Waves of Abnormal Crimes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1916

“Waves of Abnormal Crimes”

ONE has only to glance at the daily newspapers to realize the existence of a rapidly increasing wave of crime and iniquity which is sweeping over the world at the present time. As stated by another, we have reached the time when “men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails.” Only he who is obsessed with the idea of the world’s conversion will contend that conditions are growing better. Most carefully compiled statistics show that crime is increasing out of all proportion to the increase in population, and the serious feature of this situation is that the spirit of criminality is taking possession of the young as never before. Under the above heading the Detroit Free Press speaks of the condition which prevails:—

“The appalling frequency of what may be called unnatural crimes is often the subject of remark these days. The case of the Updike brothers at Chicago, who confessed plotting the murder of father, mother, and sister, that they might inherit the family property at once; the charge brought against John Edward Teiper in connection with the mysterious shooting near Buffalo, of which his mother, brother, and sister were victims; the young university student who is alleged to have given a quick poison to his sweetheart at Lake Forest and to have calmly watched her passing; the attempt at wholesale poisoning of Catholic prelates and priests at Chicago last week, are recent incidents in what appears to be an unusual and peculiarly devilish epidemic of crime, directed against those who, through ties of blood and tenderness and respect if not reverence, should be safe from such assaults.

“Surely such occurrences were not so common twenty-five or thirty years ago. The crimes of Jesse Pomeroy and Irving Latimer were unique in the records of those days. Has the public become so familiar with the horrors of war, its carnage and bloodshed, that it can contemplate them with indifference? Do they fill the mind to such a degree as to make men callous and cold-blooded?

“These are not the crimes of the uneducated and unintelligent, but of those who have had social and educational advantages. Another frightful fact is the youth of the offenders. We need light upon such circumstances. May it not be found in the progressive elimination of the moral and religious element in education? It is generally accepted that the existing régime for moral instruction, as found in modern educational machinery, is ineffective. Our schools do little for moral training, yet more and more are usurping the duties and offices of parents. Ties of love and affection are weakened.

“There is a moral and spiritual decline in the youth of today that is bearing fruit in crime. Society is suffering from a moral disease which springs from a constant contemplation of evil and evil effects. We look to laws to defend human life, but laws cannot overcome the moral derelictions of society itself. Without moral training, conscience is undeveloped, or wrongly trained to expediency and convenience.”

Will these conditions improve with the passing of the years? We wish sincerely that we might cherish this hope. The apostle Paul declares that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” The Scriptures liken these days in which we live to the days of Noah and Lot, when the earth was filled with violence. The apostle tells us that even the professed church of God will have among its membership many wicked men whose hearts are bent upon their own selfish ways, and upon the pursuit of pleasure, rather than upon God. 2 Tim. 3: 1-5.

Relief for these conditions which prevail will be found only in the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords. His coming will end the reign of sin. As we view conditions around us, we can only pray for the speedy advent of that great day.