Mr. Disraeli’s Political Prophecy Again.
Mr. Disraeli, who has been in Parliament for forty years, and leader of the Conservative party for twenty-five years, and who was characterized by Mr. Baird to be the greatest living statesman of the age, warned the students of Glasgow University in his famous address to them on November 20, that “the disturbing spirit of the age, which was now rising in Europe like a morning wind, was the spirit of Socialism, which demanded social, material, and physical equality for all men; and before they (the students) had entered the world, might very possibly become a HOWLING TEMPEST.” Again, in his Conservative Address on November 22, in Glasgow, he said:— “One thing that gives me uneasiness is the relation at present between capital and labor, between the employers and the employed. It is an extremely painful thing that, of late years, we so frequently hear of misunderstandings between the employed and employers (i. e., Strikes and Lockouts) that they look upon each other with suspicion, as if each was rapaciously inclined to obtain or retain the greater share of the profits of their trade. There is another point to which I wish to draw your attention, namely, the contest commencing in Europe between the spiritual and temporal powers. Gentlemen, I look upon it as very grave, as pregnant with circumstance that will greatly embarrass Europe. A religious sentiment is often very generally taken advantage of by political causes which use it as a pretext; and there is much going on in Europe at the present moment which, it appears to me, may occasion us soon much anxiety in this respect, that I myself look upon it as the greatest danger to civilization, if, in the struggle that is taking place between faith and free thought, the respective interests should only be represented by the papacy and the Red-Republicans.” “I may say that we have before us the prospect of struggles—perhaps of wars and anarchy ultimately—caused by the great question that is now rising in Europe, and it will not easily be in the power of England entirely to withdraw itself from such circumstances. Our connection with Ireland will then be brought painfully to our consciousness, and I should not be at all surprised if the vizor of Home Rule were to fall off some day, and you behold a very different countenance. Now, gentlemen, I think we ought to be prepared for those circumstances. The position of England is one which is indicated, if dangers arise, of holding a middle course upon these matters. It may be open to England again to take a stand upon the Reformation, which 300 years ago was the source of our greatness and our glory—(cheers)—and it may be our proud destiny to guard civilization alike from the withering blasts of atheism and from the simoon of sacerdotal usurpation. (Loud cheers.) “These things may be far off, but we live in a rapid age, and my apprehension is that they are nearer than some suppose. If that struggle comes, we must look to Scotland to aid us. It was once, and I hope it is still, a land of liberty, patriotism, and of religion. (Loud cheers.) We all know that a general election is at hand. I don’t ask you to consider on such an occasion the fate of parties or of Ministers. But I ask you to consider this, that it is very probable that the future of Europe depends greatly on the character of the next Parliament of England. But I ask you, when the occasion comes, to act as becomes an ancient famous nation, and to give all your energies for the cause of faith and freedom.” (Loud and prolonged cheering.) The Daily Telegraph (Liberal Journal) remarked upon this: “Mr. Disraeli said that a battle is beginning between the temporal and spiritual powers on the Continent, and that civilization would be menaced with the greatest of all dangers, if the respective sides in the struggle should be represented by the papacy and the Red-Republicans. He is quite right. He sees the real issue and the real point. And in some degree, his statement is also true that the future of Europe may depend greatly on the character of the next Parliament in England. With Russia and Germany nursing a cause of strife in the Baltic provinces; with France menaced by civil war and another Revolution; with Italy arming herself against French sacerdotalism; with Prussia recommencing the battle of the Reformation, the next Parliament of England may indeed do much for Europe. When the occasion shall come, we hope that England may give all its energies to the cause of truth and freedom.” Lord Shaftesbury, speaking from the chair at a missionary meeting this November, said, “God was working in a marvelous way in blessing missionary efforts at home and abroad. But how long would it continue so? The door might soon be shut. The time might come and probably was near at hand, when such opportunities would no longer exist, and then their neglect would be regretted in vain. The signs of the times were very terrible, and no text of Scripture was now more applicable than the words of our blessed Lord, ‘And what I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.’”—Signs of our Time. WE can work out a good character much quicker than any one can lie us out of it. Therefore never chase a lie. Let it alone and it will run itself to death. IN Prov. 6:16, 19, Solomon mentions seven things which are an abomination to the Lord, and one of these things is: “He that soweth discord among brethren.” Is it not sowing discord to carry news from one to another? Mark: this sower of discord among brethren, God himself calls an abomination. It is first the proud look, then the lying tongue, next, the hands that shed innocent blood, &c. Tongue, hands, heart, and feet, separately and individually; but when it comes to sowing discord, it is not the heart alone, not the tongue, or hand, or feet, which may all act a part, but it is him, the whole person, him that soweth discord is an abomination. Oh! who would be in God’s sight an abomination? Much pain might be saved if we but had our tongues sanctified. Solomon says again, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds.” Prov. 18:8. Here he compares talebearing to very painful wounds. Would you like to be pained in this way? If not, cease to carry news. Remember the golden rule is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Is it not a fearful sin to engage in this kind of work, when by it we make ourselves an abomination to the Lord? Backbiting and talebearing are the enemy’s work. Oh! how much better to be doing the Lord’s work and talking about his coming. It is better to be engaged in the service of the Lord than in the service of Satan. How unkind it is to talk wrongfully of one of God’s children. How far from doing as we wish to be done by. If we lack a subject for conversation, let us search the Scriptures wherein we may find an inexhaustible store that will not grieve the Spirit. J. F. BAHLER.