p. 2 | THIS WORLD'S HISTORY by Alonzo T. Jones

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 3, 1901

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

THIS WORLD'S HISTORY.

By Alonzo T. Jones

NIMROD was the first man who wore a kingly crown. By him there was established among men the principle of human sovereignty. By him was begun kingship among men in this world: the rulership of man over man, and subjection of man to man; instead of the rulership of man over himself,—self-government,—and subjection of man to God only.

Nor was it only kingship that was by Nimrod begun; not merely kingship or sovereignty over a single city or territory, but kingship over kings, sovereignty over separate peoples and territories. For tho “the beginning of his kingdom” was the important cities and territories of “Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar,” his ambition of kingly rule was not satisfied with these; but “out of that land he went forth into Assyria, and builded Nineveh, and Rehoboth-Ir, and Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah.” Thus it was not only kingship, but kingship expanded into empire, that was begun by Nimrod in the world.

Thru a long period of ages, Nimrod’s example was followed, thru the rise and expansion into empire of Elam, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Grecia. Then there arose a people who threw off and utterly repudiated all kingship and all idea of kingship; and established a republic—the republic of Rome—a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

This government of the people likewise expanded into empire, degenerated into monarchy and imperial despotism, then to such utter corruption that in terrible ruin it was swept totally from the earth.

From the tribes of barbarians who accomplished the destruction of Rome, there were established ten distinct kingdoms in the territory that had been Roman. Thus there was again established the principle of distinct kingship in government in the world.

Then again thru a period of ages, kingship expanded into empire in a succession of rises and falls, when in 1776 there arose another people who threw off and utterly repudiated all kingship and all idea of kingship; and established another republic—the republic of the United States—a government of the people, by the people, for the people.

And now this second great republic, which arose upon the repudiation of kingship, and upon the establishment of government of the people, has also expanded into empire.

Thus the whole history of this world from Nimrod’s day unto this year 1901 is expressed in two series of kingships expanding into empire, each followed by the total repudiation of kingship in the establishment of a republic—a government of the people, by the people, for the people—and each of these itself expanding into empire: the first, expanding into empire and irretrievable ruin; the second, expanding into empire and——what?

This is an interesting parallel. It is more than interesting: it is intensely suggestive, because the parallel stands, not only in the fact that twice in the world’s history has a long period of kingship been followed by the utter repudiation of kingship in the establishment of a republic, but the parallel likewise stands in the careers of these two republics—even to close details.

For this reason it is not only interesting but exceedingly important that the people of this republic of the United States should know the parallel, and how close it is, between these two republics; to know how far this parallel extends already, and to know how far it is likely yet to extend.

To this study the readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and all who can be induced to become readers are invited, thru four or five numbers of the paper. Come; it will thoroly pay.

ALONZO T. JONES.