p. 9 | Political Promises by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 28, 1897

Political Promises

By Editor

It was earnestly hoped that the promises of the return of prosperity would be realized after the late presidential election; and for a little time there was a seeming revival in business, but at the present money matters seem to be fully as uncertain as they were before the election. Some of the best banks in the country have failed; and others stand in a precarious position. The great commercial reviews of Dunn and Bradstreet show that the volume of business being transacted is much less than in years gone by, even as low as the financial crisis of 1892, as indicated by the clearing houses. And yet in the face of these things the business men are solacing themselves with the hopes of a better time next autumn. It is not our object to discuss the political situation. The simple facts are that in the light of reason and the prophecy of God’s word the condition of things in the commercial world, and in fact throughout the whole earthly régime, is abnormal. There is no country which can prosper with a great amount of its wealth in the hands of a few. Monopoly and corporation control nearly all the necessities of life. Legislators are at their beck and call; and the end is not yet. What it will be is foretold in the “more sure word of prophecy.” If the reader wishes to understand, let him ponder such scriptures as James 5:1–7; Habakkuk 2; and Amos 8:1–10; and then let him place his hope, not in the promises of politicians, but in the exhortation of the word of God. “Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.”