The Portland Oregonian, which, so far as our limited observation goes, never seems satisfied in presenting its menu before the public without some attack, direct or indirect, upon religion, has an article in its issue of January 1 on “The New Year.” It condemns the optimist for looking at grave dangers too lightly. It condemns the pessimist for bemoaning the nation’s drink bill, its immorality, etc., which the Oregonian insists are improving. Nevertheless, the Oregonian sees dangers, grave dangers. It says:— “The mercurial sanguine observer is too flippant, for there are serious questions before the country for solution. The selfish, stupid jealousy and hatred of capital; the still vital craze of free silver; the rage for dishonest class legislation and lunatic paternalism; the immigration question; the negro problem, whose black cloud still overcasts the otherwise bright sky of the south; the increasing tendency to suffer mob law and arbitration by the pistol to usurp the authorized machinery of justice, are some of the things that make the judicious lover of his country grieve for its present and weaken his confidence in the felicity of its future.” But some of the above may not be evils. Those that are, are the direct outgrowth of the immorality over which the so-called “pessimist” mourns, the increasing selfishness in the hearts of men. Paternalism in government and class legislation are human expedients, or patent medicines to cure deep-seated disease of the body politic and social. Of course they will not cure; they can not; but an optimistic declaration that there are no evils, or that evil is growing less, is equally foolish. The broad view is the Bible view of prophecy. It points out the root evils in sin. It shows the sure result,—destruction. But it is not pessimistic. It presents before us a better time, a better land, a better state, a better reign; but it is not brought about by human devices,—“the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Even unbelievers see some of the dangers. Would to God all could see the refuge—eternal and sure.