Lowering of the Moral Standard.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox, a hopeful, optimistic writer, thus speaks of conditions in the business world to-day: “There is ‘fever in the very air we breathe. It necessitates ‘being in an exalted state of spiritual serenity to ‘defy infection. All our standards in the business world seem to be lowered. I remember the time when a dishonest man of wealth was spoken of as such with scorn by other men. To-day it is customary to hear men speak with admiration of the ‘smart’ fellow who made the ‘corner’ and cleared a million or two for himself and beggared his associates. As it is frequently expressed, ‘The man who gets there’ is the best man in the long run. To ‘get there’ means, in business vernacular, to attain wealth, no matter by what means. Of course the lowering of the moral standard affects the whole character of the business world. When we begin to think it justifiable to wrong others in any respect, for any purpose, we easily drift into an indifference to their rights in any respect.” And it is all true. The Lord has foretold that it would be thus just before Christ came. Read Isaiah 59; 2 Tim. 3:1-5, and many other scriptures. Mrs. Wilcox is only recording the news given by the prophet of God so long ago. The end of it will come when Christ Jesus takes to Himself His great power, and reigns.