A Serious Outlook by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 18, 1913

A Serious Outlook

By C. M. S.

GRADUALLY but surely, and, we might say, section by section, this world is coming to realize that it is facing a tremendous problem and a most ominous situation. Amid the turmoil of contending nations the Palace of Peace has been dedicated to the cause of international amity and world-wide peace. While the cry of peace goes ringing through the world and statesmen are formulating and approving plans for universal peace, the plans for a universal war are progressing as never before. The race for military and naval supremacy is taxing the sinews and drawing tremendously upon the very vitals of the mightiest nations of this world, and no statesman will venture a guess as to when the fearful competition will reach its climax. The editor of the Evening News (London, England) of July 21, 1913, under the heading “World Convulsions,” draws up an epitome of the situation, and closes with the question which no man can answer. We quote:—

World Convulsions

Only the cynical or the torpid human brain can open a newspaper without a tremor of apprehension in these days. In the movement toward greater velocity that is the chief physical occupation of mankind, no less a matter than world politics has its part. In this age of speed even an empire may not come toppling to the dust with majestic slowness; it falls with a sudden crash. And the very morrow may see the sudden ruin of its conqueror.

Take the news of the journals of this day. It would appear that the gods are playing odd, fantastic tricks, indeed, with the peoples here below. Turkey is no sooner risen from the green table of the diplomats, with Adrianople as one of her losses, than her crescent is flying again over that mighty fortress. Only a few weeks ago, Bulgaria was the second Prussia—the heart of a new-born Slav union that enormously disturbed the balance of European military power. The Bulgars had crushed the unspeakable Turk, avenging his long tale of outrage and tyranny of the Christian community. The statesmen of western Europe had solemnly informed the Turk that henceforth his destiny lay in Asia, and that, all things considered, this was the best thing that could have happened in his own interests. He was asked to be grateful that he had not been kicked clean out of Europe, and to be content with Constantinople and an allotment of land about it.

Today the Turk is back in Adrianople, and with the most extravagantly heavy irony making believe that Adrianople must be included within his new boundary line! His note to the powers is a precious document. He is almost mournful of the fact that he has felt compelled to recover his stronghold from a foe who (which must shock the gentle Turk!) has behaved himself with “indescribable barbarity and vandalism.” True, the reports of Bulgarian savagery are as horrifying as anything we used to read of the Turk. The king of Greece’s telegram to this journal on Saturday reiterated charges which cannot be disposed of by mere pointblank denial. But who would have expected a month ago that today’s papers would contain the account of the Turk’s return, of Bulgaria’s almost complete downfall, of the revelation that the Christian community of the Near East is not a community at all?

And farther east we have another amazing spectacle. China as a republic seemed to be the most stunning event in world politics that the human mind could witness and still retain its sanity. Now we behold Sun Yat-sen engaged in trying to destroy the strong man he himself set up—Yuan Shi Kai. There is a revolution today against the revolutionary government of yesterday; and nothing is more probable than a generation of Chinese internal conflict, during which, in that vast and mysterious land of mixed races, groups will form and quarrel until—

But why use the word until? Will there be finality in these huge convulsions in our time or in any other? Never were the pacifists stronger or their arguments more appealing and incontrovertible. And yet we cannot look upon a newspaper page without finding the narrative of tremendous and shattering conflicts and preparations for others beside which these are mere tribal squabbles.

What would he not give to be able to answer his own question, “Will there be finality in these huge convulsions in our time or in any other?” The same divine Record which foretells these “huge convulsions,” with the accompanying clamorings for and protestations of “peace, peace, when there is no peace,” points out the “finality” for which the editor asks. There is no reason why the Christian should not know what that “finality” is when the faithful and fast-fulfilling prophecies of God’s Word so plainly delineates it. How true it is that the “pacifists” are stronger than ever both in numbers and resolutions and in arguments as to why peace is preferable to war. But thus it was to be in the days when that finality was imminent. These conditions testify to the truth of the Bible, and in doing so they leave man without excuse for not knowing what these things mean and what is soon to come upon the world.

C. M. S.