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THE WORLD’S UNREST

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 23, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 25.

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THE WORLD’S UNREST.

The Christian’s Assurance.

A PAPER of no little weight in London, Eng., albeit it has a lightsome name, is Vanity Fair. In its issue of May 12 it has the following significant words:—
From east to west, from north to south, the world is in a general state of unrest. Black men and brown, white men and yellow, all are unsettled; and the cloud of war where it has not already descended hangs threateningly close. We have the picture presented to us of America and Spain actually at war; of the Spanish people on the verge of a revolution; of a revolution in Italy; of very serious disturbances in Sierra Leone; and of the constant possibility of trouble in the far East. Added to these, there is the Cretan business still unsettled, the Soudanese war yet to be finished and the West African bother ready to assert itself. Yet in the face of this state of universal disturbance there are those who wonder at the lack of gaiety in the utterances of Lord Salisbury at the Albert Hall last week—those who find it in them to blame him for his gloomy tone and to rally him on his serious demeanor. These people may rest assured that the premier is not the man to speak seriously unless affairs are serious. No man has more real knowledge of foreign affairs than Lord Salisbury; and none knows better that the world is in trouble.
For, as Lord Salisbury points out, a great change is gradually coming over the world. The nations that have been decaying for years and years must soon disappear to make room for the vigorous races that must eventually dominate the world. America, the country that has hitherto kept herself to herself, will play a very different role so soon as her victory over Spain shall be completed. Flushed with conquest, with all the hot blood of a new and vigorous nation, it is impossible that she will continue to dissociate herself from the other great powers. With her in all probability lies the continuance or the abandonment of peace. . . . These revolutions and disturbances are but necessary steps in the evolution of the world; they are but symptoms of the fatal illness to which certain countries must eventually succumb. Spain’s existence, already threatened by America, is being hurried to its end by the Spaniards themselves; while Italy, bankrupt, oppressed, overtaxed, and idiotically overarmed, can not possibly last much longer. Who can doubt in the face of present-day affairs that the Latin races are destined to disappear, the Anglo-Saxon to rule the world? Who can not see that with England and America allied an indestructible combination would be formed?
This expresses the truth as regards the trouble. It also expresses the wish of the world, but not its assurance. There is no assurance; and because there is no assurance, the world is in trouble, the nations are in perplexity.
It is hoped that an Anglo-American alliance would bring order and stability out of confusion. And we have thought that in this way God might open up the nations of earth to the message of the Gospel in its fulness of power. But this is not assured. It is not known what the United States will do. She does not know herself what she will be led to do or forced to do. The times are big with swift-approaching and important changes, and the world stands breathlessly waiting.
But the children of God need not be alarmed. They do not know all the details of coming conflicts and changes, but this they may know; for God has revealed it in His Word. They may know that above all the strife of nations, “the Most High ruleth” in supreme repose, and, despite the alliances of men, the machinations of rulers, or the schemes of diplomats, He giveth the kingdom to whomsoever He will.
They may know that the last great universal strife will not come till the work of God is done, His servants sealed with His name, and the last willing soul gathered in to the body of Christ.
They may know that when the last grand cataclysm of universal war takes place, not only will Latin and Oriental kingdoms disappear, but all “the kingdoms of this world” will “become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ;” and the kingdoms of earth shall become as the chaff of the summer threshing-floors, which will be forever borne away in the great whirlwind of ultimate wrath.
They may know that then God will gather His people unto Himself forever.
They may know and should know all these things from the “more sure word of prophecy,” the Book of God.
They also should know that this is not a time for dawdling delay, procrastination, worldliness, love of ease, but, filled with the Spirit of God, they should go forth to warn the world of its coming doom, and to tell them of the sweet assurance and everlasting safety of the children of God. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good-pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”