Norwich bulletin., 1914-08-18
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Historic Facts and Contemporary Events Pointing to Rusela as the "Seeond Beast" or World Power, of the Seventh Chapter of Daniel.


 MT: Editor: In the filth verse of the 7th Chapter of Daniel we read; And behold another beast, second, like a bear, and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth 7 Here is a prohetic picture of the Rus sian Empire. known in history and literature as "The Russian Bear,'' Euroue,'' and a "RNssia in Asia" and most all the expansion of the empire has been on the European 'side," but again the verse says, three ribs in it's mouth;" here is a vivid picture of European Russia devouring Finland. Poland, and ultimately Sweden and Norway, which are in her pathway to the Atlantic. Even though the pres ent Russian CZar should for political and stragetic reasons so far undo the work of Catherine the Great, as to promise an Independent Poland, all these countries will still remain Rus sian provinces. No one can read the history of the rise and development of the Russian empire without seeing how fully that government is depicted in the fifth verse of this Seventh Chapter of Daniels phophecies; the forceable and unhallowed annexation of Finland, the cruel partition Of Poland and the present menancing attitude toward Sweden and Norway; the declaration of war against Aus tria- Hungary, are all samples or the ribs in the bears mouth" Russia as- sunes the role of dictator when she decides to oppose Austria in her un- called for assault on Servia; defying Germany; for she cannot help but see that Germany aims to hold at least, second place among the empires of the world but this cannot be. for God has appointed that Second place to the Russian Bear"
 Hon. John Bright when making a. strenuous fight against England's wan ton attack on Russia in the Crimean war said, Russia is a growing power, and no matter what the immediate re- suit of the war may be, her advance cannot be finally prevented. Who can interfere with manifest destiny?" Russia. as MT. Bright said, cannot be kept down; she is a thousand-fold stronger today than she was when she was defeated by Japan, few years ago. Her march is still toward the sea coasts, as Peter the Great, and all his successors have planned. This laudable ambition is irresistible, her conquest of or at least dominance of, all the Balkan states between St. Petersburg and Constantinople is in- evitable. and necessary to her. as the "Seccnd' Great World Power. Eng lard's determination to hold Germany back is thereby helping Russia in her great ambition: thus God is using the nations to accomplish His purpose. Austri--Hur gary stands in the way, esrecially when she attemps to co?rco thn-e of the Balkan states whom Rus cia looks upon as of her own people. pu sia will take Constantinople driv- ing the Turks out of Europe, thus hri~ ring nearer the rise of the terri ble fourth kingdom. Hon. John Bryce, :n his history of The Holy Roman Empire said. when referring to Rus -So he of m tium. Russia claims the crowd which prophicy has prophesied for a thous- and years will not be long withheld" Page 371.
 A long drawn out dispute will doubtless be settled in this great European war of 1914-Which of the two nations-Russia or Germany shall have the predominance in Europe? We believe that God by His prophet points to Russia as the victor in this great contest; but Germany aspires to that position; she will doubtless fail are surrounding and opposing her. for Luther's God is still watching over her. but because God has fixed her place; she will simply hold her own as the 'Third'' world power. The chancellor of Germany recently -tated, "T,ais wer is life and death struggle between the Germans and the Nuscovite races of Russia" It will be a bitter strife between the Teuton and the Slav.
 Is it not strange that England and France are taking sides with the bar barous" Russians, against the more highly Christianized Germans? Po- liticai reasons alone accounts for this strf 0 e sight; France in her forty odd wears lust for revenge, and England h cause of her jealousy of Germany, I'd lust for more power over the na- ions: but this is all aiding Russia's -narch to Constantinopde. and the sea coast. Now we have almost a world wide war; a war of vengeance, greed and goddess ambition; the Episcopal church is praying for the success of the English army and navy: the Eas- tholic church is praying for the French ana the Austrians, who are opponents; the Greek church is praying for the success of Russia; the Lutheran church is praying for the Germans; how many other contrary and oppos- ing interests will be appealing to the God in Heaven for success before this cruel war is over none can tell. We only know that the so-called Christian nations arc presenting to the world a dfsgraceful spectacle.
 E. GEORGE FIDDLE
 Pastor Mckinley Avenue
 A. M. E. Zion Church.
 Norwich, August r, 1914.
 San,naI n M,v~.