p. 138 | Society as it Is by H. B. Hastings

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 16, 1872

Society as it Is.

By H. B. Hastings

In this age, when evil moves with lightning speed, we have sharp work to keep up with the times, because the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. Satan, with his cunning craftiness, knoweth that he hath but a short time. We have looked in vain for righteous laws to be enacted by men who fear God, and seek to establish justice and put away abominations out of the land.

And can we suppose God will bear longer with us than with other nations, who have wickedly departed from him, if we persist in rebellion against him? Oh! could the veil be lifted, and the heart of this nation laid bare, how would every true follower of Christ shrink back with horror and cry in the language of the prophet, “Our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us. Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: truth is fallen in the streets, and equity cannot enter.”

If this was the condition of Israel of old, surely this scripture is applicable to these times. “For our transgressions are with us, as for our iniquities we know them.” Though one great evil of human bondage has been removed, intemperance, licentiousness, and other attendant sins follow.

As the country advances in civilization and wealth, vanity and folly increase with it. While in portions of the land, ignorance prevails, poverty and degradation attend it. And if the government of the land is committed to men who seek for worldly honor and wealth, and who indulge in wicked practices and do not care to know the wants and needs of the people; who fear not God, neither regard man, but, like Solomon, allow evil to spread abroad, that they may plunge into luxury and drink the cup of pleasure; surely we can hope for nothing good in the future, but, on the contrary, may expect a total departure from the living God, with infidelity and all other abominations as a national consequence.

Intemperance follows pleasure, and prevails to a fearful extent, feeding the lusts of the flesh and fanning the flames of licentiousness, leading to crimes, robberies, murders, and every evil work; filling the land with sorrow and distress, and making the world a hell of iniquity for vast portions of the human family.

We hear the voice of wailing and the moans of the sorrow-stricken, rising on every breeze, telling of the corruptions of society, and the fearful progress sin is making among us.

If only those who partake of the poisonous cup were the sufferers, we might perhaps hold our peace. But the welfare of others is at stake. Our children are in danger. Men and women are rushing into the vortex of ruin with fearful haste, and we are called to tears, lamentation, fasting and prayer.

The fires of iniquity are kindled to a mighty flame, and no human power can arrest its terrible march. On, on it travels leaving ruin and blackness behind, sweeping away not only

the impious and profane, but even those within the pale of the professed church of Christ. Pastors and people are guilty, and the infidel looks on and strengthens himself in impiety and unbelief. These are critical moments for this nation, and may be attended with fatal consequences. O ye heralds of the cross, why slumber and sleep over the iniquity of the land? Put forth united efforts for God and humanity. Cry aloud and spare not, and show the people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins: Do not be saying in your hearts, my Lord delays his coming, and be found smiting his men-servants and maidens, and eating and drinking with the drunken, so that the day come upon you when you are not looking for it. Oh! keep not back when danger is near, lest certain destruction overtake the people unawares, and you be found guilty. The streams of justice and righteousness are poisoned at the fountain-head and send out their polluted streams from sea to sea.

Let the fountain be cleansed, the idols be ground to powder, the license of indulgences be rebuked, and the true worship of Christ set up, and let our religion be true and honest, and prosperity may be prolonged.

But if we are governed by men who practice, tolerate and approve of the indulgence of the most detestable sins and abominations the world has ever known, letting them loose upon community without restraint, then woe to the nation, and woe to our sons and daughters who are fast tending downward to folly and shame. Our cities, towns, villages and families are filled with enormous evils, and many are made wretched and desolate. Our court rooms are thronged with divorce cases, and the whole land mourneth.

Let us draw near to God and confess our sins, that our iniquities may be forgiven, and our transgressions may be blotted out; that when the King of kings comes we may be found ready subjects for a righteous government. God grant that we may see what is before us and sound the alarm.— H. B. HASTINGS, in Woman and her Work.