Regeneration through the power of God is the only effective cure for crime.
Is there a scientific cure for criminals? This is a question that is much discussed of late, and considerable investigation is being conducted in that field with some evident success. A recent magazine article, dealing with the treatment of certain glands in criminals for the cure of criminal tendencies, said:
GLAND IRREGULARITIES
“Every murderer and potential murderer exhibits oversecretion of the thyroid gland. Every robber exhibits undersecretion of the pituitary gland. Every social misfit displays malsecretion of some gland.”
These conclusions have been reached by Dr. Ralph A. Reynolds and Dr. Leo L. Stanley, who have been experimenting on criminals in San Quentin prison in California. It is said that they have treated successfully about sixty criminals. No doubt much valuable information has been obtained from a scientific study of criminology, and much credit is due such men as the above-named doctors for the untiring efforts put forth to find the cause and the cure for crime.
What is crime? It is the transgression of social laws. This, however, is only the fruit of a tree that strikes its roots still deeper. That tree is sin. What is sin? It is the transgression of God’s law. (1 John 3:4; Romans 7:7.) It would be a source of astonishment to many to-day could they know how many there are in civilized lands who do not know of the great moral law, the ten precepts. Perhaps a still larger number could not repeat those precepts or tell where they are found. By this latter class they are regarded with indifference, although they form the basis of all right law and government. Sadder still it is when professed Christians regard them lightly. But why shouldn’t they when the pulpit orators confuse them with the Mosaic ceremonial law and declare that they have no binding force, or else relegate them bodily to the scrap heap of antiquities as having served their time.
George E. Crawford
Playing fast and loose with law will work havoc in any system of government. A poor law well executed is far better than the best of laws held in light esteem, and obeyed or disobeyed according to the changing whim of the subjects. The early history of our country demonstrated the fallacy of thinking that the fundamental law of the land could be lightly regarded by individual units. The question was finally settled in blood, but it was settled that the Constitution should stand. There must be a fundamental law.
GOD’S LAW FLOUTED
In recent years there has been a growing disregard for law; and if the cause could be traced to its source, it would probably be found in the careless regard of the precepts of Jehovah, by professors and nonprofessors. There has developed a feeling that a thing is all right to do if one can only “get by” with it. A high regard for the principles of God’s law will foster a high regard for civil law, for the principles of right law are in the heart. These principles are forever true: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.” It is a lack of respect for constituted authority and others’ rights that finally sends a man to the prison or to the gallows.
The only real reformation that can be brought into the life of a man is through the work of the Holy Spirit, not in accordance with natural laws, but contrary to them. Christ said, “Ye must be born again,” and, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:7, 5. The Lord said through the prophet Ezekiel, “I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 11:19.
THE GOSPEL ANTIDOTE
Then instead of the mind’s being at enmity with the law of God (Romans 8:7), the person will say with the psalmist, “O how love I Thy law!” and with Christ, “I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8. Then God will perform the work promised in the new covenant: “I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts.” Hebrews 8:10. When that is done, the individual is willingly obedient and can be said to be fully reformed. An operation performed by a surgeon on the glands may give some assistance to the mind; but until God performs the operation on the heart, there is not much hope of reforming the man. The only way to offset and control the criminal nature is to use the antidote for sin, the gospel, “the power of God unto salvation.”
