Tornadoes and the Perils of the Last Days
By Editor
Despatches of May 14 tell of destructive tornadoes that swept away several towns in Nebraska. This comes very soon after the tornado that did so much damage in Missouri. It is well to make a note of these mighty agents of destruction that have been visiting us during recent months. A regular army of them swept through the Southern and Eastern States a few weeks ago, and before the débris was all cleared away others followed, and then a few days later came a small army of tornadoes through the Middle West, the most destructive of which struck Omaha. These things ought to cause men to think. People ought to be able to notice that there is a striking connection between moral conditions in the world and physical conditions in nature. "The prince of the power of the air" would operate to destroy men whenever he can, but he is only permitted to do this as the world becomes so wicked that the protection of the Almighty must necessarily be withdrawn; and we are not at all backward to make the statement that storms, earthquakes, and pestilences will increase in an awful degree as time passes. We know this not because of any special intelligence that we possess, or of any peculiar human skill, but because of evidence that is beyond the human. It is the evidence of the divine Book of the Infinite God. We are in the perils of the last days; and when the Master was here in person, He made the solemn announcement that "there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:25-28.