Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with far greater favor than in former years. In those countries where Catholicism is not in the ascendancy, and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference concerning the doctrines that separate the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy; the opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part will bring us into a better understanding with Rome.
The time was when Protestants placed a high value upon the liberty of conscience which had been so dearly purchased. They taught their children to abhor popery and held that to seek harmony with Rome would be disloyalty to God. But how widely different are the sentiments now expressed!
The defenders of the papacy declare that the church has been maligned, and the Protestant world are inclined to accept the statement. Many urge that it is unjust to judge the church of today by the abominations and absurdities that marked her reign during the centuries of ignorance and darkness. They excuse her horrible cruelty as the result of the barbarism of the times and plead that the influence of modern civilization has changed her sentiments.
Have these persons forgotten the claim of infallibility put forth for eight hundred years by this haughty power? So far from being relinquished, this claim was affirmed in the nineteenth century with greater positiveness than ever before. As Rome asserts that the “church never erred; nor will it, according to the Scriptures, ever err ” (John L. von Mosheim, Institutes of Ecclesiastical History, book 3, century II, part 2, chapter 2, section 9, note 17), how can she renounce the principles which governed her course in past ages?
The papal church will never relinquish her claim to infallibility. All that she has done in her persecution of those who reject her dogmas she holds to be right; and would she not repeat the same acts, should the opportunity be presented? Let the restraints now imposed by secular governments be removed and Rome be reinstated in her former power, and there would speedily be a revival of her tyranny and persecution.
A well-known writer speaks thus of the attitude of the papal hierarchy as regards freedom of conscience, and of the perils which especially threaten the United States from the success of her policy:
“There are many who are disposed to attribute any fear of Roman Catholicism in the United States to bigotry or childishness. Such see nothing in the character and attitude of Romanism that is hostile to our free institutions, or find nothing portentous in its growth. Let us, then, first compare some of the fundamental principles of our government with those of the Catholic Church.
“The Constitution of the United States guarantees liberty of conscience . Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. Pope Pius IX, in his Encyclical Letter of August 15, 1854, said: `The absurd and erroneous doctrines or ravings in defense of liberty of conscience are a most pestilential error—a pest, of all others, most to be dreaded in a state.’ The same pope, in his Encyclical Letter of December 8, 1864, anathematized `those who assert the liberty of conscience and of religious worship,’ also ‘all such as maintain that the church may not employ force.’
“The pacific tone of Rome in the United States does not imply a change of heart. She is tolerant where she is helpless. Says Bishop O’Connor: ‘Religious liberty is merely endured until the opposite can be carried into effect without peril to the Catholic world.’… The archbishop of St. Louis once said: ‘Heresy and unbelief are crimes; and in Christian countries, as in Italy and Spain, for instance, where all the people are Catholics, and where the Catholic religion is an essential part of the law of the land, they are punished as other crimes.’…
“Every cardinal, archbishop, and bishop in the Catholic Church takes an oath of allegiance to the pope, in which occur the following words: ‘Heretics, schismatics, and rebels to our said lord (the pope), or his aforesaid successors, I will to my utmost persecute and oppose.'”—Josiah Strong, Our Country, ch. 5, pars. 2-4. See Appendix for Corrected References.
It is true that there are real Christians in the Roman Catholic communion. Thousands in that church are serving God according to the best light they have. They are not allowed access to His word, and therefore they do not discern the truth. Published in 1888 and 1911. See Appendix. They have never seen the contrast between a living heart service and a round of mere forms and ceremonies. God looks with pitying tenderness upon these souls, educated as they are in a faith that is delusive and unsatisfying. He will cause rays of light to penetrate the dense darkness that surrounds them. He will reveal to them the truth as it is in Jesus, and many will yet take their position with His people.
But Romanism as a system is no more in harmony with the gospel of Christ now than at any former period in her history. The Protestant churches are in great darkness, or they would discern the signs of the times. The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation. She is employing every device to extend her influence and increase her power in preparation for a fierce and determined conflict to regain control of the world, to re-establish persecution, and to undo all that Protestantism has done. Catholicism is gaining ground upon every side. See the increasing number of her churches and chapels in Protestant countries. Look at the popularity of her colleges and seminaries in America, so widely patronized by Protestants. Look at the growth of ritualism in England and the frequent defections to the ranks of the Catholics. These things should awaken the anxiety of all who prize the pure principles of the gospel.
Protestants have tampered with and patronized popery; they have made compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see and fail to understand. Men are closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy. The people need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangerous foe to civil and religious liberty. GC 563.1 – GC 566.1
‘Your country doesn’t have that many rubles to buy it back!’ Social media users mercilessly mocks Russia after Kremlin apparatchik demanded US give it back Alaska
By Ronny Reyes and Rob Crilly, Senior U.S. Polical Reporter For Dailymail.Com20:45 GMT 15 Mar 2022 , updated 21:05 GMT 15 Mar 2022
Many took to social media on Tuesday to mock the Kremlin’s demands that the U.S. return Alaska and California’s Fort Ross to Russia
The Kremlin’s ‘spin doctor,’ Oleg Matveychev, had called on America to return the properties despite the fact that the U.S. legally purchased Alaska in 1867
Many will plead that there is no prospect that popery will ever be revived. If it shall regain its lost ascendancy, it will be by Protestantism’s giving it the right hand of fellowship. If it shall be legislated into power by the concessions of time-serving men, the fires of persecution will be rekindled against those who will not sacrifice conscience and the truth for the errors of the papacy. Once let the minds of the Christian world be turned away from God; let his law be dishonored and his holy day trampled upon, and they will be ready to take any step where Satan may lead the way.
Some urge that the Catholic religion is not what it once was; that the principles to which Protestants could not concede, and indignantly rose up to war against, were held by Catholics in the days of their ignorance and barbarism. They say that the present high mental development of the people would never allow them to adopt the plan of action carried out in the past,—compelling the conscience upon religious subjects. But there is nothing in the Scriptures to assure us against the reinstatement of popery. Protestants today are a self-sufficient, world-loving people; but they must have some religion, and prefer that consisting of forms and outward display, rather than the simplicity of the true religion of Jesus Christ. They are too wise in their own conceit to seek God for counsel and direction,—to open the Guide Book which points them to the only way that leads to heaven. They close their hearts to Jesus in his humiliation, self-denial, and self-sacrifice, and open the door to the delusions of Satan.
While the Protestant world is, by her attitude, making concessions to Rome, we should arouse to comprehend the situation, and view the contest before us in its true bearings. While men have slept, Satan has been stealthily sowing the tares. Let the watchmen now lift up their voice like a trumpet, and give the message which is present truth for this time. Let them know where we are in prophetic history, that the spirit of true Protestantism may awaken all the world to a sense of the value of the privileges of religious liberty so long enjoyed.
This nation has been highly favored of God. It has been the great center of religious light and liberty. O, do not sleep now, and in your inactivity feel that you are doing the will of God! The experience of God’s commandment-keeping people now should correspond with the events that are crowding upon us. RH January 1, 1889, par. 9 – RH January 1, 1889, par. 12
Many on social media called it ironic for Russia to demand American land that was purchased for $7.2 million but is now worth more than $144 million
Russia was also mocked for the sanctions it placed against 13 Americans, including Joe Biden, Hilary Clinton and Hunter Biden
‘I want to thank the Russian Academy for this Lifetime Achievement Award,’ Clinton tweeted as she poked fun at the sanction that would not affect her
Social media users fired broadsides at the Kremlin after a Russian official made the outlandish demand for the U.S. to return Alaska and California’s Fort Ross to the war-hungry Putin regime.
by Taboola
Oleg Matveychev, a ‘spin doctor’ for Russian President Vladimir Putin, demanded that Washington ‘return all Russian properties, those of the Russian empire, the Soviet Union and current Russia, which has been seized in the United States, and so on’ during an appearance on Russian state news on Sunday.
Many on social media were quick to mock the Duma member’s dumbfounded demands, which also included handing over the Antarctic because, as Matveychev said, Russia ‘discovered it, so it belongs to us.’
One Twitter user with the handle odyssues55 laughed at the demand, tweeting: ‘So Russia wants us to GIVE back Alaska? HAHAHAHA.
‘Pay the price b***hes. We paid $7.2 million in 1867. Adjusted for today’s dollar that’s $138,024,000. Plus all of the infrastructure (improvements) we have made – lets just call it $10 billion.’
Many were quick to mock Russia’s demands on social media as they were quick to point out that the US legally purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867
Many were quick to mock Russia’s demands on social media as they were quick to point out that the US legally purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867
Many were quick to mock Russia’s demands on social media as they were quick to point out that the US legally purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867
Another Twitter user with the handle OSFP wrote: ‘Your country doesn’t have that many rubles to buy it back,’ referencing the fact that Russian currency crashed to seven-tenths of 1 American cent after the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine last month.
The Kremlin’s call for American reparations were nearly as useless as the sanctions the Russians announced on President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, Hilary Clinton and other US officials.
Kremlin ‘spin doctor’ Oleg Matveychev shared a list of demands on Russian state TV, including that America give back Alaska and California’s Fort Ross, both originally Russian settlements
We are to be rooted and built up in Christ, that we may not be carried away by the science of the great deceiver. Already some are departing from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. There are those who boast that they have been studying science for years. But what has this science done for them? Just what it did for Satan in the heavenly courts.—Letter 141, 1905, pp. 1, 2. (To G. I. Butler, 1905.)
Isaiah 29:9-16, quoted. Every word of this will be fulfilled. There are those who do not humble their hearts before God, and who will not walk uprightly. They hide their true purposes, and keep in fellowship with the fallen angel, who loveth and maketh a lie. The enemy puts his spirit upon the men whom he can use to deceive those who are partially in the dark. Some are becoming imbued with the darkness that prevails, and are setting the truth aside for error. The day pointed out by prophecy is come. Jesus Christ is not understood. Jesus Christ is to them a fable. At this stage of the earth’s history, many act like drunken men. “Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry; they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes. The prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.” A spiritual drunkenness is upon many who suppose they are the people who shall be exalted. Their religious faith is just as is represented in this Scripture. Under its influence, they cannot walk straight. They make crooked paths in their course of action. One and then another, they reel to and fro. They are looked upon by the Lord with great pity. The way of truth they have not known. They are scientific schemers, and those who could and should have helped, because of a clear spiritual eyesight, are themselves deceived, and are sustaining an evil work.—Letter 311, 1905, pp. 4, 5. (To Brethren Daniells, Prescott and Associates, October 30, 1905.)
We are to revive the truth; to stand in the truth. Whoever is determined to depart from the faith cannot be helped by you. All your reasoning will be as idle tales.—Manuscript 61, 1906, 3. (“Hold Fast the Beginning of Your Confidence,” June 3, 1906.)
The rulers of the land will take their position above the great Creator of the world. The claims of a false Sabbath will be brought to the front, and the rulers and the people will act upon the principle of a short-sighted policy. The false Sabbath, the first day of the week, will be accepted, and the rulers will unite with the man of sin to restore his lost ascendancy. Laws enforcing the observance of Sunday as the Sabbath, will bring about a national apostasy from the principles of republicanism upon which the government has been founded. The religion of the Papacy will be accepted by the rulers, and the law of God will be made void.—Manuscript 39, 1906, 1. (“The Law of God,” 1906.)
Those who link up with the world, denying the faith, and refusing to be the denominated people of the Lord’s choosing showing by their actions that they believe that there should be no special distinction between believers and unbelievers, will surely be left to the result of their choice. There are those who, though knowing the truth that has brought us out from the world as Seventh-day Adventists, have denied the faith….
Those who are departing from the faith are at work to undermine the confidence of others, and they have been thus at work for years. Our warnings come from the One who is interested in us, because he sees our dangers, and is acquainted with the conniving of those who are opposed to His truth….
Ministers and doctors may depart from the faith, as the Word declares they will, and as the messages that God has given His servant declare they will. Thus believers will be given evidence that the Word of God, the warnings He has given, are being fulfilled right among us. Some may make light of these messages, misinterpret them, and say untruthful things, which lead others’ minds astray. Our only hope is in the God of truth. Our Mediator understands every phase of the matter. The more plainly the testing truth is brought before the people, the more bitter will be the hatred manifested by those who have departed from the faith, and given their attention to sentiments of Satan’s presentation.—Letter 90, 1906, pp. 1, 2, 6. (“To Brethren Assembled at Council at Graysville, Tn.,” March 6, 1906.) 7MR 190.2 – 7MR 192.4
Many were quick to mock Russia’s demands on social media as they were quick to point out that the US legally purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867
Russia’s colonial past in North America: The Empire’s outposts in Alaska, California and Hawaii in the 18th and 19th centuries
The Russian Empire had a significant foothold in North America during the 19th century, history shows.
Its first colony on the continent was founded in Alaska in 1784, named Three Saints Bay. There began the Russian-American Company, a trading group chartered by Czar Paul I in 1799 which drove the Empire’s expansion in North America.
The Russian ruler envisioned a monopoly that would trade furs with natives of the region as well as expand the empire’s colonial territory.
The Russian-American company built Fort Ross, less than three hours outside of modern-day San Francisco, in 1812. The settlement was sold into private hands in 1841, after its rich marine life had been depleted and residents found the conditions for farming difficult.
In 1815 and 1816 the company struck a deal with the Kingdom of Hawaii to open three short-lived outposts on its islands. The Russians were thrown out of Hawaii in 1817 after locals revolted against them for building a fort and raising a Russian flag on their territory.
Alaska, Russia’s final North American territory, was sold to the US in 1867 during Andrew Johnson’s presidency for $7.2 million — which would be approximately $144.4 million in 2021.
The first Russian colony on Alaska was founded in 1784, named Three Saints Bay. There began the Russian-American Company, a trading monopoly chartered by Czar Paul I in 1799 which drove the Empire’s expansion in North America.
Alaska was sold to the US in 1867 during Andrew Johnson’s presidency for $7.2 million – which would be approximately $144.4 million in 2021.
Another Twitter user with handle AmoungHounds joked, ‘Sure, let’s give France half of America back, while we’re at it,’ referencing the Louisiana Purchase when America bought 828,000-square miles of land from France back in 1803.
A Twitter user with the name Nice Stories also noted the irony in Russia’s demands, writing, ‘I thought Russia wanted Alaska gone? They sold it to the U.S. and commentators thought the U.S. was dumb for buying it.’
Twitter user Janice Hough joked, ‘Could we offer them Florida instead.’
Gesare Chife, another Twitter user, chimed in with a timeless joke format: ‘Russia called, they want Alaska back.’
A Twitter user with the name Chris slammed Russia for making the demand following its invasion of Ukraine, tweeting: ‘Alaska was bought from Russia. But then again Russia appears to take what it wants.’
Angie Fryer, another Twitter user, also laughed at the idea of returning Fort Ross, a small Russian settlement established outside modern-day San Francisco in 1812.
‘Haha. Fort Ross is a park with a museum/gift shop,’ Fryer tweeted. ‘Hilarious.’
Chuck Clark, a Twitter user from Alaska, also joked about the demands, writing, ‘Not so funny for those of us that live here! I don’t speak Russian nor like vodka!’
Another Twitter user with the handle Twichyb summarized the demands a ‘crazy talk.’
‘Reparations for sanctions or a bullet to the head? They’re taking back Antarctica because “we found it, it’s ours”. I guess Alaska too.
‘At least Sarah Palin can let us know when they get here,’ the Twitter user said, referencing jokes that former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin could see Russia from her house.
The Kremlin was also ridiculed after it placed sanctions on President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, CIA Director Bill Burns, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Deputy National Security Advisor Daleep Singh, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Biden’s son Hunter Biden, former-Press Secretary Hilary Clinton, Deputy Secretary of Treasury Wally Adeyemo and President of Export-Import Bank of the US Reta Jo Lewis.
Others joined Clinton in laughing off the sanctions as they would amount to little punishments against the 13 individuals named in the supposed penalty
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki mocked Russian attempts to sanction President Joe Biden, claiming Moscow may have accidentally sanctioned his late father
Psaki mocks Russia for sanctioning Biden, Hunter and Hillary.
Press Secretary Jen Psaki laughed off the sanctioned placed against her and President Joe Biden, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Hilary Clinton, Hunter Biden and others, saying none of them would be affected by it.
‘None of us are planning tourist trips to Russia and none of us have bank accounts that we won’t be able to access, so we will forge ahead,’ Psaki said in a sarcastic tone.
She added that Russian officials seemed to have placed the sanctions against the president’s late father, as Biden is a ‘junior,’ which was not noted in the Russian list.
Clinton, a long-time critic of Putin, also poked fun at the sanctions placed against her.
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‘I want to thank the Russian Academy for this Lifetime Achievement Award,’ she said in a tweet.
Others on Twitter joined in the mockery with one Twitter user with the name Jay writing, ‘Russia has been cut off from world trade. Isn’t a sanction from Russia completely pointless at this point?’
Russia ran several settlements in North America during the 19th century, among two of the most prominent being California’s Fort Ross and various colonies in Alaska
Julie London Ferguson, another Twitter user, added that with the exception Hunter, the only person on the list who has not served as a federal government official, the list was actually one of ‘patriots.’
Another Twitter user with handle name Stas Bey simply posted laughing emojis in reaction to the sanctions.
In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was acting ‘in response to a series of unprecedented sanctions’ and was imposing its own measures ‘on the basis of reciprocity.’
The ministry said its actions were an ‘inevitable consequence of the extremely Russophobic course taken by the current US Administration, which, in a desperate attempt to maintain American hegemony, has relied, discarding all decency, on the frontal constricting of Russia.’
It comes amid a growing wave on anti-U.S. propaganda from the Kremlin and other public figures after weeks of mounting economic pressure on Russia.
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Social media mocks Russia for demands of returning Alaska and sanctioning Americans
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