UNREST AMONG THE PEOPLE.
By G.
A “National Social and Political Conference” was held at Detroit, Mich., June 28. This was the second annual conference of this movement. It is said that “men and women of all shades of belief ‘and representing all parts of the country were ‘present.’” A number of Canadians were also present. The mayor of Detroit delivered an address of welcome, and the mayor of Cleveland responded. The convention adopted a political platform, but all efforts to organize a new political party failed. So did every attempt to indorse existing parties. One of the planks of the platform is, “Honest ‘elections, free from partisan manipulation or con-’trol.” Another plank is, “We demand for others ‘the same rights and liberties we ask for ourselves.” And still another is, “Opposition to militarism and ‘conquest, and advocacy of international arbitration.” These are all good, but how they are to be carried out without political organization is not made clear. This action rather indicates a restlessness on the part of the people, under the conviction that their rights are being infringed, that in some way trouble for the masses is upon us, and those who are convinced of these things do not know just how to avoid them. And the perplexity will deepen; for while the people are wondering what to do to avoid oppression, the cords are being tightened around them by the very elements—wealth and imperialism—which they instinctively dread, but are powerless to resist. They will find, too, that there is no remedy in “social and political conferences.” Those who now have the reins are adepts in this line. Those who have the money, and the political prestige, and the military power at command, will not be overthrown by conventions and paper platforms. The fiat has gone forth; the day of equal rights is past; “self and ‘greed hold sway.” As it was in the days of Noah, the earth is “filled with violence.” There is but one refuge from the coming storm, and that is in the faith of the soon-coming Lord. It is an individual refuge; society or the masses can not run into it by companies or by States and nations.9The “nations are angry,” their rulers are perplexed, and are rushing blindly into the vortex of destruction. “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. . . . Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” Ps. 146:3-5. Utterly futile are all human efforts to avert the troubles that have even now begun. “It is time to ‘seek the Lord.” The world is crying, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace.” G.