Plowshares and Pruning-Hooks by K. C. RUSSELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 16, 1907

“Plowshares and Pruning-Hooks”

By K. C. RUSSELL

K. C. RUSSELL

The above is the title of an editorial in the Post, of Washington, D. C., bearing date of March 28, 1907. It appears that there was an interview between Dr. Sol. C. Dickey, president of the Technical Institution of Indianapolis, and President Roosevelt, which ran as follows:— “The Technical Institute,” said Mr. Dickey to the President, “is a place where we teach young men to beat swords into plowshares.” “But your young men should be taught also to beat plowshares into swords,” replied Mr. Roosevelt. The sentiments expressed by the educator and the commander-in-chief of the army and navy are not entirely harmonious. The idea conveyed in the passage from Holy Writ is that when swords are beaten into plowshares, the nations shall learn war no more. Toward that glorious consummation the tendency of the nations, while extremely slow, is sure, for it must come as the inevitable result of the continuous human progress. The first decade of the twentieth century of Christianity finds the Christian nations ardently professing Christianity, but all of them infinitely removed from any appearance of following Christ’s teachings as to peace. War and preparations for war constitute the chief interest of all the great powers, and consume a very large portion of the earning capacity of mankind.”

It is interesting to note the comments which are made by the editor of the Post in the foregoing. He says, “Toward that glorious consummation [when swords are beaten into plowshares] the tendency of the nations, while extremely slow, is sure.”

He further states the existence of a condition of things in direct opposition to the one previously mentioned. “The first decade of the twentieth century of Christianity finds the Christian nations ardently professing Christianity, but all of them infinitely removed from any appearance of following Christ’s teachings as to peace. War and preparations for war constitute the chief interest of all the great powers, and consume a very large portion of the earning capacity of mankind.”

This is indeed a paradox, and can be understood only by those who have been enlightened by the Holy Spirit, which has made plain the sure word of Bible prophecy.

In Isa. 2:4 it will be found that the expression, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares,” is what the people will be saying in these last days, and the expression found in Joel 3:10, “Beat your plowshares into swords,” is what the Lord says the people will be doing just before the end. The foregoing editorial confirms the truthfulness of these prophetic statements, for it says on one hand that the time will come when the nations will learn war no more, and in counterdistinction to this glorious outcome referred to, it plainly says that a condition contrary to it exists.

This peace and safety cry on one hand, and the vast preparation for war on the other, are both significant signs of the times which plainly teach us that the Lord is soon coming.