What Do the Nation’s Signs Mean?

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 7, 1907

What Do the Nation’s Signs Mean?

In a recent speech by Justice David J. Brewer, of the United States Supreme Court, on “The Larger and Higher Life of the Nation,” occurred these words:—

The United States is the marvel of the ages; it is the giant of the centuries. Not merely in its population, but by its wealth, culture, and achievements this country has astonished the whole world.

Those responsible for all the greatness of this country must answer further questions before our value to the world can be determined. The real question is: Which way is the country looking? What are the ideals and the inspiration of this nation? Is this republic seeking only material development, ostentation, and parade, or is it striving for the higher life, which shall benefit both the nation and the people?

We are building up a big navy; we are now the fourth naval power. In all our cities we vie in ostentation. We buy libraries by the cubic yard and galleries by the job lot. We want to have the biggest and finest yachts, the most gorgeous private castles. What does all this signify?

The signs of the times are so plainly written that all who are at all conversant with conditions in the nation, are led to inquire what they mean. While many, like Justice Brewer in the latter part of his speech, are inclined to take as hopeful a view of these things as possible, to us who “know these things before,” they speak of the soon coming of our Saviour. While rejoicing in this hope ourselves, it is a good time to answer from the Bible and other good literature, so readily procured, the question arising in many minds, “What does all this signify?”