No Power in Civilization.
The Tribune of this city, in speaking of the plunderers of the dead in various calamities of recent occurrence, says, “It is sad to reflect that civilization only sharpens the intelligence without lessening the evil propensities of a certain element of society.” It is sad, but the recognition of the fact will lead to the remedy. Civilization is one of two things, the index of a mighty power within, or a mere superficial covering of things men are ashamed to have seen. It exists in both of these aspects wherever it exists at all to-day. In itself it has no moral power. It is by superficial thinkers thought to have, but the only moral power it has is the righteousness behind it of which civilization is but one of the lesser results. If the righteousness be wanting, the civilization is but a cloak to cover moral deformities, a mask to hide the face and heart of a monster. But the putting on of the mask will not preserve the righteousness of the good man nor change the heart of a bad man. The natural heart of man is evil, and the only cure is the reception of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.