Popularizing Crime by H. A. St. John

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 8, 1866

Popularizing Crime.

By H. A. St. John

THE evidence that crime is on the increase, is no clearer, than in the fact that some kinds of crime are becoming popular. Some time since, I read in one of the public journals, the obituary of a wealthy citizen of New York City, known as a notorious pickpocket. The fact being stated in the notice that his property had been acquired by the practice of this nefarious art, in principal cities of the West. This property thus wrongfully obtained, will, no doubt, descend to his heirs and assignees, according to law.

Human judgment is becoming more and more perverted. The sentiment of the world seems to be that, “wealth is worth,” that is, a man is valued according to the amount of money, or property he possesses. Hence the mania to get rich. The wicked man reasons thus, “1 must amass wealth, I must get rich, no matter by what means; and then I will be a man of worth, of influence.” And when his desire is realized, he is not disappointed. Many wait for his smile, they honor, and applaud him.

The robber and burglar are growing in public favor. The impression is gaining ground that the safest and surest way to get rich is to rob some bank. The robber must be dextrous enough, however, not to get caught in the very act. After he fairly gets away, he sits down quietly, to receive proposals from the officers of the bank, for the return of the stolen money. They of course guarantee him against prosecution, and give him a handsome slice of what he has taken, as a proper reward for his condescending to give back anything. One of the thieves who took possession of the Concord Bank at noonday, was handsomely rewarded. He was allowed to go free on the payment of two-thirds of the money stolen. For all his toil of body and brain he received only eighty thousand dollars! Only a few weeks ago, a safe in New York was robbed of over a million dollars. And we learn that already in the New York papers is an advertisement announcing to the cunning thief that negotiations for the return of the money will be opened with him. Instances of this kind are by no means rare. We are told that many robberies take place in the large cities that are never heard of by the public. The robbers are privately settled with. The direct tendency of such doings is easily imagined. It cultivates both a talent and a taste for the burglar’s art.

To the student of prophecy, these things are not insignificant. They only serve to augment the already overwhelming evidence that we are living in the last days. No time now for the professed Christian to be engrossed with the things of this world. The great and final conflict between the powers of darkness and the Lord of hosts is just at hand. The result of that conflict is certain, the saints will be delivered.

Sinner, be entreated to seek salvation now, while sweet mercy lingers. Then with the pure and holy, you will soon begin a glorious immortality, in a land where crime is unknown.

H. A. ST. JOHN.

Ayersville, Ohio, April 28th, 1866.