p. 2 | Perilous Times by L. L. Caviness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 9, 1915

Perilous Times

By L. L. Caviness

THE very elements of destruction seem to have been let loose upon the world this year. Not only is man bringing destruction to himself in the great European war, but Italy has been repeatedly shaken by extremely severe earthquakes, millions are starving in China from the effects of great floods, and the United States itself has suffered the loss of many lives and the destruction of millions of dollars' worth of property in the great storms which have occurred this year.

The relations between capital and labor seem to be even more than usually strained. Scarcely a day goes by without an account in the public press of a prospective or actual strike in some part of the United States. But these strikes are not limited to this country. Some of the European countries which are at war have been obliged to take energetic measures to suppress strikes which might more or less cripple them in the prosecution of the war.

There is still another tendency that is very ominous. The people, perhaps because they feel that justice through legal means is too uncertain or too slow, seem disposed to take the execution of justice into their own hands. The prospect of an increase of mob violence should alarm every law-abiding American citizen; for the rule even of a tyrant is to be preferred to that of an irresponsible mob.

From every standpoint it would seem that we have come upon perilous times. At this time the promise is especially precious: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Let us be often in the secret place of prayer, and so learn to know God's constant protecting care that we may say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”

L. L. CAVINESS.