p. 8 | THE COMING CRASH

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 31, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 13.

THE COMING CRASH.

From the London Mail of March 4 the following paragraphs are extracted:—

“A great sensation has been caused throughout Spain by a powerful pastoral just issued to his people by Cardinal Cascajares, the archbishop of Valladolid. It is really a fierce attack on the conduct of affairs in Cuba, and a searching exposition of the alarming internal condition of Spain. The authorities have attached so much importance to the document that the censor has stopped outgoing telegrams dealing with it. . . .

“The pastoral states that every one recognizes that the present situation of Spain is the most critical that our country has traversed in the present generation, and is only comparable to that which preceded the French invasion at the beginning of the century; every one recognizes that outside our own country, tempests threaten us, and that within, the volcano rages under our feet.

“The cardinal then goes on to bitterly denounce the manner in which, notwithstanding the situation, the Spanish public is giving itself up to the celebration of the carnival, and the enjoyment of all possible pleasures and festivities; indeed, the prelate compares it with the condition of the Roman people, who, in the last days of the empire, and amid all their calamities, demanded ‘panem et circenses’ [food and amusement].”

The corruption and debasement of the people in Spain are certainly described by the cardinal in no uncertain language. And because Spain is politically weak, she is perhaps denounced more by other nations than otherwise would be the case. But it is a fact that the political corruption in Spain, as well as the evils in private life, can hardly be much worse than they are in any or all of the other countries of the world. The wickedness—the base corruption of the times of Sodom—is reproduced all the world over to-day. And as God had no alternative then, but to destroy the cities of the plain because of their gross immoralities, tho He bore long with them, even so now the world is becoming so corrupt that its destruction is the only merciful thing that can be done. And the Bible plainly tells us that wickedness such as was in the days of Sodom shall reappear to make the “last days,” “perilous.”

Do not become discouraged by the great wickedness in the world, no, not even if that wickedness is in your own heart. Remember that there is hope in our Saviour, and that He is longing to cleanse you from all your sins, so that He may preserve you when He comes. His coming will be very soon. Haste to get ready to meet Him. He wants to save you.