p. 8 | RUFFIANISM by T.

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

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

RUFFIANISM

By T.

EVERY day in the year the newspapers devote quite an amount of space to telling of the ruffians who are continually attacking people, robbing them of their money, indecently assaulting women and even little girls, etc., etc. A recent issue of the New York World informs us that in one of the suburbs of Greater New York this ruffianism has become so alarmingly great that “influential business men” have called a meeting to form a vigilance committee for their mutual protection against assault.

Numerous women and also little schoolgirls have been assaulted again and again by the vile men who are hanging about in that particular locality. And the place is not a back alley among the hovels and dens of vice, but is a beautiful residence district, in which many of the well-to-do business men of New York reside. It is claimed that appeals have been made to the police for protection, but all to no purpose.

It has not been a great while since attention was called through these columns to the fact that official investigation has proved the deplorable and degraded condition of the police in many of our large cities. It has been shown beyond dispute that the police have formed a regular league with these vile criminals, and have become partakers with them in the spoils of their criminality.

How much longer can this sort of thing continue? We are informed by the Word of God that “in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Tim. 3:1. But how much more perilous will they get before the very last one of these “last days” is reached? We are also told that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3:13. But how much more degraded will they become before the end arrives? Certainly mankind is getting bad enough, but we are assured that they “shall wax worse and worse.”

Men who have either studied the Bible superficially or else from a prejudiced standpoint, have been affirming that the world was going to get better and better, until everybody should become good. But the text above quoted speaks directly to the contrary of this man-made theory. And the facts as they plainly exist everywhere show that the text is true and the human theory false.

Then let it be clearly understood by all that when the “last days” are reached, “perilous” and not good times will come, and that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” If you have never thought of this before, you need not be hasty in forming your conclusions, but just consider it a little, and watch the unfolding of events, and you will see that which will show you that the Word of God is correct, no matter what may be the contrary theories of man. T.