Sins Multiplied by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 30, 1873

Sins Multiplied.

By R. M. Kilgore

While riding on the cars, I overheard two men, who sat close by, talking about the “Chicago dailies,” when one of them remarked that one of those papers had become so foul that he would not introduce it into his family because of the reports of crime it contained. I supposed him to be a minister of the gospel. But subsequently I learned that he was a theatrical performer, and was then on his way to Burlington, where he was to play for the amusement of the multitudes, who love pleasure more than they love God. This looked to me like Satan rebuking sin. If men of this class are appalled at the corruption of the world, and their modesty is shocked as their eyes are greeted with the reports of the same, has not the time arrived for the true child of God to sigh and cry for the abominations that are done in the land?

That the world is in a terrible condition morally, is admitted by almost every one, and the facts have only to be referred to in order to be acknowledged. Surely, we have reached the days of which the prophet Isaiah speaks: “For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them.” Chap. 59:12. The public prints are teeming with their reports of crime, and those of the most atrocious character are all that merits a record; while more than as many others of a less shocking nature are passed by unnoticed. In a single daily may be seen the headings of a long catalogue of crime, such as:—“Murder,” “Infanticide,” “Abortion,” “Robbery,” “Burglary,” “Embezzlement,” “Fraud,” “Adultery” and its kindred sins, of which it is a shame even to speak. So frequent are these that we are no longer appalled at their recital, and only feelings of disgust come over us, while we hastily scan the black record in search of something good.

This dark picture of our times is but a transcript of what the prophets have spoken and the poets have sung in past ages; and the curtain we now see lifted before our eyes reveals the same scenes which they saw with a great change in the background.

Are not the days of Noah and Lot returning? We are informed that then “violence covered the earth;” and the righteous soul of Lot was vexed from day to day with the unlawful deeds of those around him. “Even thus shall it be, when the Son of man is revealed.”

Because of this abounding of iniquity, do we not see the love of many waxing cold? Is there not a departing from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils”? Evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse. There are more lovers of pleasures than lovers of God. The form of godliness is without the power. The watchmen, who should see the sword coming, are lulling their flocks into carnal security, with the peace-and-safety cry; and they lie dreaming of better days and the “good time coming.”

And, in addition to this, are we not surrounded by those whom the apostle advertised centuries ago, saying that they should arise and scoffingly ask, Where is the promise of his coming? Upon this class shall the day of the Lord come as a thief in the night. “For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” Where are we? What do these things mean? Have we not reached the closing years of time? Do not the transgressions of the people testify against them? And, as for their sins, do we not know them? R. M. KILGORE.

Victor, Iowa, Dec. 19, 1873.