THE INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE.
By G. B. Thompson
The prophet, looking in heavenly vision down through the long centuries to our time, says, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Dan. 12:4. As a sign of the approaching consummation of all things, knowledge, religious and scientific, was to be marvelously increased. That we have reached such a time there can be no question. Men have chained the lightning, and brought under the most perfect control the elements in nature around us. Nothing now in the way of material advancement seems too incredible to be believed. The editor of the Pittsburg Times of January 18, 1898, writing under the heading of “Portable Suns,” says:— A man named Nickum, of Logansport, Ind., claims to have discovered a new light. It requires neither oil, gas, electricity, nor other power, fuel, or force. He simply places some substances, the secrets of which are known as yet only to himself, in a glass globe, exhausts the air, and the globe gives forth a light. This, he says, will continue to give light as long as the globe is intact, and as long as the vacuum in its interior is maintained. It is not phosphorescent, he maintains, but a truly incandescent light. It will give out its light without loss of power or brilliancy, all the time, day and night. It will cost nothing. It can be carried in the pocket or placed wherever it is desired to use it. It is a light, too, without heat; nothing is consumed in its production, and there is no destruction of the materials which cause the glow. Such a story would have been derided a hundred years ago, and a man claiming such things would have been executed as a wizard. But so used are we now to hearing of marvelous achievements that the editor sees fit only to speak a little skeptically touching this particular matter of having a sun with you without cost, yet he calls forcible attention in the latter part of his article to the present achievements of knowledge. It is certainly true, as he says, that “there is no knowing what our eyes may see and our ears hear if we live a few years.” But one thing is sure; these things tell us that the coming of Jesus is at the door. Are we reading the handwriting and preparing for what is impending? G. B. THOMPSON.