p. 16 | Anarchy | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 25, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 39.

Anarchy

The word anarchy comes from the Greek, an, “without,” and archos, “head,” “ruler;” one without government or head. It is, in its strongest and most radical sense, applied to those who are against all law and government, and who believe all rulers ought to be dispensed with, mildly if it may be, forcibly if necessary. It is believed, and there seems to be evidence sufficient to show it, that world-wide organizations exist for the purpose of promoting an active propagandism of anarchistic principles, with the occasional killing of some person in authority. The wicked shooting of President McKinley was not inspired because of aught he had done, or by any personal hatred against him as an individual; but he was shot solely because he was considered a “ruler.” The attack of anarchist Czolgosz was more than against a man; it was against all law, all stability of government, all authority. If possessing the power, it would dethrone God. Its root was in Satan’s lawless revolt in the courts above. In the present instance which has so awfully shocked and saddened the nation, a poor soul with uncurbed lawless instincts has been incited to his deed of treacherous madness by the hearing and reading of the utterances of a woman anarchist. Such incendiary speeches and publications, the demand that life shall be taken, that rulers shall be assassinated, should be suppressed in the interests of the protection of human life. The worst kind of government is better than anarchy.

With only sympathy for the wounded Chief Magistrate and his afflicted wife, with no excuse for the monster who did the cruel deed, still no Christian could desire to do otherwise than civilly to leave him in the hands of the courts of law, and morally and eternally to the even and sure justice of God.