THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS NOW.
“Distress of Nations with Perplexity” is one of the characteristic signs which our Lord gives by which we may know that his coming is near. (See Luke 21:25–27.) Hitherto this perplexity and distress have affected to the greatest extent the nations of the Old World, largely the European nations. Heavy taxation, induced by the support of expensive royalty and the universal war preparations, and the arming and re-arming of all able to do military service; great unrest because of overcrowded cities and immense competition; improved machinery and underpaid workmen, the consequent spread of Nihilism, Socialism, Red Republicanism, and Anarchy; the perplexity of governments over all these things; the incubus of the ever-increasing national debts and royal pay-rolls; the gigantic war specter ever and anon horrifying the nations and affecting the markets of the world,—these and other things have shown the truthfulness of our Lord’s words regarding Europe. America now is but little better. For the last three years “hard times” has clung to it as a veritable “old man of the sea,” and refused to dismount. Great corporations have crushed the life out of all private business in our large cities, and largely in country towns. Competition has driven many to bankruptcy, and thrown many out of employment; and now all these matters, in one form or another, have entered the political field, and confusion and perplexity are enthroned as queens in the political, religious, and social life. A half dozen political parties are asking and demanding the suffrages of the people; millions of dollars will be spent in what will probably be one of the hottest political campaigns united America has ever seen. Some men will lose their heads, some their property, some their lives, and more their souls. And during all these times men and women are starving for want of the necessaries of life, in the richest country on earth. More still are dying for the bread of life. And Christ’s coming is drawing near, as all these things portend. What is the Christian’s duty?—To point men to the Government of Eternal Love and Justice, the Constitution of which knows no change, because it needs no change; the King of which is personified Love—combined mercy and justice—the purpose and plan of which are to save, not from a few trials or wants or needs of this life, but to save eternally all who wish to be saved, to an everlasting inheritance of peace and joy and equilibrium and stability. Tell the unsatisfied of this, Christian. They may not care to listen just at the moment, but the Spirit of God, in whose sweetness tell it, will bring the story again to their remembrance. Tell them of this Government; tell them that Christ, its King, is soon coming; invite them in his name to a share in its glories.