A Significant Cartoon by C. P. BOLLMAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 11, 1915

A Significant Cartoon

By C. P. BOLLMAN

C. P. BOLLMAN

The cartoon reproduced on this page is from the Baltimore American of January 15, and is one of the most striking and significant that has yet appeared in any paper.

It is no wonder that the terrible things now taking place are exciting remark and question; the wonder is that everybody in both church and world is not stirred to the very depth. In the midst of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, etc., we find the Christian world comparatively indifferent; and yet, as intimated by the Baltimore American, these things are in literal and exact fulfillment of our Lord’s great prophecy recorded by three of the four evangelists.

The artist quotes Matt. 24:7, and after depicting scenes of devastation by war, famine, and earthquake, asks, “Can these be ‘signs of the times’?” They certainly are signs of the time,—signs that should alarm every unrepentant sinner, and stir to intense activity in the spread of the gospel every devout believer in the prophetic scriptures.

When Jesus appeared in this world the first time, it is recorded that “a very general expectation existed, not only among the Jews, but throughout the East, founded upon the predictions of the Jewish prophets, that a very extraordinary personage should arise in Judah about this time, who should establish his kingdom over the whole world. Hence the alarm of Herod when it was said that Christ was born king of the Jews, and the consequent murder of the children of Bethlehem. Tacitus, Suetonius, and Josephus speak very expressly of this expectation as being very general throughout the East. . . . Vergil very plainly alludes to this expectation, and uses almost the very language of some of the prophets respecting the Messiah.” See “Sketches of Church History,” by Rev. James Wharey, century 1, pages 14-17.

And yet when Jesus was born, the only ones in all Jerusalem to recognize him were Simeon and Anna, two aged and devout persons waiting “for the consolation of Israel.” It is sadly recorded by John that “he came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11.

Not a leader in the Jewish church knew of the great event that had taken place. The angels passed by the worldly-wise, the rich, the great, and winged their way to the humble shepherds watching their flocks on the plains of Bethlehem. And when the wise men came from the East, saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him,” Herod alone was greatly stirred, and he, only from fear that his throne might be lost, if not to himself, at least to his family.

Is it not much the same now? Prophecies are being fulfilled. Most momentous events are taking place. War is destroying millions of lives of men, women, and children, and billions of dollars’ worth of property. Earthquakes are wrecking cities and taking a toll of scores of thousands of human lives. Famine and pestilence, the inevitable concomitants of war, follow in the wake of battle; and yet there are found few indeed who see in these things the handwriting on the wall announcing the fast-approaching end of all earthly things. Churches everywhere and of every name ought to be resounding with the message, “Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:1. The world ought, like Nineveh, to be sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

But what do we see? The world at large is concerned only with the pursuit of pleasure and the accumulation of wealth. And the church, blind and nerveless, is in much the same condition as were the chief priests and scribes nineteen hundred years ago; and this notwithstanding there is a measure of general expectation of the second advent answering to that which existed in the East at the time of the first advent. Yea, even in that section of the church called Adventist, many seem to be dazed rather than stirred by the terrible scenes feebly, but withal significantly, depicted by the newspaper artist.

Readers, what can adequately arouse us to a sense of the times in which we live, to the duties and privileges that are still ours, to the work that we must do for the Master?

“Christian, rouse and arm for conflict, Nerve thee for the battle field; Bear the helmet of salvation, And the mighty gospel shield; Bind the breastplate firmly on thee, Take the Spirit’s sword in hand; Boldly, fearlessly, go forth then, In Jehovah’s strength to stand.”