IS IT JUST A HAPPENING?
By T.
In last week’s paper attention was called to the fact that the “last days” are to be particularly marked by “covetousness.” The Scripture language of 2 Tim. 3:1–5 and James 5:1–8, as well as other texts, abundantly show this. Attention was also called to this as the age of “trusts” and “combines” for the purpose of amassing wealth. Now note with care the significance of these facts. The text in 2 Tim. 3:1–5 affirms positively that the last days are made “perilous” because of the evil deeds that men will be doing. And the first sins or crimes in this list that makes these last days perilous is summed up in the phrase, “lovers of their own selves, covetous.” Then “self-love” and “covetousness,” two sins that are very closely related, head the evils and form the foundation for the perils of the “last days.” And this “covetousness” and “self-love” in the “last days” very naturally produce what James mentions, namely, “treasure” “heaped” together. Now is it simply a happen-so—just an ordinary chance coincidence—that history does not furnish a like example of the widespread covetousness and heaping together of treasure that is found in our time? For a score of years the money question has been the political issue. And the business depression and panic in money matters that have continued since ’92 and ’93 is by no means entirely passed by. The political doctors have had theory upon theory as to what should be done to restore prosperity and bring about good times. “Free trade” and “protective tariff,” a “gold basis,” and “bimetalism,” are each and all urged as the very remedy needed for the disease. But still the “hard times” continue, at least so the business men tell us, notwithstanding the fact that the newspapers, with heroic courage, would fain have us believe that times are most wonderfully prosperous. The last political campaign in this country was one of the most hotly-contested struggles that the nation has ever passed through. And what was the issue?—It was simply and solely money. Money was the text of every political speech and the basis of every campaign editorial. And no matter what the political complexion of the speaker or writer, his theme was money. “The country is going to the dogs unless we can correctly settle this money question,” was the conclusion of every contestant. At the conclusion of the campaign it was triumphantly asserted that the “money question” is now settled. But somehow “it will not down.” The successful candidate in that great money campaign has been in the White House for more than one-fourth of his term. Yet we find him saying in his much-talked-of speech in New York, a short time since, that his party will have to settle this money question now, or else be compelled to meet it again in the campaign of 1900. So, after all, the money question is openly acknowledged by the leader, who is now at the front in the contest, to still be unsettled. During that memorable campaign of 1896, thousands of speeches were made and column after column was written denouncing the “trusts.” And one seldom hears a speech now without some reference being made to the “inordinate greed that is sapping the very foundation of society in our time.” The newspapers and magazines are filled with articles denouncing the greed and corruptions of colossal wealth. Remedies are offered, but none meet with popular approval, and so the struggle goes on. And again we ask, Is this simply a happen-so? Certainly the believer in the Word of God will see in it more than a mere happening. He will recognize the all-seeing power of our Heavenly Father. God has not created the covetousness in this money-grasping age, but over 1,800 years ago He saw what would be in our time, and has told us about it. And lest we should become discouraged at the thought of the terrible outcome of such manifest7and cruelly-grasping covetousness, He tells us plainly that it is a sign by which we may know that we are in the “last days.” And while the last days are filled with perils, we are pointed to the Refuge from every storm. And the money question could not be confined to the United States alone, and still constitute a sign that we are in the “last days.” It must be world-wide. And the question is one that is world-wide, as every one knows. In France, Socialism is the name under which, for the most part, the contest against the money power is waged. Germany, as well as England, has a foreboding army of “social reformers,” who say they are striving to better the condition of the poor by a reformation among the rich. The rich, they affirm, have too much, and they want some of this wealth distributed among the needy. In Russia, Socialism, Nihilism, and Anarchism are the various terms used to designate the discontented element, who are seeking in every way to bring about a revolt against the rich, who are surfeited with luxury, while millions are barely able to subsist. The bread rioting in Austria Hungary is the rising of the oppressed peasant against the landlord. And so the story goes the world over. Any one who is watching the literary reviews of the day, must be impressed by the large list of books and pamphlets that are constantly coming from the press in which pauperism and wealth are being discussed. And these books and pamphlets are issuing not merely from American authors, but the principal nations of Europe are well represented in these discussions. It is an openly-avowed statement that money, and no longer kings and emperors, rules the world. When a nation is about to declare war, many questions are discussed in the newspapers, and the pros and cons are quite fully given. And after a while the war blows over, and men would fain make us believe that our civilization and wonderful disposition for peace and masterly diplomacy, has averted the crash. But if the general public could have heard the discussions of the bondholders during all this time, the verdict could not have been withheld that it was the diplomacy of money, and not of peace, that did the work. And when such selfish diplomacy rules, how insecure must be the peace that is purchased! The charge is openly made, and, in many instances, supported by incontestable proofs, that our town and city councils, State Legislatures, and even the national Assembly, are elected by boodle, in the interest of the great money concerns of the country. We are told that courts of justice are corrupted by money, and that the vilest villain, if he has the cash, is extremely hard to convict. But why further recite what is so well known to all? And, with these facts before us, who will affirm that they are not in direct fulfilment of the scriptures referred to at the beginning of this article? If the “covetousness” and the “heaping together of treasure” in this time is not sufficient to fulfil these remarkable prophecies, pray, what condition will the world be in when they are fulfilled? When a prophecy meets its fulfilment so accurately, it is not a mere happening. It is a result that should cause men to think. The eternal riches are soon to be given to those who refuse to be blinded by the mammongod of this world. Let go the perishing pelf, by using it for the helping of our poor, needy, unfortunate fellows, and thereby gain the wealth of the ages of eternal bliss. T.