The World's Conversion.
By J. N. Wilkinson
THIS doctrine has been taught by professed Christians for a great while. But we do not see any indications of a better state of things. On the other hand, the world is growing more and more corrupt, according to the prediction of the apostle, evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse. And also according to the words of our Saviour, iniquity is abounding on every hand, and the love of many is growing cold. Men are turning from the truth and embracing fables. They love smooth things. All this is according to the word of the Lord. There is no intimation of the world's conversion. While traveling in the cars, not long since, I listened to the conversation of two gentlemen upon the subject of temperance. Their conversation commenced by one asking the other what he thought in regard to the increase of drunkenness and crime. In reply, the other said he had consulted the police in different cities, and had learned that drunkenness and crime were greatly on the increase. And he further remarked, that he had been engaged in the cause of temperance for a great while, but did not speak of very great success. He spoke in particular of a certain document, which he had drawn up for the benefit of the public, and remarked that when he had got it completed, or ready to have an act taken upon it, that he found that four-fifths of the legal voters were indulging in the use of those things for a beverage, which his document prohibited. What the final result was I did not learn; but the idea struck me, that the prospect for the conversion of the world must be rather discouraging to those who are engaged in its reform.
J. N. WILKINSON.
Peterborough, N. H.