TROUBLE AND ITS REMEDY

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 29, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 26.

TROUBLE AND ITS REMEDY.

All the troubles of this world come through ignoring the counsel of the Lord. The divine administration, if acknowledged in the affairs of men, would bring prosperity beyond the most sanguine expectation of any human administration. A few simple suggestions are enough to indicate a basis of action that would insure peace and harmony among all classes:—

To the Rich.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” I Tim. 6:17–19.

To Employers.

“Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.” Col. 4:1.

“I will be a swift witness against . . . those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not Me, saith the Lord of hosts.” Mal. 3:5.

To Employees.

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Col. 3:22–24.

These scriptures show conclusively that if men in the various walks of life would, first of all, recognize their responsibility and accountability to God, and would act accordingly, there would be no capital and labor troubles to settle. Moreover, it is clear that existing troubles never can be settled on any other basis than that of a recognition of mutual rights and mutual welfare, estimated by the standard of the Word of God. When men of all classes learn to “look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others,” the clash between the classes will cease. When the human heart becomes a voluntary receptacle of the Golden Rule—“whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them”—then we may expect harmony among men. Then, and not till then, will there be a mutual regard for the rights of men of whatever condition in life.

But this never can be while sin and its consequent selfishness rule the hearts of men. Only the Spirit of Christ can bring about such a condition of harmony with His law. For “the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Therefore all human efforts to bring about peace on earth must come to naught, and, as the Word tells us that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,” and that this probationary age will wind up as did the age before the Flood, there can be no prospect of better conditions in this world. “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” The spirit of selfishness can not enter there, and the counsel of God will be the invariable rule of action; hence universal peace and happiness will prevail. Such is the goal to which men are pointed by the Gospel of Christ—the great and only remedy for human ills. And this is the Gospel which we preach unto you.