DEGENERACY OF THE TIMES.
By JOS. CLARKE.
Often we are told, by those who wish to neutralize the power of present truth, that there is no such thing as some assert, that is, a moral fall, an increasing degeneracy and demoralization in society; but that men are at least, no worse than formerly, but rather better if anything; that on the whole society is improving. For the benefit of all, we have occasionally a testimony from those who know nothing of present truth comparatively, or at least would scorn to be affected by it. Such a testimony is the following, from the Chicago Tribune, given as an introduction to an account of crime too shameful to speak of. The Tribune thus remarks. “That the corruption in high life and in low, is rapidly and fearfully increasing; that society is fast drifting toward a state of demoralization, are statements, which are religiously believed by the many. Revelations of the existence of these truths, create no alarm, and elicit no wonder, because their frequency has blunted the edge of morality, and produced unconcern, where the same state of things, would, in years gone by, have sent a thrill of horror throughout the whole community. Yet even in these times, there is a limit to human endurance. There are crimes, which even now, will call for that stern retribution, which a violation of the laws of God and humanity will demand and insist upon.”