p. 138 | The Increase of Crime

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 26, 1869

The Increase of Crime.

The increase of crime has become an alarming fact. The secular papers are continually referring to it; while some sleepy watchmen are crying “peace and safety,” on the very brink of destruction. How vain the delusion that the world is growing better. If it were so, the Scriptures would be broken, for they declare the opposite. The facts are now so abundant to prove that dark crimes are rapidly increasing, we think he must be asleep or dreaming, who thinks the world is improving in its moral tone.

When speaking on this subject, and the political corruption of these times, the Philadelphia Ledger of Sept. 6, says:

“What were once posts of honor, in the Legislature and in the guardianship of the law, are now thought of only to be avoided by men who choose to preserve their reputations unsullied.”

We can see no hope of reform. Until Jesus comes, wickedness will increase and abound more and more.

A California writer has well inquired, “What is the world coming to?” After learning the condition of things in one of our large cities—said to be the most moral of any of its size,—this same writer from California goes on to say:

“But is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no remedy for the evil? Are the wives, daughters and children of respectability in this great emporium of literature, to be more unsafe on your public grounds, than are the maids of the western plains, in wandering through the camps of savages?”

It is a sad picture; but where is the advantage of hiding the true state of things? Is it well to call evil good? to cry peace, when there is no peace? to call the seducer virtuous? the liar a man of truth? to defend the vile, and thus deceive the good? Will it please the Lord to pursue such a course? Nay, verily. We dare not do it in this perilous hour. Let every watchman sound an alarm.—Crisis.