Jesus. Between these two and the govern- mental policies they represent there is no common ground of reconciliation; above the din and strife of the conflict a voice is heard pleading : Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat. n. 28.) 309 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY That the dragon prevailed not ; neither was place found for him any more in heaven signifies a moral victory. The law does not require atonement for sin until a state of consciousness exists. that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world, he was cast out unto the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. The deception which has deceived the whole world is in the means by which the cultivated estate is filched from the hands of the producers through the price; for the money which labor receives for its services in any capacity where services are rendered is but the promise of ultimate redemption; it has no power to redeem the obligation or pay the debt. The obliga- tion is contracted in blood; it must be redeemed in blood. No class has been more deceived than the privileged class itself, for 'our present business meth- ods have ever been considered entirely legitimate. And these children of darkness have rested compara- tively secure in their seemingly impregnable seclu- sion; but their awakening is briefly stated thus — and his angels were cast out with him. He was cast out unto the earth because the earth sym- bolizes labor; and as the mercantile class is properly included in the industrial class, when deprived of its special privileges, it will be so recognized. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ : for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Rev. 12. 10.) With the race united there is both safety and security within its walls, and strength to resist foreign intru- sion. There will be no occasion for class hatred weak- ening national stability, for the accuser of our brethren 310 THE EXPOSURE is cast down. The industrial class and the Christians are co-laborers and therefore brethren. How ready has the privileged class ever been to invoke the aid of the law against those who have threatened to dis- turb it in what it has conceived to be its legal rights, to accuse them of crime; but according to God's law of redemption, it is itself the criminal class. And they overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testi- mony ; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev. 12. 11.) In the market the life-blood of the race or the blood of the Lamb is mingled in a common sacrifice. By means of the market the people overcome the ob- stacles which stand in the way of procuring variety of substance necessary to meet the demands of indi- vidual needs. and by the word of their testimony; A language is composed of words, a nation is com- posed of individuals ; the words of their testimony are the individual blood drops, for it is the blood that testifies and provides evidence of the life that has been forfeited ; and because of the claim which the individual blood drops have by reason of their sacri- fice, they make their legal demands and overcome the common enemy. and they loved not their lives unto the death. Recognizing the death which the duties of service require of them, labor will make of its life a willing sacrifice on the altars of production. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. (Mark 8. 35.) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come 3ii THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. (Rev. 12. 12.) Since the Devil and his angels are cast out of heaven there remain only those who are rightfully entitled to places in heaven, or those who are in accord with God's law. With the exposure of sin and the right- eous purpose of God toward the race, Satan's power will be of short duration ; but his great indignation will undoubtedly move earth and sea or both classes to their profoundest depths. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. (Rev. 12. 13.) The persecution of the Christians is an old, old story. And before Satan will yield his power and come down to take his place in the ranks of labor, he will un- doubtedly attempt to repeat his crimes of former gen- erations. But in this day, even as in those, every true Christian would rather die a martyr's death, if neces- sary, than to abandon this righteous cause at its ma- turity. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly unto the wilderness, into her place, where she is nour- ished for a time, and times and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (Rev. 12. 14.) The two wings signify the powers of progression. Since this woman personifies labor, which class in- cludes the entire race, the two wings are the two great divisions of that class, the industrial and commercial classes, by which the race works out its progress. To fly into the wilderness signifies that in its flight the race continually en- counters new cycles of time, for the wilderness is the beginning of each new cycle. The place prepared of God 312 THE EXPOSURE is the end of the cycle, where nourishment is found and to which end the powers of labor and commerce- were put in motion. for a time and times and half a time. Each year constitutes a complete cycle of time. All time is made up of numerous cycles. The harvest tide comes in the middle or at the height of the yearly cycle, after which time occurs a decline which leads to the wilderness, for the reason' that nature always tends to revert to her original condition. from the face of the serpent. The serpent is her mortal enemy which has devoured her substance ; consequently, during the period of time in which his whereabouts is unknown to her, she must live by faith. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. (Rev. 12. 15.) The serpent is the dragon of the great deep. The mercantile class is like the restless sea which casts up its waves against the shore attempting always to encroach, to acquire larger and larger possessions. out of his mouth the price is declared ; the possessions of labor have ever been overwhelmed and carried away in the unrestrained flood of commercial ambition. And the earth helped the woman; and the earth opened up her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. (Rev. 12. 16.) The earth is identified with labor as the female or productive force in the class relations, because labor applied to land yields fruitfulness. That the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth signifies that as the 313 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY living waters flow out again from the market the race becomes impregnated with life. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 12, 17.) the remnant of her seed refers to each succeeding generation which remains to inherit the estate. As human desires are unlimited, the old ambition, though restrained, will be ever present to assert itself; but the industrial class will have so fully embraced Christianity that in the class struggle the two forces will be identified as being of one mind and spirit. 314 THIRTEENTH CHAPTER THE EXPOSURE And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (Rev. 13. 1.) THE seashore is the battle line where earth and sea contend : I stood in the market place. All the promises of the Revelation are given to him that overcometh. Above the strife and turmoil of com- mercial warfare we see this beast rise up out of it; and though the means by which he has won the as- cendancy have been somewhat irregular, they have been none the less sure. With the sword of price con- trol he has carved out for himself an estate by which he is able to maintain an exalted station. having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns. The crown is the reward. We first see this beast with seven crowns upon his heads ; but now they have been transferred to the horns, because when men are in the commercial sea battling for commercial power, the first object of their endeavor is to gain possession of the seven elements in the chain of industry, the seven heads of industry, Land, The medium of ex- change, etc., that they may further their commercial interests. So long as this is the end in view the seven crowns are upon the seven heads; and having suc- ceeded in business enterprise, the seven heads become the reward : but when he has risen above the sea the crowns are transferred to the ten horns, because after all they are the necessities and luxuries of life — Food, Clothing, Shelter, etc., which are the real end of all industrial activities. 315 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY This transfer of the crowns to the ten horns marks the second step in monetary accumulation. The name of the first step, because this is the exposure, is termed the Original Sin. And we shall see what is the name of the second step. and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. It is by the law of redemption that God proposes to establish His identity, to reveal His personality to the world; it is by means of the name that individuality is established; God's name, therefore, spells Redemp- tion. But since, by reason of the power of price con- trol vested in the merchantman, God's law of redemp- tion has been set aside, it is a blasphemy on His name. His name and His personality have been eclipsed by another. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power and his seat, and great authority. (Rev. 13. 2.) The leopard, the bear, and the lion are all wild, un- domesticated beasts of prey, and as the wilderness symbolizes the unredeemed state, so these wild crea- tures symbolize the opposing forces of redemption; they are the united powers of darkness, three in one, who have usurped God's name and place. and the dragon gave him his power and his seat and great authority. With the acquisition of wealth there comes power and authority: the property class has ever been the ruling class. The seat of the beast is price control, and in- deed that is the real seat of governmental authority. And I saw one of his heads, as it were, wounded to death ; and his deadly wound was healed ; and all the world wondered after the beast. (Rev. 13. 3.) The name of the seven heads need not be repeated ; it is sufficient to say that Labor is one of them. Men 316 THE EXPOSURE may appropriate land, the medium of exchange, the implements of production, etc., but when they attempt to reduce human beings to slavery nature rebels. And yet so great is the natural tendency of the capitalistic system to lead to bondage that it has been said that "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," as though slavery were the -unalterable condition of labor. Re- peatedly has the struggle for liberty been fought and apparently won, only for labor to become again en- snared in one form or another. By the sword thrust labor receives her deadly wound and, being severed from the arteries of commerce, she becomes the de- pendent class. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they wor- shipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast ? who is able to make war with him ? (Rev. 13. 4.) To worship is to become obedient, to bow down. There is no power on earth to-day so strongly entrenched as property rights ; in the estimation of millions prop- erty rights are absolutely sacred; it is the supreme factor in organized society to-day; it is greater than governments because it is the source from which gov- ernments derive their support. Who indeed is able to make war with the power of concentrated wealth, supported and recognized by political authority? Blessed be the name of Jesus, He alone is able, for God's kingdom is greater than man's, and with a con- sciousness that right is on His side, the cause of Jesus must ultimately triumph. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies ; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Rev. 13. 5.) Forty and two months, or three years and a half, is the period comprising the dead age. There has been no attempt to estimate this time according to a pro- phetic calculation. 317 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Rev. 13. 6.) Heaven here refers to the kingdom which God is seek- ing to establish and about which Jesus taught. It is very much broader than the heaven wherein Satan dwells because in that heaven there is room for all the race, and its blessings will be multiplied. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Rev. 13. 7.) The sixth and the seventh verses state the unalterable opposition of Satan to everything identified with God and His kingdom. And it cannot be denied that the spirit of Christianity and the present commercial spirit are as distinctly opposed as any two things in the world could be. The two are distinguished by the dif- ference in spirit and the result of that difference. The spirit of commercialism is to conquer, and to de- stroy in so doing; the Christian spirit is to succor and to save: and though Christianity is world-wide in its scope, it has never secured a foothold in the field of business enterprise. And since the law of race antagonism is still in the saddle, it dominates or has overcome the saints. The ravages of commer- cialism are world-wide *in their extent, with property rights as the supreme factor reigning over all kin- dreds, and tongues, and nations. It is the desire for commercial advantages which has plunged the nations into war and its desolations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall wor- ship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foun- dation of the world. (Rev. 13. 8.) From the very foundation of the world God ordained that the race should triumph over death through the sacrifice of toil. By the name identification is made ; 318 THE EXPOSURE the industrial class is identified with the law of life, their names are written in the Lamb's book of life, because by labor the race is endowed with new life. Labor is the lamb or race slain from the foundation of the world ; her identity is now established with the law of life. It is to the personal interest of those who wish to evade the sacrifice of toil that the law be such that property accumulation be recognized as legitimate, for therein is their escape. Therefore, their identity is established with that system of jurispru- dence which spells legal death or economic captivity to all but the select few. Their identity is established with death ; and therein is the distinction. If any man have an ear, let him hear. (Rev. 13. 9.) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity : he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and faith of the saints. (Rev. 13. 10.) Patienge and faith require that man endure these trials in confidence until the appointed time when the wea- pons which have served the enemy so effectually shall be turned against him and he will have been caught in the snare he laid for others. As he conquered by the price so it is by the price that he must be van- quished. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (Rev. 13. n.) He had two horns like a lamb : he was not a lamb but he resembled the lamb ; there was a certain distinction between them. The Mosaic Law recognized the dis- tinction between the two classes and symbolized them by the lamb and the goat ; and Christ said they should be separated as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. Here, then, is the distinction between those 3 J 9 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY who are identified with the law of life and those who are identified with the law of death. The first Lamb, He who came and took the book out of the hands of Him which sat on the throne, had seven horns and seven eyes, symbols of the twofold nature of the law — brute force and right reason. That he spake as a dragon denotes that the law he proclaims is that of brute force. This law of brute force, we shall see, finds conscious expression in legislative enactment. That he came up out of the earth signifies that civil law springs out of existing condi- tions ; property rights, though the creature of statutory law, precedes legal enactment, or the method by which property is acquired precedes its accumulation. Civil laws are generally but a conscious expression oFexist- ing conditions, and although the root of property ac- cumulation is found in the exchange, property rights rest on land ; therefore, this lamb came up out of the earth. The precedent was established whereby the mer- chantman attained command of the price ; that was the dragon, the first person, as it were, or the original condition out of which commercial power developed. Commercial power is the second person to whom the dragon gave his power and his seat and great au- thority; commercial power has been generally recog- nized under the combination of Land, Labor, and Cap- ital. This beast was like unto a leopard, and his feet were. as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion ; here the three elements, Land, Labor, and Capital, are blended into one body. In the term "cap- ital" there is included all the seven heads of industry excepting "land" and "labor" ; but not until property rights are recognized by law do they acquire a legal body. The law of property rights is he who had two horns as a lamb but who spake as a dragon; so that legislative enactment is not the first person but the third. As has been said, civil laws are but a conscious expression of existing conditions. 320 THE EXPOSURE And he (the lamb) exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to wor- ship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. (Rev. 13. 12.) All matter molded into definite forms for an intelli- gent purpose reflects God's personality. The first beast before him recognizes a preceding personality. Man cannot see God but he can see His works, and when man recog- nizes the intelligent purpose expressed in all these material forms he perceives that God was first before them. The living spirit which precedes property rights is the mercantile class after it has acquired commercial power as expressed in money. By reason of his power to command the price the merchant accumulates a cer- tain amount of the medium of exchange; the medium of exchange being one of the seven heads identified in the term, commercial power, the merchant has al- ready acquired commercial power. This is the preced- ing personality of property rights. But that which gives to monetary accumulation its legal body is the law ; for by the authority of the law commercial power in monetary form is transformed into property rights. he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him. To exercise is to put into action; the money which the merchant has accumulated is power potential ; but when through the authority of the law property rights are acquired, it becomes power applied ; that is, power in action. He causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. To worship is to acknowledge authority through obe- dience. It is the law which compels obedience, or which compels the people to respect property rights. 21 321 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. (Rev. 13. 13.) The effect of the law which legalizes and protects property rights is actually to destroy the earth against the purpose for which God intended it, which was that it should provide an abundant support for all the race. The symbolical figure, that he maketh fire come down from heaven signifies that fire, which consumes and destroys the earth, is being substituted for rain, which refreshes the earth and restores life. Money which has been accumulated in the arts of trade returns to the earth as a consuming fire, for the earth is the basis of all property rights. Monetary investments, like fire, lick up the earth and destroy the estates of many thou- sands. For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall con- sume the earth with her increase. (Deut. 32. 22.) And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of these miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast ; saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword and did live. (Rev. 13*. 14.) This beast is far sighted, for there is a purpose in monetary accumulation; to accomplish this purpose he invokes the aid of the law. If circumstances will permit, the law recognizes his right to dictate the price, and he, acting according to enlightened self- interest, adjusts the price so that it works out a de- ceptfon and a miracle. The deception takes place when, because of his having extracted the value or purchasing power out of money, he is able to transfer the equity, both in the market and the cultivated estate, from the hands of the legitimate owner, the 322 THE EXPOSURE consumer, into his own possession. At the retail counter the consumer pays all the cost of production from its very beginning and is, therefore, the rightful owner of all the implements of production, including land. What the consumer has paid for and is right- fully entitled to, the accumulator appropriates; this is the deception which is most wonderfully amazing. A miracle is something which is performed outside of natural law ; monetary accumulation is a violation of natural law, an interference with the natural process of economic evolution and ultimate restoration, and hence a miracle. saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword and did live. It has been said that the mercantile class is the pre- ceding spirit of property rights. Property rights is nothing but a transfer of possession ; it has no tangible body ; it is the law which gives to property rights its legal existence ; so that the real tangible thing is legis- lative enactment. Property rights are but the image, the reflection of the commercial spirit. But it is not altogether correct to say that property rights has no tangible body for the personality of property rights is found in the term "commercial paper" ; such are deeds, stocks, bonds, and mortgages. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. (Rev. 13. 15.) It has been said that money accumulated but not in- vested is power potential, and that property rights is power applied, power in action. Action denotes life. It is the law which applies power, which gives life to these legal securities, deeds, mortgages, etc. ; these are the image of the commercial spirit. To speak here means to command with authority. Those who would not become obedient to property rights were 323 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY killed. When the industrial class is at the mercy of the property class, access to the opportunities of life demands that the servile class acknowledge its superior and become obedient to its authority or its services are rejected. Those who will not become obedient to the image of the beast or property rights cannot gain ac- cess to the implements of production. It is obedience or starvation. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their fore- heads. (Rev. 13. 16.) This mark is the government stamp on money; the right hand is the strong hand; a man's commercial strength is according to the amount of money he has, all wealth being measured in money; therefore, the mark is in the right hand, or in his forehead. The forehead is the seat of memory; men do not always keep their money in their hands, but deposit it in banks to their credit, when it is on memory's file ; the mark is then upon their foreheads. The sign of the law is upon their foreheads and in their hands. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name. (Rev. 13. 17.) Here are to be found the three progressive steps in monetary accumulation : the mark ; the name of the beast; and the number of his name. The mark is Money ; the name of the beast is Commercial Power ; and the number of his name is Commercial Supremacy. Monetary accumulation is the stepping stone to Com- mercial Power, which is the name of the beast and the second progressive step. Commercial power may be regarded as having been attained either after mone- tary accumulation has taken place or when the mer- chant has assembled only such of the implements of production as he may need for his business require- ments. Referring to the distinction as drawn in the 324 THE EXPOSURE treatise of the Mosaic Law, it will be found that this statement is correct, for while the merchantman is engaged in business he is still an active member of industry. The third progressive step refers to invest- ments in commercial paper; deeds, stocks, bonds, and mortgages. The name of the third progressive step is Commercial Supremacy and, strictly speaking, may be regarded as having been attained when a sufficient amount of wealth has been accumulated to enable the property holder to live without work. That no man might buy or sell save he that hath the mark, money; the name of the beast, property; or the number of his name, in this sense, credit. Credit is the process of keeping accounts for the purpose of assisting the memory; it is a means of remembrance. By means of commercial paper there is kept a memorandum of property rights ; it is by means of ^property rights that men are able to obtain credit. No man can buy or sell except he has money, property, or credit. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath under- standing count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man ; and his number is Six hundred, threescore and six. (Rev. 13. 18.) The number 666 is the number of the double contract system, which, as it refers to the three progressive steps, should be read, 6, 6, 6 ; but being placed in hori- zontal line, those who have not discovered its meaning will read it six hundred threescore and six. But what is this double contract system? It has been previously stated that in every business transac- tion there are three parties represented. If the goods are about to enter the market these three parties are the producer and the merchant, who are the contending parties, and the government, which, by providing the money with which the verbal contract is carried out, becomes the legal party to the transaction. If the goods are about to leave the market, the consumer rather than the producer becomes one of the three interested parties to the contract. 325 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY In every business transaction where the medium of exchange is resorted to, these three parties appear. It may be that a physician has been called to attend a patient ; the physician is the merchant, the patient is the consumer. But in order to avoid confusion, the production of goods and the distribution thereof must always be supposed. Now, whenever these two transactions lie so far apart that they bear little or no relation to each other each transaction becomes a distinct business con- tract; and since there are three interested parties to every transaction, there would be represented in the two transactions six persons. And since in monetary accumulation there are three progressive steps, there is found in this the double contract system, 6, 6, 6. It is more than a double contract ; it is a system by which commercial supremacy is attained. it is the number of a man and his number is six hundred threescore and six. In supremacy there are no equals ; therefore, it is the number of a man ; he stands supreme and alone. The serpent comes the nearest of any of God's creatures to being single in his construction, for all physical bodies are built double but the serpent. The serpent is therefore used as the symbol of him who crushes all opposition and rises to supreme power. Having no appendages, the serpent must needs squeeze his victim ; this squeezing process has often been recog- nized in commercial warfare. The double contract system and the double moral standard have strewn the earth with human wreckage, pain, and woe. And so God has taken the spirit of exalted and exclusive selfishness and named it by the blackest names known to God or man, That Old Serpent, the Devil, and Satan. 326 FOURTEENTH CHAPTER And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. (Rev. 14. 1.) BY this number, which is always the number of the chosen, together with their position on mount Sion, this company of people is recognized as the regenerated hosts. . having his Father's name written in their foreheads is to have the knowledge of his father and to be identi- fied by his father's name; this marks the legitimate offspring. The illegitimate child seldom knows who his father is and never bears his name. So that the law which is proclaimed from mount Sion is the mar- riage law. It is now not the single individual, or he alone who occupies the seat of supreme power, but the united race. But as the mark in their right hand or in their forehead refers to the medium of exchange by which the double contract system is identified, so his Father's name written in their fore- heads refers to the medium of exchange by which the single contract system is identified. It is to say that when the single contract system is adopted, the medium of exchange which passes from hand to hand will be eliminated and a credit system, known as the Direct Monetary System, will be built up to fake its place. 3 2 7 THE SCIENCE OE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Having discovered to what the law of race antagonism leads, we shall find that the law of race unity works out in a very different way. The seven sounds are tuned in harmonious accord. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder : and I heard the voice of harp- ers harping with their harps: (Rev. 14. 2.) The blood-red torrent moves onward to the heart of commerce with one responsive voice in the discharge of duty, and enters heaven, the fountain of redemption, where, as the crimson fades to silver, above the voice of unity the murmur of the individual waters is dis- tinctly heard; and becomes a mighty power as the voice of thunder. The rain descends and the melody is as the voice of harpers harping with their harps. And they sung as it were a new song be- fore the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders; and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were the redeemed from the earth. (Rev. 14. 3.) This is the song of redemption; it is the new song because by redemption life is daily made new. No man can learn music who cannot or will not make an effort to put his voice in tune ; and go men cannot know of the power, volume, and melody of united effort until they are willing to strive for harmony and attain it. The earth is the basis of all property rights, but this company of people are redeemed from the earth ; for the sake of harmony they have re- nounced all individual claims to any portion of the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women ; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the lamb. (Rev. 14. 4.) 328 THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM These are they who were not defiled with unholy re- lations. Men do not become defiled with lust until the "relations they sustain are sinful because of having cast off the obligations involved. These are they who agree to assume and do assume the obligations of mutual support and protection of the co-laborer in the life struggle. for they are virgins. Since the industrial class is perceived to be of the feminine gender as regards the economic relations of men, and since in this company all are numbered with that class, this statement denotes that the relations of men are clean and undefiled ; they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. As plant life follows out certain natural laws which bring it to maturity with flower or fruitage, so there are certain natural laws which man must follow if he would . reach a fully matured race development. It is to say that there is nothing radically wrong with human nature ; it needs only to be trained and culti- vated. These were redeemed from among men, be- ing the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb. To be redeemed from among men is to stand apart from among men as distinct individuals. The first fruits were God's especial possessions ; the offering of the first fruits preceded the harvest season by forty- nine days. being the first fruits indicates that God's harvest season is approaching. All through the centuries these two systems of juris- prudence as represented in the Mosaic Law and the Roman property laws have come side by side: the latter an active force in molding the destinies of na- tions ; the former practically a dead letter, especially during the Christian dispensation. But having illus- trated by the three beasts what is the culmination of 329 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY the law of race antagonism, commercial supremacy on one hand and disinheritance on the other, God will now demonstrate to the world the outlines of His plans. The system to which He is opposed is a three- storied pyramid, at the apex of which is commercial supremacy. But the number one hundred and forty- four thousand signifies a rectangular square. And in their mouth was found no guile ; for they are without fault before the throne of God. (Rev. 14. 5.) The price is declared by the mouth : in the price there was found the deception that has deceived the whole earth. But in their mouth was found no treachery or deceit. without fault. Man, in his speculative search after truth, particu- larly religious truth, has made many mistakes ; but at last he has found that which is the reward of his dili- gence ; his reasoning is without fault. And he has found also the possibilities of a blameless life and a clear conscience ; he may know now what he must do to be free from guilt. And having come to the knowl- edge of good and evil, he will choose the good. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (Rev. 14. 6.) To fly is to progress. Redemption has now become the motive power of progress — practically illustrated as an everlasting example of the true law of race life throughout the entire world. Price determination ex- ercised in the market to maintain the equality of the' two wings, industry and commerce, affords the motive power of a continuous progression. the everlasting gospel. Were it not that there is a gospel which might be termed the evanescent gospel, there would be no oc- 330 THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM casion to speak of this gospel as the everlasting gospel. It is the everlasting gospel because it is founded upon the principles of true governmental science. It needs no defense because it is self-evident. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his judg- ment is come : and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea; and the foun- tains of water. (Rev. 14. 7.) With the acclamation of this gospel the hour has come when God will render His decision between the con- tending forces of industrialism. His judgments are so clearly defined, so comprehensive and just, that they excite the spirit of man not only to fear and glorify God but also to bow in reverence and obedience be- fore Him. Heaven and earth, the sea and fountains of water, comprise the great creation ; all matter when in its chaotic state took on definite forms in obedience to the purpose of the spirit which molded it. So out of the chaotic condition prevailing in human institu- tions God is about to form a new creation. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Rev. 14. 8.) The city of Babylon symbolizes the crime of public prostitution as pertains to class relations ; the analysis of the statement provides the proof. Nations in- volves public matters, and fornication is the crime of which mystical Babylon is accused. Because of the great responsibility of motherhood which the fe- male sex bears, the moral law forbids that sex to sus- tain reproductive relations until protection and sup- port for self and offspring are provided under the marriage covenant. In disobeying this moral obliga- tion she forfeits her honor, she is fallen. It is to say that hitherto the business affairs of nations have not been conducted with due regard for the protection, support, and honor of the industrial class. The wine, 33 1 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY or the reward of industry, has proved inadequate to maintain labor according to the standard of living which her importance to the state entitles her. Wrath signifies anger or opposition; competition or opposition thus far has been the spirit of industrial progress. And in its lust for gain the mercantile class has stimulated legislation which has robbed labor of her just reward and disinherited her and her offspring ; it has degraded her as a class and denied her social recognition. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand. (Rev. 14. 9.) If any man acknowledges subordination to commercial power and to commercial supremacy ; if he recognizes that monetary accumulation is legitimate and that property rights are legal ; if he accepts money in recog- nition that obligations are thereby discharged to him ; if he receives the mark, money, in his hand or places it to his credit, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation ; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. (Rev. 14. 10.) God's sense of justice is outraged; He is greatly in- censed that any man will submit to the imposition which is being perpetrated upon him contrary to His sacred law ; because whenever any unrequited toiler recognizes these unlawful institutions he acknowledges his own degradation. To such individuals God is say- ing, "Be a man, defend your honor." Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually : one in the morning and the other in the evening. And with each lamb a tenth deal of flour 33 2 THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM mingled with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil for a meat offering; and the fourth part of a hin of wine for a drink offering. (Exod. 29. 38-41.) The flour and oil mingled together symbolized that in the sacrificial offering of industry both classes must be represented. Flour and oil are both marketable products, they represent the lifeblood of the race co- mingled together that the race may be perpetuated ; this is the law of life. According to the law of life, the implements of production cannot pass through the market to individual appropriation. If any man recog- nizes this unlawful practice he will be forced to do all the work and carry all the load; he will see the earth consumed before him with the fire of invest- ments while he is crowded to the bare subsistence line ; to all this he must submit uncomplainingly or he will be stifled with the fumes of suppression and become the subject of a public example before all the congre- gations of the people, both church and state. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever ; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Rev. 14. 11.) The perfume of the flower marks the culmination of vegetation. The smoke of suppression marks the cul- mination of this unlawful system so far as there is a culmination ; but for ever and ever is endless. There is no end to this consuming process because there is no limit to the amount of property which a man can buy who has the money. they have no rest day nor night because life is made an endless struggle, either to exist at all or to climb higher and higher on the rungs of ambition. 333 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. The mark is money ; the name is that which identifies : the difference between the two systems is identified by the difference in their mediums of exchange. Here is the patience of the saints ; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Rev. 14. 12.) The patience of the saints and they that keep the com- mandments of God and the faith of Jesus will be fully justified when the culmination of their opponent's legal code is finally exposed. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their la- bors : and their works do follow them. (Rev. 14. 13.) The dead which die according to the law of our Lord may from henceforth rest secure in the promise that their previous work guarantees their resurrection. There is a time just preceding the harvest when it is no longer necessary to cultivate the soil ; and so the arduous labor to establish the Christian dispensation is past : it is for this age to witness the harvest. And I looked and behold, a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (Rev. 14. 14.) The white cloud is the sign or promise of a fair day ; fair weather for the harvest season is very desirable; and so he who planted the seed now watches the sky. one like unto the Son of man. The laborer is like unto Jesus because he pours out his life-blood for the race. And he it is who rests on the promise. on his head a golden crown. 334 THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM The head is the seat of knowledge; labor knows now what his reward is to be and has claimed it. in his hand a sharp sickle. Christ's sickle is the two-edged sword; price regula- tion has now passed into the hands of the industrial class^and the price will be so adjusted that the people will reap the reward. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap ; for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. (Rev. 14. 15.) The minister is he who presides in God's house. The church and the industrial class are now identified to- gether. Observing that conditions are favorable and times seasonable, the minister orders the harvesters to begin. As it was the work of the church to plant the seeds and to keep the lamp of faith aglow, so in these days when God's kingdom is sweeping onward with uninterrupted momentum, it is the work of God's ministers to order the ingathering. for the harvest of the earth is ripe. The harvest day, that great day for which all Christen- dom has waited, when God will call the earth's con- tending forces to stand before Him in judgment, at last has arrived. Before this infinite decision let all the earth be still. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth ; and the earth was reaped. (Rev. 14. 16.) As all the labor of the summer season depends upon the harvest day, so all the travail of Christendom may be said to hang on the statement, and the earth was reaped. This statement, together with one other to be pres- ently observed, practically marks the close of one cycle of time in God's eternal ages and the beginning of 335 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY another. This clause, like every part of this mar- velous book of the Revelation, must be carefully mined to lay bare its true interpretation. Of what use would it be for labor to expend its energies in production if when the fruits have matured they were not gath- ered and stored away for safekeeping. The object of the harvest is to gather the grain into the stpre- house, where it will not be destroyed by the elements. And so the first step necessary to harmonize the op- posing interests is to put the earth, the basis of all property rights, into the safe place where it will not be destroyed by the fiery elements of monetary invest- ment. It becomes necessary, therefore, to locate the safe place, in which, if the earth be reaped, it shall escape the destructive hand of those who strive for its possession. When the products of the harvest are gathered into the granary and storehouse for safe- keeping they do not long remain there but, according to the purpose for which they were produced, soon pass from the storehouse into the market which is kept open to the public. It follows, therefore, that the Safe Place to store the earth is to keep it open at all times to public access and for public use ; so that labor shall have the right to cultivate the earth or use it for business purposes without paying tribute to any privileged class in the form of rent. By this decision we learn what disposition is to be made of land, the basis of all wealth ; it is to enter the whole- sale market, as it were, and there remain open to access for any one who may need it to facilitate business. This decision is followed by another stating what disposition shall be made of all merchandise, which must pass through the market to consumption and which comprises the necessaries of life. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. (Rev. 14. 17.) There is a distinction drawn between the temple of God as a sacred edifice signifying the church and the temple of God in its secular relations, where redemp- 3& THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM tion takes place six days in the week within the culti- vated enclosure. The latter is the temple which is in heaven. According to this gospel the creeds of the church are but patterns of the laws of political economy. he also having a sharp sickle. This is the second edge of the sharp two-edged sword : the first edge, or price, admitted the grain into the wholesale market ; the second price restored the neces- sities of life to the people. The sickle is used to har- vest grain ; so that, while the earth was reaped had reference to land, it included the implements of production and the necessities of life as well, all of which were gathered into the garner. It is the dis- position to be made of all merchandise, including land and the implements of production already m the mar- ket, which is the point in consideration. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, say- ing, Thrust in thy sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth ; for her grapes are fully ripe. (Rev. 14. 18.) Although the implements of production and the neces- sities of life were included in the phrase, and the earth was reaped, the object in expressing the idea in this concise form is perceived. It is to say that the one article which represents the efforts of individual production must be exchanged for the clusters, for in these clusters there is the great variety necessary to supply human needs. It is the business of the merchantman to assemble the clusters and to dispose of them ; this is where the sec- ond sharp sickle is put into operation. The distribution is in obedience to the cry of the angel which came out from the altar, having power over fire, or the 337 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY consumer. The consumer was originally the producer who came through the ordeal of sacrifice with power over the process of consumption, or rather production and distribution, for the association of the two phrases are such that there is included both production and distribution, over whicji he has command. It fairly illustrates the keen perception necessary to read this document aright. At this point the secular law comes into play and is entirely in accord with the sacred law. Church and state are now in harmony with the forces of industry and commerce; it now remains to be seen what disposition is to be made of merchandise pass- ing over the retail counter to the consumer. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. (Rev. 14. 19.) Here there is revealed the process by which the re- ward is to be extracted. The vine of the earth is that which grows up out of the earth, and as the earth is the basis, so the implements of production, the means of transportation, the medium of exchange, etc., is the vine of the earth with jts various branches, confirming the statement that not only the earth and the clusters of the vine, or the necessities of life, are to be dis- posed of, but all other business facilities as well. As it was found that the earth was to be kept open to public access, so the vine of the earth with its various branches is to be kept open to public access ; it cannot be appropriated by any privileged class. In the great winepress of the wrath of God God shows no mercy ; as Christ's body was broken in sacrifice, so according to God's law every member of the race is required to do likewise before he may become partaker in the reward. Activity in service is an unalterable requirement of the law. And the winepress was trodden without the city and blood came out of the winepress, 338 THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and "six hundred furlongs. (Rev. 14. 20.) As the city is the center of exchange, so without the city refers to the rural districts where labor is performed ; it signifies industrial class distinction. Price determi- nation has passed into the hands of the toilers or the race, and each may extract the reward according to his weight, according to his strength to render serv- ice, to tread the winepress. It is to say that labor has become the measure of value. The culmination of the law of the sin offering required that after the blood of the sacrifice had all been poured out at the bottom of the altar and the fat had all been removed from the internal organs and burnt upon the brazen altar, then the whole carcass, Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire; where the ashes are poured out, there shall he be burnt. (Lev. 4. 12.) It is to say that while produce is in the market for the purpose of consumption, the actual consumption does not take place until provisions are carried out to the original producer without the city, as it were. There, according to the letter of the law, the entire sacrifice in equivalent measure is consumed to ashes around the family board and the debt is canceled. and blood came out of the winepress. The reward is restored in blood even as the sacrifice was made in blood. By the institution of the last sup- per Jesus Christ made the juice of the grape to sym- bolize not only the blood of the sacrifice but also the wine of reward. The wine of reward flowing out from the altar becomes the blood of the new national life through which the sin of the world finds remission because it signifies that the reward is restored to the 339 THE SCIENCE OE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY multitudes in full measure and in kind. Chrfst gave to the world a new testament, which was seemingly in contradiction to the law of the Old Testament, which forbade the drinking of the blood of the sacri- fice. But the blood which Christ offered had passed through that mature process which rendered it fit for consumption, wherein is the distinction. So that the blood came out of the winepress signifies that this blood is the blood which has passed through to economic maturity. How different is the culmination of this law as the life-giving streams flow forth with blessing in abun- dance for the industrial multitudes from the law of the competitive system as it is depicted in the closing verses of the thirteenth chapter. There the self-suffi- cient beast in the form of one man crushed all oppo- sition and subjected all business facilities to exclusive ownership as he rose to commercial supremacy. The contrast in the extremities of the two laws is some- what clarified by the following statement : even unto the horse bridles. The bridle is the check which restrains the brute and guides him in the way. According to the sacred law there is a check to be put on brute lust, which strives for excessive indulgence in the wine, or the blood of re- ward, as do the carnivorous beasts, the lion, the leopard, and the bear, which seek to quench their thirst with blood. If the blood at this point, the retail counter, is directed into right channels it becomes the wine of a legitimate reward; but monetary accumu- lation which now takes place at this point interferes with economic maturity. It is unlawful for any man to locate himself along some shady nook and by in- vestments, either in land or securities, to realize an income through interest or rent and compel others to support him in ease. Exclusive ownership by this law is prohibited. That blood came out of the winepress, even to the horse bridles, 340 THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM signifies that business facilities will be disposed of in recognition of the requirements of the commercial branch of industry, for the horse is the domesticated beast of burden, a symbol of the laboring class, which will acquire the right of possession as a reward of industry. For as marriage does not destroy sex dis- tinction, so the unity of the two classes will not de- stroy industrial class distinction, though both are united in industrial pursuits. Exclusive ownership of property will be reduced to the Right of Possession : such possession to continue during the period of occupation and while premises and machinery are in use and meeting the needs of public demands. It will be recognized that he who engages in public enterprise is a public servant and whatever assistance is needed will be granted, with certain restrictions, that the public may receive the best possible service. Here is the check to be applied to the forces of commerce which, though it permits of sufficient reins for all legitimate purposes, prevents monopoly of the internal organs of commerce and in- dustry that those who have need shall not be embar- rassed in their efforts to become of like service. When- ever any man or company of men can demonstrate their ability to build up trade, the state will furnish them all business facilities at the actual cost of pro- duction, giving them credit of a certain per cent of their sales each year until the debt is covered, when they obtain full right of possession so long as they remain in service. The state will also furnish all stock without cost to any house with a permit to engage in such business. by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. A furlong is the eighth of a mile ; in this distance of sixteen hundred furlongs there will be two hundred miles, which is the extent to which the course of ex- change is limited. But space means breadth as well as length, for the city is in the center, and in that case there will be an expanse of two hundred miles 341 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY square which will comprise the dimensions of the culti- vated garden. It can be only two hundred miles square because the Course of Exchange is limited to that extent. According to the Mosaic Law, the day that the first fruits were offered was the starting point of the course of exchange; but it might be said to in- clude the first efforts of production. It is very prob- able that this two hundred miles square is a unit belonging to any number of such units in which the seat of government is the central or principal metropo- lis of the state, such as one of the states of the Union. At any rate, it is the territory which surrounds a center of exchange, within which business is conducted ac- cording to the single contract plan. The blood of re- demption, the cleansing flood, will cover all that space, and within that space all those precious promises of Jesus will be realized by every individual according to the responsibilities and services involved. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Mat. 6. 33.) It is well to pause and endeavor to sketch an out- line of what conditions will be like in those favorable environments where the people by united effort pro- vide the greatest good for the greatest number. All labor will receive its wages or salary directly from the state, not from an employer, by which means it will be possible to adopt a graded scale of wages or remunerations, depending on the ability, willing- ness, and responsibility required, every individual wage to bear an almost undisturbed relation to all others. And since the people demand that their reward shall be restored in kind, it will mean that all money issued in payment for services in any and all capacities shall be made redeemable in the* products of the market. Every dollar issued shall have back of it an equivalent in merchandise or an equivalent in service, because labor is productive either in merchandise or in service. When labor receives its wage from the state it relin- quishes to the state all claims upon goods for the pro- 342' THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM duction of which it has been paid. Labor has no claim upon goods from the beginning other than for the time and energy expended in production. Goods now in the course of exchange come in from the mines, from the farms, or raw material enters the factory for completion in production. All such goods have been paid for and are the property of the col- lective people, held in charge for the redemption of outstanding obligations which have been issued against it. By the retail price, all money issued against such merchandise will be returned to the Central Clearing House from whence it was issued. By this means it will be possible to balance up all accounts and to de- termine readily where any shortage exists. It is probable that individual houses will not only conduct business on a much larger scale than at pres- ent but will more intensely systematize in order to save time, waste, and needless labor. Competition between these houses will not altogether disappear, for in no lines of business will competition be waged with the price for possession of larger and larger amounts of the circulating medium, but rather for increasing volumes of trade: for at the end of the year each business firm will receive a bonus from the state to be divided proportionally among all who are connected with the business according to wages or salary received, the amount of such bonus to depend on the volume of business performed during the year closing; so that in the fullness of time sacrifice and time will be equalized in*the reward. The efficiency of these houses in service will be determined by the vol- umes of business done by competitors compared with the number of men in each of the houses turning out an equivalent amount of business at like cost. All goods will be put on the market at the actual cost of production — compiling the costs of the raw material, of manufacturing, transportation, and all other costs of whatever nature. The aggregate cost will determine the price which the consumer must pay for -the goods. The price to the consumer will not include any allowance for rent, interest, or profits of 343 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY business, because there will be no such consideration anywhere along the route of exchange. It will include only such sums as are necessary to pay the wages of labor and the salaries of business managers, together with the costs of all necessary improvements or re- pairs, and of any unavoidable leakages from perishable goods or by fire, etc. As has been previously stated, the fact that the con- sumer pays all the cost of production and distribution makes him a joint heir to all land and implements. They cannot be subdivided, of course ; but all land, implements, together with all buildings and whatever is used to facilitate business, including goods in the course of exchange, become the property of the col- lective people. It is in the very nature of economic fruition that all business property belongs to the pub- lic. Thsre is positively no othejr source: from which the; monky can come: to discharge: the: obligations of industry save: out of the: pockets OF the consumer. Such being the case, all business facilities revert to the consumer, who is the sole: le- gitimate: heir to the same. All forms of business which require co-operative service will be conducted either by an individual super- intendent or by a board of managers. It will be recog- nized that any man who through energy and enterprise succeeds in building up a business is himself eminently the most capable of managing that business. He will have the same right to unhampered protection, to- gether with those whom he "may see fit to associate with himself at the head of such business, as any man has a right to protection in seeking a livelihood by labor. But he will not be permitted to become a mer- chant robber by reason of price dictation, since the price of all merchandise will be previously determined for him by the state. Most forms of business have small beginnings and much depends on the foresight, capability, and attentiveness of superintendency, for such businesses generally originate with some one in- dividual who catches a vision of opportunity. In such 344 THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM cases the entrepreneur will test out the idea on his own responsibility and out of his own credit establish a small beginning. And once he has proved the merit of a given article or can create a demand for goods and capture trade, he will enter the field of commerce and obtain a constantly increasing amount of business facilities as his increasing trade demands. Rights of possession will come to him as the reward of industry, providing he does not fail after once obtaining a foot- hold and thereby forfeit possession. The state will furnish him all implements at actual cost, allowing him a certain percentage of the amount of his sales to cover the privilege of possession; not that he will actually pay for the privilege, but that he will be cred- ited with that amount and the privilege will be granted him as a reward of industry in building up a business for the public accommodation. The cost of this land, machinery, and goods will be charged to the con- sumer, since the consumer will pay for the cost in any case. This principle will hold wherever men seek business opportunities. So long as a man conducts business in a purely individual capacity there will be no one to question his affairs, but when by reason of increasing business he must have assistance, the state will then determine salary and wages and pay both. Free access to the soil and to all other business re- quirements, according to this law, are realized as a reward of industry and business ability. Therefore, while all property belongs to the collective people, there will be no such thing as governmental management of business. Business management is the peculiar pre- rogative of the mercantile class. The state will finance all business endeavors, it will keep an account of all goods in the course of exchange until they have passed to the consumer, but it will manage nothing outside of the monetary function. Between business managers and employees there will be no ground for contention, for their interests will be one in common, since the compensation which each will receive will depend on the amount of busi- 345 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY ness transacted. In aspiring to high points of pro- ductive efficiency business managers have resorted to discipline; and in endeavoring to mitigate the disas- trous culmination of our present economic practices others have promulgated a theory of democratic man- agement of business. But Christ, recognizing that His reward is the only puissant stimulant to willing indi- vidual initiative, and effort, safeguarding the liberty of all men, becomes the Prince of Peace. But while co- operation will prevail probably in a large measure the desire for self-assertion will lead to the diversification of business wherever practical, not only because of the nature of the situation but because of a symbolical re- quirement of the sacred law, which reads : That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. (Lev. 23. 43.) While many business houses may be built to accom- modate a large volume of business, each variety of goods will occupy a separate department or booth, under a separate business manager, thereby encour- aging more independence and avoiding unjust concen- tration of business. All new improvements will spring out of the public demand for such improvements. And since all raw material will be the property of the state, it will only be necessary, after drawing the plans, to order the material assembled and the work to be done. The state by its sovereign right will issue all money in pay- ment for such labor, and when this money is returned to the retail counter in payment for merchandise by the consumer the debt will have been paid and canceled, much to the relief of posterity. It has been stated above that the state will issue all money in payment of labor; but the truth is that money as it is now understood will be a thing of the past. It has been elsewhere stated that the difference between the two economic systems is identified very largely through the difference between their mediums 346 THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM of exchange. The medium of exchange through which the double contract system is identified is a mark in their right hand, or in their fore- heads. (Rev. 13. 16.) The mark in their right hand or in their foreheads is the governmental stamp on money which men hold in their hands or have deposited to their credit. The medium of exchange which identifies the single con- tract system is His Father's name written in their fore- heads. (Rev. 14. 1.) The second system provides for no money in their hand, but in their foreheads, or^ to their cre ( dit. The state will enter upon its ledger the names of all those engaged in service, whether professionally, commer- cially, or industrially ; and the amount of the remuner- ation for their services will be placed to their credit. The father of the family, or the family's support, will sign his name to the checks which he will write against his credit for those depending upon him in payment of their debts ; his name will be written in their fore- heads. His name will also be written in the Lamb's book of life when it is inserted in the state ledger. And so will pass forever that medium of exchange with its attending evils, which, passing from one man's hand to another's, bears no distinguishing name by which it may be identified or traced, and which, having each piece of money identically the same as all others of its kind and value, is the source of a vast amount of crime — all of which will disappear. It is true there are many inquiries to be met, but since the problem will have to be worked out step by step in a practical way, the best that can be done is to offer a few suggestions. With reference to the method by which goods will enter and pass along the course of exchange a few statements will be made. For example: The Alex- ander Wholesale House will send out an agent to con- tract for farm produce, who will be authorized by the 347 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY state to quote and determine prices according to the quality of goods. After the agent has 'made his selec- tion he will write out the order, using a billhead of the house he represents, which the farmer and the agent will both sign. The transportation clerk will sign the order in acknowledgment of receipt of mer- chandise in good condition. The agent will then for- ward the account to the Central Clearing House, Alex- ander Wholesale House Department, but a duplicate bill will be passed along the line until it reaches its desti- nation. Goods will there be inspected and shortage, if any, reported on the duplicate, which will then be mailed to Central Clearing House, same department, to be compared with the original bill. By this means it will be, known at all times just what amount of stock the wholesale house has received into its ware- house. Neither will the agent who represented the wholesale house, nor the bookkeepers who keep the account at the clearing house, be interested in any way, with the wholesale firm; they will be interested only in an accurate account and in their salaries, which they will receive from the state. The retail stores, upon receiving goods from the wholesale firm, will issue no checks in payment for same, but will sign a receipt of acknowledgment so that it ,will also be known at all times at the Central Clearing House the exact amount of goods that the wholesale house has relinquished to the retail stores; for example, Martin and Company will acknowledge receipt of a stated amount of goods from the whole- sale house. And as the consumer's checks arrive at the Central Clearing House, Martin and Company De- partment, the stock of merchandise for which that company is responsible will diminish accordingly. Thus merchants will be held accountable for all goods entrusted to their charge, since they are liable to for- feiture of their rights of possession. It may be necessary to a certain extent to keep an itemized account of goods, but fixed retail prices will very much diminish if not altogether dispose of the intense labor of itemized accounts. When the con- 348 THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM sumer knows what the price of goods should be, it will be impossible to raise the price to cover any shortage which might occur from misappropriation of merchandise. If it is accurately known at the Central Clearing House the amount in lump value of mer- chandise which any store has received, with the con- sumer informed as to prices, the retail checks will denote accurately the amount of merchandise which has passed over the counters, and. an inventory of stock will determine at any time any shortage in mer- chandise. It is the fluctuation of prices which lends to com- merce the wavelike motion resembling the restless sea. And since stable prices will overcome uncertain condi- tions of the market, it might even be found advisable upon experiment to make a separate account of the losses of business through fire or perishable goods and to submit this with the cost of improvements or re- pairs to the people in the form of a surplus tax, to be borne equally by all, with less trouble than to disturb retail ^prices. It might be supposed that goods of the same classi- fication and type in the retail stores will be graded first, second, and third grades, so that those of less means will be able to buy a cheaper grade of goods for less money ; but the Mosaic Law declares that the ransom or retail price must be the same to rich and poor alike ; and the wisdom in that law is seen in that it would lead to a great deal of confusion in keeping accounts, it would work an injustice to the man of smaller means to oblige him to accept his reward in inferior goods. Shoddy goods of cheaper quality either should be rejected altogether or should come into the market at the standard price, so that con- sumers will have a fair chance, one with another — that there be no discrimination. Another inquiry to be met which may be appropri- ately referred to in this connection is the identifica- tion of strangers. Since all retail accounts will be paid in checks, some plan must be adopted to guar- antee the identification of those wishing to trade where 349 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY they are not known. In such cases the government will issue bank notes of large denominations — five hun- dred or one thousand dollars. Upon application, any local bank will be authorized to furnish these notes to any one whose credit at that bank equals or exceeds the amount of the identification note. These bills will not be money as is now known to be taken out and exchanged for goods, although on their face they may have that appearance and may be made of the same kind of paper. On the back they will be signed by the bank from which they were obtained and by the' creditor to whom they are given. The bank will also provide the bearer with a small account book and wherever he makes a purchase the amount of goods will be entered and the account brought forward with each purchase. The bearer will be authorized to pur- chase to the amount of his identification check. The use of such books in all retail business will very much assist the process of exchange and reduce the amount of labor thereto, not only at the retail counter but at the Clearing House. Such a plan should not be con- fused with the old method of keeping a monthly book account at retail stores, which has been very largely abandoned because customers "failed to pay accounts when due. No one could obtain these books unless their credit at the bank or branch clearing house first covered the amount of credit against which the book was drawn. With each purchase the amount of credit will proportionally diminish, for as the account is con- stantly brought forward each new purchase will be added until the book is canceled. These books will be taken up by the local clearing house, where the consumer's credit will be canceled to the amount which the book calls for, and the retail store will be credited with the corresponding volume of business. The ac- curate account will then be forwarded to the Central Clearing House for final adjustment. Reference should here be made to the distinguished body clothed in governmental authority whose duty requires it to determine the price of all commodities to the consumer, to calculate all expenses connected 350 THE SINGLE CONTRACT SYSTEM with the various phases of the economic process, in- dustrial, commercial, professional, and governmental. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also over- come, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Rev. 3. 21.) And around about the throne were four and twenty seats : and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Rev. 4. 4.) The duty involved in the determination of prices be- longs to the supreme tribunal of the state, which will consist of elderly men, probably of fifty years or more, who, having demonstrated their value as responsible citizens both in family and public life, and having retired from all other public service, will volunteer their services to the state for such compensation as is commonly awarded. This body will consist of twenty-four men, twelve from each of the two in- dustrial classes — or, to be more specific, an equal num- ber of men from each class — which number will be increased by one, who will act as presiding officer. The opponents of this business method may reason that it will be burdensome and impractical owing to the clerical work required; but it should be borne in mind that at the present time commercial houses keep accurate accounts of all goods passing through their hands in the course of exchange and balance such ac- counts for future reference. To this may be added the clerical work required in keeping account of the transfer of property in such as deeds and abstracts; in the negotiation of loans, purchase of commercial paper, and the safeguarding of money. So that these, together with the elimination of a vast amount of work arising from the waste of competition and the saving of time wasted because of labor's sense of injustice, the new system will be found much more adequate. Many people to-day recognize that something is 35i THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY radically wrong in the management of commercial affairs and have caught a vision of a more equitable adjustment but see no way by which the change may be accomplished save by revolutionary measures. But such a step would be most disastrous and is unneces- sary. What is necessary is to awaken a public con- sciousness that the implements of production are in fact the rightful property of the consumer or the col- lective people. There will then develop a sound evo- lutionary advancement. In every business which re- quires co-operative effort the government will take over the bookkeeping department and distribute the recompense of patronage proportionally between the three parties involved as wages of labor, salary of superintendency, and such amount as is required to replenish business, which portion belongs to the pub- lic. 352 FIFTEENTH CHAPTER the: seven last plagues And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues ; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. (Rev. 15. 1.) another sign THIS sign indicates that there is a preceding sign. God's law has two signs combined in one: the sign of the law is the sign of liberty and of rest. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun; (Rev. 12. 1.) And I saw another sign in heaven, seven angels having the seven last plagues; (Rev. is- 1 -) The twelfth and thirteenth chapters contain an ex- posure of the great sin of the world and of -the un- fortunate condition which prevails because of its un- bridled power. The fourteenth chapter outlines the contrasting and more desirable state. Men naturally prefer the favorable environments, but the way to pass to them or to enter into that rest so long pre- pared of God must be made clear. The fifteenth and sixteenth chapters apply the remedies and direct the way. Sacred history relates that when Jehovah deter- mined to liberate the children of Israel He sent a series of plagues as a judgment upon the Egyptians. And so in the 'closing days of this present dispensa- tion God will again demonstrate to the world a series of plagues which must precede the liberation of the people from economic bondage. 353 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY And I saw as it were a sea of glass min- gled with fire, and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Rev. 15. 2.) a sea of glass is the course of exchange* clarified so that the reward will be clearly discerned from the beginning through fixed prices. mingled with fire. Fire is energy released ; in the market the energy which is stored up in the products of labor finds its release. and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, The victory refers to the struggle which must take place between those who support the two systems; it is a moral victory due to the awakening of economic consciousness. It reveals the purpose for which the hosts of Christendom have been assembled; that they might lead the people out of bondage to that inher- itance so long foretold. The beast is commercial power ; and over his image is commercial supremacy ; and over his mark is his medium of exchange; and over the number of his name is the number from which his name is derived or from which he acquires the dis- tinction, The Double Contract System. stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. As political organizations will always have platforms, the course of exchange clarified by redemption be- comes the platform upon which these people stand. God made the race with all its parts to play in tune; but all these parts are but discordant sounds till blended by redemption. And they sing the song of Moses the serv- ant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 354 THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. (Rev. 15. 3.) The song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb, is the song of liberty. Great and marvelous are Thy works through which come liberty. Just and true are Thy ways which lead to liberty and redemption. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name ? for thou only art holy : for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. (Rev. 15. 4.) Awakening to a consciousness of the great moment through which the world is passing and of the trans- formation which will take place in political construc- tion because of the new order, realizing that back of all this stands the personal Spirit of the great Creator by Whom all things were made, why should not man fear and honor and obey Him? His law and His judgments are hereby revealed ; all nations are called to obedience. After that I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. (Rev. 15. 5.) The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven is the innermost chamber, wherein is concealed the secret of God's creative power ; it is the holy of holies which contains the law. And now God will not only lift the veil from before the mortal vision, to open His law to man's understanding, but He will judge the earth according to His law. Man may take the law into his own hands but God reserves the right to pass judgment. It has been seen how the clanging of the seven discordant sounds worked out destruc- tion, and now the melodious strains of God's seven harps are to proclaim the requirements of peace. And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in 355 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. (Rev. 15. 6.) As the angels are the messengers or ministers of God arrayed in apparel like which Christ first appeared in, and as God has always used human agencies to ac- complish His purposes toward man, the new dispen- sation will not be ushered in by supernatural means, as many have believed, neither by resort to destructive measures, but by men of purity of purpose, of cool and keen discernment, striving for justice. And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth forever and ever. (Rev. 15. 7.) A vial is a small bottle; these seven vials contain the medicine, the healing properties of which are such as the world needs to cure its political diseases. Sin is a disease which requires an unpalatable drug to cure, and hence these drugs are administered in mercy but with vengeance. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. (Rev. 15. 8.) God's glory and power are in His restoration. Within the temple the smoking incense altar, symbolical of the retail counter, is the combustion of the restoration filling the house with confusion. Into a house full of smoke no man can enter until the remedies indicated by the seven plagues having been applied when in- dustrial order begins to appear. 356 SIXTEENTH CHAPTER the: judgments of god And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. (Rev. 16. i.) And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth ; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them that wor- ship his image. (Rev. 16. 2.) AS the earth is the basis of all property rights, the first vial is poured out upon the earth; but L though the earth is the basis, all wealth is meas- ured in money, and so there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, or had money. and upon them that worship his image, The sore spot which indicates the diseased condition of the body politic is monetary accumulation. Yet God holds those who worship his image, or become obedient to that law which sustains property rights, equally guilty. To worship the image is to regard property rights as sacred; in the first statement of this infinite decision which God hands down He punc- tures this inflated bubble — that property rights are a sacred institution. Rather they are where the disease first appears. Economic consciousness first awakens at this point: property rights are illegal. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea ; and it became as the blood of a dead man; and every living soul died in the sea. (Rev. 16. 3.) 357 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY True to previous interpretations the sea symbolizes commerce ; and the products of the market are as the blood of a dead man. This decision is that every living soul is alike subject to this law of economic death. Every man must labor and undergo the struggle for an existence, none can live and sport at the expense of others, each must enter into active service for the benefit of all. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters ; and they became blood. (Rev. 16. 4.) The commercial stream has two movements : that which flows into the market and that which flows out ; rivers being the return current, therefore sym- bolizes the restoration ; fountains of waters refers to the various commercial centers. Because there has been no lawful restoration, the rivers and fountains of water have remained blood or became blood, de- noting crime. The third decision is that the plan by which the restoration currents are diverted into wrong channels is criminal according to God's written law. Into these fictitious arteries of commerce veritably the lifeblood of the nation is streaming on in torrents while in the presence of this tragic transfusion of their vital energies the people stand dumb. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. (Rev. 16. 5.) God is eternal because, having all knowledge, He is Himself subject to the requirements of an everlasting existence. The angel sanctions this judgment because the day of recompense has come, and the hour when, through God's written law, the requirements of an everlasting existence shall be made known to man. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets and thou hast given them blood to l drink for they are worthy. (Rev. t6. 6.) 358 THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD The constructive principle and the destructive prin- ciple are both within the limits of God's law, and there- fore when success, was won by a resort to the de- structive principle, it was God who verily gave them blood to drink. The promise was made to him that overcometh, and they have overcome, albeit by the wrong principle, so they are found worthy. But these judgments are rendered according to His written law. Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any man- ner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people. (Lev. 7. 27,) Having violated this sacred ordinance, having drunk the blood of the sacrificial offering through a failure to make the proper restoration, those who have money and those who regard property rights as sacred are liable to the penalty prescribed. In the great trans- formation due to take place because of the inaugu- ration of God's righteous kingdom, they, or this system of economy, shall be cut off. They have not obeyed the laws which are necessary to the requirements of an everlasting existence, therefore their end is at hand. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and right- eous are thy judgments. (Rev. 16. 7.) The industrial class comes out of the altar as the con- sumer to lend his sanction also to this righteous de- cision. And the fourth .angel poured out his vial upon the sun ; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. (Rev. 16. 8.) The sun is the governmental power. Where there should have been the showers of impartial distribution there has descended upon the earth the fires of mone- tary investments and that by the authority of govern- ments. Therefore, according to the fourth decision, all present governments are found confederates in this crime which results in the desert waste. It is not to condemn the sacred institution of government, but the illicit power of the law. 359 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues : and they repented not to give him glory. (Rev. 16. 9.) As a diseased condition always produces fever more or less intense, that men were scorched with great heat, signifies an advanced and dangerous stage of the aggravation and a transformation accompanied by in- tense passion. If these judgments had been published during the earlier stages of industrial progress, they might have averted the calamities which follow im- proper distribution. But conditions were immature; and now that the disease has reached its critical stage, it is God who applies the remedy and by His restora- tion reveals His glory and His personality, which His opponents will not acknowledge. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness ; and they gnawed their tongues for pain. (Rev. 16. 10.) Price artfully determined to serve selfish purposes is the seat of the beast. Since illuminating bodies ex- pend their latent forces to shed light, and since mone- tary accumulation is purely a selfish process and takes all and restores nothing, his kingdom is full of dark- ness. Acute suffering such as is here portrayed does not accompany a normal condition, for the healthy body is free from pain. And blasphemed the God of heaven be- cause of their pains and their sores, and re- pented not of their deeds. (Rev. 16. 11.) Those who profit by the present plan will yield only with the greatest resistance, nor will they acknowledge that they are in the wrong or that present conditions are wrong. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates ; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the 360 THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD kings of the east might be prepared. (Rev. 16. 12.) During the times of ancient history the Euphrates River was the principal thoroughfare through which flowed the commerce from the east into Asia Minor and fur- ther west. For this reason the Euphrates River is a symbol of commerce. The sixth decision declares that the entire course of commercial activity must be sup- planted by the business methods of the kings of light. As Christ declared Himself the light of the world, so His plan makes every man a king in his own sphere. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (Rev. 16. 13.) The frog leaps, denoting a vehement spirit. The dragon is price dictation, or the original condition which fosters the beast, or commercial power; and the false prophet is the false or unnatural result of the business course. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Rev. 16. 14.) As the angels are messengers of light striving for the world's redemption, so the spirits of devils are the company of those who would hold the world in dark- ness to selfish interests. Entrenched behind the bul- wark of governmental authority, the present system, though clearly exposed as not conforming to the nat- ural order, will not be changed without an herculean struggle. The transformation will be so far-reaching, involving every nation and people of the world, that the authority of this interpretation of the law is be- yond question. Behold, I come as a thief, Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he 361 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY walk naked and they see his shame. (Rev. 16. 15.) Jesus comes as a thief to steal away man's possessions ; He brings with Him the pure and cool linen robes of righteousness girded with the golden girdle of truth that the shame of brute lust may be concealed from the sight of men. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. (Rev. 16. 16.) Armageddon refers to an ancient battlefield in the Holy Land; it symbolizes the commercial field or the market, the scene of the competitive struggle wherein the people gather. For wheresoever the carcass is there will the eagles be gathered .together. (Mat. 24. 28.) And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air ; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, say- ing, It is done. (Rev. 16. 17.) Air is the symbol of liberty because it is the one ele- ment indispensable to life which cannot be monopo- lized. a great voice is the voice .of Unity speaking of liberty as God's final purpose to man. Man's supreme desire, which to sat- isfy he has so long contended, has been realized. It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings ; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. (Rev. 16. 18.) These denote the extreme agitation which attended the dawning of the age of life. A great moment is pass- ing. 362 THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell ; and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Rev. 16. 19.) All human social order, regardless of political organi- zations, conforms to the economic plan; this is that great city. was divided into three parts. It refers to the subdivision of the reward into three parts, as it should be rightfully distributed between laborers, business managers, and the public. and the cities of the nations fell. The city class has ever been the ruling class, but when price determination shall have been denied that class the cities of the nations will have fallen. It is a notice to the mercantile class that in the rightful distribution of the reward it is stripped of its power.. Such is the wine of God's indignation. and great Babylon came in remembrance be- fore God. Because of its practice of public prostitution, the city of Babylon has been made to symbolize the crime of public or class prostitution. When the great city is divided into three parts and the right relations of these parts to each other is understood, the class sin of the world will be found contrary to God's written law. The Mosaic Law, after so long remaining a dead letter, will again come into remembrance. to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. She shall drink of the reward of God's violated laws. And every island fled away, and the moun- tains were not found. (Rev. 16. 20.) The island, because it stands apart and alone, sym- bolizes isolation ; the mountain signifies elevation : iso- 363 THE. SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY lation and elevation are the pretensions of the wealthy class. But the wealth of nations being the rightful property of the consumers, these pretensions will all be swept away. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a • talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of hail ; for the plague was exceed- ing great. (Rev. 16. 21.) Hail is congealed raindrops; a talent is a piece of money. All the power of economic life is concen- trated in money ; when money returns to the earth for investment, it descends as a destructive hail storm. That it fell upon men as a great plague denotes the end. of the reign of money, for when rain falls the storm is, or is soon to be, over. Monetary accumu- lation being recognized as illegal, outraged class con- sciousness will concentrate its attention on that point and become the source of ceaseless torment to the usurpers until it is abandoned. , 364 SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither ; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters; A WOMAN such as is here referred to is one who sustains relations for monetary gains, who ' makes merchandise of that sacred provision which the Creator has made for race continuity by means of the sex. But the relation of the sexes is not, strictly speaking, the subject of discussion, although that theme is herein involved. The point of consid- eration is the economic or public relations. This woman refers to the profligate relations of men along industrial lines, where industry and commerce are un- dertaken not for the legitimate purpose of providing sustenance for the race from year to year, but solely for monetary gains. As the abuse of the sacred sex relations is done entirely for the gratification of lustful desires, so monetary accumulation is carried on for commercial gain and affluence. This, then, is the sin of the world, which, being personified by the fallen woman, is now to stand in judgment before God. that sitteth upon many waters. She rides securely above the waves. Waters sym- bolizes commerce ; and is used in the plural form for the reason that there are many commercial centers. With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. (Rev. 17. 2.) 365 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Since all governments are supported out of the pro- ceeds of monetary accumulations by levying taxes on property, it follows that all kings or heads of govern- ments, being judged by God's written law, are found accessory after the fact in this unlawful practice. Drunkenness is the result of drinking to excess; the excessive profits of business stimulate to the point of intoxication and are the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness ; and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blas- phemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (Rev. 17. 3.) The dissolute woman and the scarlet beast signify the world in sin and without redemption ; so long as the law of redemption is not in operation in the markets of the world, so long the world remains subject unto the law of sin, it is in the wilderness. Since God's name or personality stands for redemption, without redemption the world offers affront to God, which is blasphemy. The seven heads and the ten horns have been fully explained and need no further comment. This woman is first represented as sitting upon many waters, signifying that it is through business exchange that she finds her support ; and then, as sit- ting upon the scarlet colored beast, signifying that the seat of the world's sin is first manifested in the person of the merchantman. Let no man deceive you by any means ; for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be re- vealed, the son of perdition. (2 Thess. 2. 3.) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2 Thess. 2. 4.) Here, then, is the exposure of the personality of sin 366 THE JUDGMENT OF THE SCARLET WOMAN which actually occupies the seat of supreme power in the earth in God's stead and which by the spirit of opposition or competition usurped God's throne, which is price determination. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and prec- ious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. (Rev. 17. 4.) The purple denotes royalty or governmental power and the scarlet is the emblem of sin; the combination of the two signify that the governmental party and the property class are arrayed together. and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls. These two classes have appropriated the luxuries of life. having a golden cup in her hand full of abomination, Since according to God's law the ends of justice de- pend on redemption by the blood, it follows that any plan of redemption other than that is in the eyes of God an abomination. Redemption by the blood is the ultimate end of God's law. But what has proved the ultimate end of that code of civil law which forms the double contract system. In all the leading govern- ments of this present day, statutory law declares and provides that the obligations of men shall be made redeemable in Go ed. In this is found the golden cup full of abominations. It is full because redemption is the End of the law. and filthiness of her fornication. Monetary accumulation not only robs the vastly larger portion of the race of its inheritance, but places a power in the hands of men who, having already whetted their appetites with the wine of excessive indulgence, will not hesitate to use corruptive means to gratify their ambitions. 36- THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the: great, the mother oe hareots and the abomination oe the EARTH. (Rev. 17. 5.) With an intelligent design the sign of the law is im- printed upon the forehead. Because of the crime of public fornication, God has chosen the city of Babylon to impersonate forever the profligate system of public fornication as represented in the competitive system. It is a mystery, as everything else in nature is a mys- tery, until it is understood ; no line of scientific research has proved a greater enigma than that of political economy. It is THE great because business throughout the wide world is con- ducted according to this common law. It is the MOTHER OE HAREOTS AND ABOMINATION OE THE EARTH because money, circulating as it does without check or means of tracing it, is in itself the source not only of common prostitution, but of bribery, graft, and many other evils. The great cesspool of political corruption is none other than the present false medium of exchange, which rests on gold redemption. Metallic money reduced by law to the gold standard may be termed the principal element in the channels of commerce by which monetary accumulation is ac- complished, since it renders unmeasurable assistance to that process. Monetary accumulation, leading to monopoly of the earth's resources, is that abomination which desolates the earth, spoken of by Daniel the prophet. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus : and when I saw her I won- dered with great admiration. (Rev. 17. 6.) The saints and martyrs of Jesus died for the cause of redemption and as opponents of Satan's kingdom. 368 THE JUDGMENT OF THE SCARLET WOMAN It was hardly her drunken condition which awakened John's admiration, but rather her costly apparel, for a display of the luxuries of life always appeals to man's admiration. There is in the Crystal Palace a gorgeous costume bedecked with many sparkling gems mounted as appropriately to represent the sin of the world depicted in the scarlet woman. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mys- tery of the woman, and of the beast that car- rieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. (Rev. 17. 7.) The beast that thou sawest was, and is not ; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go unto perdition ; and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Rev. 17.8.) The beast that- was, and is not, and yet is refers to the individuality of Satan. Though Satan really has an existence, God triumphs over His great- adversary; He unceremoniously blots out his name, his individuality, out of the book of life; there is no such being as a personal devil. The dragon is a fabu- lous serpent, and the story of the garden of Eden is a fable. He was for he did exist; and is not because he has been blotted out; and yet is for he does in reality have an existence. And although it has been said that Satan is personified in the merchantman, it cannot be said that the merchantman is by nature any more base than others of the common race; he is but a product of the system. Satan symbolizes the power of darkness. There is such a state as darkness, yet there is no cause for darkness such as there is for light ; and so there is no personal devil but, like dark- ness, his kingdom is none the less real. Such is Christ's doctrine of the personality of Satan ; he is 369 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY personified by the mercantile class when that class is dominated by the spirit of opposition. and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go unto perdition. This clause refers to the period of time necessary for monetary accumulation ; because as originally price dic- tation was vested in the merchantman, he comes up out of the past and by the abstinence process kindles the fire*of perdition, which consumes the earth with its increase. And they that dwell on the earth shall won- der, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world. As God in the beginning made male and female, so from the foundation of the world He provided for these two great industrial classes. But as Satan sym- bolizes darkness, he also symbolizes death; and for reasons which need no repetition the mercantile class, under our present system, is identified in Satan's train ; that class represents his visible kingdom. Therefore the names of the individual members of that class cannot be written in the book of life. That is to say, that in the story of their deeds the individual mem- bers of the mercantile class cannot be identified with those who have promoted the cause of race life in the earth. Particularly is this true when, because of monetary accumulation, men no longer render service. The producing class is identified in the Lamb's book of life according to its individual names because the individual members of that class provide the daily suste- nance, shall zvonder. These facts will greatly sur- prise the mercantile class. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. (Rev. 17. 9.) The Mosaic Law required that when men made an offering for sin they should place their hand upon the head of the sacrificial offering as a token that the sin was laid upon its head. The sin of the world rests 370 THE JUDGMENT OF THE SCARLET WOMAN upon the seven heads of industry after monetary in- vestments have taken place ; and therefore the woman is represented as sitting upon the seven heads because the wealthy class relics' for support upon its invest- ments. The seven heads are called mountains because as investments they become the fountain head or source of the water of life. And there are seven kings ; five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh he must continue a short space. (Rev. 17. 10.) When our first parents ate of the forbidden fruit, so it is related, they fell from their first estate; five are fallen refers to man's fallen condition. The for- bidden fruit, it has been found, is the appropriation of the seven heads of industry without regard to the producer's equity in the same, through monetary ac- cumulation, one is. Land, the first of the seven kings, existed before industry began, and will in all probability continue to exist when human industry has ceased. Labor is, not yet come to its own, but when Labor has awakened to a consciousness of its power and rights, the space of time that it will permit itself to be regarded as merely one of the tools of pro- duction will be comparatively short. Land and labor are therefore peculiarly distinguished from the other five kings' in that they pre-exist economic development. Land is the basis of property rights ; the last five branches are as secondary developments and, spring- ing out of the earth, as it were, may be regarded in a stricter sense as the forbidden fruits. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven and goeth into perdition. (Rev. 17. n.) The beast which has no individuality is known by the name of Property Rights. Property Rights include all of the seven heads of industry and may be termed the body ; and as each of the seven heads is distin- guished by its name, so property rights is the. eighth 371 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY name and is of the seven. And as it requires time for the acquisition of property, property rights may be regarded as the eighth progressive step or as be- longing to the second cycle of time. Perdition has special reference to soul destruction, and as the beast has no individuality, neither has he any soul. "Corporations have no soul," it is said; for which reason he, the beast, is destined to perish. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. (Rev. ij. 12.) The ten horns are the ten necessities of life ; they are spoken of as kings because they possess dominant powers; but these forces have not yet been recog- nized. The process of production requires many long, weary hours but one hour is the time devoted to the dinner service or to supplying the demands of nature. with the beast. The merchant adjusts the price, under the competitive system, according to supply and demand. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (Rev. 17. 13.) The ten horns are expressed in one thought, Necessi- ties. They give their power and strength unto the beast because the ten necessities, being the articles of commerce, are the means through which the merchant acquires financial power and strength. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them ; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Rev. 17. 14.) To build up commercial power these articles of com- merce have been used to combat the best interests of the race, but the race will eventually triumph and 372 THE JUDGMENT OF THE SCARLET WOMAN subject the necessities of life to their legitimate pur- poses. Lord of lords. It will be recognized that every individual is a spark of the Infinite for, being endowed with the necessities of life, he will endure from season to season as God prevails from everlasting to everlasting. King of kings. As the necessities of life possess dominant powers, every individual of the race being so endowed, will become a king within his sacred limitations and, when subjected to their legitimate purposes, these ten kings will have received their kingdoms and their crowns. they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. They that are with him will be conscious of the divine purpose in economic relations and will respond to the call of duty as in devotion to God's service. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peo- ples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Rev. 17. 15.) The great conglomerate mass of humanity representa- tive of every walk in life which congregates in the public market are they which carry or support the privileged class. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Rev. 17. 16.) The destitution of the impoverished class, the necessi- ties of which are being forfeited to the spirit of specu- lative greed, intensifies class hatred. desolate and naked. To be desolate is to be left alone, without inhabitance; her isolation shall spell desolation, and in the search 373 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY for exact economic science her secret parts will be discovered. eat her flesh. Flesh signifies that the process of digestion has ma- tured ; in trying to devour all she has become but meat for the multitudes. and burn her with fire. Since by her greed the necessities of life have become luxuries, the impoverished multitudes will demand that monopoly cease, that the economic process terminate upon the sacrificial altars, that implements of produc- tion do not pass through the market to individual ap- propriation. For God hath put it in their hearts to ful- fill his will, and to agree, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (Rev. 17. 17.) All that transpires in the class relations of men is di- rected and matured that man may reach that higher plane wherein he acquires a conscious knowledge of God and his own possible destiny, which is life eternal. In God's appointed time the sin involved in class re- lations will be fully exposed. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Rev. 17. 18.) It is but to repeat what has already been stated, that nations — whether kingdoms, empires, or republics — being supported out of the proceeds of property ac- cumulation, are not themselves the dominating forces in political construction. The property or city class is always the ruling class. 374 EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power, and the earth was lighted with his glory. (Rev. 18. i.) And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (Rev. 18. 2.) UNDER the radiant light streaming from the sky, the Everlasting Gospel will become a mighty force sweeping with irresistible power through that great city, which shall be fully renovated and cleared of all those loathsome creatures which flock as vultures to the prey. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (Rev. 18. 3.) If any doubt remains as to the interpretation of the Revelation, it should be dispelled by the statement, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies, for by this interpretation the process of fortune build- ing has been fully exposed. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye re- ceive not of her plagues. (Rev. 18. 4.) 375 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY This is the call for the separation, that the water of separation and purification shall be applied. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect. (Mat. 24. 31.) The closing years of the Times of the Gentiles, or pos- sibly the beginning of the new dispensation, will be marked by an intense spiritual agitation in which Christians everywhere will hear the call to separate themselves from mercenary domination; and to pre- pare for the great transition which will mark the change from the law of bondage to that of enlightened self-determination. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. (Rev. 18.5.) There will be an appointed time when God Himself will act; and although the change will take place through human agencies, it will not occur before that appointed time. But there are certain signs which will precede, the appointed time by which the elect may know that the time is approaching, principal among which is the exposure of the personification of sin. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works ; in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double. (Rev. 18.6.) The penalty for consuming the fat and the blood of the sacrifice was that the guilty should be cut off from the people. Now those who have suffered because of this crime are instructed to reward their oppressors in double measure. Those who have profited by the double contract must restore that wealth to its right- ful owner and must receive their reward even as labor receives hers, for so shall they be eliminated. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sor- 376 THE FALL OF BABYLON row give her; for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. (Rev. 18. 7.) A widow is one who has lost her protector: under the protection of the law the wealthy class has lived deliciously. Symbolical language could scarcely be more transparent. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (Rev. 18. 8.) As the Mosaic Law always provided a substitute for a guilty man, so this woman arrayed in purple and scarlet color is the substitute provided to bear the penalty of unchaste class relations. The law does not condemn the race, but the system. The condi- tions which arise therefrom the world shall be purged as with fire. That she shall be utterly burned with fire refers to the provision in the Mosaic Law which supplies a water of separation for him that toucheth the dead body of any man. This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke. And ye shall give her unto the priest, and one shall burn the heifer in his sight; her skin, and her flesh, and her blood, even the entire carcass shall he burn: And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation; it is a purification for sin. He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall purify himself with it on the third 377 S THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day then the seventh day he shall not be clean. (Num. ch. id.) The ceremonial requirements of the law of The Water of Separation was in manner like to all other sacrificial ceremonies of the Mosaic Law. The sym- bolical interpretation of this law recognizes that by its provisions the process of industry and commerce are divided into cycles. When the sacrifices of the industrial class are consumed to ashes, or utterly con- sumed, there remains nothing upon which the mer- cantile class can build to establish the foundations of monetary accumulation. And since by the consump- tion of the sacrificial offering provided by labor, the water of life issues forth, if the sacrifice be utterly consumed during the process of exchange, that is, if the restoration is full and complete, then the mercan- tile class will be found cleansed from economic pollu- tion, which process provides a purification for class contamination. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. (Rev. 18.9.) Standing afar off for the fear of her tor- ment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Baby- lon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. (Rev. 18. 10.) And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her ; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more. (Rev. 18. 11.) It is to say that the process of exchange will be en- tirely changed both in spirit and in purpose, for the exchange will be effected not for profit, but for race provision, and that the government may redeem its outstanding obligations. Redemption will become the motive power of economic progress. And lest any- 378 -THE FALL OF BABYLON one still should question the interpretation here sub- mitted, these articles of merchandise are spread out for public inspection. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and pearls, and fine linen, and of brass, and iron, and marble. (Rev. 18. 12.) And cinnamon, and odours, and oint- ments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. (Rev. 18. 13.) Souls of men being classified with many other forms of merchandise precludes any other interpretation than that this is the economic soul which may and should pass through successive periods of life and death, and through this alternate process may and should come again into the possession of a new life still, retaining his individuality and personal identi- fication. And since the point is proved beyond doubt it provides valuable evidence that the continuity of soul life is a universal law. Human souls come forth from the sacrificial altar to a life continuous, eco- nomically, if endowed with the necessities of life ; but perish in the exchange if not so sustained because they are no longer free to act according to their in- dividual responsibilities. Such is the distinction be- tween liberty and bondage. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. (Rev. 18. 14.) They are the forbidden fruits which supported them in luxury. And the merchants of these things, ' which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. (Rev. 18. 15.) 379 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! (Rev. 18. 16.) For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And 'every shipmaster, and sailor, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off. (Rev. 18. 17.) And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city. (Rev. 18. 18.) And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! (or price), for in one hour is she made desolate. (Rev. 18. 19.) Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy . apostles and prophets ; for God hath avenged you on her. (Rev. 18.20.) And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. (Rev. 18. 21.) The millstone which is cast into the sea is the burden of debt which is so inevitable with the condemned system. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee : and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee. (Rev. 18.22.) And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee ; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard 380 THE FALL OF BABYLON no more at all in thee : for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sor- ceries were all nations deceived. (Rev. 18. 23-) It indicates the complete annihilation which shall overwhelm that dissolute creature of man's ingenuity upon whose head rests the sin of the world. The day dawns and the night vanishes utterly because the light of the day is a direct light from the sun. And so when the single contract system comes to its own the opposing system must be utterly banished. For though it was said that so long as a man functioned in a purely individual capacity his business would not be interfered with, yet even then he will receive his personal compensation direct from government as does labor. for thy merchants were the great men of the earth ; By her stealthful business methods the importance of the mercantile capacity has been very much mag- nified. The merchant was supposed to have furnished the brains of business enterprise ; and by their suc- cessful exploits they have become the great men of the earth. And in her was found the blood of proph- ets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. (Rev. 18.24.) All includes all who have died in the cause of lib- erty; for the martyrs of Christ have been found to have died in the great common cause of humanity and liberty. 381 NINETEENTH CHAPTER And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Al- leluia ; Salvation and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God. (Rev. 19. 1.) NOW that the devil is cast out of heaven and his angels are cast out with him there is room for much people in heaven ; the seemingly con- gested condition of the population is largely an arti- ficial condition brought about through property rights. For true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (Rev. 19.2.) And again they said, Alleluia, And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. (Rev. 19- 3-) The story of her confusion and her deeds of suppres- sion rises to all generations. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshiped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen ; Alle- luia. (Rev. 19. 4.) And a voice came out of the throne, say- ing, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. (Rev. 19-5) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, say- 382 THE TRIUMPH OF GOD ing. Alleluia : for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Rev. 19.6.) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him ; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Rev. 19.;.) The marriage of the Lamb implies that the two classes are about to be united in a common interest, and that class distinction will not destroy good fellowship. And since every man is rewarded according to his merit it stands everyone in hand to be ready at the call of duty. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white ; for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. (Rev. 19.8.) By the last clause the symbolical meaning of the Rev- elation is acknowledged. The tine linen, clean and white, signifies that the daily task is performed with coolness of spirit, with a sense of honor and willing accommodation. And he said unto me. Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage sup- per of the Lamb. And he said unto me. These are the true sayings of God. (Rev. 19. 9.) The supper is the evening meal ; after labor, the ban- quet ; they are called to receive their reward. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me. See thou do it not ; I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus ; worship God : for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Rev. 19. 10.) And I saw heaven opened and behold, a white horse ; and he that sat on him was called Faithful and True ; and in righteous- ness he doth judge and make war. (Rev. 19. no 383 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY Heaven is opened to man's understanding, and re- demption is about to be demonstrated. The horse de- notes a domestic situation, the white horse signifies life or harmony ; life always results from the acting of the forces of nature in harmony. The master sits upon the horse, and reason dominates brute force. Faith- fulness and devotion to duty and uprightness in char- acter will dominate in industrial affairs ; for to be true and faithful are the requirements of the marriage vow. and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. With redemption as the rule every situation must be measured according to that standard. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns ; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. (Rev. 19. 12.) From the center of exchange all business is subjected to an investigation as of a searchlight, revealing all that transpires. Christ stands for the race, in His kingdom the people are the dominating force; upon His head therefore are many crowns. No one but Christ Himself ever has known what His real mission was, for His written name spells Liberty. Every man who lives within that kingdom shall also receive a new name written within the law, an individuality pro- tected from intrusion. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and his name is called, The Word of God. (Rev. 19. 13.) Christ's name is inseparable from God's written word, because His vesture dipped in the blood of His per- sonal sacrifice made God's word good; it fulfilled the promise to man. And the armies which were in heaven fol- lowed him upon white horses clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (Rev. 19. 14.) 384 THE TRIUMPH OF GOD Only those who follow Christ through the crimson flood, in perpetuation of race life, may be arrayed in virtue's spotless robes. Business is undertaken with two objects, to augment the supply of necessities for all by personal contribution, and to provide individual access. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron ; and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Rev. 19. 15.) He declares the price with inflexible justice to all and with His reward He stays the elements of selfish in- stincts and maintains order. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, king of kings and lord of lords. (Rev. 19. 16.) Because Christ mastered the science of political .econ- omy He is now become master of kings and lords, for economic law as He has revealed it is greater than statutory enactment and must supersede it. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; (Rev. 19. 17.) The angel standing in the sun proclaims this message from the seat of government : "To all those who have learned to use their wings or powers of progression, their natural faculties, this invitation is extended. Come and congregate in the midst of heaven, the mar- ket, that ye may be partakers in the bountiful re- sources ; for this is the supper of the great God ; this is the reward of devotion and efficiency in service." That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of horses, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. (Rev. 19. 18.) 385 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY In the market there is assembled the conglomerate mass of all human flesh; there is represented every department of human effort ; the individual produc- tions have all been assimilated and are now, accord- ing to the law, fit for consumption. To all those who have contributed thereto God will make of this flesh an everlasting inheritance, for in this manner does He proclaim liberty to all. Here the question must forever be determined ; to whom does this flesh be- long? And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. (Rev. 19. 19.) And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles be- fore him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Rev. 19:20.) The beast has been identified as Property Rights ; the preceding spirit of Property Rights is Commer- cial Power expressed in monetary accumulation be- fore it has reached the stage of investments. Mone- tary accumulation is the false prophet that wrought miracles before him and by which all men were de- ceived. In the midst of their vigor and full power, these both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. They were confined and suppressed to their rightful limitations, which are, according to their individual sacrifices, where they may be regulated and controlled. A lake signifies confinement within certain limits ; fire, to be consistent with previous in- terpretations, signifies individual sacrifice ; burning with brimstone, burning with suppression. It is a perpetual sacrifice to all generations. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which 386 THE TRIUMPH OF GOD sword proceedeth out of his mouth ; and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Rev. 19.21.) He that killed with the sword must be killed by the sword; as they have won their power by price dicta- tion, so it is by the same means that their property must be confiscated to the people. 387 TWENTIETH CHAPTER And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. (Rev. 20. 1.) And he laid hold on the dragon that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. (Rev. 20.2.) WITH this bloodthirsty beast at large neither life nor liberty are secure, and he is there- fore deprived of the key by which he won possession. The great chain of industry is forged against him to keep him in check for a thousand years. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (Rev. 20. 3.) The legal code by which the world has been deceived, the race in the course of its progress will cast off and leave behind as a wornout garment. As the seal is the sign of authority, by the authority of God's law the system which is interwoven with deception will become obsolete. That this thousand years re- fers to a thousand of our calendar years is not pos- sible to determine at present, nor can it be stated what is meant by Satan being loosed a little season, but the inference is drawn that after a thousand years of peace and progress the race will have advanced to the point where another general readjustment will be necessary. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them; 388 THE FIRST RESURRECTION and I saw the souls of them that were be- headed for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had re- ceived his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands ; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Rev. 20.4.) In this company of people who reigned a thousand years there cannot be any person who existed during the premillennium age, for all of them have been sub- jected to the prevailing system which has been gen- erally in force. The head is the seat of reason or of wisdom. Those who succeed financially have ever been regarded as the great or wise of the earth. The souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the zvord of God are those who submit to the relinquishment of wealth that redemption may be vindicated. The race will still be subject to the change of generations through the birth and death of its individual members just as now, but having com- mand of 'the necessities of life the race will live and reign. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (Rev. 20. 5.) Satan and his company being out of power shall not again become an issue until the thousand years are finished. During this thousand years the race will be subject to the law of the first resurrection, for as the products of the market represent man's first death, so the restoration of each man's equity therein rep- resents the first resurrection. This is Christ's doc- trine of the resurrection of the body and the life ever- lasting, economically speaking. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Rev. 20.6.) 389 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY As the restoration of the equity out of the market represents the first resurrection, the second death has no power when this law is in force. By the cere- monies of the Mosaic Law the priest constantly dem- onstrated the law of life, and so with this law of the first resurrection in force the way to life will be con- stantly demonstrated. And when the thousand years are ex- pired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. (Rev. 20. 7.) And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (Rev. 20.8.) The sand of the sea signifies that it matters not how closely compact the sand may be, each grain will main- tain its individuality. And they went up on the breadth o£ the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city; and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Rev. 20. 9.) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev. 20. 10.) It remains for future generations to determine the identification of this devil that deceived them. It seems that it will require a thousand years to perfect redemption, and that during this thousand years the moral attitude of the industrial cycle will revolve on the quarter, as it were, because it speaks of the four quarters of the earth ; and the following verse strength- ens the supposition: And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and 390 THE FIRST RESURRECTION the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (Rev. 20. 11.) In the third verse of the fourth chapter of the Rev- elation there is a figure seated upon a throne: this figure, composed of jasper and a sardine stone, sig- nifies material or physical force. The cohesion of the two symbolize Unity, because there can be no form of government without more or less cohesion of forces. The government of physical force must in the very nature of chronological events precede that of intellectual domination. But white being the color into which all other colors blend, the great white throne signifies that, after a thousand years, the relations of men will have advanced to a state of complete accord. As it is the face that reflects the intelligence of the mind, before the brilliancy of intellectual enlighten- ment physical force will flee away. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God ; and the books were opened : and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Rev. 20. 12.) It is to say that the circulating medium will have been entirely displaced by a system of bookkeeping, in which the accounts of all those to whom the state is debtor will be balanced upon another book or prob- ably by another system of books containing credit accounts, the books were opened signifies that these accounts will be kept open at all times for public in- spection. It is the book of life, because by those things which are written therein life is restored. Those who have rendered service — they being the dead — are rewarded according to their work, or their standing on the books. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it ; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were 391 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY judged every man according to their works. (Rev. 20. 13.) At the end of a thousand years, during which re- demption has functioned in the market, a more thor- ough restitution will be necessary to exact justice. Just what these changes will be remains for that age to determine. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Rev. 20. 14.) By a thorough restitution the second death will be eliminated. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20. 15.) God's law forbids that there should be any drones in the hive. 392 TWENTY-FIRST CHAPTER And I saw a new heaven and a new earth : for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Rev. 21. i.) DURING the time when governments are domi- nated by physical force redemption will not be recognized as a law of governmental sci- ence, but as an article of faith. The gospel of faith, which is the evanescent gospel, is destined to pass away coincidently with the government of physical force; these are the heaven and the earth which shall vanish away when redemption is inaugurated. The very essence of redemption is newness, and the more fully it is employed the more thoroughly will strife and discord disappear. And I John saw the holy city, new Jeru- salem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Rev. 21. 2.) Men do not go up to the new Jerusalem, as has been erroneously supposed; but, as the light of the sun streams down to earth, so the light of God's law will be shed abroad throughout the earth from His throne in the sky. The knowledge of God will no longer be questioned and His law will glorify the marriage re- lations. These laws are not of man's making; they are prepared of God; they are nature's laws. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people and God himself shall 393 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY be with them, and be their God. (Rev. 21-30 God's tabernacle is His plan of redemption, which is fully completed and in operation. To dwell with men is to live on a common level or in the same environ- ment. God does not thereby lower His standard, but by His spirit of humility He elevates men to His standard. It is great to be humble. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and there shall be no more death, neither shall there be any more pain : for the former things are passed away. (Rev. 21.4.) The clash of physical forces produces the tragedies of life, sorrow, pain and death ; but the higher men rise in intellectual attainment the greater will be the tendency to relieve human distress. The possibilities of the triumph of reason and mercy is sketched with profusion. And he that sat upon the throne said, Be- hold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (Rev. 21.5.) He that sat upon the throne has mastered supremacy, all power is under Hiiri. ''Behold," said He, "the mystery of life is the incessable change by which I dispose of the old and make all things new, whence life is the result of ceaseless rotative motion." Write, for these words are according to exact science. And he said unto me; It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of water of , life freely. (Rev. 21. 6.) It is done. His work is completed, and from first to last it bears the stamp of His individuality. Or since life is the result of incessant rotative motion, God's throne is at the center of the cycle. He is the source of life to which the race will come that all human de- sires may be satisfied. 394 • A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH • He that overcometh shall inherit all things : and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Rev. 21. 7.) To him whose thirst for dominant powers leads him to overcome the obstacles and pursue the cycles of life, God will make known His secrets free gratis ; and since he has discerned God's ways his relation to God shall be that of a son and heir. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremon- gers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev. 21.8.) The fearful are those who are afraid to use their faculties or to try to advance themselves ; the unbe- lieving are those who have no faith that the ultimate attainment of their efforts are in accord with divine purpose, who never catch the future vision and there- fore have no ambition. The abominable are those who because of self-centered purposes infringe on the God- given rights of others to participate in the common blessings of life; murderers those who resort to de- struction of life not only by suppressing the breath of the body, but by stifling liberty, which, is the breath of the soul. Whoremongers are those who not only seek to associate with women without the marriage cove- nant, but to desecrate the sanctity of wedlock by sur- reptitious deception; sorcerers those who* unlawfully communicate with spiritual forces to obtain psycholog- ical development and may yet know that Jesus Christ is the only way to spiritual truth and life; idolaters those who resort to a false method of worship, to the idol which has no power to revitalize the living soul. Satisfaction is the result of two causes responding to inherent instincts, the desire from within and the re- sponse from without, resulting in new soul conscious- ness. By a continuous new creation the power to overcome 395 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY death is acquired, which law in economic science is clearly defined. and all liars. As crime is generally the result of preconceived pur- pose, so a liar is one who habitually seeks to accom- plish his desires by resorting to dishonorable and de- ceitful methods. Those who practice these crimes mentioned in the preceding verse limit their soul de-, velopment, since the lake is a limited expanse. The)f shall be cut short of the goal of life repeated in suc^ cessive cycles, and of the perpetuation of their kind. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, say- ing, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Rev. 21.9.) The marriage relations are purely legal, and as the scarlet woman symbolized the code of laws which God has pronounced unholy, so the bride, the Lamb's wife, symbolizes the legal relations of men which are pure and undefiled, represented by the single contract system. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descend- ing out of heaven from God. (Rev. 21. 10.) Before man can catch a vision of the city which God has constructed he must reach that high altitude which without selfish motives recognizes and supports the best interests of the race as a whole. Jerusalem was the city wherein God chose to place His name or by which He identified Himself; the holy Jerusalem therefore bears the stamp of the individuality of God. The new Jerusalem and the personality of God are inseparable in thought; this is God's work. As pre- viously stated, men do not go up to the new Jerusa- lem, which is the generally-accepted theory; the holy Jerusalem comes down to the earth out of heaven 396 A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH from God like the light of the sun; and though God 'is in the heavens, His kingdom is on the earth. Having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. (Rev. 21. II.) It is a natural law that the forces which produce light are thereby consumed; but as a precious stone, tempered in the crucible of time, reflects the light of the sun and is not itself consumed so the works of God will reflect His glory. Is it to say that ultimately the city of God will reflect redemption without the self-consuming requirements of sacrifice, or that since redemption refers particularly to distribution, a full and free distribution will take place without much regard for sacrifice, that selfishness will disappear? even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. It is said that the variety of colors found in jasper is due to impurities. Redemption will expose all im- purities to publicity, and under its radiant light their stains will disappear as transparency is perfected. And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve an- gels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the chil- dren of Israel. (Rev. 21. 12.) The wall great and high denotes protection; the twelve gates signify twelve avenues of admission. Through the fruits of their toil, of which there are twelve classifications, men find admission into the market. and at the gates twelve angels. The guardian of the gate states the price of admis- sion, for it is through the price that men. enter the market as active participants. At the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims and a flaming sword turned every to keep the way of. the tree of life ; and 397 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY so exclude him who tills the soil ; but there being twelve gates denotes entrance for the vocational tribes* and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. The twelve tribes included the race, hence the sub- ject of discussion is a race problem. The names writ- ten thereon refers to the twelve distinct occupations which are related to the production of the twelve fruits. Men are many times known by the occupa- tions they follow and are many times excluded from common fellowship with men owing to their occupa- tion ; but the twelve gates provide admission to men of every walk in life. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. (Rev. 21. 13.) And the wall of the city had twelve foun- dations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb. (Rev. 21. 14.) The foundation stone of governmental science is Re- demption by the. Blood, which signifies impartial dis- tribution. Christ chose twelve apostles to dissemi- nate His gospel of Redemption. "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" im- plies impartial distribution. By the fruits of their toil the tribes find entrance into the city through the gates, and so by the impartial distribution which ex- emplifies redemption the gates swing open to freedom. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the walls thereof. (Rev. 21. is-) And the city lieth foursquare, and the. length is as large as the breadth ; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thou- sand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. (Rev. 21, 16.) 398 A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH This is the plan which works out equality between the three dimensions or parties to governmental con- struction ; the plan is a single story square, and as the race has a double parentage, there are two sides in length and two sides in breadth; but in height or progress, which is the governmental dimension, all four sides are represented. As a furlong is the eighth of a mile, if the length and breadth are equal, the city is fifteen hundred miles square. But in governmental adjustment there is, according to the divine plan, an outer and inner court. In the twentieth verse of the fourteenth chapter of the Revelation the dimensions of the inner court are given as sixteen hundred fur- longs, or two hundred miles square, which is a single state. But in this latter city of twelve thousand fur- longs, or fifteen hundred miles square, the outer court, which is the national government, is included. The double contract system is represented as a cir- cle of large extent at the base, converging to a one- man power at the apex, and bearing the number six hundred three score and six. The inner circle is described as follows: And around about the throne were four and twenty seats : and upon* the seats I saw four and twenty elders. (Rev. 4.4.) And the outer circle is described in this manner : And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders : and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thou- sand, and thousands of thousands. But the outer court in the holy Jerusalem which cometh down from God out of heaven comprises twelve thousand times twelve thousand. The differ- ence between the two numbers, ten thousand times ten thousand, and twelve thousand times twelve thou- sand, is due to the fact that the beast which personi- fies the double- contract system has only ten horns symbolical of ten essentials of life, whereas there are 399 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY twelve essentials or fruits of the tree of life. But in the double contract system the two last essentials, ac- cess and release, or Life and Liberty, because there is no redemption, are cut off, leaving only ten fruits or branches. The outer court or the outer circle rep- resents the multitudes, depending upon the essentials of life for support. And the contour of the city is determined by the law to which the race becomes obedient. The four and twenty elders and the four beasts which were in the midst of the throne are prin- ciples which operate on both systems. And he measured the wall thereof, a hun- dred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. (Rev. 21. 17.) First the angel measured the dimensions of the city, which was twelve thousand furlongs in length, breadth and height each ; but now he measures the dimensions of the wall itself, which is a hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. A cubit is a measure of length, being the distance from the elbow to the extremity of the middle finger. Each of the hundred and forty-fpur cubits therefore represents a man who relies for support upon his own arm. Arranging these one hundred and forty-four men in cubes of twelve and allowing a furlong to a man, it would require a thou- sand of these cubes to complete one of the dimen- sions of the city, or twelve thousand furlongs; and multiplying one dimension with another, there would be twelve thousand times twelve thousand. With a thousand cubes of a hundred and forty-four men each, there would be a total number of one hundred and forty-four thousand men in each tier or column ; then multiplying by the other dimensions there would be twelve thousand times twelve thousand and thou- sands of thousands. But some may reason that to find the dimensions of the city it is not necessary to estimate it according to men; that the dimensions should be estimated in 400 A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH cubits and furlongs. But unless it be said that a fur- long is the space allotted to each man it cannot be said that a cubit, which equals about eighteen inches, is equal to a furlong, a 'furlong being the eighth of a mile. So that, in no other way is it possible to find the dimensions of the city. The single contract sys- tem of economy therefore allows to every man a space equal to an eighth of a mile square as his share in the cultivated estate ; in that space he is independent of every other man. But in the whole superstructure, which includes the race, interdependency is the law. In practical application the law recognizes that every active man is entitled to one-eighth mile square or its equivalent as a footing in the industrial world. Those who do not follow agriculture as an occupation will be protected in their right to become established in a profession or other calling of their choice. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. (Rev. 21. 18.) The building of the wall was such as to insure unity and protection. The mechanical perfection with which redemption is operated guarantees the purity of the promise, its luminous completeness leaves no sign of flaws. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of pre- cious stones. The first foundation was jas- per; the second, sapphire; the third, a chal- cedony; the fourth, an emerald. (Rev. 21. 19- ) The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz ; the tenth, a chrysoprasus ; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an ame- thyst. (Rev. 21. 20.) A mineralogist may be able to give a specific reason why each of these stones symbolizes the particular foundation which it represents, for it has inevitably 26 401 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY proved that a careful analysis of any point reveals a meaning pretty close at hand. But to draw a rough estimate: the foundation supports the superstructure, and each of these foundations having the name of one of the apostles of the Lamb. And as the disciples were chosen to disseminate Christ's gospel of Re- demption by the Blood, it means that the twelve thou- sand times twelve thousand which comprise the walls of the city, having by their own arm, or labor, pro- duced the sustenance which entitles them to their al- lotted space in the great wall, rest on the law of resti- tution for their support. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl ; and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. (Rev. 21.21.) The price is the gate of admission and departure, and whether it swings in, or whether it swings out, so intimate are the relations of one price to the other that each gate becomes one inseparable pearl. The street is the public thoroughfare ; from time immemorial the streets have ever been open to the public ; the street of the city, therefore, refers to that portion of the estate which is in its very nature public property. Each individual may have a certain space allotted to him as his personal equity, but there is a certain por- tion which must ever remain open as a public domain; this is the street or course of exchange with all things that pertain to it. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. (Rev. 21.22.) The temple is the plan or the pattern by which the in- dustrial structure is built, but since the structure is fully completed and is exemplified daily the pattern may be discarded. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it : for the 402 A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Rev. 21. 23.) The light which illumines this city is not a physical light, for since God is personified by redemption it becomes His glory. Character may be determined by spirit manifested; through redemption God mani- fested His to the world. It signifies the spiritual and intellectual intensity of the world's advancement. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it : and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. (Rev. 21. 24.) Whereas they were formerly lost in the hell fires of suppression, the laws of nations now are such that souls are saved and walk in the light or move with a consciousness of results. And whereas the kings of the earth formerly upheld the old system, they now conform to the new and faithful to their integrity participate in the honors. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. (Rev. 21. 25.) Prices are so maintained that access to the market is at all times open; and because the products of the market maintain the race from season to season, there is no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. (Rev. 21.26.) The general spirit of that age in unselfish honor. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they that are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Rev. 21. 27.) 403 TWENTY-SECOND CHAPTER And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Rev. 22. I.) A RIVER of life, a return current freed from all political and economic corruption, moving ma- jestically out from the seat of government, both of God and the race, or price determination. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruits every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Rev. 22. 2.) } In the midst of the course of the exchange the tree of life grew, and laden with its twelve varieties of fruit, its branches are extended with abundance for those who are engaged either in production on one side or distribution on the other. The monthly yield of fruit refers to the monthly pay roll, and the heal- ing properties of the leaves to the protection and nourishment afforded by which all wounds and dis- eases that pertain to public exchange are healed. And there shall be no more curse : but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (Rev. 22.3.) The curse of labor is that they who are sent forth to till the soil cannot determine when they have re- ceived a fair measure of its benefits, because those 404 THE NEW JERUSALEM whom they serve have a personal interest in defraud- ing them, as a consequence of which business matters are kept concealed. But when all service is rendered to God and to the race, and there prevails a public consciousness that justice is being dealt to every man, the forces of labor and commerce cannot then evade the obligations of service; his servants shall serve him. And they shall see his face ; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (Rev. 22.4.) The moral attitude of the industrial cycle will not be on the quarter as in the thousand years of the mil- lennium age ; but of such propensity that the full light of spiritual and intellectual advancement will be re- flected as of the sun at noonday. And they shall have the knowledge that God is a personal being, and they shall know Who He is. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun ; for the Lord God giveth them light ; and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 22. 5.) And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true : and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. (Rev. 22.6.) Behold, I come quickly : blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Rev. 22. 7.) And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. (Rev. 22.8.) Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not : for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which 405 l THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY keep the sayings of this book : worship God. (Rev. 22. 9.) And he saith unto me, Seal not the say- ings of the prophecy of this book : for the time is at hand. (Rev. 22. 10.) He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still : and he that is righteous, let him be righteous . still : and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (Rev. 22. 11.) And behold, I come quickly ; and my re- ward is with me, to give every man ac- cording AS HIS WORK SHALE BE. (Rev. 22. 12.) Jesus sets the good over against the evil and says that the difference between the two spirits of light and darkness are a matter of moral fiber. Every man may will to become obedient either to the constructive principle or to the destructive principle. But he speaks of an inflexible law that no man can travel down- grade and reach the top of the hill. For as the light travels quickly, Jesus, Who has identified Himself with the light, comes with His inseparable reward. Every man, by his work, prepares his own reward which, when the light appears, he shall receive. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (Rev. 22. 13.) By His inseparable reward Jesus Christ becomes the pivotal figure of all regenerative cycles of race life. Blessed are they that do his command- ments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Rev. 22. 14.) Those who render a willing service, and of their own free choice co-operate in the discharge of the obli- gations common to the race, may have right to the 406 THE NEW JERUSALEM tree of life, and may enter into every blessing which the market affords. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idola- ters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Rev. 22. 15.) Without are dogs, whose instincts are as the brute creation; and sorcerers, for sorcery confuses the hu- man mind, and obscures God's face, so that man wan- ders away and is lost in sin. Without are whore- mongers, who refuse to be pillars of support in the structure beautiful, or who attempt to build on the lines of the eternal triangle, for God's law eliminates the third point of the triangle. Marriage is sacred, and those who desecrate its sanctity shall not par- ticipate in the benefits of the market to the measure of their services. Those who practice these vices shall be subject to segregation and shall not perpetuate their kind. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring oi David, and the bright and morning star. (Rev. 22. 16.) Which is to say, "I personify the race ; and I secure my promise." And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whoso- ever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev. 22. 17.) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are writ- ten in this book. (Rev. 22. 18.) And if any man shall take away from the "words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part, out of the book of 407 THE SCIENCE OE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Rev. 22. 19.) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly: Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Rev. 22.20.) The grace of our L/ord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Rev. 22.21.) 408 TWENTY-THIRD CHAPTER The Author's Note DEAR READER— The artifice to which the au- thor has thus far resorted in the composition of this work must now be drawn aside ; for be- ing as thin as the veil of the counter-balanced door, but possibly bearing no resemblance to it, in that it has not, I fear, successfully concealed what lies be- hind, it is very probably you have known the truth. And so, in relating the true circumstances of why I have undertaken to do this work, I bid adieu to him who has so graciously assisted me through all the tedious hours, days, and years in which I have dili- gently labored, all the while earnestly desiring and striving to express the contents of this work in terms worthy of the subject to which I have felt called to put hand and heart, in the hope that many might profit thereby. And as the circumstances are so closely related with the facts of my own life that they have become one and inseparable, I trust that this personal reference will not detract from their worth. I was born in Afton, Iowa, a small village 'in the southwestern part of that state, December 8, 1869. When I had reached the age of twelve years my par- ents removed from there to the State of Washington, and I, being one of seven children, accompanied them thence "to grow up with the country," and bear out a common expression of the day. My parents were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. My mother, in particular, being a very earnest Christian and zealous in the faith, was care- ful to impress her children deeply with all that she believed and felt. Consequently at the early age of fifteen I experienced that change which Christians call conversion, and there has never been any doubt 409 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY in my mind as to the genuineness of that experience. About a year after my conversion I became impressed that I was called to the ministry. I heard that voice — that still, small voice so characteristic of the Christian profession— speaking to me and saying, "Your busi- ness in this world is to proclaim the gospel." Being very young and unprepared both in experience and education, as I felt, I attempted to reason it away, for God would not ask an impossible thing. But the more I reasoned negatively the more emphatic became the call, until it was no longer a request, but a command. I became so annoyed by it that I felt like running away, but could not, and I said nothing to anyone about it. But at last, one day I was in the orchard alone when the call came more urgent than ever; so I kneeled in prayer and told God that if He would educate me and prepare me for the duties He required of me then I would speak the words that He gave me to speak. And after that when the call came as it did, I hid behind that promise, and finally there came a sense of relief. But at the time when first I made the promise and as I still knelt, it seemed to me that my whole life opened up before me as though I might be looking down a path and the events of my life appeared on that path in their chronological order. Those cir- cumstances which affected my interests favorably or to myj advantage were set in light, while the adverse circumstances appeared like clouds or dark shadows. And finally after a certain period of years, during which the shadows of adversity were interspersed with seasons of sunshine, I saw as though the path was obstructed by and ended in a great, bright light as of a rising sun. Now while it is true that these events were so impressed upon my mind that I never forgot them, at the time in which I received the im- pressions they did not take hold of my mind with any degree of confidence; I did not believe them; I thought that they were probably imaginary. But as time went by and one event after another, at their appointed time, actually occurred, I accepted them as 410 THE AUTHOR'S NOTE circumstances constantly intruding upon my attention without any idea that there was any conscious pur- pose back of it. I did not know that God was by that means fulfilling His part of the contract, nor did I ever give it a thought. It was about this time that I had a dream one night — if such could be called a dream — which made a lasting impression on my mind and fitted in with the circumstances related above. I dreamed that I was on one of the streets of the city of Tacoma, when I looked off to the west and saw black clouds arising which looked very threatening and indicated that a bad storm was approaching, something unheard of in that country. At last when it struck the city the wind blew furiously and the clouds rolled and tumbled over the ground. I was trying to get home, but the wind took me off the sidewalk ; and all the time as I looked down to the ground trying to find my way there was a light playing about my feet like the reflection of a mirror; it was not a steady, even light, for it seemed that someone held the glass and constantly changed it so that its light fell always about my feet. And then there stood before me a person — I would not say that he was an angel, although he was of the stature and bearing such as one would imagine an angel to be. And referring to the vision, he said, "Now that is the way your life will be all your life long," with decided emphasis on the last four words. "No mat- ter how dark the sky may be overhead, your heavenly Father will always cast a. light about your feet." This did not mean, as I afterwards understood, that my life would be any more clouded than most people's^ but that when the shadows did fall, as they will some time in everybody's life, then this light would always be there to guide me. At the time I did not know at all what was meant by the reflection of the mir- ror, or that it was anything more than a very unusual dream; and though I thought about it, for the cir- cumstance was such that I could not 'help thinking about it, it was not with settled confidence. But as time went by and these events which I had 411 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY seen and which had been presented to me with such assurance began to take place in their respective time and order, I began to understand what was meant by this light about my feet, for just before any sched- uled event was to take place, I would always dream a peculiar, figurative dream which, when the ap- pointed time arrived, would so exactly fit the condi- tions that I would always exclaim with surprise, "Why I dreamed that!" And it was a fact that the greater the dream, the greater was the event which it foreshadowed, and the farther apart were they re- moved the one from the other in time. Between the dream and the occurrence of the trivial circumstances there would only be a day or two, or possibly a week ; but with the important events there would intervene corresponding periods of time. And it is strange, but it is a fact, that I was always able to pick out that time, but though study the dream as I might I never could quite interpret the dream accurately. The peculiarly figurative manner in which the dream was presented always left an element of doubt in my mind which, while it held my attention until the circumstance took place > it prevented me from indulging in irrational speculation. I never could be- lieve that the dream was the pictorial presentation of a future event until the dream was fulfilled, when it was made so clear to me that all doubt vanished. "O well," I would say, "it is only a dream ; there may be nothing in it; I will wait and see." But when the time arrived and I clearly saw every minor detail worked into the circumstance with astonishing ac- curacy, and sometimes with even amusing results, I was repeatedly compelled to acknowledge that those were the circumstances of which I had dreamed. Then because the future events of my life were shown to me in their chronological order, being sta- tioned at certain intervals removed one from the other, I was by that means always able to locate my- self and to tell in a way what was before me ; I could not have spoken positively what the events were to be, but I always knew by the influence and effect or 412 THE AUTHOR'S NOTE the sensation that the dream produced in my mind whether they were to be favorable or otherwise and to what degree, whether trivial or important. And so it was not this way once or twice, but over and over, times without number ; in fact, my whole life was a constant testimony that the things which I saw always before me were not imaginary, but real. And in time there came that change which I had seen so clearly was surely coming to me. Never will I forget the dream I had about a month before this crisis ; there are circumstances in connection with it which I have never mentioned to any living person; strange things happened of which I never speak. There were some circumstances which I did not at all understand at the time, nor for years afterwards, but which, when I came to understand, literally de- stroyed every vestage of doubt and left my duty clear before me; I must, I must speak the words that God gave me to speak. I dreamed of being aboard an ocean vessel and of passing through all the harrowing details of a ship- wreck ; and amidst the storm that overwhelmed us the vessel parted in the middle and went down; and as I struggled in the water, the lightning playing about me, I heard the peal of thunder above the roar of the waves and I was caught upon the crest of a wave and cast onto the seashore. It seemed again to me that several days elapsed; I was taking dinner with quite a company of people who escaped the wreck, when someone came and said that a vessel had weighed anchor nearby and would take us all aboard. I hur- ried down to the shore to find there an old, old vessel, with weatherbeaten sides, but entirely seaworthy. We all went aboard and sailed away on an ocean as smooth and clear as glass, and I thought we were homeward bound. There the dream ended, but sev- eral years afterwards, when prosperity had come my way, I dreamed several times of being on board this same vessel and of sailing into the harbor, "my ship was coming in." I was not able at the time the dream came to give an accurate interpretation of it, but I 413 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY knew by the immensity of the dream that I was to pass through very unusual circumstances of a very trying nature, and that afterwards there was coming a change and my life would be as a smooth and clear sea. Also I was able to pick out the time, but I had no idea what would cause the situation. But at the appointed time that dream was fulfilled; there was neither jot nor tittle omitted ; there was no false line ; that dream was fulfilled in every minor detail. And as I followed and read with intense interest the repro- duction of this remarkable vision, written into my memory by the keen edge of a living experience, I heard the thunder roll, I saw the lightning flash, out from the topmost heights of the canopy of heaven it flashed forth, out of the very throne of God, it seemed to me, and I was prostrated by its awful power. And yet I know, with all my heart, that but for this cir- cumstance of my life, that everlasting gospel which I have the honor to proclaim, never would have been given to me ; and that it was intended to be so, I know also, because those circumstances came to me just at that time in life and worked out that change which I had seen was inevitable. And so in the course of events I arrived at last at what might be termed my destination, where this path down which I traveled was merged into the great, bright light which I saw always before me. And like every other fact which I had seen, it came to me at the appointed time, and it was by means of this that it became possible for me to recognize this important event as that which was destined to' be. As I saw it, there was to be a preceding period of ten years' darkness ; looking into the future I clearly foresaw this period of time, at the end of which there would appear that rising sun with which the dark- ness would be dispelled. I knew previously when this darkness was to set in, but like the light of day may fade imperceptibly into the evening shadows I was not sensitively conscious of what was transpiring; but the exact time I now estimate from the follow- ing circumstance : 414 THE AUTHOR'S NOTE I took, up my Bible one day and, looking through the Revelation, began reading from the twelfth chap- ter. I had never made any special study of this book, but this day as I read, "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars," and pausing, I heard a voice be- hind me distinctly say, "This woman is you." And though somewhat startled, so much that I never for- got the incident, I dismissed it from my mind; and if it had not been for the subsequent circumstances of my life I never would have thought of it again. But in the light of all that has come to me and all that I have come to understand through that book, that which at first I attributed to imagination I have come to accept as within the probabilities: for this woman is the Christian after her light has come ; this is labor bringing forth her fruits ; and that she might be more fully personified in me I make my appeal. "O God!" in the earnestness of my heart I cry, "Why hast Thou put this burden upon me?" For God only knows how I have turned this subject in every light of which it is capable that I might shirk this responsibility. But when from out of the uncer- tain mists of my country's future, the hands of gen- erations yet unborn, who in the very nature of our present order are doomed to a still birth, these infant hands so powerless to command their hereditary en- vironment are lifted to me, appealing for a place and an opportunity in the arena of life, I brush aside per- sonal consideration and decide to Speak The Words That God Has Given Me To Speak. O my country, awake from your lethargy and fulfill the destiny as proposed 'by the founders of this Republic and make this government of, by, and for the people indeed! Now that day as I went on and read chapter after chapter I became interested, and that which awak- ened my interest in the book was that peculiar fig- urative expression of thought so like my dreams ; and as I laid the book aside I said, "There is a deep, hid- den meaning in the Revelation that the world little 415 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY mistrusts," and I became fired with a desire to know what that book meant. It was then that I began the study of the Revela- tion ; and also about this time that I became interested in the study of political economy. I read a few books on the subject, but the duties of life were such that I had little time to devote to books. And so as I went about my everyday business, I sometimes thought on the one subject and sometimes on the other, but never with any idea that there was any relation between the two, for Americans do not mix politics with religion. The study was .not intense, but occupied my thought as a matter of habit on the first subject and from ob- servation on the latter subject. By this means every part of the Revelation became familiar to me so that I could turn to any passage in it, and much I could recite from memory. And though not knowing it at the time, this knowledge of the book proved quite an advantage to me in the circumstance I am about to relate. It was in the fall of 1900 that there appeared to me in one of those characteristic visions a great iron bolt or rod. When I first saw it, it hung suspended in the heavens like a mighty scepter, and as I looked it presently began to sway. It swung back and forth across the heavens like the pendulum of a clock, and so great was its size that it reached clear across the heavens from one extremity to the other; and an awful feeling of fear fell upon all those who saw it. If a foreign body were approaching the earth and should come so close that it was visible to the naked eye, and there were a question as to whether it were going to strike and wipe us all out of existence, it is needless to say that there would be considerable agi- tation in the minds of the spectators : and so I dreamed that someone in our company exclaimed^ "Look! Look! If that thing should fall somebody would get hurt \" And with these words I heard an awful grat- ing, grinding, crashing noise ; and saw the wires which, running to every part of the heavens, sup- porting the rod at the center of the zenith, torn vio- 4T6 THE AUTHOR'S NOTE lently loose on one side, allowing it to sag in the op- posite direction so that it hung almost horizontally across the heavens, and in this position swung clear around, circling the heavens. I knew by the im- mensity of the dream the subsequent circumstance it prefigured was correspondingly great; and yet how could I ever believe that such a dream as that could possibly be fulfilled? Surely it could have been noth- ing but a dream. But when the Revelation was made clear to me and I came to understand what is meant by the "great iron rod that shall rule all nations," I was obliged to acknowledge, as I had many, many times before, "There is my dream." And interpreting the dream I understand that the hour has struck, and that that momentous event for which the ages have been waiting at last has arrived. God's sign is in the sky; that the time has now come when the inflexible law of the equal exchange shall restore the reward to every man with impartial justice to all. There were three dreams of prodigious propor- tions which followed in succession and were of sim- ilar significance : the dream of the great iron rod, and two others. First, I dreamed that it was very early in the morning before it was yet day, and I had gone with a company of people out into a mountainous country, where we could see the outlines of the vari- ous mountain peaks all around us. We stood with our faces to the east, and as we looked a great open- ing suddenly appeared in the side of the mountain before which we stood. The opening was such that I recognized it as the tomb of Jesus after the stone had been rolled away. In this open space there could be seen the gray light of the early dawn. Then in this light there appeared a round, golden ball, as of the morning sun, and presently there came another sun exactly like the first; these two suns stood apart from each other some little space, and as I looked they moved quickly toward each other and eclipsed, then separated, and again repeated the attack. Three times did this occur; then suddenly one of these spheres shot downward, followed immediately after- 417 THE SCIENCE OF CHRISTIAN ECONOMY wards by the other, both disappearing. I did not know then that the sun symbolized national govern- ment, but with this knowledge the dream is inter- preted to signify that in the light of the resurrection morn those nations which contend against each other for place and position shall fall and sink into oblivion. In the second of these wonderfully impressive dreams I thought that I was in hell ; I had not at that time formed the slightest conception of the meaning of the bottomless pit nor that hell, which, according to Christ's interpretation as given in the Revelation, signifies the mold and decay, the dissolution of the ages. But I dreamed that the soil in that region was a very rich, black loam, excessively fertile, and that out of this soil mighty trees were growing which, while their roots sunk deep into the earth, their bows had reached into heaven, indicating the fulness of time in which all prophecy shall be realized. The eager expectancy which took possession of my mind upon receiving these most marvelous dreams may well be understood. The appointed time for which I must await their interpretation was to be three years later, or the winter of 1903-4. As usual, I was able to pick out the time which corresponded with the same time at which this great bright light should appear. I had not the slightest intimation that the great bright light had any reference to the solu- tion of those two problems which had occupied my mind for so long or that the solution of one involved that of the other. And so in the course of the fall of 1903, as the time drew near when I knew that the great bright light should appear, I heard a voice speak- ing to me and saying, "Be still and God will show you His glory; be still and God will show you His glory." And so with senses alert and ear intent I listened. And when the time had fully come I said, "The time has come now, what is it?" And. then I heard these words: "Liberty is the golden crown of life which God has promised to him that overcom- eth." And during that winter and the following spring in the space of about five months the Book 418 THE AUTHOR'S NOTE of the Revelation was opened to my understanding, in the light and sense in which it has been interpreted in this work. Therefore, according to my understand- ing, the winter of 1903-4 was the time at which the millennium age was ushered in. The book contained many knotty problems which, it seemed, sometimes never could be unraveled ; but many times when I had almost despaired of reach- ing satisfactory conclusions on certain points which had claimed my attention, there would come a feel- ing of elation, and I learned to recognize by this sen- sation as of having received good news, that the solu- tion would come clear, to my entire satisfaction. I recall when I was thinking about the number, 666, I asked myself how I could possibly discover that number. I guessed there was where I would have to give up, for it would take more wisdom and under- standing than I had to count the number of the beast. But when there came that elation, of spirit which so many times preceded the unfolding of a complicated point, I said that if I received understanding of that number I would thereby recognize this great bright light as the revelation to me of the Revelation by which means I was clothed in the light. And the answer did come, to my utter amazement. And when- ever a point in the book was once made clear to me it never became confused in my mind again. And it has been that while I have been engaged in the writing of this work I have found that it is some- thing quite different to know a thing from to be able to express an idea in appropriate language; so that in those intense moments necessary to concentrated thought, if I have been able to catch that faint whis- per, imperceptible only through spiritual senses, and coming from I do not know whence, it invariably proved the correct form in which to express the thought with which I labored. Some would claim inspiration, but I declare that it came to me out of the "atmosphere." In conclusion, there are a few recollections which occur to me that may be of interest in this connection. 419 THE SCIENCE OE CHRISTIAN ECONOMY At the time that I received this interpretation of the Revelation, I received some impressions which were afterwards substantiated by facts and which became evidence to me that I had been subjected to intelligent forces beyond myself. For example, I believed that if I had the right interpretation of the Revelation it will be corroborated by the Mosaic Law. I had never made a study of the Mosaic Law, as there was some- thing about its endless repetitions that made it so tedious to read I had never understood it; but later it became intensely interesting. And the wonder to me has been that I could have understood the Reve- lation without some insight into the Mosaic Law, for so much do they depend one upon the other that they are as two limbs of the same body. Another example which is only one of the many that might be mentioned was that of the Euphrates River. I said that if this interpretation was correct then it must be that the Euphrates River was at one time an important commercial thoroughfare, a fact I afterwards found verified in history. And so God did educate me and prepare me, and I did not realize it until the thing was done ; and then He showed me the mystery not only of the Revela- tion, but of my own life, and confronted me with my promise, the obligation of which is hereby discharged. September, 1919. 420 INDEX Aaron, 74, 77, 90-1, 100-1, 279. Abaddon, 280. Abraham, 66-7, 72. Antipater, 138. Apollo, 282-3. Apollyon, 280. Ark of the testimony, 74, 86, 92-3, 124, 187-8, 265, 300. (Temple of tabernacle). Hidden manna, 74, 187-8. Atonement, Law of, 83-4, 90-7, 99-103, 113, 265. (Mosaic Law.) Babylon, 129-32, 331, 363-4, 368, 375-8. (Scarlet woman.) (Red heifer.) Ball of fire, or golden ball, 24, 37, 43-4.' (Central room.) Banquet table, 33-5, 74, 154, 175. (Golden table.) (Central room.) Beast out of the earth, 319-21. likeness of, 319-20. two horns of, 319-20. power of, 320-1. Beast out of the sea, 319-26, 332, 340, 354, 357, 361, 369, 371-2, 374, 386, 389. (Dragon.) seven heads of, 305, 315, 366, 369. (Seven heads of industry.) ten horns of, 59, 315, 366, 369, 372, 399, 404. (Necessities of life.) ten crowns of, 59, 315. (Necessities of life.) power of, 316-22. likeness of, 316. seat of, 316-17, 360. (Price control.) wounded head of, 317, 321, 324. image of, 322, 332, 354, 357, 389. mark of, 324, 327, 332, 346, 357, 389. (Medium of exchange.) Belshazzar, 132. Bottomless Pit, The, 31, 40, 44, 274, 294, 369, 393, 418. (West wing.) smoke of, 40, 276, 281, 333, 382, 388. Booths, 112, 115, 345. Brazen altar, 33, 40, 73, 79, 92, 98, 102, 169, 191, 211, 213, 246, 251, 276, 291, 359. (Temple of tabernacle.) (Winepress.) (Wholesale store.) horns of, 73, 87. Brazen bowl, 32, 45, 79, 85, 98, 102. (North wing.) (Brazen altar.) (Wholesale store.) Breastplate, 77, 279, 281. (Temple of tabernacle.) Burnt offering, 79, 100, 105, 171, 242. (Mosaic Law.) Caesar, Julius, 136. Central clearing house, 341, 347, 351. Central room, 24, 33, 153. ■ The fountain, 33, 45, 76, 122, 153, 171, 232, 234, 242, 262, 313, 331, 358, 370, 378, 394, 405. (Water of life.) The tower, 24-5, 33, 37, 153. The golden banquet table, 33-5, 74, 154, 175. Floral wreath, 34, 44, 176- 217, 22, 278, 30l, 303. Twelve varieties of flowers. (Twelve promises.) (Crown of twelve stars.) (Golden crown of life.) (Liberty.) Wine cup, 32, 35, 331, 340. Wine poured out without mixture, 32, 35, 153, 332, 363, 375. The golden candlestick, 37, 43, 73, 153, 167, 289. (Golden chest.) The lighter, 37, 43, 47. The golden ball, 24, 36, 43, 421 INDEX Central room. — Continued. The golden counter, 38, 39, 42, 73, 82, 86, 92, 98, 153, 265, 280, 305, 356. (Golden altar.) (Incense altar.) (Perfume of flowers.) (Retail counter.) horns of, 38, 39, 73, 86, 92, 280. system of wires, 38, 40, 43. two edged sword, 39, 44, 156, 173, 212, 335, 338, 386. sword of one edge, 39. Chain of seven links, 29, 32, 80, 86, 99, 108-11, 122, 192, 302, 304, 305, 315, 324, 333, 336, 344, 368, 373, 388. (East wing.) (South wing.) (Implements of produc- tion.) (Wealth of nations.) Cherubims above mercy seat, 73. (Marriage contract.) Christ, Jesus, 138-149, 155, 209, 286. first costume of, 166-174, 285, 289. second costume of, 285-6. first coming of, 138-149, 211, 289, 292. second coming of, 142, 165, 205, 285, 289, 292. divinity of, 161-163, 286. Churches of Asia, 166-217. Ephesus, 176-180. Smyrna, 180-184. Pergamos, 184-190. Thyatira, 190-199. Sardis, 200-203. Philadelphia, 203-209. Laodicea, 209-217. City divided into three parts, 363. (Three parties to con- tract.) Classification of goods, 349. Cloud, The,' 91-4, 76, 208, 285, 334. (Mercy seat.) Commercial paper, 323, 325, 351. Continuity of life, 57, 161-2. Costume compartments, 41, 45, 166, 220, 369. . (West wing.) The costumes, 166-174, 285, 289, 369. Counter-balanced door, 41, 153. (West wing.) (Temple of tabernacle.) veil of, 42, 73, 91, 94. Court of the Gentiles, 290, 399. (Outer court.) Creation, The, 49-57, 331. Crown of twelve stars, 34, 45, 176-217, 222, 278, 302, 304. (Floral wreath.) (Twelve promises.) (Golden crown of life.) (Liberty.) Crowns upon the seven heads, 301-304, 316. (Dragon.) Crowns upon the ten horns, 31, 315-16. (Beast out of the sea.) Crystal Palace, 19-48, 23, 48, 149-155, 176. Cultivated estate, 59, 110, 118, 121, 127, 297, 306, 310, 322. Cup of abominations, 367. (Medium of exchange.) (Gold.) Cyrus the Great, 131. Darwin, 177, 193, 293. Deception that has deceived the whole earth, 44, 308, 322, 386. (Garden of Eden.) Dome, The, 23, 152. Double contract system, 39, 41- 45, 59, 110, 137, 165, 173 201, 212, 235, 347, 354, 356- 363, 367, 399. Double sacrifice, 37, 39, 78, 110, 332, 399. (Marriage contract.) (Oil and flour.) Dragon, The great red, 301, 309, 313, 316, 363, 369, 372, 387. (Brazen bowl.) (Brazen altar.) (Beast out of the sea.) seven heads of, 301. 315, 366, 369. (Beast out of the sea.) (Seven heads of industry.) seven crowns of, 301, 304. ten horns of, 59, 301, 315, 366, 369, 372, 399. (Necessities.) East wing, 29, 153. pictures of, 24. 422 INDEX East wing. — Continued. avenue of commerce, 30, 245, 294, 404. (Wholesale store.) (Retail counter.) river of commerce, 30, 31, 45, 130, 242, 248, 271, 358, 361, 404. (South wing.) (Euphrates.) winepress, 31, 40, 109, 338. (Brazen altar.) three decks of, 31, 99, 110, 316, 320, 324. (Monetary accumulation.) gold of, 31, 39, 44, 99, 211, 265, 278, 367, 401. (Medium of exchange.) crusher of, 31. (Price control.) knives, 31. (Necessities.) Chain of seven links, 29, 32, 80, 86, 99, 108-111, 122, 192, 302, 304, 305, 315, 324, 333, 336, 344, 368, 373, 388. (South wing.) (Implements of produc- tion.) (Seven heads of industry.) (Wealth of nations.) fruits of wine- vat, 32. (Necessities.) Egypt, land of bondage, 67, 104, 106, 111, 127, 243, 294, 353. Elders, four and twenty, 216, 219, 225, 228, 230, 233, 236, 299, 352, 382, 399. Equal exchange, Law of, 36, 75, 79, 98, 103, 111, 117, 148, 154, 198, 231, 245, 248, 307, 339, 342, 384, 402, 406. (Mosaic Law.) (Reward equal to sacri- fice.) (Iron rod.) Euphrates river, 130, 361, 420. (River of commerce.) (East wing.) (South wing.) Evolution, 52, 207. Famine in Egypt, 68. Fat and blood, 80, 88, 95, 99, 338. (Mosaic Law.) (Forbidden fruit.) (Implements of produc- tion.) Father's name in their foreheads, 327, 347. Feasts of the Lord, 104-17. (Mosaic Law.) Sabbath, 104. Pentecost or weeks, 105-111, 113, 264. Tabernacles, 111, 264. Passover, 104. First death, The, 57, 79, 133, 250, 312, 357, 388. (Brazen altar.) Fixed retail prices, 350. Floral wreath, 34, 43, 176-217, 222, 278, 301, 303. ' (Central room.) (Twelve promises.) (Crown of twelve stars.) (Golden crown of life.) (Liberty.) Forbidden fruit, 31. 35, 59, 103, 306, 369, 379. (Fat and blood.) (Implements of produc- tion.) (Wine poured out without mixture.) Forty and two months, 291, 295, 308, 318, 419. (Three years and a half.) (Three days and a half.) (One thousand — days.) Fountain of water of life, 33, 45, 76, 122, 153, 170, 231, 234, 242, 262, 314, 331, 358, 370, 378, 394, 408. (Central room.) Four beasts, 221, 230, 233, 236, 356, 382, 399. First beast, 25, 223, 237. Second beast, 26, 223, 239. Third beast, 26, 223, 241. Fourth beast, 27, 223, 246, 249. Four parties in race regeneration. 87, 258. Garden of Eden, 47, 58-62, 183, 258, 306, 369, 397, 405. Gates, The seven, 25, 37, 42, 45, 200, 220. Gold, 31, 40, 44, 100, 211, 265, 278, 367, 401. (Medium of exchange.) (East wing.) Golden altar, 38, 39, 42, 74, 82, 93, 98, 153, 264, 281, 306, 356. (Golden counter.) (Incense altar.) 423 INDEX Golden altar. — Continued. (Perfume of flowers.) (Retail counter.) horns of, 38, 39, 74, 92, 95, 281. Golden candlestick, 37, 42, 74, 153, 166, 289. (Central room.) lighter of, 37, 43, 47. Golden chest, 42, 43, 150, 153. (West wing.) Stag's head, 42, 153. Telescopes, 42, 45, 191. The key, 43, 60, 153, 107, 197. The lighter, 37, 43, 47. Golden counter, 38, 39, 42, 74, 82, 86, 93, 98, 153, 264, 281, 306, 356. (Golden altar.) (Incense altar.) (Perfume of flowers.) (Retail counter.) horns of, 38, 39, 74, 86, 92, 281. Golden crown of life, 34, 45, 176- 217, 222, 278, 301, 303. (Central room.) (Twelve promises.) (Crown of twelve stars.) (Floral wreath.) (Liberty.) Golden table, 33, 74, 153; 176. (Banquet table.) (Central room.) Harmonious action, the l^w of the exchange, 27, 201, 226, 242. Herod Antipas, 138. Herod the Great, 138. Horns, The ten, 50, 301, 315, 369, 372, 399. (Dragon.) (Beast out of the sea.) Hyacinthus, 282. Hyacinthus or jacinth, 282. Implements of production, 29, 32, 80, 86, 99, 108-11, 122, 192, 302, 304, 305, 315, 324, 333, 336, 344, 368, 373, 388. (Chain of seven links.) (East wing.) (South wing.) (Seven heads of industry.) (Wealth of nations.) Incense altar, 38, 39, 42, 74, 82, 86, 93, 98, 153, 264, 281, 306, 356. (Perfume of flowers.) (Retail counter,) Incense altar. — Continued. (Golden altar.) (Golden counter.) horns of, 38, 39, 74, 86, 92, 281. Inland sea, 21, 23, 47, 221, 254, 401. (Sea of glass.) Inner court, 73, 399. (Mosaic Law, Holy place.) Interdependency, 89, 192, 214, 228, 235, 242, 401. Investment, 108, 121, 273, 306, 322, 335, 339, 359, 364, 370, 386. Iron rod, 32, 45, 198, 299, 307, 384, 316. (North wing.) (Equalization.) Israelitish History, 66-9, 243, 264. Jacinth or hyacinth, 288. Jacob, 67. Jasper and sardine stone, 218, 260, 390, 397, 401. Joseph, 67, 74, 81, 243. Jupiter, 63-5. His proposal, 63. His imposter, 64. Number 6, 6, 6. 46, 65, 165, 325, 399. Lake of fire, 40, 99^ 282, 286, 392, - 395. (West wing.) (Second death.) Last Supper, 146, 339. Law of equalization, or equal ex- change, 36, 76, 79, 89, 103, 112, 11J, 148, 154, 198, 231, 245, 248, 283, 307, 339, 342, 402, 406. (Mosaic Law.) (Reward equal to sacri- fice.) Levites, first born, 76, 126, 184, 286. (Mosaic Law.) (Mercantile class.) Liberty, 34, 45, 78, 99, 111, 118, 127, 181, 206, 209, 275, 278, 281, 283, 300, 302, 310, 326, 353, 355, 379, 384, 400. Life, 99, 176-81, 221, 275, 302, 400. Lion of the tribe of Juda, Root of David, 228, 408. Little book, 286, 280. Locust, 130, 276, 4 2 4 INDEX Malthusian theory, 199. 293, 296. Manna hidden, 75, 187. Mark, The, 249, 255, 324, 327, 332, 333, 357, 388. in the right hand. (Medium of exchange.) Marriage contract, 39, 83, 86, 90, 93, 95, 101, 107, 155, 158, 195, 266, 278, 287, 305, 327, 331, 340, 383, 391, 395, 407. Medium of exchange, 108, 110. 123, 211, 244, 248, 265, 268, 270, 274, 303, 306, 311, 321- 27, 332, 342, 346, 353, 354, 357, 359, 368, 390. (Seven heads of industry.) (Father's name . . .) (Mark in the right hand, • • •) (Cup of abominations.) Gold, 31, 40, 44, 100, 211, 265, 278, 367, 401. (East wing.) (Winepress.) Mercantile class, 90, 98, 106-10, 120, 274, 279, 283, 396, 289, 304, 311, 321-26, 332, 340, 344, 348, 365, 369, 372, 375, 378. Mercy seat, 74, 92, 96, 208. (Temple of tabernacle.) the cloud above, 76, 92, 94, 208, 285, 334. Midst, in the market, 59, 105, 123-27, 177, 230, 241, 307, 330, 374, 405. Monetary accumulation, 29, 95, 98, 106, 118, 121, 274, 284, 289, 294, 302, 306, 315, 319- 27, 322, 339, 343, 357. 361, 364-69, 374, 378, 386. (Winepress.) (Three decks of.) Price control, 60, 170, 150, 159, 184, 219, 239, 243, 274, 294, 304-17, 320-4, 334, 343, 352, 361, 358, 387, 397, 402. Commercial power, 107, 109, 316, 320, 324, 354, 362, 372; 386. Commercial supremacy, 107, 109, 324, 329, 339, 354. Moon, 43, 254, 273, 301, 403. Mosaic Law, 70-128, 137, 140, 177, 187, 190, 230, 293, 329, 364, 420. Sign of the law, 71, 353. Mosaic Law. — Continued. Law of equal exchange, 36, 76, 79, 89, 103, H2, 117, 148, 154, 198, 231, 245, 248, 307, 339, 342, 384, 402, 406. (Reward equal to sacri- fice.) Manner of sacrifice, 77. Law of burnt offering, 78, 99, 104, 106, 170, 241. Oil and flour, 78, 104, 332. (Double sacrifice.) (Marriage contract.) Law of peace offering, 80, 106, 170. Fat and blood, 80, 88, 95, 99, 339. (Forbidden fruit.) (Implements of produc- tion.) Law of sin offering, 81-96, 106, 170, 339, 370. Law of trespass offering, 89. Law of atonement, 83, 90, 99, 111, 264. Mingling of the blood seven times on the altar, 92, 96, 97. Meat offering, 78, 105. Feast of sabbath, 103. Feast of passover, 104. Feast of pentecost or weeks, 105, 112, 264. Feast of tabernacles, 112, 264. The release, 114, 189, 304, 379. (Liberty.) Law of Usury, 117. (Investment.) Law of redemption, 117, 148, 203, 212, 231, 234, 253, 289, 297, 302, 306, 311, 316, 328, 336, 367, 378, 384, 390, 379, 401. Water of separation. 119, 377. Red heifer, 119, 129, 377. Order of tribes, 125, 229, 260. Levites, First born, 76, 125, 184, 286. (Mercantile class.) Moses, 71, 187, 291, 355. Morning Star, 199, 213, 408. Nebuchadnezzar, 129. Necessities of life, 59, 279, 302, 316, 336, 372, 379, 388, 397, 405. (Winepress.) (Dragon.) (Beast out of sea.) New Jerusalem, 208, 391, 396. 425 INDEX N.orth wing, pictures of, 24. Circular opening, 31. brazen bowl, 31, 79, 85, 98, 102. (Brazen altar.) iron rod, 32, 45, 198, 299, 307, 384, 416. 9 (Equal exchange.) Number 144,000. 38, 165, 260, 327 330. Number 6, 6,6. 46, 65, 165, 325, 399. (Monetary accumulation.) (Three parties to con- tract.) Oil and flour, 78, 104, 332. (Mosaic Law.) (Double sacrifice.) (Marriage contract.) Olive trees, Two, 293. One thousand, two hundred, and three score days, 291, 295, 308, 318, 419. (Forty and two months.) (Three years and a half.) (Three days and a half.) Outer court, 290, 299. (Court of Gentiles.) Perfume of flowers, 94, 233, 283; 263, 333, 356. (Incense altar.) (Golden altar.) (Golden counter.) (Retail counter.) Pictures of East wing, 24. South wing, 24. North wing, 24. West wing, 24. Plagues, The seven last, 353, 356, 377, 396. Price control, 107, 150, 159, 184, 219, 230, 243, 274, 294, 304- 17, 320-24, 334, 343, 352, 358, 361, 387, 397, 402. (Monetary accumulation.) "Prince of the kings of the earth," 192. Promises, The twelve, 34, 45, 176-217, 222, 278, 301, 303. (Floral wreath.) (Central room.) (Crown of twelve stars.) \ (Golden crown of life.) (Liberty.) Life, 99, 176-81, 221, 275, 302, 400. Promises, etc. — Continued. Liberty, 34, 45, 78, 99, 111, 118, 127, 181, 206, 209, 275, 278, 281, 283, 300, 302, 310, 326, 353, 355, 379, 384, 400. Regeneration, 181. Individuality, 187. Justice, 197. Authority, 198. , Security, 199. Honor, 200. Reliability, 203. Knowledge, 207. Social recognition, 215. Supreme power, 216. Property rights, 96, 108, 121, 132, 279, 284, 317, 320-26, 328, 332, 335, 357, 359, 370, 381 386 Property sacrifice, 81, 92, 96, 114, 289, 386. (Law of sin offering.) (Law of atonement.) (Law of trespass offering.) Public debts, 346, 350, 379. Public improvements, 346, 350. Ransom price, 75, 99, 350. Redemption, Law of, 117, 148, 203, 212, 231, 234, 253, 289, 297, 302, 306, 311, 316, 328, 336, 367, 378, 379, 384, 390, 401. (Mosaic Law.) (Reward equal to sacrifice.) Red heifer, 119, 129, 377. (Scarlet woman.) Reed like a rod, 290. (Iron rod.) Release, The, 114, 189, 304, 379. (Liberty.) Resurrection, The, 388. Retail counter, 38, 45, 86, 88, 98, 213, 248, 265, 268, 275, 280, 294, 302, 306, 322, 325, 336, $39, 342, 346, 348, 356. (River, return current.) (Golden altar.) (Golden counter.) (Incense altar.) (Perfume of flowers.) Retail prices fixed, 350. Revelation, The, 161-408. Reward equal to sacrifice, 36, 76, 79, 98, 103, 112, 118, 148, 154, 198, 231, 245, 248, 307, 339, 342, 384, 402, 406. (Redemption.) (Iron rod.) 426 INDEX River of commerce, 30, 31, 45, 130, 242, 248, 258, 261, 271, 404. (East wing.) (South wing.) (Euphrates.) (River — return current.) River — the return current. (River of commerce.) Rome, 132-137, 146, 235, 276. Roman history, 132-137, 146, 235 276 Roman Law, 66, 132-137, 139, 231, 293, 327, 329. Sabbath, The, 58, 72, 75, 104. Satan, 60, 66, 141, 185, 204, 306, 309, 318, 324, 369, 387. Scape goat, 91, 100. Scarlet, 120, 367, 379. Scarlet woman, 119, 129, 365- 75, 381. Scorpion, 276, 279, 330. Sea of glass, 20, 23, 47, 151, 221, 354, 401. (Inland sea.) Sea wall, The, 21, 25, 66. Second cycle, 94, 101, 264, 308, 335, 340. Second death, 40, 99, 184, 282, 284, 294, 304, 319, 389, 391, 395. (Lake of fire.) Serpent, 59, 62, 283, 309, 313, 326, 369, 387. (Satan.) Seven gates, 25, 37, 42, 45, 200, 220, 227-57, 364-84. (Seven spirits of God.) (Seven lamps of fire.-i (Seven steps in economic cycle.) (Seven seals.) First gate, 25, 223, 225, 237. Second gate, 26, 151, 223, 225, 239 Third gate, 26, 223, 225, 239. Fourth gate, 27, 223, 225, 246. Fifth gate, 28, 251. Sixth gate, 28, 254. Seventh gate, 29, 263-85, 290. Seven heads of industry, 29, 32, 80, 86, 99, 108-11, 122, 192, 302, 304, 305, 315, 324, 333, 336, 344, 368, 373, 388. (Wealth of nations.) (Chain of seven links.) (Implements of produc- tion.) Seven heads, etc. — Continued. Land, 80, 111, 302, 361. Labor, 80, 261, 302. Implements of production, 80, 302. Means of transportation, 302. Medium of exchange, 108, 110, 123, 211, 244, 248, 265, 268, 270, 274, 303, 306, 311, 321- 27, 332, 342, 346, 353, 357, 359, 368, 390. Gold, 31, 40, 44, 100, 211, 265, 278, 367, 401. Wholesale store, 39, 79, 85, 98, 104, 168, 213, 268, 275, 294, 302, 207, 325, 336, 342, 348. (Brazen altar.) (Winepress.) (Brazen bowl.) Retail counter, 38, 45, 86, 88, 98, 213, 248, 265, 268, 275, 280, 294, 302, 306, 322, 325, 336, 339, 342, 346, 348, 356. (Golden altar.) (Golden counter.) (Incense altar.) (Perfume of flowers.) (River, return current.) Seven lamps of fire, 38, 43, 157, 200, 220-22, 227-57, 230, 232, 263. (Seven spirits of God.) (Seven gates.) (Seven seals.) (Seven steps in economic cycle.) Seven seals, 227-57, 264-84. (Seven gates.) (Seven lamps of fire.) First seal, 237. Second seal, 239. Third seal, 241. Fourth seal, 246. Fifth seal, 251. Sixth seal, 254. Seventh seal, 263-85. Seven spirits of God. (Seven lamps of fire.) Seven steps in economic cycle, 24-29, 37, 42, 45, 200, 220, 227-57, 264-84. (Seven gates of Crystal Palace.) (Seven seals.) (Seven lamps of fire.) Seven thunders, The, 287. Sign of the law, 71, 353. (Mosaic Law.) 427 INDEX Single contract system, 39, 40, 41, 137, 154, 165, 173, 185, 205, 235, 295, 327, 340-53, 396, 401. Sin offering, 81-96, 106, 170, 339, 370. (Property sacrifice.) (Mosaic Law.) Smoke of suppression, 41, 275, 282, 286, 333, 382. (Bottomless Pit.) (Second death.) Sorcery, 284, 380, 395, 407. Sounding of First angel, 267. Second angel, 269. Third angel, 270. Fourth angel, 271. Fifth angel, 273. Sixth angel, 281-98. Seventh angel, 298. South wing, pictures of, 24. fertile valley, 30. river of commerce, 30, 31, 45, 130, 242, 248, 258, 261, 271, 404. (East wing.) (Euphrates.) (River — return current.) great water wheel, 30, 271. chain of seven links. (Seven heads of industry.) Stars, The promises, 43, 171, 255, 302, 305. Supply and demand, 32, 244. Sword of double contract system. (Central room, sword of one edge.) Temple of God, 124, 290, 300, 318, 336, 363, 404. (Temple of tabernacle.) Temple of tabernacle, 73, 82, 355. Tabernacle of congregation, 73, 120. Holy of Holies, 73. The veil, 41, 73, 92, 95, 97. (Counterbalanced door.) The golden table, 33, 74, 153, 176. (Banquet table.) The golden incense altar, 38, 39, 42, 74, 82, 86, 93, 98, 153, 264, 281, 306, 356. (Golden counter.) The ark of the testimony, 74, 86, 92, 124, 187, 265, 300. Hidden Manna, 75, 187. Temple, etc. — Continued. The Brazen altar, 33, 40, 73-4, 79-81, 92, 98, 102, 169-70, 191, 211, 213, 246, 251, 276, 291, 359. (Wholesale altar.) (Winepress.) Horns of, 73, 87. The mercy seat, 74, 92, 96, 208. Cloud above mercy seat, 76, 92, 94, 208, 285, 334. Cherubims above mercy seat, 74. (Marriage contract.) The breast plate, 77, 279, 281. Three days and a half, 291, 295, 308, 318, 419. , (One thousand — days.) Three parties to contract, 268-73, 278, 281, 305, 325, 363, 398. Three years and a half. (Three days and a half.) Tower of Crystal Palace, 23-4, 33, 37, 153. (Central room.) Tree of knowledge of good and evil, 47, 59, 307. Tree of life, 59, 62, 178, 302, 397, 399, 405, 407. Trespass offering, 89. (Mosaic Law.) Twelve or ten necessities of life. 59, 279, 302, 316, 336, 372, 379, 388, 397, 405. (Winepress.) (Beast out of sea.) (Dragon.) Two edged sword, 39, 44, 155, 173, 212, 334, 337, 384. (Central room.) (Single contract system.) (Price control.) Unity, 90, 99, 107, 218, 225, 234, 257, 260, 290, 401. (Jasper and sardine stone.) Veil, The, 41, 73, 92, 95, 97. (Temple of tabernacle.) (Counterbalanced door.) Vials, Seven golden, 356-65, 396. first vial, 357. second vial, 357. third vial, 358. fourth vial, 359. fifth vial, 360. sixth vial, 360. seventh vial, 363. 428 INDEX Water of life, 34, 45, 76, 122, 153, 170, 231, 234, 242, 262, 314, 331, 358, 370, 378, 408. (Fountain of water of life.) Water of Separation, 119, 377. (Mosaic Law.) Wealth of nations, 29, 32, 80, 86, 99, 108-11, 122, 192, 302, 304, 305, 315, 324, 333, 336, 344, 368, 373, 388. (Seven heads of industry.) (Implements of produc- tion.) (Chain of seven links.) West wing, pictures of, 24. counterbalanced door, 41, 53. veil of, 42, 73, 91, 94. lake of fire, 40, 99, 282, 286, 392, 395. (Second death.) Costume compartments, 41, 45, 166, 220, 369. The costumes, 166-74, 285, 289 369. Golden chest, 42, 43, 150, 153. Stag's head, 42, 153. Telescopes, 42, 45, 191. The key, 43, 60, 107, 153, 197. The lighter, 37, 43, 47. (Central room.) Bottomless Pit, 21, 40, 44, 274, 294, 369, 393, 418. West wing. — Continued. smoke of, 40, 276, 281-3, 333, 382, 388. (Second Death.) White stone, 189. Wholesale store, 39, 79, 85, 98, 104, 168, 213, 268, 275, 294, 302, 307, 325, 336, 342, 348. (Brazen altar.) (Seven heads of industry.) Wilderness, 101, 308, 366. Wine cup, 31, 35, 331, 339. Wine poured out without mix- ture, 31, 35, 153, 332, 363, 375 Winepress, 30, 41, 109, 338. (Brazen altar.) (East apartment.) three decks of, 31, 99-110, 324-7, 316, 320. (Monetary accumulation.) gold of, 31, 40, 44, 100, 211, 265, 278, 367, 401. (Medium of exchange.) crusher. 31. (Price control.) knives, 31. (Necessities.) Woe, woe, woe, 272, 281, 298. Woman clothed with the sun, 301, 308. Crown of twelve stars, 34, 45, 176-217, 222, 278, 301, 303. (Twelve promises.) persecution of, 313. 429