REPORTS which reach this country from various parts of Russia, indicate that the internal affairs of the Russian empire are in a condition of serious disturbance. In the southern districts there is great distress among the peasants on account of a failure of crops, no crop having been raised last year, and none being even planted this year, even the seed intended for planting being consumed to escape starvation. In their desperation the peasants have thrown aside all legal restraints, and thousands are joining in rioting and pillage. Eighty estates in the provinces of Poltava and Kharkoff have been sacked and destroyed. The whole region is under a reign of terror, and landowners and stewards are fleeing for safety. In central Russia the working population are in a state of great unrest, and revolutionary propagandas are making alarming progress. Every day, says the Moscow correspondent of the London Times, there are fresh reports of strikes and disorders. The attitude of the workmen toward their employers, he says, is openly threatening, in striking contrast to the subservience of their demeanor a few years ago. One great cause of this agitation, it is stated, is that most of the Russian factory hands have been brought in contact with foreign workmen, and have heard of the rights and liberties enjoyed by workmen in other lands. The czar, in view of the threatening situation at Moscow, has abandoned his intention of spending the Russian Easter in that city. A report which comes from St. Petersburg, under date of April 28, states that the czar is considering the advisability of issuing a pronouncement granting constitutional government to his people, on the lines of a plan of government prepared by a Russian official under the preceding sovereign some years ago. All this reminds us of the words of Scripture pointing out a sign of the last days—“upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity.” God alone holds the solution to the situation.